The Missionary Review of the World — September 1939
1939
The Japanese Control of Religion By a Recent Resident Christian Opportunities in Japan J. Harper Brady The Churches in the DustBowl Mark A. Dawber By-Products of the Arabian Mission Samuel M. Zwemer Fasl-Begh-Address Unknown "Shaheeda"
Training Indian Women Doctors Dame Edith Brown The Present Situation in Portugal Wm. H. Rainey Preaching Christ in Europe Adolf Keller 25 Cents ~ Copy $2.50 a Year
Items Dates to Remember throughout the Presbyterian
and in other Christian circles because Dr. Clarence G. Salsbury, Superin- August 1-IO-Erieside Conference for of his work for lepers of Allahabad tendent of Ganado Presbyterian Mis- Boys and Young Men. Willowick, and in connection with the Allahabad sion to Navajo Indians in Arizona, Ohio. Agricultural Institute, a missionary and medical director of Sage Memorial enterprise. He attended the Mt. Her- Hospital, has been made President Aug. 5-10-Ninth Quadrennial Con- mon School for Young Men and of the recently organized Arizona vention ·of the Woman's Home and Princeton University where he was a Hospital Association. Arizona is one Foreign Missionary Society of Af- member of the class of 1903, and went of the last states to organize such rican Methodist Episcopal Zion to India the same year. He received an association. Almost all the state's Church, Detroit, Mich. the degree of Doctor of Philanthropy 45 hospitals are embraced in this from Princeton and Bachelor of Scieffort to handle matters arising from August 13-20-Geneva Summer School ence in Agriculture from Ohio State legislative and social security prob- of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. For College, Master of Science from Amlems. It will be affiliated with the information write to Mrs. Paul H. herst College and received the Kaisar- American Hospital Association. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey Ave., i-Hind Gold Medal in 1935 and the Oak Park, ill. King George Medal in 1937. *** Mrs. A. E. Harper, of the Presby- August 30-September 2 – National He was born in Manchester, Engterian Punjab Mission, has received Rural Forum. Penn State College, land, on October 24, 1874, and came the Kaisar-i-Hind gold medal for dis- under the auspices of the American to the United States in 1894. tinguished service to India. Dr. and Country Life Assn., Dr. Benson Y. Mrs. Harper, who have been in India Landis, Executive Secretary, 297 Obituary Notes since 1914, are in charge of the Moga Fourth Ave., New York. Training School for Village Teachers, The Rev. Dr. Ross Stevenson, Preswhich is the formal name for what September I-Home Mission Day at ident Emeritus of Princeton Theologi- Indians and missionaries prefer to the World's Fair, New York. cal Seminary, a former pastor of the call "The Village of Service." Mrs. Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church Harper is the author of two books for September 2-4 – Erieside Business and a Moderator of the General Asyoung people on India-"The Golden Women's Conference, Willowick, sembly of the Presbyterian Church in Sparrow" and "Shera of the Punjab." Ohio. the United States of America, died in New York on August 13 at 73 years *** October I-Loyalty Sunday. of age. He is survived by his widow, Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, after ten October 11-I8-Twelfth Quadrennial Florence Day Stevenson and by his years of residence at Princeton, N. J., three sons, Dr. Theodore Dwight Stehas moved to the Hotel Carteret, Sev- Convention of the Woman's Parent venson, a medical missionary in Canenth Avenue and 23rd Street, New Mite Missionary Society of the Af- ton, China, Donald Day Stevenson of York City. rican Methodist Episcopal Church, Pennsylvania State College and Wil- Chicago, ill. liam Edwards Stevenson of the law *** October 24-25-130th Annual Meet- firm of Debevoise, Stevenson, Plimp- ArthtH' L. Carson, Ph.D., director ing of the American Board of Com- ton & Page. of the Rural Institute of Cheeloo Uni- missioners for Foreign Missions versity, Tsinan, China, has been meeting with the Mid~West Region, Dr. Stevenson was much loved as a elected president of Silliman Univer- Pilgrim Church, St. Louis, Mo. pastor, teacher and friend. He was sity, Dumaguete, P. I. Dr. Carson one of the best-known Presbyterian went W China in 1921, and after a Dr. Helen Kim, a pioneer in wom- clergymen in the United States. For short service in Canton, he organized en's education in Korea, has been many years he served .as Chairman of an agricultural department in the elected President of Ewha College in the Presbyterian General Assembly's boys' high school at Weihsien, to meet Seoul, to succeed Miss Alice Appen- Department of Church Cooperation a recognized need. In Cheloo Univer- zeller. Dr. Kim has participated in and Union, and was a leader in the sity he had opportunity to serve the many international conferences both negotiations of his denomination for rural Chinese to better advantage. at home and abroad as a representa- a proposed concordat with the Prot- tive of Korea. She was a delegate to estant Episcopal Church. *** the Jerusalem Conference in 1928. He was born at Ligonier, Pa., on Dr. Edward Warren Capen is re- *** March 1, 1866, the son of the Rev. tiring from the deanship of the Ken- Ross Stevenson, Presbyterian minisnedy School of Missions of the Hart- Rev. J. G. Holdcroft, missionary of ter, and Martha A. Harbison Stevenford Seminary Foundation, after son. He was graduated from Washservice in that office since 1919. The the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. in ington and Jefferson College and then steady development of the school dur- Korea, has returned to Seoul in order from McCormick Theological Semiing toe last twenty-eight years is due to stand by the missionaries there and nary at Chicago. For four years he largely to his personal devotion. Dur- help in the work during this time of occupied a pastorate in Sedalia, Mo., ing this time more than 892 students crisis. Mrs. Holderoft is detained in and then returned to McCormick Semhave enrolled, representing more than America on account of her mother, inary for eight years. In 1902 he besixty mission boards; and these stu- who is 86 years of age. Pray for Dr. came pastor of the Fifth Avenue dents have served in 47 different mis- and Mrs. Holdcroft in this time of Presbyterian Church in New York sion fields throughout the world. testing. and in 1909 accepted the call of the Brown Memorial Church in Balti- *** *** more. He was elected president of Dr. T. K. Van, acting President of Dr. Samuel Higginbottom, Presi- Princeton Theological Seminary in the University of Shanghai since the dent of Ewing Christian College, Alla- 1914, and the next year was elected assassination of President Herman habad, India, has the distinction of be- Moderator of the General Assembly. C. E. Liu in 1938, has been elected ing the only lay missionary who has the President. In view of the tense ever been elected Moderator of the Dr. Stevenson retired from the pressituation following the assassination Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. idency of the Princeton Theological by a Japanese agent, it was not This honor was conferred upon him at Seminary in May, 1936, and subsethought wise to select a president at the General Assembly in Cleveland, quently served as temporary president the time. Ohio on May 25th. of the American section of the World Dr. Van's sterling Christian char- Dr. Higginbottom is not an Ameri- Conference on Faith and Order and acter, his scholarly attainments and can citizen, having been born in Great the Universal Christian Council for his quiet efficiency in a crisis mark Britain, is not an ordained minister, Life and Work. He and Mrs. Steventhe wisdom of his selection. never attended a theological seminary son went on a tour of Presbyterian and was elected an elder of the Pres- missions in the Far East in 1937. byterian Church in Cleveland only about two weeks before he was elected (Concluded on third cover.) Moderator. He has become well known and greatly beloved and honored
THE CALL LEADS . .. THE MISSIONARY To
REVIEW OF THE WORLD "EAST OF SUEZ" ORIENT DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor by VOL. LXII SEPT.,1939 No.9 EMp(l.ESS The Jain Temple, Calcutta Publication and Business Office- fl.PIlESS Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. rOB OVBB 100 YBllBS Only 10 swift days direct to THB WllY HllS .8BN Editorial and Executive Ollice– Yokohama when you sail by 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Empress to the Orient. Only PaO Entered as second-class matter at 3 more days to visit lovely Hawaii en route by Empress of Let the comfort of modern liners and the secur- Post Ollice, Harrisburg, Pa., under Japan, largest and fastest liner ity of British seamanship enhance your voy- Act of March 3, 1879. on the Pacific, or Empress of age. Whenever you are called to the other Canada. From California side of the world, choose this traditional route. 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. ports connect at Honolulu. Cross to England by a modern transatlantic Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. liner and then embark in a great liner of the Published monthly, except August. Frequent sailings from both P & 0 and British India fleets, led by the new All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. Vancouver and Victoria to 23,500-ton Strathallan, Strathmore, and Strath- British agents – Marshall, Morgan Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, eden carrying First and Tourist Classes. Air- and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, Shanghai,HongKong,Manila. conditioned dining saloons in First Class, hot London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Consult YOUR OWN TRAVEL and cold running water throughout, built-in 10 sh!1lings a year. AGENT or Canadian Pacific: out-door swimming pools, children's play- 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. rooms! Regular service to Egypt, Sudan, Iran- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBian Gulf, India, Burma, Ceylon, Straits Seule- LISHING CO., INC. ments, China, Japan, Australia, East and South Africa, Mauritius. Special reductions BOARD OF DIRECTORS and generous baggage allowance for missionaries. ROBERT E. SPEER, President A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President Convenient throuqh bookinqs can WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary j be arranqed by your travel aqent. PAUL J. BRAISTED Or apply at 25 Broadway, 638 Fit~~ A~•• N. Y•••• ~ =Y ,,"'''' ~ SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT D. J. FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD WM. B. LIPPllARD ERIC M. NORTH SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Editorial Chat The summer is past and the autumn begins. It is a time for new pro- grams and increased activity in the Church and mission work as well as in schools, business and public enter- prises.
We call attention to the material in this number of THE REVIEW–edi- torials, articles, news, methods-all bring useful and interesting informa- tion for Christian workers. THE RE- VIEW brings before each reader im- portant topics for prayer, conference and cooperation. Read prayerfully the articles on "The Dust Bowl Churches," the situation in Japan and in Europe. You will be stirred by the reports from Arabia and India and Dutch New Guinea. You will be deeply interested in the story of a Russian Christian's pilgrimage in Central Asia. Make your interest count for the Cause of Christ.
*** Some recent comments on the value of THE REVIEW show that God is blessing its ministry: "I have had the pleasure of reading your magazine on different occasions. Not being able to subscribe, I am wondering if any reader would be willing to pass on to me their used CUNARD WHlE Sl AR copies. It would be much appreci- ated." HECTOR H. GARDINER.
, p..gents for l Lin Cheng Hsien, GenerCl Hopei, North China. NO ORl£NTA *** P£NlNSUlAR AlNOlA ST£AM SH "I send my subscription for another ANO BRlTl CO MPANl£S year feeling it a very fine investment. NAVlGATlON I enjoy all the articles and comments.
If I go to summer or winter schools I shall certainly commend THE RE- VIEW." MRS. HENRY W. PEABODY.
Beverly, Mass.
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DlSTRlBUTlUN GIVING LITERATURE TO PRISONERS A PORTUGUESE
MONUMENT TO LUIS DE CAMOES WITH BIBLE SOCIETY DEPOT IN THE BACKGROUND AT LISBON (See article on page 409.) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 9 SEPTEMBER, 1939 Topics of the Times MEETING THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH Czechoslovakia and the Polish Ukraine? Perse- Many churches in America, as in other lands, cution cannot destroy them; poverty alone will are facing it crisis. Their income from gifts has decreased, their membership has dwindled, the not kill them. Such experiences did not destroy community in which the work is carried on has radically changed. What is their outlook? What the Apostolic Church; nor have they prevented is the solution of their problem? the growth of the church in mission fields. But There are worse things than for an organization or an individual to die a physical death. It materialism, self-centeredness and failure to culis far worse to die spiritually than to lose the reason for existence. If a man or a church cannot tivate spiritual life will sap vitality in churches longer serve the Cause of Christ in a community "Why cumbereth it the ground"? Physical death and individuals. may open the way to new spiritual life. Today, in the midst of world-wide distress, is One solution for a dying church may be a change it not time for Christians to seek spiritual vitality to meet the needs and conditions of the new environment. The change from a dead conserva- and to express spiritual life in personal service? tism to a living organism may be the way to larger service. A church that has served chiefly There is special need to help fellow Christians in aged saints, may well begin to reach out to meet the growing needs of youth, to train Christian distress wherever they may be, and to promote the workers, to evangelize the unconverted and backsliders of the community, to become truly a living missionary work of Christ with new vigor wherpower and a missionary-minded congregation. Size never determines vitality, power or useful- ever doors are open-at home or abroad. ness. There is clearly work for every Christian and every church in any environment where hu- Dr. Adolf Keller, of Switzerland, Director of man contacts may be made. The first requisite for service is the indwelling and manifestation of the Central Bureau for the Relief of the Evangelithe living Christ in the life and work of the individual or in the church. cal Churches of Europe, calls attention to the fact If churches in America are experiencing a that the need for help for these churches is incrisis-what about the churches in Japan, where militarism prevails; in Germany where totalitar- creasing rather than diminishing. He says: ianism seeks to control church life; in Russia where all faith in God is discredited; in China The rise of totalitarianism and the almost incredible where foreign invasion destroys property and life; fury of the outbreak of anti-Semitism have deeply affected in countries of Europe where unrest, poverty and the economic situation of the evangelical churches their materialism prevail? What shall be done for the liberty of conscience, their spiritual as well as congregaevangelical churches in Spain, in Germany, in tional and organizational life. All over the world the structure of civilization shows deep fissures where we had seen only solid rock.
Certain areas of specific need have within the last year shown increased distress, due in part to adverse eco- nomic conditions, but in far greater measure to the effects of national hysteria, the persecution mania which has broken out in so many places. A few problems are indi- cated here.
M.u~h :tttentio.n has been given to feeding evangelical famIhes In RUSSIa, those whose breadwinner has been sent to Siberia or the Arctic Circle. Relieving the extreme poverty of Reformed and other Protestant ministers in Rumania has been another project.
The encouraging evangelical movement in the Ukraine is being hit both by financial difficulties and by all manner of petty persecution·on the part of local authorities, i. e., every pastor must get a permit for every sermon that he preaches, whether in his own parish or elsewhere.
As the need grows for a strong and enlightened Chris- tian ministry, courageous and independent, the number of young men who can finance their training dwindles in Europe.
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A staggering refugee problem also faces us. These were the problems _before the Madras Czechoslovakia is on the critical list for the losses of Conference, and they were the problems before territory have meant a heavy blow to the Church of the the forty-sixth Foreign Missions Conference, held Czech Brethren (Hussite). They are paying a heavy price in Swarthmore in June. These two working confor peace, and it would be shameful if we let them pay it alone. Recent reports from Italy indicate that unfavorable ferences were built on similar lines-a new plan developments are facing the Waldensian Church. for the American annual meeting. It was not a The Christian Church in Europe is once more time for speeches and reports but an opportunity bringing forth martyrs; humble people jeopard- for prayerful deliberation on specific topics, preize their livelihood and the future of their children pared for by commissions and discussed in variin order to stand by Christian principles which are no longer recognized by their governments; yet ous groups that reported their recommendations churches are packed in many places where empty benches had become the rule. The witness of these to the whole conference. Two hundred and heroes of the faith has awakened echoes around eighty-seven men and women, from over sixty dethe world. nominations met for eight days to consider seven great mission areas and then such topics as-The Christianity may be driven again into the catacombs and caves, but churches in America and Life-Giving Church, The Sustenance of the Life England must rise to meet the challenge of the o~ the Church, Christian Leadership, World Tenhour. SIOns and Cooperation. Dr. John R. Mott, the veteran leader-ever youthful in outlook and vigor PROBLEMS FOR MISSION WORKERS -reminded the conference that the only founda- tion for the Christian Church is the ever Living There has probably never been a time when the whole foreign missionary enterprise has been con- Christ and faith in Him as the Son of God and fronted with greater difficulties, more complicated Saviour of man. problems, more dire need or more challenging opportunities than today. The very size of the The principle of Christian fellowship and coenterprise-with twenty-seven thousand Protes- operation in the name of Christ was dominant at tant missionaries on the field besides a total staff Swarthmore. Representatives from Mexico, Afriof over 200,000 Christian workers of various races and nations cooperating with them-constitutes ca, China, India and other fields, as well as from a problem as to the direction and support of the work. About $30,000,000 is required every year various Evangelical communions, brought varied in voluntary gifts from Protestant Christians to views and stirring challenges to cope with the task maintain this work with any degree of efficiency -so far as money can help to accomplish this. sacrificially and adequately.
Other problems are involved in the complexity The results of this conference, as well as the of the work-which is more than simple evange- outcome of Madras, must be seen in the churches, lism and the training of Christian leaders-in the the Board offices and on the field in the months to growth and self-assertion of the developing come. One thing is certain-nothing adequate churches in mission lands; in the unrest and conflicts in such countries as India, China, Korea and and abiding can be accomplished except through Japan; in the changed attitudes of the governments toward Christian missions in such lands as the power and leadership of the Spirit of Gwhod~ liv- Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Japan and Mexico; in the ing and working in individual disciples are war spirit and economic depression in Europe and America, resulting in a decrease of missionary surrendered to Christ and devoted to His cause. gifts. Add to this the agitation for new align- ments in the various denominations the over- An important move was made toward unifica- whelming number of appeals for philanthropic causes and the temptation to discouragement as tion of Protestant foreign mission management to the outcome of the whole missionary enterprise, and the decline of faith in many professed Chris- in America. The organizations which have handled tians in the compelling force of the missionary command of Christ-all these and other factors various phases of the enterprise on a semi-autonmake it imperative for loyal Christians to reexamine the world situation, to look at the basis omous basis, winocrlku,dpinrgomroegtiioonnaalnddwiroemcetino'n~ rural and objectives of the missionary enterprise and work, medical work, to consider the forces on which we can rely for victory in the Christian campaign. have now been incorporated into the membership of the Conference as representative committees of that single body. The ten committees are on Africa, the Far East, India, the Philippines, Latin America, Promotion in Interest-Publicity, Foreign Students and Radio, Rural Missions, Women's Work and Christian Medical Council for Overseas Work. The chairmen of these committees will be members of the executive department of the Foreign Missions Conference.
Another new and important featUre of the Swarthmore meeting was the united conference of fifty-six newly appointed missionaries of eight mission Boards. These new missionaries are go- ing to fourteen fields. In addition to the lan-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
guage study, the new missionaries were prepared THE WORLD CONGRESS OF BAPTISTS by a consideration of such topics as The Missionary Home; The Spiritual, Social and Intellectual During July (20th to 27th) the representatives Relationships of the Workers on the Field; The of 12,000,000 Baptists of the world met in Atlanta, Missionaries' Health; The Sharing of Christ with Georgia, for the sixth Baptist World Congress. Others. The fellowship, the prayer life and the Previous sessions have been held in Philadelphia, objectives of the recruits were greatly clarified London, Oslo (Norway), Toronto and Berlin. Dr. and strengthened at Swarthmore. George W. Truett of Texas, presided at the ses- sions. Dr. J. H. Rushbrooke of London, the Gen- The change from January to June for the an- eral Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, the nual Foreign Missions Conference and the invita- newly elected president, made a strong plea to tion to the newly appointed missionaries have rec- Christians to withstand the assaults now beingognized advantages and will probably be con- made in many lands against civil and religious tinued. freedom. Among other things he said: The chairman elected for next year's confer- Among all evil omens of the past five years the most ence was Dr. C. Darby Fulton of Nashville, Sec- menacing is the activity of secular and ecclesiastical powretary of the Executive Committee of Foreign ers in narrowing the bonds of liberty. Freedom, civil Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. and religious, has been extinguished in many parts of the The Vice-chairmen are Miss Sarah Lyon and Rev. earth and in others menaced and diminished, and theories Leonard A. Dixon; secretaries Dr. Leslie Moss and of the State have arisen, against which the instinctive Miss Florence Tyler; treasurer, M. P. Moller. Christian reaction is decisive.
Frequent mention was made at the conference . . . With efforts to bring Soviet Russia into closer of the sufferings of China, the need to help the contact with the Western democracies, the churches in the Chinese in their distress, the deplorable evil of democratic countries should insist upon a pledge of relicontinued sale of war materials to Japan, effects gious freedom in Rlssia as a basis for such cooperation. of militarism, and the destructive trade in nar- If we forget Russia, we are less than Christians. cotics, the demoralizing effects of war all over the world and the need to work for peace based on No feature of our time is as gravely alarming to the righteousness and brotherly love. missionary enterprise as the multiplication of restrictions and demands in the enlarging Japanese-controlled areas One recommendation of the conference, relating of the Far East. . . . to evangelism includes the following call to prayer: Documents emanating from some of these areas indicate grave and,multiplying obstacles to missionary propaganda, The whole question of evangelism with reference to the while the reverence to the Emperor exacted from Chrisunoccupied areas of the world imperatively demands a spe- tian pupils in schools, in forms scarcely if at all distincial session of the Foreign Missions Conference for which guishable from Shinto religious rites, suggests too closely adequate preparation should be made. . . . Realizing the the Roman emperor-worship for refusing which early urgency of the situation in this hour -of crisis throughout Christians endured a martyr-death. . . . the world and confessing the failure of the Church to meet-fully its evangelistic responsibility, acknowledging our The appalling martyrdom of China is the shame of the utter dependence upon God for His Holy Spirit in power Western World. We could have stopped it and we did not. for the consecration of both person and property to the task of world evangelism, and recognizing the divine origin Protestants had been fearful of the future in Spain, and content of the Gospel Message and the divine source knowing the temper of the Roman Catholic hierarchy and of the commission to preach the Gospel to every creature, their unity in support of General Franco. But pledges we would sound forth a Call to Prayer, addressed to the have been received from General Franco, the Duke of whole Church of Christ, but especially to the churches in Alba, and Lord Phillimore, for freedom of religious worthe United States and Canada, calling upon God's people ship. to be instant in intercession: The congress took up the question of evan- 1. That the Lord of the harvest send forth laborers into gelism, the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Keller, president His harvest. of the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chicago, asserting that it "will cure most of the 2. That the Church, especially at home, be revived, and ills of society." If the souls of Hitler, Mussolini, delivered from compromise with the world, and with sin. Stalin, Chamberlain, Daladier and the Japanese Emperor could be reached to cause them to pray 3. That the unity of the Church may find its expression in unison, there could be no war. in a greater unanimity in understanding and expounding the content of the Gospel message as revealed in God's A statement of the Baptist position on war and Word. peace, condemned profiteering from war and urged general disarmament, strengthening of the League 4. That God may grant to us all who ought to preach of Nations, an international police force and court the Gospel "utterance in opening the mouth to make known of justice, and solution of the problem of unequal with boldness the mystery of the Gospel" (Eph. 6: 19) distribution of natural resources. The statement and "that God may open unto us a door for the Word, and also denounced racial discrimination as "sin," and to speak the mystery of Christ . . . that we may make it condemned totalitarian ideas of the State. For the manifest as we ought to speak." (Col. 4: 3, 4) and first time in this Congress-and in a southern city -all signs were removed that indicated racial dis- 5. That in fulfillment of His promises God may pour out his Spirit in these latter days upon all flesh and turn multitudes to repent of sin and believe in the Saviour.
crimination or division, between white and colored Christians are as cordial as· ever. Permits for evangelistic meetings are not given to missionardelegates. ies or ways are found to keep the people away, as all gatherings, except for regular worship, are Presenting the Baptist position on questions of discouraged.
church unity, commissions of the World Alliance "Due to a combination of circumstances, mid- winter Bible Institutes and conferences have not declared Baptist opposition to organic union with been held as in former years. Missionary activi- ties now are mostly confined to local conferences other churches, but they urged "Christian unity" with Korean leaders, personal work, social con- tacts and ministering to the needy. Surrounded and cooperation with other denominations "at a as we are by so much destitution, physical and spiritual, there are plenty of opportunities for time when Christians are called upon to think and service.
act together." . "Medical mission work is going well, but here also difficulties multiply. All licensed Korean doc- The report of a special commission favored the tors on the hospital staff have been drawn away to outside work; this leaves us greatly handicapparticipation of various Baptist bodies in the ped. War conditions make it extremely difficult to secure experienced physicians. The Japanese are World Council of Churches, so long as the council seeking to control everything – man-power, re- sources, wages, prices, even the thinking and does not constitute itself into an "ecclesiastical speech of the people. The whole country is being geared up to the highest efficiency as a fighting union," or super-church. machine. Naturally mission work suffers because of war conditions. Foreigners are suspect, be- The commission made it clear that Baptists do cause they are foreigners; their movements watched and regulated, their leadership and innot reject "federal" relations to other churches, fluence is frowned upon. Non-cooperation with the Japanese policy on the 'shrine question' is reand feel that "persistent, indifferent division" and garded as reb~llion against the government; though every other form of patriotism is encoursectarianism are "deep disloyalty" to the Christian aged by the Church and the Mission.
faith. . . . "Another friend writes that the local police have insisted that a Korean be appointed on the hospital The report stated the conviction that all Chris- staff to act as a 'go-between' between the police and missionary superintendent who, according to tians should be open to the development of op- Japanese law, has full authority over everything in the hospital. . . . The hospital evangelist was portunity and plans which would encourage our put in jail because he would not go to the shrine. He held his ground and many were praying for participation in the common responsibilities of him; as a result not only was he released but he is back in the hospital preaching the Gospel. Today evangelical Christianity. many of the best Christians cannot be much in evidence in church affairs." On recommendation of the Committee on Evan- Evangelistic work is going on in heathen regelism the congress voted a five-year program of gions and is entirely unmolested where the shrine issue does not come up. It is where the church is evangelism. The plan included the adoption of strong that the issue is pushed. Christians there- fore are going out to the untouched regions and similar programs by the constituent bodies, the are preaching the Gospel there.
setting aside of a special day of prayer and ap- What the future has in store for Christian work in Chosen we do not know, but there is a great and pointment of a committee to direct a world-wide effectual door opened in the hospitals.
campaign. Of late there seems to be some change in the attitude of the Japanese toward the Koreans for DISTURBED CONDITIONS IN CHOSEN in some places they are not pushing the shrine issue as fanatically as they did. Pray for Korea. Recent "uncensored" reports from Chosen show that Japan is not only seeking to force Koreans into the Japanese mold but is apparently endeavoring to get rid of Christian missionary influence as a hindrance to the dictatorial program of the militaristic party. Christians who are loyal lawabiding subjects, but who acknowledge Almighty God as the one supreme Ruler, are suffering persecution from shortsighted human rulers. Missionaries are finding their Christian work hindered if not forbidden. Nevertheless the "Word of God is not bound," says a friend who sends us a report from which we quote the following: "Last autumn the work proceeded along much the usual lines. We missionaries adopted the policy of responding to Korean cans for service, rather than go to outstations upon our own initiative. Under prevailing conditions our visits might prove more embarrassing than helpful to the Korean Christians. In the winter it became very apparent that intimidation wa·s being brought to bear on the churches and that opportunities for missionary cooperation with the outstation churches would be few. For the present the old itinerating days are over though Korean
Japanese Control of
-<!Iii By, Fonn" R",;dent of Jap.. 1111>– T HE long-projected and much discussed Bill The former one did not definitely recognize Chris- for the Control of Religious Bodies was tianity; it required the approval by the authorities passed by the Japane£e Imperial Diet on of the creedal basis as well as of the organization March 23 and will become effective from April 1, of religious bodies; and left much more by way of 1940. Previous bills were formulated by the J ap- supervision to the local police. The former bill anese Cabinets in 1899, 1927, and 1929, but either was to "control religions," this one "to control rewere turned down by the Diet, or were withdrawn ligious bodies." They are under different articles by the government without presentation. The of the constitution.
new law has been in process of preparation since There is need for such a bill as the present one.
1929, during which period it has been subjected As mentioned above, Japan has in recent years ex- to revision of various sorts including one recon- perienced a great growth of what are known as struction from the ground up. "quasi-religions." Some are purely commercial The law provides for a comprehensive control organizations; some are revivals of ancient super- of religious organizations. Approval by the Min- stitions; some indulge in immoral practices; some ister of Education is necessary for the establish- run counter to the national polity. Three years ment of any religious sect or denomination. A ago the famous Way of Man sect was disbanded statement as to the creed, ritual, and organization and its temples razed OIl the ground of lese maof the body must be submitted with the applica- jeste; it claimed a membership of over a million.
tion for recognition, but official "approval" of the Corrupt practices within Buddhist sects have long same is not specifically required. Both sects and been an offense to peace-loving Japanese. The law local congregations must appoint a responsible was needed.
"head" to deal with the government in all matters. This law, like the former bills, has been drawn This step in the direction of a monarchial form up after conference with an investigation commis- of church government is somewhat offset by a pro- sion on which were representatives of all three re- vision which makes congregational permission ligions, the representative of Christianity being necessary for changes in doctrine, clergy, rites, or Rev. Mitsuru Tomita, of the Presbyterian-Re- rules. The establishment of a local congregation formed Church, the chairman of the Board of requires the approval first of the head of the sect Directors of Meiji Gakuin. He wielded such great and then of the Governor of the prefecture. The influence that on several occasions members of the law recognizes Buddhism, sect Shinto, and Chris- Shinto sects protested that too much regard was tianity as religions of the Japanese Empire. Every being paid by the authorities to the desires of the denomination or sect, as well as every local organ- representative of Christianity.
ization, will be required to register as soon as the Gains made possible by the Bill: law becomes effective. Other religions will be (a) The recognition of Christianity as one of dealt with as "reUgious societies" by what will pre- the three religions of the Empire. This of course sumably be a more severe code, since one of the will increase its prestige. Some Christians have avowed purposes of the law is to control the activ- even expressed the hope that Christian stories ities of the freak, and sometimes dangerous, reli- may be inserted into the school text books as gions which have been springing up like Shinto and Buddhist stories now are. But the real mushrooms in Japan in recent years. A well-con- gain will be that the local churches may appeal certed drive of certain Mohammedan leaders to from the tyranny of local police officials to the have Islam included among the "recognized" re- Governor or Minister of Education.
ligions failed in the Diet, in spite of the fact that (b) The permission to organize Christian the Army was reported to be backing the move in bodies as juridical persons, thus offering them an effort to win favor among Mohammedans in legal protection. There are local churches which China and in islands of the South Seas. years ago were organized in this way; but in re- This law IS much milder than the one which in cent years, the practice has not been permitted.
1929 met defeat because of the bitter opposition of Certain denominations are organized as land- the Christian Church and certain Buddhist sects. owning juridical persons; but under the new law [ 391 ]
each denomination and each local congregation nese subjects, of course, are permitted to enjoy may organize as a zaidan hojin and will then have freedom of religious belief, but only "within limthe full legal rights accorded to a "foundation." its of peace and order and not antagonistic to their duties as sUbjects." And it would not re- (c) Many existing local rules will be regular- quire much argument to prove that the duties of ized. This will be a great gain. Up to the pres- Japanese subjects include not only social and poent our churches and preaching places have been litical duties but also what in the West are called regarded merely as "religious societies," and have religious duties. Japan has no state religion, been at the mercy of local petty officials. This has but state Shinto demands of Japanese subjects caused endless annoyance to missionaries and the response in loyalty and worship paid elsechurch officers. where to religion. As a recent writer has stated, "Under such circumstances, no division between The objections commonly made against the Bill 'church' and 'state~ is possible, nor has there ever are not new. At present it is required that every been such a division in Japanese history." local church register a "founder" who is its legal and responsible head and is supposed to speak with The Japanese concept of religion is something authority for the congregation. Schools also must quite different from that held by Westerners. The appoint such a person. The head of the National Japanese word for "religion" was, in fact, coined Christian Council is held responsible for its ac- by a Christian in the nineteenth century. A numtions to the government. This is "an old Japanese ber of significant points in this connection were custom"; and the best way to meet it is to appoint brought out by the debate in the Imperial Diet such an officer and then to regulate his actions. on the Bill under discussion. Home Minister Reports of local congregations must now be made Araki on one occasion stated that the differentia to local police stations in much the same form as of a religion are (1) a founder, (2) a creed, and those prescribed in the new law. (3) organization for self propagation. This definition has cropped up several times before in Under existing laws religious societies can be recent years, and very conveniently leaves state disbanded for the reasons given in the new law. Shinto out of the category of religion altogether. "Russellites" can no lonler prosecute their work Even Daikichiro Tagawa, a member of the Diet in Japan; Mormons withdrew some years ago; and a prominent Christian layman accepts this the "Way of Man" cult was disbanded. distinction in his recent book "Kokka to Shukyo" (State and Church) and appears to believe that There is danger, however, in the possibility that state Shinto lies outside the religious category be- "subversive" elements may be discovered in Chris- cause it contains no superstition! According to tian creeds when such statements are presented him, the holding of superstition concerning founto the officials, even though such presentation is ders of religions and their followers is one of the technically only a matter of form. A number of characteristics of a religion, including Chris- Christian doctrines may be interpreted as run- tianity. ning counter to the Japanese national polity as understood at present; for example, some forms The debates in the Diet lead one to the ineviof millenarianism; some expressions of the rela- table conclusion that Japanese of the official or tion of Church and State; the Quaker and Advent- governing class look upon state Shinto, or the ist attitude toward military service; references Way of the gods, exactly as we of the West look to Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, are upon a religion; in fact, their use of the word all susceptible to such misinterpretation. Here "Way" seems to differ very little from the Chrisagain it is to the advantage of the Church to have tian's use of it when he says that Christ is the the denominational creed registered at headquar- Way; and their use of the word "religion" makes ters where it can be interpreted by intelligent it mean little more than "superstition." Minister men. Araki, moreover, explained in reply to a certain interpellation that the followers of all religions The Effect of the Law in Japan were obliged to give priority to the shrines, asserting that if generally practiced this I have no fear for adverse effect of the law on act will have the effect of reducing religious fricthe Church in Japan proper, but if the law is put tion in the country. into effect in Chosen and in "occupied" China, that, I fear, will be a different story. In such a setting Christianity can hope for little more than toleration and protection from unau- As far as Japan proper is concerned there are thorized persecution; this the new law appears to no dangers in the new law which do not inhere in provide. the general situation, which in itself is fraught with potential danger. The existence of the Christian religion in a land ruled by "the Sovereign who is a manifest God," is anomalous. J apa-
Opportunities in Japan Today*
By REV. J. HARPER BRADY, Kochishi Missionary of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S.
SOME folks think there are none. Others that around, on the gates and doors of every home, are they are few and getting fewer. But the real silent testimonies to additional burdens and fears missionary still finds that the days in Japan and sorrows, over and above what was there are days of twenty-four hours of opportunity- eighteen months ago. Soldiers leaving – the some of which find him and some of which he, wounded returning-lots of little wooden boxes- Spirit-led, must find. If greater needs mean life for so many with all its poverty and sickness greater opportunities, then there are greater op- and darkness seemed hard enough. Our hearts portunities today than ever before. are bleeding for the millions across that narrow strip of water! They also bleed for those around There is a greater need for light, for there are us in their sorrow and we would do what we can more people in Japan now than when the mission- to heal the broken-hearted. Into such homes and aries first went there with the Light. Only about hearts there is a welcome, far more often than not, one-half of one per cent have received the true for the missionary who comes with a heart of love. Light and are connected with any church, Catholic or Protestant. And this tends to get less as Difficulties are many and great in Japan for the the gain in population far exceeds the proportion- one who comes from a foreign land and seeks to ate gain in church membership. And the Prot- bring men to the one and only Saviour. When estant half of this number is divided into all the Japan and America are not on the best of terms isms of the United States and a few special ones our work as missionaries is made harder. These for good measure. If ever the unreached multi- things change from day to day and are not the tudes presented a challenge and opportunity for real difficulties. Sin and indifference are our missionary service, then that challenge and that strong and abiding adversaries. Sometimes these opportunity are greater today because the multi- are on the outside – and now and then we find tude of shepherdless folk is greater. The Church them on the inside and give them nicer names. in Japan, for which we daily thank God, is still It has never been a "convenient season" for men too weak in numbers, resources and vision for this to humble themselves, forsake sin, deny self, and mighty task. A great nation in need, desperate enthrone the Lord. need, of Christ! Our resources are more and greater than the Then there is the opportunity presented by a difficulties. The first year of this conflict was greater need for guidance. For this is a virile in many ways the best year of the twenty-one we nation, going places and doing things. If they have been there. But we found it more necessary do not go to the right places and do not do the than ever to live daily "looking unto Jesus" and right things, they suffer, maybe millions of other to yield to Him, but not to fear and discouraged folks suffer, we all suffer, and much that we cher- fellow workers. Divine boldness, shot through ish and hold dear is endangered. If a nation is with love, has never been rebuffed but always welweak and asleep and staying at home (as such a comed. Our resources in Christ, as more and nation would), there is no particular need for more we have discovered them and made them guidance. But such is not Japan. How terribly our own, have proven more and greater than our real and urgent is her need for the controlling, difficul ties. guiding hand of God! Never for a moment neglecting the multitudes, yet this ought we not to More men are needed. There are fewer mishave left undone; winning for Christ those sionaries than there were some years ago, owing who mould the opinions of the mind and deter- to retirements, sickness, the "de- and re-pression." mine the paths in which these multitudes must "We need reinforcements to work with these walk for good or ill. A little has been done-more Christians in the God-given, God-planned task of must be and can be done. reconciling men in Japan to Himself through the lives of other men who are vitally in touch with A greater need for comfort exists everywhere, Him. The greatest challenge of the hour is that for in whatever city or town one may live, all the doors are open for evangelistic work in this country. The forces that are with us are greater * Reprinted from The (Jh,ristian Observer. than all the adversaries."
[ 393 ]
Churches in the Dust
By REV. MARK A. DAWBER, D.D., New York Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council I HAVE been requested to make a statement as missions; they gave to home and foreign missions. to what is now taking place in the drought Then the war ended, the price of wheat finally and dust area and what is happening to the went down below the cost of production, and there Church. This I gladly do, but with the definite followed four years of steady drought. The peo- understanding that what is said may not apply to ple continued during drought to maintain their every situation but represents in a general degree giving.
the developments and attitudes. The churches held on, hoping against hope that In the first place it is necessary to distinguish something would happen. The people kept say- between the drought area in general and the "dust ing, "Well, perhaps next year it will rain." "But bowl" in particular. The drought area includes the heavens were as brass." The preachers shared all the territory where, because of the absence of the lot of the people and, in many cases, because sufficient snow and rain, there have been no crops, they did not complain, suffered out of all propor- and where, because of the continued cultivation tion. Some were able to hold out by getting part- of the soil without a sequence of cover crops to time employment during the week. Splendid col- hold the top soil and because of a high wind ve- lege and seminary men with whom I was person- locity, the top soil is blown away. This region in- ally acquainted were getting oilly $250.00 a year. cludes the Pan Handle of Oklahoma, part of Texas, In some sections a great consolidation of churches western Kansas, and the Dakotas. Here is a stretch took place. One county I visited, that during the of country between the Gulf and Canada that heyday of prosperity maintained ten ministers, seems to be the victim of these recurrent dry years had but one to care for the remaining people. I nev- and also exposed to these high winds. The "dust er saw more vital religion anywhere than I wit- bowl" is a part of this same problem and area; it nessed among some of the ministers in the drought includes the region immediately around eastern area. Here is one-they called him "Rusty." The Colorado and western Kansas. Over this section an name does not do him justice because there was atmospheric condition obtains that attracts the nothing "rusty" about him. No grass grew under dust as it flies from the drought area and is sucked his feet. This was not due to the drought, but be- down in what is called the "dust bowl." In the "dust cause "Rusty" kept his parish so well traveled, bowl" area the soil has not been dried out as in the ei,ther by car or on foot, that he made a pathway drought area, but the constant accumulation of the wherever he was. He had a great philosophy of dust has buried the good soil and the crops so that life. Speaking of his people who were facing a the result is much the same as the drought. fifth year of drought, he said, "You know, it's no Prosperity and Adversity use getting discouraged. That won't get a fellow anywhere, but lead to more discouragement, and This whole country was highly developed during if I allow myself to get discouraged I will have no the days of the World War. The world was cry- message for my people and nothing to help them ing for wheat, wheat, everywhere wheat! Some with when I visit them."
of the best wheat in the country was raised here, To the problem of drought and dust must be and this land also produced the largest number of added the scourge of sickness. The Red Cross bushels to the acre. Wheat was bringing two dol- and health authorities were pressed to the limit lars a bushel. During this period the country to make possible medical aid to the thousands who prospered. The people paid. for their land, built were sufferers from the drought and who lived homes and settled down to the business of agri- where the swirling dust-laden wind brought sick- culture and to face their responsibilities as citi- ness and death in its yellowish clouds. A peculiar zens. They built schools and churches. These kind of dust pneumonia was induced and intensipeople came to settle and not to move. They are fied in the dust and drought area.
a home-loving, church-going folk. They sub- The Government was faced also with a special scribed generously to the Church and its causes. relief problem. In Boca County, Colorado, as These churches were not dependent upon home many as eighty per cent of the people were on the [394 ] relief rolls at one time. The same was true of a The small towns and villages that are in the large number of other counties in other states. drought area are also adjusting themselves in The farms and homes that represented the sav- accordance with the agricultural changes. Fewer ings and hard work of a lifetime were made val- churches will be required. ueless. In debt and with no basis for taxation or collections, such counties and communities con- Migration and Coming Home fronted a problem which one can readily imagine. The map of the drought country is dotted with Examples of Heroism "ghost towns," evacuated under the pressure of these changing economic forces. Relocation of The following items are taken from correspond- population is a necessity. We cannot arrest an ence that I have conducted relative to this sit- economic process that is rooted in nature and uation. One district superintendent writes: mother earth to suit either misguided people who desired to farm, or anxious speculators, or unfor- "Those six years of drought were eventful ones for me. tunate investors. Communities have grown, pros- They taught me many things, but best of all they revealed pered and been blighted before this, and will conthe high Christian spirit of the people." tinue to pass through these cycles in spite of the advice and warning of Government and society. Other statements are: The lesson to be learned, however, is that intelli- gent citizens will realize that only by correcting "The churches discovered that they could stand more the economic abuses and readjusting the dislocabuffeting than they thought they could stand. They had tions which have come because of our failure to gone through a period of prosperity; then followed a pe- provide scientific settlement of people and a techriod of unexpected disaster. This was a real test of Chris- nique of land use such as the Farm Security Adtian faith." ministration is seeking to establish, is there any real hope for a permanent agriculture. The "A number of churches closed, but with the understand- Church will do well to cooperate in such a proing that they would open again; if the rain came, the gram of common-sense community development. people would come back." A goodly number of the former residents of the "In this section some adjustments were made, but no drought area are now "migrants" in California. people were left without the benefit of a minister." There they are called "Dust Bowlers." Ever since the droughts of 1934 and 1936 they have "The churches made no attempt to evade any outside been streaming westward from the Great Plains. responsibility, such as the great missionary program. A count at the California border records the entry They were an inspiration to others in the liberality of their into that state by automobile alone of 221,000 giving." refugees between the middle of 1935 and the end of 1937. More than four-fifths of them came from "Another thing that was revealed in the drought disas- the drought states. "Burned out, blowed out, eat ter was that the best of the young men and women in the out"-what is to be done with them? ministry did not hesitate to go right into the midst of it." They are having a desperate time as migrants "In many instances help came from the outside, for following the crops. Now the rains have come which we were profoundly thankful, but the most inspir- again to the Great Plains, and many of them are ing thing was the willingness of the people to help each turning their faces wistfully toward the East. other. The self-respect and the mind to cope with diffi- They still own a "place" in Kansas, Colorado, or culty have meant something to these people." the Dakotas. Others lost the equity in their farms and became tenants, but the only neighborhood One could continue to cite the many and various and community experience they had was back testimonies of experience. But we are concerned in the drought country. They were members of as to what is now taking place, what is the outlook the church. No wonder they long to get back. for the immediate future, and what kind of program is being devised for the coming years. Many of those who were "dried" or "dusted" out have returned, some for sentimental reasons, First, let it be said that many of the communi- others because they discovered that they were no ties in the drought area will never be rehabilitated better off elsewhere. Those who have been exon the old basis of agriculture. The soil is de- posed for the first time to a migrant life have stroyed-"gone with the wind." The Department reaped a bitter harvest of experience, and are sayof Agriculture is making a desperate effort to ing "Never again." establish the native buffalo grass, but it is a most difficult task. If this can be done, a limited num- I visited in a small farm shack in the dust reber of farmers can be maintained in cattle-raising, gion of eastern Colorado a year ago. It was in a such as prevailed before the land was ploughed up section where nearly everybody had left. This for wheat. In other sections where not all the good land was destroyed, it would be possible to reestablish a smaller number of farmers if there could be some greater diversification of crops, and more of the land were left in grass. This is already taking place and the church life is already being adjusted to the more restricted population.
farmer had been away two years but had returned. of four hundred people with four churches and There had been recent rains that had given en- two others in the sparsely populated territory couragement, but that was not the main reason for around. This town, like many others, was started this man's return. The dust was still piled high during the World War, with the promise of prosaround the house and the yard and fences. Farm perity in two-dollar wheat. The settlers were of machinery left behind was still buried in the dust. the cultured type and remain, hoping against hope We sat in the kitchen and talked, and I finally for better days. They have nothing to sell and no plunged into the question of the reason for his place to go. One church would be ample for this return. I had already noted the absence of his town and the surrounding community. Such wife, and that his two daughters were evidently adjustments could be made in many of the areas keeping house. Looking through the open door, that have been devastated by drought, dust, and he pointed to a little graveyard that the dust had grasshoppers, and the responsible denominational also made well-nigh invisible. He proceeded to leaders owe it to such communities to lead out in tell me the story. "Well-nigh twenty years ago a program of economy, of comity and cooperation. I came to this place with my bride; it is the only real home I have ever had. Together we worked One of the outstanding editors of a series of hard and made money and paid for this place. Kansas weekly papers, which circulate in the Poor and desolate as it seems now, it is my own. drought country, makes some interesting observa- Once it was lovely in the green of crops and pas- tions as to conditions: ture. Over in yon graveyard lies my wife and two children. I cannot leave them. This is my Like all other institutions out here, the Church has sufhome." A lump came in my throat and made fered with the successive years of drought and disaster argument impossible. What was there to say to this section has known, and is bereft of income since the such a plea? whole economic program is built around farm production. There has been some retreat in faith, particularly in the Others are now returning because of the in- last two years; the feeling that seven years of drought creased snow and rainfall of the past year. Sec- and hardship would be succeeded by seven prosperous tions that have been barren and desolate in the years was clearly based on biblical precedent. When 1938 drought and dust for five years are now lovely in failed to bring a crop, certain wavering was evident and the green of the grass and the gold of the wheat the succeeding crop in 1939 likewise added its effect. Of crop. Moreover, we must remember that to most course, the departure of countless thousands of people of these people these places are home. They are from this region resulted in the loss of some of our finest all they possess and, given a year or two of reason- leaders. People are now working on Sunday who preable rainfall, the people can do better here than viously declined so to do. I noted last night some seventy anywhere else for they have no rent to pay. or eighty cars near the picture theatre as compared to four cars in front of the Baptist Church and six cars in Scourge of Grasshoppers front of the Nazarene Church. In this town, a town of some eight hundred people, we still maintain four churches There is another problem that should be con- and three full-time ministers. I have felt however that sidered with the drought and dust. The recurring the town would be better off with only two churches invisitation of grasshoppers is equally as distressing stead of the nine or ten we have tried to support in good to certain farm areas. In certain sections where days. The unification move in these small towns would the crops are reasonably free from drought and strengthen the churches, in my opinion, although denom- dust peril, they are in danger of the plague of inational differences will always prevent that desired end grasshoppers. In Montana there is still much to some extent. suffering because of the results of this plague of 1938. Rehabilitation The Farm Administration is carrying forward If some way could be devised whereby these a vigorous campaign to exterminate the grasshop- people would go into greater diversification of pers this year. An army of men is employed to crops and, in particular, get a goodly portion of mix the poison with sawdust and wheat bran and their land back again into buffalo grass for graz- distribute it. Airplanes are used to scatter the ing cattle, they could solve their problem. In poison over the infested areas. other drought areas where the farmers have con- tinued on this basis, they have survived with little The pastors are facing their tasks with a spirit loss. Sections of Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, of heroism, but it is a terrific battle to be con- and Wyoming that were in the drought region, stantly fighting this triple problem of drought, and where the farmers did not plough up the land dust, and grasshoppers. Whatever the future may to wheat duripg the World War but continued to develop in regard to these three factors, there cer- graze cattle on the native buffalo grass, have re- tainly could be many adjustments made to ease mained with little change during the dry years. the situation from the point of view of the Church in some of these communities. Here is one town As suggested previously, the Church will do well to join its forces with Uncle Sam in a more constructive approach to the settlement of people on the land, to avoid a repetition of the wastage of our rural heritage in riotous farming, to pre-
BY-PRODUCTS OF THE ARABIAN MISSION
vent this soil erosion that has its ultimate and The stewardship of the soil is a religious remore serious disaster in human erosion. Large sponsibility. But the other side of this problem sections of the inland United States will doubtless is that you cannot maintain good churches where go back to desert. It is estimated that in three of the soil has been depleted. In the meantime we the dust storms alone some three hundred million must give financial help and encouragement to the tons of fertile soil has been blown away from the Church in the drought area, in order that it may Mississippi Valley, a quantity equal to 150,000 help the people as they return to get a new start. acres of good land. We must help them to carryon the work.
By,Products of the Arabian Mission By the REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D. II ~.- One of the Pioneers of the Arabian Mission I~==============================~ "I WENT into Arabia . . . ," wrote the Apostle the Moslem situation. Their influence has gone Paul to the Galatians. But no one knows out to every mission Board having work among why he went to Arabia, nor where he went, Moslems. The Cairo Conference was proposed by nor what he did there. There were no direct re- James Cantine at an Indian missionary gathering, sults from this journey as far as we know. The to which he was a delegate from the Persian Gulf.
indirect results were a new man in Christ; a new It resulted in a deeper interest in Moslems in all missionary program; a revolution in missionary missionary circles. Three volumes of its report thinking, and thirteen Epistles that have shaken were printed and its resolutions were translated the Church and the world, after Paul's three years into German, Danish and Dutch. The general of meditation. conference held at Lucknow in 1911 was the pre- The Standard Oil Company and the Dupont cursor of the Cairo Study Center; a series of text- Manui,acturing Company both tell the world that books on Islam was issued and the Missionaries to their by-products are far more important and re- Moslems League for all India was formed. From munerating than their original products. As we this conference also dated the Moslem World quar- look back fifty years, we rejoice at what the terly, published first in London, 1911-1918, and Arabian Mission has done in and for Arabia. The since then in New York City. It was at Lucknow direct results are by no means negligible, but the that plans were made for a Christian literature by-products of the Mission are an even more re- committee for the world of Islam.
markable testimony to God's guidance and good- The Arabian missionaries served the Student ness and overruling Providence. Volunteer Movement in America for a number of First of all, we thank God that the Arabian years. Zwemer, Harrison and Storm visited hun- Mission of the Reformed Church in America be- dreds of universities, colleges and seminaries and came the mother of four other Christian missions. secured scores of misionaries for Moslem lands.
The Danish Church Mission at Aden was the re- This movement also published mission-study text- sult oi an appeal for Hadramaut, written by one books on Islam and on unoccupied fields, which of our missionaries in 1894; the Christian and had a circulation of over twenty thousand, with Missionary Alliance work in Palestine and Iran remarkable results in awakening the students of owe their initiative to influences from Arabia; that generation to the challenge of Islam and the the United Mission in Iraq was founded by Dr. unfinished task of evangelism.
James Cantine and Dr. William I. Chamberlain; The literary output of the Arabian Mission in- Miss Grace Strang was formerly a member of the cludes not only the books mentioned, but also the Arabian Mission and later started the Friends of twenty-eight volumes of The Moslem World, the Arabia Mission at Hillah. six volumes of Cairo and Lucknow Reports, and The Arabian Mission organized and followed up smaller textbooks on "Islam," "Moslem Woman- the first and second missionary conferences on hood" and "Moslem Childhood."· We must add the Mohammedan world, at Cairo in 1906 and at also thirty Arabic tracts and ten books for Mos- Lucknow in 1911. These were the first councils lems, printed by the Nile Mission Press, and trans- ever held by missionaries to survey and to face lated into other languages; two Arabic grammars
by Dr. John Van Ess; Dr. Paul W. Harrison's its organization; the Fellowship of Faith for Mos- "With the Arab at Home"; and twenty books in lems is a prayer league with headquarters in Lon- English on Arabia, Islam or missions by Zwemer, don, which enlists world-wide intercession for of which some have been translated into Chinese, Moslems wherever found; the Friends of Mos- Swedish, Danish, German, French, Dutch, Urdu lems in China, of which the Reverend C. L. Pickand Persian. And last, but not least, Dr. W. ens of Hankow is secretary, is a union of workers, Harold Storm's survey of all Arabia for the World native and foreign, for prayer and effort; the Dominion Movement. Brotherhood of Andrew (Lahore), is an associa- tion of Moslem converts for mutual help, social The medical missionaries to Arabia have made and economic, and to publish tracts, extend a helpan important contribution to medicine and sur- ing hand to converts and restore backsliders. gery in papers sent to medical journals. In the investigation of leprosy, Dr. Storm's report and The Arabian Mission has given two of its misthe work of Dr. Moerdyk are well known. Also sionaries to occupy Chairs of Missions and Isthe special surgical technique of Dr. Harrison lamics, one at Princeton Theological Seminary and Dr. Mylrea and their work in oriental dis- and one at the Hartford School of Missions. eases. The steady, patient, persistent work of the mis- The following organizations, all of which deal sionaries, men and women, in eastern Arabia has with Moslem evangelization, owe their origin di- changed the whole attitude of the government offirectly to the Arabian Mission: The American cials, British and Arab, from indifference or hos- Christian Literature Society for Moslems, incor- tility to warm friendship. It has changed the porated in New York and with field committees spiritual climate of East Arabia. What this in every land where there are missions to Mos- means is clear from the following article in which lems, from China to Egypt, has contributed over Sir Arnold Wilson gives a well deserved tribute to fifty thousand dollars for books and tracts since the work in Arabia.
A Diplomat on Missions in Arabia* -<Ell By SIR ARNOLD WILSON. M. P. III!>– .n.A MERICAN Christian missionary activities in 1891. After a preliminary study of the vast re- Asia are as widespread as those of Britain; gion, they established themselves in Basrah they labor under the same handicaps, suf- (1892), in Bahrein (1893), and in Muscat (1894), fer the same kind of criticism and, among those to and in 1895 in Amarah. That they should have whom they minister, enjoy the same reputation for encountered opposition is not surprising: that altruism. Having had some opportunity, over a they should have accomplished little in the first period of nearly twenty years, of observing at few decades was likewise to be expected. Progress close quarters the work of the Arabian Mission in other than mechanical inventions is to be reckof the Reformed Church in America, I feel moved oned in terms, not of calendar years, but of generto record something of its history, growth and ations. achievement. In 1895 Dr. Worrall went to Basrah as a perma- The first American pioneer in Arabia was James nent medical worker: with him was his wife, also Cantine. Islam was then as intolerant of Chris- a physician. Here they printed the first Arabic tianity as at any time; the Arabs, in whose hands missionary leaflets. In 1902 medical work began lay its principal shrines, stood aloof, isolated and at Bahrein in a permanent building, The Mason suspicious, because they saw Islam everywhere at Memorial Hospital, adjoining existing boys' and issue with Christian powers, and almost every- girls' schools. Death took a heavy toll during where losing ground. these years, but men and women to replace those who had fallen were not lacking, and by 1906, Cantine went first to Beirut to study the lan- when I first went to the Persian Gulf, the Ameriguage. In 1890 he went with Samuel Zwemer to can Mission was already well established. Aden, and there met an English missionary, the aged Bishop Valpy French, who died in Muscat in Lieut.-Colonel Cox (later Sir Percy), British Consul-General in South Persia and Political Resi- • Condensed from The Nineteenth Century and Ajte,r.
A DIPLOMAT ON MISSIONS IN ARABIA
dent in charge of the Arabian coast, knew both and unscholarly speed. It required a supple- James Cantine and Samuel M. Zwemer personally. A good Arabie scholar, he recognized their mentary local vocabulary; that, too, was fortherudition; a man of high principles, he a~mired the tenacity with which they preserved theIr own coming, and it was followed by an advanced Araideals. His subordinates at Muscat and Bahrein and at Kuwait, and his colleagues at Basrah, were bic grammar which is still the standard text-book encouraged to help American missionary activities when they could properly do so, and the Arab in Iraq. chiefs were not encouraged to complain of the subversive activities of men who then, as in Ephe- After the War the Lansing Memorial Hospital sus nearly 1900 years before, seemed bent upon disturbing popular beliefs. was transferred to Amarah, * as the Maude Mem- In 1909 medical work was started in Matrah, orial Hospital (recently erected) met the needs not far from Muscat. In 1916 the great influenza epidemic smote Arabia and Persia. Ibn Saud, of of Basrah but the mission school remained at Arabian monarchs the most enlightened, sent for an American doctor from Bahrein; the call was Basrah an'd prospered. The parents of a child, answered and proved to be the first of many. The inauguration of an air service from Basrah to whether Moslem or Christian, who have passed India via Bahrein made further visits possible to the Pirate Coast, as the long coastline of Muscat through a mission school have no reason to regret and Hasa was long appropriately called. The discovery of petroleum in Bahrein and of artesian their choice, and the Government has learned that water, has brought to the American Mission fresh opportunities and fresh responsibilities. such boys can be trusted when they grow to be In 1910 medical work was started in Kuwait, men. *** thanks to the good offices of Sheikh Mubarak with the Sheikh Khazal of Mohammerah and the Naqib Such, very briefly, is the history of a mission of Basrah, whose son, despaired of in Bombay hospitals, was cured of a tumor on the .neck by which for fifty years has sought to make good Dr. Bennett. They had a long tussle wIth local prejudice, for Kuwait had maintained its inde- Moslems better citizens in the hope that some pendence of Turkey mainly by keeping all foreign- among them and they the best, will make the ers at a distance. A school followed in 1913 and later a permanent hospital. sacrifice, to them second only to that of life itself, When the Great War broke out Ibn Saud was and profess Christ. Its work is not to be measnearby with his army, and sought medical aid from Dr. C. S. G. Mylrea, who is still stationed at ured in terms of converts made, in bodies cured, Kuwait where he occupies a unique position. In the following year Mubarak died, regretted by or children taught, still less in gallant lives spent, every European who knew him, and most of all by a younger man whom he had befriended in and sometimes prematurely ended, in regions adversity, Ibn Saud, today King of Saudi Arabia. War came to the gates of Kuwait and the hospital which to outsiders seem, in Lord Curzon's words was full of wounded; its value and the absolutely disinterested service of the staff was recognized. when he toured the Persian Gulf in 1902, "so in- The young Ahmad, who succeeded to the Sheikhship of Kuwait, was encouraged to learn what he trinsically abominable and vile." There is room could from Dr. and Mrs. Edwin E. Calverley, of the American Mission. in the world, and there is need, both for the priest When the British expeditionary force entered and the missionary, for the acolyte at the altar Basrah in November 1914, they found the American Lansing Memorial Hospital full of Turkish and the surgeon at the mission hospital, for the wounded; Dr. John Van Ess and his wife were in charge of the mission; their wide knowledge preacher in the market-place, and for "the school of local affairs was greatly in request. The army wanted an elementary grammar of Iraqic Arabic; marm" in the classroom. Fifty years of Christian Dr. Van Ess produced one with scholarly precision witness in Arabia, in the Persian Gulf and Persia has profoundly modified the ethical outlook of Moslems.
Exponents of Islam today tend to emphasize its points of approach to Christianity, rather than the differences. Their legislation tends to approx- imate Western patterns in many ways. A coun- try once exposed to Western ideas, can never be the' same as before. The new foundations must embody Western as well as Eastern material if what is built thereon is to endure. Christian mis- sions in general, and the American Mission in Arabia in particular, are doing much, but not a tithe of what should be done, to ensure that Arabs, to whom it falls to choose Western material with which to build, shall be enabled to distinguish between good and bad and between true and false.
On their ability to do so depends their future. As in China and in Persia, in India and elsewhere, Anglo-American cooperation in the missionary field is today cordial and complete. The contri- bution that America is making to the welfare of the world in this sphere is unheralded and little regarded by statesmen or merchants, but I believe it will endure when much else has perished.
• It is now engaged, with considerable success, in the treatment of leprosy.
Fasl–Begh-Address
By "SHAHEEDA"
An E1Jangelical Russian Missionary "A ND so you are about to return to your wan- arkand and the half-wild Emirate of Bokhara, to l".. derings with the Word of God through the frontier of Afghanistan, where the river Turkestan? Well, God speed you! and, by the way, do try to find my friend Fasl-Begh!" Amou-Darya rolled its muddy waters through the "Your friend Fasl-Begh? Who is he and where sandy deserts of Karakum into the Aral Sea. does he live?" I asked from the old gentleman to whom I was bidding farewell. He was of some- All this wide stretch of land was solidly Moslem, what foreign appearance, as he sat there with his red fez on his head-a turkish mullah from with only a sprinkling of Europeans, mostly Rus- Erzeroum in times past, but for many years a zealous Christian missionary to Moslems in one sians. And in this vast "haystack" I had been of the Balkan States. asked to find Fasl-Begh Ssurkh-Khan, a man "That is what I am asking you to find out," said he. "Some 15 years ago he was my helper wholly unknown to me. at Kashgar, where we translated the New Testament into Kashgary. A fine man, of noble birth Two or three months passed in traveling with and noble mind, and not far from the Kingdom of God. . . . If you will make my request a sub- the Word of God through the country by rail, then ject for prayer, the Lord Himself will guide you to where my friend may be found. And you can by steamer or overland on the native high twogive him news about the work which has been committed to me, and my warm brotherly wishes wheeled aroba. I was in touch with hundreds of and blessing!" Ousbeks, Kirghis, Turkmen, Tadjik and Afghans, I smiled, as I shook his hand: "This is like looking for a needle in a haystack-but it appeals yet not once had I been prompted to ask anyone to me as a matter of faith, to look for 'someone, somewhere,' on a stretch of land of 3 to 4,000 "whether he was Fasl-Begh or ever had heard kilometres wide and inhabiteu by about eight millions of people! But I will trust God, who has about him." But I had not forgotten old Mr. promised to 'guide us with His eye.' He certainly knows where our friend Fasl-Begh is. even Awetaranian's request: I had prayerfully comif he be at the end of the earth !" mitted his friend's name to my memory, whence So I set out for Turkestan, for another summer's work as a wandering colporteur with the it had slipped into my subconsciousness, and I Scriptures. I had been called by the Lord four years ago, from a prosperous work in the slums of was sure that in God's own good time it would Moscow, to a "knight-errant's" life in Russian Central Asia. Being neither upheld nor fettered reappear. . by any missionary society, I had set out under the Master's guidance, to make known the name Meanwhile I had been working with all the of the Lord Jesus Christ in this almost wholly Moslem land. love, energy, initiative and "hallowed pluck,"
In my j ourneyings I crossed the several thou- which were at my disposal, amidst most varied sands of miles from Ferghana on the western frontier of China to the Caspian Sea-traveling, circumstances and among "all sorts and conditions by rail, or in the cars used by the Mohammedan population, or I journeyed from the north, the of men"; making known the precious name of my border of Kirghisistan, down south through Sam- Lord-His exalted state, His love unto death- by word of mouth, or by tracts in anyone of twenty-two different languages.
Many heard of Him, some questioned me about Him, from curiosity or because of enmity against His Godhead and His Cross. A few had pondered the message which promised life and light, for- giveness and peace to their earnest but darkened souls.
Late autumn had set in and the time had come to settle in one of the large cities of Turkestan where I could give myself to language-study. I felt the burden of the summer's work; the strain of the many talks and pleadings, battling against the iron wall of Islam; the pain at the rebuff and scorn against the Son of God; the exertion of attempting to read, speak and think in so many different languages; the most needed ones, as Ousbek and Pharsi, were not yet sufficiently mas- tered by me. The body also felt the hardships of traveling in the primitive native way, of the ex- [400 ] cessive heat by day and the cold nights often spent earth and sky and living creatures seemed to join under the starry sky, with unsufficient food and in the song of praise which filled my heart. On lack of sleep. My whole being, spirit soul and the impression of that trip, I decided to go up to body, had been drained, poured out in the passion- Osh and see what the Lord might have prepared ate effort to "call many" and if possible to "save for me there. some." Yet, praise the Lord, with all this human strain and pain, there was joy in my heart for the It was a large, typically Ousbek village or small great privilege of having been sent out as "a voice town, with a Russian military garrison guarding in the wilderness" of a Moslem land and people! the mountain road up to Kashgar, built at the foot of the Mount Suleiman, in memory of a legendary While getting ready to settle at Samarkand for visit to Osh by King Solomon. The view from the winter, the thought suddenly struck me that there was vast and beautiful. To the right, one during this summer's journeyings I had passed by looked into Western China, to the left, in Eastern the small town of Osh, peopled by Ousbeks and sit- Bokhara, towered snowcapped mountain ranges; uated in the mountains, on the way to Kashgar swift, silver-green streams rushed down, through or Chinese Turkestan. I could not close my sum- sandy deserts, to the fertile plains near Andijan mer term, nor rest, till I had gone up to Osh once which nestled in the light-green vineyards and more. dark mulberry trees.
Going Up to Osh I put up at a small caravansary and wandered, with my load of Scriptures in Russian and in the The memory of my last trip up to the Kashgar native language, some days up and down the few road was yet dear to me. It had not been success- streets in the military compound, and through the ful in a purely spiritual sense; but it had been labyrinth of lanes and bazaars in the "old" or large quite a "pioneer's" feat. The large Ousbek vil- Ousbek village. But neither in the shops nor in lage which I went out to visit lay still higher up the tea-houses, did I find interest in my message than Osh at its 5000 feet, and never before had or in my books. This seemed a closed place to me! any messenger of the Cross been there. I remem- This was strange, especially because of the strong bered the slow drive up with the aroba, the road inward urge which had made me return on my having been hewn out into mountains of pink and steps and mount up here! I wondered what had white alabaster. I recalled my arrival at eve- been the purpose of my Master in leading me so ning, before a great fair which would attract hun- definitely to this out-of-the way Osh? dreds of mountain people, all of them Moslems. I passed the night sleepless, in my high two- Evening was falling; shops were being closed wheeled car, in the big courtyard of the caravan- and the men went to the tea-houses or to their sary-rats jumping over me and dogs sniffing at homes. I was about to return to my lodgings, me. I meditated about the responsibility of bring- having just finished talking to an inquisitive old ing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Moslems. Bokharian Jew, when my eyes fell on a man who, Even if not one would allow me to explain the evidently, had been listening to our conversation message to him I knew from experience that many on religious questions. I was struck with his apwould buy the prettily bound and cheap Scrip- pearance. Dressed like an Ousbek, with the Kaftan ture portions in Ousbek, Kirghis and Persian, and Moslem headgear, yet he had not the face and would take them into far-away mountain- of the Turk but of the Aryan race! It was a villages where they would be read. The seed thin long, greybearded face with a most un-monwould thus fall on hearts-stony one or thorny or golian eagle's nose and clever dark grey eyes. -God alone knew!-maybe on a good ground. There was an inward light shining in them, a question-as he looked at me-and we continued I had noticed on my arrival that the next day's for some moments to look spellbound at each round through the fair would be difficult. The other. people seemed rougher than those of the plain, many of them might never before have seen a Then from my subconsciousness a nearly for- European woman, an unveiled one! They looked gotten name rose up; by a sudden inspiration I threateningly and in an unfriendly way at the said slowly and tentatively: "Are you Faslunwelcome guest. What would they say to her Begh?" With a still brighter light in his eyes he message? answered: "Yes, I am Fasl-Begh!"
But with all that, I had deep joy and peace in Joy flooded my soul! In a moment we had my heart. Around me was the moonlit silent gripped each other's hands and immediately a night, the rustling of wind in the high poplar bond of future friendship, yea fellowship, linked trees, the sweet voices of many a nightingale and us one to another. At last I said to Him: "I the twitter of half-asleep birds, the fragrant have been asked by Mr. Awetaranian to find you smell of the resting earth! I felt the presence of 'somewhere' in Central Asia and to give you his Him whom I loved and served, and all around the message of brotherly love. And lo! our Lord,
who knew all these years since you separated ber of years, in order to let them be educated. "Do you wish them to have a Christian educawhere you could be found, hath guided me up here tion?" I asked. to the very farthest spot of Turkestan!" "Yes, I mean it just that way!" was his answer. The little girl still needed a mother's care but Fasl-Begh was delighted to hear once more we agreed that I would make arrangements for from his former friend and co-worker with whom the boy with my missionary friends at Cairo and Beirut, and would come for him, the Lord willing, he had lost contact for many a year. I promised the next spring. I bade my new friends farewell and left for Bokhara. This happened in Septemto come to his house the next day, and so we ber 1913.
separated for the night. Subsequent Events Only those of God's children who have experi- The winter passed quickly for me-partly in medical missionary work at Jiddah among the pilenced His leadings into ways which seem sheer grims passing through this port on their way to Mecca-partly in language-study at Samarkand. "foolishness" to the world-those who have been In May 1914 I was again at Osh, heartily wel- comed by Fasl-Begh and his family. willing, as Abraham was, to leave all and go out I found the man more firm in his stand for "not knowing whither" and why they are led- Christ, more outspoken before his neighbors; we could thank God for scorn and shame borne by only these understand the joy which filled my him for Christ's sake. It was agreed that the grandfather who meant to make this year the pilheart to overflowing. They will feel the tender grimage to Mecca, should take the boy with him and deliver him to me at Jiddah, where I hoped to gratefulness for having been privileged once be again at work during the Hajj. .
more, to "find Him fully true" and trustworthy! When we separated, we could not foresee the destructive warfare that would sweep over the The next morning I went to Fasl-Begh's com- world a few months later, breaking up and shat- tering like a typhoon, kingdoms, nations and indipound and at once felt at home with his children viduals! The Great War was on. The whole of Europe, and especially the Mediterranean states, and his wife, whom he presented as "the best of were .in a turmoil. People who were traveling, had eIther come to a dead-stop, cowering in anxiwomen"-an expression quite unusual with a Mo- ety wherever the thunderbolt of war struck them, or were rushing in a wild panic to return to their hammedan. I shared the family meal and we respective countries.
then went to Fasl-Begh's private den, full of The pilgrimage to Mecca had been forbidden by nearly every government; consequently neibooks-evidently the abode of a student. ther Fasl-Begh's father nor his son were able to reach me at Jiddah, from which I had been ex- "Have you found and accepted the truth as it pelled by the Turkish Government.
is in Jesus, through your work of translation of My hope of going again to see my friends at Osh had also come to nought. My unusual jourthe Gospels into Kashgary?" I asked him. For neyings through Central Asia had always been undesirable to the Russian Government; but after answer he showed me his Bible in Persian, and I the War broke out their mild displeasure changed into frank suspicion towards me. In order not was deeply moved on finding its margins covered to involve my friends in my personal difficulties, I refrained from going to Osh. But seed had with annotations, proving unmistakably that been sown, faith had been strengthened, a bond of fellowship linked me with the solitary far-away here was a seeker and an earnest one, with a real seeker. It lay in the Lord's hands to perfect the work which He had begun in Fasl-Begh's heart. interest in the Word of God. Never again did I meet my friend face to face. Again I asked: "Friend Fasl-Begh, have you From the few letters which we exchanged, whilst I stayed in Samarkand, I gathered with joy, that accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour?" through material trials which the World War He looked at me with thoughtful eyes and said: "I do believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross. . . ." , "But did He die for you, personally?" He kept silence, but his manner, was not that of a Mo- hammedan to whom the cross of Christ was an offence. He was more a seeking "Nicodemus"
who asks in sincerity "How can these things be?
How may I make my own the truth which I be- lieve as a historical fact?" The Holy Spirit, who had revealed God's plan of love for mankind, could also enlighten this sincere lonely seeker in- to an experience of the truth.
We had a friendly talk as in the presence of Him who had been drawing this precious soul to Himself all these years. Fasl-Begh was a sensi- tive and retiring man; it would cost too much, as yet, to step out openly from the Beit-ul-Islam into the family of God in Jesus Christ! He was still bound by the traditions and customs of Islam and he was one of the foremost men of the village; like the "rich young ruler" he did not yet love Jesus enough to "leave all and follow Him."
I was gladdened by his request to take two of his children to Europe or to the Levant for a num-
"UNTIL WE FIND THEM" IN DUTCH NEW GUINEA
brought with it, and quite alone in his Moslem for they had become his open foes. When the surroundings, he was pressing on towards the Mennonite brethren next came to Osh, they did goal-Christ his Saviour. I committed Fasl- not find him. When the days of Russian lawless- Begh and his family to my Mennonite friends in ness had come and anyone could lift up his hand Kirghisistan, but above all into the hands of God. against everybody else with impunity, a mob of villagers approached his house, reviling and Six years later-in 1922-1 returned to Turke- threatening him, and clamoured for his Biblestan and at once made enquiries about Fasl-Begh. the cause of their fierce hatred! The answer was that during my absence my Mennonite brethren had visited all my Moslem No man had stood by him in his hour of friends, and had found Fasl-Begh spiritually alive danger; he was killed by the mob, and entered and, gratefully accepting instruction; they hoped, his Lord's presence, one of the firstfruits from on his witness to the Lord Jesus as his personal Turkestan Moslems. Saviour, to baptize him the next year. Thus my friend Basl-Begh, whom I had set He must have made a frank confession to his out to seek and to find, had been sought and neighbors of his acceptance of the Lord Jesus, found by the Lord Jesus, to be with Him forever.
"Until We Find Them" In Dutch New Guinea* By R. A. JAFFRAY, Makassar, Netherlands East Indies Missionary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance JESUS spake this parable-the three-in-one par- two ago, for the first time, have been sighted and able of The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and photographed from the air. Until thus discovered The Lost Son. Fi:r~st, one in one hundred is they had lived alone, away from the coast, with no lost, then one in ten, and then one of two is lost. road or even footpath leading from the coast to The shepherd goes after the one lost sheep, till their jungle home. Until a year or so ago they He finds it. The woman lights a candle, sweeps had not known that any others share this world the house, and seeks diligently, till she finds it. with them; they had not known that any other The father waits patiently and lovingly until the peoples lived under the sun save themselves. son returns from his sin and wanderings in a far country, until the lost son is found, the dead is 'I'hanks to men seeking oil and gold in New alive again. Guinea, these people have been located. The Dutch Government at once set to the task of making So must we go out after the last tribe of man- trails from the coast towns nearest to them, to the kind, wherever they be, however far away from place where they live on the mountain slope, in Christ and His Gospel. It is not enough to wait the jungles of the well-nigh impenetrable, virgin till they come to us, or cry to us to come to them. forest. Shall not the missionary at once go up We must deliberately, determinedly, go after them, these trails, and seek the lost until he find them? enduring the hardships of the jungle trail, till we find them. Dutch and American companies have united in gigantic effort of seeking oil in this. great island When the last tribe of mankind is at last told of New Guinea. At one place, a town called Babo, the story of God's redeeming love, the Father will over twenty million U. S. A. dollars have already rejoice, and they will then "begin to be merry" been expended, and only this year are they comin Heaven, and the merriment will never end. mencing to drill for the oil. The captain of the steamer on which the writer recently traveled Probably among the last peoples of earth to be from Makassar over to Dutch New Guinea said discovered, are those tribes in the interior of that no lesls than 120 new American scientists are Dutch New Guinea, whose villages, only a year or expected to arrive in Rabo and other places in Dutch New Guinea. this year in the search for oil, • Condensed from the Evangelical Christian, Toronto, Canada.
and he expected that on every trip from now on, positive message of the Gospel is to these people! his steamer would be filled with Americans bound Dutch missionaries on the northern coast, and for the oil fields of New Guinea. British missionaries in British New Guinea, have They mean business. Do we? They are after already seen tens of thousands, of these wild Papthe things that peris:h. Shall we go and seek for uans turn to Christ and be saved. So shall it be souls that never die, till we find them? They are with these who have so recently been discovered willing to pay the price in inconvenience and hard- on the southwestern coast of Dutch New Guinea. ship. Are we willing to suffer and bleed, if need be? Are we willing to pray, and to give, and to During the past few years in Borneo, we have go, in Christ's Name, until we find, perhaps, the seen the mighty Spirit of God at work among the last tribes of earth who are to hear the Gospel ere wild men, the Dyaks, of the Borneo jungle. Over He returns to this world to rule? ten thousand of them have definitely accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and as many more The Christian and Missionary Alliance has ap- seek to know the Lord Jesus and His gracious plied to the Dutch Colonial Government for per- power to save. What He has, done, and is still mission to open missionary work in three parts doing for the wild man of Borneo, He can, and of Dutch New Guinea, first, on an island off the will do for the still wilder man of the interior northern coast, called Misool (it has been called jungles of New Guinea. We have a deep conthe devil's island); ,second, in the northerly part sciousness that it is the Will of the Lord that the of Dutch New Guinea, called Vogel-kop (Bird's Dyak of Borneo, now saved, thoroughly taught Head), where a lake, known as Lake Amaroe, has in the Word of the Gospel, and filled with the been discovered; third, further down the south- Spirit of Christ, will be the best evangelist to take western coast, where three lakes have been dis- the Gospel to the still wilder man, the Papuan of covered from the air, called the Wissel Lakes, and New Guinea. where dwell tens of thousands of hitherto unknown peoples. Many Dyaks have gone over to New Guinea in connection with the oil and gold companies, and The whole southwestern coast of Dutch New among them, quite a number of Dyak Christians, Guinea is an unoccupied field for Protestant mis- including three or four of the elders of the church. sionary work. Up the many little rivers may be In connection with the Alliance Bible School at found Papuans to whom no one has gone with the Makassar, where more than three hundred stu- Gospel. They are not only head-hunters, but they dents are being trained for the Gospel ministry, are cannibals, living still in the Stone Age; and we have more than fifty Dyak students in preparayet the testimony of all who have had contact at tion for the work. Pray that the right men may all with these people of the interior is that they be called and sent forth in the name of the Lord. have found them friendly. These people eat the A prominent Dutch official expressed himself as flesh of enemies conquered in war, but God seems heartily in favor of the plan. It is significant that to have made them friendly toward the white man. both the local and the highest officials are heartily supporting the suggestion of this new work in the Dr. A. H. Colyn, the son of the Prime Minister interior of New Guinea. of Holland, headed an expedition to these newlydiscovered lakes by plane. Some of the Papuans These recently discovered cannibal tribes, the were so interested in these "men from heaven" Papuans of the interior of New Guinea, have sunk that they determined to follow them and thus to the level of the beast but they were originally learn the way to heaven! They said, "Thes,e men made in the image of their Creator and may yet came from heaven. We saw them come. This is be saved and restored to God's image. what we want to know-the way to heaven." With considerable difficulty six natives found their way Pray that we may reach these wild people of to Babo but they soon found that Babo was not New Guinea. Let us go with Him after the last heaven by any means. The Assistant Resident at lost sheep, "until He find it." Fak-fak felt that it was his duty to fly with these seekers back to their own jungle land! Seed Thoughts from the Moody Bible Institute Speakers The dress of the Papuan is very simple. They go practically naked, with the exception of a loin Fruit is never born by doing; fruit is always cloth and strings of beads. They wear heavy ear- born by dying.-Bishop William Culbertson. rings, a bone piercing the nose, etc., all of which are charms, supposed to ward off the evil in- Don't talk about the tragedy of the cross; fluences of demons. In fact, their whole religion that was God-planned. Talk about the tragedy is a negative one of fear, and is a matter of sacri- of sin that caused the cross.-Dr. H. W. Bieber. fice to demons, so as to avoid the harm which they have the power to inflict. What good tidings the Too many Christians are seeking an easy life. They w~nt the Gospel train to be streamlined and air-conditioned, and furnished with chairs.-Le- land Wang, China.
STUDENTS IN THE LUDHIANA WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE (1937-38
Training Indian Women Doctors By DAME EDITH BROWN, D.B.E., M.A., M.D., M.C.O.G., Ludhiana, Punjab, India A S A YOUNG woman doctor, I went out to The financial resources of this embryo college r-. India forty-seven years ago, and began consisted in a gift of fifty pounds, with a promise of a further fifty pounds per annum for the follow- medical missionary work. My single- ing three years. Had it not been that we were handed effort to alleviate the desperate sufferings confident that this was a call of God and that He of Indian women was seriously handicapped for would provide, it would have been madness to lack of skilled assistance, so that I took counsel launch out on such an enterprise with such meagre with other medical missionaries, and we came to resources. the conclusion that the solution of the problem was to take steps to found a medical school where In- The College started work in an old schoolhouse, dian Christian girls could be trained as doctors with four medical students and two student disand nurses. No effort seemed too great if we pensers. Today, after forty-four years of ceasecould build up a corps of efficient Indian Chris- less, consecutive grind we have three hundred stutian doctors for the Indian women. dents who are adequately housed in college build- ings covering fifteen acres. These premises have It was a pioneer venture but, urged by the cost fifty thousand pounds and we s,tarted with desperate need, the preliminary difficulties were only fifty pounds in hand. To us it is a miracle overcome and in 1894 the first Medical Training indeed. Now the College is affiliated with Punjab School for women in India was established. It University; this status enables our students to take was a glorious venture! The challenge was: the M.B. and B.S. degrees of that University- "India's millions of suffering and uncared-for degrees which are recognized in England. women." Our response was: "By the good hand of our God upon us it shall be done." In addition to a thorough medical education, the [405 ]
students have the inestimable benefit of a moral We have a useful pathological laboratory, with training, which cannot fail to impress them, and a well-equipped department for X-ray and radium to influence all their future life. Each day the treatment. We also have tuberculosis clinics. work hegins with prayer and careful and thorough The maternity· department is one of the busies1t, Bible teaching. By this means the students can and is the means of saving incalculable suffering explore the great Treasure House of the Word of to India's mothers and of saving the lives of hun- God, which is the Easterner's heritage as truly as dreds of India's children. it is the Westerner's. From this College and hospital three hundred In addiition to residential buildings tlere is a and sixty d.octors, and more than two hundred and hospital with two hundred and sixty beds, and an fifty nurses and dispensers, have been sent into outpatient department with average attendance all parts of India. Most of them have gone as daily of two hundred and seventy-five women and Christian missionaries to their own people. children. Some of the hospital wards are so arranged that it is possible f.or purdah women to More than nine hundred of our midwives of observe the rigorous restrictions imposed on them. various grades are now working in the Punjab. Our patients include Moslems, Sikhs, Persian, And even this is not all-for very many of them Afghan, and Nepalese women, to say nothing of begin to train nurses and midwives in the district the many "outcastes" who find here the welcome to which they are sent. Recently we visited one and care which is of the very spirit of Christ. who had prepared sixty village women for the Midwifery Examination. The Civil Surgeon, giv- SOME HOSPITAL BUILDINGS AT LUDHIANA ing a good report, said that there was now not one untrained dai working in her district. Twelve well qualified doctors are on our staff, each being in charge of her own department; two One .of our graduates, Dr. Rose Shadi Khan, more are needed for the additional work required received a special Red Cross medal and a purse to prepare the students for the higher degrees. of Rs. 300 in recognition of her devoted services at the time of the Quetta earthquake. She was The Surgical Department is always busy. To one of two Ludhiana graduates working there, have had an operation here is often considered an and for days we at the Women's Christian Medical honor to be coveted! One young woman had a College were anxious, as we could get no news of large tumor removed. When her friends came to their safety. At last we heard, to our relief, that see her, her sister was envious of all the interest both were alive, though one had been badly hurt. excited as she told them of the preparation, and Dr. Khan, uninjured, was doing all she could to of the Operating Theatre, and of the wonderful help and for. three days and nights she had no chloroform she had smelt, and of the attention time for food or sleep, as she cared for the she received from the doctors and nurses. When wounded and dying. One by one they were dug I asked to see the sister, I found, to her joy, out from the ruins. Many were purdah women that she, too, required an operati.on. After a few known to Dr. Khan, for she had worked for sevdays she was, lying happily in a bed next to her eral years in Quetta, and they clung to her in their sister. Then they sent for their elder sister, hop- terror and pain. She worked day and night for ing that she might share their privilege. When it several weeks, till at last, worn out, she was was found that she did not need surgical care, she ordered to take a rest. She passed through Ludwept tears of disappointment. Why were her hiana, looking thin and tired, but with triumph younger sisters to have all the attention and all in her eyes, and as soon as she was able she rethe fun (?) while she was left out? turned to her work again. At present she is in a lonely station on the Northwest Frontier, where she is loved and trusted by all. The influence of this Indian doctor extends beyond the boundaries of her native land, for she is often called over into Iran, where her skilled help is sought by lonely, sick, and distressed women.
One is sometimes asked: "Are the Indian girls really worth training as doctors; do you find them capable of bearing responsibility?" My reply, emphatically, is that they respond to training, and are wen able to take responsibility. We have proved it on our own staff, and the .opinion is con- firmed on all sides by those who employ our grad- uates. One medical missionary, writing recently about the work done by one of them, concluded her
TRAINING WOMEN DOCTORS
report by saying: "She is an excellent missionary, upon the dispensary door. It was night. Would and quite the best assistant surgeon I have met. anyone hear? Finally a motherly Indian Chris- At present she has charge of an outstation mission tian woman opened the door and took her in. As hospital of thirty beds. I regard her as a friend no one ever claimed her, the missionary sent her and do not see how we could carry on without to school. Later she came to Ludhiana to train her." as a nurse. At the end of her training a call came for a missionary nurse for Arabia, and Sundri Another graduate is senior surgeon in a large volunteered. It was a foreign land to her-dif- hospital, of which she takes charge when the mis- ferent language, different food, and twelve days' sionary is away on district work. Not only do the journey distant. Through the fine work she did so lovingly in the mission hospital she found her A VE'RANDAH WARD IN THE HOSPITAL way into the homes and hearts of these Arab women, rich and poor alike; and so skilfully did various missionary societies appreciate the value she handle many difficult obstetric cases, that her of Ludhiana graduates, but the Government also help often was sought in preference to that of her recognizes their worth. Seven have been awarded European colleague. the Kaiser-i-Hind medal for public services, and the honor of being the first Indian woman in the Then came the World War. The missionaries Madras Presidency to become medical superin- were not allowed to stay in their station, and tendent of a hospital with a European staff, falls Sundri was left alone. Single-handed she kept the to one of the graduates. hospital open for three years, dealing with such cases as she was fitted to manage. She remem- Nurse Sundri is an illustration of how wide- bered, too, that now she was the only one left to spread the influence of these girls may become. preach Good Tidings, and she gave herself the Forty years ago little six-year-old Sundri, child of more earnestly to Sunday services and dispensary high-caste Hindu parents, was about to be "mar- prayers, and to personal talks with her patients. ried to the gods." Her mother had become a widow before any marriage arrangement had been When peace was proclaimed, government pro- made for the child, and now the expense was too ceedings required the presence in England of cer- great. Who would care what befell a despised tain Arabian sheiks, who in turn desired that their widow and her daughter? The temple would re- wives accompany them. An interpreter would be ceive the child. She should be "married to the required, and who was hetter fitted than their gods," and live a life of immorality. Those who nurse-friend Sundri, who knew English so well? 'know anything of the nefarious practices such dedication demands, will realize how terrible was STUDENTS IN THE PATHOLOGICAL LABORATORY the future carved out for the poor child. Little girls have been known to commit suicide rather And to England Sundri went! Later she returned than live in such surroundings. again to Arabia, took up private work in a dis- pensary of her own, and adopted Rosa, a little Sundri was terrified. Then she remembered Arabian orphan girl. Rosa is now at Ludhiana. that once, when she had been ill, her mother had Recently Sundri, ill and dying, committed this taken her to a dispensary in a neighboring village little Arab girl to our care. She is now at school, where a medical missionary had lovingly cared for and our prayer is that later she will become a her and made her well again. doctor or nurse-a missionary to her own people in the far-off land of Arabia. Under cover of darkness the child ran away to this village, and hammered with her little fists
A study of the reports show that the graduates ical College have long realized the des.perate need from this Medical College are now ministering of the villages, and have given anxious thought as each year to about three million women and chil- to how that need may be met. Nine years ago, I dren. Such a record is proof positive that the stated that it was urgent that new centres be women of India themselves highly value the help opened in the towns and villages, north, east, given by their medically trained sisters. The south, and west of Ludhiana. We saw great posgratitude they express is often very touching. sibilities in such village centres, each to be equip- ped with a woman dootor, a nurse, a health visitor, A friend from England once told me that when and a teacher. Last year a special gift enabled us she was traveling in India, though she was unable to open one of these centres, and its value is so to understand her language, an Indian woman was great that I hope we will not be obliged to wait determined to make plain to her the love and grati- another nine long years before we are able to open tude which all the women of the district had to- others. wards the Ludhiana doctor at work there. Taking her three-months-old baby boy, this Indian woman Let me emphasize the urgency of the hour. laid him on the ground at the doctor's feet. Then, Great and rapid changes are occurring in India as bowing in an attitude of utter devotion, she work and power is passing into the hands of her clasped the doctor's right hand, while with an own people. What we are able to do today may be outstretched arm she made a sweeping gesture to impossible tomorrow. This is a strategic time. include all the women in the courtyard.. At Ludhiana we are trying to seize every oppor- tunity to prepare and equip Christian women and Indian Women's Work for Women girls so that they may be ready to meet the great responsibilities which await them in the near The medical care of India's women is of great future.
importance. That it should be done by their own Remember that India's welfare and uplift and evangelization are in a peculiar way our responpeople is the quickest way of accomplishing the sibility as Christian men and women. * task, as it is financially the most economical. It • Information and literature may be had from the General Secreis the right and natural way. The fact speaks for tary, Miss M. E'. Craske, Ludhiana Women's Christian Medical Col- lege, 39, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S. W. 1, England, or itself that in one missionary's life-time the work from Miss L. Powel, 6938 Cresheim Road, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Pa.
has moved so quickly that now three million RULES OF OHRISTIAN LIVING women and children are being reached each year The following "Rules of Christian Living" are said to have been prepared for himself by the late by the medical skill of their own people. General Booth of the Salvation Army: At the Ludhiana Medical College, on a scholar- 1. Consider your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and treat it with reverence and care. ship of thirty pounds ($150.00) per annum for 2. Keep your mind active. Stimulate it with five years, an Indian girl can take her medical thoughts of others that lead to doing something.
degree. Think of it! A medical missionary to 3. Take time to be holy, with daily Bible read- ing and prayer. her own people at the total expenditure of one 4. Support the church of your faith. Min~le hundred and fifty pounds ($750). Contrast this with others.
with the expense of training a foreign medical 5. Cultivate the presence of God. He wants to enter your life and will as far as you let Him. missionary, not to speak of the cost of outfit and 6. Take God into the details of your life. You passage. Surely, on the basis of economy alone naturally call upon Him in trouble and for the bigger things.. the plea, "Train India's own women as doctors," 7. Pray for this troubled, war-threatened world is a sound one. • and the leaders who hold the destinies of the var- ious nations. This is unquestionably the right and natural way, for however devoted the Western missionary 8. Have a thankful spirit for the blessings of may be, she still is a foreigner, and one whose God-country, home, friends, and numerous other speech and ways are strange. The gentle, edu- blessings. cated Indian friend speaks the language perfectly, understands local prejudices, and is familiar with 9. Work as if everything depended upon work, Indian customs and habits of life. She is a woman and pray as if everything depended upon prayer. of the country, and wins her way unhampered by the handicaps which face the missionary from 10. Think of death not as something to be another land. Quite naturally she will tell her dreaded, but as a great and new experience where patients the Wonderful Story-old to us but new loved ones are met and ambitions realized. to them. She will use familiar illustrations to press the point, and the listeners will hear how she has found in Jesus her Saviour and her Lord.
"Village Uplift" has recently become the slogan of social service in India. The word is heard on all sides, but we of the Women's Christian Med-
Present Situation in Portugal*
By WM. H. RAINEY .
-.•~ Superintendent of the British and Foreign Society for Western Europe THE political situation in Portugal is compli- interests of the former. This statement aroused cated and uncertain. The power, in practice the Portuguese hatred of Spain, due to the cruel- but not in theory, of this totalitarian State is ties of Philip II. Thus another element of uncerinvested in the Prime Minister, Dr. Oliviero Sala- tainty and even fear was introduced into the na- zar, who is also Minister of Finance and of War. tional life.
Unlike his colleagues in similar states, the Por- England is fully alive to the importance of the tuguese Prime Minister shrinks from publicity Anglo-Portuguese alliance, hence the naval and so that not many have even seen him. military missions and the creation in Lisbon of a Dr. Salazar is pro-German yet he is a member branch of the British Institute. The position of of the "company of Jesus" whose policy is the British and Foreign Bible Society in Portu- strongly anti-Nazi and, therefore, pro-democratic. gal is closely allied with British prestige. The Such a policy may seem strange in an order that freedom allowed to colporteurs is partly due to has always stood for absolutism in Church and the nationality of the Bible Society.
State but the anti-Catholic attitude of the Nazis The religious situation in Portugal has only has thrown the Jesuits into unaccusomed com- changed slightly in the last few years. The pany. Under the late Pope, Pius XII, the Jesuits Roman Catholic Church has continued to increase were all-powerful at the Vatican, and dictated the in power and may now be said to have regained papal foreign policy. Thus one can imagine Sala- the ground lost during the anti-clerical period zar torn between personal preference and reli- following the declaration of the Republic in 1910.
gious obligation. The Prime Minister's love for Such is its influence today that much of the gov- Germany is tempered with fear for the safety of ernment tax on salaries, destined to aid the un- the Colonies, for Portugal is still the third largest employed, is used to build and repair churches colonial powet". Without the alliance with Great and theological seminaries. The great army of Britain this rich almost undeveloped empire over- militia on the Fascist model, which includes prac- seas would long ago have fallen a victim to pred- tically all citizens from the ages of 10 to 60, is well atory powers. Fear of German aggression, even under the control of the Roman Catholic clergy.
in the form of a so-called peaceful penetration of Attendance at mass, although not legally obliga- Angola, swiftly brought wavering Portugal back tory, is pra·ctically so. Only the valiant few have into the English alliance. It is possible, even the courage to spoil their prospects by refusing to probable, that Portugal would try to remain neu- attend. There are also minor cases of persecution.
tral in the event of a European war. Although Two cases are indicative of the trend of things- many of the governing class are pro-Nazi, yet the recently a State employee, a lay-preacher of the business-men are pro-British and the working Portuguese Presbyterian Church, was threatened class in the towns are Communists. with dismissal if he did not stop preaching. A The situation is still further complicated by Baptist Church has been closed on the pretext that the Spanish question. The Nationalist rebellion Communists attended the services.
was organized in Portugal and has received Por- Bible Society colporteurs, however, have no tuguese support, in spite of so-called "observers" cause for complaint. Colporteur Gil reports that on the frontier. Spanish Government refugees, during the 25 years he has served the Society he seeking asylum in Portugal, were handed over to has never known so much interest in the Bible, the Nationalist authorities and even some of the among Catholics as well as Protestants.
flags in use with Franco's forces bear the Portu- The strength of the Bible Society's position in guese arms as well as those of Spain, Italy and Portugal lies in the fact that it publishes a Roman Germany. Yet a Falangist-the Falangists are Catholic, as well an an Evangelical, version of the the Spanish fascists, who are opposed to the Re- Bible. The Roman Catholic, or "Figueiredo" ver- quetes, who are strongly "clerical"-speaking on a sion, is a classic of the Portuguese language and public occasion, referred to the desire of his party is used in many Protestant Churches and schools.
to unite Spain and Portugal, presumably in the If war can be avoided, the prospects of Evangeli- * See Frontispiece. cal work in Portugal should be bright.
[ 409 ]
Christ in Europe
By PROF. ADOLF KELLER, D.D., Geneva, Switzerland W HAT interests us here is not so much the subjective experience, as from a transcendent mes- question what controversial ideology is sage of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. dominating the European Continent although it has a tremendous influence on religious In preparing my sermon for Good Friday 1917, life, nor what theological conflicts are fought it struck me that following the word of Christ: through in the European churches, which were "It is accomplished," I had not to speak of peralways inclined to express their religious life more sonal experiences but of the great fact and meseasily in theological form than it was done in sage which God has placed before us in the life America. We shall simply ask in this survey how and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is preached on the Continent and what a new evangelical life His message is kindling in A wide change in continental preaching is the European churches. partly due to the rebirth of a theology of the Reformation-Karl Barth's study of the Epistle If during the past century Church regiment, to the Romans appeared in 1918-and partly to Church authority and its representatives played a spontaneous rediscovery of the objectivity of an important rOle in European Church life, the God's Revelation in Christ. theologians came to the front these last decades when continental Protestantism re-thought the Since then preaching has again become the Reformation and tried to build up a new Church, announcement of the Gospel of Christ, as against not so much on an ecclesiastical authority but on giving moral or social advice, philosophical delibsound theology. Today we may observe that it erations or sentimental experiences. The first is the tUrn of the simple preacher of the Gospel task of the Church is again the preaching of the who has his word to say and is listened to. Gos- Gospel. This needs no further justification, yet pel preaching as such has become again the great there is no unanimity about what the preaching of essential fact in the life of the Church. the Gospel really means. Is Gospel-preaching con- sistent with the glorification of the nation and the But each century, each denomination, each na- mysticism of a totalitarian State? Yet, the eleven tion has made, in history, its contribution towards German Churches, whose leaders published a few a special type of preaching. The nineteenth cen- months ago a nationalist and totalitarian theory, tury preaching is in many respects quite dif- confound the Gospel with a myth; a divine revelaferent from the preaching which rose during the tion with religious self-consciousness; the Refor- World War, and which is heard today. The mation with the Renaissance. But the Churches last century was widely dominated by the theology in Germany, where this Gospel is preached, are of experience and of subjectivism which was empty. Evangelical people do not confound the started by the first great theologian of the century, "bread" of our Lord with the "stones" of a nat- Schleiermacher, who initiated a new theolo'gical ural philosophy. thinking by taking the feeling of absolute dependence on God as the point of departure for An important feature in the theory and pracsound Christian theology. Wherever such a the- tice of preaching becomes evident in these empty ology of experience and of the subjective Christian German Churches: preaching needs a congregaconsciousness was vigorous, preaching aimed at tion that listens to God's Word. I preached for awakening similar experiences. Schleiermacher six years in John Knox's Chapel in Geneva and himself was perhaps even a greater and more had often Scottish visitors in my audience. One evangelical preacher than theologian and inter- of them was once listening so attentively that it preter of German idealism and romanticism. Un- meant quite an inspiration to me. When he came der this theology it was more or less forgotten that after the sermon to shake hands, I found that he Christianity was born, not so much from a sweet had not understood one word because he did not understand German-but he listened. The re- sponse of many congregations where "German [410 ] Christians" are preaching is silence or absence. we have to fight; Christ is the only One who can Such spiritual indifference kills any sermon which overcome the reign of demons. is not characterized by more than human wisdom. The Church which no longer listens to God's In this respect, of course, preaching is the reflex word is dying. of a more orthodox and Christocentric theology. Yet, in other parts, especially in Eastern Europe, On the other hand, Confessional Churches in it is not so much an echo to theological thinking as Germany are crowded. A man like Niemol1er, a a response to Bible reading. The Bible itself and great preacher, drew larger audiences than the not only theology as a witness to the Holy Scripchurch in Dahlem could hold. There was always tures has been and is the great teacher of how to a pilgrimage from Berlin to Dahlem when the preach. Preaching is therefore no longer the art former captain of the submarine preached. Even of trained. pastors. The man who. reads the Bible, Ministers of State were in the audience. Niem61- preaches. A lay preaching movement may be obler is continuing to preach though silenced. In served all over Eastern Europe. In Austria near America, during the National Preaching Mission, Villach, is a Bible School preparing lay preachthere was not one single town where I was not ers for the Balkan countries. In Poland and Rusasked about Neimoller. He has the ear of the sia there is a large preaching mission carried on world because he preaches the Gospel even at the by laymen, the "Gospel-Christians," who are wancost of great sacrifice. dering from village to village announcing, often secretly, in farms, woods, lonely places the re- The essence of this Gospel-preaching is quite deeming message which they have learned to know simple. It is dominated by the two great leading from the Bible. In Polish Ukraine an evangelical thoughts of the Reformation: Luther's Sola gratia movement sprang up in a village when Krasniuk, ("by grace alone") and Calvin's great message of a Ukrainain prisoner of war, returned from a the sovereignty of God: Soli Deo gloria! Modern German prisoner's camp where he had learned to evangelical preaching in Europe is again focused read the Bible to his family in a Polish village. in these two great lights of the Reformation. It To read the Bible means to meet Christ, and this is Biblical, Paulinian. It is more an interpreta- is the one great stimulus for preaching. The tion of the Biblical text than an explanation of a annual report of the British and Foreign Bible subject for which the text is only a starting point. Society shows indeed that in spite of a growing Karl Barth in Basle does not allow his students poverty, political tension and religious persecuto develop their own brilliant thoughts by using tion the Continent has bought more Bibles than a Bible text. Stick to the text in reverence and during last year. Even in Spain the sale of the obedience, he would say. Under such influences Bible has increased. continental preaching has become more Biblical and more dynamic. It is a witness, not simply a The Hope for Reformation historical exposition or a psychological application of spiritual truth. Historicism and psychologism Where the Bible is re-discovered and read, a have largely diluted, during large parts of nine- reformation is always near. Other general literteenth century preaching, the divine substance of ature is certainly sharing the breakdown of any the preached word. These theological and psycho- really leading power for mankind; the Bible has logical temptations are overcome today. Christ again proved able to give real leadership to perhimself and not science or theology, not personal sonal and public life of mankind. Nowhere this piety or mystic experiences, is again the great sub- is perhaps deeper felt than in Russia where the ject of evangelical preaching~Christ who saves importation or printing of the Bible is still forfrom sin by His grace. The attack directed against bidden. A great thirst for the Word of God is the Saviour by a self-redeeming humanism and found wherever religious interest is not entirely secularism has, by reaction, made continental quenched. This unique Book and parts of it are preaching more Christocentric than ever. Where penetrating into Russia wherever pores of com- Christ is preached there is no place for a shallow munication are still open in the well protected nationalism or a vigorous moralism. All these pachydermic armour of their Russian giant. It isms are effaced by the tremendous realistic pow- penetrates into the interior via the great streams, er of sin and the all victorious Grace. Preaching via China and Turkestan. For many Christians is therefore, under the impression of the War and the possession of the Bible is the greatest treasure, its aftermath, more pessimistic than in the self- as the Word of God has become rare and thoucontent nineteenth century in so far as the possi- sands of Bibles have crumbled to dust because they bilities and confidence in man is concerned and has were read so intensely. It is a; matter of great again discovered the demonic character of the rejoicing that not only the Bible is read again world, the principalities and powers with which among Protestants-but Bible lessons are intro- duced for the first time in evangelical services. A
new Bible movement is spreading also in the Ro- by we felt that our skin must be heathen too. He man Catholic Church, and it happens that Ortho- gave us an inferiority complex. We began to feel dox priests, as in the famous conferences of Nar- that if we dressed in his clothes we should be va, assemble around the Bible and not only kiss less heathen. If we began to speak English well the holy Book as a part of the Orthodox service, we felt sure we were civilized and Christian. but read it with the joy of a great discovery. If we speak the truth (and we must speak the Wherever Christ is preached, the Cross is ines- truth), we must admit that the African says tocapable. The willingness to suffer with Christ is day, We want to feel at home when we worship. one of the essential features of Christian life. We want to feel that God has come to Africa. This willingness not to be afraid even of martyr- South African buildings, are always round dom is perhaps the greatest aspect of present day thatched huts. The first time that I went into a Christian life on the Continent. The world at- church-it was built on the western pattern-I tacks Christ, not so much by force and persecu- said, "I am in a foreign country." A Christian tion as by a new philosophy and new tempting priest put up a hut with a thatched roof and a ideologies. Those who are not adopting this phi- stone altar, such as we Africans use in worship; losophy in Russia or in the totalitarian States then I was at home before God. The stone altar must suffer persecution. The answer of the Rus- on which we used to make our sacrifices to our sian Christians to this persecution is silent suffer- ancestors in an attempt to worship the unknown ing. In Germany loud witness is still heard. In God, was the place where we could come to God the western and central democracies the liberty ourselves because God had made the ultimate to preach the Gospel is in no way restricted. A sacrifice. Outside, under the beautiful roof of the great missionary activity is started by the world that is the sky, what more beautiful church Churches in France, Holland and Switzerland could you find than that? The carpeted earth for which do not confine their missionary zeal to the our floor, under a big tree: there is the very best pagan world overseas but are discovering that church of all and we are at home there. The high they have a mission field at home, that the Church mountain suggests the power of God; the roaring itself is becoming a mission field as for instance ocean is better music than an organ. Our rivers France, which formerly has been called the oldest -we have beautiful rivers-they are not heathen daughter of the Church and counts today at least rivers; they tell us of God. Take our people out thirty millions of people who have no connection there and we can worship."-Miss Minnie Saga. whatever with any Church and have lost even an elementary knowledge of Christ and His Gospel. *** It is very likely that many Protestant Churches Mrs. Short, a British (L. M. S.) missionary in will join the remarkable effort which has been Papua, is training up the young people to a belief made by the American Federal Council of that God wants Papuans to remain Papuans when Churches in its National Preaching Mission to they become Christians. She encourages the weartake a fresh stand for the Church in the centre of ing of the native dress or some simple adaptation all Christian life and activity, in the announcement of it suited to modern conditions, the building of of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The world has churches in the island fashion, and giving a Chrisproved today that it holds no really redeeming tian content to the old customs. Most of the oppomessage and that its recipes are not bringing heal- sition to this comes from the people themselves. ing or salvation but sickness and death. The They say, "Now we are Christians we are en- Church of Christ, confronted with this breakdown lightened people. We must dress as you do. We of culture and inefficiency of human wisdom, must have churches like yours. We must worship knows more than ever that she holds the word of in your way." Sentiment in some places is so salvation and has to bring it to the whole world. strong on the connection between religion and a particular form of dress that women may refus·e FROM MADRAS CONFERENCE to wear waistbelts because the costume into which their grandmothers were put by early mission- A Bantu African woman in a bright blue dress aries was a long shapeless garment without a belt. and head-cloth, spoke with a natural eloquence It was natural to those pioneer missionaries to which moved all hearts in the group on the wor- carry with them the customs, the conventions, the ship of the Church. style of clothes and religious buildings to which they were accustomed in their western lands. But "To us Africans, Christianity is a white man's Christians in Papua and other lands must be religion. The white man regarded as heathen helped to see that God wants Papuan Christians everything that he found in Mrica; not knowing and African Christians from every land, not our language or our culture he judged it as heath- simply Christians who are an imitation of the en. He made us so conscious of this that by and Westerner.
Ways of
'Tested Met1wds for Increasing Interest at Home ,EDITED BY GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA College Students Organize scribed by Bethanians and private do- Notice, too, that the project is nations. Each Saturday some of the for Actual Service girls conduct the recreational activi- not forced into just one channel. ties of McKinleyville which supple- Not all girls are interested in Young people of today are ment the newly added Boy Scout weighing babies and in taking ready to give time and energy to Troop under the leadership of William medical histories. There are rendering real service, if there Rutter, also of Bethany College. is some person or organization , In addition to this work, Bethany other avenues of service outto plan the work so it will be students have conducted Sunday school lined. Recreational leadership, effective, and if there is sufficient classes and church services at Mcreal need in the project to make Kinleyville for some time. and leadership for religious eduthem feel it worth giving them- cation is asked-and found. selves to. Front Rank, April 16, 1939. Too often we ask our young The following report of a serv- There are several points people to do some silly little ice project being carried on by worthy of note. The college thing which is no real challenge Bethany College students in Y. W. C. A. sponsored the proj- to their ability or interest. We West Virginia gives a picture of ect. Dr. Hoagland supervised it. assume they are too busy to do a situation which has need, ap- The article does not say who real things. That is, to be sure, peal and organization to make suggested it, but we may rest the excuse which they give to get the response effective. Study it assured that some one presented out of entering into our feeble carefully. the need vividly, or there would attempts to harness their ener- have been no such whole-hearted gies to worthwhile things in un- When the McKinleyville mine shut response. down, the presiding doctor and nurse worthy ways. But give them a could no longer be afforded. The Beth- Notice also that professional any College Y. W. C. A., under the aid was enlisted. There was no worthwhile job with a real chalsupervision of Dr. Florence M. Hoag- attempt made to have a bunch of lenge in it-give them competent land, promptly established the present college girls doing something leadership-give them organizaclinic for pre-school children. Once a that only a doctor and a nurse tion for effective use of their month under the leadership of Dr. could do effectively. But what energy and time-and your col- Booher of Wellsburg and the county college girls could do in connec- lege student displays all the renurse, who also donate their services, tion with the clinic was thrilling source, ingenuity and responsithe girls conduct the clinic in the little enough to them to insure their bility which made our ancestors, town four miles from Bethany College. participation. with no more years to their The girls weigh and measure the credit than these college young babies, take medical and social his- The international touch in the people possess, go forth to contories, and follow the orders and treat- participation of the Chinese stuments prescribed by the doctor. dent has more than a little value. quer a wilderness and to build a new nation. Taking her place in the clinic is Bethany's Chinese co-ed, a member of Race relations become normally the Y. W. C. A., Violette Chun. Attract Larger Audiences inconsequent when people of dif- Each time the Y. W. C. A. girls visit McKinleyville the townspeople fering races are working to- A missionary speaker recently know they are bringing canned food, gether in the spirit of Christ to went to one of the smaller clothing, medicine, milk, and other alleviate human suffering and to churches of his denomination for items that the children need. All Beth- build a happier world. For a Sunday evening address. To any College is now aiding with a "soap" campaign in which each stu- every such experience of joy in his amazement, considering the dent not only must use soap before working together we may well audience in some other engage- coming to fraternities and dormitories give thanks. ments he had filled, the church but must also bring one cake for Mc- Then there is the enlistment which was not a small one in Kinleyville. Already the girls are of the whole college in special size, was packed. Furthermore witnessing the results of their fine parts of the project. Soap and the choir loft was overflowing work. Underfed children are gaining in weight, children with impetigo-a books for the library! Two with eager-eyed boys and girls contagious skin disease – once more items which are easily provided from the eighth grade. The servhave clear complexions, and the by a large group, but which scantily clothed are now warm. The make a big hole in any budget ice started. There was little beco-eds have also established a library yond his speech and a musical with part of the funds and books sub- which must buy them outright. program by those boys and girls.
[413 ]
They were the eighth grade a Many of the mothers and fa- business going by continuing to cappella choir of a neighboring thers, older brothers and sisters spend her money for expensive school. They sang hymns, spir- of the children in that choir do trifles such as perfume bottles, it,uals and other dignified and not ordinarily hear good mis- imported service plates and suitable music. They listened sionary addresses. They came jewelry for herself, than to give with intense enjoyment to his because their children were to the money away. She was using sing. They went away glad that a false philosophy to bolster up address. they had heard a worthwhile ad- her selfishness. When it was all over, the bou- dress as well. The money paid for the quets of gay summer flowers Let us point out that a single jewelry went mostly into the singer, no matter with how pocket of the wealthy owner of with which the church had been lovely a voice, who was a mem- the store she was fondest of. The decorated were carefully wrap- ber of the community and whose same money would have gone ped and given to the missionary singing people had many times almost directly into the smallspeaker to take home with him. heard, could not have had much business world of grocers and One of the members of the attendance pull. So far as the clothing stores and dairy farms church drove him clear across suitability of her singing, so far of the community had she given the large city to the place he was as her adding to the program, it away. On the way it would staying at. the value might have been the have fed and clothed those in same. But probably not one dire need. The bit of beauty the Let us look at this experience single extra person would have money purchased is as dead tofor a moment, from the point of turned out more than would day as on the day it was purview of promoting attendance. have come for the address alone. chased. The gift of money to It was the missionary society relieve suffering would have which sponsored the church To add something in the na- brought life and health to a child service. They wanted not only ture of a variety stunt might who died for lack of proper food pull a crowd there, but to at- and shelter. their own members there, but tempt that is not worth the ruin also the rest of the congregation. it brings to the program. It To buy things for ourselves They felt that the particular mis- cheapens and debases it. Those instead of serving others with sionary they had secured was who are brought by it are quite the money that is ours is not true sure to give an address worthy likely to get up and walk out stewardship. of being heard by others in the during the address, or to form community besides the members the sort of unsympathetic audi- As church members face the of his own denominational ence which every speaker dreads. days of winter ahead, it is well group. for them to have this gently Consider then, what you may stern reminder always before What supplement to his ad- add to a program which will them, that to buy more clothes dress could they provide which build up the right atmosphere, for oneself when one already has would attract the groups they be of value in itself, and have more than one can wear, is the wanted present? They looked the right effect in bringing into tendency which is the most effecaround and decided that the a the meeting a much greater tive preventative of our being cappella choir of the eighth grade number of people than might able to "clothe the naked, and of the neighboring public school have come for an address alone. feed the hungry." would do that. Furthermore they could be counted on to pro- Our Money for Others We cannot squander our revide a musical accompaniment sources on ourselves and still in keeping with the address. The following thought-pro- have them to serve a needy world Parents of the children would voking and lovely poem by Alice with. come whether they were to sing Ferrin Hensey may be used in at school or in church. several ways in your church. A Here is the poem: poster, in the center panel of Please note that there was which it is beautifully lettered I have more food than I can eatnothing in the way of trying to in, and in the two outer panels They faint with hunger in the street. of which are pictures of those attract by false pretenses to whom we may serve, may be ar- I have more clothes than I can wearsomething which people would ranged. Or the poem might be Their head, and hands, and feet are not want to hear. They were given as a reading in the devosure of their missionary's hav- tional part of your service. bare. ing something people would find Where it is possible it should be made available to every member My walls are thick, and warm, and very worth having come to listen of the church, missionary so- dryto. The music was simply a sec- ciety, or other group. ond feature of equal worth in its Their walls are rain, and wind, and own field. During days of bitter need, sky. not so long ago, a woman ap- The problem of attendance at proached by the church for relief My heart knows love of noble soulsmissionary programs and meet- funds refused on the ground that Their hearts are hungry, thirsty ings is often not that of having it was more important to keep a worthwhile program. It is that bowls. of securing a hearing for that program from those who for These things let me remember when various reasons ordinarily fail to give it any attention. Cries of the needy rise again.* • Alice Ferrin Hensey. By permission of the author and of The New York Times.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Why Not Have a Church Library?
By MARY F. FOLGER A few years ago the Literature Committee with the pastor of the First Friends Church in In- dianapolis, Indiana, decided the time had come for the revival and enlargement of the church library. One of the Sunday school classes loaned their own furnished classroom for this pur- pose. Two bookcases were moved in and all the religious education, c h u r c h history, Quaker and missionary books were assembled. The Literature Committee chairman, with his wife, gave some and loaned many new and up-to-date books .
for circulation among our mem- bers. A number of desired books CHILDREN MAKE GOOD USE OF A GOOD LIBRARY were donated by other indi- viduals. for adults' and one for children's a suggested given list. These are From time to time throughout books. The name of borrower under various headings, some of the years the revision of the lit- and the date taken and returned which are: Biblical Literature, erature work of Friends has is noted on the card filed for that Friends History and Principles, been made, to meet and use new particular book. Evangelism, Pas tor a I and opportunities for usefulness. Two instances we want to Church Extension, Christian Thus the work of the church mention, occurring two years Education, Stewardship, Peace, library was begun in recognition apart-unknown to either child. Temperance, etc. of a wider avenue for service. One of our boy's mother was The Literature Committee has, Since the beginning of our reading to him at home, from for many years, been allowed a "revival," more cases and books our "Bible Story Book" and he certain amount in the yearly have been given. And our col- wanted to take it to school. She budget of our meeting. This lection has grown until now we gave permission and his teacher amount has been increased three have books for every department read this book to his class. A times since 1935 and is used exin the church and church school. little girl this year so thoroughly clusively for purchasing books We also have books on family enjoyed one of our "Stories of for the library. We feel the life, fiction with a Christian em- Jesus and the Children" that she greatest mission of the Church phasis, etc. Many books have took it to school and her teacher is to help the home furnish the been given by individuals as a read a chapter each day to her Christian foundation in charmemorial to a member of the pupils until she finished the acter building. And one of the family or meeting. These donors book. best ways to do this is through feel that there is an everlasting A number of children have furnishing and helping to select inspiration and living influence given, in the public schools, re- the best of reading material, and in this kind of memorial. A views of books they have read build through books higher number of the various commit- from our church library. Many ideals of personal conduct. Durtees of the meeting have given others have given book reviews ing the last several years we new and desired books, in this in Sunday school. The books for have placed church papers, peace way, not only cooperating with, children consist of the best and temperance literature, and but proving their consciousnes8 recognized Bible stories, mission- other reading material, in public of the need, and realization of ary and story books with em- places and in homes, where they the Christian influence of the phasis on world friendship, etc. supplied a timely need. Church through its own library. A number of adult books are We strive to be of service to One sectional bookcase is full used for reference and research any and all individuals desiring of children's books and this work. help or information, and in sev- corner, with little tables and For several years our yearly eral instances have been able to chairs, is used for, and by, the meeting – composed of sixteen supply or procure materials children. Two girls, each eleven quarterly meetings, and within needed on a number of subjects years old, assist with the whole these eighty-one local meetings for papers and talks outside of library and have complete charge -gives special recognition to regular church work. Our liof the children's section. members reading a certain num- brary is being used more and There are two card files-one ber of books during the year, in more all the time by all ages.
A Story for the
In the Hall of Fame made the difference, for her fa- "Did the people love her ?" ther had no more money than said little Lois. By VIOLET WOOD, Missionary the other men." Education Movement Mr. Wright smiled. "They "Frances Willard's father certainly did.. Many of them Phyllis Wright was visiting didn't drink, did he?" piped up traveled on foot from outlying Washington with her family. Janet. farms to hear her speak in the But she seemed disappointed as towns she visited. She wrote she studied the faces of the stat- "No," Mr. Wright shook his books and edited magazines ues of America's heroes, war- head, "and that was the diff-er- which thousands of people bought riors and statesmen. ence. Her family also prayed to and read and passed on to God and kept the Sabbath while friends. But that was not all she "Father," she said, "are there many other pioneers did not. did. Phyllis, you will be twentyno girls in the Hall of Fame?" Frances Willard decided to try one years old in nine years. Can to bring a new way of life to you tell me one of the things you Mr. Wright smiled as he re- people whose children were poor will be able to do then that you plied: "Let's get mother and and miserable because of evil can't do now?" Janet and Lois and I'll tell you ways. But first she must get an about the only woman whose education. In those days it was "I'll be able to vote," said statue is found here." an unusual thing for a woman to Phyllis proudly. go to college, but Frances did it. "What state is she from ?" Soon after her graduation a "Exactly," Mr. Wright said. asked Phyllis. "I'll be searching stranger thing happened; she "Frances Willard started the for her." was the first woman in America idea that women should vote, to become a college president." just the same as men. That was "She's from Illinois." a brave stand to take in those Phyllis scampered off, and "That's a very important job," days, for even good Christian when her father, mother and sis- murmured Phyllis. men were against the idea at ters caught up they found her first." gazing intently into the earnest "Yes, indeed," Mr. Wright face of Frances Willard. nodded, "but she gave it up after "I read a story once," said "I found her," she beamed. a while because she felt it did Mrs. Wright. It told how Fran- "Now father is going to tell us not give her time to carry out ces Willard always carried two about the only woman in the Hall her ambition to help the poor favorite books with her wherof Fame in Washington." Then mothers and children. She be- ever she went: the Bible and she read from the tablet" 'Fran- gan to lead bands of women 'Pilgrim's Progress.' " ces Willard was born September through the streets. The y 28th, 1839.' Why that's exactly marched to saloons, where men "I've read 'Pilgrim's Progone hundred years ago!" wasted their time and health and ress'," cried Phyllis. "It's great!" "That's right," said Mr. money, and there she prayed Wright. "Frances came of pio- and sang Christian songs. Hun- "Now, what would you call neering folks and as a little girl dreds were so affected by her Frances Willard?" asked Mr. she traveled in a covered wagon Christ-like spirit that they prom- Wright: "a heroine? a warrior? through the wilderness." ised to give up strong drink and a statesman?" "A wagon like our trailer?" to lead better lives." asked Janet. "I know what I'd call her," "Oh, no, much different," an- "Did they keep their prom- said Phyllis. "Our Sunday swered Mr. Wright. "In those ises?" questioned Janet. school teacher told us that misdays it took months to drive 500 sionaries had to be combinations miles, and we've only taken a "Many of them did," contin- of many things sometimes. I'd few days to do that with our ued Mr. Wright, "and many be- call her a missionary, a real automobile." came good fathers and estab- home missionary." "What did she do to make her lished Christian homes. Women famous ?" Phyllis asked impa- in other states formed similar Making Use of This Story tiently. bands and carried on the work, "Like all people who win so that her organization grew In connection with the celebration fame," Mr. Wright began, "she until it became the Women's of Frances Willard's Centennial read loved other people and wanted to Christian Temperance Union. to or encourage the child to read some be of some good in the world. Frances Willard was its presi- of the following books: She lived in prairie towns in Illi- dent for many years. During nois and as a little girl she saw twelve years she went all over Pionee'r Girl, the Early Life of men spending their money in the United States holding meet- Frances Willard, by Clara Ingram saloons, while their families ings every evening, traveling Judson, Illustrated by Genevieve were hungry and dirty. When 35,000 miles by means of wheezy Foster. New York, Rand McNalshe compared them with her own locomotives and in old stage ly & Company, 1939. 50 cents.
family she tried to find out what coaches." Frances Willard of Evanston, by Lydia Jones Trowbridge. Chica- [ 416 ] go, Willet, Clark and Co., 1938. $2.00.
Point out the fact that the Chris- tian motive was responsible for Fran- ces Willard's contribution to the bet- terment of the American home.
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~,= NEW STEPS TOWARD Church, nearly every group was rep- in making plans beforehand. A CHRISTIAN ONE-NESS Pennsylvania city reports: resented in some way on the program "Twenty-five Catholic women helped . . . wonderful spirit of Christian us plan and ten Jewish women en- joyed our fellowship. The atmosphere "Now I am to be in this world no fellowship." Florida. of the meeting was deeply spiritual. longer, but they are still to be in the The singing of spirituals by two womworld, and I am to come to thee. Holy "We truly feel that there is a bet- en from each of our three Negro Father, keep them by that revelation churches was a high point in the of thy Name which thou hast given ter and closer understanding between service." me, that they may be one as we are . . . But it is not only for them that church women than there was pre- From a town in New York I am interceding, but also for those State comes this: who believe in me through their mes- vious to this meeting." Idaho. sage, that they all may be one-that "The village priest loaned us the as thou, Father, art in union with "Weare looking forward to an or- chairs and tables and wrote me a me and I with thee, so they also may beautiful note afterward praising our be in union with us-and so the world ganized group or federation of church effort and saying that he prays every may believe that thou hast sent me day for church unity." as thy Messenger."-Christ's prayer women growing out of this first May the night of the Last Supper. The effect of such gatherings luncheon." Indiana. may be far-reaching. Many groups made plans to undertake The observance of the Day of The May Luncheon idea origi- cooperatively s 0 me practical Prayer since its inception twenty project for the good of the com- nated with the Council of Wom- munity. Several gatherings. deyears ago, has been a patent in- en for Home Missions, the first cided to organize interdenominafluence in creating a greater one being held May 1, 1933 in tional groups that would funcsense of unity among women of New York City. In 1937 the tion through the year with the the Christian churches. There other national Protestant Wom- World Day of Prayer and the is now another special day which en's groups joined in the New May Luncheon as high spots. gives promise of binding still York luncheon. Nation-wide Perhaps in time many communi- participation in the "May Party" ties will be able to say, as one closer the bonds of Christian idea began in 1938. Over 400 woman did in reporting on the fellowship. communities reported holding May Luncheon in Dawn, Mis- luncheons. souri : Possibly there are those who would raise questioning eye- This year, 1939, there were "We have a Federated Church brows at the claim that May about 650 requests for program here and all the little country material. Reports have come churches and all the little ones Luncheons can help accelerate in town have been torn down the trend towards Christian un- from 33 states and Hawaii. and we all worship in one big ity but in reading reports of the Groups varied in size from one church." gatherings all over the country, of seven to that of 647 in New one finds striking evidence that York, which, however, included "Dawn"-what a significant it is true. Quotations from some name! If more of our comof them will answer. any skep- many from places outside of the munities would follow the examtics: ple set by this town, in spirit if metropolis. Oakland, California, not in deed, would there not be "This was the first meeting of its the second largest group, report- in truth the dawn of a new day?
kind in Preble County, eight churches ed 350. Meetings varied in type EASTERN SETTING-UP CONFERENCE OF taking an active part. Anyone could to suit local needs. Though the majority had luncheons, some COUNCIL WORKERS sense a feeling of fellowship and co- groups had teas, a few had din- What is a Council Setting-up operation. We hope to organize a ners, one a breakfast and others, Conference? It is a gathering of those who are to have charge working group soon." Ohio. just meetings without anything of the activities in the Centers for migratory groups which har- "This is a small town but we have to eat! vest and can the crops. They In many instances, all the nine church denominations and they churches in towns cooperated. all cooperated with the exception of The largest number of denomi- nations reported in one gathertwo. A real Christian non-denomina- ing was nine-there were doubttional spirit prevailed during the less twice as many in the New day." Oklahoma. York gathering, but statistics are not available. A number of "If all the nation-wide luncheons of May 4 proved to be as successful and reports mentioned the cooperaimportant as the one held in Gaines- tion of Catholic and Jewish womville, Fla., a forward stride has been taken toward Christian unity and en. In some places they attended friendly feeling. Jews and Catholics only or brought "greetings" as well as Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists and members of the Christian from their groups, but in sev- eral instances they had a share [417 ]
meet for fellowship, for training, lights furnished by two rather members, one from the Southern for a better understanding of the weak flash lights. The migrant group, and one from the New magnitude of the migrant prob- workers at Hamilton are Italian. York group, everyone had a feellem and the part which the In return for the entertainment ing of the power and strength Church is taking in helping to they sang many Italian folk that come through unity, fellowrelieve a desperate situation. songs. It was generally agreed ship and service for Christ. that this was the right ending to Under the able leadership of a very interesting and valuable From many expressions of Miss Marie Gaertner, supervisor day. gratitude and enthusiasm to of Migrant work in the eastern Miss Marie Gaertner, it is very area of the United States, a very On July 5th activities started evident that the conference was profitable conference was held at 5: 30. Breakfast was eaten a big success. The only regret in Hamilton, New York, July 3d in a hurry, and then everyone was the absence of Miss Lowry, through the 6th. This is the lo- was off to the farms to "gather Executive Secretary of the cation of one of the Council Cen- up" the children. Many new Council. ters which served as a practice families had moved in over that school and demonstration. week-end and so several new FIFTEENTH CONFERENCE little faces were seen, including The program was divided so some six months' old babies. The on the that each worker majored in success of this day was in large the type of work that he or she measure owing to the extreme CAUSE AND CURE OF WAR would do on the field. This was efficiency of the Hamilton taff very practical giving a clear pic- who worked nobly in the face of To be held at Hotel Washington ture of the work to be done. surprising and terrific odds. A great sigh of relief greeted Miss Washington, D. C. Recreation Program. – The Stella Jenkins, R.N., Director leader for this was Mr. Stanley of Home Hygiene and Care of JANUARY 22-25, 1940 R. Kendig, of the Connecticut the Sick, Utica Chapter, Ameri- Council. On the field now are can Red Cross, for the situation This fifteenth conference will young people directing recrea- was beginning to tell on six endeavor to face more realisticaltional work, each putting into babies and their new "mothers." ly than ever before the problems practice what they learned from Miss Jenkins very kindly offered of the grim world in which we him. Mr. Francis Nothrop, her time in an exceedingly live. There will be a minimum Chairman of the Fairfield Coun':' crowded schedule to spend the of formal addresses and much ty Youth Committee was very day with the group giving advice active discussion of our own successful in teaching games. on the care and feeding of ba- problems aided by experts. One bies and the proper procedure important session of the Con- Other leaders were Miss Hel- in first aid. This is the first ference will be built around the en White, supervisor of migrant time live babies have been used report of our Commission on a work, Gulf to Great Lakes area, as models for demonstrating Permanent World Society. An- Miss Alicia Fisher who directed child care to Council workers! other session will be devoted to the new Center in Florida last After dinner a very beautiful pending legislation in Congress winter, Mrs. Patricia E. Man- and helpful devotional service in which we are especially interchester, Executive Secretary, by Mr. Winham was held on the ested. Here, of course, we shall Consumer's League of Wilming- hill, back of the dormitories at seek expert guidance to help us ton, Delaware, and the Rev. Al- Colgate University. As we sat determine our own position befred R. Winham, Pastor, First overlooking the surrounding val- fore our annual visit to Capitol Reformed Church of Astoria, ley and mountains beyond, we Hill. Long Island. Each made a val- felt a true fellowship of love and uable and significant contribu- readiness to go out among those A new emphasis will be laid tion to the conference. less fortunate with a clear mes- upon the necessity of social jus- sage of Christ. Even the heav- tice as a basis for peace and upon The Conference convened on ens conspired to make the occa- the steps which must be taken the evening of July third. After sion memorable and sent a small to insure social justice both the group had dinner together view of Aurora Borealis. within our own country and talks were given by Miss White among nations. The theme of and Miss Fisher, then Mr. Win- The most impressive moment the banquet will be "Our Reham spoke on "Renewing Pow- of the conference was on the last sponsibilities in a New World er." evening when communion was Order." served to the group by the Rev. The children who were to be FRANCES A. THOMAS, at the Center were not brought Paul F. Swarthout, Pastor of in from surrounding farms un- Chairman, Program til July fifth. The Fourth was First Baptist Church, Hamilton, Committee spent in group instruction, picnic lunch under the trees, a peri- New York. As the group gath- Those desiring to attend as od for swimming or tennis and delegates of the Protestant a party in an old barn, the illu- ered at the church and stood in Church group should apply mination for which was provided to the National Committee of by two oil lanterns and spot silence before Mr. Swarthout Church Women, Rm. 63, 297 Fourth Ave., New York, N. Y. who was assisted by two of our Registration Fee: $5.00.
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Our World,wide Outlook A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO CHINA care of livestock and a variety tion. The mission staff on the The Heart of the World of trades. island now numbers twenty-five, -China Information Service. working not only among the Sympathy for China is being Hainanese but among fQur abor- expressed in a growing stream Relief Expenditure iginal tribes.
of gifts from all parts of the GQvernment and p r i vat e Jewish Remnant in Szechwan world. These gifts include a sources in China have already package of clothes frQm North spent over $45,000,000 (Chinese It is said that many centuries Africa; a check from a sanatori- currency) for civilian relief. By ago a group of Jews settled in um in Sweden; other donations the end of 1938, according to western Szechwan bringing with frQm Basutoland, Pennsylvania, the NatiQnal Relief Commis- them their monotheistic faith NQrway, India, the West Indies, sion, 15,000,000 war refugees and Mosaic customs. Today SQuth Africa and other lands, had been assisted by either gov- there are many survivors who have recently reached the head- ernment, public or private .or- publicly worship God on mounquarters of the British Fund for ganizations, and 150,000,000 tain tops. A "lamb without the Relief of Distress in China. people (one-third of the popu- blemish" is slain and its blood Nearly seven tons .of soap, .over lation in China) had been forced sprinkled, with the "paying of sixty gallons of disinfectant- by the war to leave their home- vows." The Chiang-Min is the urgent necessities with over steads. Relief authorities are name given to these Jews, who 100,000 refugees packed into a shifting their activities from for more than 2,000 years have narrow strip .of city one and a supporting refugee camps to ab- met to worship God in West half miles long, as they are in sorbing the inmates into indus- China. Hankow-have been promised. try. The Chinese Government Ten cases of surgical dressings has already allocated $5,000,000 Converts from the Chiangand a large quantity of elastic for the development .of indus- Min meet every winter with bandage cloth have come from trial cooperatives which aimed Rev. T. Torrance, author of the north of England. particularly to benefit war refu- "China's First Missionaries," gees. The needs increase every for Bible stUdy. A favorite Child Welfare Work day, and the peak of suffering course of study is how the Old Coordinated has not been reached. Testament survivals in Chiang worship have become realized To attain greater efficiency in Importance of Hainan in the New Testament. These the care of war-afflicted children, people were at .one time very the National Relief Commission The Presbyterian Bulletin of numerous in Shensi alsQ, but has invited all child welfare Foreign Affairs notes that of all have been absorbed by the Chiassociations and institutions Japan's seizures in China the nese in that prQvince. throughout the country to co- island of Hainan is the one least ordinate their efforts for service likely to be given up, since the -Sunday School Times. to these children, and has form- Japanese Navy has long had its New BuildinR' for St. Elizabeth's Hospital ulated a set of principles. eye .on this. as a stepping stQne A new building for the Epis- There are now 100,000 war in its southward drive. With copal Hospital in Shanghai is orphans being taken care of in Hainan in Japanese hands HQng- made PQssible by a legacy left by 71 government, provincial, local kong is virtually surrounded by a daughter of the first Chinese and private institutions in Chi- a ring of air and sea bases. clergyman of the Episcopal na. Approximately $60, Chinese This little island is thickly set- Church in China. On June 27, currency, is required to support tled by about tWQ million rural 1868, a Chinese baby, Ah Mei one child for one year. It is folk. There are still a good many WQng, was born in the home of generally acknowledged that it aboriginal tribes in the interior. this clergyman and grew up to is nQt enough to supply fQod, Presbyterian mission work was make history. After attending clothing and shelter; there must begun there in 1881, with head- St. Mary's Hall Church School be elementary, health and voca- quarters at Hoihow and in 1884 for girls in Shanghai, she trained tional education, and training in a station was .opened at Nodoa. as a nurse, a piQneer step in citizenship. The waifs must al- Later medical work was started those days, and then decided tQ SQ be taught manual work, such at Hoihow, and in 1900, Kachek enter the Toronto University as sewing, weaving, gardening, was opened as a mission sta- Medical School.
[419 ]
From 1906 until her death in causes 'Of his 'Own success or fail- ated 115 students: 11 have died 1933, she devel'Oped a private ure. or are incapacitated by illness, practice in Shanghai, where she Serious thought about the cor- two have been drafted into the became highly respected. After porate life of each church. army; 79 are serving as pastors bequests to other Christian in- Careful thought as to the fu- or evangelists in Japan, F'Ormosa stituti'Ons, she left the residue of ture development of the work. or Korea; 19 are teaching or in her estate to St. Elizabeth's, for Thought about the future fi- social service and four are study- maternity w'Ork. nancial independence of each ing abroad. At a recent service, The new maternity unit and c'Ongregation. students talked or sang in their nurses' home is designed ulti- The purpose of the conference native tongue; it is interesting mately to combine St. Luke's and was: to note that in addition to J apa- St. Elizabeth's hospitals. To deepen corporate life; to nese, the following languages -The Living Church. evaluate w'Ork for Christ and were heard: Korean, Manchu- His Church; to endeavor to real- rian, Formosan, Chinese, Malay- Open Doors in Tibet ize the unity of all the work; to an, Spanish (Philippine Islands) Numerous lamaseries are make plans for the future devel- and French (French Indofound in Tibet where missi'Onar- opment and expansion of the China) .-Monday Morning. work.-The Living Church. ies may find a night's lodging. "Salvation Army in Chosen Many priests have visited the United Christian Movement Gospel Inn in Sining, 'Or have Korea is one of the 97 coun- Kagawa took the lead in an tries and colonies in which the he"ard about it from friends. At evangelistic campaign, in which Salvation Army is at work. It certain times of the year there the first meeting was attended employs 104 languages in preachare religious festivals in con- by 3,000 people who heard Bish- ing the Gospel at 17,567 outnection with the lamaseries, and op Naide 'Of the Episcopal posts. The Army has. recently those at Kumbum and Komangs- Church plead for a united spir- celebrated its thirtieth anniverzu, bring pilgrims from all parts itual front to meet the present sary in" Korea, when special of northeast Tibet. The crowds crisis in Japan's national and meetings were convened in Seoul come to worship; the Chinese international affairs; Miss Ka- and seven district centers. In come on holidays or on business, wai urged a deeper reliance on connection with the celebration and perchance to worship as God in the trying days ahead, was a campaign for a 30ro inwell, f'Or "better gods too many and Toyohiko Kagawa boldly crease in all branches of the than too few," they argue, even assert that only repentance and work. The Army has always if some of them are Tibetan conversion of Japan's leaders, recognized that a country's own gods. The crowds may be too her masses, her youth and even people should be the ones to dense, or too intent on business her Christians can save the na- spread the message. Accordingor pleasure to listen to preach- ti'On from the moral degradation ly, the work in Korea is conducting, but a printed message in to which she, along with 'Other ed by married couples who have their own language finds ready people in the world, has fallen. passed the courses in the Train- "Military force can never save ing Garrison. acceptance. The Tibetan will a people from moral debauchtuck his copy into his fox skin ery," said Kagawa; "only spirit- -Korea Mission Field. hat for later perusal alld per- ual and moral regeneration will haps to be carried far into the suffice to purge away individual interior.-China's Millions. "Two Hour Folks"
JAPAN -CHOSEN and national sins, and the Gospel When the superintendent of Calling All Workers of Jesus is the only force capa- the Soonchun Leper Colony in ble of transforming personal Korea was asked whether police control of the patients was nec- The Bishop of Tohoku, the Rt. and social life. Rev. Dr. N. S. Binsted, called a Mass meetings are to be held essary, he smiled and replied: meeting 'Of all w'Orkers, both men in various parts of Tokyo and "Where the principal occupation and women, in Sendai June 19 other cities during the next few of people is to get together sevand 20, and asked that prepara- months, and for a period of three eral hours a day and quote the tion for this conference should years all the churches are thus Bible, police are not needed. "By to cooperate in what promises the way," he added, "how would include: Private and public prayers for to be Japan's greatest united you like to hear one of our two the guidance of God's Holy Spir- Christian movement to date. Ka- hour folks?" "Two hour folks? gawa has agreed to give almost What's that?" the visitor init during the conference. Prayers for God's blessing full time to the pr'Osecution of quired. It was explained that upon each pers'On's 'Own work as the campaign throughout the these were patients who could well as upon the work of the dis- land.-Christian Century. quote the Scriptures for two trict and the whole Nippon Sei- Graduate Activities Listed hours at a time without making kokwai. any appreciable mistakes.
An examination by each indi- Since its formal organization At a recent Scripture recita- vidual of his own life and w'Ork, in 1930, the Japan Theological tion contest at Soonchun, hun- with an effort to realize the Seminary in Tokyo has gradu- dreds of contestants appeared,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
representing all ages. An old ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC army officers dropped from the and sightless man repeated the service for lying. He took adentire book of Matthew without Evangelism among the vantage of this opportunity to stopping. He had committed it Batanese say that with the exception of to memory by hearing it read treason or cowardice there is no aloud. The Batanese Islands are the crime in the military code so most northerly part of the Phil- unpardonable as lying, and that -Evangelical Christian. ippines. Until March, 1937, there the foundation of every army is had been no evangelical work the honor and integrity of its Promoting Stewardship in there, but at that time Dr. and officers. "Lacking these virtues," Korea Mrs. Paul Culley, with two Fili- he said, "no army can succeed in pino preachers established a per- peace or war. An armed force Rev. H. E. Blair, in the United manent work there. There are with untrustworthy officers be- good reports coming from these comes a menace to the state Church Review, tells how the Islands: a total of 215 con- rather than a support . . . If principle of stewardship has versions, with government offi- executive clemency were exerbeen promoted in the Korean cials and school teachers friend- cised in this or any similar case, Church. Individual missionar- ly. A permit reading, "Any it would set a standard of integies had taught stewardship from place, any time" opens the way rity in the Army of the Philipthe beginning; it remained to for preaching at all points. Vio- pines so low that it would disoutline a plan fQr systematic lence and opposition instigated credit not only the Army, but giving. Pamphlets giving prac- by priests there have been, but even the Government itself, and tical methods and stewardship without much result. Two young deliver a death-blow to the develsermon themes were supplied to men from the Batanes are now opment of the high type of offithe churches, then each church stUdying in the Manila Evange- cer personnel which we must was urged to print their own en- lists' Institute preparing for have." velopes and supplies. The most work there later. satisfactory is a 52 page pad Three other officers are menwith a given number, to be hung -So S. Times. tioned in Lanao Progress as exon the wall at home. Each Sun- pressing the same sentimenits, day, a member tears off a page "Keswick" in New Zealand and all three, as well as Presiand folds it around a coin with dent Quezon, practice their own the pad number in view; the The missionary rally was one preaching. They know that little folded parcels to be depos- of the high lights of the annual their country must be made ited, with both hands, in the col- Convention Camp at Ngaruawa- strong, and that it takes upright lection bag. hia, N. Z., this year. On the men to make it so. speakers' platform were 30 mis- Most Korean women have no sionaries, representing Africa, Christianity Applied to money to give and one of the India, China, South America, Business tQuching scenes in many a Ko- Solomon Islands, Central Asia, rean Church is the gathering up New Guinea, Egypt, Russia and The largest shoe factory in the of little rice bags. The rice is the Maori of New Zealand. Each Philippines is owned by a Chrisput into the bags a spoonful at speaker was limited to six min- tian, Mr. T. Teodoro. He ema time as meals are being pre- utes. Those present noted that ploys 500 workers and turns out pared. the interest of the audience did twelve to fifteen hundred pairs of nOit lag for a moment. The chair- shoes a day. He provides for his Year by year some new pam- man announced that the mission- employees low-rent living quarphlet is issued to teach and re- ary fund had realized £3,725 ters, a low-priced restaurant, teach various phases of steward- during the past year, and the complete medical care, physical ship. Special men are sent 'Out goa] for the forth-coming year examination and clinical service, whenever possible to deepen in- was set at £4,000. A pledge and rest and recreation facilities. terest. There are also special cash offering was taken, when His factory is a model for light courses on systematic giving in an amount in advance of that of and air. Not only this, but each the Theological Seminary and last year was promised, and a morning his 21 foremen meet Bible Institutes. As the pas- cash offering of £180 received. with him and start the day by tors go from house to house they repeating together Psalm 19: 14 talk about the family and its -Life of Faith. -"Let the words of my mouth spiritual progress. They talk and the meditations of my heart crops. They talk church bud- Quezon Works for Integrity be acceptable in thy sight, 0 get. After prayer they layout Lord, my strength and my rethe record of the family as to Lanao Progress observes that deemer." Then, after a period of church contribution during the President Quezon and other Phil- silent meditation, they discuss past year and secure a new and, ippine government leaders are the day's work, closing their if possible, better pledge from making a determined effort to meeting with the Lord's Prayer. each member of the family for bring about a moral revitaliza- At one corner of this room is the year to come. Thus the tion among their people. A re- a door which opens on a steep churches have grown in power cent evidence of this was the President's action in ordering and effectiveness.
and narrow winding staircase in the Holy Land. It was kin- Today there are in America over which leads to a prayer room. dled on Easter morning by a 4,300,000 criminals actively at work, It is a long room with a prayer member of the Jewish National plundering and murdering. There is rail, a picture of Christ at Geth- Council, at an elaborate service an aggregate of 1,330,000 serious semane, and Scripture verses in before the historic Wailing Wall, crimes and a national crime bill of Tagalog. No one is invited into attended by representatives of $15,000,000 a year. this room who cannot also be practically all Jewish organizainvited to pray, and shoes are tions in Palestine. Prison-Mission Field left behind at the foot of the stairs. The idea is to have the light Eighty~seven American pris- burn in the Memorial Hall of the ons are now using the "Bible -Philippine Presbyterian. Pavilion not only as a memorial Course for New Christians," and to those who died in the struggle 189 prisoners have received cer- NORTH AMERICA to establish a Jewish national tificates for completing the work. home in Palestine, but also to These students become personal Bible Society Day at the symbolize the undying faith of workers. A man urider sentence World's Fair the Jews in the future of their in the Los Angeles County jail people in the Holy Land. led fifty-one souls to Christ. An- June 25th was American Bi- other teaches a class of thirtyble Society Day at the New York -World Outlook. five fellow prisoners and has World's Fair. Following the won ten. Art Marron, a Filipino dedication of the Society's exhib- Growing Intolerance who spent five years in San it in the Communications Build- Quentin Prison, received his ening, which included a long list To "make America safe for tire religious, education through of book titles chosen from the differences" is becoming an ur- the Bib I e Correspondence Bible, such as "The Promised gent task for all Christian peo- Courses. He is now preaching Land," "Green Pastures," etc., ple in the United States. This day and night in the smaller the group of men, women and was emphasized by the Church towns of the Philippine Islands children went to the Temple of Peace Union at their semi-an- and establishing Bible classes Religion, where Dr. John H. Fin- nual meeting in Atlantic City in wherever he goes. On his last ley and William Lyon Phelps June, when the following resolu- trip to a little town in the mounwere the principal speakers. tion was passed: tains, which he reached by a cart drawn by a water buffalo, 18 Dr. Finley spoke of the devo- We protest against the rise of anti- souls accepted Christ and were tion to the Bible of earlier gen- Semitism in the United States. It baptized. erations. To this, he attributed expresses an attitude and policy which not only their genuine piety but are contrary to our American insti- He has started Bible classes in also the richness of their lan- tutions and particularly to our spirit nearly every little town of eastguage. He declared that no oth- of freedom. ern Pangasinan, and twentyer book in the world could be seven Bible women, or Sunday compared with the Bible. Any Anti-Semitism also threatens the school teachers, have completed other book the human race might basic ideals of all religions. Intoler- the course.-S. S. Times. do without, but not the Bible: ance expressing itself in prejudice that, he said, is a necessity of and hatred for the Jew will not end Students Wanted life. there; in fact, it threatens the very structure of democracy and religious A call issued in June to enroll Dr. Phelps aroused much ex- liberty. in the "Ambassador Training pectation when he said that the Corps" introduced something de- Bible contained the best prayer, We condemn the organized cam- cidedly new in student Christian the best sermon, and the best paigns of hatred, and we particularly work, and is in contrast with all poetry in the whole world. The condemn the reckless and inflamma- previous efforts to meet the re- Sermon on the Mount was, of tory statements that have been made ligious needs of the student course, the best sermon; and before the Congressional committee world. It was a call to students the Lord's Prayer, the best in Washington and that are constant- to enroll in an intensive sumprayer. The best poem was the ly being made over the radio as con- mer training course in prepara- Twenty-third Psalm. trary to the fundamentals of our tion for definite, aggressive, American Government and the spirit evangelistic service on the cam- Symbol of "Eternal Light" of all religions. pus of American colleges during 1939-1940. Emphasis is upon The Ner Ha-Tamid, or "eter- We urge all religious leaders and training individual volunteers nal light," was brought from the people of their respective congre- in personal Bible study, so that Palestine last April to burn in gations to take active steps toward they wiH not be dependent upon the Jewish Pavilion at the New the development of that understand- adult leadership. To attain to York World's Fair. According ing, cooperation and goodwill which the rating of "ambassador," the to the Director of the Pavilion, will unite them more deeply in over- student engages in a thirty-two this light will burn continuously coming this evil with good. weeks' training course in active as a memorial to those who gave Christian living and service. their lives seeking the establish- -Church Peace Union. ment of a Jewish national home -So S. Times. Crime in the U. S. A. The crime situation is not im- proving, if the figures of J. Ed- gar Hoover are to be taken as evidence. Says Mr. Hoover: The records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation show that crime is increasing; that murders, manslaugh- ters, robberies, sex crimes, automobile thefts are greater than ever before.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Moral Rearmament Conference Moslems who make the pilgrimage considered are health, govern- ment relief, etc. This does not Before a crowd of nearly to Los Angeles should also make that tell the whole story. Special 25,000 in Hollywood Bowl, Cal- services for Indian girls grew ifornia representatives of the to Mecca. BISMILA. into a Sunday school. Ten of "Oxford Groups" from 25 coun- these girls now sing in the tries launched a drive for unity Negro Advance church choir. and Christian harmony in this unsettled world-a unity based The United Presbyterian says -Spirit of Missions.· on the four points of honesty, that the greatest improvements unselfishness, purity and love. in the Negro race have come Stand on the Liquor Problem Three objectives were listed: 1. since the beginning of the World Permanent peace between indi- War, and offers the following Prospective students of Illividuals and nations; 2. The facts as proof. There are now nois State Normal School need world's wealth made available to over 120 Negro institutions of not enroll there in ignorance of all, but for exploitation by none; higher learning with 35,000 stu- that institution's attitude toward 3. Create a new culture and alcohol, for its latest catalogue bring in the advent of "the gold- dents of college grade, 2,457 of contains the following stateen age." collegiate professional grade, ment: and twice the entire number It is said that new hope has studying college subjects. The Since ability to consume intoxicatbeen generated by this plan. Chi- number of Negroes now holding ing beverages, regardless of nature nese and Japanese representa- or quantity, is not a par~ of teachertives shook hands there; labor academic and professional de- training program, and Slllce emplo~ union leaders greeted officials grees is 32,478. About 63.8 per- ers of teachers, regardless of theIr of employers' organizations. cent are men and 36.2 per cent personal a~titude toward the liguor Among the messages read from are women. The largest numer- question, WIll not employ or contll~ue well known leaders was one ical group comes from parents in service teachers who use such lllfrom Henry Ford which ex- neither of whom could read. The toxicants, Illinois State Normal Unipressed a profound truth. Said bulk of these graduates enter the versity very emphatically states that Mr. Ford: "There is enough professional field. Nearly 200 the use of intoxicants on or off the good will in the people to over- have incomes of $5,000 or more; campus will not be permitted, and come all war, all class dissension the median high school salary deviation from this regulation calls and all economic stagnation, for severance of connections with the when that good will shall be of teachers is $1,300. The call school. Because the institution feels hitched to the affairs of men and for Negro college graduates is justified in the interests of its reputanations."-Dayton News. tion and that of its students and grad- more imperative than ever. uates in having such a regulation, it Los Angeles as a "Mecca" There is one white physician to is hoped that persons who cannot live every 728 white people, but only within both the letter and spirit of Strange sects are not confined one Negro physician to every this procedure will not apply for adto Iraq. The Moslem World 3,125 Negroes. There is one mission to the university. quotes the following notice white teacher for every 110 posted in Los Angeles: white children, one Negro teach- -United Presbyterian. er for every 218 of the Negro KALIFAT-NEBI JEFFERSON. group. LATIN AMERICA Yearly pilgrimage of Moslems of Civic Leadership in Oklahoma Christian School in Cuba Kalifat No.5, known as North Ame,rican Kalifat, shall be concluded m St. Philip's Episcopal Church La Progressivu, Presbyterian Civic Center, Los Angeles, during the in Ardmore, Oklahoma, believes school at Cardenas', Cuba, has 30 days of the month of Muaram. that it must take a leading part been signally honored by Cuba's in community life. With this Secretary of Education, who The purpose shall be educat~onal. in view, the rector and others awarded it special recognition This pilgrimage should part~cularly decided upon a number of proj- for its whole curriculum, from remind Moslems of the teachmgs of ects, of which the following are first grade through High School. America's fist Karajite leader, Thom- afew: as Jefferson, loyal successor of George When a new government high Washington, tried-and-true founder of A garden inspection committee school was established in Carthe Republic. which brought about self-help to many denas, La Progressiva empha- Terminating the pilgrimage; Mos- needy families. sized its boarding department, lems should make the circuit of the thus affording greater oppor- Los Angeles Federal Building which A canning plant growing out of the tunity to young people from suis situated in what is henceforth to garden committee. gar plantations and small towns. be known by Moslems as Jefferson Square. They may make the circuit A plan for milk distribution to The Christian influence of as many as seven times, but it is not needy. the school has been of far reachtheir duty to make it even once, since ing value; many of its graduthey should make it only of their A Milk and Ice Fund. ates continue their training in own free will and according to their An amateur boxing tournament to normal schools and later teach ability. support the Milk and Ice Fund. in Presbyterian institutions on Moslems who make the pilgrimage An Open Forum at which com- the Island; others attend the to Mecca should make that to Los munity problems ar~ d~scussed. . theological Seminary in Puerto Angeles also. A community samtatIOn campaIgn. Rico. Six Presbyterian pastors A mobile health clinic. in Cuba are graduates of La Promotion of two summer camps.
The open forum proved to be especially valuable. Subjects
Progressiva and there are two of widely different types, yet Three factors made the occa- sion memorable: this is the candidates for the ministry in common to all is a form of ani- first modern church building in Colombia; there was a new visthe present graduating class. mistic religion. There is now, ion afforded those who came from i sol ate d communities Four pastors' wives also gradu- as a result of this Mission's ac- where life is one long struggle against persecution and immorated from the school. tivities, a vigorous church, made ality; and there were present -Monday Morning. up not merely of passive Chris- representatives of nearly all de- nominations or groups working tians but of those eager to pass in interior Colombia-Presby- terians, Independent National Ice Breaking in Guatemala on the Gospel message. A short Church, the Scandinavian Alli- ance, Worldwide Evangelistic Tourists and modern life have time ago, when a member of one Crusade, Pentecostals, Luther- ans, Cumberland Presbyterians not yet penetrated the western of the most degraded tribes was and some independent mission- aries.-Colombian Clippings. highlands of Guatemala, so con- ordained a minister, the "im- EUROPE siderable persuasion was re- possible" was achieved. The Crisis Grows No Less quired on the part of Rev. H. D. One tribe of 500 Indians of Peck, Presbyterian missionary, North Argentina has 400 pro- Dr. Adolph Keller, Director of the Central Bureau for Relief of to convince the mayor of a very fessed Christians. The past Evangelical Churches, reports on the present outlook. When needy village that he should ad- thirty-five years have seen this Bureau was established in 1922 it was thought that a few mit aclinic unit from the Amer- marked advance in Chile also. years' effort would be sufficient ican Hospital at Guatemala City. Boarding schools and medical for reconstruction after the So far as the mayor was con- work have been of great value. World War. This estimate has been found to be too optimistic. cerned, witch doctors were good -Life of Faith. Totalitarianism and the almost incredible fury of anti-Semitism enough, but finally permission have so deeply affected the eco- nomic situation of the churches, was grudgingly granted. School Uses Radio their liberty of conscience and Although relief from their ail- their spiritualIife that the prob- One of the mission schools lems have multiplied. Here are ments was welcomed, there was which uses the radio to develop a few of them: Feeding the degeneral suspicion on the part of interest in its program is Cole- pendents of evangelicals who those helped: there was endless gio Episcopal de San Pablo, bet- have been sent to Siberia, includbeating of drums, offerings of ter known in the United States ing the few Russian Protestant chickens and flowers by the vil- as St. Paul's School, Camaguey, pastors that are still alive, relagers, who were taking no Cuba. The School has bought lieving Protestant pastors in chances on offending the moun- the time for the broadcast over Rumania, many of whom are tain deities. Station COJK, short wave. The trying to maintain homes on Principal, Rev. Paul Tate, from 12 to 15 dollars a month, -Monday Morning. helping to finance theological students, for the need for an en- Baptist Mission in Vera Cruz writes that the idea is to keep lightened Christian ministry is ahead of other schools in all acute. Rev. Donata Ramirez, a Mexi- sorts of activities that may add to the school's prestige. As the Even the very hopeful evancan of Kansas City who was broadcasts become better known gelical movement in the Ukraine trained for the ministry at Col- ,and accepted, real evangelistic is threatened with financial gate-Rochester Divinity School, . material will be used. straits and all manner of petty is the first resident pastor at persecution; every pastor must Tierra Blanca in the state of -The Living Chu.rch. get a permit for every sermon Vera Cruz. He began work in he preaches, whether in his own parish or elsewhere. Then there June, 1938; without a church New Church in Bogota is the staggering refugee probbuilding, but with a gift of $300 lem; also the heavy blow dealt the Czech Church of the Brethfrom the Rochester student The dedication on March 12th body and $200 from the Baptist of the new Presbyterian Church Home Mission Society, he began in Bogota, Colombia, was an to build and since then small epoch-making event. The site sums have made it possible to go was secured and the building on with the undertaking. The erected with the proceeds from membership of this young church the sale of the former church is 58, the average attendance 70 ; property. Representatives 0 f each week end at least 12 various Presbyterian churches members hold special services in and other missions throughout the surrounding area. The Colombia crowded the auditorichurch has three outstations, all um. Some had journeyed a day of which indicates that a strong or two on horseback, over diffichurch is arising in Tierra cult mountain trails, others Blanca. -Watchman-Examiner. came by auto and one flew over from Medellin. The theme of Primitive Indians in South the dedicatory sermon, deliv- America ered by Rev. A. M. Allan, a for- mer pastor, was "Past, Present The South American Mission- and Future." This was followed ary Society ministers to Indians by a communion service.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ren (Hussite), and the unfavor- ship allowed, and only in private by er subsidize pUblications; these able developments that are special agreement and favor of the must pay for themselves. facing the Waldensians in Italy. state; (4) All Romanist laws and jurisdiction included organically in Germany has also banned ra- Once more the Christian dio broadcasts of religious serv- the state's statutes; (5) The Roman ices. Such orders as the radio ban, and that on the sale of Bi- Church is producing martyrs. Church given the supervision over ed- bles are not published, but ucation, press and printing "in dog- transmitted secretly by the Min- Churches are packed where emp- matic matters"; (6) Church property istry of Propaganda. Church ty benches had become the rule. taken from the Church by the former officials have urged that broad- casts of religious services be re- government to be ceded to the state, sumed for the benefit of invalids, but all such requests have found Friends Oenter in Paris in return for which the state will sup- deaf ears.-New York Times. port the Church; (7) The relations In Hungary and Poland An attempt is being made to to be legaliZed by a Concordat. There is news of a great rebring about contacts between the It is added, however, that fif- vival movement in Hungary, not Society of Friends in France and teen of the world's greatest re- only in Budapest, the capital, but outstanding intellectuals in that ligious leaders have petitioned in other centers. Evangelistic country who are thinking along Franco to investigate the reli- meetings are being held many gious situation and to ensure times a day, and at some of them the same lines as the Friends, freedom of worship, and he has from four to seven thousand peothough not connected with any agreed to look into the matter. ple are present, many of whom religious movement. Two vis- have never heard the Gospel be- -Alliance Weekly. fore. Special editions of the its have been paid to Jacques Gospel of John and the Epistle Maritain, distinguished Catholic to the Romans have been placed in the hands of inquirers; while scholar who is deeply interested Methodists Meet in Denmark Christians are urged to take five in the Friends, both because of copies and, after prayer for guidance, to seek out five relatheir international activity and "The Methodist Church in tives or acquaintances to whom they may give them, at the same their emphasis on religion. Con- Europe" was the theme for the time witnessing to what the Lord has done for them. tact has also been established Conference of Met hod i s t As the eyes of the world are with Prof. Emery of Lyons, out- Churches and Missions in the focussed on Poland's political problem, it should not be overstanding liberal thinker of various countries in Europe, looked that while the State has fenced out Communism it re- France. Jean Giono, well known held in Copenhagen, Denmark, mains for the Christian Church to fence out atheism. Evangel- French writer, has also ex- August 2-6. The purp.ose of the ical Churches are taking the lead in this (the prime minister is a pressed his desire to cooperate gathering was to provide an op- Protestant) , and they are with the Friends in any project portunity for fellowship, inspir- backed up by the World's Evan- gelical Alliance. that will promote peace. ation and education to groups of -Baptist Missionary Review.
At the French Yearly Meet- ministers, laymen, laywomen The Army and Ohristianity in Germany ing in Paris, the largest in his- and youth of the new Methodist A short time ago a German tory, there were delegates from Church in Europe. The former army officer, a devout Christian, published a book called "The Of- S wed en, England, America, Methodist Episcopal Church is ficers' Hour." It was favorably reviewed in The Millitary Week- Switzerland and Germany. It established in Denmark, Sweden ly News and subsequently at- tacked in the same paper. Bewas generally felt that the meet- and Norway; there are over 250 tween the appearance of these contradictory views, the book ing had attained a higher level churches and 30,000 members. was bitterly denounced in the Schwartze Korps. The author's than in previous years not only These Scandinavian Methodists in numbers, but in spiritual are not only self-supporting but ways as well. maintain nineteen foreign mis- -American Friend. sionaries. There are also church- es and missions in Finland, Religion in Spain Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, Jugoslavia, Bulgaria and Many are wondering what Hungary. In Germany there are will be the outlook for religion five self-supporting Conferell(~es. in Spain under Franco's regime. Jose Pemartin, spokesman for -Christian Advocate.
the Spanish Nationalists, is Bible Sales Bring Reaction in quoted as saying that Spain is Nazidom now to become the most fascist country in Europe; that a pro- The fact that sales of Bibles gram for the Catholic Church is in Germany have outnumbered to be established which will be- those of ~'Mein Kampf" by "more papist than the pope," 200,000 copies the past year has and will serve the political ends apparently angered Nazi authorof the state. Here is the program ities, for an order has gone out as outlined by Senor Pemartin: that Bible and religious tracts (1) The Roman Catholic religion may be sold only in Confessionis the official religion of the state; al Book stores. In general book (2) The prohibition of all teaching that opposes or denies the Roman stores Bibles may be sold only Catholic faith, either officially or in when specifically ordered. Bible private; (3) No other public wor- and Tract Societies may no long-
"sin" consisted in declaring that riously hesitant. Finally the widespread unemployment. The there can be no true fighting reason came out! They were Society was told it would be im- spirit and no military oath of thinking about the hot summer possible to start a boy's club loyalty without a Christian ba- days to come when they would here, because the people were sis. He therefore reasons that be toiling in the fields all day, fanatically Moslem. However, soldiers should be educated to a and were afraid the heavy per- such a club was opened in 1925, belief in God, and demands from spiration would ruin their Tes- and persistent kindness finally -the officers an acceptance of taments, as, true to their pledge, overcame opposition. The mem- Christianity. they carried them in their pock- bership is now from fifty to ets. At last they decided to risk sixty. Boxing, wrestling, weight The newspaper attack of the it, and 28 of them joined the lifting and other physical exerbook admits that such a book League. cises are practised. Lessons are might have been acceptable forty given in English and Arabic, in years ago, but not today, because AFRICA reading, writing and other ele- the question of a soldier and his mentary subjects. On the spir- religion can now only be dis- Farouk Leads in Friday itual side by friendship, by percussed from a single standpoint Prayers sonal talks, by Bible study -that of national socialism, groups and occasional lantern which unites all the beliefs and This is the heading of an arti- lectures and addresses, the work- philosophies of the German peo- cle that appeared in a Cairo ers strive to demonstrate Chris- ple. Christianity is thus defi- daily recently. tianity in action. In addition nitely placed on the same level there is a Blind School, where with paganism. In its issue of Last Friday was a notable day men are taught reading and March 16th, the Schwartze which revealed a pleasant surprise writing in Arabic Braille. It Korps stated: such as had never occurred to any has a Braille library of over one's mind. Probably it is the first 1,500 books, all Christian, which "It is true there is political strife in surprise of the sort in a thousand are lent up and down the coun- Germany arising out of religious dif- years. His Majesty the King went try to blind Moslem readers. ferences. But it is equally true that to the Quasin Mosque to perform the these differences will not be allowed Friday prayers, to which some illus- Ethiopia Is No More to impair our military strength. The trious guests of Egypt had preceded religious life of the German soldier is him, from among the delegations of The Council of the League of so closely bound up with the concep- sister Arab nations which had come Nations on May 12th tacitly ac- tions of People, Fuehrer, Country as to take part in the Palestine Con- knowledged that Abyssinia (or the revelation of the Divine Will," that ference. Chief among these were two Ethiopia) is now to be called a the tenets of any particular religious princes from Hejaz. No sooner had "Province of Italian East Af- sect will be able to exert no influence the preacher finished the Friday ser- rica." An annex to the Anglo- whatsoever. mon than- King Farouk was seen by Italian agreement, signed in those present for the prayers to leave Rome on April 16th, expressed -Kulturkampf. his place in the front rank and make in somewhat ambiguous terms his way to the Mihrab (prayer niche the !Italian Government's will- Testaments for Italy which indicates the direction of Mec- ingness to consider favorably the ca), where he led the prayers as the work of British missions "in hu- In the P. T. L. Quarterly we imam (leader of public prayers). manitarian and benevolent read that in Italy membership in That was a very great surprise, which spheres." This mayor may not the League has steadily in- caused the thousands gathered in the mean tolerance of Christian creased until the number is now mosque and along the streets lead- evangelism. over 4,000, a remarkable record ing to the mosque to raise shouts of for ten years' effort in a land supplication to God that He would The British and Foreign Bi- where Protestant work is car- preserve the "righteous King" the ble Society has kept open its ried on with 'such difficulty. The "prince of believers" and the "imam depot at Addis Ababa, but the Italian League President, Rev. of the Moslems." future is uncertain. The Her- H. H. Pullen, has many oppor- mannsburg Mission has been altunities in his journeys to Western newspapers co m- lowed to continue its work in promote this work. He has ap- mented that this innovation will Addis Ababa, and partially to pointed a young assistant to hold tend to unite Arab-speaking resume itineration in the inte- meetings for young people in Moslem peoples. It has always rior. The United Presbyterian Liguria, Piedmond and Lom- been customary for a caliph, or mission hospital remains open, bardy. He found that members one aspiring to the caliphate, to and the Sudan Interior Mission in Genoa were joining forces lead these public prayers, and a continued till last August. with the Scripture Union, and number of Moslems are express- When compensation for mission were holding regular meetings ing a desire to make the young property, expropriated by the of their own. In Turin, a new king of Egypt Caliph of the Italian Government was paid group of sixty members was whole Moslem world. and the mission was refused per- formed. In many other towns mission to take up other sites, there was a happy response to -Woman's Missionary the seven remaining missionar- appeals. At an evening meeting Magazine. for adults in an out-of-the-way village, several young men Boy's Club in Cairo wished to join, yet seemed cu- The Church Missionary Soci- ety is doing an eifeotive piece of social work in a slum of Cairo, a filthy, crowded section, with
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ies were forced to return home. of the Africa Inland Mission was Last year was a serious fam- The whole future of Protestant climaxed with the baptism of ine year; food prices soared or work in Italian East Mrica eighty men and women. Except the food was not obtainable; must depend largely upon the for the fact that the Church is people were hungrier than they Waldensians and other Italian very rigid in its examination of had ever been. Money formerly Protestants. It is hoped that candidates for baptism, the num- spent on clothes had to be spent work along the border may ber could easily have been 200. for food. Women with tiny reach some Ethiopians. Even so, this is the largest num- babies on their arms go through ber baptized, so far, at one time. the grass catching tiny grass- -International Review of hoppers in order to have meat to Missions. Later in the day about 600 met eat. around the Lord's Table, which Danish Mission in the Sudan meant that the church building Foreign Magic was almost filled with communi- The eastern part of northern cants alone. If this continues, There are more ways than one Nigeria is alloted to the Danish the building will have to be en- of exploiting the superstitious, branch of the Sudan United Mis- larged. At a recent Sunday half-educated Africans, and here sion, which has worked there for service there were 3,230 in at- is one reported by The Chronia quarter of a century. For a tendance.-Life of Faith. cle, of London. Thousands of adtime growth was so rapid that vertising circulars have poured the home church in Denmark Women Leaders in Kenya into the Congo, introducing forcould not keep up with it; eign "charms," talismen and workers and funds were not A missionary from East Afri- magic. In one packet discovforthcoming. But recently con- ca says that regular evangelistic ered by a missionary and sent ditions in Denmark began to meetings for women have a qual- to the Congo Protestant Counchange; a revival is spreading ity that has been absent hereto- cil, were some pills, a piece of over the country, public opinion fore, because for the past few cheap, red substance with signs towards Christianity and Chris- years the women themselves scratched on it, encased in a red tian work is undergoing a have conducted them. One Afri- silk bag, with leaflets of instrucchange; the means are coming can woman expressed it thus: tion and a "prayer." "Take this forth, the quota allotted has been "Our hearts are warm." These between the thumb and first finraised, and new workers for the meetings are the women's own. ger of your left hand," said one field are volunteering. A doctor They run them, decide where of the leaflets, "look at it kindly, and his wife, a nurse and two they shaH be held, and make all sympathetically, as one regards men, one of them ordained, have the arrangements. To be sure, a person from whom one looks to been accepted for service during there are mistakes made, but receive a favor, and say the folthe past year. some of the gains the missionar- lowing prayer: 'Dear and good ies have been praying for have talisman, in whom I have all con- This change is reflected in the come through the efforts of the fidence, I pray you to aid me by African field. Direct evangelism women themselves. Speakers are all your occult powers to realize is being undertaken by African chosen a week in advance to en- all my projects and desires.' Christians-about 35 at present sure time for prayer and study. (Here you ask for the things -of whom several have wit- you yourself want to obtain.)" nessed so fai.thfully that con- -C. M. S. Outlook. In the effort to stop this traffic gregations of baptized Chris- that trades on the credulity of tians have sprung up in the Sharing Joys at Bibanga the African, the Governor-Genbush. The missionaries depend eral asked the Commission for more and more on their sound Miss Virginia Allen is a the Protection of Natives to conjudgment, learning from them fourth-term missionary at Bi- sider the question of authorizing the best way to present the Gos- banga. She writes in Congo the Postal Service to intercept pel to the African mind. A spe- Mission News of the ever deep- some of this dangerous correscial training course for evange- ening Christian joy of women pondence. But much of it is lists has now been established, and girls, builders of Christian smuggled into the country by which is intended to last three homes. Each Sunday groups of many different routes. years with intervals of one year nine-year-old girls make a point spent in practical work in the of paying her a visit to sing the WESTERN ASIA districts. The Christian Church new songs that Mrs. Kellersbergin this field has about 1,000 bap- er teaches them. Their first vis- Sunday Schools in Bible Lands tized members, with several it surprised her, and in token of hundred more who are being her appreciation she gave each The Sunday school movement prepared for baptism. girl six peanuts and taught them continues to be one of the most Proverbs 3: 5, 6. They came powerful influences in Bible -Life of Faith. every Sunday thereafter, when lands in bringing together in fel- they learnt a few more verses, lowship and cooperation men, Eighty Converts in the Congo ate a few more peanuts, and women and children of different later, the one who knew the most denominations and points of A week's Bible Conference verse~ received a picture. held this year at the Adi Station
view. Last April a rally was type of reading matter in its INDIA AND SIAM held in an ArmeniaI1i Protestant own area. Church in Beirut, Syria, ar- Another Hindu Tribute ranged by the Armenian Sunday Religious Situation in Turkey School Union and to which invi- Several retired judges of tations were sent to children of The death of Ataturk and the Travancore have acknowledged all Arabic-speaking schools and installation of Ismet Inonii have in The Hindu, a daily paper, that of the Anglo-American commun- apparently not altered the reli- Christian missionaries h a v e ity. It took nearly fifteen min- gious situation in Turkey, though played a great part in the progutes for the one thousand chil- it is too soon to know accurately. ress of the Travancore State, dren and their teachers to march There may be a feeling of great- while the Travancore States into the auditorium. The wor- er liberty in the expression of Manual points out that it was ship program consisted of hymns religious sentiments now than English missionaries who initiwith tunes and words familiar during the past few years, and ated English education in that in the three languages, the repe- it is perhaps more common to State, and to them is due the tition of Psalm 23 in the differ- recognize religion as a force; in emancipation of slaves, the up- 'ent languages and prayer offered fact the funeral of the late ruler lift of the depressed classes, the in Arabic~ A tableau presented revealed a passion for dedication opening of hospitals and the by a group of Armenian children to an ideal, and that is essential- spread of education for both represented Christ, the Friend ly religious. men and women. of the children of the world. There has been no change in In the Tranvancore Census -Bible Lands Union. the policies and methods of the Report for 1931, we read: mission institutions, and more What Are Moslems Reading? and more there is a sense among As a result of the philanthropic many leaders that education labor of the missionaries a perceptible Realizing that what Christian does not seem to be enough, and improvement has been effected in the societies publish must be partly that some way of building char- moral and social condition of Dedetermined by what people like acter must be found if the coun- pressed Classes who have come under to read, the Near East Christian try is to continue to go forward. their influence. Their mode of liv- Council asked groups in each ing has changed, their standard of country they serve just what is -Near East Christian living has improved, they are giving being read; just what students CounciL up insanitary habits, are learning were reading aside from text cleanliness and thrift, and are bebooks. The answer was the Iranian Youth ing weaned from the drink evil. same: stories, the great majority being translations. It is be- The annual National Chris- All these opinions are conlieved that Christian publishing tian Youth Conference of Iran firmed by a writer in the Poona houses should take note of this had a spread of almost a thou- Mahratta who said that today and supply good, cheap stories. sand miles, with representatives "25 per cent of the population Next to stories, a lively interest of the Anglican Church, the Ar- are Christians. Out of 11 lakhs in biographies was revealed, menian Protestant Church, and of rupees paid as Government particularly of Moslem heroes the Evangelical (Presbyterian) gran, 9 lakhs are paid to Chrisand Western dictators. Church, meeting together with t ian educational institutions. no thought of denominational The number of churches which As for Christian students, it distinctions. All were Christians, was 300 in 1820 had increased to was found they were devouring although coming from a wide 2700 in 1930." rationalistic works, mostly non- variety of religious b a c k – Christian. The World's Student grounds: Shi'a and Sunni Mos- Preaching to Mohammedans Christian Federation has accord- lem, Jewish, Assyrian, Armeningly formed a committee to ian, Baha'i, Anglican, American, Rev. H. Reynhout, in the Life undertake the publication of lit- Presbyterian, and even Swiss of Faith, describes the method of erature with the Christian view- Evangelical. There were 68 reaching Mohammedans at the point. leaders from seven countries, in- reading room of the Ceylon and cluding two from Shiraz, 534 India General Mission, in My- Inquiries in Cairo revealed miles away, and one from Yezd, sore City, where a weekly lecture that along with the inevitable the first time that this remote is given especially for Mohamnewspaper there is a growing desert city had been represented medans. "An hour before the output of monthly magazines of at the Conference. The program lecture begins the missionaries good standing, with literary in- consisted of addresses and dis- take up their stand on the street terests definitely Arabic and cussions on the theme "The in front of the reading room: it Moslem. There is a large as- Kingdom of God," Bible study is a very busy street, and hunsortment of picture magazines, and recreation. It was inter- dreds of people pass by, of indicating the value of a Chris- esting to hear boys, gesturing whom every fourth or fifth is a vigorously, talk about ways of Mohammedan. tian picture paper. The Council making Christianity effective in intends to ask each Inter-mission various walks of life. "We are well supplied with Council to help in a study of the -Bulletin of Foreign Affairs. Gospels and literature in Urdu, Kanarese and English, and gen- erally offer a tract to our Mo- hammedan friends as they pass.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK 429'
"As the time for the lecture interest to me. His advice, "Render are violent" and that there is approaches, Mohammedans are therefore unto Caesar the things "no need to drink vitamin Band invited to attend. Most of them which are Caesar's, and unto God the beat your wife." pass on with the excuse of busi- things that are God's," is the doctrine ness urgency or a flimsy promise of non-resistance, nonviolence. Gandhi Hindus, Moslems, Christians. to return in five minutes. Usu- is not the originator of non-violence; and the various provincial govally, the lecture begins with only Jesus Christ is. ernments are of one mind in refour or five in attendance, but a gard to exterminating the drink worker remains outside in the What is non-violence? It means evil. However, a Bombay weekhope of attracting others. Some that everything is sacred and all life ly, while heartily commending are busy with tracts, and seeing must be treated with reverence. Let all these efforts to push the camus with literature the crowd no man deal roughly with even the paign against liquor in the same swells, an argument is started weakest and meekest of living crea- issue advertises "high class port, and after considerable urging tures. I look at Jesus not from the brandy and beer." Such adverthe group consents to enter the standpoint of theology but of society. tisements are illegal sin c e reading room. The evangelist If taken seriously, Jesus' unique mes- August 1. has probably finished his lecture, sage could not only save my people but begins a new one for the ben- but it could build the Kingdom of The Church at Chakwal efit of the late-comers. His God on earth. theme is a whole race lost in sin; Chakwal is just a tiny dot on only Jesus Christ, the Son of -Bulletin of Foreign the map of Northern India, but God, can and does save. Mos- Affairs. on the British Empire's map it lems hate the very mention of is a very black dot, having the this; some of the bolder ones Model for U. S. Christians reputation of being the most viojump to their feet and denounce lently criminal spot in Britain's the speaker, others try to silence The Naini Community Church world wide dominions. About him. Finally, the crowd dis- of Allahabad is self-supporting, twenty years ago, the United perses in disorder, some to ar- pays its assessments in advance Presbyterian .Church :proposed gue among themselves outside, and all other obligations prompt- to establish a mission there; some to remain to question the ly. Not only that; it has accu- land was purchased, building missionaries further about the mulated a building fund, with no plans were drawn up. Along Gospel." outside help. It is to some de- came the depression, and the gree self-propagating also, as land remained merely open Ambedkar Interprets Christ baptisms during the past year fields, growing just enough to have included some from non- pay the taxes. The champion of India's de- Christian families. The church pressed classes is not a Chris- supports a worker who sells More than a dozen years later, tian, but he was one of the guest Christian literature. All this is Emma Dean Anderson, after speakers at the annual meeting accomplished by Indian Chris- half a century of mission servof the West India Presbyterian tians, with a very little over- ice in India, chose Chakwal as Mission. Almost apologetically sight on the part of an evange- her retirement home. There, he announced his subject: "The listic missionary. without any European 0 r Bible and the Message of American companion within Christ," adding that his person- -Monday Morning. 60 miles, she settled in, to al interest in the subject led him spend the last three years to speak upon it, and that his No Drinks After Midnight of her seventh decade of life. conclusions were the result of From then on the Church in his own research. Said Dr. One thousand prohibition en- America began to hear about Ambedkar: forcement officers who describe Chakwal, but in her 80th year themselves as "harder than dia- Miss Anderson had to retire The greatness of Jesus can be monds, yet softer than flowers," from her Chakwal retirement proved in two ways: His power to were mobilized July 31 to help and return to America, leaving perform miracles and the uniqueness police shut off Bombay's drink- only a handful of Christians, of His message. Miracles cannot save ing at midnight. In addition to with an Indian pastor conduct- me and my people. But the message this guard an extra 1100 police ing regular services but with no can. Therefore I am not interested in were enrolled, 300 volunteer or- organized congregation. When Jesus' miracles but in His message. ganizations and 200 physical cul- Miss Anderson left she made it Religion to help me must have a social ture institutions offered their her chief responsibility to secure origin and a social purport because services toward making the ex- funds to construct the buildings the burning question before me is, periment a success. planned in the early vision; this "How can I rebuild a doomed society?" promise has been fulfilled, and Is there anything unique in Jesus' The government decree, is- all the buildings planned are message? That is what I want to sued last Feb. 14, advanced a now completed. In addition to know. step further the campaign of church and parsonage there is a Gandhi for national prohibition library and reading room, open The Jews to whom Christ came within three years. to the public. The building op- were an oppressed group. My peo- erations were entirely under ple are an oppressed group; there- There has been an intensive fore Jesus' advice to the multitudes fight over the Bombay edict. The who followed Him becomes of vital wets contended the Indian-fer- mented liquor contains vitamin B and makes for healthier ba- bies. Countering, the prohibi- tionists argued that "drunkards
Christian supervision, and most- them to read, but not giving should know nothing of theologly Christian labor. The man in them anything to read." In ical difIerences. charge of all the work is a re- contrast, he pointed out, "irrece1lt convert from Islam. ligious forces are far ahead of Christians and Refugees the churches on that score, in -United Presbyterian. that they are putting quantities More and more it is being rec- of material in the hands of peo- ognized that the problem of refu- Siam Now Thailand ple they are seeking to convert gees is a Christian, as well as a to their views." Jewish responsibility; and the When we see the names "Thai- -National Lutheran Council. American Committee for Chrisland," and "Thai," in State De- tian German Refugees, 287 partment documents from now Read This Fourth Ave., New York, is findon we are to think of Siam and ing a more generous response to Siamese, for the Department It was brought out at the its appeal. Several churches has decided to adhere to the re- Madras Conference that the in- are assuming direct responsibilcent decision of the Siamese crease in size of the Christian ity in the matter. The Quakers Government to change the name community in the twentieth cen- are opening a haven for refugees of their country. Thailand tury is unparalleled in any sim- -Jewish and Christian – in means land of the Thai (pro- ilar length of time in all Chris- Iowa, and are forming plans to nounced tie); and Thai is the tian history. Not including care for 20,000 refugee children ancient name of the Siamese Roman Catholics, Christian com- if the necessary legislation is people. municants in Negro Africa have enacted by Congress. The Pres- multiplied five-fold; in India byterian Board of National Mis- MISCELLANEOUS three-fold; in parts of Latin sions is appealing to its constit- America seven-fold; in Japan uency for funds and has a rep- Growth Abroad, Decline at five-fold, and doubled in the past resentative rendering personal Home decade; in China five-fold; in service to individual refugees. Chosen seventy-fold; in the The National Council of the It was revealed at the mid- Philippine Islands, where the Protestant Episcopal Church is year meeting of the Foreign Evangelical Church was non- undertaking a similar program. Missions Conference of North existent at the beginning of the America, held in Swarthmore, century, the communicants now Dissent most frequently heard Pa., that Protestant missions number about 200,000, the num- is based on the fear that a have grown rapidly in foreign bers having trebled in the last "horde" of aliens will displace countries, but have fallen off at thirteen years. our own workers, and add to OUr home. According to figures economic ills. It must be requoted, there were, in 1925, However, satisfaction over membered that the refugees 3,565,443 Protestant communi- these figures is tempered by the seeking admission to this country cants in mission lands, and knowledge that population in- are, in the main, people of exslightly more than eight million crease reveals that there are ac- ceptional ability who will build baptized. In 1938, the number tually today far more non- up industries that will furnish of communicants had jumped to Christians in the world than employment to many American six million, and there were thir- there were when the modern workers; and will also increase teen million baptized Protes- missionary enterprise began. the demand for our products of tants. In 1911, there were 351 farm and factory: all this is more ordained missionaries in Medical Council for Missions aside from the Christian considforeign service than there were eration of the emergency. ordained nationals. Last year, After twelve years of effort, there were 10,271 more ordained the Christian Medical Council Testaments for Jews national Christians than mis- for Overseas Work came into besionaries. ing on June 3, 1938. To date, A campaign is under way to about twenty different mission- provide a quarter million New There is one Christian for ary bodies have joined it. The Testaments for Jews in various every 184 people in Asia, one office of this associated mission lands. Efforts are being made for every twenty-eight in Africa, in New York is under the direc- to enlist intercessory prayer on and one for every four in Oce- tion of Dr. J. G. Vaughan, for- the part of 50,000 interested ania. merly a medical missionary to persons. A special Testament is China under the Northern Meth- being prepared in which verses In commenting on the situa- odists, and Dr. E. M. Dodd, once that signify. the fulfilment of tion, Dr. John R. Mott said: a missionary to Persia under Old Testament prophecies ap- the Presbyterian Board. The pear in bold-faced type, making "Less than 30 % of the Protes- Northern Baptist representative plain to the Jews that the New is Dr. P. H. J. Lerrigo, who be- Testament is the completion and tants in the U. S. A. and Canada gan his career as a medical mis- fulfilment of Old Testament revare giving anything at all to for- sionary. He has for many years elation, and that Jesus is the eign missions. There must be been a prime mover in interde- true Messiah and Saviour of an expansion in the financial re- nominational collaboration, be- Jew and Gentile alike. sources." Dr. Mott further de- lieving that medical service clared that "churches are edu- – Watchman-Examiner. cating people in the missionary field but failing to provide them with enough matter to apply this education. They are teaching
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Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information I.L~I~I==~========~==========~ The Faith We Declare. By Edwin deals with pursuits which the suggestive pages. The wide use Lewis. $2.00. 236 pp. Cokesbury Press. Nashville. 1939. author is pleased to term "cre- of classical and historical allu- This is a notable book. The ative guests of the ages," consid- sion will appeal to the scholarly, able professor of theology in Dew Theological Seminary has ered in the light of their influ-. and the rather militant social written others of high value, but ence upon the development. of outlook will interest those whose this one impresses us as the best Christianity. The philosophIcal views follow this modern trend. of all. Its chapters were deliv- €red as a series of lectures on the character of the discussion add- It is in its spiritual implication Fondren Foundation at the ed to a rhetorical style, makes that the book is most disappoint- School of Theology of the South- it difficult at points to follow the ing. Absence of the affirmative €rn Methodist University, Dallas. His central theme is that author's reasoning, but there is note is marked. The informed Christianity is not primarily an €thic or a form of social organ- no mistaking the fact that he evangelical will regard the auization, altho'ugh it involves both of these. It is primarily a reli- finds a consistent forward trend thor's thesis as untenable; those gion not developed by man, but revealed by God. It is therefore in thought and morals from the of a speculative cast of mind not to be viewed as a system of philosophy or something to be Babylonian period to the pres- may find interest, but will scarcelogically proved or mathematically demonstrated, but as di- ent. In tracing this evolutionary ly be inspired. For the casual vinely imparted truth to be received by faith and "declared" movement there is little apparent reader, there will be some beas a message from God incarnated in Christ as Redeemer and distinction between the Baby- wilderment over a sentence like Lord. Dr. Lewis is neither a "Fundamentalist" nor a "Mod- lonian sages, the Hebrew proph- this: "If we seek to give to life ernist," although his book will give more satisfaction to the ets and the Greek and Roman and its enterprises, meanings former than to the latter, for he is soundly and conservatively philosophers: Hammurabi, Ja- worthy for humanity, its endowevangelical. There are a few criticisms of the modern church cob, Moses, Isaiah, Socrates, ments, its advisements, its inherwhich we think are too severe; but the volume as a whole is a Marcus Aurelius, Paul and Au- itances, and its hopes; then stubclarion call to the followers of Christ to emphasize "The Faith gustine each make their contri- born ineluctable as the contem- We Declare" as the only hope of a distracted world. bution. It is not that the prophets poraneous world is, it is not be- ARTHUR J. BROWN. are lightly esteemed or the Baby- yond our power to charge with Christianity and the Creative Quests. lonian inscriptions elevated to noble and fructifying meaning." By Gaius Glenn Atkins. 232 pp. $2.00. Cokesbury Press, Nashville, equality with the Scriptures, but HUGH R. MONRO. Tenn. 1939. the unique and inspired charac- The Missionary Significance of the The author, a well known ter of the Hebrew record is ap- Lord's Prayer. By Dr. Lee S. Huipreacher and professor of theol- parently not taken into account. zenga. 85 pp. 75 cents. Wm. B. ogy, gave these Cole Lectures at Vanderbilt University in 1938. There is insistence upon intel- Eerdmans Co., Grand Rapids. 1939. The title provides an accurate guide to its contents for the book lectual integrity in dealing with Dr. Huizenga has been a med- ical missionary in China during the Scriptures, but an implica- a long life; and he writes from tion that reason shall determine his own experience. This is not how much of the record is wor- an attempt to force a well-worn thy of acceptance. Quite as in- passage of Scripture into a novel conclusive is the extended dis- pattern for novelty's sake; it is cussion of moral and spiritual rather the ripened meditation of authority, where again we are a man who has for years offered left to conclude that the sole the Lord's Prayer from a mis- norm is that of human judgment. sionary's heart. In this prayer The possibility that the Biblical the doctor finds (1) the basis of record may have an inherent au- our missionary expansion; (2) thority, real and demonstrable, is nowhere suggested; it is im- the method of our missionary ex- pansion; (3) the way to keep fit plied that those who adhere to such a view are credulous and for missionary work; and (4) lacking in perspective. By these the ultimate aim of missions. The basis of missions is the fa- standards faith in the authority therhood of God, the family life of the Bible and intellectual in- of all believers. The method is tegrity are apparently consid- found to be adoration, recogni- ered incompatible.
The book, however, has many tion of God and His Kingdom, [431 ]
and obedience to His sovereign trays. The author is peculiarly the world today for the frightwill. Keeping fit is accomplished fitted for his task by intimate ful results of the transgression through God's providing for, knowledge, by deep devotion, by of the law of God. The book is pardoning and keeping us. The patience in research and by lit- worth reading, especially if read ultimate aim is of course the erary skill. He shows the late in the light of the New Testaglory of God. Not only mission- distinguished president of Un- ment Gospel of love, mercy, and aries but others may find in this ion Seminary, Virginia, to have forgiveness. little devotional book much that been eminent as a scholar, inis spiritually illuminating. spiring as a teacher, impressive Lucy W. PEABODY. as a preacher and wise as an KENNETH J. FOREMAN. administrator. Dr. Moore will The Christian Faith in a Day of long be remembered as one of Crisis. By Charles S. Macfarland. The Story of Chung Mei. By Charles the most dignified, beloved and 226 pp. $1.50. Fleming H. Revell R. Shepherd. Illus. 264 pp. $2.00. influential leaders in the Ameri- Co. New York. The Judson Press, Philadelphia. can Presbyterian Church. This 1938. sympathetic, careful and com- If one is unable to read the prehensive biography will aid numerous volumes pouring from Here is a thrilling story of immeasurably in making this the press interpreting the relipersonal heroism, faith overcom- memory as abiding as it is pre- gious situation, this book will ing obstacles, and consecration cious. give a helpful sense of direction of life to the service of needy toward understanding the curboys. It is a graphic .portrayal CHARLES R. ERDMAN. rent trends in religious life and written in the first person, of the theological thinking. The mounhistory of Chung Mei Home in The Meaning of War. By James W. tain peaks on the horizon stand San Francisco, California. Johnson. 60 pp. 75c. Fleming H. out so prominently that one can Revell Co. 1939. discern them readily without In the early days of Charles being lost in the less important Shepherd's service among the This brief statement, in five aspects of the scene. Chinese on the Pacific Coast he chapters, written in part after discovered that one of the un- the World War by a Christian Among the speciaL interests met needs of the people was for business man, will be read with which have enlisted Dr. Macfara boys' home to care for orphans, interest by those who are watch- land's attention are the Barthian half-orphans, foundlings, and ing the threats of war which theology and the reaction to it in boys from broken homes. Lim- now confront the world. "liberal" circles; the movement ited financial resources, racial for Christian unity; the social prejudice, lack of suitable physi- With much of the author's outreach of the Church; the curcal equipment for such an enter- vivid statement, all will agree. rent expressions of mysticism; prise, presented serious obsta- Chapter Two–"The Reason for and the significance and inadecles. Confident in his faith "that War" presents not only the well quacy of humanism. God never calls an individual to known reasons from the human a task which is impossible" the side, but presents them as only S. M. CAVERT. author persisted, overcoming reasons in part. He states his disappointment aft e r disap- own theory that war is the re- The Acts of the Apostles. Outline pointment, until finally his sult of sin and carries on this Studies in Primitive Christianity. dream was realized in the thesis to Chapter Three-"True By W. H. Griffith Thomas. 93 pp. Chung Mei Home. Basis for Enduring Peace." The 30 cents. Moody Bible Institute fourth chapter presents "Wrath Colportage Assn. Chicago. 1939. Under the able leadership of of Man-Love of God" and the Dr. Shepherd, the boys succeed- fifth "The Signs of Promise." An outstanding, conservative ed in raising money to purchase The book closes with an earnest Bible scholar and teacher gave a beautiful building site in EI prayer for the nations. us before his death this compact Cerrito, but the "depression" outline of the Acts in a series of made it impossible for mission- There can be no question as to fifty-eight studies. Richly sugary organizations to appropriate the argument that war is the gestive but not exhaustive, each the money necessary for the result of sin and that the only study includes an analytical outnew building. The story of how basis for enduring peace is the line of the passage, a topical outfaith enabled them to overcome conversion of mankind. But line of the principles involved, their disappointment is thrilling. those who believe that the wages and the practical application of Its reward is seen in Chung of sin is death under the law these principles in the life of to- Mei's new home at EI Cerrito. of God may not accept the au- day. The student is thus guided thor's statement that war is to a knowledge of the divine JOHN N. THOMAS. God's direct infliction of pun- record. In Bible study classes ishment, like a father's chastise- and as the basis of prayer meet- Life and Letters of Walter W. ment of a wayward son. The ing talks, these studies in Apos- Moore. By J. Gray McAllister. fact that those who suffer most tolic church history, historical pp. 576. $2.50. Union Theologi- extension, and spiritual expan- cal Seminary, Richmond, Virginia. in war are innocent would pre- sion should bring new life, spir- 1939. clude this theory, though none itual quickening and a mission- ary zeal to the church of today. It is enough to affirm that this could deny the responsibility of biography is worthy of the pure GORDON A. CURTIS. and princely character it por-
Books Moslem station they were transferred Children Successfally Educated ••• AT
to Urumia, to take eharge of the Believers and Builders in Europe. evangelistic work of all of the Calvert School world..famoul home 8tudy plan rive. Emma Parker Maddry. 167 pp. 50 churches in Urumia and Kurdistan, cents. Broadman Press. Nash- extending west to the Tigris River t .uperior education to thousands of children not near l'ood ville. and including Mosul. They served there for about 18 years then Mr. echoola or unable to attend IChooL Complete COUIles The Coming Great Northern Confed- Coan was placed in charge of the edu- for each era"de. All books. materials and eracy. L. Sale-Harrison. 88 pp. cational work of the Mission, and was teacher euidance included. Enthusiasticallyen- lB. Pickering & Inglis. London. made President of Urumia College. dorsed by educators and parents. Low cost. Write today for free catalor. State c:hild~1!I Il'e" Cycle of Prayer and Praise. 100 pp. Dr. William*H.* Ph*elps, editor of 6d. S. P. G. London. CALVERT SCHOOL. 189 E. T….II1Id., Balmre, Mol. the Michigan Christian Advocate for The Good Seed. Report of the Meth- 19 years, died June 23 in Detroit. He Home Missions Day at the odist Church of Australia. 72 pp. is succeeded by Rev. John E. Marvin, World's Fair, Epworth Printing and Publishing for three years associate editor of the House. Sydney, Australia. Advocate. September 1, 1939 Heralds of Salvation. Frank Gren- The Rev. Ge*org*e P*. Pierson, D.D., To dramatize for the public ville Beardsley. 218 pp. $1.25. the Home Mission work of the American Tract Soc. New York. for forty years a Presbyterian mis- present day, the Council of Wom- sionary to Japan, died in Philadelphia en for Home Missions and Home An Hour with Jonathan' Goforth, on August 1st at the age of seventy- Missions Council will cooperate Adoniram Judson, J. Hudson Tay- eight. Dr. and Mrs. Pierson, who was in presenting three ,programs at lor. 17 pp. 10 cents each. Zon- formerly Miss Ida Goepp, returned the World's Fair on September dervan Pub. House. Grand Rapids. from Japan ten years ago and were first. honorably retired. Mrs. Pierson died Pueblo Indian Religion. Vol. I and in 1937. He was the son of the late The critical national problem II. Elsie Clews Parsons. 1275 Rev. David H. Pierson and Caroline of the Migrant laborerS who pp. $7.00. University of Chicago Peck Pierson of Elizabeth. Dr. Pier- h a r v est the crops will be Press. Chicago. son was a greatly loved and honored stressed i-a prominent pIa c e missionary who was engaged in effec- will also be given to the coopera- The Qur'an. Vol. II. Richard Bell. tive evangelistic work in the Island of tive Christian work for Indian $6.00. 698 pp. Scribner. New Kokkaido, Northern Japan. Americans; the story of the in- York. terdenominational enterprises in Dr. O. C. C*raw*for*d, Presbyterian communities where the great A Quiver of Sunbeams. Alfred H. government dams have been C. Morse. $1.50. 183 pp. Cokes- missionary since 1900 in Soochow, built and the religious needs of bury Press. New York. China, died on July 22nd. He was rural and city underprivileged. born in Brownsville, Pa., fifty-nine The Resurrection of the Old Roman years ago, attended Waynesburg Col- Music, addresses and dramatic Empire. L. Sale-Harrison. 128 lege and the Western Theological sketches will emphasize the pp. lB. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. Seminary. Dr. Crawford translated Christian life-conserving work London. the Gospel of St. Mark into phonetic throughout the United States. Chinese script, and was on the com- Refugee Facts. 24 pp. American mittee which revised the New Tes- The program for the day includes Friends Service Council. Phila. tament into Soochow dialect. the following: Redemptive Purpose. (Report of the The Rev. H*erm* an* Carl Weber, Moving Pictures – General Motors Mission to Lepers, 1938). 32 pp. Auditorium-10: 30 to 12 A.,M. 6d. Mission to Lepers. London. editor of the "Year Book of American Churches," died on July 25th of a 1. The Church Ministers to Indian Die Religiose Lage Japans in Der heart ailment at East Orange, New Americans. (First showing.) Gegenwart. Gerhard Rosenkranz. Jersey. Dr. Weber was born at Mina, 2. Uncle Sam Builds Dama-Inter- 19 pp. Ostasien Mission. Berlin- Chautauqua County, N. Y., on Feb- denominational work in com- Steglitz. ruary 9, 1873, the son of Jacob and munities where government Sarah Phifer Weber. He took his dams have been built. (First Salt Streak. Florance Walton Taylor. A. B. degree from Rutgers College, showing.) : 280 pp. $2.00. Revell. New York. studied at the New Brunswick (N. J.) 3. Gipsies of the Crops-Life of the Theological Seminary. Albany Col- Migrant laborers. ' Through Other People's Eyes- lege, Oregon, made him a Doctor of A Play. Margaret Crowe. 15 pp. Divinity. 4. Even in this Day and. Age- 2d. S. P. G. London. Need for the Church to reach Dr. Weber began his ministry as the unreached millions of a Von Japan Will Ich Euch Erzahlen. pastor of the Reformed Church of great city. (Harmon Founda- Gerhard Rosenkranz. Illus. 28 West Farms, in the Bronx (1898 to tion film.) pp. Ostasien Mission. Berlin-Steg- 1902); for four years was an assist- litz. ant pastor in the Collegiate (Dutch) 2: 00-4: 00 P. M.-Court of Peace. Reformed Church and became pastor Address by Dr. Mark A. Dawber, Wings and Sky. Martha Snell Nich- of the Edgewood Reformed Church, olson. 28 pp. H. W. Nicholson. Brooklyn. From 1912 to 1918 he was "New Tasks for Old." Problems Wilmington, Calif. pastor of the Park Branch of the of rural life and plight of share- First Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn. croppers. Das Wunder der Kirche Under den Mayor La Guardia is expected to Volkern der Erde. (Report of From 1919 to 1925, he was associate speak on, "Religion as a Solution Tambaram Conference). Various director of field work of the New Era for Some of our City Problems." Authors. R. M. 1. Evangelische Movement of the Presbyterian Church Special musical numbers. Missionsverlag. Stuttgart. and later director of the Mobilization Department of the General Council. 7: 00-9: 30 P. M.-Court of Peace. Zonya-Daughter of Abraham. Ag- He was president of the United Stew- Young Indian Americans will fur- nes Scott Kent. 313 pp. $1.50. ardship Council of the United States nish music and Dr. Thomas Jesse Evangelical Publishers. Toronto. and Canada in 1936 and 1937. Jones, of the Phelps-Stokes Fund will speak on, "Sharing American Obituary Notes Dr. Weber was the author of "Pres- Progress with American In- byterian Statistics Through One Hun- dians." (Concluded from second cover.) dred Years," "Evangelism-A Graph- ic Survey" and "The Every Member Mrs. Frederick G. Coan, retired Canvass, Pocket Books' or People." missionary of the Presbyterian Mission in Iran, died in Claremont, Calif., June 24. Following her marriage to Rev. F. G. Coan in 1885, she sailed with him for Persia. After a brief period of service at an Armenian-
the quarter, including July, August, and Sep-
tember, THE UPPER ROOM showed a gain of 75,000 in circulation over the same period last ),ellJ".
+ ldUch to us is conclusive proof that + tbe Room r. Upptr tiltall" -essential 'to 'the aevotional ana spiritualli/e 0/ America Prom the beginning THE UPPER ROOM has im- pressed its users with the fact that it is the best year tlro.,,4 daily devotional guide. Meditations are planned and prepared for special seasons and occasions, but the material for er1ery 4ay i" the year is maintained at th~ highest standard of spiritual value.
The October, November, December issue is oft' the press and ready for shipment. Pastors and other group leaders are urged to place an order at once sufficient for their needs. Single copies are 10 cents, postpaid. rI'en or more copies to one address, postpaid at 5 cents each. Annual subscription, 30 cents, postpaid; foreign, 40 cents. Remember, all unsold and unused copies ma), be returned for credit at our expense.
SEND ALL ORDERS TO Cbe Upper Roo. DOCTORS' BUILDING NASHVILLE, TENN.
The Missionary Review of the World — June 1939
1939
What Is New in Home Missions?
Mark A. Dawber Experiences Among Ozark Mountaineers Paul A. Wobus The South's Number One Problem Archie C. Smith Berea's Work for Mountaineers William J. Hutchins New Frontiers in Home Missions Edward D. Kohlstedt American Indians' Work for Indians G. E. E. Lindquist A Christian Philosophy for Rural Work Frank W. Price 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a YeaI'
to Remember elected one of the secretaries of the THE
Board of Foreign Missions of the June 7-13 – Ann u a I Conference, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., to take <- The only weekly in the Church of the Brethren, Anderson, the place of Dr. Webster E. Browning Presbyterian Church. Ind. who has been honorably retired. Dr. Anderson is a Canadian by birth, a <- Its message is based upon June 8 – General Synod of the Re- graduate of McGill University, Mon- the Revealed Word of God. formed Church in America, New treal, and of Princeton Theological York, N. Y. Seminary. He went to Cameroon, <- Goes into every state in West Africa, in 1926. On June 1, he the Union, U. S. possessions June 9-16-Annual Meeting, Foreign will take up his official duties as Sec- and many foreign countries. Missions Conference. Swarthmore, retary but first expects to visit the Pa. South American fields this summer Subscription rate – $2.50 and autumn since he is to have re- Ministerial rate – – $2.00 June 16-24–Winona Summer School sponsibility for the Latin America of Missions, Winona Lake, Ind. and Africa portfolios. SOc. extra–Canadian postage Courses include Bible, Mission Text- $1.50 extra– Foreign postage books and addresses by missionaries. *** Write to Mrs. C. E. Ahrensfeld, 431 THE PRESBYTERIHn S. East Ave., Oak Park, Ill. Dr. Everett B. King, pastor of the Hemphill Church, Fort Worth, Texas, 121 7 Market Street June 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- has been elected Secretary of the Philadelphia, Pa. vention, Los Angeles, Calif. Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. He theologian and professor for 20 years, june 21-2S-Sunday School and B. Y. has been assigned to responsibility for has been appointed to the FaCUlty of P. U. Congress of the National Bap- Sunday school missions and Alaska, the Graduate School of Applied Reli- tist Convention, U. S. A., (Inc.), to take the place of Dr. John M. gion in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Spiegel Tulsa, Okla. Somerndike, recently deceased. Dr. shared for a time the fate of Martin King is a native of Texas and was Niemoller in a concentration camp, June 24-July I-Eagles Mere Confer- educated at the University of Texas, and was recently "shipped" to Switzer- ence of Missions. Chairman, Mrs. Trinity University, and the Presby- land. Earl Breeding, 24 Rugby Lane, terian Theological Seminary at Chi- Scarsdale, N. Y. cago. Dean Alfredo* G*onz*alez, of Central July 3-10-Northfield Missionary Con- *** Philippine College, has written a book ference for Women and Girls. East e~t!tled "The 9a11 of the Heights," Northfield, Mass. For information, Dr. Albert ,schweitzer founded his VIrIle and umrustakably religious in address Mrs. Warren C. Taylor, 38 hospital in Africa twenty-five years its appeal. The book has just been Union Ave., Schenectady, N. Y. ago. On the 25th anniversary the selected by the Philippine Government children of the Mission presented him Department 01; Education, as the text july 6-11 – International Christian with a beautiful piece of furniture, for character instruction in the public Endeavor Convention, Cleveland, made by themselves. One of them schools of the Islands. Ohio. made a presentation speech to "our dear, grand docteur." Dr. Schweitzer *** July 11-August 16 – Winona Lake refused an electric organ because of School of Theology. Winona Lake, the difficulty of keeping the compli- Rev. Myron Terry, of the Christian Ind. Dean, Dr. J. A. Huffman, 302 cated machinery in order in that cli- Litera;ture Society in ~hanghai, is Morton Blvd., Marion, Ind. mate. Instead, he was given the price spendmg some. mont~s m Kunming, of an X-ray for the hospital. Yunnan, supermtendmg the erection July 22-28-Baptist World Congress. of a small building and getting a new Atlanta, Ga. *** branch of the Christian Literature So- ciety started. July 24-August 2-World Conference Dr. Walter Spiegel, member of the of Christian Youth, Amsterdam, ConfC'ssional Church in Germany, a Rev. George*W*. Sh*epherd, of Au- Holland. J}pmn~ burndale, Mass., went to China 18 Aug. SolO-Ninth Quadrennial Con- y~ars ago as a Congregational mis- vention of the Woman's Home and of tbe SIOnary. Ten years later, the National Foreign Missionary Society of Af- Council of China detailed him to as- rican Methodist Episcopal Zion ctbri~tian sist Generalissimo and Madame Church, Detroit, Mich. Chiang in their "New Life Move- lLift ment," fight~ng supersti~ion and politi- August 13-20-Geneva Summer School cal corruptIOn, promoting education of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. cA BOOK of worship in song, com- and public health. Along came the For information write to Mrs. Paul bining a hymnal for general war and the Movement's energies H. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey church use, and a song book for evan- ~ere diyerted to :relief. Mr. Shepherd Ave., Oak Park, Ill. gelistic purposes. onty songs sound IS now m the Uruted States, ostensibly in the faith and inspirationaf in char- on furlough, but using his time to Personal Item. acter induded—emphasizing Evangel- raise funds for the "Church Commit- ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. tee for China Relief." Dr. Francis S. Hutchins, of the Many of the new—the best of the old. Yale-in-China Mission School at (Co'Mluded. em page 273.) Changsha, has been elected President 504 Songs Responsive Readings of Berea College, Kentucky, to succeed his father, Dr. William J. Topical Index Gold Embossed Hutchins, who is resigning after nineteen years of service. Published in round notes and Roxite cloth edition only at $65.00 per 100—an especiall~ Dr. Francis Hutchins is 38 years of low price. Single copy, 8Se postpaid. age. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., educated at Oberlin and Yale and Write today for returnable sample co,", went out fourteen years ago to work in the Yale Mission. His brother, Dr. CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. Robert M. Hutchins, is President of the University of Chicago. 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET HARRISBURG. PA. *** The Rev. Llewellyn K. Anderson, Ph.D., recently a Presbyterian missionary in West Africa, has been
MISSIONARY I have taken the magazine for years WHEN THE CALL LEADS
and would feel quite lost without it." REVIEW OF THE WORLD II EAST 0F SUE Z" Long BeaMchIS-,SCSaAlRifA. L. HAMILTON. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor The Jain Temple, Calcutta * .. … VOL. LXII JUNE, 1939 NO.6 I'OR OVBR 100 YBARS "We always enjoy greatly reading THB WAY HAS BBBN Publication and Busines" Olllce- Third and Reily St•. , Harri£burg, Pa. THE MISSIONARY REVIEW. I wish Editorial and Executive UlIlce– every minister could take it." 156 Firth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-ciass matter at REV. FREDERICK G. COAN. Claremont, Calif. Post Olllce, Harrisburg. Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. * .. * 25 cellts a copy-$2.50 a year. "Your magazine fills a place which Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. no other missionary magazine quite All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. British agents – Marshall, Morgan fills." F. A. GOETSCH, and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London. E. C 1 shilling per copy, Executive Secretary of the 10 sh!Jlings a year. Board of Foreign Missions, Evangelical Synod of N. A. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- LISHING CO., INC. … * …
BOARD OF DIRECTORS A CORRECTION ROBERT Eo SPEER, President Rev. E. E. Elder, the author of the A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-Pre.•idcnt article in our December (1938) num- WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer ber: "What is the Koran?" is a mem- DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary ber of the United Presbyterian PAUL J. BRAISTED Mission in Cairo, Egypt, from Meshed, SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Persia. The Rev. John Elder. of Ham- D. J. FANT adan, Iran, is a missionary of the MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH Obituary Notes SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Dr. Dan B. Brummitt, editor of the PaO Editorial Chat Central and Northwestern editions of The Christian Advocate, died April 5 Let the comfort of mOclern liners and the secur- This is our Home Mission Number. in Kansas City, almost on the eve of ity of British seamanship enhance your voy· The field is so large and varied and the uniting conference. Dr. Brummitt age. Whenever you are called to the other we have so recently devoted special was an outstanding religious editor side of the world, choose this traditional reute. numbers to the City (June, 1938), of our time, and ardently upheld Cross to England by a modern transatlantic Rural Problems, The Negro, Orientals Christian democracy in journalism. liner and then embark in a great liner of the and Spanish – Speaking Americans, Few knew that the weekly column of p & 0 and British India fleets, led by the new that some of these important topics wit and wisdom, filled with the spirit 23,500-ton Strathallan. StrathmoHl, and Strathare not treated here. Other articles of Christ, and signed "Justus Timber- eden carrying First and Tourist Classes. Airthat have appeared in recent issues line," was written by the editor. conditioned dining saloons in First Class, hot deal with and cold running water throughout, built-in Rev. John A*. Si*lsb*y, retired Pres- out-door swimming pools. children's play- A Cathedral on Wheels (April, rooms! Regular service to Egypt. Sudan. Iran- 1938) byterian missionary to East China, ian Gulf. India. Burma. Ceylonl& Straits Settle- ments, China. Japan, Australia. East and Migrant Workers (April, 1938) died in Hayward, California, March 4. South Africa. Mauritius. Special reductions The Whole Community (July, 1938) In 1890 he became principal of Lowrie and generous baggage allowance for American Indians (February, 1939) missionaries. Missions in Alaska (April, 1939) Institute for Boys, the oldest school Problems of a Midwest City (Sep- in Shanghai and one of the oldest in tember, 1938) China. * .. * Other articles on Home Missions Mr. Frank A. Horne, Vice-President will appear later. of the Board of Foreign Missions of *** the Methodist Church for twenty-two If you are leaving your present mailing address for the summer, years and chairman of the Methodist Convenient throuqh bookinqs can kindly send word as soon as possible be arranqed by your travel aqent. with the address to which you wish Book Committee, died March 22 at the to have your C!}py of THE REVIEW age of seventy. He had been a mem- Or apply at 25 Broadway. 638 Fit~h forwarded. Please mention dates of Ave.• N. Y. . . . or any ottice of your absence from home and mail to ber of six consecutive General Con- Subscription Department, MISSl()NARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, 3rd & Reily ferences since 1916 and a member of , Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. There will be the Board of Foreign Missions since no August number of THE REVIEW 1906. CUNARD WHllf. ~lAR printed. Person.I Item. ,. ents for 'T A. Among the c*om*men*ts on THE RE- General 9 (Concluded from 2d cover.) VIEW received recently from readers ANO OR,eN are the following: In the war zone, missionaries and New Life workers give first aid to fleN'NSU.AR. S:teAt" "I used THE REVIEW a great deal victims of Japanese guns and bru- . t 'NO'A with my recent review of 'The Amer- tality. Then refugees get clothing, ",G ANO BRl'T'S COMflAN,eS ican City and Its Church,' and found food and transportation away from it exceedingly helpful to make the danger zones. Refugees must find NA A'T,ON mission study book more interesting. new farms, jobs, homes. Even in "free China" there is the perenl'lial problem of famine.-NeW8week.
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B. D. WEEKS AND MRS . ROBERTA CAMPBELL, WITH INDIAN STUDENTS OF BACONE COLLEGE (Baptist
INDIAN PILLARS OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH ( Congregational), REV. AND MRS. W. DAVID OWJ~, SENE CA, N. Y. MR. OWL ELTON, LOUISIANA IS THE' INDIAN PASTOR ON THE RESERVATION REV. AND MRS. SILAS, OJIBWAY REV. ROBT, PAUL CHAAT THREE I NDIAN RECTORS IN TRIBE (Reformed Church) SOUTH DAKOTA SOME AMERICAN INDIAN CHRISTIAN LEADERS (see page 299) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1939 Topics of the Times RELIGION IN THE WORLD TOMORROW Gospel messages are not excluded. A very defi- nite Christian note in the "WorId of Tomorrow"
The New York World's Fair, which opened on is sounded in a small concession paid for by the Sunday, April 30, is an impressive spectacle. It "Gideons," where they can exhibit Bibles and lit- covers 1,216 acres, or nearly two square miles, erature relating their work of Bible distribution on the Flushing Meadows – ~ormer marsh land in hotels and elsewhere. Other attempts to secure commonly called "Corona Dumps." The reclaim- space for the presentation of Christian activities ing of the land, planting thousands of trees, con- and achievements have failed to produce results. structing roads, lagoons. and fountains, and erect- The message and work of Jesus Christ, as the reving buildings, has cost nearly $160,000,000. The elation of God and His Way of Life for the "World exhibits include many interests related to art and of Tomorrow," are not exhibited there, even as education, transportation, housing, manufactures they have not been at other national expositions.
and inventions, various national, state and foreign The Fair is devoted to the humanistic ideals, to buildings, as well as areas devoted to amusements, the strictly material and temporal hopes. and sports and restaurants. achievements, rather than to things that relate to The Fair is being visited daily by from 100,000 God, to spiritual ideals and Eternal Life. to 300,000 persons who are expected to spend This is, perhaps, not surprising. Men today do from two to twenty-five dollars each (from May not agree in their conception of God and His Way to November), making a total of perhaps of Life. Any attempt to present Christ, and all $500,000,000 to be spent during the season. The for which He stands, unfortunately often provokes Fair thus provides much that is of interest and oontroversy. But there are naturally many who value. Most people can find there what they are would present what they believe to be the vital most interested to see – beautiful flowers and truths and most dynamic forces in the world of tofoliage, human nature of all sorts and conditions, day and for the World of Tomorrow. The Temple the wonders of modern science and industry, the of Religion has been severely criticized as a weak beauties of music and art, amusements for every attempt to recognize an "unknown God" to whom, taste-high and low. in some way, men may have some responsibility.
It is in the realm of religion that the Fair is Dr. George W. Arms, a pastor in Brooklyn, New lacking. If the "World of Tomorrow" can offer York, calls the Temple of Religion "the devil's nothing more than is here provided there is no smokescreen to hide from the people the Cross outlook for more than a very vague worship of of Jesus Christ and the true issues at stake in the some "unknown God" and a faint hope for the pro- foundation of democracy, and to blind them with motion of peace, brotherly kindness and social serv- a false sense of security."
ice. The Jews have a Hebrew Temple and a Pal- No doubt this is an extreme view, but is it not estine exhibit; Christian Science is represented true that in this presentation of the "World of by a building with a reading room and literature; Tomorrow" there is no recognition of the God who the Y. M. C. A. building includes a restroom and has created the wonderful world in which we live, restaurant; there is a "Temple of Religion," has loved the world of mankind enough to give where music and pageants are presented. The Himself that men might have life, and to whom atmosphere is restful and dignified. Distinctly the world of yesterday and today owes everything [275 ]
worth knowing, doing or possessing? After all union was effected in Great Britain, two hundred the American nation was established by men who years after John Wesley began his work that rebelieved in God and who desired a home where sulted in Methodism. There are still several they could worship Him and could live in the way Methodist churches outside the union-the Free that Jesus Christ made possible. The Bible, as Methodist, Wesleyan Methodist, the African the Word of God, the Sabbath as the Lord's Day M. E., the African M. E. Zion, and the Colored and Christ as the Son of God and Saviour, cannot Methodist Episcopal, numbering in all about safely be ignored in the "World of Tomorrow." 1,600,000 more American Methodists.
What can be done to make up in some degree This large body of Christians, now organically for what is lacking in Christian emphasis in the united into one Methodist Church, can accomplish World's Fair? At the Columbian Exposition in great things for the Kingdom of God, under wise, Chicago in 1893, the most potent Christian in- consecrated leadership, if they are truly motifluence was the series of great evangelistic meet- vated, instructed and empowered by the ideals and ings conducted by Dwight L. Moody, where there spirit of Christ. As Dr. John R. Mott, a promwere addresses day and night by outstanding inent Methodist, said at Kansas City: "We have Christian teachers from many lands. In these united to accomplish together things that we canmeetings it is estimated a million people heard not do separately. We must not be satisfied with the Gospel and thousands of them were won to past achievements or with the present situation. Christ. In New York City and its suburbs there An increase in our aggressive missionary work is is a similar opportunity. There is no limit to the one of the tasks which we must now undertake personal work that may be done among visitors to with new vigor." the Fair. Gospels and other literature may be given out to the crowds in hotels, in subways and The new Methodist Church has been divided terat the entrances to the grounds. Parents can ritorially into seven sections or "Jurisdictions"- interpret the exhibits to children from a Christian the Northern, North Central, Western, South point of view. The Calvary Bapti.st Church of Central, Central, South Eastern and Foreign- New York and other churches are kept open all with thirty-six bishops, located at different cenday and some are holding special services where ters. There are also seven missionary Bishops the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be presented. In appointed by the Central Conference. all this there is the ministry of prayer in which all Christians can engage day and night. Christ- The Uniting Conference took a strong stand like lives and friendly service by those who con- against intoxicants and war and adopted the exfess His name will mean much more to visitors cellent "Social Creed" of the Methodist Church, to the Fair than any material exhibits could pos- South. The educational work will be conducted sibly mean. A truly Christian exhibit, presenting under a single board with two divisions, one carthe results of Christian teaching and work in ing for institutions and the other directing reli- America and in all other lands would be a con- gious education in local churches. The confervincing evidence that, if the world is to advance ence was unable to settle the question of a church today and tomorrow, men must .accept God as He periodical-whether it is to be one great national is revealed in Jesus Christ and must follow His paper or several jurisdictional papers with one Way of sacrificial love and eternal life, if they purpose and plan and under one general editor. are to live joyously and victoriously. A commission was appointed to study the question and report. AMERICAN METHODISTS AND THEIR MISSIONS The missionary work of these three uniting churches, which have formerly been conducted The union of the three Methodist Churches in under a number of boards-Home and Foreign, the United States – the Methodist Episcopal General and Women's-will henceforth be under Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, one General Board that will have charge of misand the Methodist Protestant Church, as finally sionary policy and program; the details of adcompleted at Kansas City, brings together into ministration, the choice of fields, the selection of one organic body the largest number of Protes- personnel and the administration of funds, will tants in anyone Church. The total membership be in charge of three administrative divisionsof this united church is approximately 8,000,000, Foreign Missions, Home Missions and Church distributed all over the United States and all over Extension, and Woman's Work-each with its the world, from Alaska in the North to Chile in own executive secretaries. The General Board the South, and from East to West around the will consist of twenty-four men and twenty-four globe. It will be called "The Methodist Church." women, with the bishops.
:r.hi~ ~nion takes place in America, as .a si.roiJar The missionary work of the new Methodist Church will be world-wide, with 1,400 foreign missionaries, 13,500 on their native staff, com- .m~J).i~a,nt§l Jl1 eleven forei~n ~oU.I).tri~t'I ,lUmbering
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
over 270,000 and total annual budgets of ing possible journeys in a day that formerly took a $3,000,000. The Methodist Episcopal Church has month; the telephone, telegraph and radio have had the largest work, conducted in forty-two mis- practically obliterated distance and have united sion areas; the Methodist, South, has worked in the country; the pr'omotion of literacy by the nine of the same areas and Methodist Protestants phonetic method and the increase of general modin three of these fields. Many of the Methodist ern education have set new standards of life and missIon churches are already united where they thought; newspapers and other literature have have work in the same areas. linked China to the outside world and have helped to break down barriers; many foolish and harm-' The first General Conference of the Methodist ful taxes have been abolished and public revenues Church is set for April, 1940. Ecumenical or have been used to meet public need rather than to world-wide Methodism is explained by Bishop fill private purses; before the Japanese invasion Frederick D. Leete as follows: the external credit of China increased with grow- ing export and import trade; mines and other nat- "The purposes of the ecumenical Methodist ural resources have been developed where for- Church are three. One is to catholicize and frater- merly important areas were reserved for burial nalize Methodists everywhere by correspondence, grounds of ancestors; the sta;bilizing of the curvisitation, and world meetings, bringing far-flung rency with a new coinage system and banking reorganizations of the same faith nearer to the fact forms have improved the financial structure of as well as to the concept and ideal of unity. An- the country; the New Life Movement, fostered by other is to encourage and report on the Methodist Generalissimo and Madame Chiang Kai-shek, has mission and its achievements, extending its mu- spread new ideas for public and private life; the tual evangelistic and reformatory movements new leaders in the government have proved themwhich minister to all human needs. The third is selves patriotic,courageous, intelligent, highto assist and advance the total Christian program minded, strong and unselfish-and many of them attempted by all Christian bodies in the name and are Christians. spirit of Christ. All this was being accomplished and was on the "The world alliance of Methodist churches has way for more complete fulfilment when the Japtwo branches. The Western branch represents anese military party (in 1937) undertook to "come the Methodist denominations of the Americas and to the rescue of Chinese," to make their neighbor of the Orient. The Eastern represents Methodist "more friendly," to "put down communism" and bodies of the British Empire in various parts of extend Japanese civilization and control! the world and of the countries of continental Europe." The Japanese have done what a century had not accomplished in unifying China. The unmistak- CHINA'S VICTORIES OF PEACE able evidences of Christianity, as seen in the lives of the Christian missionaries, have abolished the The progress made in great slow-moving, con- anti-Christian spirit in China. servative China since the founding of the Republic in 1911, is unparalleled in history. This is espe- The judgment of many intelligent observers is cially remarkable when we consider the immense that China today, in the midst of her tribulations, extent of the territory (ten times the size of Japan offers the greatest opportunity for Christian adproper); the huge population (over ten times vance anywhere in the world, while Japan is probthat of the British Isles); the former lack of ably one of the most difficult fields for sowing and political, linguistic and cultural unity in its eight- reaping spiritual harvests. The reasons are not een provinces; the scarcity of newspapers, rail- hard to discover. The Chinese realize more and roads and other means of communication; the more the uncertainty of this life and the passing prevalence of graft among officials and the pov- values of material possessions. In their distress erty of the masses. All this and more was true and extremity they turn to God, as their only hope. thirty years ago. He is manifested to them in the lives and sacrifi- cial service of missionaries and Chinese followers Since the Boxer Rebellion, and especially in the of Christ. God is proving to be a very present past fifteen years, new China has become united help in trouble and Jesus Christ is a true friend under one central government; graft has been dis- and Saviour. The Chinese leaders also set an explaced by patriotism; warlords and bandits have ample of Christian faith and courage that appeals given place to intelligent and trained officials and to the people. Idols and false gods are recognized an organized national army; economic reconstruc- as powerless. The one hope for humanity is in tion has made great strides; railroads and good the one True God, as revealed in Christ; the God highways have been built across the country link- of love, of righteousness and of power. ing all important cities; motor bus service has taken the place of "the wheelbarrow and mule-lit- The Japanese on the other hand are turning ter i public airplane lines have been extendedl mak-
more to temporal power, and put their faith and is the convincing evidence of the Living Christ as hope in material things, in armaments and armies, the Saviour of men. in stern discipline and a human program. Their national leaders turn back to the Sun Goddess, to Spirit-filled missionaries in every land agree in national heroes, to Shinto Shrines and emperor their testimony that, while methods of missionary worship. National ambition, laws and standards work may vary in different lands and under diftake precedence over the eternal laws of God and fering conditions, the one essential is a true pres- .His standards of truth, righteousness and love as entation of Christ by consecrated witness. revealed in Jesus Christ. VELLORE MEDICAL COLLEGE, INDIA WITNESSING TO PILGRIMS IN INDIA Dr. William Decker, a Baptist missionary, formerly in China, who has recently sej:!n the VeI- In India, says Dr. E. Stanley Jones, a time of lore Medical School in action, reports: a greater Christian harvest seems to be coming. "I saw Dr. Ida Scudder's hospital, the indus- Old superstitions and prejudices are gradually trial work, as well as a new departure in agricul- breaking down, and thinking Indians are more tural missions which is a most promising venture.
and more seeking truth and liberty, such as can Perhaps .outstanding, however, was two or three be found only in Christ. On the other hand, na- hours with a roadside medical unit doing dispen- tional ambition, economic needs, and intellectual sary work, and making injections for leprosy- contacts with other nations, lead many to empha- from an ambulance drawn up at the roadside." size political power, materialism, and skepticism. The Christians in India are awake to the situa- Dr. Scudder and her staff have treated as many tion and are emphasizing evangelism, not only as a thousand lepers in one day in these roadside among depressed classes, but among pilgrims, clinics. VeIlore combines a medical college, a students and caste Hindus. nurses training school, and X-ray and radium de- partment, an out-patient clinic, four roadside clin- A special retreat and conference, held at Be- ics and Gudiyattam Hospital; a maternity hospinares, in April, brought together Christian work- tal, a children's hospital, and an operating theater. ers from different centers to consider work among The hospital has 250 beds. All these are operated Hindu pilgrims, Sadhus and Sanyasies. The on annual gifts of about $48,000, .of which Amerievangelists came from Puri, where the temple of ca contributes $25,000. Does any institution in Janannath draws thousands of pilgrims to wor- the United States operate as many departmentsship; from Calcutta, Patna, Behar, Ayodhya medical, surgery, pathology, bacteriology, anat- (birthplace of Sita and Ram) and from !tarsi, omy, biology, eye, ear, nose and throat, maternity, Muttra, Brindaban and Benares. These repre- ante-natal clinic and gynecology-treating in one sentatives met for prayer and conference and to year 3,398 in-patients, 44,484 out-patients, 20,060 report on methods and results in their work. An roadside patients. and 1,321 in the maternity ward organization was formed to promote work among -at such a small expense? the pilgrims. Jesus Christ, where faithfully presented by teaching and life, appeals strongly to The decree has now gone forth that, by 1942 Hindus, even if they are not ready to break away at the latest, the school must be raised to a college from their old religions. The following points standard of M. B. B. S. which is equivalent to an were emphasized in the discussions: American M.D. That will require an endowment of $700,000 to support ten more doctors, and pro- 1. Hinduism should be studied so as to develop vide for medical research, public health work and understanding and to equip the messenger to medicine; also $300,000 is needed for extra buildpreach the Gospel. ings and equipment. Here is a great oPP.ortunity 2. The truth and sufficiency of Christ and His to strengthen this great interden.ominati.onal hos- teaching should be stressed and exemplified more pital, medical college and nurses training school than the weakness and deficiencies of Hinduism. in South India.
A "full and positive Gospel of the Living Christ" *** is the need of the hour. Dr. Scudder expects to be in America next year, after 3. Only simple, sincere and practical conse- completing her forty years of service in India. The pro- crated Christianity of the apostolic type is effec- gram of Jesus Christ given in the doctor's Gospel (Luke tive to meet the vital needs of Hindus. 4: 22) is being carried out today at Vellore. Dr. Scudder asks Christians to pray that this great work into which 4. Collective witness and cooperative Christian she and other American, British and Indian women have work is necessary to offset the influences of the put their lives, may be continued.
united forces of Hinduism.
5. The guidance and power of the Spirit of God Miss Hilda Olson, of Rockport, Massachusetts, is the American Treasurer of the Veilore Medical College.
Is New in Home Missions?
By the REV. MARK. A. DAWBER, New York Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council How many, many times I have been asked strong centers of support for the Christian cause. this question during the past years, and Others have passed through the settling down now I am requested to write an article on process and, due to the disintegrating forces of the subject! The answer in a word is that there land erosion, land speculation and exploitation, is nothing that is basically new in Home Missions. the people again need missionary aid. To make the Gospel available to the disadvantaged people or to those who, for various reasons, have Many descendants of the early settlers, who not been reached with the ministry of the Church, became farm tenants in the agricultural depresis still the primary task of the Home Missions sion immediately following the World War, are now being displaced by the all-purpose tractor enterprise. and large-scale agriculture. An outstanding illus- But in another sense, everything is new. The tration is that of a Mississippi Delta planter who question raised is symbolic of the age in which formerly had 160 tenant farmers. He purchased we live; it anticipates change, it suggests that the 22 tractors and now he needs to employ only 30 thinking person is conscious that something is families to work by the day. happening to human life in America, and that new demands are being made upon institutions, such Family Life and Migrant Workers as Home Missions, that· are engaged in the task of ministering to people who, because of chang- Thousands of American families must now ing situations, are unable to support a church, or travel to find employment. The family continues who are no longer accessible to the religious min- to sleep as a unit, to consume as a unit, but it no istry of the normal established church in more longer is able to produce wealth as a unit from settled communities. its own property. Because the family has lost this basis of productive property the American Old Americans and Old Frontiers family, as a fundamental natural productive unit, is well-nigh destroyed. Food, clothing and shelter, Home Missions was the child of the frontier. the basic essentials for living and the sources from That thrilling episode of American history that whence they come, are now gathered up into huge records the daring and heroism of the early interlocking hands of incorporated commercial pioneers, who crossed the Rockies and blazed the owners and distributors. With this centralization trail into what was then the American wilderness, and industrialization of food, clothing and shelter, was also the record of the first organized Home the last vestiges of American freedom and security Mission work. This frontier is no longer with us are wiped out. For many of these people there in the sense in which it obtained a hundred years is no available land upon which to build and own ago. There are still geographical frontiers, but better homes; there is no land for the production they are not the challenge to the population move- and consumption at home-the only efficient and ments such as obtained in the days of the early conserving land economy. This is something new Home Mission era. in our American life and brings with it new prob- But the frontier ideal has always dominated the lems for Home Missions. Home Mission enterprise. People seeking new This situation raises some interesting and peropportunities to secure their democratic heritage as American citizens, ever pressing on to what plexing questions. What is happening to this would provide a better opportunity to earn a live- land of opportunity, democracy, freedom and se- curity? What is happening to the millions of lihood, build a home and bring up a family-these acres of homestead land? What is happening to ever made their appeal to the Home Mission this. land where it was once possible for the poor- agencies. est to build homes for their children? Weare A century has passed and many old frontier being reduced to slavish workers in the homes communities have become established centers of and fields that once we owned. This process of culture and religion. They no longer need the dispossession is having a serious effect upon thouministrations of Home Missions but have become sands of American citizens.
[279 ]
Others have accepted a wage in place of owner- of certain types of industry from the North to the ship, a tenant shack for a home, a city street for South, in order to take advantage of cheap labor, a few acres of land; some have substituted the has had an adverse effect on many towns.
faint promise of a quick fortune for a permanent Communities that for years have sustained a home and a family on a few acres that would, self-supporting church with a full-time ministry under careful management, have provided secu- are now obliged to seek aid from their denomina- rity. This transition from the farm family to the tional mission board. The demands now made urban tenement industrialist is creating new upon these agencies are far beyond their ability problems for the church that place a heavy re- or finances; they can help only a small number sponsibility upon Home Mission agencies. of the churches in these areas of recent distress.
There is nothing new to America in a migrant The fact that many members of these churches population. Always we have had them. But our are receiving aid from federal and state relief distinctive migrant groups today present some agencies does not help very much. The conscious- new and difficult problems. ness that they are the recipients of relief has Twenty-five years ago the migrants. were drawn sapped the morale of many of these people, and in the main from a few of the racial groups, par- as a result their religious need is greater than ticularly the Mexicans, Italians and Filipinos. ever. This also is new in Home Missions.
Now the majority of these groups are thedescend- The Southern Highlands ants of the older American families. They are to be found in various sections of the country, but There i~ great danger that the emphasis upon the bulk of this migrant group is on the Pacific the plight of the sharecroppers and the low- Coast. wage industrial workers will overshadow the A ten-year depression, together with droughts equally great needs of other groups, such as the and dust-bowl conditions, has created a new millions who live in the Southern Highlands. The exodus of impoverished farm people who have conditions of the sharecropper, the industrial continued to press their way to the Pacific Coast. worker and the migrant, have been publicized, They have swamped California and are making but not so the Southern Highlanders. Fiction and that state aware of their existence in a way that romance have been written about these people the Mexican and Oriental farm laborers could (and there is much to be written), but the socio- never do. The state is struggling desperately logical story has not been told. The romantic with the problem, seeking to prevent any further story of the Anglo-Saxon rugged mountaineer inroads of these people from Arkansas and Okla- with his quaint language and colonial customs has homa. But this alone doesl not solve the problem. obscured the poverty of the coves, the mountain It is easy for people who are remote from the farms, and the thin soil of the plateaus.
scene of this human tragedy to indulge in moral Drastic changes are taking place among these criticism, but it is not easy for a state, already people. As recently as fifty years ago the High- burdened with relief, to accept a sudden inrush lander with his log cabin, his rifle and his spin- of 100,000 needy people. Driven off the cotton ning wheel was on a par as to standard of living lands by the tractor, driven off the wheat lands with the other pioneers of the prairie cabin, the by the drought and the combine, drawn by the log hut, or sod house. The wooded hillsides fur- strange tide which pulls. the white race westward, nished timber and game. Now the timber is gone the impoverished people have been pouring into and the game with it; also, it should be said, the the West, dogged by disease and hunger, too proud meagre income is gone that was once provided.
to accept charity, willing to work for any wages. The mountaineers have multiplied so that they The result is a condition that calls for action by have been compelled to cultivate the steep moun- the Nation, State and the Church. The Church, tain sides in a desperate effort to make a living.
through the Council of Women for Home Mis- The following summary of conditions will help sions, with very limited finances, is struggling to us to understand the modern needs of these people.
grapple with a herculean task. The size and the (The teachers of some 13,232 children in moun- character of this migrant group present many tain schools supplied the information.) Children new problems for Home Missions. needing clothing, 38%; shoes 32'10; milk 27'10 ; New Distressed Areas soap 42 %; hot lunches 45 %; school supplies 26 %; library books 80 '10. Any consideration of With the coming of new materials, new tech- the changing needs and demands in Home Mis- niques, mass production and the machine, there sions must take cognizance of the Southern High- has developed a new type of distress. Towns and lands. Dr. Odum of the University of North Car- villages, and some cities, have been seriously af- olina has well said that these "retarded frontiers"
fected by the recent innovations of science and will have to pass through several stages of devel- labor-saving devices, Furthermore, the movement opment, not only in improved economic conditions,
WHAT IS NEW IN HOME MISSIONS?
but development as it applies to the human ele- vantaged groups in America during the days of ment. Moreover, we are dealing with a very the "New Deal" administration have also created different type of mountain youth today than we new problems for the home mission agencies. were twenty-five years ago. They too are creating new demands upon State and school and Church. The resettlement projects, like Arthurdale and Cumberland Homesteads, present an opportunity The depression years have also brought great for religious work. Here some 250 families are changes among the people of other countries, reestablished on what amounts to subsistence groups who have anticipated coming to America, levels of living. The people will have little cash and among the immigrants who have come to this with which to support a church, so that the miscountry in recent years. Immediately following sion boards are under pressure to provide a minthe World War a different attitude developed to- istry. This is also true of many of the rehousing ward these foreign countries. No longer was projects in the cities where slum clearance has America to remain the "open door" to the peoples taken place. It is well-nigh impossible to reach of the world. Before the World War, European these people with the established churches in nearimmigration to the United States reached a high by territory. The approach must be made on an peak and as many as 1,285,000 immigrant aliens interdenominational basis, so that agencies like were received in a single year. The revised im- the Home Missions Council have an important migration law of 1921 limited the number of aliens function to perform in arranging the program and coming to this country in a single year to 3'70 of providing a Christian ministry to such commua given nationality already in the country. This nities. reduced the number to 358,000 in a year. In 1924 the immigration act was again revised to limit By its very nature the Church finds these changes more difficult than most other instituthe quotas to 2 '70 of the resident population of tions. It is identified with values that are time- less, and these values are often conceived of as not any nationality, based upon the earlier census of being affected by these matter-of-fact changes in 1890 as against 1920. our human and material universe. Rooted in the past and sanctified by age, the Chur·ch finds It is hardly necessary to say that this restric- change necessarily a painful process. Yet those tion has wide implications for Home Missions. who really love Christ and the Church, and are Add to it the further fact that, in many cases, alive to the facts that confront us in modern life, more of some nationalities were leaving America will gladly sacrifice the outmoded in order that the for their native land than were coming in under Kingdom of God may be advanced. A living the new restrictions, and it is readily seen that the Church is one that will make the adjustment in Home Missions program to these groups would its program and equipment in order to fit it for undergo drastic changes. These adjustments are the ministry to which it is called at a given time. now in process-consolidation of foreign language The home mission agencies are alive to these churches, the assimilation of the second and third changes that are taking place. They are far generation by the English-speaking church, ex- ahead of their general ecclesiastical bodies in their periments with interdenominational work among insight into these problems and in their willingthese groups-these and other movements mark ness to make the necessary adjustments. They the changes that must be made by the mission are hindered only by the lack of morat and finanboards in their ministry to New Americans. cial support.
The various programs of rehabilitation, resettlement and rehousing of depressed and disad- AS PROF. EINSTEIN NOW SEES THE OHUROH "Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the univer- sities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but no, the universities were immediately silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks. Then I looked to the individual writers, who, as literary guides of Germany had written much and often con- cerning the place of freedom in modern life; but they, too, were mute.
"Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing the truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly." ALBERT EINSTEIN; quoted in The Living Church.
Among Ozark
By PAUL A. WOBUS, Manchester, Missouri Director of Mountain Work in the Ozarks "you ought to go to Vichy if you're looking "You ought to go to Short Bend," said a man for a spiritually-neglected place," said a on the road. "No church there at all; virgin ter- friend when he heard that I had been dele- ritory. No opposition-no prejudices."
gated to find an opening in the Ozarks for work I went to all four points-and many others. I to be sponsored by what was then the Evangelical had been asked to select any area where no other Synod. "It seems to be quite a center, judging church was effectively serving. "Of course,"
from the number of people who gather there for added the genial chairman of the committee, "you the Saturday night when the fiddlers sway to need not go all the way down to the Arkansas line.
More than likely you'll find a field nearer to your home on the outskirts of St. Louis."
My observations revealed several typical Ozark church situations.
Vichy is truly a center. It boasts a population of 210, which, in the sparsely settled rural sec- tions of the Ozarks, is not small. I happened to come to this town on a Friday, and found there a large gathering of some kind. Inquiry brought out that the banker was a member of the official board of the church which was still intact. He said that he was interested in having an active church. The town needed it and he would give his support.
"May we use the building for services tomor- row night and Sunday morning?" I asked.
"Why-er-that is, the time is so short. The house needs cleaning up, there is no oil in the lamps, and a window pane is out. And [this was the real hitch] we'd have to see the district super- intendent about it. What denomination did you say you are connected with?"
We were face to face with one of those tragic DIFFICULTIES OF CHURCH GOING IN SHANN'ON COUNTY cases, where a dead organization is an obstacle in the way of any live effort. Cobwebs and dust yield their tunes for the old-time square dances. Dur- readily to an energetic arm ; window panes can ing my two weeks' vacation there I found that the be replaced; but ecclesiastical machinery, always village church has been closed for some time." cumbersome, may block the path to progress. In rural areas this is felt even more than in cities. "You, ought to go to Lesterville," said an Ozarkian. "Yes, I know they have a church there, *** but it does not serve the community. It is practically dead." Lesterville's sole church organization was functioning after a fashion. Of the strict immer- "You ought to go to Antioch," s,aid a druggist sionist type, it had about fifty members, six or in an Ozark county seat. "It's the very place for eight of whom were said to be active. The pasthe work you have in mind. Two churches at tor, a man of more than average ability, came once Antioch, both defunct; one at Gill and a fourth a month from another church 121 miles south, at Stone Hill, in the same state. Unite these four over roads which a decade and a half ago were into one strong church at a logical center. An- none too good. _ tioch is ready for you~the people are tired of It was not difficult to get a good attendance for divisive sectarianism." the monthly services we conducted at Lesterville.
[282 ]
EXPERIENCES AMONG OZARK MOUNTAINEERS
Of much help was a devout Presbyterian, whose and which then is open to anyone and everyone family belonged to the local church, he himself who cares to use it. We had early come to know could not feel at home in its atmosphere of exclu- of several such churches, but they were standing siveness. He dreamed with us of a community idle most of the time for want of an organization church where people of all creeds could worship or a responsible group to make sure of a definite, our common Master, Christ. The postmistress, continuous program of worship, service and study. also a member of the church, rendered friendly Short Bend still does not have a church, but all help. THE' SHANNONDALE COMMUNITY HOUSE Not many months elapsed before the seemingly defunct organization took on a new lease on life. manner of sects have put forth spasmodic efforts Giving them credit for being sincere in their efforts, and consistent with our ideals of a united there. *** Christendom, we slackened our own pace lest we divide the community. When we ceased to be Eminence, a county seat town, is an example aggressive the ardor of the local church rapidly of yet another type of sectarian sniping. At one cooled. time there had been four church organizations- two of them of the immersionist persuasion. After some years of this sort of procedure, the These four used the union church building in a immersionists had thawed out to such a degree peaceful way-one Sunday every month for each. that we withdrew altogether. The local church In time one of the immersionistchurches, and made some gains, increased its active member- one of the other kind, died. The other two were ship, and improved the property, which originally of about equal strength. Voices were raised in had been intended as a community building. We favor of a community church, but we were undid not feel inclined to open a dispute over its pos- able to enter this field. session, but a number of people,among them some of the very best citizens, did not, and perhaps Then there came to the non-immersionist group never will, affiliate with a church of this type. a young minister with a determination to climb. Their dream of a community church is unrealized He won the ecclesiastical approval he courted by because they want to be generous with those of whipping up the enthusiasm of his congregation their friends and neighbors whose church life to the point of erecting their own church building. makes them narrow-minded. There are many His frie.nds predicted that with such "success" to Lestervilles in the Ozarks! his "credit" he would rise high among the clergy of the land. They prophesied that he would be *** called to the pulpit of a large city church. He did not get such a call before he had widened the Rather against our own judgment, but in re- breach in this little Ozark town which now has sponse to a very definite call, we entered the An- two church buildings where one would suffice. tioch-Stone Hill neighborhood. The four churches of that locality belonged to two sects. The natives *** asked us to merge the two of one kind which still had some life in them. The other two seemed The Ozarkian is by nature deeply religious.. He beyond the possibility of revival, even to the is the descendant of a people who not only were preacher who had hastily organized them, yet the well-grounded on the Bible but who reserved for old organization had some adherents whose te- themselves the right to interpret it. Jealously nacity was worthy of a noble cause. guarding their liberty, they freely grant it to others. A relatively small percentage are mem- *** bers of a church and these are scattered among many sects. Our difficulty lies not, with those At Short Bend, where we held a number of services as we were forming contacts throughout this section of the Ozarks, there was no debris of any existing organization to clear away. An obstacle was the cityward exodus on the part of those whose enthusiasm welded the community together. There was also a misconception of the community church.
We had held two services in the schoolhouse at Short Bend and then somebody spoke of building a church. The entire group seemed to fall in line and, being very new in the Ozark work at that time, we hailed this suggestion with delight. Many Ozarkians speak of a union church, meaning one which the entire community helps to build
outside the Church, but with those church mem- agencies trained and equipped for guiding the bers who fail to act like Christians. physical, cultural, social, economic and religious development of the region. We must also remember that overchurching is really underchurching and leads to spiritual de- *** pression. It is easy to effect a new organization and to erect another church building-lumber be- After several years of orientation and reconing cheap. There is a smug satisfaction in cling- noitering we began to concentrate at Stone Hill, ing tenaciously to a creed and in thinking that all Bixby, and in northern Shannon County, Misthat religion means is to defend it with great zeal. souri.
This sectarian zeal has wrought untold havoc in At Stone Hill we did succeed in merging two the Ozarks. As soon as one responsible group decadent churches. Some years later, in response undertakes an adequate ministry, an astonishingly to desire of the people, a community church was large number of self-appointed preachers comes organized. The wounds caused by old-time diforth to complicate the work. "There is a visive sectarianism have by no means been healed; preacher behind .every stump," in the picturesque the preachers of other sects do not always refrain language of an Ozarkian. If somebody would hold from interference with the good work that is be- ing done; but we go on, preaching and teaching AT A COMMUNITY GATHERING IN THE OZARKS the unifying power of Christian love. One handi- cap is. that the denomination which relinquished the preachers in check, we would feel competent the field to us fifteen years ago still owns the to deal with the laity! church building and makes an effort now and then to come back. The Sunday school has gone on Villages and small towns are the worst suffer- uninterruptedly for 61 years. ers from over-churching in the Ozarks. Hamlets and the open country have fewer churches for *** their population. At Bixby we entered a field in which no reli- What is it, then, that we set out to accomplish gious work had ever been done until our native in our ministry to the Ozarks? Briefly this, to Ozarkian evangelist, the Rev. Zenith F. Yount, bring the Gospel of God's redemptive love to all, preached the first sermon there. One month later, regardless of man-made barriers and creedal di- when I accompanied him to Bixby for what I visions. We seek to unite in indigenous churches thought would be the second sermon, a man said those who already profess faith in the Lord Jesus to us, "This will be the third service here. Brother Christ and to win others to Him. We aim to Clark slipped in ahead of you, but the place is minister to those who have hitherto been passed yours anyway by squatter's rights." by, and to lift the natives out of their tendency toward an ingrown religion; we want to give A church was organized after a revival which them a consciousness of and a share in, the com- resulted in a most amazing transformation of munion of saints; we would like to make the what was once known as the toughest little spot Church the institution from which radiate whole- in the Ozarks. The work is going forward in some influences on all of life, by cooperating with spite of occasional inroads by various types of "Holiness groups" who like to meet at just the time of Pastor Yount's bi-monthly appointments. When they asked for the use of the building- which is a remodeled store, purchased from funds raised by the sale of used clothing-a real prob- lem arose. Some of the church members were quick to refuse, while others felt that they should be hospitable. Showers of rain one Sunday set- tled the question-nobody had the heart to turn anyone out. Such revivals stir up great enthu- siasm for the time, but after it dies down our work continues as before. At Bixby the Sunday school carries on under native leadership.
*** In Shannon County, south of Salem, Missouri, we discovered a large area in which no church of any kind was functioning. It is one of the most rugged sections of the Ozarks, with narrow val- leys along the many streams. The population is sparse, and there were but few people to count on at the start. The community lacked cohesion, yet
THE WORLD NEEDS THE CHURCH
a united church came as the natural result of one More and more calls are coming in from other of the greatest revivals ever held in the Ozarks, communities for a united church. The Ozarkian, conducted by Pastor Yount. Since we wanted keen and alert student of life, is giving this type to serve an extensive parish, the welding together his approval. We believe that by helping the of a number of rural school districts, we worked towards the purchase of a tract on the main high- GOING TO CHURCH IN THE OZARK MOUNTAINS way running through the center of the county from north to south, and named it Shannondale. Ozarks to make a contribution to the spirituality In 1932 a community house was built of native of the world, the efforts of the Evangelical and stone. The Rev. Vincent W. Bucher, who had en- Reformed Church are bearing rich fruit. deared himself to the people of this region as a teacher in Vacation Church Schools, became resident pastor of Shannondale in 1934. Last year the thank-offering of the women of the Evangelical and Reformed Church was used for the erection of a modern manse for the Bucher family.
A group of natives, under the guidance of Mr. Bucher, formed the Shannondale Cooperative Association and operate a store in a building they erected on the same tract. A Folk School, held for three weeks. each year, seeks to enrich life. Weekly recreation and play nights, with also some opportunity for study, are very popular. Besides holding church school and services at the center, Mr. Bucher preaches at a number of isolated schoolhouses.
The World Needs the Church The Commentator has this to say about the na- no freedom is secure. Close the Bible, and what tions and the Church: becomes of a free press? Silence the pulpit, and what is left of free speech? Many of us have vague ideas of religion. We care little for creeds and ceremonies. We leave The value of a church to society-the sermons, the churches to the clergy and spend our time else- the sacraments, the music, the missions, the hospiwhere. Some of us, however, have been startled talities and the pastoral services of the clergy beout of our indifference. We are not as sure as we hind the scenes-is to be measured by a twofold used to be that a world without churches is the standard. A church does good: a church preworld in which we want to live. We feel a need, vents evil. Churches remind us of the weak who and wonder whether churches might not meet this are apt to be trampled under foot, of the sufferers need. who yearn for sympathy, of the bereaved who cry out for consolation, of strangers against whom What arouses us is a contrast. In some coun- prejudice is apt to be fomented, of failures in life tries churches are respected. In other countries who want to make a fresh start. . . . churches are humiliated. Whatever may be our beliefs or unbeliefs, we know which kind of coun- Children within a church form friendships .with try we prefer. Millions are eager to enter coun- other children, similarly situated, and are less tries where churches are active. Millions· are liable to drift into the no-man's-land where eager to escape from countries where churches juvenile delinquency is a danger. . . . are suppressed. . . . After three centuries of experience, this nation still believes in churches. They who condemn churches as obsolete, con- They may differ widely from one another in faiths demn themselves. For churches are not only diand forms of worship. But, jointly and severally, vine. They are human. They are what men and they justify their existence. women enable them to be.
In the fight for democracy against dictatorship This Year of Grace, 1939, challenges civilization. throughout the world, churches and synagogues To uphold civilization is the urgent task. It is not are in the forefront of the hottest battle. They wholly a matter for surprise that churches should stand for freedom of conscience without which be appraised afresh as an ally of society in its hour of grave uncertainty.
South's Number One
The Tenant Farmer – Whence and Whither?
-~ I By the REV. ARCHIE C. SMITH, De Queen, Arkansas I)ae– I N THE fertile river valleys of the Southland posses,sed little or no capital, no land and no tools is found some of the best alluvial land in the with which to farm. Legal emancipation was not world. The God of nature has there provided enough to enable him to establish himself on a man with the means of producing abundant har- self-supporting basis. With only his bare hands vests. Yet it is here, in this land of plenW, that and a willingness to work at the only trade he we find conditions which challenge the social, edu- knew, the Negro turned to the planter for employ- cational and religious institutions of North Amer- ment.
ica. For it is here that we encounter the South's On the other hand the planter possessed large number one economic problem, the share-cropper, tracts of land the cultivation of which required a or more correctly the tenant farmer. As Chris- . tremendous amount of manuallahor. Out of their tians focus their attention upon this problem it is mutual need was born the sharecropper system important to look at the underlying causes as well in which the planter agreed to rent a certain as at the results,. number of acres of farm land in return for a Too frequently have the efforts of Christian share of the crop at harvest. The planter also forces proven futile because they have approached supplied a house, seed, garden patch, farm ani- a solution without understanding the economic mals, and money for food during the time of grow- and social background. An historical inquiry as ing and harvesting the crop. This money with to the South's "Number One Problem" shows the interest was charged to the tenant's account and condition of the tenant farmer to be largely de- deducted from his share of the proceeds from the termined by social and economic factors as well sale of the year's harvest.
as by the use of unchristian ethics on the part of Under this arrangement the rent usually re- both the tenant farmer and the landlord. quired half the year's crop. This system has re- The history of the tenant farmer reaches back mained virtually unchanged until today. Its into the early history of the South. The great greatest weakness is that at best it furnishes to tlie waves of settlers who came from the eastern sea- average tenant but a mere living. Any emergency board were of two sorts, the wealthy planter who that may arise from sickness or crop failure will settled on large tracts of land in the river valleys, often throw the tenant in debt so deep that he is and the poorer farmer who settled on the less fer- always in arrears to the landlord.
tile farms in the hills. The romantic pictures of In this way the tenant was virtually bound to plantation life in the South before the War are the land. His only escape has been to go to another not a true graph of its social structure. Every planter, with whom he eventually found himself river bottom plantation operated: with slave labor, in the same predicament. The development of the was matched by numerous dirt farmers who lived industries of the North and East brought an ave- and labored in the hills. nue of escape. .Labor agents came South and The Civil War brought about the emancip~tion thousands of N~ro tenants went with them to of the slave but it wrought little change in the the North, thus es~aping from their debt burdened social structure of the South. ThehiU farmer status in the farm tenant system.
continued his way earning a living' from·n.is few acres. He chose one of his sons as his successor The Hill Farmer's Troubles on the farm and equipped the others for the trades Meanwhile things were happening to the hill or professions. The planter and his former slaves farmer. Unscientific farming led to the erosion succeeded in effecting an adjustment that enabled and the depletion of the fertility of his land. Year the fertile river valleys to continue to produce a after year decreases in his crop yields lowered his major portion of the world's supply of cotton. To status in the economic scale of the South's agri- supplant the old system of slavery a new system cultural system. His tribe was increasing with was evoIved which was to become known as the each generation and, with his decreasing income, sharecropper plan. The N e gr 0 "freed-man" he was finding it impossible to maintain his posi- [286] . tion in the social order. He was no longer able by every trait of temperament and personality to to educate his sons for the trades and professions enter into an economy which called for the closest therefore his already overburdened acres were cooperation between planter and tenant. He re- called on to support even greater numbers. Lack- belled against the close supervision exercised by ing capital to move to more fertile land his only the planter and friction was inevitable.
recourse was to remain on and eke out an exist- Owing to the inherent weakness of the farm ence of a sort. With his economic strength van- tenant system (tenant indebtedness) the worker's ishing he naturally began to deteriorate socially. meager capital was soon exhausted and his eco- The triune ravages of the South, hookworm, ma- nomic existence came to depend wholly upon his laria and pellagra, were exacting their toll from employer. Unfortunately for many tenants this his physical body, leaving him without energy. attitude was none too favorable. Frequently the The one-room public school was doing its best tenant was fractious and the planter soon tired to provide an education but it seldom did more of the strife that was continuously creeping into than to teach him to read and write and lead him their relationships. Since many tenants were to feel that he had all the educational world had unreliable the planter learned to regard them as to offer. His reaction to conditions beyond the a bad economic risk. Under such conditions realm of his understanding grew to be one of planters felt justified in getting rid of them as stupid suspicion. His personality, locked in the soon as possible. They passed from plantation to vaults of superstition and. ignorance, became a plantation until finally no one would have them.
dwarfed and distorted image of his forbears. Thus hundreds of white tenant families found Religious Decadence themselves thrown on their own pitifully inade- quate resources. They usually found some aban- In his religious life we find the same pitiful doned house and eked out an existence as best story of decadence. The clergy were recruited they could, doing odd jobs. Other white tenants from his. own ranks and made the transition from however succeeded in making the adjustment to the laity to the ministry by the simple expedient the system, until the depression made their posiof swapping the plow and the furrow for the Bible tion insecure. and the pulpit. About all this type of ministry has had to offerits. parishioners. is a very narrow A new factor, in the way of farm management, and limited conception of the broad principles of entered the field. Insurance companies were Christianity. The tenant farmer's faith came to forced to take over and operate many plantations consist of an extreme denominational conscious- to protect investments in southern farm lands ness; it was decidedly negative in character, pos- and established corporations. for the purpose of sessing little of the vital qualities of true Chris- carrying on farming operations. These business tianity. As a rule the average minister rose or organizations soon realized the economic weakfell in the estimation of his congregation with his ness of the tenant farmer and the mule and supability to vanquish his denominational foes in an planted them with the tractor and wage hand. ecclesiastical debate. Sometimes these theological Thus many more tenants passed out of the farm tenant system.
arguments grew so tempestuous that the police The Negro Tenant had to be called to enforce the peace. The position of the Negro tenant was also threatened. Tmnsition from the "share" method As generations came and went the stronger to a daily wage was disastrous to both the Negro sons succeeded in escaping from the farm, leav- and white tenant. Neither was able, by training ing the weaker to usher in a new generation a or ability, to manage his own economic affairs. little further down on the social scale. Like his They were forced to establish an entirely new impoverished acres the tenant farmer's character basis of economic existence on a low wage scale. has been depleted in moral, spiritual, intellectual The only time the cultivation of cotton demands and physical strength. The chief characteristic a great deal of manual labor is during the hoeing that remains from his pioneering forbears is a and harvest seasons. But these Negroes simply fierce pride; but unlike his forbears he has little do not possess. the economic sagacity to be able justification in his character for such a pride.
With the planters of the South looking for labor to manage a small seasonal income so that it will to replace Negro tenants who had gone North, cover the needs of an entire year. Thus many came an opportunity for the poor white man to more tenant families were added to the homeless escape from his impoverished land. He therefore and unemployed.
sold his holdings. for whatever they would bring With the arrival of the cotton control program and with this limited capital moved to the planta- many more will be forced into this group. The tions to take the place of the departed Negro. planter has been forced to reduce his acreage This was a terrible mistake. He was ill suited planted to cotton. If he is forced to reduce his
acreage one-third it is only a matter of simple a conference on the problem, but little was accomfractions to make him realize that he can get along plished other than the realization of the immensity with two-thirds of his tenants. Thus the farmless of the difficulty. group is threatened with a large increase in its numbers. Once this primary need has been met the next step must be to establish and carry out a South- There is yet another Damoclesian sword hang- wide program of human rehabilitation which will ing over the head of the hapless farm tenant. restore in the individuals of the farm tenant group The rules under which the government subsidizes the material and spiritual ability to fend for themits soil conservation program require that the selves in the rapidly changing economy of the rent paid the planter for acres planted with soil South. No such program has been formulated, conservation crops shall be shared with the tenant. but a hint as to its character may he found in the Here is an opportunity for the planter to profit success of the various social and educational by exchanging the rent system for the daily wage. agencies laboring in areas inhabited by large num- If he is not renting the land to the farm tenant, bers of tenants. In the regular course of their but merely working him by the day, he will receive duties they have touched the life of the individual the entire subsidy check. In the writer's experi- tenant and have brought about some very encourence he has known of no planters. resorting to this aging results. The Agricultural Extension Servunjust means of augmenting their income, but it ice has brought to the mind of the farmer a knowlis a possibility that must be considered by the edge of scientific farming and to his wife the farm tenant. advantages of agood home and home environment. The Public Health Service is teaching them the The Situation Today rudiments of simple hygiene and the value of diet in health. The displacing of the one-room school As the situation is today the Southern tenant by the consolidated school has wrought a wonderfarmer falls into two classes; the farmless tenant, ful change in the social and educational outlook who in reality is no longer a sharecropper but of their children. The children of the average is generally regarded as such; and the tenant tenant farmer today have a much broader and farmer who has succeeded in remaining in the more intelligent view of life than their parents. "system." It is imperative that the former re- If the more promising of these children could seceive attention at once. One cannot but be cure the advantages of a higher education they shocked at the thought of helpless people sitting could extricate themselves from the toils of the beside the road with no place to go. Here are sharecropping system and in a generation or two step-children of an economy which is rapidly would become normal Americans. As it is they changing and, in its change, can find no place for know that college is for them in the realm of the its unwanted wards. Very little is being done to improbable, if not impossible. With this barren meet the needs of this group. A few have found outlook before them they marry at an early age, refuge in the Farm Security Administration, a start to farming on shares, bring a large family federal agency, which is carrying out a national into the world, go in debt and remain so until program of rural rehabilitation. Others have death settles the account with the landlord. been brave enough to endeavor to homestead lands in the poorly drained swamp areas. They cannot While the work of reclamation, wrought by these hope for much success for they are without cap- social agencies, is merely a dent in the surface, "ital to carry them through the lean years before the success of their limited operations shows that their newly acquired acres can be brought to pro- the Southern tenant farmer is able to make a reduction. If their venture is successful this outlet sponse to efforts in his behalf. will serve only a small proportion of those in need. Some are finding a refuge in the homes of rela- The Christian Aspects tives who have succeeded in retaining their position as tenants on the plantations still using the What are the Christian aspects of the situation? share-cropping system. Unfortunately they are few for little Christianity has been exercised by the principals involved. The most immediate and urgent need in the The religious and moral life of the tenant farmer whole Southern tenant farmer problem is to find is only a dim shadow of the Christ-inspired life. a means of economic existence for those who are Gradually through the generations, the farmer in the army of farmless tenants. Other than the has come to look upon the Bible as containing limited amount of work heing done by the Farm proof texts for his denominational position rather Security Administmtion, and a single project be- than as a rule of faith and life. But the planter ing conducted by a group of socially minded has had many of his generous impulses shattered American Christians, there have been no con- by treachery and unreliability on the part of some structive efforts made toward the remedying of of his tenants. The Christian forces working in this situation of homeless people. One state held their midst have failed to realize that the tenant
THE SOUTH'S NUMBER ONE PROBLEM
farmer needs to. have evidences Qf their mission- farmers find that it is virtually impossible to effect ary interest. any radical change in the outlook of the older gen- eration. The young people, however, readily re- None of the Home Mission authorities of the spond to influences which are brQught to bear on more prominent churches of the South have thus their lives. If they can be reached befQre their far come to look upon the farm tenant group as environment has warped their cQnception of life, one which needs a well planned prQgram Qf mis- they will make as much progress as any group of sionary effort in their behalf. Only here and there average young Americans. in an isolated case does one find such a missionary project. The experience gained from these The promotiQn of a missionary project for a activities teach us that the tenant is not only the community of tenant farmers in southeast Ar- South's number one economic and social pro.blem, kansas has shown the writer that the task of but that this group also represents Southern effecting the spiritual rehabilitation of the tenant Christianity's numberQne spiritual problem. Ef- farmer will be a IQng hard struggle, filled with forts are being made by the State to effect the bitter experiences. The work began in an abaneconomic and social rehabilitation Qf the tenant doned one-room school house. The tenants posfarmer, and it is essential that the Church under- sessed no. means with which to erect a church gird this work with a well-planned program of building and refused to believe that funds CQuid Christian activity. It is 'a tremendous task which be secured. During the period of raising funds will require the wholehearted effort of every home from outside sources, the purchas.ing of materials mission agency in the Church. and the erection of the building, every conceivable obstacle was thrown in the way Qf the project by First of all effeotive work in this field will re- the tenants themselves. The pastor's character quire a ministry that is "wise as serpents and was assailed and his motives questioned at every harmless as doves." Men of ability must be will- turn; it was not until after four years of someing to devote their ministry to. sacrifice on the times heart-breaking service that his ministry altar of Christian service. The minister will be was vindicated in their sight. By the exercising called upon to work with people who will questiQn of patience and understanding, refusing to allow his motives. His every move will be subject to himself the luxury Qf righteous indignation, he scrutiny to. see if there is some flaw in his char- finally won their confidence and the tenant farmacter. In his presence the tenant farmers will ers with their families became loyal friends. express appreciation for his services, but to each When the church building was a reality large other they will be apt to speak of him with SCQrn crowds began to attend the services and the light and will ridicule his ministry. The minister to the of the Gospel was shed over the community. A tenant farmer must be a man of preaching ability. sound program Qf religious education was adopted It is no easy task to preach acceptably to thQse and Christian influences began to be revealed in who require the simplest of thoughts cQuched in daily lives. This work was correlated with the the simplest of language. The peQple instinctively program of the social agencies in the community resent anything they do not understand. and the program of rehabilitation there, today, is well balanced and wholesome. If organized Christianity ever recognizes the challenge presented to. it in the Southern tenant Under the inspiration of this church and its farmer and decides on some prQgram of missiQn- activities, several young men and women, who ary activity, there must be adequate financial had dropped out Qf school, have been induced to backing. In Qrder that his work may have an air resume their high school studies and one young of permanence the missionary must have a build- man is in college today, literally lifting himself by ing in which to. carry out a program of Christian his own efforts toward a higher education. The activity. There is little permanence abo.ut a brush social life has undergone a gradual change. The arbor and an abandoned one-room school house, weekly community dance, which generally ended such as are the abode of itinerant preachers who in a drunken brawl, has disappeared and the gento.o often exploit the peQple rather than render a eral moral tone of the community life has taken religious service. Anyone utilizing such places. as on an entirely different hue. Truly the power of houses of worship is classed in the itinerant group this church is being felt in the economic, social for which the tenant farmer has little respect. If and religious life Qf this community and is pointthe missionary's work is to be at all successful ing the way to higher and nobler conceptiQns. We it must be housed in a respectable building; then believe that some day the social agencies of Amerthe tenant farmer, who is naturally a church ica will find a solution to the social and economic goer, will fill it to capacity. problems of the sharecro.Pper. When that day comes the church in a community will be able A good program of religiQus. educatiQn will en- to lend its help toward making that solution efable the tenant farmer to apply mQral and spir- fective. itual truth to the sQcial and economic prQblems of his life. Those who have labored among tenant
Berea's Work for
Some Impressions Gathered from Revisiting the College After Thirty-five Years r~"- -'1l!;;1====;;o;;B;;o;;Y;;o;;D;;o;;E;;o;;L;;o;;A;;o;;V;;o;;A_N=L;;o;;';;o;;PI;;o;;E;;o;;R;;o;;SO;;o;;N====-=l..I, T HE true value of every factory or institution and in other parts of the nation and in foreign is to be judged by its products. In America lands. A new era has been ushered into the moun- the name of Berea has become synonymous tains of the South by what Berea has taught and with effective, practical Christian education. Here done. At comparatively small expense, the colgood raw material is received in the form of boys lege has shown how to accomplish wonders in and girls from the Southern Mountains and is practical education by new methods of farming shaped into strong, intelligent, useful Christian and stock raising, by courses in home-making, citizens. Many' other schools and colleges are en- nursing and child training, by modern business deavoring to do the same kind of work but most methods, by industries such as baking, weaving, of them with much less evidence of success. They printing, and furniture making. Students not only would like to know Berea's secret in order that help to earn their way by these industries but they they too may achieve as satisfactory results; but are taught the dignity of labor and learn to be exthey are, in too many cases, handicapped by tra- perts in one or more of these lines. Their products dition, by too much money, by indulgent parents, are works of art with high commercial value. or perhaps even by a lack of the highest ideals, Each student is required to payor earn $150.00 and true sacrificial service on the part of faculty a year to cover his or her expenses for room and and trustees. board, but most of them are able to earn a large part of these expenses by work in the industries, One reason why Berea is a truly great institu- on the farm or elsewhere. The results are seen tion is because it is not so handicapped. The col- in the wide-awake, industrious, fine spirited stulege is rather enriched by tradition, by its ideals, by the necessity for economy and hard work, by dent body.
the quality of the student body, and by the char- What are some of the secrets of Berea's success acter and spirit of its faculty and trustees. Berea in making strong, self-reliant men and women out has a high aim and a noble history and seeks to of the comparatively raw, untrained and underbe true to them today. This unique college, which privileged boys and girls of the mountains?
has today 1700 students, has grown out of a dis- First. Berea gives hope to the students. Many trict school, with a very few pupils, which was of them come from homes where poverty has opened at Berea, Kentucky, by John G. Fee in brought discouragement, where the "upright" 1855. mountain farms offer little possibility for earning a livelihood to support a growing family of chil- The equipment has grown from a small frame building unm it now.comprises a large and beau- dren; where poor roads and lack of schools give tiful campus and forest of 6,284 acres and little opportunity for economic or intellectual rriany fine buildings with all the necessary equip- progress; where churches cannot support a ment for physical, industrial, intellectual and spir- trained minister. Berea teaches these boys and itual education. In the early days Berea sought girls to look forward not back; to be dissatisfied to promote understanding between the white and with past achievements and with things as they Negro races by co-education, but when the Ken- are; to look ahead hopefully to something better tucky Legislature made this illegal, the college -in education, in the economic situation, in Christurned its attention wholly to the neglected and tian service, and in life as a whole. They learn underprivileged mountaineers of the South. Now to look forward to something better than the old 90 per cent of the students must be from the cabins such as are common in the mountains and mountains; no more than 10 per cent can be re- are inspired and taught to build new homes that ceived from outside this region, although many cost little; they learn how to make these attractive apply. The product of Berea has made the college and clean through the science of home-making. famous., for many of its former students have be- Berea students are given a vision of life that is come honored teachers, lawyers, physicians, truly worth living here and that looks forward to Christian preachers, legislators, business men and the Life beyond. home-makers in their own mountain communities Second. Berea gives its students courage and [290 ] inspires them with ambition and energy to do the strictly "cultural" work, is the labor system, a seemingly impossible. They are taught never to be discouraged by handicaps; not to complain be- dominant emphasis of the institution. Each dorcause of what they lack but to use thankfully and effectively what they have. They are taught never mitory student labors ten hours a week or more to accept defeat in any ambition that is high and useful and to realize that nothing good is impos- and for this he is paid in labor credits which are sible to those who have faith, courage and perseverance. There are multitudes of examples in available toward the payment of college bills. The Berea's history from the days of John G. Fee to those of William J. Hutchins. purpose of the labor system is to make it possible Third. Berea teaches its students the value for a student who otherwise would not be able to and joy of unselfish service. They are not encouraged to come to Berea merely for what they can procure an adequate education to win the special do for themselves but because there they can prepare better to serve their fellow men. This is the advantages of Berea. In no one of our campus spirit of the college from the president down to the first year student-and it makes them unusu- schools do we charge tuition. ally cheerful and attractive. Ability to earn money, or to achieve fame of personal comfort, is A student may labor in the dairy, on the farm, not the goal set before them; it is the ideal of making their homes, their community and the in the garden, in the broom industry, in the bakworld a better place in which to live. It is the same ambition that actuated Sir Wilfred Grenfell ery, in the laundry, in the heat and power plant, of Labrador and Dwight L. Moody of Northfield in their life service. Godlike love is the ideal and in the several weaving industries, in some janitor motive that sets the standard of service. service, in Boone Tavern, in one of the offices of Fourth. Berea teaches its students to look to God their Heavenly Father for power to attain the institution. Work for which a student receives these ideals. Youth must not only look forward hopefully and within courageously as they take educational credit, yields him no money; labor stock of their assets, but they must look around lovingly to meet the needs of others and they must which yields him financial credit, gives him no edlook up to receive the guidance and strength of God. Berea is assured that this higher source of ucational credit. Much of the labor is highly eduhelp is provided in Jesus Christ and the Bible. Students are not expected to fight the battle of life cational. A student janitor in one of our buildalone. Prayer, Bible study, church services and student organizations are used to promote spir- ings, a man recently from the mountains, reitual life. These growing young people learn what many great men and women have learned-that marked the other day, "Me and cobwebs are not true success is attained by putting God first and others second; and that putting self first and God congenial any more." No registrar's card can second courts failure. capture that type of education; but that is edu- *** cation. . As President Hutchins Looks at Berea Some years ago we, at Berea College, sponsored (Excerpts from an address by President William J. Hutchins, given before the Rural Life As- a County Achievement contest. This contest, sociation of Lexington, Kentucky, and printed in their periodical.) originating in the mind of our one time secretary, Berea College is now eighty-four years old. Mr. Marshall Vaughn, which may be tried in vari- Many efforts have been made to label or to classify Berea. It teaches cultural subjects, but ous sections. Judge Bingham offered $5,000 in it is not a "cultural" school; it teaches agriculture, but it is not an "agricultural" school; it prizes, to be divided between the two counties teaches the industries, but it is not an "industrial" school. which should win the largest number of points in Quite separate, whether from the vocational or a County Contest. Nine counties participated. If any man in a county put screens on his house, built a toilet, or painted his house; if any man cooperated in mending the steps of the church house, or in painting a schoolhouse, he did not win a prize himself, but he helped his county win a prize. The friendly emulation of mountain counties in a revamping, redeeming enterprise means a great advance. A man who has once caught a vision of his county with decent roads, and schools, and churches, and toilets, a man who has worked with fellow citizens for a Cause, is not going to be satisfied with shrubbiness and squalor and walrus-like isolation. The County Achievement Contest proved that there are forces in our mountain communities that lead our people toward a high and holy civilization.
A second emphasis of Berea College is the Home. We rest in the belief long ago expressed by Francis Peabody that "the home holds the key to the salvation of the state."
We went into the mountains and found a typical house of the poorer sort; it had no windows in the sides or in the lean-to; it had no foundations.; the hens and hogs of earth, and the winds of heav- en, could find their way beneath it. This house we bought, took down, and moved in sections so
that we could place it in a quiet but central site and women, in a health program, supervised by upon our campus. Next to this house we erected, with the aid of our own construction department, Dr. Joel E. Goldthwait, of Boston. and under the guidance of our Home Economics Department, a "contrast house," the material cost- Each autumn twenty or twenty-five doctors, exing us only $650. The result is a house into which I should be proud to have anyone of our alumni amine our students ; after the examination a sillive with his bride. Within a little mo~e than a year we sold more than eighty-five blueprints of houette is taken of each student. A girl looks at this house. her silhouette and says: "That isn't my picture, Aside from the class and laboratory work done in our Home Economics building, there are five is it ?" "Yes., that's your photograph." As a recountry or "practice homes." In each of these is an expert teacher of Home Economics, who lives sult the girl changes her posture almost as quickly with her girls, eats with them three times a day, guides them as they fashion their menus and their as she changes the way she dresses her hair. Thus meals, as they keep their food expenses within two dollars and sixty-five cents, a week for each a better physical breed of men and women are goperson. In one of these country homes is a baby. ing back into the mountains, whence 90 % of our I had supposed that the girls would kill the baby with love, but I learned better. One day a visitor 2,QOO students come. from Boone Tavern came to see the baby. It was at a time of influenza. A modest mountain girl A fourth emphasis .at Berea is the Ancient came to the door, and asked the visitor, "Have you a cold?" "No." "Then I will see if the baby Simplidties and the Fine Arts. Some students is asleep." In other words, if you haven't had a cold, and if the baby is not as,leep, then you may have not money enough to pay for stamps to send see the baby. That is education. letters home. We are doing our best to inculcate *** a democracy which makes it possible for the boy, There is a new and strange shop on the Berea campus. A man ninety years old, but shrewd and who on Sunday presses his blue jeans, to go to keen, came to tell me of the futility of a college education. He said that college men broke down church and not be embarrassed by the boy next to in the time of depression; that a college man did not know even how to change a fuse in his own him, with white collar and better clothes. At the house if he used electricity. He went on to say that every American ought to be able to till his same time there is emphasis on the Fine Arts. own ground, and to build his own house. Finally he gave us money enough to pay for the part sal- Music and art, we insist, are not the monoply of ary of a high class "Jack of all Trades,," and to build a shop, in which five girls this past year the financially elect. "All of God's, chillen have made their own looms, and in which an average of 150 boys worked each week. Here the boys may wings." Through the window of our "House of study the framing of a house, the wiring of a house, the plumbing of a house, and so on. the People," we seek to prove to our students that The Council on Economic Conditions of the the mountains are beautiful, and that mountain South report that 4,000,000 Southern families should be rehoused. This is one-half of all the life is potentially beautiful. families in the South. And yet, "The home holds the key to the salvation of the state." The fifth emphasis of Berea is religion. While A third emphasis of Berea College is health. we grant that there is no such thing as compUlsory We have a hospital with fifty beds and a contagious ward with 75 beds. Four doctors, two religion, we insist that our students shall be exdentists, four trained nurses, a dietitian and a technician are members of the staff. On the posed to the noblest thoughts which men have ground at one time we have 'approximately fifty student nurses. All join with the Department of cherished, whether they be thoughts concerning Physical Edu~atio;n, with its gymnasia for me)). mathematics, political science or religion.
We do our best to build a golden bridge by which a student may pass. from an impossible theology, and an erroneous Biblical interpretation, to thoughts and convictions about God and Christ which will enable him to fight fearlessly and win in the arena of modern life.
We do not expect our mountain people to be rich, nor shall we lightly endure their hideous destitution. If we Americans have a modicum of communal character and good will, such destitu- tion is absolutely needless.
We who serve the mountains are trying to teach the boys and girls that they can play without per- verting the most sacred instincts of mankind, that they can hear the golden trumpets sound while great sacrifices are being offered; that they may live a life of external hardship, and at the same time find their way, straight and clean, to the per- renial sources of joy which are not destroyed by the ravages of time and circumstance. We are trying to teach the boys and girls how to take their share, their full share, in the economic and spir- itual redemption of the South and in the cosmic redemption of which the great dreamers have dreamed and for which the prophets and apostle.$ .and martyrs h.ave died. . . –
A Challenge for Advance in
–<!III By REV. W. A. ROSS, D.O. Ill>- C APTAIN JIMENEZ, an officer iIi the med- have ministered in the Name of Christ to the sick, ical department of the aviation corps of the has completely changed the attitude of the people Mexican Government, a Protestant and one toward Protestant work. The schools during the of my former students, was remarking on the years they were being carried on, created a friend- tendency in the government toward a more lib- liness and called forth cordial support and elicited eral attitude to religion and a more· spiritual warm praise from all classes of the people.
philosophy. This tendency is more marked in A Nation in the Making some sections than in others. It is a challenge to the evangelical forces to take advantage of the if Mexico prides herself on being one toofbtehgeinfirtsht~ present situation, and at the same time a call from not the first, of the modern States Christ to present His claims upon all. The times and conditions are favorable. struggle for a larger freedom, and that was less We do not mean that all is friendliness toward than thirty years ago. As a nation that is being the Gospel, or that there are no forces of evil, no radical elements opposed to religion, no hearts in made over, she is very young. The people are Mexico that have no room for Christ. We refer to conditions in general. formulating new policies, they are working out At the Congress of the American Republics· in new systems of statecraft, they are facing the Peru, the dominant note was friendliness. The "good neighbor" policy is bearing fruit. It is in edcaownonm. I.CT, hseoyciaarle avnedrycusletnusriatlivecotnoditthioenspoolifticthale' this atmosphere we are working in Mexico but there come at times breaks in the friendly trend. present-day neighborhood world and are receiving Three or four years ago the church in Cuerna- ideas and patterns of behavior which are stirring vaca was closed for some months and the State government was making plans t~ take it as a cul- and moulding the minds and confusing or directtural center. It was saved, and in recent years we have not been in the least molested. Later ing the thoughts of multitudes. These new curthere was a heavy tax put on all ministers of religion. In some cases it amounted to more than rents are uprooting the foundations of their forhalf the salary. That also has been removed, and the ministers go about their duties as freely and mer simpler life, are affecting not only the outer openly and actively as in the United States. In another capital city about four years ago the forms, but also the inner contents and are shaplargest Protestant church was taken over by a semi-official labor group and used as headquarters ing the framework of a new civilization. until recently when it was turned back to the people for religious services. There is a tenacity in the old conditions and The liberal elements have always been favor- conceptions of life which do not yield easily, and able to the Protestant cause. Juarez said eighty years ago: "We need the Protestants in Mexico." there is much that should not yield, but no one And liberal-minded men of affairs in all walks of life have often expressed similar sentiments. can deny that this new structure moves with irre- Their knowledge of history teaches them that in countries where the Protestant faith predominates sistible force. The danger is that the good will there is liberty, progress, and a larger degree of happiness. There is also the missionary work go with the bad, and that sinister elements will that is being done before their own eyes. The work of the hospitals where the doctors and nurses come in. There is danger that, as they are pro- gressing through outer forms and organizations and are mastering the material, they wil not learn self-mastery or will not give a place for God who controls and masters life.
Here is the opportunity for the Evangelicals.
Just at a time when a nation is casting off the old faith there is the opportunity to press· the claims of the new; when hearts are open to the new it is a challenge to present Christ whose coming makes all things new.
A good number of those who have pretended to be the saviors of the people and guardians of their interests during the years of revolution have been selfish and unscrupulous men. This accompanies all revolutionary movements. We must also re- member that the efforts made to uplift the masses of the people take the form of material uplift.
• Reprinted from The Christian Ol1'8erver. This is needed and when rightly and wisely [293 ]
guided has its value; we can rejoice in everything The Religious Qualities of the Mexican People that is done to help in any way. The Mexican people are breaking away from But during the whole of the revolutionary pe- the dominant religion of the country, but this does not mean that they are irreligious or are losing riod there have been men and women who not their inherent religious qualities. Jose Vascononly have given themselves unselfishly for the selos, one-time Secretary of Education, speaking material welfare, but also have sought to bring to for his own people said: "We are Indian blood the masses larger cultural opportunities in the and soul; the language and civilization are Spanthings of the mind and the heart. There have ish"; and the Indian is by nature religious. His been enough of these to give continuity to the religion as a pagan before the conquest with its movement and under their leadership it has gone priesthood, its religious communities, its penances forward. and a host of deities, was the center of his life. His religion as a Roman Catholic, with its very Twenty-five years ago some of the men at the similar priesthood, with its pilgrimages and the head of the then very young revolutionary party attendant community life, its penances, its muloutlined. their plans for making available to titude of images and saints, was until recently, the masses a larger portion of the resources and and still is for many, the center of life. Those products of the country, for the education of all who have come into the Protestant faith with its the people and for the enlargement of their intel- ministry, sacraments and ordinances of New Teslectual and spiritual outlook on life. As we have tament type, with its fellowship with Christ and watched the progress throughout the years, in with those who love Him, with its repentance spite of many things to oppose and many un- from sin and pardon in Christ, with the free acworthy elements which have crept in, we have cess of all believers to God our Father through the observed that they have, generally speaking, held merits of His Son our Saviour, find joy and peace true to these ideals. At the heart of their pro- in this life of faith. grams there has been an earnest desire to help the people and to lift them up. With some, as in the There are many inherent qualities in the Mexcase of President Cardenas, it is a life passion. ican people, brought in through the Indian strain There are now, and have been from the beginning, and fostered by the dominance of the Roman Cathmen of like mind. One young thirty-five-year-old olic faith for centuries, which when captured by governor put on a vigorous anti-alcoholic cam- Christ go to make up well-rounded Christian charpaign, and is giving especial attention to the edu- acters. Their patient and sympathetic natures cation of all children of school age. when touched by Christ become genuine Chris- tian virtues. Their fidelity and endurance, re- This earnest desire on the part of the present vealed in the hundreds who have died rather than rulers to help the submerged of Mexico may help deny their faith, are qualities. which add much to us to understand better some of their acts. In the the building up of stability in the family, church, exchange of notes between our State Department community and national life. Their mysticism at Washington and the Foreign Relations Depart- and contemplativeness have full playas they mediment of Mexico, Secretary Hull called attention to tate on Christ in the night watches. Their social the apparent, if not real, weakening of a sense of nature and spirit of comradeship, when the Spirit moral obligations. One cannot justify a break- of God purifies. and elevates, make the communion down in national honor and a weakening of a of the saints a high privilege. ~ense of national obligations, but one can find perhaps an explanation for some of the things. done Much of the old order is going and the new by the Mexican Government in the passion of the philosophies of life, the economic and social theleaders for the sharing of the masses of the people ories which have all the characteristics of religion in the resources and products of the country. along with nationalism, also elevated to a religious passion, are seeking entrance into Mexico. Many in the Government, from President Cardenas down, have indicated their appreciation of a feeling of obligation to the Protestant cause for what they are doing and have looked upon them Here again lies the peril for Mexico; here again in many cases as allies. We were one day discuss- lies the opportunity for the Evangelical Church.
ing with the Under-Secretary of Education the The Church itself must recapture the vision that rural school system and the plan of the Govern- God in Christ meant the Christian community to ment for the training of rural teachers. Mr. be a fellowship of believers, rooted in God and Saenz said that they could give the intellectual, His divine redemptive order and therefore com- technical and practical training to the teachers, mitted to the service and salvation of the world.
but that when they were sent out to the rural Then going out in His Name the Church must communities to teach, too many of them broke capture for Christ those religious qualities in the morally, adding that here is a great field of serv- Mexican people which make them His joyous and ice for the Protestant Church. consecrated servants.
Frontiers in Home
By the REV. EDWARD DELOR KOHLSTEDT, D.D., Philadelphia Executive Secretary of the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension, Methodist Episcopal Church BASIC backgrounds and ideals are fateful States on April 30, 1789, George Washington was factors in the unfolding life and destiny of visited by a special delegation from the recently men and nations. Material and moral as- organized Methodist Episcopal Church (Baltisets, undergirded by a consciousness of the real- more Christmas Conference, 1784), the first in ity of spiritual values, determine the character the history o.f our country to bestow an official and quality of their economic, civic and social blessing upon the Chief Executive and other adactivities. No nation can hope to endure the tests ministrative officers of America's infant republic. of time without at least three imperatives to per- On October 3, 1789, President George Washingpetuity: an adequate fo.undation of race; a high ton's first national Thanksgiving Day Proclamastandard of private and public morals; and a tion pledged this nation's gratitude and loyalty to spirit of fidelity <to tested and well-established in- God: "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge stitutions. the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to Expanding Frontiers implore His protection and favor." The coin of the realm still bears this suggestive inscription: The geographical growth of the United States 'Tn God we trust." of America constitutes an amazing chapter in the story of nations. Our early American colonies American missionary history stirs the souls of only fringed the Atlantic seaboard. When this those who trace the trails and sense the spirit of New World Republic was launched upon its no- the hardy pioneers. and heroic "circuit riders," table career in 1789, the Mis<sissippi River had patriots and preachers, whose joint services to become its western boundary. Later a sixty-year God and country were so effective during the series of rapidly receding western frontiers es- formative period of our national life. The most tablished the territorial unity o.f the United States substantial achievements which have blessed this between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf world were conceived in the hearts and fostered of Mexico. and Dominion of Canada. The years by the faith of missionary-minded men and 1867 and 1898, respectively, witnessed the pur- women. We are indebted to their initiative, darchase of Alaska and the voluntary annexation of ing and self-sacrifice for humanity's material, Hawaii. Sho.rtly after, acquisitio.n of the Philip- social and spiritual progress. Challenged by the pines, Puerto Rico, a number of other islands that spirit of adventure, stimulated by the desire to dot the seas, and a permanent lease on the serve, and responsive to an inner spiritual urge, Panama Canal Zone completed the composite area they were able, out of a forbidding wilderness which embraces Uncle Sam's present political hitherto untrod by the feet of white men, to wrest domain. a civilization that was dominated by a Christian Our governmental superstructure rests upon purpose. A dynamic conscience characterized the foundations furnished by organized Christianity. colonization of America. The United States is The first representative assembly in this Western "a nation that was born Christian." Hemisphere was housed in a Christian church at old Jamestown, Virginia, where a monument now Is America Becoming Pagan? marks that historic spot. When the Plymouth What has happened during the century and a colonists were threatened with starvation, the . half of our national life, so startling in its impli- day designated for fasting and prayer was sud- cations that a level-headed leader and seasoned denly transformed into a time of feasting and re- Christian statesman like William Adams Brown joicing, hence Governor William Bradford pro- is prompted to voice the fear that "America is acclaimed the observance of America's first general tually in danger of becoming progressively pa- Thanksgiving Day on February 22, 1631. At his gan"? Constantly changing conditions, shifting first inauguration as President of the United economic and social situations; the influx of mil- [295 ]
lions of people from all parts of the world, with prime importance of personal salvation should not their own continental traditions, prejudices and be content with anything short of collective comracial animosities; the propagation of pagan fort as well as individual security. The spectacle philosophies of life; and the development of crime of absurd extremes between plenty and poverty, cultures of appalling proportions – these all surfeit and starvation in the richest country on threaten the foundations of our governmental earth, is an anomaly which has no place in a prosuperstructure and tax the resources of Chris- fessedly Christian commonwealth. This must be tianity. America's slump in ethical ideals is evi- corrected and its recurrence made impossible or denced by: the unsavory -revelations of our the manhood of tomorrow may curse the present United States Senate Committee hearings, in the generation for its stupidity. Significant trends in field of finance; the subtle trickery of dress-suit the current life of our day challenge the Church racketeers as well as the brazen effrontery of of Christ to arouse itself; to enlarge its vision, machine-gun gangsters; the perversion of public expand its horizon, revamp its program, and reoffice to propaganda methods that clash with the fire the zeal of evangelical Christianity so genuine principles of constructive statesmanship; strangely tempted, during these fateful days, to exploitation of the masses, for the sake of a selfish yield to the spirit of smug complacency and a surplus and the satisfaction of corporate greed; false sense of security. As Dr. H. E. Woolever rancor-breeding racial discriminations, that coun- wisely insists, "The Church of Christ must press tenance economic and social inj ustice. These and her spiritual ideals more effectively to the fore in kindred developments. undermine sacred institu- legislative halls and public life, or the increasing tions, hinder human welfare, and challenge the forces of greed and materialism will smother the Christian constituency of this country with a far economic and social rights of the masses." In more intricate and exacting task than that of our this or any other country, human happiness and pioneer fathers. national welfare can become a full reality only when those entrusted with governmental and so- An unwholesome industrial and social system cial responsibilities. are dominated by spiritual that breeds iniquities and haI1dships; ignores ra- incentives; when our national superstructure is cial discriminations and persecutions; tolerates buttressed by the fundamental doctrines of Chrisslum and dumping-ground residence areas; bar- tianity: the Fatherhood of God; the Saviourhood ters with beer barons and liquor lords for the of Christ; the Brotherhood of Man; the infinite privileges of physical and moral debauchery; value of human life, regardless of racial antecedwinks at broadcasts and cinemas that deliberately ents or backgrounds. distort ideals and magnify the worst features of American life, at home and abroad; and cheapens The Social Creed of the Churches, endorsed by itself by acknowledging the validity of alien di- the Home Missions Council and the Federal Counvorce laws that ridicule the sanctity of marriage cil of the Churches of Christ in America (to which and disrupt home life – these conditions deeply nearly all of our major Christian communions susconcern an awakened national conscience. The tain constituent relationships) embraces the follargest military budget in the history of the lowing clearly defined declarations: United States; crime and relief bills that require many billions to finance; fifty per cent of our (1) Equal rights and justice for all men, in population and a minimum of 15,000,000 of our all stations of life. children and young people under twenty-five years of age unrelated to the Church of Christ so that (2) Family protection by the single standard even a United States Senator voices the plea, of purity, regulation of marriage, and proper "Save the youth of the land or America is lost"- housing. all these stir our souls; indifference or silence on the part of Christian leaders would be treason to (3) Adequate physical and moral safeguards both the Cross and the Flag. for women toilers.
Social and Religious Frontiers (4) An unhampered development opportunity for every child, and the abolition of child labor. The totality of human welfare is Christianity's central concern. In the technical sense, geograph- (5) The right of employees and employers ical frontiers gradually fade from the national alike to organize, adequate means of arbitration scene, but modern home missionary agencies. must and conciliation during industdal disputes. reckon with functional frontiers of even greater urgency. In America, as elsewhere, vast areas (6) Application of Christian principles to the of under-privileged rural and urban life demand acquisition and use of property. conscientious com'l,ideration and action on the part of both Church and State. A passion for the Calvin Coolidge well said: "I do not know of any adequate support for our form of government, except that which comes from religion. The mere sharpening of the wits, the bare training of the intellect, the naked acquisition of science, while they greatly increase the power for good, likewise
NEW FRONTIERS IN HOME MISSIONS
increase the power for eviL Intellectual growth, service calls for a sound sociological basis for unaccompanied by moral and spiritual growth, missionary method and procedure, buttressed by will only add to our confusion." a valid humanitarian as well as genuine evange- Bishop Edwin Holt Hughes of the Methodist listic urge. A composite task requires, a composite Church emphasizes individual and social gospel program.
mutualities, as follows: The major task of Home Missions has always Any contest between the two seems to be a quarrel be- been to meet the demands of expanding geographtween the inner and outer life. Despite its individualistic ical and functional frontiers, with their changing emphases, the Wesleyan movement made most efficient economic and social situations; to aid in the esbeginnings in social reforms that later shone so beauti- tablishment of churches and the maintenance of fully in the expressions of Christian life. Wesley met missionaries; to explore and seek the solution of the standards of his own social gospel, did not dwell in community problems. that have been created by elegance, shared all he had, died poor. While the Church exploitation, poverty, ignorance, intolerance, dishas not usually protested where the main question de- manded economic expertness rather than moral judgment, ease and death. Modern Home Missions must she has spoken with boldness on starvation wages, child reckon with the basic needs of human hearts and labor, the liquor problem, the gambling evil, personal minister to those who, menaced by fOI'ces which purity, divorce, etc. Earnest men who plead that Christ are destructive to all that makes life worth while, is the ruler of the market place, that His spirit and prin- ciples should be applied to industrial life, should not be find their unaided strength unequal to the strugclassified as Soviets, Socialists or Communists. This whole gle for moral and spiritual victory. It is not task of creating a redeemed society calls for both regen- enough to tarry at the foot of the precipice, waiteration and education. ing with stretchers to catch the falling victims of sin and selfishness; Home Missions must major The CUn'ent Challenge Modern social situations in the United States in preventive rather than curative policies and of America, neware:as of activity created by programs in order to lift the whole of life to changing conditions and modified modes of living, loftier levels.
must be met and served by Home Missions with America's Salvation an adequate program adapted to the demands of these times. It is 'a far cry from the comparative Freedom of worship, lawful liberty, equality of simplicity of pioneer life to the confusing com- economic and social opportunity, and the sacredplexities of America's twentieth-century commu- ness of personality were the objectives of the Pilnities; from the program of a missionary move- grim Fathers who laid the foundations of this ment across expanding geographical frontiers, to New WorId Republic. Their ideals were crystalthe intricate and intensive task of providing an lized in the Constitution of the United States of adequate Christian ministry to modern communi- America, the separation of Churoh and State, the ties, threatened by destructive forces and fre- Emancipation Proclamation; they developed a quently abetted by "spiritual wickedness in high sturdy type of character which became the pride places." Home Missions must continue an un- of American citizensbi.p, until the finer sensibilifaltering' commitment to the supreme purpose of ties of our people became blunted by sordid sobringing the constructive and Ufe-enriohing serv- cial, commercial and political ambitions, when ices of the Gospel of Christ, not only to the SQ- license and lawlessness began to displace liberty called under-privileged areas of humanity, but and law. America's material, scientific and social also to any and all rural and urban communities achievements have been phenomenal, unsurpassed which, for whatever reason, would not otherwise by other nations, but her current spiritual situabenefit by them. It is the task of the Home Mis- tion is a cause for grave concern on the part of sion enterprise to serve isolated villages of reli- thoughtful Christian statesmen. Dr. Mark A. giously and socially forgotten men, women and Dawber, Secretary of the Home Missions Council children; to spiritualize sparsely settled rural of America, warns us that regions, pocketed mountain communities, and congested city centers; to brother bilingual Es- When wealth becomes an end in itself; when education kimo, Indian, Latin American, Migrant, Negro, leads to a deification of the intellect; when industry de- velops into a selfish struggle between capital and labor; when statesmen degenerate into petty politicians; and Oriental, and polyglot peoples from every part of when social life takes on the characteristics of the jungle, the planet now resident in and potential citizens the soul of the nation is lost. When lawmakers lose their of this country. The Christian attitude toward, spiritual ideals and sense of God; when the Lord's Day interest in, love for and ministry to these national is commercialized and secularized; when moral standards are lowered and a materialistic order becomes the major and family racial groups who have come here from motive of men, the supremacy of God is ignored and gov- ernment, education, industry and society, as well as relieverywhither, to make this their home, their flag, gion itself are in peril. their country, is bound to determine both the char- acter and the quality of future American citizen- The Christian Church and her Home Missions ship. In order to be effective and fruitful such agencies must save the soul and enrich the inner
life of America. A truly Christian democracy, sis, it is the same historic and heroic warfare according to our most seasoned statesmen, is the against the world, the flesh and the devil. Now, only constructive procedure in society, economics, as then, we wrestle not only with flesh and blood, education and government that ultimately can sur- but with principalities and powers. Home Misvive. America's greatest possible contribution sions faces an exceedingly exacting task in the toward world welfare, hence the most urgent re- new frontiers which now tax the mental, material sponsibility of Home Missions, is a reestablish- and spiritual resources of organized Christianity. ment of America's basic ideals of liberty and law, Shall we join Wycoff of Yale '84, in the following prayer: buttressed by a functioning faith in the God of our Fathers. Experience has demonstrated that Fronting my task, these things I ask: this is best for the physical, moral, social and To be tn.e, this whole day through; spiritual good of mankind. Present problems a.p- To be content with honest work, pear to be new and intricate, owing to the complexities of our modern life but, in the last analy- Fearing only, lest I shirk; To see, and know, and do what's right; To come, unsullied, home at night.
A Roman Catholic Challenges Rome By EULA KENNEDY LONG FROM earliest days until now, ignorance of the people to read the Bible. The accusation is not Bible has been widespread and notorious in correct, stated thus bluntly. We do not prohibit Brazil. the reading of the Bible (the Catholic version, be It was only a few months ago that a stu- it understood); but its almost general neglect, dent in Brazil said to a missionary who had given and the little attention given to teaching Catholics him a Bible : "You do not know how grateful I the supreme beauties of Divine Revelation, are am for this. All my life I have wanted a copy of practically equivalent to prohibition. . . . How the Bible; but this is the first time I have seen or can Catholic Action prosper when Catholics do not touched one." Missionaries could tell of having know the soul of the movement; when Jesus consearched the bookstores in some large cities of tinues ignored or unknown-the unknown God of Brazil, without finding one copy of the Bible for whom Paul preached to the Athenians?" sale – unless, perchance, there might be one or two of ancient pulpit Hize, .offered at the prohibi- It is a cause for rejoicing that concern is felt tive price of the salary of a workman for one over such a situation. Then came the good news month. -welcome to all sincere Christians, whether Roman Catholics or Protestants – that Father The Roman Catholic Church, which has been Rohden had completed a remarkably fine transladominant in Brazil for four hundred years, has tion of the New Testament, issued under ecclemade no practical attempt to provide the Scrip- siastical Imprimatur. It is a mere coincidence, tures or any portions for the people and many perhaps, but one is struck by the fact that this priests have forbidden the reading of what it calls new launching of God's Word, under Church the "Protestant" Bible, on the grounds that it is sanction, came in the same year that the Englishheretical. This is in spite of the fact that transla- speaking peoples celebrated the fourth centenary tions have been made by their own priests. of the transJation of the Bible into the language of the English people. Over a year ago, Evangelical (Protestant) church papers reprinted, with unfeigned joy, an The significance of this translation by a Roman editorial by a Roman Catholic priest, in which he Catholic priest cannot be overestimated when one voiced deep concern about this widespread igno- remembers that Brazil is a great Roman Catholic rance of God's Word. After relating experiences country, and the nation of greatest size, populain three hundred cities of BrazH, Father Hum- tion and potentialities in South America. The berto Rohden wrote: value of the achievement will be practically lost, however, if Father Rohden's New Testament is "Everywhere I found a profound and shameful not printed in a popular edition, put on sale at ignorance of the Divine ReveJ.ation. . . . It has secular bookstores, and its careful reading inreached such an extreme among us that Biblical sistently recommended by the priests. and Protestant are considered synonymous. . . . Ignorance of the sacred text is an open door to Will Rome accept the challenge of one of her the most horrible religious fetishism, to the detest- own priests? If so, then Father Rohden's work able superstition that exists among our people. of love and courage will prove to be, as he says, . . . The Protestants. accuse us of forbidding the "the breath of a promising spiritual springtime."
American Indians Are Doing
Evangelize Their Own People By G. E. E. LINDQUIST, Lawrence, Kansas I ~.- I Missionary-at-Large to the North American Indians ~==============================~t "EVERY race in the end must be elevated by These are only a few of th0'se wh0' have labored its own educated leadership," said a wise to bring the Gospel to their own people, either by leader 0'f his people. He would have been means of the translated word or as interpreters of the Message. They have all entered into their wiser had he said "Christian leadership," for in reward but their g00'd deeds follow them. Much the final analysis any elevation worthy of the of the work of Indian evangelization today is carname must be inspired and permeated by the ried on by native leaders. This does not mean Christian motive. The Indian race is no exception to this dictum. Historically, the most successful that the number of Indian pastors. and evangelists missions are those in which Indians have actively exceeds that of white missionaries, but when we participated in the evangelizati0'n of their own include interpreters, catechists, helpers and lay people. This is true in both Americas, north· as Indian leaders, young and old-in Sunday schools, well as south of the Rio Grande. women's societies, young people's organizations, such as Christian Endeav0'r, B. Y. P. U., Epworth As the North American tribes pass in review, League, Y. M. and Y. W. C. A., St. Andrew's certain notable names are associated with them, Brotherhood, Girls' Friendly Society, D. V. B. S., not as warriors and statesmen only but rather as evangels 0'f the Cross of Christ, messengers of the etc.-the total figure is impressive. G00'd News to those "sitting in darkness and the True, there are Indian communities today, an shadow of death." increasing number of them, where English is One calls to mind among the Cherokees, for ex- practically the only language spoken, whether on ample, such a spiritual leader in the person of the street, shop, school or church. Here the na- Elias B0'udinot, associated with Samuel A. Wor- tive tongue is used only 0'n special occasions when cester in translating the Scriptures and numerous old people are present, for example, at a tribal hymns, still used by present-day tribesmen; council or a funeral. On a recent field trip the Frank H. Wright, Choctaw evangelist and singer, writer visited the Yumas where this holds true. whose ministry was by no means limited to his However, among the neighboring Cocopahs, who own people; Joseph Islands, apostle to the Creeks; drifted across the border from Mexico several Frank Mt. Pleasant, for over forty years among decades ago, the white missionary must still use his own Tuscaroras ; James Hayes, a prophetic an interpreter at all services. To the north, voice among the Nez Perces, pr0'bably the first am0'ng the Mojaves, there is a native pastor min- Indian of the N0'rthwest to be hon0'red by the istering to his own people both at Needles, Cali- Doctor of Divinity degree; Artemas Ehnamani, fornia, and at Parker, Arizona. In a maj ority first native pastor to the Sioux, with the third of services English is the accepted medium of generation in his line serving at present; Charles expression although the pastor is a member of the Wright and Mark Hart among the 0hippewas, tribe and uses his mother tongue freely. who received much of their early training under One should not, however, draw the conclusion Bishop Whipple; Philip Deloria among the Da- that the work of Indian evangelization is no longer kotas, a disciple of the beloved Bishop Hare; dependent on the translated Word. Great has Isaac McCoy, a name-sake of the great Baptist been the contribution of those who have devoted missionary; Lucius Aitsan among the Kiowas, years of lab0'r in translating the Christian Scripa c0'nvert under Isabelle Crawford's ministry to tures into Indian languages. The story of the the blanket Indians in western Oklahoma; Horace Cherokee Bible, using Sequoyah's famous alpha- Williams among the Pima, who received his in- bet, reads like a romance; S0' also that of the spiration for evangelizing from Charles H. Cook, Sioux (Dakota) and the Chippewa (Ojibway).
pioneer missionary to the Southwest; Sherman Who can read of Dr. Rudolphe Petter's painstak- Coolidge, an Arapahoe, who also ministered to ing eff0'rts in making the Bible available to the other needy tribes. Cheyennes without unbounded admiration. In [299 ]
addition to these, the Scriptures, either in whole faith. One of the high spots of the church year or in part, may be found in the following: Choc- are the evangelistic services, usually held in J antaw, Muskokee (Creek), Shawnee, Arapahoe, uary and conducted by the deacons, more often Winnebago, Nez Perces, Seneca, Delaware, Tewa than not in the homes, but sometimes in the (Pueblo), and is some of the Canadian Indian church. The neighboring Tuscaroras as well as languages, such as the Cree, Miconac, Tinne and the Tonawandas frequently join in these meet- Maliseet. More recently some books of the Bible ings. It is the testimony of the leaders that the have been put into print in the Navajo tongue, church work receives a spiritual lift from these as well as in the Hopi and Apache. services which is felt throughout the entire year.
The Navajoes Among the Chippewas, especially those in Mich- igan, the annual camp meetings are looked for- Since the Navajoes constitute the largest tribe ward to as the big event of the year. Whether numerically in the United States and since these the camp meeting, as conducted by these people, people have often been referred to as "the last is an outgrowth of the old Indian councils which stronghold of paganism" it is reasonable to sup- were called by the chiefs, or whether they hark pose that the translated Word will have an im- back to early day Methodism, is a mooted question. portant place in their evangelization for years to The point to be noted here is that the Indians feel come. But what is of even g.reater importance instinctively that they are indigenous and belong to the Navajo is the development of an indigenous to them. Ever since the days of Rev. Peter church, under Indian leaders. Twenty years ago, Marksman (the name of Marksman is. writ large following a field survey, the writer urged that "at in the missionary history of the Chippewas), every mission station a small group of promising brought into the Christian life by Rev. John Clark native leaders should be trained for missionary of the Oneida Mission some time about 1840, the service in the future." Wherever these conditions Ojibway Camp Meetings. have been largely conhave been met certain encouraging results in the ducted by native Christians in which their own work of evangelization have followed. But alas, hymns and Scriptures loom large. The writer has after fifty years of missionary effort among these often heard the Indian preachers exhorting their people, one can count on the fingers of one hand people, sometimes far into the night. When the the number of full-time Indian Christian leaders. sinners and backsliders come to the front, the ex- hortation gives way to united prayer on the part The Hopis, a sedentary and agricultural people, of the faithful who are on their knees.. When the who unfortunately are widely advertised because penitent has "come through" there is exuberant of their annual snake dances now rapidly becom- singing as they rise to their feet in glad acclaim. ing commercialized, have had (until the recent One of the exhorters who has recently gone to passing of Pliny Adams) three native workers- his reward, J,ames Keshick, rarely missed a camp at Polacca, Toreva and Moencopi. Only those who meeting; he also served as local preacher at Hanhave first-hand knowledge of how the minds of nahville community for many years. these people "have been shackled by pantheism and idolatry," and how "within our own day men The Oklahoma Indians have lived and died in Hopiland without knowing that there is a redeeming Christ"-only those can Oklahoma Indians, especially the so-called understand what the lone workers must face as blanket tribes, still observe annual camp meetthey seek to bring the Gospel of the Cross to their ings, generally held in August or September, with fellow tribesmen. duly appointed committees in charge and careful preparations. made, sometimes months in advance The Senecas and Cherokees in order that such necessary items as food, equip- ment and shelter may be in readiness. A large On a recent trip to the Tonawanda Senecas in meeting tent, capable of holding hundreds of wor- New York the writer renewed acquaintance with shipers, is provided. Formerly a maj ority of the Peter Doctor, an Indian elder who for nearly attendants sat on the ground or on a piece of cantwenty-five years has kept the fires going in the vas spread for the occasion. Now practically all little Presbyterian Church, situated in the heart prefer camp chairs or benches, some of the nonof the pagan district, in the hope of evangelizing Christians choosing the cushioned seats from that element. During all these years he has near-by automobiles. Often as many as five or preached the Gospel faithfully and has made pro- six tribes gather for this annual event and a colorhibition speeches around the country. He is still ful assembly and picturesque congregation prewaiting for the Presbytery to appoint a successor sents itself. Beginning with a sunrise prayer to the late Mr. Tripp. meeting, called by the camp-crier, these people are rarely satisfied with less than four services a On the near-by Cattaraugus Reservation, Rev. day. They believe in and practice prayer, song David o,wl, a. Cherokee, has for twelve years led the Seneca people into the truths of the Christian
£9391 WHAT AMERICAN INDIANS ARE
and testimony. The climax comes when after the nual camp meetings and evangelistic s'ervices at exhortation by Indian leaders – in the old days Talmaks, Idaho, usually around Independence Nahwats, Poafpybitty, Saneco and Wautan-at Day, under the aegis of such native leaders as present by such younger recruits as George Hunt, Mark Arthurf James Dickson, Joseph Cook and Robert Chaat, White Parker, James Ottipoby and Harry Moffett. Robert Atchavit, when "the net is cast" and the converts and backsliders are brought in. The In the old Indian Territory (now east~rn Okla:.- elos.ing Sunday often witnesses baptisms, restora- homa) where dwell the Five Civilized Tribes, one tions and new members added to the church rolls. naturally expects. to find Indian workers dedi- cated to the cause of evangelization of their own Among the Sioux there are annual convocations people. Notable names are connected with their and mis8ion meetings. The latter, knolWn as past missionary history, but not all are written in l?taya Owohdake, have been held each autumn the past tense. Such institutions as. Bacone Colsince 1874 by the Congregational and Presby- lege, Dwight, Old Goodland, Oklahoma Presbyterian Indian churches of which there are 24 and terian College, Oklahoma Baptist Univ~r:rity a:.nd 30, respectively. They are manned by Indian the American Indian Institute have all had a part pastors, and the states of Nebraska, North and in preparing and sending forth many of the preS'- South Dakota and Montana are represented. ent generation of Christian leaders, lay and cler- While these do not have the distinctive revival ical. Among the Cherokees the list includes such emphasis of the usual camp meeting, they consti- preachers as Richard Glory, John Acorn and Jim tute a very significant link in the work of evan- Pickup, with Aaron Hancock, Johnson Bobb, gelization among the Dakotas. Here,' among Oscar Gardner and Grady James among the other items, may be heard thrilling reports from Choctaws; Sam Hawkins and Mose Wesley with the "Wotanin Waste," the Indian women's mis- the Chickasaws and Ben Haikey, John Smith and sionary societies, recounting their efforts to raise William King among the Creeks and Seminoles. funds to send the Gospel to needy groups. Here The last-mentioned, together with his wife, has such present-day leaders. as Truby Iron Mocassin, carried on work among the Florida Seminoles Thomas Blueyes, Clayton Hold, Philip Frazier, near Lake Okeechobee for a number of years, the Homer Redlightning, George Firecloud and Wal- support of which comes from the Muskogee-Creek lace Runningeagle sound the Gospel trumpet. Baptist Indian Association.
The Dakotas and Chippewas While the primary objective of all Indian mis- sionary work is to make known Christ and His In the Protestant Episcopal groups. the annual Gospel, to do this most effectively the ultimate meetings are called convocations. Last year the 67th annual gathering was held at Pine Ridge aim is to develop alid use Indian leadership. A Agency, South Dakota. A missionary who was trusted missionary of long experience once said, present writes: "The Dakotas crowded the separate meetings for men, women and young people "The constant testimony of the Indian preacher and demonstrated the depth of their religion with to Christian teaching and Christian things, just their interest and seriousness of purpose. Each group, from our grasshopper and drought-stricken because it is from an Indian, is worth more than prairies, came with larger gifts. of money for the any amount of preaching from a white man." promotion of Christ's work than they had brought Other things being equal, the white missionary the year before. Everywhere the keynote of the should work. himself out of a job. He must not convocation 'Forward with Christ and my hesitate to give responsibility to those most im- Brother' was sounded." Here the Indian clergy, mediately concerned, the Indians themselves, derepresented by such trusted leaders as Paul spite possible mistakes and failures. He must be Chekpa, Vine Deloria, Dallas Shaw and the Rouil- willing to trust God with the souls of people, lard brothers, voice the preeminent thoughts and whether they be clothed with red skins or not. aspirations of the assembled hundreds in worship, as expressed in faith in God, love for their fellow :. In the above somewhafcursory review it must men and courage for the future. be kept in mind that Indian participation is still somewhat sporadic and far from. being sufficient The Minnesota Chippewas also stress such an- or satisfactory. Great pressure is being brought nual gatherings as the summer convocation when to bear on Indian youth to enter other secular practically every locality and mission station is callings, especially from Governmental agencies represented, Rev. W. K. Boyle, archdeacon and and notably so in recent years. Progress in raisnative leader, being the forceful present-day ing up qualified Indian Christian leaders will conleader. On the Pacific Coast Region of the North- tinue to be slow unless missionaries with greater west the Nez Perces, Umatillas, Makahs, Spokanes earnestness continue to recruit, train and release and the Shoshones have for years conducted an- an increasingly large number of Indian workers for the evangelization of their own people. (See Frontispiece.)
Days in
By ELLEN H. BERGREN, Kermit Mission, Cassard, Virginia .nA .FTER completing my course in the Moody The meetings were well attended, but the peo- Bible Institute, and spending two years in ple did not seem to feel their need of salvation. Albany as pastor's assistant, I learned of The thought of "furrin" folks coming with new the great need in the mountains of the South and methods was something strange. To the moun- offered myself for service there. My best expecta- taineers preaching consisted in the loud singsong tion for a future home in the Appalachian Moun- exhortation of the so-called "Hard Shell" mountains was possibly a log hut, or a dug-out. I knew tain preacher. And women! They had never that I was apt to find myself in a place where star- heard of such a thing as women taking part in a vation and violence would be my lot. After much meeting. By way of introduction we visited every struggle I finally arrived in Bristol, Tennessee. home and gathered the children for a summer school. Rich indeed were the experiences encoun- I asked for a needy field, no matter how hard. tered. We spoke to the parents about sending In a few days, Rev. J. H. Little of Bristol took their children but one grandmother let us know his daughter, a singer, and myself to Appalachia, in no uncertain terms that she was not going to Virginia. On the way, near Big Stone Gap three let her grandson be injured by "book larnin." miles from Appalachia, the conductor aroused a Her only son was in the penitentiary at Richmond, drunken man whose destination was Big Stone and "If he had never known how to write enough Gap with the words, to forge a check," she said, he would be at home right now helping her. She was going to see that "Wake up! Where are you going?" his son escaped such a calamity.
"I'm going to hell," the man drawled out. Is it any wonder that ignorance prevailed, when "Well," said the conductor, "pay me ten cents ~he "Hard Shell" preachers fight it? One man more and get off at Appalachia." used this argument against learning: Mr. Little turned to me and said, "Is that "We'll say, here are two barrels; one is empty tough enough to suit you?" Such was my first and the other is jammed full of books. When the introduction to my new home! Lord wants to get in one of them barrels, and I axe you which one can He get into." During the following ten days, while Mr. Little held meetings, Miss Little and I did personal work The people will see the impossibility of the Lord in a little church, built by a former Christian getting into a heart that is full of learning. Sunsuperintendent in a near-by mine. After his death day schools seem to them a thing of Satan, and to the services were discontinued and the House of be preached against at every turn. It is a wonder God became a loafing place and gambling joint. that we had as many children in our Sunday The floor was carpeted with torn-up cards and schools those early days, as well as older ones who the windows were broken. flocked to our meetings.
First we gave this place a good scrubbing, many Many of the Primitive Baptists, or "Soft children and young folks helping to carry water, Shells," declare that they are not opposed to Sunsweep down cobwebs, and clean the few panes of day schools, but one of them remarked: "The glass remaining in the windows. Mr. and Miss Little and I had rooms in, the primitive hotel, young uns might just as well be in Sunday school which was kept by my future benefactors, the as in any other deviltry." The difference in Hales. In the lobby was a wooden sink, with a "Hard" and "Soft Shells" (or Primitives) is that bucket and dipper, for drinking and washing pur- the "Hard Shells" believe that only the "elect" are poses. Miss Little and I washed there, and, as saved, and God will see to them without any interthe roller towel had been much used, we used our ference from preachers. The sinner who is not handkerchiefs to wipe our hands. Mr. -Little face- "elect" cannot be saved, so that the preachers tiously remarked, "Well, ladies; hundreds have have no message for them. The Primitives believe wiped their hands on this towel and you are the that salvation is for all who will accept. Many fir,st ones to complain." have real revivals where people are saved. The [302 ]
• PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
"Hard Shells" class believe in dreams and visions, mons arid others who do not believe in the Word as giving their call to the ministry of which many of God. They fear any deviation from the simple ludicrous instances are told. One preacher tells life. In some parts of the mountains are stretches how he heard three distinct "calls from heaven" of country sparsely settled, where there are no when he was going home from a meeting. He churches or schools. In one isolated section located the very place where each call was heard, lived an old woman who had been to church but with the words repeated three times: once as a child, and had not heard-or at least did "Lige, you go and preach the Gospel." not remember that she ever heard the Gospel Three young pranksters still laugh at their story. This woman told the missionary that she climbing up trees and calling out the "heavenly had not seen a preacher for thirty years. She had a Bible once, but lost it when she moved to Trou- blesome Bend. She could not read, but the book had been good to put under the pmow in sickness.
She wi,shed she had another. The missionary told her the story of the Lord Jesus, and when he came to His suffering and death, tears came to her eyes and she s,aid, "I reckon 'tain't true-let's hope it ain't."
When he finished with the resurrection story and the Great Commission to His disciples this darkened soul believed and walked miles to her scattered neighbors to tell them the story. She said: "How could I know all this and keep still?"
MISS BERGREN (at left) AND FELLOW-WORKERS When the missionary returned to Troublesome TWENTY YEARS AGO Bend, she had gone to be with her Lord but her command" to the future prophet as he passed faithful witnessing had turned many to the Lord.
their hiding places. Noone ever informed him Alone in Appalachia as to the truth. After one month of school, Miss Little returned These preachers are not required to know how home. We had about twenty children who wanted the school to continue, but a county school was to to read, or how to preach. Their belief is that the begin August 1st, so I decided to give my time to Lord will tell them what He wants them to speak. One of them remarked to a preacher who p~e pared his sermons, "Now brother, you are wrong preparing your text; the devil will look over your shoulder and read it too, and then go to your con- gregation and lock their hearts agin it; so it does them no good. When I preach, neither me nor the devil knows what I am going to say."
This ignorance still prevails in this class of preachers, who believe that a little whiskey helps them to preach with "spirit" and power, but there are, thank God, many true servants of Christ in the mountains, who are preaching the Word, so that many are saved under their ministry. There are also many true men of prayer among these people. One who prayed that God would remove A MINING CAMP IN THE APPALACHIANS a still from his neighborhood, and that very night a cloudburst drove a mighty wave against it and visiting and meetings. The old church had a bell, tore it down. God has not left the beautiful and I announced a meeting for each afternoon.
Southern mountains without His witness, even Night services were only possible when people though its ministers present the Gospel in ways brought lamps or lanterns. I invited the women peculiar to those who are accustomed to decorum out for afternoons and rang that bell, whose jerky in the House of God. tongue seemed to say, "Come and hear me talk!
The mountain people readily recognize a Come and hear me talk!" The women came, and preacher with wrong doctrine. A "no hell" professed conversion. Alas, they were only my preacher will not be received in any church, if converts, but I did personal work with the zeal of they know him as such; nor will they admit Mor- a Moody Institute student. When the newness of
my meetingS! had WQrn .off, the women lost their the Lord sent tWD yellQw dogs who drDve away the pigs and were fine protectors against other curiosity and the attendance waned. intruders.
One day, I noticed a woman whQ hardly took When my first helper came she remarked, when she was ushered into my first home in the mounher eyes .off me during the meeting. But after- tains: "Oh, how lovely! I thought you lived in a shack, and here is a chapel with four large winwards when I asked if she would accept the LDrd dows and a glass door."
as her Saviour, she shook her head and said, Miss Church was very happy with me, and a truer friend and helper I could nDt ask. This "No, but I want the pattern of that thar dress chapel, seating fifty persons, was often packed to .overflowing. Many ministers came here to preach you got on." . and true conversions were witnessed in this room. I learned a great lesson-not to try to force any- Only the Lord knows the many mistakes I made one to be saved, but to let the Spirit .of God work. Many of the children professed to accept the Lord during thDse early days. As there was nD .organ, as .their persQnal Saviour and even the smaller ones took part in .our early morning devotions by I used a guitar as accompaniment t.o .our singing. praying and testifying. Only the older children could read, and very few had books, so teaching I know now that it was a hindrance, as guitars, was a problem. Our "reader" was the New Tes- tament. It was a time of rich reward to see the banjos and fiddles were considered Satan's tools, development of their minds. Bible stories were part .of their daily lessons. As I told the story, being used by Negroes fQr dances. Never had they were to tell what lesson they could get from it for themselves. One girl, in telling the story of they heard of hymns being played on either. When Jacob and Rachel, said, "This lesson teaches us to always ask the Lord for sweethearts." my organ came, it was a wonder t.o all and the The following story of the loaves and fishes is guitar was not used for years. as it was retold by a boy: After I had been in Appalachia about three ~'One day a little boy went fishing and his mother had put up a little lunch for him. He saw m.onths, Mrs. Charles Hale was sent home from a a big crDwd on the hillside and he heard Jesus speak. After a while, Jesus asked if they had anytuberculosis sanitarium to die, and her husband thing to eat, but they hadn't. So the little boy brought his little lunch to Jesus. Jesus looked at asked me to come and care for her and their little it and said, 'There is mighty little .of it, but I will use it.' He broke the bread and little fishes, and ones. I could not believe that she had tuberculosis there was plenty for all. This lesson teaches that, if we give what we have to Jesus, He will let it but she said, feed many thousand." "Yes, I have it; I am g.oing to die and I want The st.ory of the triumphal entry was quaintly to be with my children to the end." written: "One day Jesus came from heaven to Jerusalem, on a borrowed mule, to be king. The I began to pray that God would reward this people didn't like Him, but the children did for they put flQwers on the rQad for the mule to walk family with the life of the m.other and as I nursed on, and sang a pretty song to Jesus. The other people got mad and said, 'Did yQU hear that?' her and cared for the little girls, I saw strength 'Yes.' 'Well, make them stop that noise.' 'No, I wDn't. If they would hush, the stones would return. God lengthened her life until her children holler.' This teaches us that we .shDuld sing, no matter who gets mad." were grown, when she died .of sunstroke. The story of the flood was told as follows: As I needed all the time for my work, I rented "God made Noah make a big boat to hold all the animals and people, but only eight people were an old storehDuse, and the .owners dug in the saved. The .others drowned because they would nDt listen, as the animals did. This teaches that mountainside eight feet for a living rODm which we should listen to good people always."
he divided intD a tiny kitchen and bedroDm. I fDund a brDken stove with .one leg, and supplied bricks for the others. The bedrDom had a cot, some chairs and a small table. Noone could feel richer than I, and nD one eQuId be happier. Little by little the walls .of my hDme were covered with pretty wallpa.per and the flDor with mDuntain rugs. My tiny kitchen acquired a small sink and table combined. The seats in the chapel were a combinatiDn of benches and school desks, and made so that a bDard at the back .of each seat cDuld be raised, forming a long table fQr school pur- poses. I had tWD large closed-in benches with immense drawers, wherein to bestow my go.ods, clothing and other things which came from friends of the work and which were sent fDr the pODrer people and the children, as well as for myself- things both to eat and to wear.
As the public school .only lasted three months, the need .of schooling was ,sad. This little chapel stood upon a hillside, the front being high above the road, while my floor in the dUgDut was on the ground. As cold weather came .on, the pigs came from the village and slept under the chapel.
Their noise and stench could nDt be endured, so
PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
At the end of the six months, I offered a reward mmmg companies had built churches. In one for the most Bible stories they could repeat. One camp, one mile from Appalachia, we started a girl handed in forty from the Old and New Tes- Sunday school in an unfinished house and the first taments. year I had services in three places – Imboden, Preacher Creek, and Appalachia, making a walk Reciting verses was first on the program every of six miles every Sunday. morning. In six months the older children memorized fourteen chapters of the Bible and fifteen After two years, I thought that some people in Psalms, beside a verse each morning' at roll-call. Appalachia could carryon the Sunday school with I have the privilege now of teaching their children the help of preachers, so I decided to move to a in the Appalachia Daily Vacation Bible School; near-by community within walking distance, and in some cases, I have their grandchildren. open a school. I moved to what is now Andover, During the first year I was entirely alone and MY FIRST EASTER IN APPALACHIA it was a year rich in experiences. The customs were new and strange, but when one becomes rented a house and taught classes that met in the used to them, they no longer seem so quaint. In largest room. It was rather crowded, with thirty calling one day on an old lady, she asked first of children, but with the help of Miss Church, we all where I was from. got along by letting the children recite in the din- ing room. These dear children were religiously "Albany, N. Y.," I answered. inclined, and it was not long till all with two ex- "That's a right smart piece, ain't it? Come by ceptions, accepted the Lord. One morning, after train ?" our usual song and Bible period, I asked (feeling "Yes." a strong working of the Spirit) : "How old are you?" I gave some answer. "Children, shall we take up our arithmetic?" "Well, have you store teeth?" "No ma'am," all answered. "No." "Well, what shall we do then?" "Make your own dress?" "Let us pray," was the almost unanimous re- "No." sponse. "How much did it cost. Are you married?" Then those dear children began to pray for a "No." revival, which shortly came. God sent His true "Never been married?" servant, a rather unique old man, Mr. Bassett, "No." "Got any children?" "N0, I am not married." "Well, too bad, but you can be yet, I reckon. You are not so old looking." I asked if she was a Christian. "Law yes, honey, I was baptized a right smart while ago."
Then she asked me about my religious faith, and said she heard someone say I belonged to the Roman Catholics. When I denied this, she seemed to draw the conclusion that I belonged to some other strange cult. But when I told her that I believed the Bible from cover to cover, this seemed to satisfy her. Later, we became fast friendsa friendship which lasted until her death.
The first weeks in Appalachia will never be forgotten. Every Saturday night there were shootings or stabbings, and for several Saturday nights in succession someone was killed. A man was shot one Sunday morning while we were having Sunday school, and someone called out, "Silas is killed." Everyone in the church ran out, leaving me entirely alone.
The surrounding mining camps were much upon my heart as few had any Sunday school or religious service of any kind. Within a radius of ten miles there were only three camps in which the
who went wherever God sent him. During that with me. Her mother gave me daily the choicest milk, called "strippings," and when I told her not meeting, every home was touched, and I have yet to, she said, "The children like the plain milk without the cream, and since I give you milk and to see a place so stirred, in answer to the chil- butter, we never have to hunt our cow-she al- ways comes home." Cow-hunting was the most dren's prayers. . hopeless task we could imagine. All the mountains around us were pastures, and no one knew which From Andover, I moved to Blackwood, a mining way a cow would roam. I don't wonder that the Holy Spirit recorded Saul's mules lost and found, camp six miles away. By this time, three other as it was really a daily miracle to me that the children found the cows. Some cows would reworkers had come and they stayed at Andover spond to the call, "Sook, heifer," but many would not stir. until I could leave Blackwood in the hands of Miss In those early days, an amusing incident oc- Jennie Henry. Workers were also located at other curred in the mining camp where Miss McPhee- ters worked. She was a teacher who assisted mining camps-Stonega, Osaka, Roda, West Nor- (unremunerated) the public school teacher. While I was visiting her one day, a young minister asked ton, Sutherhind, Roaring Fork, Pardee, Inman, us to be witnesses to a marriage ceremony. The young man came in with a red bandana tied Imboden and Upper Imboden. As the camps around his neck, and on his head a hat which did not fit. The bride, who had not thought much opened for us, we had students come from Nyack about a wedding outfit, was a shy girl about eight- een or twenty. The minister plaeed a chair in Institute and Moody Bible Institute, until we have front of him in place of a marriage stool, and the groom thought this an invitation to sit down. had over one hundred workers at different times. When asked if he wanted a ring ceremony, the young man was at a loss and, turning to a boy Some were there only during vacation but others with him who wore a large gaudy ring, said, "Here, Sam, loan me your ring for a minute. I'll remained longer, and some are still in Virginia, give it right back."
though not in the camps. Miss Collins has lived When the minister asked: "John, will you take this woman to be your wedded wife?" he answered in one camp, Roda, for more than thirty years. lustily, "You bet." The minister turned to the After Miss Henry came to Blackwood I returned bride with a similar question but she could not speak, and said, "Uh huh." to Appalachia, where a new mission was being After the ceremony was over, the groom caught built. We moved into the unfinished rooms and hold of his wife's hand and started for the door when the boy with the ring said, "pay the different preachers came to hold services in the preacher." The groom turned and asked, "How much do you charge?" When told that he could chapel, part of which was completed. give what he wished, according to how much he thought of his wife, the groom smiled and said, It would read like a fairy tale, should I tell of "I sure do think a heap of her. Here is a quarter" -with the air of a millionaire. the many evidences of the Lord's care. Friends As time passed, our number of workers grew sent things to us, so that we never really lacked, until several camps were occupied and this work was called "The Appalachia Mining Camp Misthough at times our faith was tested. sion." We had no demands for reports which, personally, I had found superficial in my former While living in Preacher Creek, Miss Church work. But at our monthly workers' meetings, a secretary wrote down testimonies as to how the had typhoid fever, and the friends there were un- Lord had led and blessed – each one – also the trials and failures. These records are kept as retiring in their assistance. We seldom had to cook minders of God's faithfulness.
a meal, as everything was sent in already cooked. An Archdeacon of the Episcopal Church in Big Stone Gap, Dr. Lloyd, a fine Christian and a Our workers took turns in helping to nurse her, and it taxed everyone's strength, as she was bed- fast seventy-two days. It proved to us the un- tiring devotion of workers and people.
Preacher Creek was, in someways, different from the other places where I have lived. The revival there touched every home and made us all seem like a large loving family. All came to church and there seemed to be no division among the peo- pIe-all lived in harmony and love. Three orphan children came to live in my home. One little darling girl, Milford, would often beg me to adopt her, though she scarcely knew the meaning of the word.
"Why Milford," I would say, "your father and mother could not do without you."
"Oh, yes," she said, "they have Gertrude, and Maggie, and Edith, and two dead. They have enough."
"Well," I replied, "you have two dead you say, so you can't be ,spared."
"Oh," she said, "they were little boys. Mama never had much luck with boys."
She lived with me a long while and the dear memory lingers. She is now mother of a large family, to whom she tells about the time she lived
PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
true missionary, invited our band of workers to monthly for conference and prayer so that we his home. He had a wonderful ancestry of for- often had thirty at our table for two days as they eign missionaries, and his son was a missionary could not return the same day on our little interin Japan. He assisted us in every way that he state train. These were times of rich blessings could. He had· already begun to place Episcopal and refreshment. deaconesses in a few needy places, but when he saw that the church dress was a hindrance, he The reports, which are very rich in experiences, show how wonderfully the Lord fulfils His prom- THE ~'IRST SUNDAY SCHOOL AT KERMIT ises. Some testimonies were quaint and mirthful, showing the crude initiation into the strange ways urged them to use ordinary clothing, which he did of camp life. Some workers learned quickly the also, except in his own church. .In this way he ways of our people but even at that there were won the love and esteem of all. some misunderstandings and mistakes.
Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd gave us a delightful time of Once I was asked to take a little girl eight years fellowship. When he asked me how we were sup- old. I went up to Roda Camp to see her and deported, I told him that I asked of each mine su- cided to adopt this little darling and gave her my perintendent for a rent-free house, electric lights mother's name, Elsa. After six months another and coal, but for salary the workers trusted the little g~rl was added to our family. She was one Lord, who always supplied our needs in wonder- of our Sunday school scholars, and after the ful ways. "How can you maintain love and har- funeral of her step-mother, the motherless little mony among them all on this basis?" he asked. one, Olive, ran up to the Mission and her father It never had occurred to me to look for trouble finally gave her to me. Two years later, I also ,along this line and I said, "Why, the ones who adopted her little sister so that my home was come here are willing to put up with some diffi- blessed with three little girls. They were dearly culties as their invitation to the work includes loved by all our workers. All three grew to sweet hardships, poverty, dirt, misunderstandings, and womanhood, and married.. It pays to invest in the winning of souls. In not one case has the chidren, and if my health ,allowed, I would gladly applicant been discouraged." open my home for more of God's little ones.
In all the years the Mining Camp Mission One day in school, the children were told to existed, there was little trouble among the work- write the full names of their parents. Little Olive ers. Of course, at times there were disagree- wrote, "My mama's name is Miss Ellen Bergren, ments, but our workers were most untiring and and my papa's name is Mr. James Skidmore." It never once was a reprimand necessary for neglect never occurred to her that anything could be of duty; instead, necessary lines were drawn to wrong with it. The teacher, who was also one of prevent their overdoing. our Sunday school teachers, handed me the slip laughing. Nursing was necessary and many nights were spent by sick beds. There is a mountain custom, Another time, during presidential election, all whenever anyone dies, for neighbors to sit up the children were having a mock election. When with the dead all night; in some cases they sing Olive's name was not among them, she was asked hymns. One of the few laws enforced was that, when tired out with the living, the workers must THE KERMIT CHURCH AND "PARSONAGE" let the people of the place "wake" with the dead. why she did not vote. "Well," she said, "I am As new mining camps opened for workers, our what mama is." family increased until fourteen camps were manned. From these our workers gathered "Well, what is that?" "I can't spell it but she is a perditionist (mean- ing prohibitionist)." The other children thought that must be all right if Olive's mother was that. A child asked Elsa one day where her father
was. She answered that she did not need any A little later a little boy was brought to the father. Mission. Next day he came down with the measles, and Nancy caught them too. Everything in the "Well," insisted the child, "who gets the 'vittles' Mission was new and strange to' Louis. He had for you?" never heard the name of Jesus except in swearing, and our Mission was like a new world to him. The "Oh," said Elsa, "we just pray and God sends little girls were his teachers, and we could often us all we need. We don't need any daddy." hear them say, "Louis, you must not say that, it isn't nice," or "Louis, Mama don't let anybody As this was a new way of support to this child, talk like that here." He learned the stO'ries in the she wanted to know more about it. So Elsa, hav- children's Bible and the little missionaries truly ing witnessed the almost numberless answers to began in virgin soil. Louis loved to sing and prayers both for food and clothing, spread the learned quickly. Like Faith, he used his own truth among her schoolmates about a life of de- words and tunes, and as he sat in a swing on the pendence on God. porch he would sing with all his might: There was nothing too hard for these children, Jesus is good, He wants all the people to come to Him and I often feared that their faith would have a and be good. severe test. But today, I cannot remember more than once when the waiting for an answer seemed The people don't want to come; no they want to be bad, to be so long that they would ask, "Why don't God poor little Jesus. answer? We have asked Him." They were told that God sometimes answers in the negative.
Out of their small weekly allowance the chil- The children often played Sunday school, and dren tithed faithfully. It was made a rule that Louis liked to be preacher. each unkind word was to cost the speaker a penny. This started a turn for the better as it put an end Other children were brought to the Mission, but to petty quarreling. with the work of the mining camps and incoming workers to place, we could not keep them all. For One day Olive came to me very much wrought a time we had seven and a worker volunteered to up, and 'said, "Mama, I've got to lose some money. be their teacher. I have to tell Elsa a few things." She told me the trouble and that was the last I heard of it. Per- In my earliest years in Appalachia, I had many haps she did not feel that the few words she would opportunities to visit other oommunities and assay would be worth the loss of her pennies. sist in meetings. With a little baby organ (a great wonder to many) I led the singing, and When little Faith was five years old, she began many were helped to trust in GO'd for their salto go to the chapel part of the Mission, and con- vation, rather than trust in good deeds, good feelduct services alone. It was touching to listen as ings, in something imaginary, such as a vision of she prayed, gave out hymns, and sang lustily to light or hearing some voke, or in emotion created an improvised accompaniment of her own. Her by a song. These are often accepted as tokens of keen musical ear would not allow any discord, and the New Birth, without the person knowing anyat six she had made up several compositions en- thing of God's promises and the way of life in tirely herself. The older girls taught her some Christ. The greater number of backslidings can easy tunes and to these she put her own words. be traced to the lack of knowledge of the Bible. One, which she was always asked to play for visitor,s, ran like this: The first mission building soon became too small for our large family, so, little by little, the Jesus comes; Jesus goes. addition of rooms began. The last was built when When He comes He stays a little while; it seemed best to put the growing work in the caore When He comes, He goes. of stronger hands.
One day a little girl of six was left on,our front Everything was clear to both parties. The understanding was that these four rooms were to porch aWndhewnasw, etolfdoutnod stay there until someone be built for me, as the first money of $500 was came. her there, she said that given for a rent-free home, so the givers would still wish to have it so. They would not hear to she had come to Istay with Miss Bergren." She was any other arrangement, and the gentleman with whom I dealt said that there would be no trouble. a robust little one and said that she could work So we began building the rooms, but, alas, when we were half finished a letter came from his well, and that at Elly's she did "every lick of headquarters that I must sign over the whole without any clause as to my reservation of rooms. work." I asked why Elly did not work and she The readjustments came asa remarkable answer to prayer s.o that the work then continued until answered, "Oh, she was sick and lazy till she died." regular minis,ters and nurses were stationed in We tried to find out who Elly was, but no one knew; we only learned that Jim brought the child to us and told her to stay. We could not find out who either Jim or Elly were. So the child re- mained. All she knew was that her own name was Nancy.
PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
the mining camps. The spiritual workers left the lamps were ruined, chairs were broken, and all field and so-clalled trained social workers replaced was in a pitiable condition. It seemed impossible the Gospel with classes for domestic science, to bring back the former life. nursing, and other good projects that are still not up to the highest standard of a missionary who One day, in late summer, I stood on our front seeks to lead souls to God. porch. I was tired and worried, and my heart cried out: "0 God, take me away from here. I When it se~med wise to leave the Mining Camp can't do any more here, my people love excitement work we moved to Kermit, Virginia, where we more than reality, and some other place needs us built a house and chapel used for school and more." An answer came so real as to be nearly church work. Since a county s,chool has been audible: "Child, do you want to leave now? I built here, the chapel is used for church services have none to stand in The Gap for me. They have only. It was a needy place, seven miles from any not gone back on you but on Me. Will you still other chur·ches and schools to which no one could go away?" walk on the impossible clay roads in the winter. It was sad to leave so many wonderful friends I fell down on my knees, crying out, "0 my behind in Appalachia but as churches of three Lord, if you wish me to stay here, I will never denominations were there it seemed right to go again ask to be moved. I am ready to stand in where there were none. The Gap if it is Thy will, as long as I live."
The first years· here were constructive in the As a shower refreshes the parched earth, so like beginnings of many kinds of classes for grown- a miracle God began to move. The preacher got ups as well as children. A tabernacle was built In trouble with a member of his former followers, in a shady place where services were held in sum- and the church in an adjoining community asked mer, and little rustic cabins were built for classes. him to resign. A shame-faced people came back In all the schools conducted by our workets the to Kermit church, and in a most miraculous way, Bible has a large place, and hundreds of verses things began to be normal again. have been committed to memory by the children. There were very few Sundays. when we did not About two years after this experience, when have from one to three preaching services-morn- some had forgotten that this preacher was still ing, after Sunday school, afternoon and at night. abroad, reports came that he was in jail. One day there was a knock on the door and there stood An unknown preacher, who had had a marvel- the same man. I cried to God for wisdom to ous success in his last revival in a neighboring handle the situation. Then I told him plainly community, came to hold revival services in Ker- that he had stirred up confusion, and scattered mit and filled the church to overflowing every our people to such an extent that some were night. He swayed the people with a hypnotic worse than ever before. He wanted to gather the power, and all our folks were converted over people in Kermit, so as to draw the members from again. Then he wanted to build a church, but as Cowan's Branch (the church in the next commulong as he could have the church free, the people nity where they asked him to resign). But since decided not to build. For six months or more, his motives were wrong I could not allow him to they followed him wherever he preached, going preach anymore. in trucks to distant places. Religiously, Kermit was ruined. Noone knows the anguish we en- I have only touched the borders of the years. dured during this time. It seemed that everybody A veil has been drawn over many sad experiences, was running after the man except a few who did and I have touched only a few of the many which not believe in him or his ways. have been true miracles. May the work go on and on in different ways and places, doing the The large crowds had caused much damage to true s'ervice through many of our missionaries the church building which had settled over six who are claiming the promise that they will bring inches so that every window was tilting. Our forth fruit even in old age. May the Lord who pipeless furnace had to be cut off several inches has done so much for this work in these thirty-six as the register projected above the floor. The years still carry on the work after He has called us. Home.
A Christian Philasapy far Rural Wark*
By FRANK w. PRICE, Nanking, China Head of Department of the Rural Church, Nanking Theological Seminary A PHILOSOPHY of Christian rural work is villages in the rural community. Governments now needed. Interest in rural reconstruc- are meeting some of these needs; non-Christian tion and the betterment of rural life is ris- agencies are meeting others. But unmet needs ing like a. mighty tide all over the world. The are legion. The Christian group should study its Christian Church is aware of its opportunity and community, select the greatest needs, and do what responsibility in meeting the needs of the "rural it can to meet them through promotion of good billion," especially in less privileged lands. Gov- causes, pioneering in new fields, holding up Chris- ernment and social agencies are promoting large': tian aims and ideals in social change, or through scale programs. What should the Church do that the leadership which the church contributes. It will be unique and fruitful? should seek, above all, to meet the deeper moral Many Christian missionary institutions are add- and spiritual needs of individuals and in society.
ing departments of rural service and are begin- 3. We must see the rural man or woman as a ning new rural experiments. Small groups of complete personality; we must see village life as Christians are answering calls of need from rural a whole. In the words of the Jerusalem declara- areas. Special types of training are given to those tion: "Man is a unity, and his spiritual life is preparing for rural service. In some countries indivisibly rooted in all his conditions, physical, governments are looking to Christian organiza- mental and social." The Christian Church should tions for special assistance. Agricultural missions reach men, women and children and seek to in- and the rural church are an essential part of the fluence them in all their family and social rela- world Christian movement. Christian individuals ti.ons. We want to make better citizens, citizens and groups must have a clear vision of aims, defi- of the community and of the nation, Christian nite guiding principles, a firm underlying phi- citizens. The various aspects of rural service losophy of Christian rural service, and a faith in must be integrated so that the whole life of the their cause, if the Christian Church is to make community is improved. Rural Christian leaders any distinctive contribution to the remaking of should see more clearly the relation between the village life in harmony with Christ's ideals in the many factors in rural betterment – health im- twentieth century. provement, higher standards of living, richer in- Ten guiding principles must be vital elements tellectual life, better community organization, the of this philosophy. These may stimulate thought development of stronger character and more un- among Christian rural workers, especially in the selfish leadership, and more vital Christian ex- lands of the younger churches. perience, because they see each person as a whole 1. We should be openly Christian. Christians and rural life as a whole. Our task is to arouse or groups of Christians engaging in rural service the desire and the will for a better life, and to should be openly and fearlessly Christian. As show the way to wholeness of life-in the Chris- Christians we have a distinctive faith and mission tian sense, salvation.
and our work should reveal a distinctive spirit of 4. We should attempt a limited program of high a fellowship and a unique power because of their quality. The program which a Christian group allegiance to Christ and His cause. We should not or a church in a rural community should attempt hesitate to express our Christian purpos.e, to seek will be determined by the leadership and member- opportunities for witnessing to our faith and ex- ship available; by the method of organization and perience, and to work unreservedly for the build- financial resources, by the opportunities presented ing up of a Christian fellowship in the community. for service, and by the faith and spirit of the 2. We should help to rr/,eet rural needs. The group. The aim should be to work intensively Christian gIloup should be seriously concerned rather than extensively. It is better to become with the needs of individuals, of families, and of intimately acquainted with one small rural com- • From a paper Issued by the Agricultural Missions Foundation, munity of fifty to a hundred villages and to do a Inc., 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. fruitful and lasting work than to spread in a [310 ] superficial way over many hundreds or thousands 7. We should make large use of local resources. of villages. Good, intensive work, done intelli- The ordinary Christian institution or group cangently and effectively, will be in the eD.d the best not command the financial resources which govkind of extensive work. We should aim at quality ernments and some non-official .agencies can comrather than quantity of service. We must resist mand. The Christian group must make large use the temptation to promote the kind of work that of local resources and develop local initiative and can be "shown off" to visitors.. We must see the leadership as much as possible. The village peovalue of little things well done and of unpreten- ple themselves must have a large and growing tious service with results that may not be imme- part in the working out of local programs. Any diately apparent but that are of lasting value. No help from outside should be used to stimulate and matter how limited the area of work or how simple encourage local planning and effort. Only thus the program, we should combine scientific knowl- can the rural church hope to become rooted in the edge, the best educational methods, and Christian rural community. devotion and sacrifice in realizing our aim of essentially good and permanent work. 8. We should cooperate as much as possible with other agencies and groups. Churches and all 5. We should go into the villages and live among Christian groups should cooperate in every way the people. Christian rural workers should con- possible with government and other agencies tinually go among the people and not wait for working for rural welfare, but must not sacrifice them to come to the workers and their institutions. or compromise their Christian faith and prin- Christian work in a rural community must be ciples. Following the inspiring example of Bishop deeply rooted in homes and village groups. The Grundtwig of Denmark, the Church should help central institution, service center or church build- the government to "revive the national spirit" by ing may be a me"eting place, training school or teaching Christian ideals of patriotism and by house of worship, but it should draw p€ople out building up the morale of the people. Where other of their homes and villages only to send them back organizations in the community are meeting a to serve and to transform their homes and their need, we may cooperate or support their work; communities. We must go "deep into the villages" where a vital need is not being met, we may help (to use the Chinese phrase); spend days and to arouse government attention or community innights in the villages, live among the rural people, terest and to organize the people to help themshare their joys and their sorrows, sacrifice and selves; frequently we may introduce outside agenendure with them. The ordinary rural worker cies and institutions for rural betterment to the will not do this, or he will attempt it for a short local community or bring groups in the commuperiod and then want to return to the more com- nity in touch with outside agencies which might fortable life of the market-town, the county seat assist them. We should do all in our power to deor the metropolitan center. The constant tempta- velop a community spirit, and community cooperation is to do rural work from an office or by occa- tion. At the same time, we must stand upon sional trips into the villages. Followers of Christ, Christian ground and never deny our Christian our Master, should be willing not only to go among purpose and principles. the rural people but to stay among them. If we can do this, we shall have an assured place in the 9. We should constantly stress the moral basis remaking of rural life. of rural reconstruction which is hindered by powerful forces of selfishness and greed. The 6. We should stress personal relationships and Christian group should be united and daring in small group organizations. What is the Chris- its opposition to all evils which it sees in individtian approach to the villages? First of all, through ual and community life. It should openly proclaim genuine friendship; then through unselfish forms Christian teachings in the face of any wrong and of service, and finally but exceedingly important, injustice even though such a stand may cost perthrough the organization of small, voluntary, co- secution and suffering. It should strive continoperating groups. These groups should aim to ually to strengthen and to organize effectively pubmeet some definite need of the group itself or of lic opinion and common effort against community community life. They should be self-helping and evils and against all forces in and out of the comself-directing from the beginning with such inti- munity which are hindering the fullest developmate and expert counsel and training from the ment of community life. It should preserve and outside as may be available. They' should not be strengthen the best traditions and customs in the mere formal organizations but should be warm villages and build upon the worthy spiritual elewith the spirit of friendship and should give a ments in the cultural inheritance of .the people. broader and deeper meaning to those p€rsonal re- It should call the rural communities to moral and lationships in family and social life which are spiritual life and ideals as well as to material adessential to the preservation of rural society. vance and, through the teaching and the power of
Christ, seek to regenerate as well as to recon- tribute something vital and unique to all the rural struct the lives of rural peoples. reconstruction in the community.
10. We should build up the church, which is the We look forward to the day when there will be permanent ex;pression of the Christian faith and in every rural community throughout the world a spirit in rural rebuilding. Hence we seek to bring strong rural Christian Church, deeply rooted in together in group worship, group study, group rural culture, serving community needs and transfellowship and group service, all Christians and forming community life, united in prayer and in all seekers. for Christian truth in the rural com- fellowsMp, teaching a real love of country and munity. The guiding, teaching and building up releasing the spiritual possibilities of the villages, of such a group becomes an essential task in Chris- indigenous but also vitally connected with the tian rural work. It is not enough to live and to Church of Christ-historic and universal. In a serve as Christians in rural communities; we fellowship of rural churches around the world, a must also find and win comrades in the Christian fellowship of Christian farmers and their famfaith and life and bind these together into a strong ilies, a brotherhood of men and women who are brotherhood. Ministers and lay workers must be helping to feed and to clothe the world and who found and trained to serve in such a church. A worship God and serve His Son, the Galilean Carchurch-centered program; broadly conceived and penter-Farmer, lies one of the greatest hopes of wisely carried out, will not divide the rural neigh- world peace. We must build up the rural church borhood but will help to unite it, and will con- in all lands, among ,all peoples.
The New Urgency in the Congo* -'I~I========~B~Y~R~E~V~.~M~O~TT==E==M~A~R~T~IN========~II~ DR. JOHN R. MOTT, after personal investi- ance of those thus studying our Bible is about gation, has declared that a dollar goes fur- 40,00.0 pupils! Hundreds and hundreds of our ther and accomplishes more in Africa than converts are coming out of these schools yearly, in any other field which he has visited-and he and as we wish to have a "self-supporting, selfhas visited them all! Of all the fields I know, governing, and self-propagating Church," this is. there is none more seriously menaced and which our hope for deacons and elders and pastors, for so urgently demands your sacrificial interest and all such must be intelligent and have clerical abilprayers as the Congo! ity to qualify.
The Southern Presbyterian mission during the The theological seminary at Mutoto is the first five years of this last decade (1928-1932) largest in the Southern Presbyterian Church, with received into the communion 9,455 carefully in- the snudents all married, thus giving the wives an structed and probation-tested converts-but dur- opportunity for special training, and through reing the last five years (1933-1937) received 19,205 quired plantations and gardens able to be largely communicants! Note the astounding rate of in- self-supporting. All must teach the village (or crease-and know that we have over 35,000 now "bush") schools; they must speak some French under preparation, already enrolled in the cate- to pass government inspection; they must know chumen clas·ses, also being tested. Open doors how to lead and instruct their congregations in wide open-thronged with needy supplicants beg- singing; they must be adepts as soul-winners; as ging to be taught! Over 2,000 preaching points well as able expositors of God's Holy Word. All daily trying to tell of the Way, the Truth and the applicants must have had their station (high Life – with yet hundreds of other villages and school) diploma of nine years schooling as a pregroups still on our waiting list begging and plead- requisite for entrance! ing for teachers. The mission:s medical work is also indispen- In addition to direct evangelistic work, we are sable, in that it breaks up inherited superstitions cooperating with the Colonial Government in their of the Voodoo and of animism; it continually wins nine-year educational program which permits us the loyalty of entire villages; and affords countto use. the Bible throughout. The average attend- less opportunities for personal soul-winning. The five hospitals have over 300,000 native visits • Reprinted from Th,e Chffi8tian 01/8eTWr.
THE NEW URGENCY IN THE CONGO
yearly; they perform hundreds of operations; if you had to care for large expansion and incare for all epidemics and scourges; besides car- creased needs? ing for over 2,000 lepers. The health of the missionaries and of our thousands of workers is de- Belgium has, launched a new educational propendent upon them and answered prayers; and gram for the Congo, which provides for nine years neither priest nor pauper ever calls upon them in of education, but sub.divided into three-year perivain. ods. For the first three-year period, the law looks forward to the establishing of little chapel-schools The mission is now attempting to minister to in every small community or tribal group, and the over 45,000 communicants, all of whom were not law further provides that any cult or confession, only received into the church after long instruc- whose teachers are qualified to teach the first tion and probation, but are statedly tested and three-year part of their curriculum, shall have the approved at each communion season, as to whether full protection of their laws; and furthermore, they are "doers of the doctrine." Using the old that the people of that group or village shall be Scotch "token" system, we give a ticket only to protected in their choice of such religious teacher. those whose lives are dedicated and obedient to Even previous to the promulgation of this law, Him. every station had scores and hundreds of such vil- lages on their "waiting lists," for whom we had "How then," you may ask with others, "can it no money in our budget nor prepared "preacherbe true that our mission is seriously menaced, as teachers" well enough trained for such positions. was stated in the opening paragraph of this letter?" The answer is that the mission is both The priests and nuns, who are now encountered under-staffed and under-financed! The average everywhere, have made the situation far more age of the present missionary group is past fifty, acute still, for on arriving in a village where no without any younger men being trained to take Protestant work is manifest, they call the village our places, and with an actual decrease in num- head men, demanding in the name of the law that bers. More pertinently, the mission has succeeded all the children be turned over to them for inand expanded, so that at least twenty more work- struction. The people, loyal to us whom they have ers are needed to maintain the previous degree of learned to love, protest that they are Protestants, efficiency. Among other extensions the mission and that they are looking to us 'and our Church has been forced to open up two more stations for instruction. So the priest departs, threaten- (there are seven now), thus withdrawing mis- ing that when he returns some weeks hence to find sionaries from already over-worked stations to that no Protestant teacher has been installed, he man the new ones. The scattered 'Tillage groups will establish his own school and chapel, or else which we control have increased from 1,100 indict the chief for lying and obstructing the (1928) to over 2,000 now, and we must visit and colonial Program by leaving his children uneducare for these regularly. Every department of cated. Alarmed, distressed, the chief and his peoour work has been enlarged, improved, extended, ple, scorning inconvenience or season, rush into increased in our attempt to hold our own; so that the mission station demanding the teacher for each missionary has far more tasks than either whom they have, awaited so long. Alas, and alas! his health, or the good of the work, can justify. Our little remnant of a budget has already been stretched beyond the breaking point, we can do As to financial support-the peril is even more nothing. So the priest enters, propaganda begins grave, but I trust not more hopeless! The facts against the heretic foreigners, gifts and school speak for themselves, for we have less than one- supplies are lavishly given, and even threats and half of our previous budget, and just a little more blows and unbelievable ruthlessness are employed than one-third. The actual figures in Belgian to prevent the people from visiting us or hearing francs, the currency of Congo, are as follows: the Gospel message. Before the depression the American Church gave us $65,212 which dropped to $25,000 during the Nevertheles,s, the people are remaining loyal to depression. Simultaneously, the exchange rate the Evangelical mission, and many are enduring fell from thirty-five and one-half francs per dollar great sacrifice and poverty and suffering in those to twenty and one-half francs, so that the actual places where we do not desert them. But in the amount in francs dropped from 2,315,026 francs rapidly growing number of those villages which before the depression to 512,500 francs-less than we cannot "occupy," the priests are locking and one-fourth of what we needed! This lowest figure barring the doors, against us and religious freehas been raised little by little until, with the ad- dom, so that in areas dominated by the priests for dition of two new stations, we now receive francs ten years, the children have even hooted the pass- 861,097 ($29,693 at 29 francs to the dollar). If ing missionary, an almost unheard of rudeness for your church budget, or your business, or house- the native Congolese. My conviction is that if keeping budget, were suddenly to be cut down to our Church does not awaken and soon, God will one-third, how would you get along, especially not hold open the doors another ten years.
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I Effective Ways of Working Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE•• INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Do Personal Work with Christian teaching and fel- magazine is not suitable for a lowship those people have. With boy in reform school, is it suit- A state Communist leader once able on your own library table? came to talk to a group who at the pastor and his wife, go sevthe time included members of eral other members of a town *** the national staff of a Missions congregation to "help with the and Christian Education Board. singing," to give an increased In one of our smaller cities sense of fellowship, to make a lives a young woman with a love I remember clearly his state- hard trip easier. of music and ability as a direcment that a member of the party tor of singing. The paid music in good standing, working full There are services within leadership of her own church time at a job, was required to reach of most of us, where our leaves no room for her to use give four full evenings a week lJresence might mean the differ- that ability, but she does not find to Communist activities, meet- ence between success and failure. that any excuse for leaving her ings., propaganda, or other work Search out one such piece of talent unused. She found that for the party. Christian work and give an eve- a group of children in a mission ning a week to it. It will in- church in the same city were At the time it struck me that crease your worth to your own eager for a children's choir and if Christian church membershilp church. It will encourage your one evening a week finds her involved that, our active mem- worker-in-charge. It will carry busy training her sweet-voiced bership would hardly be worth forward the missionary task of group. Sunday evenings they counting. And yet-would it not your church. form the choir for the service of be a minority as effective in the church. Anyone who has its contagion as Communism? *** had much to do with a choir More so, because of its s.piritual knows the number of hours she life, light and reality! Over in Boston lives a mis- must put in outside of timesl of sionary woman, retired from In- actual contact with the children; There are people who are giv- dia.. She is hard of hearing and planning their work, choosing ing such service for Christ's music suitable for various occacause. If we note some of them, the possibilities of active service sions, solving problems. She is it may help suggest some ave- semed at an end. Yet she pluck- doing far more than training a nues of personal service for our- children's choir. She is leading selves – personal missionary ily undertook to learn to write a group of underprivileged chilservice. dren along a path of beauty; she Braille. With painstaking care is enlisting and developing their North of Sault Ste. Marie, On- she has worked at translating abilities fOir Christian service, tario, Canada, runs a gravelled she is giving them a warm, vital road due north. Twenty-five into the familiar Hindi of the contact with her own Christian miles out it ends. From there to field of her labors, stories being personali ty. Hudson Bay there is nothing. It used in Christian education. is still pioneer country up there. Then with meticulous care she There are children from coast The "bush," which has grown has pricked into the raised dots up after logging, is forest again the story or the Bible pass1age or to coast, from northern border and here and there iSi a little log to south, who are crying out for cabin. Small farms are being mess·age for the blind to read. cleared. Russian, Finn, French, Hindi Braille! Her days of serv- Christian leadership. Children English stnck-they are pushing ice over? Retired? She is open- in city, in village, in country and the wilderness back. Along that ing the eyes of the blind as mountains, needing a contact, if road every Thursday evening, only once a week, to guide their while the road is not blocked surely as she did in the days of activities along worthwhile lines with snow, there goes the cir- her medical service in India. and to give them definite contact cuit pasitor and his wife, to hold with Christian personality. You a service for all who will come There are services you can can render vital service if you to the tiny chapel in a little set- render in preparing materials are willing to give an evening or tlement. It is the only contact for use in mission fields at home two a week to it. and abroad. There is that ever- present implement-the needle. There is the hammer and the paint brush and the saw. There are books to be collected, maga- zines to be gathered for use in prisons. And by the way, if a [ 314 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
What, you say, has local To feed these children at the move out. The woman telling about it, said that she and her church work to do with mis- Center one nourishing lunch a family were utterly ashamed of belonging to a community which sions? Who said local church day, the churches of the county could do such a thing. She spoke very feelingly about the sense work? Whenever you step out -one church each week-under- of contrition which comes to one in the face of circumstances like of your own local church en- took to collect what was needed. that.
vironment, to go to the aid of a But at this point came a fail- First, let us rej oice in the growing number of people who group not able to provide its , ure which, to the visitor, seemed have a deep sense of shame and contrition at the possibility of own leadership, you are in a rather embittering. In spite of such action.
sense engaging in missionary ac- all the wealth and all the power- Second, let us see what we can do about it. There is a tivity. We have left too much ful modern automobiles owned deeper problem than that of bringing 'Public opinion to bear home missions work to the over- in those churches, not one per- upon the agent and the dwellers in that apartment house. The worked members of our home son could be found willing to de- editor of these pages was aching to ask in that conference, how missions s,taffs. Too many of liver thoee supplies to the Cen- many persons there pres,ent had ever entertained a Negro person us fail to see, that beyond our ter. After a week of exhausting as a guest in their homes.
financial support of home and work, heartbreaking in some of For after all, there lies the root of that particular trouble. foreign missions which provides its revelations, those three girls To entertain a Negro guest wa's such an unusual thing in that the continuity of work and had to collect and carry to the community that when an apart- ment house dweller attempted it, workers, we s,till owe the gift Center, unload and store away, she had to give up her apart- ment. The next step for all that is more difficult to make— all the food supplies for the fol- those who feel contrition, is to make the entertaining of Negro the gift of our own time and lowing week. guests such a common observ- ance in their neighborhood that talents in direct personal serv- Can you not imagine the it will cease to draw attention ice. When we render such serv- women of those churches saying and to cause unfavorable comice, we grow in understanding as too many of us say on similar ment. and in power. We speak with occasions, "We've collected the authority as we seek to enlist the things needed. It seems that There are few of us who can members of our local church in the least they can do is to come make our voices heard in breaka deep concern for the work of after them!" It would have been ing down racial prejudice. But the church at home and abroad. a little thing to those church peo- as has been the case since time began, What you do speaks Our cause is not to be com- ple, taking long drives to cool louder than what you say.
pared with the Communist cause. off in the hot summer evenings, Why not plan during this next year to take a person of an un- Shall we, then, give it a lesser to load the car and drive in the accepted racial minority in your community to at least one of devotion? direction of the Center. A heavy your miss,ionary meetings as a guest. That is one of the easiest Give Full Measure – burden they put upon those tired steps, for there at least you find workers by their failure to do so. some persons theoretically if Running Over! not in actual practice believing Many of us will be involved in in racial equality.
A visitor to a Christian Cen- projects of one sort and another, Why not have as a dinner ter' in Ohio, where children of collecting that which we would guest at least once, the most inmigrant onion – field workers share, and getting it to those teresting person of another race were being kept and cared for with whom it is to be shared. whom you can secure. Make it during the day, found three In planning such enterprises, a real occasion. Invite your let us remember that full meas- guest because of a common inyoung .women doing a tremen- ure – running over – involves terest, or because of some dous piece of work. Faced with finishing u~ the project our- accomplishment along lines inappalling need on every side they were reaching out to the selves" not leaving part of it to full limit of their time and weary workers who are glad to strength to bring health and have our gifts to distribute but Christian teaching – the touch whose joy would be the greater of it that was possible – to as to have full measure of help.
many children as they could in Creating Public Opinion the weeks during which the Cen- ter was maintained. At a recent conference on Children, utterly worn out missionary education in Chi- with the attempt to sleep on cago, one woman got up and told hard boards in bare shacks with about an experience a friend of no netting to keep out the hordes hers had. The friend, a lover of of mosquitoes, were put to bed music, had invited one of the under mosquito-netting on a mat most famous, singers of today, a in the grass, and were allowed Negro woman, to be her guest at to sleep as long as they would. dinner in her apartment in a Children suffering from the ail- northern city. The other occu- ments that come from lack of pants of the apartment house food, no milk, and few of the had combined to force the agent nutritive elements needed, were to refuse to re-lease her the served a hot lunch at noon. apartment. The friend had to
teresting to some member of for following an address. Can during the address, questions, your family, or because the one we do anything about it? small or great which occurred invited is a stranger in this We certainly can. In the first to them. These were collected country, or because you are' place we can recognize the fact at the close and given to the working together on a commit- that most subjects presented by speaker. As they were answered tee and want to spend the eve- most speakers do not stimulate by her, other questions began to ning working together. The discussion. Unless we are sure be hastily written and passed invitation must rise out of a real that discussion will be stimu- forward. The question period desire to have that person in the lated, we should not plan for it had to be brought forcibly to a midst of your family and must or announce it. It is often a lazy close. Another method is pribe a happy experience for all in- idea on our part, for by it we vately to ask several clear-thinkvolved. have avoided having to build up ers among the listeners to jot Why not have as your house the program in line with the down questions during the adguest at summer camp someone speaker's theme. First then, do dress or presentation, and to be of another race? Students in not plan for discussion unless ready to ask them. It stimulates this country might find that a you are sure it will be spon- attentive listening to do this and real experience. A boy inter- taneous and valuable. if the group is merely shy about ested in the same hobby as your In the second place, there is starting questions a number of son's might bring more than questions like this to begin with pleasure in doing things to- the subject or address or speaker often sets things off to a good gether. which should stimulate discus- start. Still another and very sion under ordinary circum- good way is to have, either in Why not help your young peo- stances. Plan for discussion in the preceding open meeting or in the officer's meeting a preple to take with them to summer that case and announce it. But discussion of the speaker's be alert. If the speaker fails to theme. Some definite things the conference as a member of their group would like to find out may own group, some young person stimulate discussion, if the ad- be determined and thus quesof another race or nation whose dress has a tone such that its tions prepared. Or for those own church will not be sending message will be lost if followed who read a great deal, stimua group and who would be lonely by discussion, if circumstances lating questions regarding the going just as an individual? prove such that the audience point of view of some author cannot enjoy spontaneous dis- who writes on the subject may It is through the doing of cussion, if the majority will not be proposed. Avoid like poison these things that you are really want discuss,ion although a few the trite and banal question. creating public opinion. To are eager for it, rise gracefully There is nothing sends a speaker make the desirable so common into a fatal "spin" more easny in actual experience that it will to the occasion with a statement than a question like, "Do they be "the thing to do," will be which reverses the proposed pro- eat with their fingers?" after more effective in creating a gram arrangement. For in- she has p,resented a picture of friendly world than any amount stance, "We had planned for dis- the terrific problems faced by of mere talking about it. cussion, but I think we all agree the women of India in emerging that we s,hould prefer to close on from centuries of ignorance, Best Use of Question Periods superstition and binding custom. the note Miss Jones has sounded. Third then, where discussion is Who has not been at some Some of us will want to talk to legitimately planned, decide defimeeting or other upon whose her further,' quite informally nitely on the way in which quesprogram appears "Address, by tions are to rise and make some So-and-So" followed immediately after our meeting." Or, "Miss suggestion as to the type of below by that fatal line, "Discus- Jones has answered in a remark- questions which will be helpful. sion." The pres,iding officer able way the questions we had Bring questions or discussions rises, bright-faced, and turning thought of asking. Suppose we to a prompt close when time is on her charm like a lamp, pro- just omit the discussion period up or when desire for further poses, "Now I am sure we all questioning seems about to lag. have many questions we want to and have an informal chat with It is a good principle in question ask Miss Jones." Dead silence. her after we close." Second, "I have one myself," seys the then, be alert to eliminate a dis- periods, as in recreation, to stop officer smiling. One wonders cussion or question period you how much of the period of the short just before people are address she spent in trying to had planned but which you come formulate it! Miss Jones an- to feel will not be wise or effec- ready to quit. swers it with enthusiasm. Dead silence again. tive. Question and discussion peri- The "Discussion" on this pro- In the third place, develop a ods rightly used are excellent. gram was a flat failure. It technique for drawing questions. An interdenominational confer- ence of children's w 0 r k e rs, where each was a stranger to the other, had a most lively question couldn't have been worse. Yet period. At the outset of the You can become more expert in that is exactly what happens presentation the group listening using them helpfully if you study ninety-nine times out of a hun- was asked to keep paper and the reasons for your success or dred when questions are called pencil in hand and to jot down failure and try again. BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~,==================~ TAMBARAM SPEAKS FOR for action to an ecumenical con- that the pulse of the Christian ference, those delegates hold in Church is to be found in the HOME MISSIONS their hands the deciding votes throbbing life of its evangelistic By REV. HILDA L. IVES that can establish their inter- fervor. Here is the test of the The third International Mis- pretations of spiritual truth and reality of the Christian religion. sionary Council which met at that can express their spiritual Any church or any individual Tambaram, India, in December, ideals in Christ. I do not know Christian who lacks missionary 1938, made history. For the that there was any time at Tam- zeal is as a burnt-out coal on the first time in the record of ecu- baram when the colored dele- altar of the Living God, for a menical religious councils the gates as a whole were in opposi- transforming religious experimajority of the appointed dele- tion to the white delegates or ence brings the propulsive love gates were representatives of when the representatives of the and power of the Living Christ the colored races. To be exact, younger churches were in dis- and with this inflow of the Holy there were eight more colored agreement with the delegates of Spirit comes a sense of Divine delegates than there were white the older churches. But if acute Mission. In the words of the delegates. This fact has far- differences had existed, victory Tambaram findings, "There is a reaching implications for the was always possible for the sure indication that evangelism missionary cause. In the first younger churches. Such decid- is not due merely to the zeal of place, it means that the Chris- ing power will be increasingly Christian people, but rather is tian Church is now so deeply in the hands of the colored races the outcome of a Divine initiarooted throughout the world in the years to come. tive. The task can never be that it has taken on the sem- In the third place, this world- achieved wit h 0 u t :sacrifice. blance in color and in dignity of wide establishment of the Chris- Churches as well as individuals the family of nations as God tian Church means that the term are summoned to die unto themcreated them. God is an artist. "home missions" has new conno- selves and unto their own par- With the dawning of a new morn tations for all Christians. The ticular interests that the world He paints His skies with irrides- work of the Christian Church may be saved. Worship must cent hues. With the flaming can no longer be divided into lead to witness and spiritual rays of His dying sun, He sets "foreign missions" and "home growth to self-giving." These His heavens aglow with glorious missions," with the meaning words can well be a stimulus to color. Such a God would nat- that has existed in the past. the work of home missions.
urally create His children, His Every country now has its Tambaram laid an emphasis, family of nations, a colorful peo- strong indigenous C h r i s t ian as did the ecumenical conference ple. His Church is a colorful Church. Every country now has at Jerusalem, upon the strategic church, beautiful in the warm its home missions, consisting of importance of the Rural Church shades of brown, yellow, black all areas where Jesus Christ is in the stabilization of a chaotic an"d red, with enough white to not known. From the discus- world. This means, of course, make a perfect harmonious sions at Tambaram, it was the strategic importance of whole. This was shown to all brought out that all churches home missions in every nation.
Christian leaders who saw the are now considering the sending Tambaram emphasized the need Universal Church assembled in of Christian leaders to other of experts and specialists for all the beautiful new auditorium of lands as foreign missionaries. It the different phases of village the Madras Christian College at was suggested that India might life where human needs are the Tambaram. The Ecumenical well send from her Indian Chris- most pressing. This need was Church which represents Chris- tian Church foreign missionaries expressed in the findings in the tendom fairly in the future will to Africa, even as it was sug- following words, "Increasing the consist of inspired harmonious gested that America might con- fruitfulness of the land, raising leaders blended into a colorful sider the appointment of a fine the level of literacy and intelli- Negro Christian missionary to gence, providing wholesome unity of faith. In the second place, the pre- India. Such suggestions have recreation, turning slums to dominance of colored Christians tremendous import in the re- homes, rescuing people from meaus that at any time there is va1uation of the whole mission- financial exploitation or trying unanimity of opinion upon the ary cause. Tambaram asserted to prevent such sin, directing the r~solutions of findings presented again and again in its findings energies and the social instincts [317 J of youth into channels of whole- is right, who still feel the clasping sage of the mystic, Kahlil Gibsomeness and service-all these hands of love even when they go ran, but the period of directed are the blessed touch of the hand through pain and trial and loss, this prayer which followed its readof Christ when done by men and seed-spirit will spread, this nucleus ing was one of the high moments women filled with the love of will enlarge and create a society. of the conference. Christ and equipped with special knowledge for the task. . . . This excerpt from "Inner The commission group meet- Wherever possible the Church Life" by Rufus M. Jones ap- ings were held at Riverside should cooperate with govern- peared on the cover of the pro- Church, and in Hamilton and mental agencies contributing gram of the Metropolitan Chris- Business Halls at Columbia Uniher Christian spirit, her trained tian youth Conference held in versity. The unique feature of workers, her volunteer assist- New York City on March 3, 4, these commission groups was the ance and her deep interest to and 5, 1939. setting up of booths to resemble lift the level of the community's the World's Fair, called "The way of life." The committee of ten young World's Fair of Social Chal- people headed by the general lenges." In these booths were In conclusion, I would say that chairman, Mr. Oliver Powell of displayed the contributions of the message from Tambaram to the Metropolitan C h r i s t ian various racial groups and rehome missions is that home mis- Youth Council sought in their source materials on outstanding sions are thrilling opportunities arduous planning for this con- social questions. for service and for evangeliza- ference to spread this "seedtion within national boundaries. spirit" among the youth of the The subjects covered were: Foreign missions are the thrill- Metropolitan area. Their months Peace, Economic Problems, Race ing opportunities for service and of thoughtful, prayerful en- Relations, Jewish-Christian Refor evangelization within inter- deavor resulted in a well-bal- lations, Housing, Unemployment, national boundaries. Interest in anced program. both home and foreign missions Home and Marriage, Leisure will exist in the same person if The conference speakers were Time, Labor Problems and he is a true follower of the Mas- Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, World Christianity. ter. Home missions gives a minister host to the delegates, Christian an opportunity for Rev. Abraham J. Muste of the Some dealt with personal relimore direct practical concern Labor Temple, Dr. John Suther- gion, as, for instance questions and service to needy parts of his land Bonnell, pastor of the Fifth such as these: own nation, for a more intimate Avenue Presbyterian Church, knowledge· of many groups of and Mr. Oliver Powell. Anyone Is religion personal or social, or is underprivileged people and for doubting that youth is inter- religion personal and social? a definite part in the develop- ested in a pulpit message need ment of a constructive, vital pro- only to have witnessed the rapt Can I save myself without saving gram for the building of the attention given these conference others? Kingdom of God. The needs of speakers to be convinced that the home mission fields, close at youth will give ear to a message Can I be religious and not go to hand and sacrificially met, can of worth. church? open the heart to the needs of far-distant lands. Home mis- One of the outstanding mo- What would happen if young peosions is a spiritual and necessary ments in the services of worship ple really believed in Jesus? preparation for foreign mis- was that in which the words of sions. "Such movements are "The Prophet" were read. Does God have a purpose for every the urge of the Spirit to the life? If so, does the individual have Church to fulfil its great com- And an old priest said, "Speak to a definite part to play in carrying out mission, relying not merely upon us of religion." And he said: "Have that purpose or does he just find for human resources, but upon the I spoken this day of aught else?" himself something to do in advancing power of God. . . . The Church's the purpose? message to the world is the Lord Is not religion all deeds and all re- Jesus Christ Himself in all His flections, and that which is neither These young people faced honmanifold grace and power." deed nor reflection, but a wonder and estly and frankly these and many surprise ever springing in the soul, other problems. that confront YOUTHFUL BUILDERS even while the hands hew the stone youth today. or tend the loom? OF THE KINGDOM Naturally there was a diver- Who can separate his faith from sity of opinion, and both con- The Seed his actions, or his belief from his oc- servative and progressive poi~ts cupation? of view were presented. Our It was Jesus' faith that, if you get young people live in a world in into the world a seed of the Kingdom, Who can spread his hours before which they themselves must a nucleus of persons who exhibit the him, saying, "This for God and this choose what they shall believe blessed life, who are dedicated to ex- for myself; this for my soul, and this concerning the essential facts of panding goodness, who rely implicitly for my body? . . ." life and only as they think for on love and sympathy, who try in themselves can they grow into meek patience the slow method that He to whom worshipping is a win- men and women of principle and dow to open but also to shut, has not stable Christian character. yet visited the house of his soul whose windows are from dawn to dawn. Earnestness of purpose and youthful enthusiasms character- Your daily life is your temple and ized all sessions of this gather- your religion. ing of youth and one could not but feel that these youthful Whenever you enter into it take builders of God's Kingdom had with you your all. come a little nearer Christ's dream for the world Space does not permit a full quotation of this beautiful mes-
A Story for the
KEEP OFF THE GRASS Norman and the policeman the boys all laughed and told him turned round to look ata young to forget it. They said that all By VIOLET WOOD man who had come over to them. reporters were crazy. As the long summer days passed, Nor- Norman was burning up. His "And who may you be?" bel- man still dreamed of sailing in a clothes stuck to him. It was the lowed the policeman. boat up and down the Hudson hottest day of 1875. None of River. the gang were around for they "George H. Williams of the had all gone s.wimming in the New York Times." One afternoon he was sitting East River where his mother on the curbstone outside of his wouldn't let him go. "A smart alec reporter, huh?" tenement under the shade of the "Look here, officer, I don't in- elevated trains when he noticed All along the road, carts and tend to get into a brawl. I'd a man evidently looking for horses were tied to hitching just like to ask you a civil ques- someone as he consulted the posts or were moving fretfully tion. How many times a day do house numbers. The boy's heart through the narrow city streets. you kick little boys like this one skipped a beat. It was Mr. Wil- Up on the fire escapes of out of the city parks?" liams. Norman rushed over to crowded tenement blocks babies The policeman pushed back greet the reporter. He was so lay in cradles made out of old his hat, the better to see the re- excited he scarcely heard right. orange boxes. Many of them porter. What he saw evidently He was to have a gang of boys cried incessantly. pleased him for he changed his at Battery Marsh on Sat.urday. surly tone. "More than I care Norman felt like crying, too. to think of, young fellow. I Saturday came too slowly, but He had never disobeyed his know that there's no place for then Norman, his friends and mother, but the impulse to go these kids in New York City to hundreds of newspaper boys with the gang was strong. He play but in the gutters. But from all over New York City had only a vague idea where the what can I do? If I let this kid went sailing on the ferry boat. East River was. Street after stay here, tomorrow there'd be Best of all, was the news that street he crossed in the blazing hundreds tramping around here for the rest of the summer they sun, with the horses and car- and what would become of the could spend the long, hot days riages ambling in every direc- park?" on the boat. tion. After much walking he came to a park. The cool, green Mr. Williams turned to Nor- Mr. Williams had told Norgrass stretched all around. The man who had been crouched man's story in the newspaper, as sight of it thrilled him. Al- down between the. two men, well as that of other little boys though it was carefully foot wondering whether he should whom he had seen compelled to wired and bore signs warning, run or stay. "How would you "Keep off the grass." People "Keep off the grass," Norman like to spend some of your sum- had sent in money to hire a ferry jumped the small fence, picked boat to take the children sailing out a choice spot beneath a mer days on a ferry boat, sailing every morning and bring them shady maple tree and lay down. up and down the H u d son back at night. The idea seemed River?" so wonderful that one of the big The lovely tree swayed, caus- New York churches took it up ing a slight breeze and making Norman looked at the re- and for many years made this the sunlight fall in patterns porter. "You're making fun of one of their home missionary upon him. He lay thinking, "I'm me, mister. I ain't never been tasks. going to bring mama and papa on a boat in my life." and the baby here." Reverently Making Use of This Story he felt the grass. Although "No," said the reporter, "I'm parched and dry, it was delight- not kidding you." He whipped "Keep off the grass" is the fully cool to the hands of this out a notebook. "What's your true story of the beginning of little boy who knew the feel of name? Where do you live?" He The Floating Hospital of St. cement sidewalks better. John's Guild that still carries on wrote down what Norman halt- the work. "Come on, get up out of ingly told him. there!" Many children have no idea as "Who do you think you are, a to what "home missions" are. Norman started up, his heart See how many aspects of work beating wildly as he looked at a millionaire? Getting ferry boats among underprivileged children policeman towering above him. for kids-don't make me laugh!" in metropolitan and rural sec- tions the child knows. Tell of "Get a move on, you !" The policeman swung his stick. your denomination's work in Norman was too frightened to "Just watch the pages of the various fields. move. "Why don't you pick on some- New York Times, brother," anbody your size, brother?" Both swered the reporter. To Nor- man he s.aid, "And you, sonny, I'll be round to see you real soon."
When Norman got home, and told his adventure to the gang, [319 ]
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO "
~~~~=====================================================================~ NORTH AMERICA life; the Church and marriage. five cents each for bricks in the Family participation in commu- edifice. The upper part was paid One Hundred Year Split Ended nity activities. Education for for by royalties on the Moody- world citizenship. Old age and Sankey song books sold in Great The three great divisions of its place in family life. Britain-money which the evan- Methodism are closing the books gelists would not accept for their on more than a century of schism It is a common mistake to as- personal use. The ministry of to form the largest Protestant sume that Christian education is this good-will gift has extended group in the United States. The for children only. The whole over more than seventy years. union will give the Methodist work cannot be done by the When the Chicago Avenue Church nearly 8,000,000 mem- Church School, so that a pro- Church organization moved one bers, 50,0'0'0 churches and $800,- gram must be developed which mile to the north, the Moody 0'0'0,0'0'0 worth of property. The will include men and women, as Bible Institute purchased the old Articles of Religion will be those well as the youth. An adequate building and has since used it historically held in common by program is necessary in order for classes and conferences. the three uniting bodies. Two to make the Church ineffective. differences had led to the split: Another Survey on Beliefs theNegro question divided North -The Church in Action. and South in 1844, and lay rep- The ·Survey Gra.phic for April resentation in church affairs in Bibles from the Dumps published the results of a study 1828. made by Prof. James H. Leuba Not all hotel managers like to of Bryn Mawr, in which he The publishing interests of the have Bibles in their rooms. For sought to find out the proportion unified Methodist Church are to example, when a hotel in western of Americans who believe in God be under a Board of Publication, Canada changed ownership the and a future life. Sixty-four per which replaces the book commit- new proprietor had all the Gid- cent of the prominent bankers tee of the Southern church and eon Bibles thrown out on the believe in God, but only half the board of the Northern. dump. Later, a poor girl went that many writers do. Figures to the dump hoping to find SOme- for a belief in immortality were One weekly paper, with re- thing of value that she could sell. somewhat higher than for a begional editions, to be called The Noticing the books, she picked lief in God. About 25 per cent Methodist, will serve the entire up one and took it home. had not made up their minds Church. Editors will be drawn Through reading it she found about immortality while only 7 from the staffs of papers which Christ, and this led to the forma- per cent were undecided about the new publication displaces. tion of a Sunday school class, the existence of God. Among whose members also went to the men of science the proportions Church Education dump and provided themselves of doubters in immortality was with Bibles, so that not one copy also much greater than that of The 19th Social Work Confer- was left unappropriated. doubters in the existence of God. ence of the Episcopal Church, which meets in Buffalo, June 16 -So S. Times. -The Churchman. and 17, will have a wider appeal than in the past. It is to be a Moody Auditorium Replaced Home Missions' Outreach conference for all who are interested in education, as is evident The historic Moody Bible In- Dr. Antonio Mangano, an from the list of topics to be dis- stitute Church in Chicago was Italian Baptist min i s t e r in cussed: Family life and its ma- closed on May 6 on account of Brooklyn, makes this comment terial foundations; its legal and the widening of the street on on home missions: "Soon after social status; its spiritual pat- which it opens. This landmark, evangelical churches commenced terns. Youth problems; youth scarred by use and age, has been work among Italians in Amerconsultation service; youth's in- replaced by its successor one ica, the effects were seen in Italy. terest in social education and block to the north, called the The first missionary pastors social action. Preparation for "Torrey-Gray Auditorium." Fol- were converts who came from family life; mental hygiene of lowing the great fire of 1871 the Italy, but by their labors Amerinfancy and childhood; adoles- first story of the old structure ica soon began to repay Italy. cence and education for family was erected, thousands of Sun- day school children contributing [320 ] Here and there an Italian con- mountains supplied the idea for posed for the year 1939-40 in the verted in America returned to an experiment, and in 1934 an booklet "A Venture of Faith," Italy and did not hide his light Emergency Relief Administrator recently published by the Naunder a bushel, but faithfully with a vision collected a stack of tional Committee for Religion proclaimed his new-found faith old, nondescript books, maga- and Welfare Recovery. Among zines, and pamphlets, the latter the objectives are: in Jesus as his Saviour. Some- dealing mostly with religious times these humble messengers topics, hired an enthusiastic To educate the American public in were ostracized and persecuted young mountain woman, who the underlying principles of stewarduntil they returned to America. owned a white mule of dubious ship through conventions, regional In other places their townspeople age and a pair of saddlebags. conferences, national magazines, the listened, first with curiosity to With these bags crammed with daily press, motion pictures, radio and the American religion, and later miscellaneous literature, through other educational media. with such interest. that many creek bottoms, cane patches, and were converted. A peasant of over abandoned trails she rode, To broaden the base of giving by Calitri was converted anhe Bap- stopping at every mountain enlisting as nearly as practicable, tist mission in Hartford, Con- home to urge all who could read "every citizen as a steward of life and necticut, and became an earnest to read what she was giving property for the welfare of mankind." Christian. When he returned to them. Often she read aloud to his family in the little hilltown whole families, most of whom To develop more business-like methof southern Italy, he labored were illiterate. ods of systematic giving, proportiontirelessly to bring his townsmen ate to incomes. to Christ, with the result that a The Kentucky mountaineers grasped and clung to this pack To lift the present level of giving church was formed with a mem- horse service, which grew at from 2.033 per cent to the unprecebership of 50 which has since such a rate that today it is en- dented figure of 3 per cent of income, grown to several hundred." tirely out of hand-through lack and as far as practicable toward the of books. One by one, pack- biblical tithe and the 15 per cent -Watchman-Examiner. horse library carriers were which the government exempts from added, until, at the present time, income tax if given privately for pub- First Spanish Baptist Church, women ride horseback and walk lic welfare. New York City an average of 26,182 miles monthly to deliver 39,293 books To educate the public on the im- There were about twenty chil- to 36,293 Kentucky mountain portance of "Mbre and Better Wills," families anxious to learn, and to including annual review of wills with dren present, most of whom had know the doings. of the world due consideration of our personal in- outside. These libraries extend debtedness to religious, educational, never prayed in public before. over certain backwoods regions character-building and welfare insti- of thirty-one counties. tutions. We had a worship service, and The Federal Government pays To seek the religious, social and then I told them why we were the carriers – all from relief moral welfare of the donor as more rolls – a small wage. .once a important than the material value of assembled and asked all who week they hold conferences at the dollar. their centers, clip continued wished to lead in prayer to do so. stories from old magazines and In the Indian Field bind them into a unit; and fas- The children ranged in age from ten Sunday school lesson papers A glance at the year's work in cardboard covers, with a reli- among the Indians indicates 5-14 years. All those present led gious picture on the outside. progress both in extending evangelization and in strengthin prayer, and for so many it The "bookwomen," however, ening the groups of converts in are not without rebuff. One was forty-seven different t rib e s. was the first time in their lives, met on a mountain side by an There has been an increase in irate father who said he "wanted the number of accessions on proand so I was immensely proud no more sech goin's on." Said fession of faith. However, there he: "I cain't get my gal to do have been obstacles to Christianof them. There was no waiting nothin' but read. My cornfield izing efforts, such as violations needs hoein'''; and he declared of the law against the sale and because one little boy led in angrily, "sittin' in a corner with use of liquor; converts who have her nose in a book h'aint gonna earnestly tried to withstand prayer every time no one else get them weeds out!" temptation have been enticed by unscrupulous white men engaged spoke up. He is seven years of -Bible Society Record. in the traffic. Among the Sioux Indians, sales of peyote, unreage, and I was surprised at his Stewardship Promotion Plan stricted by the government, have been promoted. A bill introreligious experience. He came A nation-wide program of duced in Congress to prohibit stewardship education is pro- the traffic of this drug among very near crying many times the Indians was not reported out of the committee because of the while he led in the five prayers influences which were mar- shalled against it. he offered that day, one of them In certain reservations, Inbeing of about twenty minutes' dians have been encouraged to revive their ancient culturesduration. He wanted to pray so-called – which involve pagan for everyone he knew, because it was the Day of Prayer. He prayed for grandmothers and asked a blessing on all the bad people and the gang of boys who beat him up. -Selected.
Pack Horse Library Just what is a pack horse library? An expressed wish for reading material in the Kentucky
practices. The encouraging fact farmers; but Palmer Church says Dr. Johnson, are not antiis that many of the Indians are also serves the coal miners to Semitic. opposed to the return of these the north, the many gold miners primitive rites. It should be high in the mountains and iso- Palestine at the "Golden Gate" recorded that recently the gov- lated communities along the railernment has issued an order road, including the Eklutna Vo- An interesting exhibit at the prohibiting Indian dances for cational School to the south and San Francisco World's Fair is a commercial ends. All the Chris- fishing stations on Cook Inlet. "Holy Land Garden," containing tian, and most of the progressive more than a hundred trees, Indians are in hearty accord "The Vanishing Indian" shrubs and plants mentioned in with this order. the Bible: olives from Mount This common phrase does not Olivet, Lebanon and Galilee; -Presbyterian Board of hold up under scrutiny. When date palms, acacias, plane trees National Missions. the Pima Indians held their an- and pomegranates-the Eastern nual camp meeting in Arizona, symbol of life and fertility. Mexicans in Texas fifteen acres of desert were cov- There will be almonds, fig trees ered with wagons, horses, tents, and "bitter herbs," the latter Evangelization of the Mexi- and hundreds of children, young mentioned to Moses (Exodus cans in Texas is important be- people and white-haired Indians, 12: 8) in connection with the cause there are almost a million assembled for one of the largest Passover. Fragrant, pungent, of them who are ignorant of the evangelistic meetings ever held spicy plants with Biblical back- Gospel. Southern Baptists are by Indians. There was contin- ground will be here – hys,sop, grappling with the problem, and uous activity from sunrise until thy m e, rosemary, lavender, have marked out two lines of ten at night. Choirs from a anise, cummin, rue, cassia, musapproach, the first being evange- dozen villages, in training for tard, leeks, onions, garlic. The lism. To this end, six evangelis- months, took part in services carob, which is identified as "the tic conferences were held in Jan- conducted by Indian ministers. husks that the swine did eat," uary and February in various will also find place in the Garden. parts of the state. The second -Monday Morning. will he emphasis on stewardship Barley, wheat, flax and riceand tithing; teaching the funda- Anti-Semitism in U. S. the papyrus antiquorum, or bulmentals on which any Christian rush, that sheltered Moses in his forward movement must be built. Dr. Alvin Johnson, director of watery cradle, the arundo donax, the New School for Social Re- "the measuring reed" of Holy Efforts will be made also to search, New York City, confirms Writ, camphire, coriander, lilies, have an every-member canvass the estimate that there are 800 myrtle, and finally Christ's in every Mexican church early distinctly anti-Jewish organiza- Thorn (Paliurus aculeatus), and in the year. Goals will be sug- tions in the United States, claim- many another growing thing gested as a minimum for each ing 6,000,000 adherents. Some with definite line of identificachurch. The First Mexican Bap- of these organizations are na- tion back to Biblical times and tist Church of San Antonio has tionwide in their operation, some scenes, will be installed on voted a 33113% increase in their are regional; a few require pay- Treasure Island. budget for the present year, and ment of dues, and sell antiplans to make missions a definite Semitic literature. The most im- Interpretations will be given part of its program. portant are: the Silver Shirts, of the ancient uses of the plants Defenders of the Christian in the Garden. -SouthernBaptist Home Faith, Industrial Defense Asso- Missions. ciation, American Nationalist -Sunday School Times. Confederation, James True As- A Growing Parish sociates, Knights of the White The Gospel at Golden Gate Camellia, and the German- Exposition Not much has been heard re- American Bund. cently of the government's Ma- The Christian Business Men's tanuska Valley proj ect, but Dr. Johnson classifies their Committee of San Francisco has Monday Morning reports that propaganda appeal something planned an aggressive soul-savthe federated church at Palmer like this: for the average tim- ing program for the World's (in this valley) now has its own orous person, identification of Fair. Eight thousand square building, a membership of nearly Jews with "Reds"; for the so- feet of outside space in a choice, 75 and an average Sunday school ciety dame, the fake letter of central location has been purattendance of 112. This church, Franklin; for the anti-New chased, and an auditorium seatunder Rev. Bert Bingle, has Dealer, list of government jobs ing 250 people has been erected. withstood a number of reverses held by Jews; and for the small In addition to services in the in its three years of existence. business man, assertion that cor- auditorium, thousands of Bible porations are controlled by portions and tracts are being dis- Since the construction men Jews; nothing for the parlor tributed. and clerical forces required in anti-Semitic who hates the Jew the beginning have now with- on his own. Women, as a rule, Tom M. Olson, a well-known drawn, the church membership Bible teacher and personal is made up almost entirely of worker with wide exposition ex- perience, has been procured as
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the manager of the project. request of the wife of an un- converts in the ocean at Port-de- "Sermons from Science" will be faithful drifter; another woman Paix. A member of the Mission presented by Irwin A. Moon, who had lost her son asked for a writes that it was necessary to who has had an unusual minis- sermon on death. The church is call three meetings in one week try for Christ during the past always filled to capacity. recently, to examine individually few years. His messages and fifty candidates for baptism. Not equipment will captivate and Mr. Pagan takes great pleas- only the testimony of the conarouse the curiosity of the un- verts was heard, but that of saved. Three messages daily He ure in the church organ, which their neighbors who knew at present the first century Gospel first hand about· their changed to this twentieth century. he practically built himself. life. Twenty-two of these con- would appreciate having victrola verts came from a distant part Tithe Reindeer and Walrus? records of religious music. of the Island. They traveled all night, some on donkeys and some Rev. Fred Klerekoper, a Pres- Unappropriated Ouba on foot. One was a well-known byterian missionary to the Eski- witch doctor, who, soon after his mos at Point Barrow, Alaska, In northeast Cuba is a tract of conversion, presented the Mishas not as yet reached a solution sion with a piece of ground in of this problem, but the church some 13,000 acres, known as his village on which to build a members of that community chapel. His wife and daughter (which includes almost all the Realengo 18, meaning "unap- were baptized with him. natives) have all agreed to tithe for the support of their church. propriated." This area which Women's Service League- There is almost no cash at all in Ohile the community. When an Es- includes both mountains and valkimo wants a sack of flour or a Manana (tomorrow will do) pound of coffee, he takes a fox leys is inhabited by 2,500 fam- may be the motto of some Latin or a polar bear skin from his re- Americans, but this does not go serve and makes for the trading ilies, very industrious folk in for the evangelical women of post. He does not receive cash. Valparaiso, Chile, who have or- When there is a surplus after he spite of their uncertainty of ganized a "League for Service." has completed his purchases, he Not only do they work in groups, is given credit on paper. tenure. In 1934, the Gospel knitting or sewing for the poor; they visit jails, orphanages, So, if an Eskimo has a walrus reached the southern part of asylums, hospitals and homesand ten seals, what will be his Realengo 18 through Senora del in fact few chances are lost to gift? What could the church do be of service somewhere. One with the meat? The community Valle; and another sec t ion member took into her own home reindeer herd contains some the small child of a woman who 12,000 of the animals, and how heard the Good News through must go to the hospital; another could one manage to use 1,200 prevented the marriage of a girl reindeer? some Haitian Christians harvest- of 14 to an old man; others clear up homes too filthy to live in, -Presbyterian News. ing coffee there. One of the first take sick children to the public health clinic, and teach mothers LATIN AMERIOA converts was a peddler of pins, the rudiments of health and sanitation. Radio Sermons in Puerto Rico who goes about and at each Good News from Brazil Radio station WPRA in Maya- house leaves a copy of one of the guez, P. R., has granted its fa- An interesting and heartening cilities for one hour every Sun- Gospels. This man has held piece of news, coming through day to Rev. Antonio Pagan, pas- the evangelical papers of Brazil, tor of one of the Presbyterian preaching services in many of says that in Ceara, the leading churches in the city. Results state in the north of Brazil, have been far-reaching. The the homes of the district. Few reading of the Gospels has been Sunday sermon is heard in Cen- adopted for public schools. tral, South and North America, families of Realengo 18 are with- Christians everywhere, knowing as well as in the Island. Mr. what ignorance of the Bible has Pagan does not claim to be a out at least a portion of the prevailed in Brazil, will share good preacher, "but," says he, the joy felt in evangelical circles "I receive many letters every Bible and many have accepted of that country. The editor of week thanking me for the ser- the Expositor Cristiio, official mon." Many of these sermons Christ. There are now three Methodist organ, writes: "This are prepared especially for those marks a gigantic stride in the who write of their spiritual regular preaching places and needs. A sermon on "Put· Your House in Order" answered the one Sunday school. In March last year, the believers started a fund for a church, school and parsonage. The first offering amounted to more than $60. A friend of the work in Homer, New York, added $60 and a house was, purchased.
The peddler preacher made his rounds on a horse, and when it died the group of Christians raised a fund to buy another.
They have a vision of one day being. able to support their preacher, so that he can devote all his time to the work of the church. They also have another idea; Friday has been selected as "missionary day," when every Christian is expected to call on some one not yet a be- liever. -Missions.
Oonverts in Haiti The Haitian Gospel Mission reports the baptism of forty-six
path of the re-Christianization standing in a new and rapidly Conference of Evangelical developing central business secof Brazil." Students tion of Rio de Janeiro. Cambridge University, more Bible Sunday in Brazil The Church in Colombia than any other in England, has been associated with evangelical Half a century ago Bible Sun- . day, as it is known today, had The establishment of a "self- movements and tradition. It is not been instituted. H. C. supporting, self-governing, self- therefore appropriate that the Tucker, writing in the World propagating" church in Colom- International Conference of Outlook, traces the development bia is a slow process, for poverty Evangelical Students should be of Bible distribution in Brazil and ignorance abound and con- held there (June 2:7 to July 3). during the past fifty years. The verts often face bitter persecu- It was there that Erasmus inpopulation in 1888 was approxi- tion. However, the beginnings troduced the study of the Greek mately 15,000,000, of which 85 oE an indigenous church are evi- Testament to those who became per cent were illiterate. There dent. leaders and'martyrs in the Engwere only a few miles of rail- Some years ago a land owner lish Revr:>lution, Latimer, Ridley road, travel and communication in the interior heard the Gospel and Cranmer. It includes among being by mule, oxcart, canoe and and accepted Christ. Through its alumni Oliver Cromwell and on foot. Brazilians not only had his testimony, and faithful ef- John Milton. no Bibles, but were told that the forts of missionaries, not to say Speakers at this conference Bible was not a book for the hardship and sacrifice, a group will come from several parts of common people. Many priests of beUevers was organized in Europe. The general theme will did not possess copies in Portu- 1935 and a board of five men be "Christ, Our Freedom." It is guese, some not even in Latin. placed in charge. A recent visi- open to undergraduate and post- But on Bible Sunday, 1938, tor to the district was impressed graduate students, and univerthe population of Brazil stood at by what he saw. Alone, or two- sity faculty members. 47,000,000 and illiteracy had by-two, these Christians go out been reduced by one – third. to preach Christ, while those at One Thousandth Anniversary home look after their small Means of communication had farms. The church has twice The Mis s ion Field, the been greatly extended; even air been enlarged, but even so there monthly magazine of the Society lines connect centers in many is not room for all who wish to directions. Educational facili- attend. Another group has been for the Propagation of the Gosties, cultural influences and organized a day's journey away, pel in Foreign Parts issued in measures of health and hygiene and nine have been baptized. April, 1939, its 1,000th number are spreading out into rural Schools have been opened in of this excellent magazine. The areas. During the half century, both places, with native teachers' first number was issued eighty- and young men and women are two years ago and it has since the American Bible Society re- being prepared for the Bible Inports the annual distribution of stitute, and later for service. been making known the needs of Bibles, Testaments and Scrip- people of non-Christian lands for ture portions has increased from EUROPE 7,286 to 221,034 copies, while the Gospel and the progress the British and Foreign Bible Youth Movement in England made especially through the Society report a similar increase. work of the S. P. G. The peri- Probably not less than 8,000,000 Young people and their inter- odical was begun by Earnest ests are coming to the front in copies of the Bible have been Great Britain. This was mani- Hawkins in 1856 but the Society placed in the hands of Brazilians fest in the Youth Assembly in was organized in 1701 and the in the half century. This would London early in the year. The 239th anniversary was celebe about one copy to every six Methodist Youth Service Council brated in Londo'n this year. Its people. is not only taking part in the work is being carried on in public inquiry as to youth condi- Japan, Korea, China, British It is significant that Bible tions, but has had a special in- Malaya, Siam, India, Burma, Sunday, 1938, records a marked Australasia, Africa, Central and change in the Roman Catholic attitude toward the popular use South America, the West Indies, Canada and Europe.
of the Bible, particularly the terest in the First National Par- England Bans Stage Profanity New Testament. At least four liament of Youth, held March attempts with ecclesiastical ap- 24-27, a parliament composed of A play that was shown 168 proval have been made in recent fourteen national youth or- times in New York was not alyears by priests of this church ganizations. lowed to finish the first perform- to translate, popularize and stim- Among the supporters of the ance in Chester, England, on ulate interest in the reading of Youth M 0 v e men t in Great account of its profanity. The the Gospels. and the entire New Britain are the Archbishop of theater manager rang the cur- Testament. An increasing vol- Canterbury, the Archbishop of tain down in the middle of the ume of the Scriptures and Bib- York, the President of the Meth- first act, and the orchestra lical literature is going out from odist Conference and other struck up "God Save the King."
the nine-story Bible H 0 use, leaders. Actors and producers were
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
called before the constable to an- tains that he is bound to preach ers, in very simple words, try swer the charge of allowing such and declare that a man is saved to persuade the reader to buy, profanity on the stage. by the blood of Jesus Christ and and read aNew Testament or not by Aryan blood, that the ex- Bible. Posters were also sold for On the same day on which this clusion of converted Jews from distribution in Tunisia, Belgium, incident occurred a court in the full privileges of Christian Switzerland, Great Britain and Montreal, Canada, sentenced the life is unchristian, that the Canada. author of a play called "The Church of Christ must be ruled Deluge" to two months' im- by God's Word alone, and not by In answer to prayer, permisprisonment and a fine of $250 the government, that the denial sion was given to open a stall at on a charge of blasphemous libel, of justice is the mark of an un- a market for second-hand things, because the play "offended God christian state, that political realistically called "The Flea and religion." One actor was movements cannot be regarded Market." Astonishment was also sentenced to serve time in as Divine revelations nor their plain on the faces of passers-by, jail, while six others received leaders be venerated as mes- one of whom exclaimed: "What! suspended sentences. sengers of God. Such books at the Flea Market!" Two young business men devote -World Outlook. Jews in Warsaw their only leisure half day on Saturday to sell the books. On Scandinavian Teachers For several years the Church one Saturday they sold 44 Tes- Abjure War Mission to the Jews in Warsaw taments in eleven languages. has held evening classes in the More than 130 representatives English language, which brings No More Jewish Converts of Danish, Swedish, Norwegian numbers of the younger element and Finnish teachers' organiza- of Polish Jewry to the Mission The Evangelical Church of tions, assembled for a conference House. Thuringia is one of those most in Finland, have adapted a state- completely under Nazi domment on war which makes scant Attendance during the past inance. This church has recently compromise with the trend to- winter has greatly increased, issued an order by which bapward increased armaments for and if premises and staff could tized Jews can no longer be defense. These teachers say: be enlarged would be still members of the regional church; "In line with the growing war greater. These classes serve as and by which the ministrations psychosis there is observable a means of breaking down the of the church can no longer be also in Scandinavian countries age-long prejudice of Jew s rendered to them. Since this an effort to adapt the schools to against Christianity in general order was issued, the example of the system of military defense. and missionaries in particular. the Church of Thuringia is be- We consider all such actions, The classes are uncompromis- ing followed by the regional whether involving outright mili- ingly evangelistic, yet this fact churches of Saxony, Mecklentary training, or education and does not diminish the attend- burg and Anhalt. In complying preparation for the defense of ance. Once a week the gather- with these new laws, the the population, as tending to be- ing combines evangelistic and churches mentioned have given cloud the spiritual life of the social activities; and while per- up the right to make converts, to child, and to counteract the spirit haps forty will occupy them- Christianity. -Kulturkampf. of confidence in the love of hu- selves with the games and manity that the school endeavors reading matter, a hundred or so Russian Bible Fund to inculcate in the young. We will listen to the Christian adare obliged, therefore, to regis- dress, lasting about an hour. About ten years ago, the Soter our determined opposition to Willingness to listen does not viet Government gave permissuch a violation of the school's imply acceptance of the Gospel, sion to a group of Russian Chrisrights – irrespective of the ex- but does indicate open-minded- tians to publish 50,000 Bibles ceptional difficulties of the times ness. About twenty young Jews and 50,000 New Testaments. An -to carryon its educational ac- are sufficiently interested in the appeal was sent out for funds, a tivity in accordance with its own Bible to meet every week to committee of Christian leaders aims, which are to develop hu- study it, both the Old and New was organized and contributions man beings sensitive to life's Testament. began to come in. Soon 5,000 highest values and prepared to New Testaments were published promote the development of con- The P. T. L. in Paris and distributed; the printing of cord and good-will in the world." 25,000 complete Bibles got under French workers of the Pocket way. Then the Soviet authori- Pastor Niemoller Testament League, not sure how ties discovered what those 5,000 long they may be free to spread Testaments were doing. Imme- Revelation claims to be the the Word of God, have placed diately they stopped the printing first to publish the real reason more than 1,200 posters. on Paris of the 25,000 Bibles and canfor the imprisonment of Pastor walls, near everyone of the 38 celled the permission previously Niemoller, despite the fact that Parisian cemeteries, and in 72' granted. the court declared him innocent. villages and towns. These post- NiemOller still steadfastly main- Although the collection of
funds had to cease, there was, found a job as sweeper and were busy far into. the night exhowever, a balance of $7,000 in cleaner, and after a few months the bank. The Committee then was employed as a nurse in the amining those who sought bapdecided, since there are millions men's ward. -Life of Faith. of Russians outside of Russia tism. -Life of Faith. and they, too, are hungry for D. V. B. S. in Egypt the Gospel, to distribute these African "Keswick" copies along the borders of The W 0 in en's Missionary Russia. With the cooperation of Magazine reports an increase in A convention for A f ric an Christians in seven countries, the number of Daily Vacation Christians has for some years 4,000 Bibles, 45,000 New Testa- Bible Schools in E.gypt. Also, been held in Kenya. It was orments and 7,000 Bible portions 500 more children were reached. ganized by missionaries for the have thus been distributed. Re- Out of the total number of 2,839 spiritual renewal o.f African cently, the $7,000 was reduced to pupils, 760 were Moslems. Mr. teachers and pastors. There has $17.71, and this was handed over Aig3iban, director of this work, been rapid growth in interest to the "Russian Missionary visited all of the 43 such schools until in 1938 some 200 Africans Service" which will add the dis- conducted by students of Assiut and a dozen Europeans gathered tribution of Bibles to its other College, and a number of other from all parts of the Colony, large activities. -So S. Times. schools as well. Some could only some also from Ruanda, Uganda be reached on donkeys. He says: and Tanganyika. As a direct re- AFRICA "It was very wonderful to hear sult o.f that. convention there boys giving Bible stories and have been many cases of a break- Potential Leader in Egypt Golden Texts. Not only this, but ing of the power of sin. to hear Moslem boys and girls Two or three years ago a giving Bible stories." The most During the 1938 Convention young Mohammedan was attend- popular hand work was crayon the question arose as to whether ing an Islamic school in prepara- coloring of Bible verses. Many the time was not now ripe for tion to become a sheikh. Instead, times children hid the bell, so the formation of a Convention, he is today a baptized Christian, that lessons would last longer. not only for pastors and teachand gives promise of becoming a One of the best schools in Upper ers, but also African Christians leader among Egyptian Chris- Egypt was conducted by a Mos- generally. The matter was tians. While this young Mad- lem boy named Yusef Moham- brought before the committee of booli was at the Islamic school, a med Suliman. It is the third Kenya "Keswick," and as a refriend asked him to join in a year that he has had a school. sult a committee was appointed study of the New Testament, This volunteer in Kom Ghareb to arrange, together with Afriwhich he did, and was so inter- worked all summer both morn- can leaders of the Church, for ested he went to a neighboring ing and afternoon. He declared the organization of the African village to ask some missionaries that he himself got most benefit Convention, under the title for other parts of the Bible. Not from the school. "Kenya Keswick." only was his request granted, he was introduced to the local evan- Revival Comes to Mompono -Life of Faith. gelist, with whom he spent many subsequent hours discussing the The "Regions Beyond Mission- Christian Center in Bible and having his difficulties ary Union" was discouraged Tanganyika explained. He also gathered up when one African teacher after a group of young men from his another proved unfaithful to his It is obviously difficult for a own village to join in this stUdy. trust; but continuance in prayer Christian African boy who goes resulted in enlisting forty keen- to work away from home to keep Of course, his interest did not minded boys in a training class, his balance and resist temptaescape the notice of his Moham- to go out later to the surround- tion. Realizing this, some years medan associates, and he had to ing villages. The number grew ago a number of African Chrisput up with the usual annoy- to sixty, and when all these go tians from different parts of ances. His father thought to out there will be a Christian Tanganyika launched a scheme, end the matter by bringing a evangelist for every village of under the leadership of Eurosheikh to "talk Madbooli out of importance in this dis t ric t. peans, to provide a home and this nonsense." But Madbooli About this time, the missionaries Christian fellowship for such was not to be moved, whereup felt an awakening around them. boys. As if in answer to prayer, his father refused to support Open-air workers reported a a well-to-do African business him, so he set out for Cairo to new interest; natives employed man who had been interested in earn his living. He secured a by traders at the State Po.st were the project willed his home, the job as a basket maker, but when asking for their own evangelist, newest and best house in the his employer found he was a and this spirit was not limited to community, to be used for this Christian he promptly dis- the vicinity of Mompono. Five purpose. The house provides accharged him, and refused to pay witch doctors yielded their commodation for a large recreahim what was due. This time hearts to Christ, and misionaries tion room, a reading and waithe went to Shebeen Hospital, ing room, and one for meetings, as well as a small chapel which gives opportunity for quiet and prayer. In connection with the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
club is a hostel where rooms are tory church collections and, after pay- til they found a friendly chief at ing the allowances of over a hundred let to African Christians. village pastors and teachers, main- Bonginda. Here they settled, -Life of Faith. tained wholly by the indigenous 1,200 miles from the coast, and church, the church sent a gift of five established the Congo Balolo A Great Conference thousand francs toward the deficit of Mission. Eventually, the Re- gions Beyond Missionary Union The largest missionary confer- the Baptist Missionary Society and grew out of this work, and ence South Africa has ever two thousand francs to its largest today it controls work in two substation for church building.
known brought together this The Bible for Cape Verdians fields; in the Congo and in the year at Bloemfontein over 1,000 Bihar province of North India, ministers and laymen of Dutch On the Cape Verde Islands, off where there are seven stations. Reformed churches. The 150 the west coast of Africa, at least In the Congo, there are 20,000 mission congregations were each eighty out of every hundred per- church members, and at least represented by a European mis- sons can read and write; and 20,000 more have been won and sionary, and 400 European con- faith runs high among the mis- are now in "the Church Triumgregations were also repre- sionaries there that Scripture phant." -The Christian. sented. Since 1877 the church's distribution will have far-reachmissionaries h a v e increased from twenty-two to over three ing results. Their plan, they tell Fetish Bonfires Multiply hundred. During the South us, is to place a portion of the African war, 85 young men from Bible in every home. These peo- Public burnings of fetishes the military camps decided to ple are poor, but they have a real are becoming more common in hunger for the Gospel, and will the Belgian Congo; accomgive their lives to mission work. make almost any sacrifice to se- panied by public profession of It was 47 years ago that Rev. A. cure a copy. Proof of this faith in Christ. At Rethi more Louw trekked by ox-wagon to hunger is seen in the following than fifty families have given up Mashonaland, and in that center literal translation of a letter re- their spirit paraphernalia. A today his church numbers 5,000 ceived from one of the islanders: blind evangelist, Paulo, preaches members, with 22,00.0 young with power and he can quote people under instruction. The "I come very respectfully to many passages from the Bible Dutch Reformed Church has ask you this special favor about from memory. To the African, missions in all parts of the your religion. For a long time I the amazing thing is that one so Union of South Africa, in Rho- have lived without belief or fear despised as a blind man should desia, in Nyasaland, and in the of God. Since the first time I go a-bout helping others.-Life heard your words concerning the of Faith. Sudan. It is expected that, as a Gospel I have felt a strange fear result of this conference, every of God and a grand pleasure has WESTERN ASIA congregation will be directed to been in me as I come to this true carryon missionary work in its pathway which I do not know Ten Years to Graduate own area. -So S. Times. profoundly. Therefore I come Draw your own inference by this letter to ask you to loan from the fact that when nurses' Congoland After Fifty Years to me a copy of that book which training was undertaken at Ken- Dr. Holman Bentley, English I have heard you speak about, nedy Memorial Hospital in Trip- Baptist, was the pioneer of Prot- the book which is to guide me oli, Syria, ten years ago, the only estant missions in the Congo. A into 0 Caminho da Salvacao, promising students were girls native boy, Niemvo, helped him (The Way of Salvation}." who had been cared for in Near reduce the Congo language to -The Word of Life. East Relief Orphanages, and had writing, to make a grammar and had a measure of training in dictionary and translate the Regions Beyond Missionary orderliness and regard for the Scriptures. Fifty years ago in Union welfare of others – qualities February, Niemvo was baptized the first native Christian in It is 60 years since the first lacking in most of the others. It Congo; today, there are 250,000 missionary went from the East has taken ten years for the first Protestant church members and London Training Institute to group of girls to carry their a constituency of a million. Central Africa, in territory now training through to successful known as the Belgian Congo. completion. There were four The International Review of girls in this first class to be Missions makes this comment: The Mission at that time was graduated. called the Livingstone Inland Righteousness is beginning to flow Mission. In 1884, it was decided -Monday Morning.
as a mighty stream through the life to hand over the direction of this Long Range Christian Service of the community. Formerly no one Mission, with its seven welldared begin to protest against abuses equipped stations to the Ameri- The American Mission in but, with the revival, fear of man was can Baptists. They, however, Syria has set a goal for a new subdued. A new breath has blown through village life, clearing away the were not able to penetrate as type of missionary work; e.g., old, polluted air. Never has the liberality of our people been so mani- far inland as had been hoped, to reconstruct village life on the fested. Large sums of money have and an expeditionary force principles of the Kingdom of been raised over and above the statu- God as taught in the New Tes- pushed up the Congo River, un-
tament. Briefly, the following a filthy priest leading a tiny bull and so eager to assist their factors enter into the problem: with a crooked mouth and neighbor in her suffering that To follow the example of Christ women stroking its ears in wor- they responded heartily to the with a correlated program to re- ship; women picking up dust Bishop's suggestion that two deem both individual and group tha.t feet of naked priests had representatives of the Methodist life; by living the Gospel before trodden, and putting it on their Episcopal Church in India and preaching it, and by cooperative faces-some of it tied up to take Burma be sent with him to self-help as proclaimed by Jesus. home. However, many were en- China on a mission of fellowship No program is to be "put over," lightened enough to refrain from and help. As soon as arrangebut built around the needs recog- these things. Some were seen to ments could be made, the two nized by the villagers themselves. dip their hands in the river, let men appointed left by motor bus Full cooperation is sought with the water trickle through their over the newly opened road from every department of the Amer- fingers, while their faces were Burma into Yunnan and further ican Mission, with other mis- upturned toward the sky. Be- north in West China. At Runsions and with all national and hind all this, unquestionably, is ning they boarded a plane for government agencies. the search for God. Chengtu. These representatives from India have addressed many It is recognized that changing Caste and Christianity audiences, chiefly students, seekthe lives, thinking, attitudes and ing to aid by evangelistic mescustoms of a conservative vil- H. C. Mookerjie, Ph.D., writ- sages and Christian sympathy. lage community is a long and ing in The Indian Witness, has difficult task, that immediate re- this to say about the bearing of -The Indian Witness. sults must not be expooted. Christianity upon the caste system: A Burmese Woman Leader -Agricultural Mission Notes. Weare all aware that the Indian Dr. Daw Saw Sa, F.R.C.S., Christian community contains within D.P.H., of Rangoon, who ha.s the INDIA AND SIAM itself men and women coming from distinction of being the first nearly all the Indian races, tribes, Burmese woman physician, is The Great Mela castes and strata of society. Blue the first and only woman sena- blooded Brahmins and Syads, high tor under the new constitution, Once in twelve years the castes and scheduled castes, land- which on April 1, 1937, made greatest of all religious festivals owners and tenants, capitalists and Burma a Crown Colony in the is held at Hardwar, in April, laborers, farmers and landless culti- British Commonwealt<h of nawhere the sacred river Ganges vators, rich and poor jostle one an- tions. In 1932 the Rangoon emerges from the mountains. other within the Christian fold. Government conferred unique At that time the population honors upon her by making her swells from a few thousand to All over India, Christianity has sup- a member of the Rangoon Corabout a million, most of whom plied leadership in the revolt against poration, the first time in the are illiterate. For this reason, the rigors of the caste system, and political history of Burma that an announcer told people who specially against untouchability which a Burmese woman was admitted wanted tickets to this or that is a manifestation of the caste feeling as a member of either Corporaplace to go to a spot where they in its most objectionable form. The tion or the Legislative Council. saw a picture of an elephant, a acceptance of our faith has enabled Dr. Daw Saw Sa has long been snake, scissors, a wheel and so thousands of untouchables to shake off interested in politics, particuon. for all time to come the disgrace larly the section relating to wrongly attached to their birth, and physical, moral and mental de- Priests prepare for the wor- to rise in the social scale. The differ- velopment of women and chilship of the river by lighting ence between their position before and dren; and is a member of variwicks in little cups of oil. Wor- after conversion must have made ous societies and institutions, beshippers pass their han d s these men realize very keenly the dis- sides having her own nursing through the flame, then draw abilities under which they had been home and clinic modeled on the their hands across their faces, laboring in their pre-conversion days. most scientific ones in America. perhaps touching lips, eyes and The improvement in their social ears in order to be cleansed from status, always reflected in their be- -Missions. evil they have spoken, seen or havior, has tended to encourage furheard. It is at such times that ther conversions among non-Christian Building the Church in Siam evangelists. are busy with tracts members of the group to which they and Gospel portions, and it is had belonged. In the past, Hindu so- The Church of Christ in Siam not difficult to dispose of them. ciety had refused them all chances of is urging a Five-Year Plan of education, and all prospect of social Evangelism, and is asking each A writer in the Woman's Mis- advancement. Christian missionaries congregation to form a prayer siona1"Y Friend describes some offered both, group for special intercess,ion. of the sights that make one sad A committee was appointed at -make one long to have them India's Mission to China the last meeting of the General know Him who said: "Come Council to consider the possibilunto me." One was a man who At a meeting of the Central ity of a Bible Correspondence had held his arm upraised so Methodist Conference in J anlong he could not take it down; uary, Bishop Ralph A. Ward, of Chengtu, West China, was pres- ent and addressed the audience on conditions in China. Mem- bers of the Conference were so deeply stirred by the situation,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Course being worked out that the Japanese sentries, helping finished just in time to aecommodate could be used throughout the the government care for its all these poor bombed and bayoneted wounded, and conveying money victims; that our staff was spunky whole Church, especially which to stranded communities where they serve. enough to stay; and just now-that furlough is coming in five months.
A Bureau of Evangelistic and the local mission staff is cut off Church Work has been formed from outside contacts. It's a World Movement to encourage all Christians to -The Church in Action. take responsibility for this plan. Japan's military campaign in It is hoped that eight Siamese Statement from Chiang China is destroying Ghina's inwill enter the Union Theological Kai-shek stitutions of higher education, School in Manila; ,two men have because they do not produce already taken this course. The following formal state- citizens that are friendly to ment was issued by Chiang Kai- Japan's imperial ambitions. In Another need is for an or- shek a few weeks ago, and is of the midst of Japan's bombing of dained man and his wife for special s,ignificance: Hunan University that institurural work, since the majority tion organized a Student Chrisof the Siamese are rural folk. At this hour of our national crisis, tian Association, and one of There is also need for'more work we, the Chinese people, are profoundly their first acts was to write the among the Chinese in Siam, be- moved by the earnest increase in the Christian students of Japan saycause of their numbers, and the many concrete expressions of sym- ing that they of Hunan Univerinfluential place they hold in the pathy which have been continuously sity were deeply aware of their business life of the country. coming to us for over 19 months from membership, through theWorld's our friends in other parts of the world. Student Christian Federation, in a world-wide fellowship of Chris- Chinese Evangelists in Siam Christians have left no stone un- tian students, and especially con- scious of their common partici- Some of the evangelists who turned to show their growing interest pation in that fellowship with have been driven out of China in the material as well as the spirhave gone to Siam, and are put- itual welfare of our suffering people. Missionaries, in particular, have never ting new life into Christians hesitated to make even the greatest there. They have conducted meetings through interpreters, personal sacrifices to heal the wounded Christian students of Japan. which have led to the formation and succor the distressed. They called Christian students of Japan, China and other counof bands for Bible study and I welcome this opportunity, there- tries to go in united prayer to a prayer. Dr. Song, an evangelist. fore, to reiterate the previously ex- pressed appreciation of myself and my educated in the United States, has succeeded in arousing many countrymen for the unqualified en- common Father with the plea of the Siamese to a realization of dorsement of the righteousness of our that His and not their will be their need and responsibility. resistance that has come to us so done-that peace based on jus- spontaneously, and in such unstinted tice come to their nations. In spite of the fact that the measure from the Christian world. Siamese have their own national -Intercollegian and Far church, there has been a tend- I believe that those of our people Horizons. who will survive the terrible holo- causts which have involved us all in Universities on the March so much loss of life. and human suf- fering will emerge victorious in spirit, ana more confirmed than ever in the ency to lean too much on the faith that right will always triumph Chinese educators have coined over might, whether in personal, na- the phrase "Universities on the missionary for the initiative. tional or international relations. March," to describe the condi- CHINA "Count Your Blessings" tion of China's higher institu- Redeeming the Time tions of learning after fighting Mrs. T. D. Stevenson, daugh- changed the educational map of Evangelism, tea chi n g and ter of Charles Ernest Scott, and China. Fifty-four of China's healing – the ministry of the Presbyterian missionary in Can- 114 colleges and universities ton, rut Hackett Medical Center, have been destroyed by bombs Christian Church-never more is able to find cause for thank- or incendiarism; and 82 have needed in China, was never more fulness. Writing home in Feb- been compelled to move just one active than now, in spite of ruary, she says: jump ahead of oncoming Japaterror, bloodshed, destitution nese invaders. To move some of and destruction. Whole popula- There are really so many things to these involved treks of from 500 be thankful for that I do not know to 1,000 miles, most of the jourtions often flee from cities and where to begin. The biggest item, of ney in small boats and on foot. with them the Church, to find course, is that we're reunited as a As much as possible of equipthemselves in some remote area family, and that we're all safe and ment was carried along. where, perhaps, their presence well; that we have so many children brings the first Christian mes- on the compound this year so that our An educational map of China sage. "New circumstances teach small son isn't lonely; that we hap- today would show a number of us new duties," say the mission- pened to have our car (which has been new universities and colleges in aries, who find themselves guard- Hackett's only link with the rest of the city, and has been invaluable for ing the gates of mission com- bringing patients who could not get Kwangsi, Kweichow, Yunnan, pounds, taking in foundling here otherwise, taking the servants to Szechuan and Shensi-provinces babies, preventing cholera, es- market, fetching coal or wood, fetchcorting coolies to market past ing our milk or letters or almost any- which before the war had no thing); that our new hospital was governmental supported univer-
sities – all established by stu- regions. However, there has to drop bombs near Christian dents and faculties. been a measure of success, even churches?" though workers are somewhat -Dayton News. apathetic toward these sparsely Japanese officer: "Certainly. populated areas. Finally, there Glad to cooperate. Let me see In the New Capital are the tent missions, chiefly in your mission maps and I will market towns. have our maps marked accord- To most people, Chungking, ingly. (Moment of silence while if it means anything, means a The South Shensi Mission officer studies map.) Why, you small town in a backward part seeks to create in the Chinese a have churches everywhere. We of China. As a matter of fact, sense of responsibility toward all could not bomb anything withit is a city whose population be- unevangelized districts. To this out hitting one. How many have fore the war was 400,000; since end, a prayer cycle suggests you, anyway?" the transfer of the capital, the items for special intercession. population has j u m p e d to Priest: "Thirteen hundred, 800,000, and is steadily mount- -China's Millions. and Protestants have 300 in the ing. It is far up the Yangtse same area." River, beyond the reach of Jap- How Shall We Pray? anese armies and battleships.; Officer: "I wish I knew what however, it expects bombing Dr. and Mrs. John R. Mott it is that keeps you Christians planes any day. It is a commen- formulated a statement for the working in such places as this." tary on modern civilization that guidance of their own prayer practically every house has its life, early in the conflict between The power of the Gospel is dug out, as much a necessity as China and Japan. Here it is: well illustrated by the following a kitchen. Three anti-aircraft story from Nanking. Bibles and guns are placed within a hun- 1. We should pray for both China Testaments were being distribdred yards of the home of the and Japan-for their rulers, their peo- uted among Japanese soldiers Methodist High School principal, ples, and, very especially, for all their who had a habit of looking in on a school with an enrolment of Christians; for the ending of the war, church services. For the most about 1,'000 boys. Sometimes and for a just and enduring peace. part, these soldiers accepted the the buildings are used by the Not to pray indicates that we believe copies readily. Later, a Japanese Government for official confer- that human wisdom, devisings, com- officer came to a member of the ences, and at such times the binations and power alone will suffice Church Council and urged that school is more like a military to effect these things; whereas, to no Bibles be given to his soldiers. camp, every entrance guarded pray indicates that we believe that No regard was paid to the reby riflemen with fingers on gun superhuman wisdom, love and power quest, and the officer came again triggers. are absolutely essential to the achieve- and again, ordering finally that ment of this wonder work. We should distribution of Bibles must be In South Shensi become alarmed if we find that in our stopped at once for said he, "the secret prayer life this tragic need New Testament talks of peace, The task of evangelizing does not have a large place; because and the chief business of our South Shensi is divided among we are what we are in the dark where soldiers is war." The Bibles had the Norwegian Alliance Mission, God only sees us, and by which He been passed around in the barthe Lutheran Free Church of judges us. racks, read by many, with the Norway and the China Inland result that they did not wish to Mission, the latter having fifteen 2. We should do all in our power to fight. counties under its supervision. relieve human suffering. The volume Five methods of reaching the of unrelieved suffering in areas af- Shanghai's 5,000 Jews people are employed, and of fected by this war in the Far East is these s t r e e t preaching has even greater than at anyone time in If Shanghai is the world's proved the most fruitful. Prob- the World War. Notwithstanding this most cosmopolitan city, this can ably fifty per cent of the con- alarming fact, it is tragic that, as indeed be said of its Jewish verts have been won by this yet, the efforts put forth by the Chris- community of 5,000. Here Jews means. tians and others in America to meet from every country of the world, this overwhelming and indescribable speaking a score of languages, Village evangelism is another need are relatively negligible. Our live, do business, and thrive in method. It is found that one sympathy and sacrificial action in general, despite the frightfulfaithful Christian family can be such a situation are a true test of ness of the Sino-Japanese war. most effective in winning others. our Christ-likeness. Perhaps nowhere else have they City witnescSing includes prison contributed so much to the visitation, distribution of tracts 3. We should, with true penitence, growth of a great city, and perand open air preaching. Evan- acknowledge the sins of our own coun- haps nowhere else is this service gelistic bands have been organ- try against both China and Japan, so little recognized, the reason ized to visit unoccupied towns. and bring forth fruits meet for re- being that emphasis there has This presents difficulties, inas- pentance. This will be difficult. It been laid on nationality, not race much as roads and communica- will involve real self-denying effort or religion; that is, the British tion facilities are poor in the and, it may be, very prolonged effort. Jew is considered a Briton, the mountainous, brigand – infested Russian Jew a Russian, and so 4. Let our Government know unmis- on. takably that the Christian forces will be solidly behind them as they put forth their full influence to secure a just settlement.
Conversation from the Front French priest to Japanese aviation officer: "When you en- ter new territory, would you be willing to instruct your men not
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
An interesting aspect of J ew- their future program; and that in Mongolia. One young man ish life in Shanghai is the new- furthermore, if they want the said to a missionary, "I can tell ness of the Jewish community support of the better class of a Christian now when I meet in contrast with the antiquity of Chinese the first step toward him on the street. I asked one China. Only for little more than securing it would be the instant man whom I met yesterday if a century have the Western na- stopping of this flood of nar- he wasn't a Christian; he smiled tions carried on organized trade cotics. and said, 'Yes, but how did you with China, and for decades the know?' I told him that I could trade was restricted to Canton. Importance of Hongkong see the evidence in his face." The opening of the treaty ports, of which Shanghai was one, the The British colony in Hong- The writer is at work in building up of foreign communi- kong holds a strategic position Hailar, a city 550 miles from ties, and the arrival of Jewish not only politically, but spir- Harbin, where few have learned traders with their non-Jewish itually. The city is at the thresh- of salvation through Christ. colleagues, have occurred during old of the greatest mission field Next door to the little chapel is the lifetime of many now living. on earth; a land of 450,000,000 a tin shop where a young Chris- Shanghai's senior Jewish resi- people of whom very few have tian makes kettles and stove dent has lived in the city sixty- understood, or even heard the pipes. The partition is of paper, nine years; her sister, born Gospel; among the Europeans, and the young tinner became a sixty-six years ago, was the first only a few acknowledge Christ Christian by what he heard Jewish native of the port. as Master. In view of this spir- through the partition. He ham- itual need, the coming of the mers away loudly most of the -International Committee evangelist, Mr. Edwin Orr, last day and night, but never while on Christian Approach October was prayerfully antici- services are in progress. He has to the Jews. pated. learned several Gospel hymns, and sings these lustily as he The Opium Campaign Two of the largest churches in works. Hongkong were. secured for the Much has been written about English services, and there were Hailar is notorious for gam- Japan's campaign to subdue the 250 to 300 people present at bling, opium dens, and other Chinese through opium, and the every meeting – which is to be wickedness, having, most likely, truth of the matter has been both regarded as wonderful, as co- the lowest percentage of Chrisaffirmed and denied. Dr. M. S. lonials are notoriously "tough." tians of any other provincial city Bates, an American missionary Mr. Orr began with the Chris- in Manchukuo. But many of the educator, has written "An Open tians, devoting the first four people are responsive to the Letter on the Narcotic Problem" nights to the need, the method Gospel. which has appeared in two lead- and the conditions for revival. ing Chinese papers. Dr. Bates The succeeding nights were Work in Tribal District says: "Fifty thousand people- given to the proclaiming of the one eighth of the population of Good News of God's grace to The China Inland Mission Nanking-are being slowly poi- sinners. In the first part of each finds a broad field for its minissoned today by heroin, supplied address Mr. Orr told of his ex- try in Yunnan. The capital of by Japanese – controlled d rug periences in different lands in the province, Kumming, is at an rings. Every month a minimum proving the faithfulness of God, altitude of 6,000 feet. Wuting, of $5,000,000 are being squeezed and how He answers prayer. fifty miles northwest, is in a from the impoverished Chinese The evangelistic appeals re- small plain. These two towns in the region by dope traffickers, sulted in conversions – some of are inhabited mostly by Chinese, belonging to or allied with, the them in the King's uniform. but in the surrounding hills are Japanese Army." Four groups thousands of Miao, Nosu, Lisu, are named as closely connected During the past two years, and other tribes. Several miswith this traffic: Hongkong has become a place of sionaries devote their whole time refuge for thousands of people, to these tribes with encouraging 1. The Special Service Section among them many Christians. results.. A little village 7,000 of the Japanese Army. feet high is the center of work -:-Life of Faith. among the Miao, and the average 2. The puppet administration attendance at Sunday service is of Nanking., Working on the Frontier from two to three hundred. Next to the chapel is a little room 3. "Independent" Japanese A missionary remarked that about eight by ten feet, which and Korean drug run- he never saw a smile or heard has been opened as a reading ners. joyful song in his field in India room and "place for discussing until people began to find Christ; the doctrine." Bibles and Tes- 4. Japanese business firms. now many both smile and sing. taments are on display and many At first, the minor key in every copies have been sold. Dr. Bates points out that a phase of life was almost more shorter-sighted greed cannot be than he could stand. In the A new avenue of service has imagined than that of destroy- Evangelical Christian is the tes- been opened among school boys ing a people on whom they must timony that the condition is true in the city of Wuting. In redepend for building up the kind of nation they expect to use in
sponse to a request, the mission 8.4 per cent. Eight years ago, volumes, besides tracts in great offers instruction in English on licensed prostitutes numbered number, of which more than condition that the Scriptures be 52,000; today, there are 45,000. 4,000,000 copies have been sold. used as a textbook. The class His most famous work is "The has an average attendance of Again, there is respect for Common People's Gospel," a twenty, and meets twice a week. labor. Manual labor was once simple but comprehensive man- for the outcast, but the position ual of the Christian faith. More -China's Millions. of laborers has been elevated. than 400,000 copies have been Another advance is a spirit of issued, and the annual sale stilI JAPAN-CHOSEN peace. The Japanese havanever averages 10,000. A Braille edi- been averse to war, but the pres- tion and a Korean translation "Business As Usual" ent war, they say, is a war for have also appeared. peace! It is at least a step in T. T. Brumbaugh has recently advance that they must find an Hundreds of Japanese owe returned to Japan after an ab- excuse for war. Finally, there is their conversion to the reading sence of nearly two years, and the spirit of service, introduced of this book-students, business reports in the Christian Century, by Protestant missionaries. Even men, and men of all classes. that an observer would see noth- the "Tendai Shu," a Buddhist Gamblers, drunkards, liquoring out of the ordinary. Jap- sect, has ordered every temple to dealers, criminals of all sorts anese passengers, bound for carryon art least one piece of so- owe to it their new life in Christ. home, had little to say about the cial service. A restaurant keeper of loose conflict in China. In religious morals studies it for a week and circles little difference was Control of Religious Bodies then in prayer receives forgivenoted. Ostensibly, Christians ness of sins. Such was the are loyal to their government, A bill to control religious or- change in his life that when he regardless of its leadership; ganizations is awaiting final ac- was later elected mayor of his prayers are offered for the tion, and seems likely to be town, no one called him by his preservation of the empire and passed. The bill provides that own name, but "Christ's mayor." the success of the army. They no religious body can be estab- To many of the dying this book urge that evangelization follow lished without the approva1 of has brought hope in last hours. the wake of the imperial army, the Minister of Education. In apparently not considering applying for approval, the doc- -Sunday School Times. whether conquest and mission- trine of the group must be subary endeavor are compatible. mitted, as well as a statement Missionary's Life Has Variety But with all this, the Christian covering its entire set-up, range groups are oases of brotherly of activities, etc. Any later al- Miss Virginia Mackenzie, of love. teration must have the govern- the Presbyterian Mission in ment's approval. Churches and Japan, has a new undertaking- There has been a falling off in pastors who violate the law are all in the day's work-teaching baptisms and even in Sunday subject to fine or imprisonment. English manners to a group of school enrolments during the eleven policemen, plain clothes past few years, but attendance The present bill does not pro- men in charge of investigating at divine services seem'l not to pose to deal with religion, per se, the foreigners that pass through have been affected except, pos- but with religious organizations. the city. They are a kindly sibly, for the better. Christian- in this it differs from previous group, anxious to do things i,ty is fundamentally contrary to efforts to regulate religion which pleasantly and correctly. On an the spirit of the age in this and were open to the charge of vio- average day they examine 160 other lands. Yet, deep down, lating the constitutional pro- non-Japanese travelers, most of most Japanese rejoice that "the vision, guaranteeing religious them either English – speaking, love of God is broader than the freedom. or able to use English. It is measure of man's mind." readily seen how mistakes, or Inasmuch as Christianity lack of politeness, even though Christian Achievements hitherto has had no legal status, unintentional, "can make for all all Christian communions and sorts of misunderstandings; and In his Fellowship Bulletin, local churches must take steps how important to have mis- Toyohiko Kagawa says that, to conform with the provisions understandings as few as poswhereas he was discouraged two of this law within two years sible, so that this effort becomes years ago, he now sees a brighter after its passage. Japanese a v e n t u rein international side and points to the following Christians feel that, on the friendship. achievements Cif the Christian whole, the bill is an advance for movement in Japan. He gives Christianity. Japanese-Korean Church first place to personal piety. Re- Union Discussed ligion was not taken seriously -The Living Church. until the missionaries came. The One of the mottoes of the day second is purity in home and so- Salvation Army Literature is "Japan-Chosen: one body," ciety, taught by the Christians. and its use is having the effect Forty years. ago the divorce rate Commissioner Yamamuro, Sal- of creating a willingness of the was 32 per cent i iu"1936, it was vation Army publicist and au- two Christian groups to unite. thor, has published over sixtY"
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
The Japanese and Korean Y. M. thought to this question. "All ture book. In the manger a black C. A.'s have already united. At that Buddha offered," said he, Papuan baby gurgled.
least the Korean churches in "I found in greater measure in -So S. Times.
Japan proper are likely to unite Christ." Admitting that some with the Japanese Church; in of Korea's best national traits Natives As Museum Exhibits the Methodist Church commit- were the outgrowth of Budtees have been appointed to draw dhism, he summed up his double The Netherlands Committee up plans and union evangelistic experience in two religions with for International Nature Protecservices are being held. The gap a series of contrasts: tion at its annual meeting in of racial feeling will be hard to Amsterdam, Holland, considered bridge, and it is yet to be seen "Buddha is a lover of solitude; the problem of protecting the how much actual union will re- Christ seeks us in life's thorough- primitive people in New Guinea. suIt from the tendency to coop- fares." The recent opening up of Dutch erate; yet the tide seems to be toward a coalition. "Buddha sits imperturbably as New Guinea has proceeded so races go by; Christ agonized on the rapidly that it was felt that Koreans in Tokyo Cross that new life might be open to ne~essary measures must be men." taken without delay for the pro- "Buddha offers release from life and tection of the inhabitants. With its ills; Christ offers more abundant life, in spite of its ills."
The past year has seen the "Buddha calls to meditation; Christ no advance preparation, ideas calls to the service of God and fellow most modern are suddenly thrust withdrawal of Chosen from all men." upon people most primitive. international organizations.
Every effort is being made to ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC Two opposing opinions were preserve the evangelical Chris- disclosed at this meeting of the tian character of the Y. M. and Igorots Ordained Committee: one in favor of pre- Y. W. C. A., W. C. T. U., and The Igorot tribe in the Philip- serving a group of primitive peoother groups under Japanese di- pine mountains is barely two ple in their "stone age" culture, rection. generations removed from head- . shutting them off in a large re- hunting, and to large extent the serve from all foreign influences, Some 500 buildings prepared most primitive superstitions still including missions. In the interfor the Olympic Games that dominate their lives. It is neceswere to have been held in Tokyo sary to remember this in order est of science, a strictly limited have been bought by Koreans, to properly evaluate a recent contact would be allowed. On and ttre now filled mostly by low- event. After several years of the other hand, a group held that wage factory workers. A young training and experience in evan- the authorities had no right to Christian graduate was so ap- gelism, three young Igorots have deny to any people the right of palled by the neglected children been ordained to the ministry in making progress, and to conthat he started on Sundays to the cathedral at Manila. Hopes demn them to remain savages tell them stories of Jesus. At for a native-born ministry for and "museum-objects" for ever. first the parents objected, but these people have long been cher- The danger, it was argued, is soon appreciated the lessons in ished, but the mission staff has cleanliness and truth, so that been inadequate in numbers to not so much in civilization itself some 120 gathered in a vacant train the younger generation. as in abruptness of contact with lot each Sunday until snow and it. As for missions, it was cold made it impossible. Then agreed that their tribal religion six student helpers were en- should not be taken away from listed; paper, pencils and lesson helps were secured and classes Papuan Christmas these people without offering were started in both Korean and them a better one in its place.
An unusual celebration of -Aboriginees' Friend.
Christmas took place in Papua, Japanese. when five hundred Papuan men MISCELLANEOUS –Mrs. H. H. Underwood. and women gathered on the very American Tract Society hill where James Chalmers was Buddha or Christ? martyred half a century ago to Since 1825, the American sing Christmas carols and put Tract Society has been issuing Mr. Kim is a Korean who had on a pageant. The first time tracts, pamphlets, periodicals spent long years in patient pur- they came to a Christmas cele- and hymn books in many lan- suit of the Buddhist goal; then bration at this hill they were guages, and has been sending at last he found Jesus Christ, armed to the teeth; but now colporteurs to distribute them and put the same devotion into some of the world's most back- wmong neglected peoples of all his new faith as he had applied ward people, who could neither lands since 1840. Neglected to the old. A writer in Korean read nor write, were able to re- areas of our own country are de- Echoes tells of a conversation cite long passages of Scripture pendent upon this Society for lit- with Mr. Kim, when he asked and sing Christmas hymns. erature and colporteur service.
him what, in his experience, was Children on hands and knees Its Spanish periodical has a the difference between Buddhism represented a flock of sheep and weekly circulation of 19,000; its and Christianity. His answer a shepherd whose only idea of Polish periodical reaches 4,000 .~howed that he had given much his occupation came from a pic- hOmes.
~- '~
Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The History of Christianity in Amer- own denomination as he sees it and church people or for any ica. ' By Frank Grenville Beardsley, who are honest and desire the Ph.D. 8vo. American Tract So- cast against the background of best for America – the best is ciety, New York. 1939. Christ and all for which He all the other denominations, as stands. The stories of many who Here is a great book. To call have been led into larger life and it history is hardly to do it jus- they have struggled together or service add to the interest and effectiveness of the volume. The tice. It is that, but it is no mere with each other to establish reli- book is a challenge to the dry factual statement of events Church. It is also a kaleidowith dates and places and gious opportunity in the life of scopic view of home missions, showing its beauties, but it deals names; rather it is an interest- America. MARK A. DAWBER. with so many phases, personaliing narrative, told in lucid and ties and elements that the piccharming style, of the develop- Homeland Harvest. By Arthur H. tures of various types of work Limouze. 211 pp. Index and bib- are not clear. The bibliography ment of religion and the Chris- liography. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents contains some books of doubtful tian church in America. paper. Friendship Press. New value from a Christian viewpoint York. 1939. and omits some of real value- Beginning with the Puritans particularly biographies and and the Pilgrims, the author Some pioneers went West for stories of pioneering. weaves his way through the the purpose of establishing thrilling experiences. that were homes for themselves; others Evangelism for the World Today. were drawn by a lust for gold; As Interpreted by Christian Leadso characteristic of men and re- others went in the spirit of ad- ers Throughout the World. Edited ligious movements in the settle- venture or to establish the by John R. Mott. 8vo. 295 pp. ment of the new world. The United States control over new Harper & Brothers, New York. founding of New England, the territory. But the greatest con- 1939. chartering of the colonies and tribution to the progress of the instigation of citizenship Christian civilization in Amer- The primary aim and the cenwere all an integral part of the ica was doubtless made by the tral task of the Christian Church religious enterprise. No one can missionaries who went with the is to "preach the Gospel to every distinct purpose to make friends creature" and to persuade all understand America, democracy, with the Indians and settlers and men to receive and obey Jesus or the American way of life who to win them to Christ and His Christ as their Saviour and is not familiar with the story of Way of Life. Without their Lord. the struggle to establish Chris- prayers, their faith, courage, tianity and freedom of religion vision and labors of love new Partly in preparation for the territory might have been con- recent Ecumenical Missionary on this continent. quered economically but the peo- Conference at Madras, Dr. John The rise and growth of the ple would have been generally R. Mott invited some 1~5 reli- lawless and godless. gious leaders throughout the Protestant denominations is world to answer three questions carefully but interestingly por- Dr. Limouze has written the on the meaning of evangelism. trayed. The development of the interesting and inspiring story Their replies, or the most relesects, the history of the great re- of what home missions have vant portions, have been made done for America-in establish- available in this attractive volvivals and their influence upon ing churches and schools, in giv- ume. American life, as also the vari- ing examples of Christian homes, ous allied movements and or- in helping to promote social wel- In his foreword, Dr. Mott arganizations-such as Boy Scouts, fare, and good government. He rests attention immediately by Lay men's Missionary Move- draws his illustrations from declaring that "nothing in the work with Indians and Orientals, religious realm is more evident ments, the Gideons, Y. M. C. A. the Negroes, mountaineers, and than the world-wide interest in and Y. W. C. A., Knights of others. He reports. results and evangelism, the world-wide con- shows the cost; he pictures pres- cern .regarding the need that Columbus, Jewish Associations, ent-day problems, difficulties, the the Salvation Army, to say noth- trends and the need for contining of the Ku Klux Klan – all uing and strengthening home have their niche in this religious mission work, all forces coopergallery of fame. ating. It is a book for pastors It is a great book that should [334 ] be read by every preacher. He will come from the reading of it with a better appreciation of his
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF SS5
only evangelism can meet, and the message. Some also seemed will shall be done in every area the world-wide manifestations to confuse the spirit of evan- of life. of evangelistic action." gelism with its essential content. Every missionary should be The attempt to define evan- In the section dealing with the equipped in life and message to gelism brought forth a variety "relevance of evangelism," the win men to a saving knowledge of conviction and expression. views of contributors were nat- of Jesus Christ. To win con- Many emphasize the presenta- urally colored by the environ- verts, however, is not enough; tion of the Gospel, the Word or ment in which they lived and the they must be gathered into a felthe Christ to individual man to characteristics of race, custom lowship, a Christian brotherhood the end that he may respond in or religion of the people whom and there learn how to be wittrust and obedience to Him as a they sought to evangelize or nesses and winners of souls. As Saviour and in the commitment Christianize. one said: "The most abiding of his whole life to doing God's evangelism is that which is the will. Others emphasize the Dr. Charles R. Erdman, Presi- expression of the life of the local presentation of the Go s pel dent of the Board of Foreign church." through example and deed, and Missions of the Presbyterian would include in evangelism any Church, U. S. A., declared: "In It is pointed out that some service that interpreted God's these days the aspects of the mission schools report few stumercy and love to man. Dr. Christian Gospel which are most dents won to Christ; other meth- Johannes Warneck of the Rhein- needed (and most neglected) are ods are ineffective; even direct isch Missionary Society, frankly those which are regarded as methods of evangelistic work declares that "evangelism is not supernatural and which have are ineffective unless the mesmerely an enlightenment. One been communicated by definite senger is on fire with love for cannot send away darkness first revelation. The great truths of souls, has a saving and positive and then bring light. . . . And the Incarnation and the Deity of message, gives it in the power it does not promise cultural Christ, of His atoning work, of of the Holy Spirit, and with tact, blessings. It is not our task to His regenerating power and of love and patience. Christ must make earthly living conditions His infallible teaching are of the be given His opportunity to win more favorable. . . . The mis- very essence of the Gospel." each person to Himself.
sion has no social mission. So- On the other hand, Dr. Doug- This volume may be used of cial uplift is according to our las Horton, General Secretary of God to put evangelism in its experience not a good prepara- the Congregational and Chris- place of primacy in the missiontion for the Gospel." tian churches said: "It seems to ary enterprise, and to inspire me that the psychological and Christian workers everywhere, On the other extreme we find sociological aspects of the Gos- through the faithful presenta- Dr. J. Leighton Stuart, Presi- pel are the most relevant in our tion of Him who is the only Redent of Yenching University, time." deemer of mankind, to seek and Peiping, calling attention to one to save those that are lost. aspect of evangelism out of his Others, while pointing out that own experience. "This," says the basic needs of men do not FRANCIS SHUNK DOWNS. he, "is the witness of institu- change, say that present world tions, educational, medical and conditions call for stressing the Christian Home Making. Edited by otherwise, in their corporate Christian message of hope, the Mrs. Robert E. Speer and Miss Concapacity. . . . The right attitude giving of Christian guidance to stance Hallock. A joint statement to current social, economical and intellectuals and business and prepared for the Madras Conferpolitical issues, and with the professional men, and for the ence of the International Missionquality of life which wins the ad- presentation of Christ as the ary Council. 141pp. $1.50. miration of the Chinese public, Prince of Peace. . . . is a form of evangelism." This small but important book In the section on the "Fruit- amplifies somewhat the report Probably the definition that fulness of Evangelism," empha- of the Committee on the Chrisgathers up the essentials of sis is laid on sending forth men tian Home which was prepared evangelism on the part of most and women who are "truly con- for presentation at the recent is expressed in the words of Dr. verted and deeply Spirit-filled," meeting of the International William Temple, Archbishop of on the "preaching of the Gospel Missionary Council at Madras. York: "To evangelize is to pre- in the power of the Holy Ghost," The central theme of the book sent Jesus Christ in the power a clear and intelligent grasp of of the Holy Spirit, that men the great essentials of evangeli- is~ shall come to put their trast in cal Christianity, a life that hides God through Him, to accept Him behind Christ when He is pre- To see the human home in the light as their Saviour, and serve Him sented as Saviour and Lord and of this fierce flame of perfection, to as their King in the fellowship yet which is so Christian and see where and how the leaven of of His Church." vital and genuine that it cannot Christ, working in our common life, be hidden; a presentation that has lifted us from one level to an- In some instances, the mean- not only secures a decision, but other, and to face these infinite reing of evangelism was confused an honest and intelligent desire sources of power that can enable us with the various methods em- to obey Christ, and that God's to go on steadfastly to higher and ployed in the interpretation of higher levels.
Written in careful collabora- tion by outstanding missionary workers at horne and abroad, the book presents the Essence of the
Christian Home, the RequisIte more consistently the colorful F. Ernest Johnson, L. Foster Training for Christian Home days when Dr. Coan resided in Wood, A. J. Muste, Benson Y. Making, and studies of homes the Near East. There might Landis, Allan Knight Chalin America, Africa, India, have been added a more com- mers, and Luman J. Shafer. The China, Japan, Brazil and Mos- plete and accurate statement of chapters are too short for adelem lands. In many instances the present situation. In his quate t rea t men t s of their and with vivid illustrations, non- excellent foreword Dr. Speer weighty themes, each one of Christian homes are des.cribed very properly calls attention to which might well require a sepand contrasted with "the new the fact that modern Iran is very arate volume. But the high things of today" which are different from Persia forty or competence of the writers and brought by the knowledge of fifty years ago. their skill in the condensed pres- Christ. The changing status of entation of their subjects have women, the influence of mission- The reader must be cautioned giV'en us a readable and very ary homes, the effect of Chris- not to accept this as a report of important contribution to the littian education and many other present-day missionary activity erature of one of the great probinfluences are carefully consid- in Iran and Kurdistan. The last lems of the modern Church. ered. Individuals and groups chapter unfortunately gives the will find this book offers an un- impression that the closing of ARTHUR J. BROWN. usual basis for the study of that the Urumia Station was an immost important subject-Chris- mediate result of the World War. Art of Conducting Public Worship. tian Home Making. No mention is made of the post- By Albert W. Palmer, D.D., LL.D. war reconstruction of Urumia 207 pp. $2.50. Macmillan, New MARY SCHAUFFLER PLATT. Station. We should remember York. 1939. that the Imperial Government Yesterdays in Persia and Kurdistan. of Iran paid the Presbyterian This is a book of deep interest By Frederick G. Coan. 284 pp. Board of Foreign Missions its to all ministers of non-Liturgi- $2.50. Saunders Studio Press, asking price for the property in cal churches, as well as to lay- Claremont, California. Urumia and has allowed the men who have the resiponsibility mission to continue employing of conducting devotional meet- In the preface Dr. Coan ex- native evangelists all through ings and public services of worplains that his object is "to give the Urumia plain since that date. ship. As President of Chicago an account of the human and ro- Theological S e min a r y after mantic aspects of the mission- Dr. Coan's stories of hair- years of experience as a pastor ary's life, to outline the experi- raising adventures of early mis- in Oakland California, Central ence of a life of service and a sionaries make exciting reading Union Church, Honolulu, and kind that, with a change of time, and give further evidence of the First Congregational Church of has become almost unique, and, courage and abiding faith of Oak Park, Ill. Dr. Palmer can above all, to present that side of these pioneers. The maps in the speak with authority and he the missionary's life that will end papers and the illustrations writes with enthusiasm and in a especially interest the young." are helpful but there is need for very practical way. He deals This purpose the author has ful- an index and a glossary explain- with the weaknesses and failfilled with a great degree of suc- ing the Near Eastern terms and ures in much public worship and cess. Certainly few modern phrases used throughout. clearly points out the causes. He volumes of fiction or travel de- treats the historical background scribe such rough and ready HERRICK B. YOUNG. of Christian worship and the existence and such hairbreadth primary significance of it, showescapes. The Church Faces the World. Edited ing what must happen if it is to by Samuel McCrea Cavert. 133 pp. remain worthy of the name. The early chapters are espe- $1.50. Round Table Press. New There is a chapter on the archicially valuable to the student of York. 1939. tectural setting. for worship, missionary activity in the Near which alone is worth the price East. Here Dr. Coan tells of the This small but important book of the book to any who are renotwenty-five years of pioneer was prepared for the Interna- vating, remodeling or building Rervice begun by his parents· in tional Missionary Council in new church edifices. There are 1851. The succeeding chapters Madras, India, last December. suggested patterns of worship deal chronologically with Dr. A commission of American services, and for special occa- Co-an's own colorful forty years Christians had been appointed sions. The two parts. 0'£ the among the Assyrians and min- to study the relation of the appendix are most helpful. "A" gling with the Kurds between Church to the changing social has a check list by which one Mosul, Tabriz, and the Turkish and economic order, and the re- may grade his own efforts. in frontier. Those who have had sults of the study are sum- conducting public worship, and the pleasure of knowing this vet- marized in the present volume. another check list for rating the eran missionary campaigner will The varied phases of the subject use of music in such services. read of his experiences with in- are discussed in ten chapters, "B" is an annotated book lis,t, terest. One could wish, however, by. John C. Bennett, H. Richthat the occasional references to ard Niebuhr, Samuel McCrea for those who wish to enhance modern Iran had been omitted Cavert (who, in addition, edited their skill in this art. so that the story would depict the volume and contributed the Introduction), John H. Reisner, R. C. WILLIAMSON.
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THE FAMILY ALTAR RETURN?
The increased use of a daily devotional guide among Protestants of all faiths gives hope and encouragement for the return of the family altar. By far, the largest circulated of these devotional guides is THE UPPER ROOM The World's Leading Devotional Periodical Read Daily in a Million Homes Are the homes represented in your church using it? . The issue for July, August, and September is now ready for distribution. Place an order today for as many copies as you need. Use our consignment plan. Ten or more copies, shipped to one address, to be sold at five cents per copy, with the< privilege of returning unsold copies at our expense. Yearly subscriptions, 30 cents postpaid; foreign, 40 cents. Send all orders to THE UPPER ROOM Doctors' Building, Nashville, Tennessee
The Missionary Review of the World — April 1939
1939
• A Mission in the Arctic Circle Henry W. Griest, M.D.
Outlook for Christianity in Europe-I Adolf Keller Murad and the Lost Feast Day v. Lane..Frimpole Adversaries and Open Doors in Missions C. Darby Fulton A Milestone in Missionary Progress H. Kerr Taylor "Now Concerning the Collection"
Samuel M. Zwemer Problems of Rural Life-at Madras G. Baez Camargo Toyohiko Kagawa Ira E. Gillet 2S Cents a Cop, $2.50 a Year
to Remember USED IN OVER ONE MILLION CHRISTIAN
April 26 – Uniting Conference of HURLBUT'S STORY OF THE BIBLE Amel'ican Methodism, Kansas City, BJ' .lESSE LYMAN HURLBUT. D.O. Md. Recommended by all denominations for Itsfreahness and aeeuracy forIt. simplicity of language. for Its freedom from doctrinal dleeu88lon. May 1-3 – Tenth Annual Missionary Education Institute. Third Chris- THE BEST GIFT FOR YOUNG AND OLD tian Church, Indianapolis, Ind. FOR TEACBER8-STUDENT8-POR THE HOME AND SCHOOL May 25 – General Assembly of the One hundred and sixty-eightstories. each complete in itself, yet form- Presbyterian Church in U. S. A., ing a contIDuous Darr.dye of the Bible from Genesis to Revelstion. Cleveland, Ohio. Each ofthe world-old storie. i. told by the noted author in a mannel' thati. vitaIly interesting and instructive to young and old alike. May 30-June 2-Third Biennial Insti- tute, A Movement for World Chris- Biggest _d Best mulr.ted Book EYer Sold lor tbe …..ce tianity, New York, N. Y. Beautifully illustrated with 281 pictures in colors and in black and white; over 100 famous Leinwebel' paintings. 759 pages. PrIce..f2.00 June 7-13 – Ann u a I Conference, Church of the Brethren, Anderson, At all6oolutore. or from the pu6Uahere Ind. …_THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Philadelphia _ _II June 8 – General Synod of the Re- formed Church in America, New mestic Missions of the National Dr. J. Arthur Funk, a member of York, N. Y. Council of the Protestant Episcopal the Iran Mission of the Presbyterian Ohurch. Church, U. S. A., since 1902, died from June 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- a heart attack in Hamadan, Iran on vention, Los Angeles, O!lilif. Obituary Notes March 5th. He was born in Spring- field, Ohio June 17, 1873, and' after June 21-25-Sunday School and B. Y. Mrs. Charles W. Abel, the widow of being graduated from New York Uni- P. U. Congress of the National Bap- the famous pioneer missionary in versity and from the College of tist Convention, U. S. A., (Inc.), Papua, died in Kwato on February Physicians and Surgeons, sailed for Tulsa, Okla. 24 after a brief illness. Mrs. Abel Persia where he was in charge first of went out to Papua in 1892 when her the American Hospital in Teheran and June 24-July I-Eagles Mere Confer- husband was associated with the Rev. for the past 35 years in the American ence of Missions. Chairman, Mrs. James Chalmers in work among the Christian Hospital at Hamadan. He Earl Breeding, 24 Rugby Lane, cannibals of New Guinea. Mr. Abel did notable work in the training of Scarsdale, N. Y. died in 1930 while in England. Mrs. kbel and her four children have con- . . physicians who are recognized prac- July 3-10-Northfield Missionary Con- tinued the work and it has greatly en- ference for Women and Girls. East larged in the last eight years. The titioners in Iranian cities. Northfield, Mass. For information, Kwato Mission of Papua is an inde- address Mrs. Warren C. Taylor, 38 pendent, interdenominational w 0 r k '" Union Ave., Schenectady, N. Y. largely supported from the United States and Great Britain. Mrs. Abel Dr. Harold McAfee Robinson, Gen- July 6-11 – International Christian has seen the Papuans change from eral Secretary of the Board of Chris- Endeavor Convention, Cleveland, cannibals, murderers and sorcerers tian Education of the Presbyterian Ohio. into active and devoted Christians and Church, U. S. A., died on March 5th evangelists. at the age of 58. He was born in Shel- July 11-August 16 – Winona Lake byville, Mo., and after graduation School of Theology. Winona Lake, *** from Park College and from Prince- Ind. Dean, Dr. J. A. Huffman, 302 ton Theological Seminary he served Morton Blvd., Marion, Ind. Miss Jessie Maxwell, a missionary as pastor of the Market Square Pres- of the Woman's Missionary Society byterian Church, Germantown. In July 22-28-Baptist World Congress. of the United Church of Canada sta- 1919 he joined the Board of Christian Atlanta, Ga. tioned at Neemuch, Indi'a, died on re- Education and in 1923 was elected turning to her station from a fur- secretary of the division of education July 24-August 2-World Conference lough, early in February. Under her in the home church and community. of Christian Youth, Amsterdam, care the Girls' Boarding School at For the last four years he has been Holland. Neemuch developed into The School General Secretary of the Board.
August 13-20-Geneva Summer School . . of Home Making and was known as DO YOUR S.S.PAPERS of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. ~ For information write to Mrs. Paul "Sundar Ghar" (the house beautiful). BIBLE TBUTH~ H. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey ~w Ave., Oak Park, Ill. '" ~ COUNCIL FIRES =~ Personal Items Dr. Clarence True Wilson, aged 66, for Young People international leader in the prohibition Dr. John R. Mott, the famous Meth- cause, died in Portland, Oregon, Feb- 1502 N. Third St. Harrisburg, Penna. odist layman, was re-elected Chair- ruary 17. Evangelical fervor and imman of the International Missionary passioned oratory made Dr. Wilson a Council at the meeting in Madras, spectacular figure in the fight for India, in December. Dr. Mott made a temperance. For more ,than 26 years condition of his acceptance the under- he was head of the Methodist Board st!l;nding that he would not hold the of Temperance and Public Morals. office longer than three years. For twenty years of this period he waged uncompromising war against '" '" '" liquor, gambling and vice, speaking in every part of the United States. President Francis Wei, of Central He frequently engaged in debate with China College, made history, when he Clarence Darrow, avowed agnostic returned to China from the United and anti-prohibitionist, on the liquor States, by preaching in Honolulu on issue, although the two were warm one Sunday and in Manilla on the fol- friends off the platform. Dr. Wilson lowing Sunday. Air travel made this maintained that Darrow would have possible. been a forcible preacher, if he had been converted. '" '" '"
The Rev. Dr. George A. Wieland, of Seattle, Wash., was elected, in February, Executive Secretary for Do-
MISSIONARY us. I find them most useful in my regiment the life of a people
REVIEW OF THE WORLD course on the History of Missions." notions of race or soil or national his- tory or genius. Wherever the passion DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor PROF. J. L. STEWART, St. Andrews of national and racial absolutism is College, Saskatoon, Canada. VOL. LXII APRIL, 1939 No.4 most unbridled, there the Church *** should stand in the forefront of the Publication and Business Office- battle.-William Paton. Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. In all lands the Church should be a continual rebuke to those who would Editorial and Executive Office– 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. SPIBlTUA'· TIDE Entered as second-class matter at Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879.
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BOARD OF DIRE'CTORS ROBERT E. SPEER, President A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary PAUL J. BRAISTED SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT D. J. FANT MRS. OERIN R. JUDD WM. B. LIPl'HAlID ERIC M. NORTH SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Editorial Chat The purpose of •• The Quiet Our readers will be interested in Hour" is to help you maintain the further reports from the Madras Conference–the careful appraisal by Dr. high tide of spiritual enrichment H. Kerr Taylor of Nashville, the criti- that Easter brings. When you ex~ cism by Prof. Kraemer of Holland and three extracts dealing with rural prob- amine a copy you will see how lems in Africa, Mexico and Japan. effectively this daily devotional * *. * guide carries out its purpose. The Next month's article will deal with opportunities and the outlook in meditations are prepared by men China, Brazil, Africa, the Appalachian and women of deep spiritual in~ Mountains and work among the blind. sight. A wealth and variety of *** help is contained in every quarter~ ly issue-one full pa~e for each One of the oldest subscribers to THE day. You can easily give your REVIEW recently wrote as follows: congregation the inspiration .. The Quiet Hour" offers. It costs only a third of a cent a week 1 "I have had the MISSIONARY REVIEW since away back in the 1880's when CONSIGNMENT OFFER my uncle, Rev. Dr. J. M. Sherwood, was working on it with Dr. Arthur T. Pastors and other leaders may order" The Quiet Hour" in quan- Pierson. I just could not do without tities with the privilege of returning any unused copies for credit it." MRS. M. E. WEBER. Sebring, Florida. at the close of the quarter. Cash or deferred payment plan. , *** I~ A more recent subscriber comments ,: DAVID C. COOK PUBLISHING COMPANY on our report of the Madras Confer- , S2-D Lincoln Stroot, Elgin, Illinois ence: ,,,,,,, "I write to thank you for the very Gentlemen: Please send: fine job you have done with the Mad- o Free sample copy of .. The Quiet Hour" ras material. Your readers should o Details of Consignment Offer have a well-rounded idea of what went on at Madras even though they have _ Name …………………………………………………………………….. read nothing else about that confer- Ig. i~ ,III~I~I), ~ i,,-'" Box. "mmm.mm••••••m •••••. ence." REV. E. K. HIGDON, Secretary, Foreign Missions :11 t i d 'ur}~ City………………………………………….. State…………………… Conference, New York.
*** SZ.O Lincoln St., Elgin, m. , ………………..;………………………………………………… Church [ 161] "Permit me to congratulate you on the splendid series of special numbers of THE REVIEW you have been giving
COLLEGE – EFFECT OF THE EARTHQUAKE. METHODIST CONGREGATION AT CONCEPCION, FIRST
THE TEACHERS NARROWLY ESCAPED DEATH AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE DESTRUCTION IN THE HEART OF CONCEPCION – WHERE FISSURES IN THE ROAD CAUSED BY THE EARTHQUAKE- PRESBYTERIAN AND METHODIST MISSIONS ARE LOCATED NEAR CONCEPCION THE CONCEPCION CHURCH AND PARSONAGE – BOTH THE REV. MOlSES TORREGOS AND FAMILY. HE IS PASTOR DESTROYED BY THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH SCENES CONNECTED WITH THE CHILE EARTHQUAKE REVIE ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 4 APRIL, 1939 Topics of the Times EFFECTS OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN CHILE Rev. S. C. Henderson, of the Presbyterian mis- Letters from missionaries in Chile tell of some sion, wrote from Santiago on January 28th: remarkable escapes from death during the recent earthquake (January 24th) whioh caused wide- All lines and means of communication are cut off and spread destruction of life and property. The cen- we are desperate for information. Airplanes have brought ter of the earthquake was in the neighborhood of mail from Concepcion to some people but we have nothing Concepcion, Chillan and Coihueco-about 300 direct. This afternoon we have heard that all the congremiles south of Valparaiso and Santiago. Over gation in Concepcion are safe. The church building evififty cities and towns were destroyed. It is said dently did not suffer so much as many other buildings. to have been the worst earthquake that Chile has suffered since 1906 when Valparaiso was praoti- Chillan (with a population of 45,000) has suffered most. cally destroyed. It is estimated that one per cent The pastor, Rodolfo Vergara and all his family were in of the people of Chile perished. So far as is Santiago. We have ,practically no notice concerning the known no missionary life was lost in the earth- congregation and the properties. They say only four or quake and only one or two were silightly injured. five houses are left in Chillan which means the destruction The Evangelioal Christians also were wonder- of the church and the manse. fully spared personal inj ury but many lost all their property. According to the latest statistics, ,.The pastor in Talca, Olivero Maufras, says that all the 30,000 people lost their lives, 50,000 were wound- congregation are safe but the church building cracked and ed, many thousands disappeared, and the property the division wall out of plumb. From Curlco the pastor reports all sufe; the church walls cracked.
In Concepcion it will cost considerable to repair the church and manse; and in Chillan we will probably have to rebuild both church and manse.
Rev. Robert B. Elmore, another Presbyterian missionary, wrote from Angol on January 27th: loss has been estimated as high as $60,000,000.00 The force of the shock was felt most in Chillan and in U. S. currency. This is one of the major catas- Concepcion, where the loss of life has been great–10,000 trophesm modern times. in Chillan andi 2,000 in Concepcion. Buildings are down or badly cracked, so they can hardly be used. The railway The Presbyterian Church (North) has several service is cut, all telephone andi telegraph wires are down stations in the eal'lthquake territory, the Methodist and we depend on the radio for news. Episcopal mission is at work in Concepcion and Angol. The Southern Baptists have work in Con- The Methodist mission territory is next to the Presbycepcion and Seventh-Day Adventists in Chillan. terian field on the south, and overlaps in Concepcion (a There are a few independent missionaries-such city of 77,000). Their missionaries and national workers as those of the Soldiers and Gospel Mission. All are safe. The British and Foreign Bible Society reports workers on the field have rendered valiant s'ervice that one of their stations, Chillan in charge of a colporin giving food, shelter, medical care and other teur, suffered heavily. The whole city of 46,000 populaassistance to the earthquake sufferers. There is tion was leveled to the ground. The Baptist (Southern evidence that this physical disaster is caus1ing a Convention) missionaries are reported safe but their spiritual awakening among the people who have property at Chillan and Concepcion is either destroyed been brought face to face with death, many seeing or seriously damaged. their earthly possessions, destroyed, and as they note the loving and effective service given by the The Methodist missionaries report as· follows: missionaries in ithe name of Christ. In Coronel, churches and college in ruins; in Angol, church destroyed and many people home- less; in Concepcion college and church de- stroyed with 600 members destitute; in Chillan, [163 ]
two theaters cO'llapsed, whole audience killed, and pletion, is, however, in ruins-the work of many weeks all churches razed. Talcahuano (the port) prac- destroyed in forty seconds. tically destroyed including Methodist Church and parsonage. After the earthquake, bystanders observing the light on the face of one of our Evangelical Christians, re- Rev. Moises Torregrl()sa, a Methodist pastor marked: Miral la, calma de este gente de Dios/ ("See, in OO'ncepcion, wmte a wee~ after the earthquake: how calm these people of God are!") We hope that many may say "Let us go up with you for we see that God is Chillan is in ruins, 20,000 people dead! Concepcion with you." city, "the Pearl of the south of Chile," has been destroyed. Concepcion College is just a mass of debris and GOD WORKING IN MEXICO ashes. Church building and parsonage have been destroyed. This is a self-supporting church-600 members. Most of the daily newspaper dispatches from Today my people have no homes and have lost everything Mexico tell only of political conflicts and rumors they had. Weare all living like gypsies, sleeping in relalting to communist, fascist and other activicamps out of the city. I have no support but feel my duty ties:; of economic troubles in oil and mining disis to stay here and minister to the poor and the sick. It putes; and of the GO'vernment's restrictions on is time for a big and deep evangelistic campaign, but we religious activity. But there is another side to have no place for worship. How can we find the means the story of Mexico. Many Christians are prayto help our people who are in extreme poverty? F'ifteen ing and witnes:sing; God is working and giving Roman Catholic churches have been destroyed in the earth- signs of His power in the lives of Mexicans. Rev. quake in our city and the Vatican is helping to rebuild. W. M. Taylor of Mexico City, gives the following It is time for prayer and action. Thank God we have glimpses of quiet but effective evangelism. been saved from death. "The distribution of Chris:tian literature by mail Chile has a population of 4,287,445 (including has continued and over 15,000 Gospel portions and 98,703 Indians). Eighteen Protestant missions 45,000 Evangelical tracts have been sent to Mexare at work there, most of them north of Con- ican officials, school teachers, postmasters" telecepcion. The people of Chile, especially in the graph operators, railroad station agents and merrural regions, are very poor and in the small cities chants throughout the country. Thus 30,496 Gosand towns where this blow has fallen, will not be pels and 91,488 tracts have been distributed in able to rebuild their ruined churches and homes. this way since the work began a year and a half They need help. ago. Probably ,every village and town in the Re- public has received at least one Gospel portion. Mr. William M. Strong, director of the Soldiers Continue to pray that GO'd will fulfill His promise and Gospel Mission, with headquarters at Coihu- and will nOot allow His Word to return untO' Him eco, in the earthquake area, wrote from Ooncep- void. cion: "The results have been encouraging. FOor ex- An old historian of Chile, Daniel Riquelme, in writing ample, the secretary of an Indian village in the of the earthquake of Concepcion in 1757, when half the mountainsl of Guerrero received some Christian city was sunk beneath the waves, remarks that "the net literature, read it ·and wrote for more. He was moral result of that distressing time was that the blas- converted and began to have a burden fOor the spir:- phemy and immorality and drunkenness of the men, and itual needs of Ihis tribe. He spoke to his friends the indecency in the dress of the women was put away and. read the New Testament to them. On Aufor a long time and four hundred couples, who had been gust 7th he called a meeting of the Indians and living in sin, went to the priests to have a true marriage translated portions of the New Testament to the rite performed." We pray that a real God-given revival one hundred who attended. He reports that some may result from this, the greatest catastrophe of the West- cried out hecause of their spiritual darkness. The ern hemisphere of all time. Here in this same city of Con- Indian adds: 'Our Lord Jesus Ghrist will Slave us cepcion, there are from twenty-five hundred to three thou- by faith in Him; He will be merciful to us in sand dead. We expect to carry our Gospel tent to Chillan, these forgotten mountains.' where one half the entire population of forty-five thousand are dead and where not more than a dozen houses "Thi:s man is a Tlapaneco Indian in a region still remain standing. hitherto untouched by messengersi of the Gospel. In fact part of this district is marked 'unex- One of the remarkable phenomena of the whole tragic plored' on the Government maps. Now, as a reoccurrence is the fact that hardly one of God's children suit of this Indian's letter, two men have been sent has been touched, although some workers had most miracu- by one mislsion into that region to study the lanlous escapes. guage and translate the New Testament into Tlapaneco. Pray for this Indian, Cruz Avilez, The work, as a result of the earthquake, promises to that God may keep him faithful and use him be large. The soldiers will be in this area for months and among his own people." are already building winter quarters. We should build a regular center to take the place of the tent; it will be a place from which our workers can go out into the town to minister to the needs of the civilians.
At Coihueco, although the town is practically wiped out, our mission headquarters still stand a's a monument of God's grace–its chimneys, a few tiles on the roof, and a few broken dishes are the only reminders of the earthquake there. The new chapel which was nearing com-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
A special Christian literature campaign has same basis of age, report 21,322,688 members or also been conducted among Believers and over 15,492,016 over thirteen years old. Jewish con- 3,600 books and 14,000 tracts have been distrib- gregations report 2,930,332 members over thir- uted. These may help to bring about a revival. teen years; Eastern Christian sects have 1,014,663 There is a very important work among Mexican members and all other religious bodies 1,453,357. soldiers, and nearly five hundred of them have This seems to indicate that the nominally Prot- publicly declared their decision to follow Christ. estant population of the United States is approxi- New Testaments have been distributed among mately 71,000,000 (or double the total church officers and in the outposts, barracks, headquar- membership), while Roman Catholics number ters and military prisons. Many converts have 30,000,000 and Eastern Christian sects 2,000,000. remained faithful and one whom I had not seen The total number of Christians in America, more for four years informed me that he had explained or less closely connected with the churches, would the way of salvation to his comrades. When a thus be about 103,000,000, leaving 30,000,000 encorporal hesitated about allowing Mr. Taylor to tirely unrelated to the Church. This is a popula- distribute literature to his men, a meeting was tion equal to those of Turkey, Afghanistan and arranged by two women who had heard the Gos- Iran combined. Here is a large and needy field. pel. Every person in the camp came and all were .greatly impressed by the Spirit of God, working At the recent Madras Missionary Conference, through the testimony of one woman whose hus.- delegates from the "younger" (mission) churches band had been converted. The Mexican soldiers placed much emphasis on the need for Church have little or no opportunity to attend church union. This is evident in the United States where s'ervices or to have fellowship with mature Chris- there are forty-two major bodies and where some tians. church families are divided into fifteen or more sub-sects. The largest single organizations are AMERICAN CHURCH STATISTICS the Methodist Episcopal Church with 4,364,142 members (after the coming merger with the Meth- Statistics do not tell the truth-especially as to odist Church, South and the Primitive Methodists spiritual conditions and growth. Life and power it will number 7,385,638 members), the Southern cannot be expressed in mathematics or it would Baptists (4,595,602), the National Baptists—Col- never be true that "one shall chase a thousand ored (3,796,645), the Presbyterians, U. S. A. and two shall put ten thousands to flight." An (1,903,747) the Disciples of Christ (1,597,797), infinitesimal germ may lay Iowa giant and a beam and the United Lutherans (1,541,841). If the of light may halt a railroad train. Baptists should all unite, and include the Disciples of Christ, they would number nearly twelve mil- But statistics, if accurate, may show trends and lion members and all Lutherans would have a reveal weaknesses. It is always interesting to membership of nearly five million. study the religious statistics-prepared every ten years by the United States Census Bureau and Among the non-Christian religious sects in those issued by the Association of Statisticians of America we note the following figures: American Religious Bodies. These latter, for the year 1938, have been summarized by Dr. Herman Congregations Members C. Weber, Editor of the "Year Book of American Churches." According to this summary the num- American Ethical Union ……. . 7 3,024 ber of distinct religious groups in North America American Moslem Brotherhood .. 1,200 have decreased, by mergers and deaths since 1926, Bahai Faith ……………… . 71 2,523 from 212 to 200. Some of the sects are insignifi- Buddhist Mission …………. . 47 30,000 cantly slIIlall and lifeless. A few of the larger Divine Science ……………. . 26 7,000 denominations are merging, like the Methodists, Mayan Temple ……………. . while others are splitting, like the Northern Pres- Spiritualists ……………… . 5 600 byterians, on matters involving leadership or doc- Theosophists ……………… . 543 41,233 trinal emphasis. At the same time new sects are Vedanta Society ………….. . arising among uneducated or underprivileged Mormons (Latter Day Saints) .. 3 5,900 classes; such are "Father Divine's Peace Mission" Reorganized Mormons ……… . 25 400 and "The Church of the First-Born of the United 1,519 Sons of the Almighty." 575 690,401 101,122 The latest reports of church membership in the United States list 35,833,475 in the Protestant Would it not be instructive to tabulate, if pos- bodies, or 31,489,161 persons over 13 years of age. sible, the increase or decrease in church attend- This is an increase of 310,169 since the previous ance and in prayer meeting attendance in the past reports were tabulated. Roman Catholics, on the year, and the observance of family worship? None of the above statistics reveal the spiritual state of the churches or the evidence of Christlike life and service in their members. We are told that the true "vital" statisti(!:;) are kept in the "Lamb's Book of Life."
A KOREAN CHRISTIAN SPEAKS tablets and most of the worship there is directed to the deified spirits of their own ancestors or the Is Christianity a religion (a way of bringing ancestors of the Imperial family. To them are man into relatiQn to God)? If Russia had de- offered various gifts, consisting of fruits of the clared that Christianity is nQt a religion, would soils, flowers acc'Ording to the season, products of that have altered the case?' These questions may the sea, or certain kinds of sacred cloth. In other seem absurd and yet they are t'O the point. Chri&- words, worship before the Kamidana 'Or spirittianity is known as a religion, b'Oth historically shelf is a modified form 'Of the worship before the and universally. I believe in Christ as the Way Jinja or Shinto shrine. tQ God and therefore, regardless of my feelings, I am known as a Christian. I have chosen The Japanese people visit the shrines of their Christianity because I believe Christ is the best own particular sect of Shinto to meditate before and the only true way to bring man into right re- the en-shrined spirits, to pray to them or to worlation to God. I regard the name of Christian as ship them by reverent bowings. This custom is a glorious hQnor, since it signifies that I belong to similar to the Roman Catholic practice of visiting Christ. It denotes a great change has taken place cathedrals and churches or shrines on certain in me as the result of new Christ-given life in re- days. As a rule the Shinto priests do not appear sponse to my acceptance of Him. The significance bef'Ore the shrines except on national holidays or of the name "Christian" is therefore Qf paramQunt on the days on which special services are held in importance, not so much as a matter of religion honor of the spirits of soldiers who have fallen as of all that concerns my s,piritual life. in battle. Government regulations, cover every de- tail of the ceremonies, including the very wording The Japanese Government has officially de- of the prayers read. clared that Shinto shrine worship is not a religious practice but is merely an expressiQn of na- It can be seen that the nature and common tiQnal patriotism. Does this declaration mean that understanding of Shinto shrine worship is inher- Shinto is not a religion and that it has not been, ently religious. It must also be borne in mind histQrically and universally, recognized as such? that there is no distinction between the act of Or does it mean merely that Shinto shrine WQr- worship or obeisance before the Sect Shinto ship, as such, is not a religious practice-related shrines, which are admitted by the Japanese Govto wQrship? ernment to be religious, and before the State Shinto shrines, before which the Government has It is perfectly clear that neither the State or declared that all must bow as an act Qf patriQtism. any other organization is qualified to decide The enshrined deities, the prQcess of enshrinewhether a religion, with a historical background, ment, the details of the ceremonies and Qften the is or is not a religion. Any State or nation can Qfficiating priests Qr ritualists are identical. reject or adopt one of the existing religions as its state-religion, as was done by the Roman Empire On special days, as for example on the Emperunder C'Onstantine; but such a decision in itself Qr's birthday, the leaders of all social organizations does not alter the inherent nature of the religion in ChQsen, including Christian church leaders or Qf the ceremonies connected with it. (ministers, elders and sometimes even deacons) are cQmpelled tQ go to the places where the Shinto One cann'Ot, therefore, accept this declaration worshippers have their religious shrine cereof the Japanese Government concerning the na- monies and to participate in the ceremonies, bQwture of Shinto at its face value but must look into ing befQre the shrine. All Qrganizations so repthe practice 'Of Shinto shrine 'Obeisance to see resented are pronounced by the Government to whether or n'Ot it is religious. It is evident that be shrine worshippers, participating in the soif the declaration by the Japanese Government is called act of natiQnal patriotism. TQ refuse to dQ true, and shrine worship has n'O reHgious signifi- so is tQ be judged guilty of dislQyalty tQ the Emcance but is merely an act of patriotism, there perQr and results in arrest, imprisonment and will be no conflict with the Christian conscience sometimes tQrture. in attendance at the shrines. But if it is not true, then Christians who c'Onform to the Government With the Japanese Empire, now to all intents regulations in this matter naturally believe that they are guilty of idolatry in doing obeisance at and purposes a tQtalitarian state, the Government these Shinto shrines. That is the issue at stake between Christians and the Japanese Government. is ruthless in its insistence that all citizens par- Most of the common people of Japan (the non- ticipate in the shrine ceremQnies. Any discussion Christians) have a Kamidana (spirit-shelf) in their homes. On it are placed the various spirit- of the questiQn is prohibited by the police. Large sectiQns Qf the Church have been cowed intQ sub- mission. The KQrean Christians need yQur prayers as never before. A KOREAN CHRISTIAN.
HENRY GRE"IST WITH A GROUP OF ESKIMOS AT BARROW
A Mission in the Arctic Circle Experiences at Barrow, Alaska, the Northernmost Mission in the World By the REV. HENRY W. GREIST, M.D., D.D.
Honorably Retired Presbyterian Missionary; Stationed at Barrow, 1920 to 1936 BARROW, Alaska, is three hundred miles north but ordinarily weekly periodicals published in the of the Arctic Circle. It is about twelve hun- States come fifty-two copies in one mail sack in dred miles from the Pole, and marks the summer. Not until 1928 was there a radio in northernmost bit of land attached to the North Barrow-at the U. S. Army Signal Corps station. American continent. It was here that Col. and Prior to that time wars, disasters, elections and Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh landed on their flight other events might occur in the great world out- "North to the Orient." Some islands north of side but it was many months before we learned Canada are nearer the Pole, but they are unin- of them. habited. When Colonel and Mrs. Lindbergh reached Bar- Mails corne to Barrow four times a year, pro- row on their epochal flight, we invited every white vided the one ship in summer succeeds in pene- man, woman and child within two hundred miles trating the ice, and provided further the three to meet these distinguished fliers at dinner in the mails by dog-sledge during the long ten months Presbyterian manse. The total number (includof the Arctic winter succeed in getting in. Mails ing children) who sat at table were seven-in were often six months old before we received addition to the two guests-of-honor and three them, and letters mailed in New York have not Greists. All came who were invited except three infrequently been twelve months en route. All traders in Wainwright who failed to navigate the except first class mail, including parcel post, must ice. corne by ship. Occasionally the Post Office allows a lone newspaper or magazine to corne through, The Arctic is not a white man's country-and never will be. Eskimos alone can thrive there.
[167 ]
The only white people at Barrow are the mission- Barrow is situated, is perhaps the largest presby- aries, two school teachers (one of whom-the hus- tery in the world in point of square miles, but it is band-is the reindeer superintendent), a trader, one of the smallest in membership. During the and the U. S. Army Signal Corps operator and writer's seventeen years of service at Barrow, his. wife, together with any children in these fam- this presbytery had only four active members, the ilies. At Barrow there are no motion picture nearest man being at Fairbanks, eight hundred shows, pool rooms, liquor stores, automobiles, traf- miles distant as the crow flies and separated from fic jams or accidents; no cows, pigs, chickens, Barrow by vast uninhabited spaces of tundra, and sheep, goats or horses within eight hundred miles. by mountains impassable except at very great hazard, by airplane. The three other Presby- terian workers serve white churches at points along the Alaska railway. To travel from our station ·at Barrow to the meeting place of presby- tery anywhere along the railroad would mean a dog-team mileage of not less than fifteen hundred miles, and would take six months, a prohibitive length of time to be absent from one's post.
The missionary at Barrow finds much to do- or did when we maintained both the medical and the religious services in this parish extending a SUMMER "PRESSURE ICE" ON BEACH AT PT. BARROW thousand miles along the coast. It is a work that The Lord's Day is kept as it formerly was· in New calls not only for high spirituality and thorough England as a holy day; all the Eskimos go to training, coupled with devotion to God and to duty, Sunday school, to church and to vespers; and all but it calls also for a plentiful supply of the attend the mid-week prayer meeting as well. The "Three B's" – Blood, Brains and Brawn. The church is. the one social center. evangelist in this isolated region should be a Jack-of-all trades, with the resourcefulness of a The long Arctic Night extends from November Robinson Crusoe. A well-known war corresponduntil late in January, and for a short time the ent twenty years ago, covering assignments in far sun does not rise above the horizon. Then, for places, who became an admirer of missionaries three months, from May to August, it does not and then a student of missions, wrote: A misset at all. These are the periods which are sionary in such a station "should be self-contained, peculiarly trying to white people. The cold in an administrator, teacher, doctor, architect, carwinter is intense but the low temperature is not penter, machinist, engineer, a practical business so trying as the almost incessant fogs in summer, man, and withal tactful and diplomatic." Not together with cold, drizzling rain, which are apt every successful pastor could be a successful misto depress one. The best remedy is to keep busy with one's duties.
The Presbyterian Mission at Barrow, in the Yukon Presbytery, has for its central purpose the evangelization of the Eskimos of Alaska. Hos- pital work was splendidly maintained for many years previous to late 1936; social welfare and community service have also been energetically and faithfully carried on by consecrated and effi- ciently trained workers,……..,but all with this chief end in view – to win the Eskimos to Christ and His Way of Life. Among primitive people the so- U. s. SIGNAL STATION AT BARROW (leftl. WITH HOSPITAL called "Social Gospel," when offered alone, is a failure. Christ must be faithfully presented and AND CHURCH; MANSE AT THE EXTREME RIGHT His cross must be carried to the fore. The arts sionary, and many outstanding missionaries and sciences of civilization may be· readily ac- would discover in the pastorate in an ordinary cepted by people, in so far as they are practically field at home to be a very difficult, if not impos.- useful, but Christian ethics, without Christ as the sible, task.
center of life, are not observed except as they The missionary in the Arctic regions must seem to serve a selfish purpose. Heart conver- travel throughout the winter by dog-team at not sion is the all important goal; then all else follows over five miles per hour. At night, for want of to make a better world. other shelter, he tents out on the ice-bound beach Yukon Presbytery, within the bounds of which in temperatures as low as sixty degrees below
A MISSION IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
zero. He must cook his scant supper as best he Jackson visited the Arctic in 1890, with snow can over a tiny oil burning stove, the coffee freez- white hair and deeply wrinkled face but with eyes ing while the reindeer steaks are being broiled. shining like stars, began tugging at the preacher's The coffee must then be warmed again while the coat. He thought it a child in a mother's arms meat is eaten. After this, with his "musher" and behind< him and so ignored the interruption. But guide, he must crawl deep within reindeer sleep- the tugging became more and more insistent. He ing bags, read the Scripttures and offer prayer; turned, and lo! it was this old grandmother, said afterwards he sIeeps,as only healthy men can to be about ninety-five years old. Asked what she sleep under these trying conditions. If a severe storm overtakes them, the travelers are forced to • build a snow-house with a tunnel entrance and a floor lowered deep in a snow bank. The whole .. is covered by a tent slipped over the walls and weighed down at the sides by blocks of snow. .I When the missionary arrives at some camp of DORCAS, A FINE CHRISTIAN ESKIMO GIRL, AT BARROW trappers or reindeer herders, or at some village, scores of miles from any other habitation, he wanted, she replied through the interpreter: makes a house-to-house visitation during the day, "Long time ago, a peddler came to this village holds medical clinics (or did prior to the taking who said he had been a preaeher. The trader over of the medical work by the Government). asked him to preach to us that night, which he Then at night evangelistic services are held in the did. After talking of God's Book, of which we schoolhouse for a week or ten days. The people had never before heard, he went into the teacher's are hungry for the Gospel-and are responsive living quarters, got a wash~basin of water, and but never emotional. They are easily led to accept poured water on my head and on every person's the truth and many wholeheartedly give them- head in that room. Then he said, 'Now you are selves to the Lord Jesus Christ. They take their Christianity seriously, and put to shame nominal Christians in the States. Crowded into the schoolroom are often three times as many as the room would hold if chairs were placed close together. The school desks, intended for one, are occupied by two adults, with children seated on the desk in front of the parents. Boys sit on bookcases or under tables. Children are everywhere, with fathers and mothers sitting flat upon the floor, knees drawn up to make room for others. All mothers seem to hold from one to three babies or older children so that· the preaeher is usually limited to the space that his two feet occupy. But there is no whispering, no sign of restlessness in the audience; the cry of a baby is rarely heard. Every eye is riveted on the minister and every ear strained to catch every word of the interpreter, for the elderly folk cannot understand English very well. Such an opportunity insistently calls for the very best that is in any preacher of God's Word. It is an inspiring experience and sends a man to his knees that he may have the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.
Early in our ministry in Wainwright, a village about one hundred miles southwest of Barrow, one bitterly cold night in January, the writer was preaching to a crowded house,estimated to contain more than 200 people. Becoming warm in his efforts, he removed his reindeer parka and, in his ordinary coat, stood in the limited space left for him by the crowd. Soon an old woman, known to have been a grandmother when Dr. Sheldon
all Christians.' But 0 Missionary, 0 Missionary, proved sufficient. We have now 533 communicant I want Jesus under the skin." members of the Church in Arctic Alaska. The Eskimo are not an emotional people, but they are My sermon on John 3: 16 was only half finished, intelligent and they wish to know the reasons for but I knelt at the old woman's knees and very what they believe and do. tenderly led her along the Way to Christ. We prayed for her, but in the midst of that short Our medical service was fruitful in giving us contacts with people from far away in Arctic Can- AN ESKIMO CHRISTIAN PREPARING DINNER ada and from many hundreds of miles down the coast southwest to within fifty miles of Kotzebue prayer we were disturbed by her changed de- where there is a well-equipped government hosmeanor; looking up we saw that the Holy Spirit pital. Many of these patients came to us five had spoken to her and had given her the evidence hundred miles by dog-teams, through darkness, that He had sealed her, for her smile waselo- storm and cold, bringing their chronically ill and quent; she was seeking to tell us of the change surgical cases. When asked why they came to us in her heart. That smile did not wear off during instead of going to the government doctor, their the remaining weeks of her life. We arose to our usual reply was, "You people up here pray." They feet and saw that fourteen young married couples came from far beyond the geographical limits of were also kneeling in a circle in front of the our mission and over 52:,000 cases and clinical calls school desks; the people who had been sitting on were recorded during our sixteeen years of servthe floor having made room by changing places ice. There were some repeaters but each bedwith them. All were silently praying, their lips patient was counted only as one case. Eternity moving. Later, all arose and each gave a short alone will reveal the spiritual results. The sick testimony, without any invitation on our part. were dealt with by the missionary, assisted by the From that group three young men have been or- ruling elders, and prayer was coupled with indained as ruling elders of the Olgonic (Wain- struction. Many who were brought from a diswright) Church, and at least two of the women tance, and had only a limited opportunity to hear have been ordained as deaconesses. All the mem- the Gospel, were converted in the hospital. After bers of that group have exhibited changed lives throughout the succeeding years. Thus the Holy JAMES, A WAINWRIGHT ESKilMO, AND HIS WIFE Spirit honors the preaching of the Gospel of IN FRONT OF THEIR IGLOO Christ. We now have a splendid, organized church of believers at Wainwright with a chapel the service on the Lord's Day the young people and a manse, served by Percy Ipalcck, a product would occasionally gather in the hospital to sing of Sheldon Jackson School, and now a licentiate hymns dear to the hearts of these folk. The minof Yukon Presbytery. istryof song, if in the native tongue, often worked wonders with the old people. Friends of the sick, The providence of God and His direct answers who had brought them up to the hospital, reto prayer were remarkable throughout the years mained sometimes for weeks or even months until of our ministry on that coast. Strangely peculiar the ill were able to travel back home. In the meanhave been many of these instances so that our while these friends attended Sunday school and faith grew by leaps and bounds as we carried on, the services of the church, often becoming conabiding in Him and His Word .a!biding in us. We vinced and surrendering their lives to the Lord were far from human help, isolated and alone in Jesus. our service, cut off from those who could enter understandingly into our problems; but God alone
One young man, a half-breed, whOo resided four No tourists came to Barrow throughout the sevhundred fifty miles distant, was deeply under con- enteen years of our service. Dr. A. J. Montviction for weeks and gave his heart to God the gOomery, of the National Board of Missions, while very night before he left in his father's motor director of Alaska work, called one summer day, boat fOor his distant home. He was found drowned having traveled near eight thousand miles to visit the next morning, not far frOom Barrow. His us; but he could not remain on shore for more brothers were greatly impressed and, one by one, than an hOour on account of threatening ice at sea. surrendered to God. Alas! our beloved hOospital My brother, L. T. Greist, a Presbyterian attorney from Chicago, also visited us for three months THE MISSION CHURCH AND CONGREGATION AT BARROW in 1934; he not only won the hearts of the Eskimo along that coast, but they won his admiration as is a thing of the past, in so far as it can serve for well. evangelistic work, except by permission of the gOovernment doctor. Medical mission service else- In late August, 1936, we tearfully turned over where in Alaska has also been relinquished, dis- our medical service to the in-coming government astrously as to the spiritual well-being of our doctor and his nurses, but the new doctor SOOon A:[~ctic Eskimos. We debated during four long resigned and left the service. Another came and years the giving up of our medical work, while did excellent work but was dissatisfied with social the proposition hung fire, but the Mission Board cOonditiOons and left Barrow within the year; a thOought that medical service was costing too much third doctor has now arrived. The natives wonmoney. True, supplies were expensive, coal alOone der at the many frequent changes and fail to comcosting $55 a ton delivered in Barrow, and we prehend why a medical man does not seem to be normally required 150 tons a year. We econo- vitally interested in their religious welfare. mized, denied ourselves, cut wages and salaries frOom 25% to 60%; no one complained, including The Rev. Fred G. Klerekoper, a graduate Oof the Eskimo helpers. Our budget was reduced Princeton Seminary (class of 1934) is now the from about $18,000 tOo nearly $8,000 annually. We missionary in charge. Mrs. Klerekoper was edusacrificed gladly to maintain our beloved medical cated in Mt. Holyoke College, Massachusetts, and evangelism but we were forced to write finis in is a graduate nurse. She is the daughter Oof Presour mission's annals as to our medical service. byterian missionaries in Chosen and a capable worker; but she is not likely to have Oofficial con- In 1920, we had invested $48,000 in the Point nectiOon with the new hospital which is now being Barrow Hospital (largely obtained from the Com- built to replace the one burned in the autumn of monwealth Fund). The Sunday schOool children in Presbyterian churches in the United States had 1936.* These splendidly trained and spiritually~ donated $10,000 from their offerings on Washington's Birthday in 1920 for the equipment. We minded young missionaries are there to carry on had no isolation wards, so seriously needed in time of epidemics. and for the tubercular patients; the DR. GREIST (left), WITH MRS. GREIST, WELCOMING THEIR operating theater was merely a small room in- SUCCESSORS, REV. AND MRS. FRED KLEREKOPER tended for beds, and without prOoper light. The two pipeless hot-air furnaces, intended for small the church work along that thousand miles of bungalow residences, failed utterly tOo protect us Arctic coast. Mr. Klerekoper travels much by against the Arctic cold, high winds, and in the dogs during the Arctic night, in cold and storm thin uninsulated walls of the building. NOotwith- and darkness; he sometimes goes along the coast standing these and other serious handicaps, very in a small motor boat during the short summer. effective and faithful service was done throughout They are young, enthusiastic, hard working and the years and many lives were saved. deserve the intercessory prayers of all God's peo- ple. Theirs is not an easy task, as we knOow from experience. Let us support them.
• The government has appropriated $100,000 to build and equip the new hospital to replace the one destroyed.
A Missionary Epistle from China*
By DR. and MRS. WALLACE CRAWFORD, Chengtu, West China A T THE beginning of the war with Japan the the wire, which costs the Japanese a great sum .r- proportion of casualties in the fighting was to replace. They do no open fighting, but are conthree Chinese to one Japanese; l,ater on it tinually harassing the lines of communication, was two to one, but now it is "even going" and the making it impossible for the Japanese to consoli- casualties are terrific on the side of the Japanese. date their gains in North China.
The initial dazed condition of the Chinese peo- "The people's army" receive no pay, and want ple has given way to a steadily developing deter- none; their leaders are poor and there is no selfmination to. increase their efficiency to the place seeking among them. Their average age is not where they will wear out J.apan. There is little over thirty. Contrast this with the puppet regime desire on the part of the people, outside the main set up in Peiping, where the average age of the regular army, to see the Japanese killed off, but rather to cause them such heavy financial loss as "leaders" is sixty-four. to so embarrass their country and to make it impossible to carryon the "incident." Everywhere Over four hundred thousand of these guerrillas one is impressed with the increasing efficiency of are organized in what the Japanese would have the resistance of the people of China, for it is the us believe is the occupied territory. These men go people's struggle, and not merely the activities of everywhere in the occupied territory, uninterthe army. China is just at the beginning of a rupted by the Japanese who exert no control save colossal man-power preparation. in the immediate cities they occupy.
The Japanese have occupied practically all the The guerrillas are constantly improving their walled cities in certain parts of the country and efficiency. Now they have many miles of telehave paralyzed the normal activities as a whole, phone system and it is reported that they will rebut their control does not exceed five miles beyond ceive a wire of the starting of a train and before the walls of the cities they "control." Every male the train has gone a hundred miles, it runs into a from twelve years old and up is a potential soldier bomb and is wrecked. against the Japanese. They are organized into guerrillas, and they are the ones who control the Instead of breaking the morale of the Chinese country, and not the Japanese. Five miles from people the Japanese action is making that morale. the railway these guerrillas have become such a The spirit of the people is improving instead of menace to the Japanese as to make many of the being destroyed. They argue that the Japanese formerly controlled walled cities untenable. have come and destroyed everything so why not join with the forces opposing the Japanese? That Groups undertake the job of disrupting the rail- is what they are doing in an atmosphere of pov- erty, humility, meekness and intense patriotism.
way.'They go out and draw out the spikes so that Communism which was evident in 1935 is dif- the rails fall apart. After the Japanese found out ferent from the brand which we have in China at this trick, they made wooden spike tops which the moment. There is no more compUlsion about looked so much like tM real thing that the Jap- it than there is in a church school. Thousands anese did not suspect their trick, the result being are entering their University, either as organ- wrecked trains. These were looted by the guer- izers, or mass education leaders, or cooperative rillas, and their supplies carried off into the vil- leaders, and a few as soldiers in the Eighth Route lages to be used against the enemy. Army, which is playing havoc with the Japanese Another group will go out and take off a rail forces. They have a school of art, another for and bury it a mile or two from the railway. Of the educating of municipal leaders, another for course the Japanese replace the rail, but in the cooperatives, and many others in addition to the course of a year one can imagine what it costs actual fighting force, which have engaged the Japan to be constantly replacing rails. Another Japanese in battle. While they have won it has group will cut down telephone poles and carry off been at terrific expense in man power. As Mad- ame Chiang Kai-shek says, "The Japanese are 19;9~~e United en/wren Record ana Missionary Review (February. winning battles, but China will win the war."
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for Christianity in Europe-I
The End and the Rebirth of Churches in Central and Eastern Europe By PROF. D. ADOLF KELLER, D.D., Geneva, Switzerland THE idea of the end has never been alien to the person of Christ, and as a result there is a the Christian Church. The first Christians general abandoning of the Churches and a de- looked for the end of the present order and crease of interest in their activity. for the coming of the Lord's Kingdom. This is what is meant by the word "eschatological." It In such countries we can indeed speak of the was a tremendous tonic for the faith of the first approaching end of those branches of the Chriscentury; and again today, in such an apocalyptic tian Church. In Russia, for instance, there may mood, we say that not only thrones" political in- still be hundreds of Orthodox Russian churches stitutions, economic systems, human empires, but open and crowded. But let us not be deceived: if even Christian Churches, will come to an end. the present policy continues, especially if the pol- icy of anti-Christian education is successful, the It will not be the first time in Christian history. end of an old Christian Church of Russia will be Where is today the Church of St. Augustine, the near. That Church has lost its leader and his inforerunner of Luther in North Africa? It is gone! fluence. It has lost a large part of its episcopacy Where are those seven churches in Asia Minor and priesthood. Thousands of priests and bishops today, to whom the writer of the Apocalypse wrote have been killed or are imprisoned, or have been his seven letters? They have been swept away sent to concentration camps in Siberia. The when Islam, the great killer of Christian Church has lost hundreds of its fine cathedrals and churches, conquered Anatolia and when the last other church buildings, partly by arbitrary de- Christian Archbishop was dragged by his hair struction, partly by transforming Christian through the streets of Smyrna and put to death. churches into museums, cinemas and variety Where is the large Christian Nestorian Church in theatres. The Church has lost its theological Central China? It has died, except for a little academy; no priest can receive a theological eduremnant represented by the Nestorian Assyrians cation in Russia at present. The only theological in Iraq and along the Kabur in Syria. academy is that of Father Bulgakoff in Paris. The It is paradoxical to the Christian faith that any Church in Russia has finally lost its educational part of the Church of the living Christ should influence. It is not allowed to give a religious come to an end. But have we not to face this fact education to the younger generation before they when we see that churches come to an end in our reach their eighteenth year. The Church, being large world cities, or at least in certain strata of considered as the last asylum for obscurantism, the population, for instance among the cultured has lost its influence on public life. According to classes or among labor. Modern indifference, the desire of the present Soviet rulers she should scepticism, secularism, threatens whole Churches become a Christian ghetto in the midst of the Ruswith the end which, like the Church of France, sian people.
have been called the oldest daughters of the The Evangelical Church in Russia has been Church. France counts forty-one millions of in- practically wiped out. Out of 200 Lutheran pashabitants. The Roman Catholic Church does not tors not one is still at work. .' AU were compelled claim more than ten or eleven millions. There to leave the country or enter secular professions; are not over one million of French Protestants. or they were killed or banished and their fam- Where are the other twenty-nine or thirty mil- Hies are suffering hunger and privations. Evanlions of the French people? They are the dying gelical churches have been closed or are used for Church of France. I worldly purposes. The Lutheran Academy under Wherever modern secular ideologies, like the Bishop Malmgren had to be closed.
gospel of Marx or the gospel of Lenin or of Can One still speak of the Church of the Refor- Nietsche, are infecting the mind of the modern mation in Germany? Is not the end near? What world, such Churches feel a resistance ,against the is left of the formerly proud and active Church of preaching of the Gospel of Christ, or even against Martin Luther? There is a foreign office with [173 ]
Bis·chof Heckel; a finance department whose ad- fish on the sand to make himself known to other ministrative measures are sometimes a deadly unknown Christians. Wherever these two or three weapon when they are used against recalcitrant meet in the name of Christ, the new Church is pastors; a minister of state for the Church who born. It grows, we do not know how, in Russian is restricting the Christian Church and muzzling villages, in the woods, on the railway. The new its outspoken ministers. Theological faculties, spiritual Church of Christ will take its form, its which were once the pride of German Protestant- organization, will develop its leadership, its the- ism, today have to fight to maintain their influence ology, when such is God's will.
and to build up confidence, at least in the Confes- Simple Christian folks are perpetuating the sional Church. All over Germany there are thou- Christian Church. Russian mothers, for instance, sands of open churches where the Gospel can be seeing that their children are in danger of grow- preached but little is left today of the former en- ing up like heathen,are taking things in hand and terprising missionary spirit. The old Church of are teaching their children to believe in God, per- the Reformation, as a State Church and as a lead- haps in a very elementary way but with a sincere ing Church, is nearing its end. faith. They will save the Christian feeling in the In many other countries the Church of Christ heart of the people from oblivion and destruction.
faces such deadly enemies as individualism, mod- A new Church is being born also out of the ern secularism and indifferentism which are Church struggle in Germany. The intrepid Pas- transforming the old solid structure of the Evan- tor Niem6ller isa Church builder although he sits gelical Church into a vague religious sentimental- ina concentration camp and is closely watched.
ism and aestheticism. He cannot speak to his fellow prisoners, he can- What then is coming to an end? First of all not even see his family regularly, he cannot write there is to be an end to the unnatural relationship or publish, and yet his influence is spreading as of the Church of Christ with the modern State. an atmospheric power. He is kindling a new fire In many Churches the historic State was consid- of faith in the hearts of many people and encour- ered as the fatherly protector of the Church to ages them to resist a State which does not allow take care of the theological faculties, the religious the Church to be the Chu:r:ch. Hundreds of Ger- education in schools, build manses and pay sal- man ministers are punished for having disobeyed aries to the pastors, and therefore claiming the this autocratic State and they are preaching the right to supervise and influence Church life. But Gospel of Christ without fear. The church janitor this influence has become so strong today, and is who will not take the key of the Church out of his leading the Evangelical Church away from its pocket to open its door for an un-Evangelical original aim, that millions feel that such a com- preacher who has come to replace a believing pas- radeship is against the true nature of a Christian tor is another new church builder; so is the or- Church. An easy compromise between State and ganist who refuses to play the organ to accom- Church is therefore coming to an end. panya service which is not inspired with the spirit Second, a Church of wealth and earthly power of Christ.
is coming to an end; the Church knows today Where two or three have such peculiar courage that, in her need and poverty, she resembles much and faith, where they meet in the name of Christ more that Man who had not where to lay His in private houses, in restaurants, in the market head than she did when she was rich and powerful. place, on the railway, they build up a new Church Third, a Church which thinks she knows better of Christ.
than Christ himself is coming to an end today- It may not yet be recognized a Church as we that Church which is like the grand inquisitor, in understand it, as a great national or denomina- Dostojewski's novel, who sent Jesus Christ away tional organization; may be only a small congre- when He came back because the Church to which gation; but such cells are the living stones with He had left His task knew better than He how to which a Church is built.
handle the world. And this Church is being built even against the Instead of such Churches, which are more and will of its oppressors. It reminds us of that pic- more dying out, a new Church is born. It is yet ture painted by the German painter, Moritz von an invisible Church, with no clearly defined mem- Schwind. He shows a saint building a chapel in bership, with no structure or organization. Two the midst of the wood, continuing his work al- or three members may meet somewhere in Russia, though the devil tries to disturb him; finally the two wanderers in the streets, two farmers in the saint's faith is so strong that he compels even the market, two boatmen on the Volga, not knowing devil against his will, to carry the stones that the each other but suddenly recognizing the brother saint uses for building the chapel.
in Christ by a word, a glance in his eye, a symbolic Therefore, even poverty, isolation, pers.ecution action. This was the case in the first centuries must help to build up a new Church of Christ for when a Christian may have drawn the sign of the which we hope and pray and labor..
and the Lost Feast
-·..e{11 By V. LANE-FRIMPOLE IIi- I N ONE room of a small, two-roomed mud and Musing on his new green sateen shirt with its rubble cottage in northern Syria, lived an Arab five buttons, each of a different color, and yearn- boy named Murad. Here he lived, ate and ing to bite into a Ramazan cake, Murad had almost slept with his parents, his little brothers and his fallen asleep when he heard the sound of visitors, granny. The other room was occupied by his fa- coming in to spend the evening. Everyone seemed ther's brother, with his wife and children. happy. His own grown people had been dread- One night, near the end of the month-long fast fully cross in the late afternoon, Murad thought. of Ramadan, Murad lay on the floor in a corner, But after the sunset cannon had been fired and tucked up in his grandmother's bed, under her they had broken their day-long fast, things were wool-waded quilt. The light of the wood-fire on all right again. Now these visitors, too, seemed the hearth flickered among the shadows of the in happy mood. otherwise dark room. Murad liked to watch the Ah! they were asking Granny to chant them a firelight and to hear the sound of the rain and Mevlud-one of the long Turkish poems about the Prophet Mohammed. All the village thought wind outside. The boy's mind wandered to the approaching granny a notable woman. She could make out any feast which would follow the sacred fast days chapter of the Koran without too much halting to and his imagination played pleasantly with the spell the words, and she had memorized many thought of the cakes and other good things to eat. chapters. But she did not know Arabic and so As a little boy he did keep. the fast and did not understood nothing of the meaning. LaHnized need this abstinance in order to get hungry. He Turkish, inaugurated by the late Kemal Ataturk, thought, too, of the new clothes that his clever she could not read at all, but she could spell aunt, who sewed on the machine, had made for out Turkish words in the Arabic characters, him. In the mind of a child, whose people go by enough to read her M evlud. These Turcomans the sun year, other things would have been asso- living in the mountains of northern Syria were ciated with a holiday for under such a calendar not yet sure of the orthodoxy of the Western alevery feast falls at the same season of the year. phabet for to them the Arabic letters, in which the In America, for example, Decoration Day comes Koran came down from heaven, were the only with the grass and spring flowers; the Fourth of ones that seemed right. July is marked by hot sunshine and trees in full Murad loved to hear his granny chant the Koran leaf; Thanksgiving Day is observed in the midst because of the beautiful roll of it and the awe in of November frosts; Christmas is enlivened with her voice. But he liked far better to hear the Me1)lud because it was in his own language, and snow and ice. For Murad and for all Moslem people this is not much of it he could understand. Happily he the case. The moon year of the Moslem world watched granny go to the high shelf that ran retrogrades at the rate of about ten days every around the room and take down a manuscript sun year. In the year of which we write Ramadan written by a learned Mullah's own hand years ago. came in the middle of December, something that His mother thrust a splinter of pitch-pine into the had not occurred for some thirty-six years. Little fire and lighted the little oil lamp. Then Murad Murad, the Turcoman, had been born of Moslem watched the old lady squat down with the precious parents in a Moslem community, consequently he book on her knee and turn over the leaves with found himself in a completely nonsequential uni- moistened forefinger and thumb. She found the verse, where no effect is traced to any cause; page and in a sweet, thin voice began to chant. where each separate act and event of the day is Oh! it was the bit that Murad liked best, the lullooked upon as caused by a special, arbitrary act laby sung to the Prophet by his nurse Haleema: of the "Will of Allah." It is thought impious to It is Mohammed: let mountains and stones seek to try to understand God's will which is im- Rejoice-wild beasts, too, and birds. possible of comprehension. This concept of an Lady Ameena is his mother, arbitrary will, governing the universe, is rein- She is the fine flower of mothers, forced by the changes of the moon year. Her head is of pearls. Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby.
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In the mountain of Mecca was his birthplace wind was blowing as hard as ever. Perhaps it At the Kaaba, at the Black Stone, in the presence of was the gusts of wind that shook the stars and made them twinkle so through the frosty dark. Gabriel, Snug under his quilt, Murad watched the two That Gabriel might praise the Beloved of God, (even women move drowsily about preparing the three Mohammed). o'clock breakfas.t–the iftar. He was not quite Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. awake, not quite asleep. The stir and rustle that The houris, the Paradise maidens, came; the women made seemed to go on for ever. Then They bound white incense in his swaddling bands, his grandmother's voice calling his father broke They praised the Beloved of God. the spell. Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. "Get up, my son! Get up and eat; dawn will Abd el Mutaleb was his grandfather, break before you know it and then it will l;le un- Abdullah was his father, lawful for you to eat until sunset. How will you The Lady Haleema was his nurse. be able to fast all day on an empty stomach?" Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. The Feast Before the Fast May Satan's hands be tied, May the hearts of thy friends be fat, Murad's father rose, stretching his great arms and legs. Villagers sleep in their clothes, so there o son of Lady Ameena. was no delay for dressing. He stepped out of bed, crossed over to the hearth and sat down on the Lullaby, my Mohammed; lullaby, my beautiful Ahmad, floor. No one called Murad for he was too young lullaby. to fast. But the smell of the hot food called him; so crawling from under the quilt, he went and sat Lying there in his nest, Murad listened en- down by his father and snuggled up to him. His tranced. He was six years old and so far as he mother unfolded the woolen bread-cloth, took up knew he had always slept in his granny's bed. He some paper-thin loaves as l10und and big as two supposed that he always would. He could not re- dinner plates. She sprinkled them with water and member the time when he had to give up his cradle folded them in four;, then she flung down one at to the next baby. Granny had always been there each person's place and piled the rest in the middle and always would be, like the sun and wind and of the big tray. Granny put down a copper bowl, rain. He loved her voice as she sang about the full of steaming food, and a pan of curdled milk. baby Mohammed's birth; about the Angel Gabriel Everything was, ready. and those beautiful houris swaddling him as his mother had swaddled their own baby. As the "In the name of God," said Murad's father; quavering, sweet voice went on and on, the faces then scooping up a big mouthful of the hot food of his family and the visitors, visible or invisible with a flap of bread, he ate it. "In the name of as the flames in the fireplace rose and fell, seemed God," echoed, Murad, and did the same. The to float in the warm air. Murad felt himself float- women sat down and they used the same prayer ing. A wind was blowing him down a high, high before they began to eat. mountain-away from two goats that he was herding-blowing him like thistledown. Now the wind "I certainly thought," said Murad's father bewas singing. What was it singing? "Lullaby, tween mouthfuls, "that today was to be the first Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. N en-ni day of the Ramadan Byram. I was sure the feast -Nen-ni-i-i." began today and I was surprised when no an- nouncement was made in the mosque last night. Murad did not wake up when his granny came Surely it will not be later than tomorrow. We to bed; not even when she took him in her loving must get ready today; it would be dreadful if we old arms as she had taken his daddy when he was delayed and so lost one of our four great days. a little boy. A little herdboy who has been out on My brother and I will butcher the goat, and you the mountain all day in wind and rain, sleeps women must be about your cooking." Good Mossoundly. The fire died down and the room grew lem as he was, he could not help looking forward dark and cold, but he did not know it. to the end of the month-long fast, with its food- less, waterless, tobaccoless days at the plough, and He seemed scarcely to have dropped to sleep its ni,ghts of broken sleep. when he heard his mother saying to his father,: "Get up! Get up! I have our breakfast ready." "All things happen as God wills," said granny. "If he wills that the feast begin tomorrow, it will "It's not time yet," mumbled Daddy, rolling begin tomorrow." over and yawning. By this time Murad was back under the quilt "Vakit oldu. It is time, and the food is ready." again, and soon his granny and all the others also "How do you know it's time? Did you hear the went back to bed and slept until broad daylight. signal gun in Passtown?" "NO', but one seldO'm hears it these windy nights." Grandmother was up now, and had opened the door wide. The rain had stopped but the east
MURAD AND THE LOST FEAST DAY
When the December sun had warmed the air a may bake our cakes in his new bake-house. Tell little, Murad took the goats out on the mountain. him: your father will do the baking if he will show He wore untanned leather boots with toes turned him how." up, just like the toes of the Hittite boots that one sees pictured on monuments. His mother had tied "Oh! and may I go with father and help bake around his head a piece of Turkish toweling for the cakes?" warmth. In the flat gingham bag slung under his arm was his lunch – red peppers, some goat's "Yes, if you are a good boy and run to Armen's cheese, wrapped up in leathery folds of bread, like a bird and bring back word what he says. Ask and some dried figs. His people were well-to-do politely. Run, let me see. Bakalum!" and could afford to give him this variety. Murad came flying back with the permission. For the older people another hungry day had Then he helped his father load some wood on the begun, but everyone was busy preparing for the donkey for firing, and went with him to the oven four-day feast. Murad's father and uncle slaugh- to light it. Afterwards when the oven was hot tered and flayed the fattened goat and, hanging and the cakes were ready, with the spice kneaded the carcass on a tree, began to cut it up. Neigh- in and sesame seed sprinkled thick on top, Murad bors would buy whatever part they themselves did helped carry to the oven the big copper trays covnot want. The women were as busy; brazen ered with cakes to be baked. All eyes, he watched pestles clanged on brazen mortars as they pounded his father put a batch of cakes on the flat wooden spices – nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, all-spice and shovel, and then" slide them off on the oven floor. mastic gum. The younger women did the pound- Lovely! But lovelier still when father took up the ing, while granny spread the thick woolen bread- browned cakes on the shovel and slid them back cloth on the floor and began to knead a stiff mass on the trays near Murad to cool. Ah! the deliof flour, butter, sugar and leaven for the festal cious, delicious smell! And how good the bits cakes. The hours flew. It was noon. tasted that he broke off and popped into his mouth when no one was looking! If he lives another A Mistake and the Explanation fifty years, Murad will still remember that smell and taste. "Boom! Boom! Boom!"-the dull roar of the Passtown cannon rolled through the mountain. The rej oicing was general, yet every now and People looked at each other in consternation. then someone would say grievingly, "Look how we have been cheated out of the first day of our "Toap atuldu! The cannon is being fired; feast!" It was as if a cloud passed over the sun then the teast began last night! We have missed each time someone said this. The village Khoja a whole day!" The words flew from mouth to (Moslem teacher and preacher) was as vexed as mouth, "We have lost a day from our feast! We any of them. He too was baking cakes at the oven. have lost a day from our feast!" "But how did it come that you made a mistake Such a thing had never been known in the vil- about the day?" asked Armen, the Armenian. lage. To add another day of feasting never occurred to them; if an impious stranger had sug- "The big mountain to the southwest shuts out gested such an idea, they would have rejected it the view, and no one saw the new moon." as impossible. No, the lost day was irrevocably lost. Grown men and women as they were, they "Surely a man like you, who can read and felt it keenly, helplessly, hopelessly as children write, must know when the new moon will first feel a loss. But they went on with their prep- appear," objected Armen. "There are calendars. arations that should have been made the day Everyone knows that the new moon is sure to apbefore. pear on a certain day."
Murad heard the cannon and came racing home Murad's father listened contemptuously to the to ask what had happened. To him and the other Armenian's ignorant talk. Thank God the Khoja children it seemed interesting and exciting. Here, was present and would defend the faith. He did there, everywhere he skipped among his busy not like to have Murad hear such impious talk. elders. That was the worst of these Christian neighbors, Well, as the child had heard it, let him now hear "I take refuge in God," said his mother, pestered the Khoja's refutation. past endurance with his mischief as he teased his little brothers, "Go back to the mountain and look "God forbid," the Khoja was saying. "Nothing after your goats, filthy devil, or I'll murder you." is sure to be. Each event happens as the most high Truth wills it. If he wills a new moon on a "I left them with one of the Armenian boys. certain day, there will be one; if not, there will They're all right," he answered. not. Who can say beforehand-I ask pardon of God-what God's will is going to be? We did not "My nestling," said grandmother intervening, see the moon ourselves, we had no authenticated "run quickly to Armen's house and ask him if we news that it had been seen by responsible persons
elsewhere, therefore we did not know that there Murad crawled into bed and left them still eatwas a new moon." ing. He was so full that he went to sleep quickly, but in the night he awoke, crying with a stomach- "If that is ,the way of it, why did not one of you ache. go to town two days ago and stay to bring the news as soon as the moon was seen in town?" "I take refuge in God from Satan, the stoned," persisted the Armenian. said granny. "What can ail the child ?" She tried to soothe him by rubbing, but that was of no use, "Perhaps, after he had taken all that bother and so she got up and made him some mint tea with headache, there might have been no moon; then plenty of sugar in it. Then she said a charm for his labor would have gone for nothing," answered colic. The pain eased, but he was wide awake and the Khoja. could not go to sleep again at once.
"The cause of each event, no matter how small, "Grandmother," he said, "what happened to the is the will of God. I once heard a sheikh of pro- lost feast day? How does a day get lost, granny? found learning say this: 'It is an error to say that Did it wander off in the mountains like our nanny fire always burns. Fire burns or not just as God goat that the wolf ate? Or did it fall down a deep wills in each case. And the proof is that when the crack between rocks like my piastre piece that I idolaters tried to destroy Abraham by fire, far cried so hard about? How does a day get lost, from burning him the fire caused a thicket of rose- grandmother ?" bushes in bloom to grow up around him, full of singing nightingales. Likewise it is an error to "God predestined that we should lose that day. say that knives cut. A knife cuts if God wills it The Most High Truth wrote that fate on our to cut; if not, no. And the proof is that when foreheads." Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Ishmael, the knife refused to cut. There is no God but "But why?" God; without his will naught comes to pass.' " "I ask pardon of God. Listen to the child! God knows his own work. No good comes from think- Murad, listening with all his ears, thought that ing and asking questions. Please God, it be not what the Khoja said was wonderful, and looked a portent of some evil about to befall us for our triumphantly at the ignorant Armenian. "Annen wickedness! Truly, in these days godlessness has is nice, but he is a giaour (infidel) just the same," so increased that if the Supreme Truth rained he thought. He wished that he had seen Abra- fire on us it would be no more than we deserve. ham's roses and nightingales. That conversation For look how children–even small children-" by the oven laid one more great stone solidly in Murad was always bored when granny began the foundation of the Moslem faith upon which to moralize. "Granny, I kiss your eye, ehant the Murad's life was to be built. M evlud," he coaxed. "Chant the same bit that you did the other night," and he began the nen-ni, Murt-koy is only a mountain village. Murad nen-ni of the Infant Prophet's nurse. His grandhad never seen the rude Ferris wheels-outdating mother took it up and went on verse after verse: Ferris by centuries-that are set up for the children at this feast in Moslem cities, from Con- Mohammed is my heart's core, my theme: stantinople to Calcutta. No strolling gypsies If he weeps, my eye weeps blood. came, as they do to the big towns, with fife and Let me rub my face on his threshold. drum. But even in Murt-koyeverybody had new Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. clothes, and the groups of women and children looked like living gardens. Even the tiny babies His teeth are whiter than white pearls, had new caps of every bright color; amulets were snipped off the old caps and sewed tightly on the The Paradise maidens, the Houris, are his companions; new. Families exchanged cakes; and who so proud as Murad to go from door to door offering He is the Sun of the two worlds. ' a cake with his family's greetings. He was shy and his lashes swept his cheeks; his voice could Lullaby, my Mohammed; lullaby, my beautiful Ahmad, hardly be heard, but his smile was sweet. lullaby; nen-ni, nen-ni-i-i-i-i. And what a feast they had when he returned home! He ate and ate until he was tight as a Her voice quavered like that of a nurse croondrum. He liked that feeling and would have eaten ing to a fretful child. Then she fell silent and more but his father said that he had had enough. listened to her grandson's breathing for a few All through that meal, though, with its fun and seconds. She had almost forgotten him and had laughing, someone of the grown people would sigh felt herself to be Lady Haleema-God's approval and shake the head every now and then and say, be upon her-singing a cradle song to the little "Yazuk! What a pity that we have lost a day!" Mohammed. Then her thoughts homed back to Murad. "He is asleep," she said, fondly kissing his forehead. "Sleep my lamb. Sleep in the pro- tection of God. What do I know? May this lost feast day portend no evil to us. I take refuge in God. Amahn! Amahn! Alas for the lost feast day!"
and Open Doors in Missions*
By REV. C. DARBY FULTON, D.D., Nashville, Tennessee Executive Secretary of the Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S.
THE Chinese word for "crisis" is written with been employed. Many, unable to endure these suf- two characters; one means "danger," and ferings, have yielded to practices they do not ap- the other "opportunity." Paul suggested the prove. Others, standing grimly amid great same thought when he wrote to the Corinthians, distress, are bearing a shining Christian testi- "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, mony. Never have we faced so ominous an out- and there are many adversaries." look as is before us in Korea. We cannot foretell Of the "adversaries" by which missionaries are what the end will be. The hour is here for prayer, compassed today, we who live in the tranquil at- earnest and unrelenting. There is no way through mosphere of this land of peace and liberty have this crisis in Korea e~cept as God moves to help not the slightest conception. Writes a missionary us.
in China : "We are in the midst of wickedness and But the greatest "adversary" to missions, the inhuman atrocities on such a colossal scale that the only one we really need fear, is the hindrance we mind is too benumbed to take it all in." Even the ourselves can be through thoughtlessness, and neg- physical survival of our missionaries amid the con- lect. Opposition from without, our missionaries vulsions of war is a daily miracle. All around expect; indifference within the Church all but them is ruin, whole cities in desolation, panic- breaks their hearts. The test of carrying on with stricken multitudes fleeing in bewildered confu- inadequate support, unable to touch the needs sion, the maimed and wounded crying for help, around them, and wondering whether the Church the whole lurid scene a part of the tragedy that has forgotten, brings them their sorest trial. They stalks in the wake of banditry, looting, murder, return on furlough and find us living in elegant rape and arson. Hospitals, schools, and chapels homes. They see our streets choked with shining have been shattered, groups of believers scattered cars. They watch the throngs that jam our to the winds, missionary homes battle-scarred, athletic fields" and reflect that the price of one and the missionaries themselves have sat in the football ticket would pay the salary of a native ruins wondering that they have outlived the de- evangelist in Africa for two months. They read struction around them. that a thrill-crazed crowd has paid in one night Unbelievable as it may seem, the Christian to see a prizefight more than our whole Church churches of Japan and Korea, except for the physi- ever gave in a year to foreign missions, and they cal hardships, are enduring an even harder lot. wonder why they are asked to operate hospitals No group of men and women ever sought to ad- on $380.51 a year and schools on $31.12 a year! vance the interests of the Kingdom under greater They are not complaining; puzzled, that is all. difficulties. The systematic efforts to stifle and They wonder if Christ has lost first place in the suppress everything that is contrary to the pro- hearts of American Christians.
gram of aggressive militarism is bringing the The Great Open Doors whole Christian movement under great spiritual persecution. Cresar is exalted above God, reli- But it is not the "adversaries" that 100m largest gious liberty is denied, conscience is no longer in the missionary's view of the present situation. free. Anyone who sets himself against the policies I have just read twenty-eight letters from China. of the government and the idolatrous exaltation of "Opportunity" is the dominant word. One group the emperor exposes himself to reprisals of the wrote: "We are not unmindful of the dangers, most drastic -character. Untold sufferings have but we are thrilled at the thought of the opporbeen endured by Christians, especially in Korea tunities before us." These they describe as "unwhere the pressure of police power has been ap- limited," "without precedent," "beyond anything plied with increasing severity. Threats, imprison- we have known." They are joining with Paul in ment, torture and other extreme measures have saying, "The things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gos- • Condensed fram the OMistian Ob$erver. pel." Like him they refer to adversaries with [ 179]
"and," not with "but," as something not to dis- of spiritual experience and a closer fellowship with Him. We are confronted by four vital and courage but to challenge more determined efforts. immediate needs.
It is no exaggeration to say that we are confront- I. A Radical Strengthening of the Missionary Force. The really critical condition with respect ing a day of unparalleled need and opportunity in to our missionary personnel is reflected in the de- creasing number of missionaries comprising our our work around the world. Here are some of the force each year.
elements of great encouragement: The seriousness of this situation is further em- phasized by the fact that our missionaries are The high spiritual purpose and morale of our rapidly becoming a middle-aged and old-aged group. We must look forward definitely to the missionaries. loss of more missionaries through old age and retirement. Add to these the normal toll through The courage and steadfastness of the Chinese sickness and death, and the urgency of a prompt reenforcement of our missionary personnel be- Christian Church. comes clear.
The scattering of many believers to the prov- A heavy strain is thrown on our missionaries as a result of this shrinkage in personnel. One inces of West China where they have carried the missionary carries the burden of two or three. An evangelist in Korea, charged with the overcontagion of their faith unto areas heretofore un- sight of forty churches, is required to take on re- sponsibility for thirty-five more as a field formerly reached by the Gospel. worked by four men must now be carried by two. Missionaries are remaining on the field without The new friendship of the Chinese people for furlough because there is no one in whose hands the task can be left. Doctors are trying to run the missionary, growing out of the helpfulness two hospitals sometimes separated by distances of sixty or seventy miles. The need for reenand service he has, shown in this emergency. forcement is urgent and immediate.
The enormously enhanced prestige of Christian- We need an immediate and vital reenforcement of personnel on all our mission fields. Nothing ity because such great national leaders as General- would so strengthen the morale of our mission- aries or prove so conclusively to the whole world issimo Chiang Kai-shek, Madame Chiang, and our unshakable faith in the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of Christ. others who are guiding the nation in the present II. A More Adequate Support for Missionaries crisis, are themselves Christians. in Their Work. The critical financial basis on which foreign mission work has, been operating The unprecedented open-heartedness of the peo- for the past several years can be seen from the fact that receipts for the last fifteen years have ple toward the Gospel, with their new longings for fallen off forty per cent.
the assurances of faith in the midst of the uncer- Foreign mission receipts have suffered a reduc- tion so radical that the very survival of the work tainties of the present conflict. has become a matter of wonder. Only by an abso- lutely merciless slashing of appropriations, and The return of missionaries to China and the heroic measures on the part of our missionaries who took one reduction after another in their supreoccupation of all our stations. port, were we able to weather these difficult years.
The large crowds attending evangelistic serv- With this greatly shrunken support we have had to maintain and conserve a work formerly estahices throughout the country, with many conver- lished and maintained on an annual income almost twice as large. sions and other evidences of spiritual awakening. III. The Replacing of Personal Losses of Mis- The deep undercurrent of heart-hunger among sionaries and Property Losses in China. No ac- curate estimate of property damage sustained in the people of Japan. . China can yet be made. However, a letter from Rev. C. W. Worth will indicate something of what The open doors in Africa and Brazil. we must expect. He is describing what he found Thousands of Korean Christians standing fast under severe persecution.
Should it be necess,ary at a time like this to sound a call to prayer and self-denial? Surely in such a day the attitude of prayer ought to be the habitual mood of every Christian. These are great moments in the history of the Christian Church.
They call for maximum Christian living. This is a time for unshakable conviction, because the foun- dations of our faith are being challenged; for great courage, because it is becoming increasingly dangerous to be a Christian; for strong faith, because the signs of the Kingdom's growth are not always easily seen; for confident Christian opti- mism, because God is the master of crises; for confession and prayer, because God will not refuse the cry of His people; for supreme self-denial, because the greatest issues of life are at stake.
The Present Crisis Missions is in crisis; both danger and opportunity are here; danger lest we fail in this time of need and allow the day of visitation to pass; opportunity to present Christ to a heart-hungry world, and to lift our whole Church to new levels
"BUT FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO"
at Kiangyin station which probably suffered more cases, especially where fire has swept the builddamage than any other center of work we have in ings, the loss is total. Probably all of our mis- China! "Of twenty Western style buildings., sev- sionaries have lost something, and many have lost enteen have been completely destroyed by fire. all. Some of the walls are still standing but even with my inexperienced eye I could see that most of these These, then, are definite objectives that should are unfit for use and will have to be razed. About be before us. This year should definitely mark the three hundred feet of compound walls were down end of foreign mission retreat and the beginning due to bombing and shell fire, and only two wooden of an aggressive forward movement in missions. gates were intact in the whole place. We figure We must add strength and reserves to the fastthat the Kiangyin losses are $100,000, and there thinning ranks of our missionaries; we must prohave been losses in other stations which put vide more adequately for their far-flung work together will make another $100,000." Heavy around the world; we must replace, where necesdamage is also reported from Kashing, Soochow, sary, the tools of our work that have been de- Hwaianfu, Sutsien, Yencheng and Haichow. stroyed, and as far as possible the individual losses of our missionaries. Missionaries have likewise suffered the loss of personal belongings. Even where buildings and With the doors of opportunity standing wide, residences have not been destroyed, systematic with God's clear call ringing in our ears, with looting has taken place. Homes have been com- the resources at our dis.posal for a definite adpletely stripped of every valuable thing. In some vance in our missionary task, God forbid that we should fail!
"But From the Beginning it Was Not So"
Notes by the Late ARTHUR T. PIERSON A S IN the case of human marriage, so in other of which otherwise we would be scarcely con- scious. This is seen in the tendency to lower ri.. respects, mankind often comes· to accept standards in literature, in the drama, in marriage totally different customs and even ideals and even religious ceremonials. We need to go from those which God intended and that were at back to "the beginning" as ordered by God in his first held sacred. In the course of history, by wisdom, and to look at the standards which pregradual and sometimes rapid changes, corruptions vailed in ,the apostolic church before corruptions creep in, so that God's original order becomes ob- crept in. The following features in early church scured and perverted. life seem to have been conspicuous: Professor Bernard illustrated our unconscious 1. The recognition of the Holy Spirit as the wisdom and accommodation to a vicious atmosphere by plac- power of God. ing a sparrow under a bell glass. which contained air enough to keep the sparrow alive for tbree 2. The readiness to yield immedi,ate obedience to the call hours. At the end of two hours he put a second of the Holy Spirit. sparrow under the bell; at once it fell over dead, while the former bird was able to breath for the 3. The personal, spiritual presence 'and leadership of fun three hours. In the spiritual realm, we almost Christ in the Church. unconsciously accommodate ourselves to evils which would shock and overwhelm us if we were 4. The Universal obligation of all Christians to bear witsuddenly confronted with them. If a man, like ness to the world and the ceaseless activity in Stephen, had been in a moment transported from preaching the Gospel at home and abroad. the apostolic church into the corrupted atmosphere of some present-day ohurch life, he would have 5. The courageous and unflinching witness to Christ in been stifled. face of persecution and the prevalence of the spirit of martyrdom in the early church. To save ourselves from this unconscious accommodation to a low standard of living and thinking, 6. Constant blessing attending the faithful preaching of we must get back to first principles and practices the Word. as revealed by God. We should candidly compare what is today with what was in God's plan. Liv- 7. The appeal to the testimOony of fulfilled prophecy as ing much with God, through private prayer and an evidence of the truth of God's Word. Bible study, we will breathe such a pure atmosphere that we will at once recognize the pollution 8. The prevailing power of definite and united prayer. 9. The separation Oof the Church frOom the wOorld. 10. The undisputed imminence of the Second Coming Oof Christ. 11. The equality of all Believers in rights and privileges in the Church. 12. The recognition by early Christians of their steward- ship in property and talents.
The proofs of these positions pervade ~he whole New Testament. There is no need for proof texts.
New Testament Idea of the Church*
By the REV. DR. ABDEL ROSS WENTZ, Gettysburg, Pa.
Professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary I. According to the New Tes.tament the the way in our day for the New Testament idea Church is centered in Christ. Using the figure of the Church. Because the Church was centered of a body, the Head of the Church is Christ. If in the living presence of Christ it was not static we use the figure of a building, the Cornerstone but dynamic. It was governed entirely by the of the Church is Christ. If we use the figure of Holy Spirit of Christ. It had no fixed outlook.
a bride, the Bridegroom of the Church is Christ. Much of its power was due to its. ability to change In the apostolic ideal Christ is the bond that from time to time in order to meet changing con- binds Christians together in a fellowship with ditions. He who was the beating heart of the Christ, the Leader. There is a communion of New Testament is the pulsating center of the dis'Ciples with their Saviour. Church in our day. He is not weighted down with Recent research has taught us to guard against utilitarian programs. He is not one who binds reading too much system and uniformity into the yokes upon men. He is one who has loved and Church of the New Testament. What produced suffered and who still loves and suffers and yearns the Christian community in the first place was and woos-the great Leader of infinite power who not a constitution and by-laws, not even a set of could transform the world, not by force but by principles; it was the faith that pulsated in the fellowship, not by formulas but by faith, not by hearts of the disciples.. That faith was not at logic but by love, not by programs but by per- first drawn from a body of sacred writings nor sonalities.
set down in the form of a creed. It was a rugged This Christian Church, this Christ-centered fel- attachment, not reasoned out and not integrated lowship, we offer to the groping multitudes of the with other emotions. It was simple personal trust present world. It is plastic as the heart of youth.
in a Person, unquestioning devotion to a beloved It is the living Church of the living God. It has personality, who, they felt, had saved them from traditions· that are living and vitalizing. It is abysmal disaster and who, they believed, could kept eternally young by a living Presence. If lead them into abiding safety. This fact that the Christians would minister salvation to a dig,.
Church is Christ-centered is clear, not only from tracted world today the New Testament suggests a the Great Confession in Matthew 16, but also from Church pulsating with the heartbeats of the many passages in the writings of St. Paul and Saviour, a charmed circle that offers fellowship St. John. with the great central Friend of the universe.
But this idea of the Church as, a free pulsating The Church Is to Be Different fellowship centering in Christ has. often been ob- scured. Today the times are ripe for the recovery II. According to the New Testament the of that idea. For a long time men have lived on Church is sacred; it is holy, set apart. It is "called systems and the bracing effect of them. For sev- out," ecclesia. It is different. It is high and eral generations men have been enthralled by lifted up. The Church is holy in its calling. God ideas and the splendor of them. Today, instead called it into being and it belongs to God. It is of ideas and systems and defini.tions, instead of therefore holy, as God is holy.
programs and organizations, personalities are the The individuals who constitute the Church may centers of all great movements~leading person- show many differences among themselves, differalities. To stand outside of the charmed circle of ences of color and race and language, differences leaders today is to be homeless and unoriented. of faith and zeal and goodness. But at least one To stand within the magnetic influence of the thing they have in common, and that is the fact central personality gives the simplest laborer that their faces are turned towards, God. To be heart and motion; it lifts his life from drudgery in the Church is to belong to God. The thing that into thrilling devotion. brings Christians together into fellowship is the This change in the spiritual atmosphere opens fact that they have all experienced redemption • Aqijress ~Iven at the I. M. c;. meeting at Maqras, 1938. through God's grace. The Church is the fellow- [ 182] ship of the sanctified. All the members of the environment. The Head of the Church protested Church can exclaim with St. Paul: "It is God against the low ideals of his day. Because the who hath saved us and called us with a holy call- Church is holy, high and lifted up, it will always ing, not according to our works but according to feel a tension between things as they are and his own purpose and grace." The Church is a things as they ought to be. When the Church in divine institution, not a mere human society. our day identifies itself with some secular system The Church is holy also because the Holy Spirit of economics or social propaganda, it abandons its works in it. As Christ is the head of the body all New Testament character, because in the New the members of the body do his bidding and are Testament the Church represents the higher spir- filled with His spirit. When St. Paul speaks in itual order. The Church is holy.
the benediction of "the communion of the Holy A Missionary Church Spirit," he is thinking of the community of be- lievers where holiness prevails because the mem- III. According to the New Testament the bers harbor the Holy Spirit of their Head. Church is missionary. It is charged with a mis- Jesus made explicit mention of the Church only sion. To be a disciple, a learner confessing twice, according to our records. In both instances Christ, is to be an apostle, to stand under a special the Church is set in opposition to sin and evil. commission. And the mission of the disciples is "The Gates of hell shall not prevail." "If thy the mission of the Church, as the acts of the mem- brother sin … tell it to the Church." The clear bers are the acts of the body. The apostolic mis- implication is that the Church is holy. Christ sion of the Church is to carryon the work of required holiness of his followers.. For this reason Christ himself' on earth. "As the Father hath he entrusted his Church with the keys, the means sent me, even so send I you."
of grace. The Holy Church has the Holy Scrip- The Church, according to the New Testament, tures, the Holy Sacraments, holy laws, holy teach- is not only the product of God's grace through ings.. The single aim of its acts and its teachings Jesus Ghrist, but it is also an agency of God's is to promote holiness. grace, the keeper of the keys to the Kingdom of The New Testament, however, does not repre- Heaven on earth. As the collective body of be- sent the Church as complete or perfect. There is lievers the Church is the appointed agency for the the parable of the tares and the parable of the extension of the Kingdom of God and the salva- dragnet. St. Paul repeatedly addresses his hearers tion of men. The Church is taught to pray: "Thy as saints, and yet in the course of his letters ad- Kingdom come" and to use its life and resources monishes them about their shortcomings. and sins. ~or the conversion of the world.
According to the New Testament the holiness of According to the New Testament the Church the Church is real but not yet fully attained. The is equipped with the means of fulfilling its apos- Church is in actual process of being "cleansed tolic commission. The Church is furnished with from all sin." The Church looks forward in hope the Truth that it must teach the faith by which to the consummation when "Christ shall present the Church lives. The original Twelve were spe- it unto himself, a glorious Church, holy and with- cially trained by intimate association with Christ out blemish." to be his witnesses and they regarded this as their But the incomplete character of the Church's principal duty. They transmitted that duty to holiness does not make its holiness unreal. A their successors, and the Church throughout his- city may be a rich city while some of its citizens tory has accepted the teaching and witnessing con- are still poor. A school may be a learned school cerning Christ. In this. it has continued the while all of its students are still short of the ideal prophetical office of Christ himself.
in learning. The Church, as a society on earth, Another way in which the Church fulfils its will never be complete in its holiness. None of apostolic commission is by fostering associated its members are. Sanctification is a process.. That worship and transmitting the Sacraments. The is true of the collective body as it is true of the apostolic Church is a worshipping Church through individual member. Holiness is progressive. It all ages. It presents Christ as a mediator even shall be perfect hereafter. now. And all the Christian liturgies of the cen- In the course of Church history there have been turies are the continuance of the priestly office of many attempts to secure greater purity and holi- the great Head of the Church, an expression of ness in the Church. And more than once these the Church's apostolic character.
attempts have led to incisions in the body of Then, too, the New Testament indicates that Christ. However contrary to the New Testament, Christ committed to his immediate followers the these efforts testify to a deep underlying convic- exercise of discipline and the administration of tion that the Church must be holy. affairs in the community of believers. There are Because the Church is holy, there must always widely different views as to details but in general be a state of tension between the Church and its there is agreement that the Church must exercise
some powers of discipline and government. In Spirit, always active and energizing, and always this the Church continues the kingly office of progressively revealing himself. He reaches out Christ. in love towards every living soul. The Christian As to this aggressive propulsive quality of the idea of God carries ecumenical implications for Church, according to the New Testament it is of the Church. If God is a personal, living, ener- the essence of the Church and not merely of its gizing God, then his Church is not merely an well being. Any group of professing believers international society binding people together from that does not feel its apostolic commission to the four corners of the earth. It is more than propagate the Gospel and extend the Kingdom has that. It is an ecumenical community bearing in not inherited the Spirit of the Founder. its heart the propulsive power of a boundless love The new aggressiveness of the great non-Chris- that will not stop until it embraces the whole tian religions in our day calls for special emphasis world.
just now on the apostolic character of the New The Church of the New Testament is catholic Testament Church, its aggressive mission to its because its message is a message of divine revelanon-Christian environment. tion and transcends all forms of religion. Chris- A Universal Church tianity is not a religion. Religion is man's effort to adj ust himself to the ultimates. Christianity IV. According to the New Testament the is GoOd's answer to the quest of the human heart. Church is catholic, universal, all-embracing. It Jesus Christ is not the founder of a religion. The possesses inherent qualities that make it fit to be message of the New Testament Church is not the home of all classes of men in all parts of the simply one of several possibilities for man's pious world and in all ages of time. self-expression. It stands alone as God's message to man. It is not just a word from God or a word The Church is catholic because by its nature it about God; it is the Word of God whose content is not limited as to place or time. This idea of the is Jesus Christ. The Church does not come with Church as universal and timeless was not an after- a philosophy, nor a system of doctrine, nor an thought. It is not true that the Church was at ethic; it does not even come with a religion. It first only the group of Christians in a particular comes with a Person, a living God who speaks locality and then when this little obscure group through Jesus Christ. Our God is larger than the had expanded into a mighty enterprise the idea of founder of religion. Our Gospel transcends relia universal Church arose. From the beginning gion as well as time and place. Our Church, so the Church was understood to be the larger in- long as it is faithful to this witness, is the unicarnation of Christ, and the local congregation versal catholic Church. was simply a miniature of the whole. As a thousand different mirrors may at one and the same time reflect the whole orb of the shining sun, so A United Church the local congregations or churches are the re- V. According to the New Testament the flections of the great Church universal. Every Church is, one. This unity is a subject of enor- Church is a catholic Church unless it claims to be mous proportions, and a whole library has grown the only catholic Church. The body of Christ not up about it in recent years. only includes the believers and saints of all nations and places but it also extends, backward and The chief New Testament sources of informaforward in time and includes the saints of the tion about the unity of the Church are the high past as well as those of future ages,. priestly prayer of our Lord and St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians. From these we learn that the Again, the Church is catholic because it rises unity of the Church is a mystery. It is something above the limitations of culture and religion. It in which we believe. It transcends human underis the only community that can meet the needs of standing. all mankind. This is indicated not only by par- ticular words of Jesus and individual passages in As the Church itself is holy, not merely a volun- the New Testament, but also by the very nature tary association of men combining together to of the teaching set forth. Jesus claimed that his effect certain ends, so the unity of the Church is Gospel is sufficient for the needs of all mankind. not merely an earthly visible manifestation de- Both Jesus, and Paul taught with the background vised by men in order to increase the efficiency of Stoic philosophy and universal empire. They of the Church and to pres,ent a so-called "united made universal claims for their Gospel. They pic- front." It is divinely ordained and belongs to the tured the Church as the organ through which God essence of the Church. The unity of the Church, will accomplish His plan not only for men but for according to the New Testament, arises from the the universe. unity of God, "as I and the Father are one." The The Church is catholic because the God to whom Church is one because there is one Spirit, one the Holy Church belongs is a living God. He is a Lord, one Father. The Church is one because all
NEW STUDENT FOREIGN MISSION FELLOWSHIP
members of the Church are members of Christ Finally, the New Testament represents the unity and abide in Him, as branches abide in the vine. of the Church as a process, a growth. It is a present reality, but still imperfect. It cannot be So the unity of the Church is not something in hurried by the manufactured conceptions of men. the golden past, a lost treasure that needs to be Perfect unity will come as a growth in faith and recovered. It is not something in the rosy fu- in "the knoweldge of the Son of God," a growth ture, a high goal that needs to be achieved. It is "into him in all things" which is the Head, even something that exists now, and simply calls for Christ." External means may be used to increase fuller expression. It is something that was and that faith and spread that knowledge, but the huris and is to be. It is as eternal as the Church it- ried establishment of any external union would self. It is as eternal as the God who called the hinder the true process and would check the real Church into being. It is something that belongs growth of unity. to the essence of the Church. The true Church of Christ is one. The New Testament idea of the Church's unity brings two words of warning: first, that our ef- The source of this mystical unity of the Church forts at Church union should not degenerate into is the redeeming work of Christ for men. It is a trifling with something that transcends human not in a unified organization. It is not in a com- comprehension; second, that if our witness to the mon liturgy. The unity of the Church grows out world is to be effective we dare not permit our of a common faith, a common Gospel that centers love for our particular ideas and traditions, to dein the Cross. This, and nothing else is the source lay that growth of unity which our Lord has in of the creative power of the Church. mind for His Church. The New Testament con- ception of the Church's unity suggests that since The New Testament also teaches that this in- the Church is one, we should enter now with joy visible unity will express itself in outward and into a sense of real unity among us. We should visible unity. It is, to be a sign to the world: allow our hearts to be thrilled with the joy that "That the world may believe." The efforts to was in the heart of our Lord as we emphasize achieve this outward unity of the Christian continually the visible and invisible bonds of faith Church have engaged all the ecumenical councils and hope and love that bind us together. "That of by-gone ages and all the world conferences of they may be one,even as we are one." modern times. These efforts have good New Testament warrant and example.
New Student Foreign Mission Fellowship By DR. TOM LAMBIE of the Sudan Interior Mission Recently Missionary to Ethiopia D o WE need another missionary organiza- life of Christian service in favor of the pursuit of tion? There are already over two hundred pleasure and worldly success. In addition to this, Boards and societies in North America-in the lofty Christian appeals for a sacrificial servaddition to local church groups-that are engaged ice, involved in carrying the Gospel to the ends-of in promoting interest in foreign missions. At the earth, have too often been watered down until first blush one is inclined to deprecate the forma- there is not sufficient strength in them to stand tion of a new one, and yet many feel that there the test of opposition from those out of sympathy may be justification for a new Student Foreign with the highest type of missionary service. Missions Fellowship such as the one that had its first national meeting at Keswick Grove, New Even among many church members the gist of Jersey, early in January. current thought would seem to be ,something as follows: The youth of today is susceptable to the appeal for noble ideals and service to mankind, but there Everyone must have a philosophy of life and should try is, at the same time, a tremendous tug upon young to be true to it, having as good a time as possible without people in schools and colleges to give up these inflicting unnecessary injury on others. We ought to keep ideals and to turn aside from the prospect of a most of the laws of the land in which we dwell. Attend- ance on religious services is sometimes helpful. The heathen are probably well enough off as they are, but if
anyone feels like trying to show them Christianity, with- not because they were urged by others to do someout creating a disturbance, then there is no great objection. thing about it, but because they were conscious of Medical relief is a good thing for the heathen but charity, being moved by the Holy Spirit. after all, begins at home. Old creeds are mostly outmoded but we should be tolerant toward those who still hold them. Many more students came to the conference God is a good sort of super-rotarian who will be lenient than had been expected. Forty-eight registered, with everyone, including the heathen, as long as they do the and many others attended but did not register. best they can and are true to their own philosophy of life. The older people, professors and missionaries, were very much in the minority and kept in the Is it any wonder that, where such beliefs pre- background. The colleges represented included vail, there is lack of interest in the missionary Hampden-Sydney, Wheaton, Columbia Bible Colenterprise, that the quality of candidates has de- lege, Davidson, John Stetson University, Glassclined, that financial support has fallen off and boro Teachers', Wilson, Grove City, Drexel Instithat there is evidence of loss in devotion and spir- tute, Women's Medical, University of Pennsylitual power? vania, National Bible Institute, Philadelphia School of the Bible, Pennsylvania Bible Institute, Faced by these conditions and tendencies the Moody Bible Institute, Faith Seminary and Johns new Student Foreign Missions Fellowship has Hopkins University.* been formed in order to make a stand against such ideologies, and to promote missionary inter- A constitution was adopted and a Missionary est among the youth of today ona spiritual and Purpose Pledge was approved which reads as truly New Testament basis. follows: It has been found that in many cases Christian Knowing: young people, who have commenced their college or professional education, expooting to prepare for That Jesus Christ has saved me from my sin, foreign missionary service, have been turned aside That all men without Christ are lost, and that there is from this purpo'se while in college. It is hoped that the new Fellowship may conserve and deepen no other name by which men may be saved; this purpose and help to maintain spiritual ideals. That God's command is, "Go ye into all the world," Only those who have a definite determination to That the laborers are few in the foreign field, go as ambassadors of Christ to the foreign field And believing it to be God's will for me, will be admitted to this Fellowship. Emphasis on two points is stressed: First, absolute adherence I purpose to be a foreign missionary, and will plan accordto the Christian faith as taught in the New Tes- ingly. Until He leads me to the field, I will support tament. This includes belief in the plenary in- the work by my prayers and gifts and by witnessspiration and authority of the Bible, in the Virgin ing. If the Lord's later leading should direct me Birth of Christ, the atonement and salvation into other service, I will seek to give foreign misthrough Christ's voluntary death on the cross, and sions its rightful place of prominence in my min- His bodily resurrection. Second, it is necessary istry. that all Christians have a realization of the obligation to carry forward to completion the still un- Other true-minded students who are in symfinished task of taking the Gospel to the ends of pathy with the movement, but who are undecided the earth. The organizers of this movement be- about their own future and their own life work, lieve that every active member should be person- may attend the meetings of the Fellowship and ally committed to go to the foreign fields as a are to be admitted to an associate membership if missionary of Christ, as soon as possible after they desire. the completion of his or her education. The meeting at Keswick Grove seemed like an- Thousands of students have (in the past fifty other Haystack Prayer Meeting under the guidyears) volunteered to go as missionaries to the ance of the same Holy Spirit and moved by the foreign field but many of them have never gone. same enthusiasm for carrying the Gospel to the Some have lost their faith and vision, some have ends of the earth. There was the same deep conshown themselvelS to be insincere or unstable. secration to the task. The potentialities of that Something could and should be done to prevent meeting seemed boundless. this great waste and to crystalize and spiritualize the thinking of every student volunteer. The These students mean business. They have a young people gathered at Keswick in January felt steadfastness of purpose and a devotion to the the need of banding together for such a purpose, Will of God that is admirable. This movement will grow and be effective in proportion as God is in it and as the Fellowship is true to Him.
• The following officers of the new Fellowship Were elected: Executive Secretary, Kenneth G. Hood, M.A.; Student PreSident, Jack W. Murray, B.A.; Vice-President, Davison Phillips; Secretary, Lois Raws.
CHRISTIAN COLLEGE AND SOME OF THE DELEGATES AT
A Milestone in Missionary Progress An Appreciation and Appraisal of the Madras Conference By DR. H. KERR TAYLOR, Nashville, Tenn.
-~ Formerly Missionary in China; Educational Secretary of the )It- Foreign Mission Work of the Presbyterian Church, U. S.
THE recent conference at Tambaram, a SlUb- tic and ,social work are included in the methods urb of Madras, India, was both inspiring and of this far-flung movement. revealing f:mm the points of view both of the In Madras we saw a demonstration of the sucmission field and of the sending churches. cess of it. Fifty per cent of the 460 delegates 1. Here was a diemonstration of the strength from over 70 countries and scattered areas came and success of the Chrisltian movement. For well from younger churches in mis'siol'l. lands. A better over a hundred years the modern phase of the mis- equipped and technically trained'group of admin- sionary enterprise has been in progress, during istrators and of workers on the: mission field it these last few generations constituting one of the would have been difficult to assemble. All were in maj or points of contact between Western lirfe and close touch with Christian work in their several that in Asia, Mrica and parts of Latin America. areas. Most of them spoke two or more languages There are today over 27,000 missionaries, and the and many spoke more.
annual budgets of the different societies aggregate On no other platform and in no other Name many millions.*. Colleges, hos.pitals, schools, in- could such a gathering have been held. The con- dustrial missions, and different kinds of evangeiis- ference was conscious of its unity in purpose and program, and settled down to seventeen days of quiet and earnest work on matters of supreme con- * aAt pBprroitxaiimnataenlyd $th3e5,0E0u0r,o0p0e0anfrocmontisneenndti.n-Eg DcIhTuOrcRh.es In America, '
Gre [ 187]
cern to. the life of peoples throughout the wQrld. great demQcracies" from SQuth Africa and Egyprt, Here was a remarkable fusing of cQntributions fro.m China and Japan. Here in a co.mmQn serv- from men of utterly diverse backgrQunds Qf race, ice o.f GQd fo.r mankind, fraternity and love were nationality, religiQus experience, theological views nQt only an ideal, but a fact; There was a striking and economics. FQr Qver a fortnight these hun- absence Qf vindictiveness and CQndemnation even dreds Qf workers expressed their cQnvictions and amQng thQse fl'o.m whQm this might have been ap- aspirations, and in most fraternal and earnest prehended. One of the finest influences exerted by fashion SQught, and measurably 'achieved, a unit- any delegation was that o.f the Chinese delegatiQn ed mind and Qutlook. It was an exceptiQnal gath- who. impres,sed the cQnference with their fine re- ering in our mQdern world. It sought fQr the life straint and Christian forbearance. A new empha- Qf our day the larger recognitiQn of a higher and sis was thus made to. the reaIity and the indis- mQre absolute responsibility and control. Here pensability Qf the influence of the Prince Qf Peace.
was a strong witnes,s to the potential unity of srpir- 4. The Madras., meeting was strQng in the em- it in the Lord that is PQssible to. the whole wo.rld. phasis given to. the Church. This was explicit.
2. The cQnference was sanely PQsitive and con- Christianity was nQt cQnceived as a mere perva- structive. The'delegates spoke their minds frank- sive influence; it requires concrete and definite ly, seeking to. conserve the best in the heritage of expression. As Dr. Speer said many years a'go, the church, particularly in its world-wide Chris- "Religious, life, like any other life, is, and must be tian enterprise. cellular; only thus does it conform to. biQIo.gical The positive leade'r&hip Qf the International law." The Church as a fellowship has a faith, a MissiQnary Council was shown in the publishing witness,a life and a cQmmission. In the Church o.f a prepamtQry study book, "The Christian Mes- is the his,toric and effective means for preaching sage in a Non-Christian World," by Dr. H. Krae- the Kingdom of God.
mer of Leiden University, HQlland. This provided 5. It WQuld extend the limits o.f this article un- a massive cQntributio.n to. the wQrld's missriQn lit- l'easonably to. evaluate the -cQntributiQn of the erature, and CQnserves much Qf the best cQnstruc- wo.rk Qf the sixteen commissions into which the tive thQught of recent decades. The thought of co.nference was divided and whQse reports were the conference was largely indebted to. this presen- received by the who.le cQnference. The evalua.tion tatiQn, which aVQided the pitfalls of ra to.Q Qptimis- of the,se findings i,sa WQrk for the churches and tic pragmatism and Qf the hampering weakness of missionary societies in the coming years. Suffice an Qverweening eclecticism so evident in recent it to. say that these studies and recQmmendations years. While thus the strength of much of what were characterized by great breadth Qf under- has been regarded as the current cQntinental standing Qf the phases and prQblems of this world thought was made basic in the thinking Qf the CQn- movement. In such realms rus the nature and func- ference, the gathering itself did nQt hesitate to tion of the Church, its witnesls and relatiQn to. the implement the strQng positiQns Qf this point of non-Christian systems, its wQrship, mini,srtry and view with the view frQm the North American con- literature, and its, social responsibilities and rela- tinent, which emphasizes practical social em- tiQn to. the State, together with its larger corpo- phases Qf the Christian message. rate life, the cQnference made significant contri- Here was a positive advance in curl'ent mis- butions to. current thought andprQvided for the sio.n and church cooperation. It is in such mutual Christian enterprise a compendium fQr seriQus understanding that the possibility Qf collaboratiQn and extended study during the neXit decade.
and union in our enterprises is possible. In a Unresolved Problems troubled world and time, the Madras meeting was driven back upon its basic and essential values. One hesitates to point Qut weaknesses in such a One wonders if it had been possible to. hold such a worthy enterprise. But it WQuld be to.o much to.
cQnference fifteen years, ago, whether the unfortu- hope that srUch a gathering, representing such nate rift in the American churches with regard to diverse elements and different ranges of experi- theQIQgy and methQd Wo.uld have been largely ence, WQuld not reveal elements of indecision and aVQided. Let the church in its cooperative and inconclusiveness which indicate that the final word uniQn enterprises heed the lesson Qf the past two is far frQm being sPQken on SQme impQrtant CQn- decades and not the strength of the Madras Co.l- cerns. The Church in its miss,iQn and in its labQratiQn. Cooperation is easy when the o.bdec- growth on the missiQn field has yet a long way to tives are clea:r and when Christian leadership is go. in solving some Qf its essential prQblems.
positive and unequivocal. 1. There was a recurring indicatiQn throughout 3. The conference was a demonstratiQn in a the -days Qf conference that secondary considera- war-mad Wo.rld Qf ho.W fraternity and under- tiQn is Qften being given to. the basic necesrsity on standing may be attained. It mattered little that all fields Qf a truly indigenous church life. In delegates had come from Germany and from the mQre than one cQmmission,and in the plenary
A MILESTONE IN MISSIONARY PROGRESS
sessions, the cDnference av'Oided the questi'On 'Of for a new generatiQn of workers in this a new self-supPDrt. One heard too little of church fel- day, workers who will in fraternal c'OHaborati'On lowships seeking such cDIiPorate expressi'On as is with the younger churches take up with them the pDssible now, drawing sustenance up frQm the soil service at the point which it has reached and help and life where these fellDwships exist and where carry it to a WQrthy c'Onclusion. they must give their 'Own witness. Representatives of the younger churches had a The missiDn field church shDuld n'Ot, 'Of C'OU~se, go'Od deal tQ say as to the need fQr collab'OratiQn by be a replica 'Of that in the homeland. N'Ot 'Only in wDrkers frDm abroad with the leaders 'Of the Western modes, music, architecture and ministe- yQunger churches, the desirability 'Of a shared CQnrial garb has the church 'On the missi'On fields tD'O trol in the finances of the enterprise, and the feas- 'Often given the impressiDn of being "foreign,:' but ibility of putting the life and service 'Of the mi,sthere has 'Often been evidence 'Of this want of a sionary himself under the direction of the native conditiDning a-ttitude 'Of mind and life in native church and its, leadership. Much of this was insustenance and in independence. One wonders dicative 'Of the new day ,to which we have come or h'OW this whDle attitude of some 'Of the younger are destined. But in the findings> of the commi'schurches appears tD the supporters of the nQn- sion on the unreached fields, one wished fDr a more Christian religiDus insUtutiDns. And the clash convincing caB from the yQunger churches themwith natiDnalistic aspiratiDns i,s a cQmmonplace. selves for young men and w'Omen from abr'Oad, who are undoubtedly needed, with the offer of In some of the sessiQns at Madras the hDpe f'Or challenging and significant tasks even though toadvance WQuld in thi,s respect have been fur- day there has come a new orienting 'Of the misthered had there been less discussion 'Of "grants si'Onary's PQsitiQn and :service. Wise will it be in in aid," "subsidies," and "control 'Of funds,," and the immediate days ahead if in the, calls from the a more earnest and l'ealistic c'Onsideration 'Of some field less emphasis is put on the special qualifica- 'Of the findings of the Department of Social and tiQns needed for new missionaries', and more con- Industrial Research 'Of the International MissiDn- vincing emphasis 'On their indispensability. ary C'Ouncil through its secretary, J. Merle Davis. If the unrealities of much of the 'Outmoded prac- There is indisputable need and challenging SCQpe tice of past decades, with its want of such self- for y'Oung men and women 'Of consecration and maintenance, are not discarded 'On the missiDn training, as was proved by the convincing evifield in these days of wQrld depression and neces- dence furnished by the commi,ssi'On on the unfinsary recom;,tructiQn 'Of financial pDlicy, then the ished task. And c'Onstant contac,t with the youth current oPPDrtunity fDr much real advance at this of 'Our h'Ome lands aSSUl'es 'One that there is no point will have been lost. want of heroic willingness on the part 'Of the yQung pe'Ople to meet the challenges 'Of a new 2. A cDrrelated weakness of the conference was day. But what the missionary cause in the h'Omeits failure to make clear the vital need 'Of new re- lands today requires, in the light 'Of the rapidly cruits for missiQnary service. It is true that aging missiQnary force and the sman numbers of one secti'On was concerned with the place and missi'Onary volunteers, is a clamant and convincfunction and training 'Of the future missionary; ing call fr'Om the y'Ounger churches themselves, and one cDmmission presented the yet unfinished that many of the best y'Outh 'Of the 'Older churches task. But the conference, and particularly the sh'Ould "come over and help" in a task altogether leadership of the YDunger churches, shDuld hav~ beyond the ability 'Of the y'Ounger churches to commade clear in a ringing and vivid way the admit- pass. There sh'Ould be the assurance that, fo.r a ted need for a l'ecruiting 'Of the miSISionary force. whole lifetime at least, such life investment will be cordially welcomed and challengingly em- The leadel's of the younger church wDuld do ployed. It is just here that the yo.unger churches well to keep this in mind. The present missionary force is rapidly aging, and on all sides there are in the next few years can render 'a, m'Ost valuable vast unoccupied fields. We have lived thr'Ough an era of wide mi's,sionary expansion and of enthu- service and can be the means of reinspiring the siastic support. Outstanding missionary leaders 'Older churches to an even larger adventure in the in the sending countries have laid this responsi- vast unreached task of Christian missions abroad. bility on the church and have called f'Or the heroic venture 'Of YDung life in ocoupying fields that 'Oth- 3. Perhaps the explanation of the situation is erwise would not be reached. The center of gravi- in the trend 'Of leadership n'Oticeable on some of ty of the enterprise has now shifted to the mis- the mission fields, as, revealed in Madras. PressiDn field. Inspiration fDra continuatiDn O!f the ent day leadership partakes t'Oo. largely of Western enterprise must take its rise ,there. In this wDrld- viewpoint and supp'Ort. The church on the field wide enterprise, in which the interests of younger is not native enough. It is oriented too. largely churches and the missionary societies are so iden- to the West. Its dress :sh'Ows it. The structure of tical, what is needed is the sounding 'Of a clear call its c'Ooperativeand representative enterprises is conditioned to'O largely 'On f'Oreign funds. In a
conference conducted entirely in English, and The composite nature of the gathering and the therefore reflecting so largely westernized opinion, necessity for the observance of amenities and reone often missed the careful and measured balance straints made impracticable the specific condemand independence of judgment that is the sure nation of known acts of aggression, specific areas mark of a self-supported and entirely indigenous of persecution, and like ills. One must read beenterprise. Jesus lived and died and rose again tween the lines of the finding:s to see what the conin Asia. What the missionary cause today needs is ference reaHy had in mind. After all, the meetthe careful judgment and collabomtion of a na- ing was for counsel in the doing of a specific task tive church whose life and leadership is devoid of in the world, it was not a conference to sit in judgartificiality in its structure and support. We too ment on the world. often think in terms of the churches as they ought to be, and not enough of the churches as they are. The conference was a worthy third in a great Let the Intern~tional Missionary Coundl, and series. Edinburgh in 1910 was a great missionparticularly its constitutive units on the field, re- ary conference that emphasized comity. Jerusaflect current indigenous church life and opinion. lem in 1928 recognized the importance of the The cenlters, of Christian life for these younger younger churches ,and sought a common front and churches are not, or should not be, Canterbury, platform, finding it in a unifying Christology. Rome or New York, but in the mission lands, them- Madras in 1938 conceived of the unfinished task in selves. We need to be on our guard lest we make terms of a world-wide church fellowship. Its the same mistake here that has so often been made greatest contribution was not so much its findin mission projects, 'and in our zeal for results in ings, but in a real sense its very self. The' conorganization and leadership through foreign sub~ ference was perhaps lacking in great creative sidy, run ahead of ourselves. statement. It was a great creation, representing the results of past decades of noble missionary 4. One should not look in the findings for clear service, and indicating the need for further adcut, unequivocal delineations of some of the cur- vance. It emphasized dramatically how far we rent problemslland frictions throug;hout our world. have come, and how far we yet have to go.
An Impression of Madras Conference By PROF. HENDRICH KRAEMER, Leyden, Holland Author of "The Christian Message in a Non-Christian World"
N EVER before have I found it so difficult to The second reason, as far as I can judge, is that formulate an impression about a conference such international conferences become so per- I attended as in regard to that held at fected in their technique, and so standardized in Tambaram (Madras) last December. One usually their methods, that creative explosions and stir- feels reasonably certain that one understands the rings become very rare and almost impossible. general trend and spirit of the conference, and The method adopted in these conferences seems has some definite opinion of the outcome to be to have become somewhat as follows: For a year expected. These conclusions are not clear in re- or two in advance extensive and stimulating pr~ .gard to Tambaram, possibly for two main rea- paratory work is done, which is 'One of the most sons. productive features of a world conference. Peo- ple are urged to collect material, to think out prin- First, the time allotted to handle the sixteen ciples, to criticize methods and principles, and to main subjects (and the many others added dur- outline new visi'Ons and plans. The result is put ing the conference) was far too short. This was at the disposal of the whole missionary enterprise the general feeling of the delegates. Because of in the world. This isa highly stimulating and the many subjects that had to be discussed in five productive influence. days, one was so occupied with the subjects. to be taken up in the special sections attended that it When the day of the conference dawns the delewas impossible to get a grasp of the general sweep gates are divided into sections, to study the variof the conference. ous subjects allotted and to prepare a report for
AN IMPRESSION OF MADRAS CONFERENCE
general consideration. The idea is that a small baram. It was a great privilege to meet so many group study one particular subject and, as a re- ins,piring personalities. It was inspiring to hear, sult of cooperative and creative thought and con- first-hand, how the forces of the Kingdom of God structive criticism, will present the result to. the are working everywhere, often against the greatfull session of the conference for criticism and est odds. The deep sense of Christian fellowship, revision or adoption. experienced at Tambaram, filled the heart with thanksgiving to God. The reality of the Univer- But this eX'cellent idea, in my humble opinion, sal Church of Christ in the world, as the deepest can create useful and satisfactory results only if and solely undeceiving cause for hope and joy, the general guidance of such a conference is sure manifested itself repeatedly in our dealings with and determined and if there is sufficient time. each other. Otherwise the splendid intentions of this technique will become largely inoperative as seemed, to a Probably the most abiding impression I carry great extent, to have been the case at Tambaram. with me is the expectation that from this confer- In many cases the important preparatory work was scarcely used. This does not detract from DR. HENDRICH KRAEMER AND REV. D. T. NILES OF CEYLON the value o.f the preparatory work but it is to be regretted that the conference could not use to full ence a new fire will spread through all the advantage the results of these preparatory labors. churches and mission fields, a new fire of whole- The same pressure of time made it difficult to have hearted surrender to the divine commission of a thorough discussion in the sections where a co.n- evangelizing the world in all its spheres, and of flict of ideas could be given free play in such a strong loyalty to the Church as the fellowship in way that the creative spirits could formulate a Christ. The world needs a clear demonstration common platform. This criticism applies espe- of what the Church, if faithful to its calling, must cially to the most important subjects. be-namely a new, regenerated quality of individ- ual life and of life in fellowship. Tambaram The plenary sessions of the conference were so strongly impressed this vision on the minds of limited in time that they did not bring that whole- those who were present. some and indispensable clash of ideas to enable us to discover the fundamental urges of a conference and the unifying and inspiring force that determines its energizing influence.
Conferences, like that at Tambaram, are of such great importance to the missionary enterprise and to the Church that it is important to discover where their weaknesses may be remedied. Nowadays we kno.w fairly well what the technique of a great international gathering should be in order to obtain the maximum results. Tambaram, however, teaches that this technique cannot yield its due results unless we take at least three or four full weeks for such a gathering. There is an Arab proverb which runs: Haste originates from the devil. This certainly applies to international conferences. One of the fundamental conditions for their fruitfulness is that the mind can work quietly and intensely, open to God and open to each other. Only then can the average-minded and average-gifted delegate have his due share in the work of planning and thinking; and only then can the spiritually and intellectually creative minds make their indispensable contribution.
This is not all that I have to say about Tam- Is this the time, 0 Church of Christ! to sound No! rather, strengthen stakes and lengthen cords, Retreat? To arm with weapons cheap and blunt Enlarge thy plans and gifts, 0 thou elect, The men and women who have borne the brunt And to thy kingdom come for such a time! Of truth's fierce strife, and nobly held their ground? The earth with all its fullness is the Lord's. Is this the time to halt, when all around Great things attempt for Him, great things expect, Horizons lift, new destinies confront, Whose lOVe imperial is, whose power sublime! Stern duties wait our nation, never wont To play the laggard, when God's will was found? CHAJU$S SUlfN~ HOYT.
"Now Concerning the Collection"
By the REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D., Princeton, N. J.
Editor of "The Moslem World"; author of "It Is Hard to Be a Christian," etc.
I N ALL the Greek manuscripts of Paul's first Qf thQse who. gave hilariQusly (2 Cor. 9: 7) and letter to. the Corinthians there is not even a liberally stand Qut in my memory. semicQIQn to. divide the glQriQUS fifteenth chap- 'I1here was a Sioux CQunty farmer in IQwa who. ter on the Resurrection from the statement at the heard of Arabia when I was Qrdained as missionbeginning Qf the sixteenth chapter: "Now Con- ary. His Qwn pioneer experience responded to cerning the CoUection." FQr a Christian to. be- such an appeal and I recall hQW he supported our lieve in the living Redeemer and to abound in the first native evangelist. His letters in Dutch, and wQrk of the LQrd implies regular offerings, gifts those from Kamil Abd ul Messih in Arabic, crossed and self-denial to SUPPQrt this work. Paul was the seas and after translation jQined hearts in an example and an inspiration to. all missiQnaries prayer. and to. all Christians~he was not ashamed Qf the AnQther wealthy farmer was the greatest hog- "collectiQn plate." He wrote elsewhere very raiser in his cQunty and his state. His hQgs took plainly "cQncerning giving and receiving." He the blue ribbon prizes but his heart was that of raised mQney fQr missiQnsand fQr the PQQr Qf the the Gadarenes. One day, as he himself tQld me, Church. He himself was generously supported he received an impudent and threatening letter by the Church at Philippi. frQm gangsters in the cQunty-seat. It was signed It is nQt surprising, therefore, that the mQdern with skull and crQss-bones and sPQke of murder missionary must give of his time and strength unless "YQU skinflint, yQU put two thQusand dQI- when Qn furlQugh to. secure from the Church at lars in a cigar box under a stQne at the crQSS- home mQney for the enterprise. All try it. SQme rQads." In great fear he spread the letter befQre succeed, and some fail. But the experiences Qne the Lord as did Hezekiah Qf old. He prayed that has in being GQd's beggar on the dOQrsteps Qf GQd WQuld deliver him frQm the gang, who ap- Dives and CQmpany are priceless, whether Qne parently meant business, and VQwed to. make resti- meets with liberal gifts Qr niggardly refusals. The tutiQn to. God. He paid his VQW Qver and over same plea meets with varied response. My experi- again to. the cause o.f Christian educatio.n and mis- ence (in this sheaf of stQries) is like that of the siQns; nQr was he ever mQlested.
American so.ldier in the Wo.rld War, who was suc- The largest gift I ever received fDr missio.ns cessively billeted in an Irish, an English and a was from a go.dly and wealthy lady in Chicago..
SCQtch hQme. In each place he asked fo.r mQre I was making an effQrt to. raise $10,000 fQr the sugar in his tea. The Irish WQman said, "here's Nile Missio.n Press in Cairo.. Dr. JQhn TimQthy the bQwl, help YQurself"; the English lady said, StQne, pasto.r o.f the FQurth Presbyterian Church, "pass yQur cup and I'll give you a seco.nd lump"; generQusly gave me five minutes at the close of while the SCDtch ho.usewife looked do.ur while ask- his mQrning service, to. present the need of Chris- ing, "Mon, have ye stirred it?" tian literature in the WQrld Qf Islam. No. Qne else The acid test of Qur love to Christ and His King:- responded to. the appeal at this service but this dom is stewardship. The Master still sits before lady invited us to. luncheon and to. my amazement the treasury and weighs our contributiQns as he gave her check fQr the whQle amQunt. There had did those Qf the rich Pharisees and the poor been prayer in Cairo. and in Chicago..
widQw. It is nQt an easy task to raise mQney for In sharp cQntrast to. such beneficence was an missiQns, but I have often cQmforted myself by experience in Philadelphia where, at the clQse Qf the wQrds of Dr. Arthur T. Pierson: "We knQw a service in which I had sPQken of medical mis- that the rich man opened his eyes on a different sions in Arabia, two. ladies dressed in fine seal- scene, but the beggar landed in Abraham's bos- skin CQats tarried to. meet the preacher. They om." I have met with rebuff on several Qccasions said: "We really CQuld nQt go. without giving yQU during the past fifty years, but the recollectiQns SQme tQken Qf Qur interest in yQur great work [192 ]
EXAMPLES OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING
. . ." and, believe it or not, when I had thanked they were disputing whether to give or not to give, them warmly and opened my closed hand in the I asked playfully, "Who is the head of this house, vestry, the image and superscription was that of you or your wife?" Both deferred to the other. an American twenty-five-cent piece. Then to my delight I saw a wall motto hanging over the living-room table : Jesus Christ is the The following week I was in Rochester, New Head of this house; the unseen guest at every York. It was, a very cold day; I called on an old meal; the silent listener to every conversation. friend who sold automobile accessories. He re- I pointed to it as the answer to my question. Withmarked that my light overooat was unsuited ex- out another word the farmer took a check book cept for Arabia, took down an expensive fur-lined from his overall pocket and wrote a larger sum overcoat, and insisted that I pay for it and wear than any of us had expected. The deacon was it. He looked at the sales tag and said, "the price most of all surprised and led in a prayer of thanksof this to you is twenty-five cents-no I am not giving. joking-pay me the sum and then we'll go to lunch together." I told him the Philadelphia story, and Time would fail to tell of other experiences and paid the quarter. Later the coat was bequeathed of the joy that comes to those at the battle-front to a Dakota missionary. when reinforcements of men and money are forth- coming. The Philippian Church was Paul's joy This Rochester friend kept a tithing account in and crown. How ofen they cheered him by their his bankbook (as I learned, after his death). His free-will offerings, so that even in prison he was son showed the account to me and at the top "their own missionary" and they became an exof each page of benevolences were the words: ample to all the churches of Asia Minor, even to "W. R., in account with his Redeemer." the Corinthians (Philippians 4: 15, 16).
It is a spiritual tonic to meet such businessmen. "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory He was like the Philadelphia lawyer to whose through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beoffice the late Fennell P. Turner and I went to loved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, alsolicit a gift for the Student Volunteer Movement. ways abounding in the work of the Lord, for as "Gentlemen," he said, "you need not waste your much as ye know that your labor is not in v,ain in time or mine by long speeches. I know your cause the Lord. Now concerning the collection." and believe in it. If my funds allow, I shall give you a check." Then he rang for his secretary. EXAMPLES OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING * "Can the tithing account stand another hun- King David would not surrender to cheapness dred?" when it came to his worship of God. When the prophet directed David to go up on the threshing- "No, it is overdrawn." floor of Araunah and there offer a burnt-offering, Araunah freely offered to give the King the "The special account?" threshing-floor, the oxen, and everything that was "No." necessary for the burnt-offering. David's classic "Well, then, draw a check on the special, spe- answer is found in these words: "Neither will I cial account." offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God of He explained that this account consisted of re- that which doth cost me nothing" (2 Sam. 24: ceipts from debts unexpeotedly repaid after long 24, 25). He insisted on paying for it. Where standing! there is no sacrifice there is no love and where "I owe my Lord more than these debtors owe there is no love there is no worship. me," he said with a smile. The whole transaction took less than five minutes. Mary of Bethany was at her best in worship The secret of the willing mind and the liberal when she anointed Jesus,' feet with a pound of hand is to realize the Lordship of Christ over our liquid nard, very costly, but without counting the lives and His constant presence with us. In July, cost (John 13: 1). 1918, we were soliciting gifts for missions among the farmers of Sioux County, Iowa. An earnest In "The Gardens of Life," J. R. Straton tells the deacon drove me from farm to farm and nearly following story: everywhere in that prosperous year the farmers gave liberally. We came one day at the breakfast A rich man was down at the waterfront awaiting the hour to the home of one of the wealthiest farmers departure of an ocean liner. He was joined by an acbut my guide said there was no use going in to quaintance, who said to him: ask this man. "He is very close-fisted, although his wife is a liberal soul." "You seem to be much pleased about something." I responded we would better try, since he could "Yes," said the rich man, "I do feel unusually good tonot dp more than say no. As my guide had ex- day. Do you see that vessel at anchor in the North River? pected, the farmer refused bluntly. His wife en- Well, I have on that vessel ten thousand dollars worth of tered a plea but he would not yield an inch. As * Condensed from United Ohurch R6'View of North India.
equipment for a hospital in China, and I just came down wards wrote as follows to the above-mentioned to see the vessel safely off." business man: "That is interesting, and I am glad you made that gift," "As I was for thirty-four years an executive said the friend. "But you know I also have a gift on officer of a large Board.of Foreign Missions (Presthat ship. My only daughter is on that vessel, going to byterian), and am sWI, as Secretary Emeritus, in China to give her life as a missionary." close touch with it, I feel sure that you will ap- preciate my interest in your suggestion that the The wealthy man looked feelingly into the eyes of his churches might cut their foreign missionary work friend and exclaimed: seventy-five per cent, and use the liberated money to further the cause of peace and related objects. "My dear brother, I feel as though I have given nothing, Apart from the reasons for foreign missions that when I think of what this sacrifice means to you." are basic in our Christian faith, may I suggest the following considerations that would be involved This is the spirit that delights the heart of God in so extensive a reduction of missionary work. and the spirit which He seeks to foster in His children. "There are now approximately 40,000 churches in non-Christian lands, with a baptized member- A big lumberjack once said to Frank Higgins, ship of 10,971,066. These churches are the results the "Sky-pilot Lumberjack," as he lay on the oper- of missionary work. While some of them are ating table just before he took the anesthetic: locally self-supporting and all others are contrib- "Frank, you know that we love you and want to uting part of their congregational expenses, thouhelp you. While the doctors are operating I will sands of the smaner ones need our assistance. To be at your door; and Frank, if the doctors find withdraw the major part of this assistance would they need a quart of blood, or a piece of bone, or a seriouly cripple them. They stand for the same bit of skin, they can call on me. Frank, you can principles of peace, brotherhood and righteoushave every drop of blood or every bone in my ness, for which the churches in the United States body; now don't forget, I will be at the door." stand. You eloquently stated the vital need of the cooperation of American churches in creating This is the spirit that God is seeking to cultivate the international conditions that you so ardently when He tells us that it is more blessed to give desire. If the help of the churches here is essenthan to receive. tial in securing world peace, do we not also need the help of the missionary churches to promote There is an interesting story in Philippians 4: .peace abroad? Nationalism cannot create the in- 14-19. The church at Philippi had been minis- ternational mind in churches any more than in tering to the needs of the Apostle Paul while he politics. We need the missionary churches and was in prison in Rome. Paul was very apprecia- they need us. The words of the late Lord Bryce, tive of their gift for it represented real sacrifice, former Ambassador to the United States, are as of which God himself approved. Then the apostle true now as when he wrote them. He declared: makes, as a climax, that matchless promise made to the donors, "And my God shall supply every The jarring contact of many nations in the Far East need of yours, according to his riches in glory in imperatively calls for the strengthening of foreign mis- Christ Jesus." sionary work, which must be the chief influence in smooth- ing that contact, in allaying irritation and in creating Dr. G. Campbell Morgan says, "We know the those conditions of international goodwill which are essentruth of God as no other age has ever known it, tial to the preservation of world peace. The one sure and yet there never was a time when men, know- hope of a permanent foundation for world peace lies in ing and living under its blessings, were less obe- the extension throughout the world of the principles of dient to it than now." In the wake of obedience the Christian Gospel. is rich bles<sing, but in the wake of disobedience is judgment, disappointment and failure. "As a business man, I am sure that you will appreciate the following facts: Sacrificial giving in our service of God enriches and does not impoverish us. Some Significant Facts EXTRAVAGANT RETRENCHMENT "1. The foreign missionary work of the churches has been slowly and laboriously built up In a conference several influential business men for over a hundred years until it now represents urged closer cooperation between commercial and properties and equipment in mission compounds, religious organizations in averting war and pro- hospitals, orphanages, leper asylums, schools, colmoting international goodwill. One of the laymen leges, universities, industrial and agricultural inpresent suggested that the churches might wisely stitutions, residences, church buildings., etc., to a cut down their foreign missionary work seventy- total value of considerably over a hundred millions five per cent and use the liberated money to fur- of dollars. Withdrawal of seventy-five per. cent ther the cause of peace and related objects. One of the financial support which is now being given of the members of this conference, the Rev. Arthur J. Brown, D.D., Secretary Emeritus of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, after-
EXTRAVAGANT RETRENCHMENT
would close most of the 1,092 hospitals and.56,891 now being given, to foreign missions is not in the schools and colleges. It would necessitate the clos- treasuries of churches and is not at their disposal.
ing of the numerous orphanages, leper asylums, It consists of voluntary offerings designated for s,chools for the blind, the deaf and dumb children, this specific purpose. It is, therefore, a trust fund the industrial and agricultural institutions which which is expended by the churches through their are training youth for useful service and self- boards of foreign missions and it cannot be legally support, raising standards of living, and help- or morally used for anything else.
ing poverty-stricken people better their lot. Lead- "4. The distressing conditions now existing in ers of the churches in Asia freely declare that they China, so far from lessening the need for miss,ion- could not possibly meet the expense of maintain- ary work, has enormously increased it. All the ing these numerous institutions without the help mission compounds in the area of hostilities are they are receiving from the American and Euro- thronged with refugees-penniless, starving peo- pean churches, nor do they yet possess a sufficient ple, the aged, the sick, most of them women and number of trained executives to direct them. children, many of the latter being orphans. The Comparatively few of these properties could be missionaries are toiling literally night and day to sold, except at heavy loss. Forced sales of real help them. Recent letters report 2,500 helpless estate, hard enough in the United States, are refugees in one mission compound and 7,000 in doubly so in non-Christian lands, especially when another. All are dependent on the mi'ssionaries the properties are institutions which cannot be for food 'and medical care. The Chinese have given operated for commercial profit. innumerable testimonies to their gratitude. Gen- "2. The 27,577 missionaries, of whom about eralissimo Chiang Kai-shek and his wife have 15,000 are from America, are appointed for life publicly stated their appreciation and their hope service and cannot fairly be discharged as a mer- that the resources of the missionaries will be in- chant discharges a clerk. After a missionary has creased. In his recent Christmas message to the been given a collegiate and post-graduate training people of the United States, the Generalissimo in America, and a miss,ion board has paid his said: .
travel expenses to a distant land, has provided him There lies upon us, and we presume upon you also our and his family with a house and salary for a min- fellow-Christian readers, a great weight of care which imum of three years while he is acquiring the religion alone can teach us to bear worthily. . . . Peace necessary knowledge of a foreign language and and high moral standards are inseparable, and when they people, he represents a considerable investment become an a::complished fact in the lives of all the peoples of the East and West, there will be no more war. War and becomes a valuable man. It would be costly is brutal, but it will ever be powerless. to rob any of us of the transcendent peace of men who are at peace with to lose him and, if the work is reopened at some themselves. later period, to begin all over again with new and inexperienced men. Moreover, it costs about "Why, then, should we weaken the 'religion'
$1,000 to bring an average missionary (less for and 'high moral standards' in China, which the single missionaries but more for married ones foreign missionary work of our churches is cre- with children) from Asia or Africa to America. ating there and of which the Generalissimo and If seventy-five per cent of the 15,000 American his gifted wife themselves are among the fruits.
missionaries were to be recalled, nearly if not It seems to me that, instead of lessening foreign quite $11,000,000 would be required to bring them missionary work, we should strengthen it if we home. As the mission board could not honorably are to promote both at home and abroad the inter- cut off their salaries without making some pro- national mind and the spirit of world brotherhood vision for their support for a few months until which the foreign missionary enterprise in- they had a reasonable time to secure other em- culcates. . . .
ployment, a meager allowance of at least $500 "Your advocacy of peace, as essential not only per person for this purpose for 11,000 mission- to world trade but to all ,the best interests of man- aries would require $5,500,000 more for the whole kind, is an inspiration to us who have long had number. In other words, the withdrawal of sev- that cause in .our hearts."
enty-five per cent of the 15,000 American mission- aries, so far from liberating money for other uses, It may be that there are other well-meaning would not only ruin missionary work but would church members who think that missionary money involve an aggregate expenditure of approxi- should be diverted to other causes and who do not mately $16,500,000, nearly all of which would be realize the difficulties, the injustice and the tre- a total loss. mendous loss that would result to the Gause of "3. The money that has been given, and that is Christ and the welfare of humanity.-EDITOR.
Among Hindu Pilgrims*
–<111 By REV. RAJENDRA CHANDRA DAS III!o– TAST April a small group of twelve men met in was the same – they all centered in and around L fellowship, prayer and consultation in the the Cross of Christ. The converts, "born" Chris- United City Mission at Benares. They came tians, Europeans and Indians, had each a signifi- from different centres of Hindu pilgrimage in cant story to tell. Each one had a different ap- north 'and northeast India. A few of the local proach to Christ – the Saviour 'and Master. missionaries and Indian Christians also attended Among the converts were different types-social, some sessions.t This conference was composed intellectual, political, moral, spiritual, natural, of persons' who are either engaged in work among personal-every one with an emphasis of his own. pilgrims and other orthodox Hindus in religious There were also one or two who had many of these centres or who are running Christian Ash:r~ams motives combined in determining their Christian surrender. Yet in all this diversity there was a or are interested in the study of the faith and solid and wonderful spirit of unity which all appractice of Hinduism. preciated. It was a pleasant discovery that in a group of heterogeneous elements there could be The purpose of the gathering was threefold: so much understanding and fellowship. There First, fellowship in prayer and interchange of were men of Anglican, Baptist, Quaker, Methoddst experiences and ideas. It was an encouragement and Free Church affiliation and yet there was a to hear reports of how God is using men in differ- happy, joyous and exhilarating fellowship and ent fields. Everybody noted the mighty work of unity. Thank God for this wonderful blessing. the Spirit of God in the difficult field of Brindaban among the Sadhus and Vairagis. In Calcutta the The second object of this conference was the banner of evangelism is kept high among the edu- formation of a simple organization with a view to cated. The A.shram life of Puri is developing fostering this fellowship between different peralong the line of quiet study, meditation and sons and places through the publication of a small prayer, as well as personal evangelism. In Milt- paper and through occasional conferences, as well tra, Rev. R. Templin and some of his colleagues as by interchange of workers. After a discussion are experimenting on Christian life and work of several points it was agreed that a simple oralong brotherhood lines. ganization be formed under some such title as "T.he Association of Christian Ashrams" (work- The views and spiritual experiences, as narrated ers among pilgrims and orthodox Hindus in North by the different members, were as varied as the and Northeast India) – Bhartiya Khristakula men themselves, but the core of the experience • Condensed from The Indian Witness. Samity. A small quarterly paper containing re- t Mr. Abraham Khan came from Puri. He is In charge of the quests for prayers and thanksgiving and short re- Ishapanthy Ashram which was founded by the late Rev. B. C. Sirc,,:r, ~.A., the Y. M. C,. A. evangelist. The Temple of Jagannath ports of work was felt to be desirable. It was dewith Its annual Gar Festival draws hundreds and thousands of people cided that on particular occasions of festivals .from all parts of India. Rev. M. Moses of the Church of God move- workers would be exchanged between different ment represented Calcutta where thousands of pilgrims visit the centres like Puri, Brindaban and Benares as well Temple of Kali. The Rev. J. Y. Sidley of the Baptist Mission repre- as at other normal times. A retreat-conference sented Gaya where Hindus COme in great numbers to offer Pindas like the present one – is to be repeated at least once every two years at a centre and on an occa- (balls of rice) in the names of their relatiYes for the.ir full ant! sion when practical evangelistic work could be final salvation, and Buddhist pilgrims also come to visit the place done among pilgrims and Sadhus. where Buddha was enlightened. Mr. N. N. Das of Patna, retired from Government Secretariat service and associated with the Union This conference was called upon to consider the Church work, represented ancient Pataliputra and HindU bathing feasibility of inaugurating a school to study Hincentres in Bihar. Mr. I. L. Lawrence of the English Methodist duism, with emphasis on its practical, popular and orthodox side. A few of those actually engaged Church represented Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ram, one of the in preaching the Gospel to Sadhus, Sanyasis and great incarnations of the Hindus. The Rev. G. W. Maw of the pilgrims, Pundits and Priests, Mohants and Brah- Fri.ends' Mission, Itarsi, represented not only the pilgrim centres of mins have felt the need of a unity of purpose and RaJPutana and Central India but also the great Himalayan shrines practical knowledge and training in work. It was like Kedarnath and Badrinath. Mr. Maw, in a Sadhu's dress. has traveled far and wide with pilgrims themselves. Pandit Yamua Prasad Chowbey. professor of music. came from the TheologiCal Sem- Inary of .the Methodist Episcopal Church at BareiIIy. Mr. Dldar, a young Hmdu convert of the Methodist Mission, represented Muttra. Brindaban, a most important pilgrim centre especially for Valshnava Bengalees, was represented by the Rev. A. C. Chakravarti, B.D., of the Methodist Church, who has founded a Christian Ashram on his own responsibility in that very "orthodox" place. Benares, where the retreat was held and which Is the greatest centre of Hindu orthodoxy and learning, was represented by the workers and Inmates of the United Mission-the Rev. S. R. Holt, Mr. H. K. Dey and Rev. R. C. Das.
[196 ] unanimously felt that such opportunities would be politico-cultural organization. As a Hindu he saw highly appreciated and utilized by many. The no barrier in Hinduism as regards intermarriage Benares United City Mission offers any facilities and interdining. Coming from a man of his posiit has for such a purpose. A well equipped library tion, this was remarkable inasmuch as Christian was felt necessary and there is already a nucleus circles are not usually conversant with this uniof it at Benares. The study of the faith and prac- versal attitude of Hinduis.m, its orthodox and extice of Hinduism is necessary and important for clusive ideas and practices being more commonly a right approach to Hindus. It is unfortunate that met. almost all workers, Indian or non-Indian, do general work among non-Christians with no special We were convinced of many things, among qualifications to touch effectively either Hindus which the more important are: first, only pracor Moslems. A School of Islamics started a few tical and s,incere Christianity of the apostolic type years ago has rendered valuable service for the in the sense of converted and consecrated personal cause of Christ among Moslems. No less should life through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, as be done intelligently and sympathetically to touch effective in meeting this long-lived and virile Hindus. Hinduism we find in shrines and pilgrim centres; second, only collective witness and cooperative en- There was a paper from the Rev. R. Templin of deavor disclose the secret of the power of Hin- Muttra on the subject of "Witness and the Serv- duism; third, fresh methods of evangelistic ants of the Kingdom." Emphasis was laid on approach to Hindus based on understanding and (1) the need and importance of collective witnes,s; sympathy, must be discovered. Our supreme con- (2) the Kingdom of God rather than the church viction is that the presence of the Living Christ as an institution; (3) God seeks man through among us and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is Christ; (4) no faith without faithfulness.. essential in everything said or done.
The Rev. Atul Chandra Chakravarti, B.D., of ECLECTIC RELIGIONS Brindaban Christian Ashram, in an address on Hinduism, brought out the following points:: The By REV. J. CHRISTY WILSON, D.D., Tabriz, Iran study of Hinduism as a religion and culture is necessary: (1) for goodwill and fellowship with There is great danger in electicism in religion. our non-Christian friends; (2) to equip us better The Bahais are all inclusive and all things to for preaching the Gospel and in bringing out true all men. They will agree with Moslems, Chriscontacts and real differences between Christianity tians or Jews and claim to unite the best things and Hinduism. The following vital issues and from all faiths. practical questions were raised: Should we ag- From Iran the ancient Nestorian Church cargressively s.how the superiority of Christianity ried the Gospel with burning zeal to India, China and deficiency of Hinduism? Should we condemn, and the far reaches of Asia. Very few of the attack, criticize, and find flaws? How can we Christian communities they founded remain topreach Christ-the only Saviour-without arous- day, and one of the reasons for the failure of ing antagonism? How reconcile the claims of these Christian churches to survive, is that they Christianity with goodwill for Hindus? compromised with other faiths. Some advisers believe that missions should do The Rev. G. W. Maw, of Itarsi, speaking on the the same today-"Accept what is good and true Christian approach to the Hindu pilgrims, de- in all religions and work together." But Christ scribed how he lived like a Hindu Sadhu and says we cannot serve two masters, or as the com- Sanyasi, wore the colored robe with the distinctive mon Eastern proverb has it, "You cannot hold mark of the cross on it, lived and conversed with two melons in one hand." the pilgrims and traveled with them up and down When Israel took up idol worship they did not the highways of Indian pilgrimages in North In- intend to forsake Jehovah, they merely wanted dia and the Himalayas. to be broad and get along with other religions. The end was fatal and led to degradation and It was a very interesting deviation from the or- dispersion. dinary course followed among Christians when we Here is a lesson that Christians should take to heard Dr. M. D. Shastri, Principal of the famous heart. We who are working for Christ in the Government Sanskrit College of Benares, speak Bible lands must love men of other religions, but on "How Christ Appeals to the Hindu." He we must call them to worship only God as revealed stressed the Hindu position, viz., that every reli- in Jesus Christ. Men cannot live to the glory of gion has truth and is good for its own followers, God unless they are Christian. Christ must have so that there need be no rivalry or enmity between full and complete allegiance if God is to be glorireligions. The Hindus had no difficulty in rega~d fied.-The Presbyterian. ing Christ as a great teacher and incarnation, because Hinduism is essentially not a religion in the sense of a creed or a way of life but rather a socio-
A Missionary Vacation in Rural
A Letter from a Mother to Her Sons in America By MRS. T. W. B. DEMAREE Formerly under the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Oita, Japan -1889 to 1934 SIX of us left home on Saturday for Camp and Tuesday nights with a hundred or more in Nada Hachiman, about thirty miles from attendance. The railroad station master here is Oita. We had two cars in which to load our one of our Kitsuki Christians. He copied a hymn "junk." The girls rode in one car. We brought on a large sheet of paper; we tacked it up on a all the tent and fixtures. Our cars reminded me tree, built a bonfire for light and I taught them of California tourists. to sing. They responded and listened well. The The mosquitos are pretty bad here in evenings girls and I sang some special songs for them.
but we have our nets. The beach and sea bathing Even the old priest, who is at the head of the are perfect. Our tent is stretched in the pines big temple, has been to call and has attended the which grow along the beach as far as we can see. meetings with some of his colleagues. He ex- For this big round tent we need only a center pole pressed the desire to hear more.
and a few stobs and bamboo-quickly and easily Wednesday night, after supper, the members put up, especially where we have so many trees of our party put on their bathing suits and we to which to tie the ropes. went down to the beach. Soon we were joined by The Japanese were seemingly delighted to have the station master, and later a nice looking man us and everybody turned out to help. dressed in a white suit came up and introduced "What do you need?" they asked. himself, saying, "I live on a farm back in the "First," Daddy said, "we must have a center mountains and only heard today that a Christian pole-so long-some bamboo." missionary had come to this place for a few days. I have heard something about Christ and long to Off went a man on a bicycle and by the time we learn more. Have you time to teach me?" had our tent unrolled he came riding up with an ideal pole on his shoulder. Others produced the We came back to the tent and dressed and the smaller bamboo poles and all turned in to help. people continued to gather. I took a group to Talk about kindness, I never saw anything to one side and Daddy took charge of the inquirer.
beat it. Still they came. I spread down tent cloth and All day Sunday we had callers of all descrip- rugs and soon every seat was taken. There must tions: railroad officials, principals of schools, have been fully sixty earnest inquirers, and I teachers, school children, farmers from back in never saw more earnestness. Several times I rethe sticks, some of the funniest specimens. you marked that I thought they must be tired trying ever saw, with questions, questions. Then at to understand me but they declared they under- night a large .group came and asked for a Chris- stood perfectly and begged me to continue. When tian talk and Daddy must have talked for two they were gone Daddy and I were too happy to go hours. He promised to have a real meeting for to bed so we walked down toward the sea to look them tonight when he blows his cornet. at the beautiful full moon and its reflection in the sea, when seven young men came up on bicycles Today we have had rather a quiet day with very saying they had heard in their village, several few inquisitive gazers. The principal of the Kit- miles away, about our meetings and they had come suki girls' school where I once spoke called today with a large basket of fruit, lovely plums and to learn. They seemed much disappointed to learn natsu mikan, which grew in his own garden. that the meeting was over, and asked if we would *** not talk to them a little while, so Daddy took them I stopped to play some games with the crowd. in charge.
. . Now I am seated several paces. from the tent Before I was asleep some old drunken fellows in the shade of the pines with a wonderful breeze came by and made a big hubbub. One old fellow blowing from the sea. We had meetings Monday came into the tent (side curtains were all up) [198 ]
THE NEED OF FARMERS IN JAPAN
and called out in a big loud voice, "Obasan, obasan, real country but autos and autotrucks are conare you asleep? I want your address in Oita so tinually passing and an aeroplane passed over that I can come there and learn more about Chris- my head. tianity. I'm a little drunk tQnight because today we finished putting up the big stQne torii for Qur Day before yesterday as I sat peeling potatoes temple and we are celebrating. Yes, I'm a little for supper a boy was racing his pony al'ound the drunk but I want to. hear mQre." race track beyond our tent. The horse fell and we thought the boy was killed. Daddy and I both He and Qthers hung arQund until after one a. m. started toward him taking a bucket of cold water but we finally shook them off without even mak- from the well. After some working of the bQY's ing them mad. arms and plenty of cold water he began to breathe. Then Japanese came and carried him to. his broth- The man who came early last night from up in er's home. No. bones were broken, and today he the mountains came again as we were finishing is up and has been here, with his parents, kin and breakfast, bringing some beautiful dahlias and neighbors galQre, to. thank us for having saved pears. He was a hungry looking soul and Daddy talked with him for over an hQur. "0, how I wish his life. . . . . they could know there is room for them all and Yesterday the superintendent of the railroad, that Jesus bids them come." three principals of schools, an ex-army captain This is a perfectly wonderful place to spend a and other dignitaries called. . . . summer, and I've never run up against such an opportunity. There is no church near and it is After six days we came back home; we did not get much rest but we had a good time.
The Need of Farmers in Japan* By DR. TOYOHIKO KAGAWA, Tokyo I N JAPAN we have 140 large cities and 1,200 operative. The scale of health insurance is based tQwns and villages are rural. Only 4870 of on the income of the village. The more income the total population is rural. Each year more you have the more you pay. But the treatment than 100,000 people leave the rural sections and and the number of visits of the doctor are the same go to the cities. Five million seven hundred thou- no matter what fee you have paid. sand rural people live on six million hectares. of land. (One hectare equals two and a half acres.) The farmers can now buy good fertilizers be- cause of the cooperatives. They can also buy the Our first cooperative association for farmers lands they till. In 1931 the farmers of Japan sufwas introduced from Germany a few years ago. fered from a depression and a panic. As one re- Until then the farmers borrowed money from the sult many lost the ownership of their lands and loan sharks, with interest sometimes 2570 and today about 4070 of the 5,700,000 farmers are landless. Thirty per cent of them have a little sometimes 30 % per year. The government had a regulation that interest was to he only 20 % on a land; 70 % are tenant farmers; 28 % own small debt, but the loan sharks were able to squeeze the lands; only 270 of the farmers are well off. peasants for more. Today more than 14,000 co- Sixty-five per cent of the owners of farms live in operatives have been organized for the farmers of the tQwns and cities. Therefore, we are endeav- 12,000 communities. There is one central coop- oring through cooperatives to give back to the erative union. farmers the lands which are owned by city people. Each year there are about 3,000 cases of land dis~ Today we have 8,600 storages for rice based on putes-Iabor disputes are almost stopped, but not the cooperative scheme. Through these storages land disputes – because of what the Japanese and cooperatives the price of rice can be fixed farmers suffer from the city owners of their completely. About the middle of December, when farms. Last year the Diet passed a resolution we know about the rice crop, the rate is fixed for that an owner·of farmland can sell the land to anthe year. We can fix the price of silk also.. other person only with the consent of the tiller of the soil. If the tiller of the soil will consult with Through the cooperative plan that we got from the farm credit cooperative, he can probaJbly be Denmark, we have four different forms of insur- helped to buy back his land from the city owner. ance for the people in rural areas. We have a harvest insurance for the rice crop and the silkworm The lay leaders of the Christian churches, as crop; a livestock insurance; a health insurance individuals, are active in these organizations cooperative; and a national health insurance co- everywhere.
• From an address at the 1. M. c. meeting, Madras.
of Rural Life in Africa*
By IRA E. GILLET, Kambini, Portuguese East Africa I ~.- I Principal, Cenlral Training School ~=========================.
A MAN in India was showing me photographs; cupboards and doors. The 8,000 East Indians as he hurriedly passed over some of them residing in the colony handle the major part of the he said, "These are just ordinary villagers." retail trade, and their cloth and blankets are "Ordinary villagers!" I said in amazement, largely replacing the bark-eloth and skins of "why that is all we have in Africa!" former days.
Our people are all "ordinary villagers," exc~pt Protestant Work for a few who are adjusting themselves to the lIfe and work of Durban, Capetown, and the mining Protestant Christian work is almost entirely confined to the southern districts of the colony. areas of Rhodesia and the Rand. For more than Here six long-established and four more recently four million people in Mozambique, more than half established missions are at work under increasas large as the Union of South Africa, and ex- ing limitations. tending for fifteen degrees along the east coast, we have only one high school, and that is in the Speaking for one mission, we insist that mis- sionaries sent out by the Board be rural-minded. extreme southern end of the colony. A man who prefers a game of tennis to a shower when the land needs rain, who is glad to buy eggs A large maj ority of the able-bodied men of our for less than they are worth, or who is too dainty section are continuously away from home at work to touch the manure cart need not apply. in the gold and coal mines of the Transvaal, some of them going as often as eight or ten times for Since the general standard of living, of sobriety, of trustworthiness, and of education, is much shifts of eighteen months each. At the mines the higher in the Christian villages than outside, the unskilled laborer receives about six times as much local administrators are generally sympathetic. in wages as in the colony. Some of this eventually reaches the home village but this, residue is seldom We have a central training school, based on a put into permanent village development. farm and including a Jeanes school, in which church, hospital, farm,shops and classes work as The earthly possessions of most families con- an integrated whole, together with the surround- ing community. Student candidates are examined sist of a pole-and-earth hut, roofed with grass. In and recommended by the elders of their communi- ties whether they be men or boys. Men must the one or two rooms of this house there is little bring their wives and children and establisl;t self- supporting homes for three years, after which the or no furniture beyond a few baskets, pots and more capable ones are permitted to continue for a further period. The whole family attends classes, hgroaeis~', and immediately a fter harvest there is some tills the soil under the direction of the farm leaders such as peanuts, corn, beans and millet, and according to approved methods, shares in the worship and community service of the churchupon which the owner pays an annual tax of about both locally and at considerable distance from the school center. Surveys, preaching missions, agriten dollars. cultural fairs, institutes, and tours of farm-coun- selling are carried on with faculty supervision Because of constant moving to the mines, tribal within a radius of 150 miles – all within the life is badly disintegrated and home life is broken framework of the church organization. up. Where this has not come to pass and where there are sufficient male adults at home to attend In addition to their regular school classes, the the cattle and goats, there are still herds of in- wives are taught various aspects of home-making, ferior cattle, seldom (though increasingly) used simple nursing and midwifery as well as how to for plowing. Farming methods are slow and lead worship services. In fact, nothing that is wasteful. Villagers leave the worked-out fields vital to home and village life is foreign to our proand cultivate new land or old land that has grown up again to thickets. Undecorated clay pots, g~od baskets and mats of various kinds, a little tannmg of hides and a little whittling of wooden articles are the limit of general handicraft; carpentry of the European style is becoming popular for the more progressive, for the making of chairs, tables, • Notes taken by W. W. Reid at the Madras Conference. gram and interest.
[200 ]
RURAL CHANGES IN MEXICO TODAY
Gl'OUPS of Christian villages. are joined into a permanent residences. All church buildings and circuit which, from its own funds, supplemented parsonages and medical substations are built by in decreasing proportion by the mission, makes its the local church. own budget for evangelism, health services, instruction, bulk subscriptions for vernacular news- A family trained at the school goes to a new papers carrying Sunday school lessons, pastoral village or to an old one in need of help, and sets support, home missions and connectional funds. up a permanent home. The man begins his farm There are sixteen of these circuits, including 175 work, and his community visitation as time and villages. Each meets quarterly for inspiration and resources permit, and as need appears. The cirbusiness. To suggest that any of their needs of cuit may give him fl'om two and a half dollars to life do not come within the Church's interes,t five dollars during the quarter depending upon would come to them as a surprise. circumstances; so that he need not resort to the mines to get money for his tax. He and his wife An annual consecration of hoes, seed, and other preach, nurse, teach, farm, encourage, act as implements is held in the majority of these vil- peacemakers, and in short become "lights. in the lages, usually at planting time. Thank offerings world." at the time of the harvest festival bring in gifts according to the gladness-though not necessarily Missionaries visit these Ex-students as often as according to the wealth – of these farmers. In possible and confer with them concerning their spite of evident poverty, with very meagre educa- problems. As they are given larger responsibility tion, surrounded by SOl'cery and drunkenness, they are also taken through additional courses of these units of the Church look to their school at study; and short courses and private conference& the center; to this school they send their boys and are :&requently arranged. their families, and from it they receive help. The primary boarding school for young boys Happily the African in our colony is not the- seems to have contributed little to this whole deoretically the victim of the color bar in industry. velopment, and I am convinced that this luxury The opportunity is usually there for those who is too ineffective to be continued. It must give will take advantage of it. Moreover, by the de- place to more provision for day school instruction velopment of the land the African can make his of students who live at home and so are able to claim to it secure, so that he has not to depend transmit the school influence directly and immesolely on communal holding. Many of our Chris- diately to the home. Much of this can be done tian people are taking advantage of this to erect through some such plan as 4-H clubs and adult education over a wider area.
Rural Changes in Mexico Today* By PROF. G. BAEZ CAMARGO Secretary, National Evangelical Council of Mexico I N MEXICO we are going through a social Spanish seized. The ownership of these lands was change that is greatly affecting the rural life investigated after the Revolution and resulted in of the country. Our rural problems are due to the restoration of much of this communal land to the breaking down of a land system that pre~ the villages. But in the years many new villages vailed for 400 years. The old system of cultiva- had sprung up and they had no lands; for them tion was primitive in technique, and large areas the government bought land and gave it to the of land were in a very few hands. An extreme villages. case, yet illustrating the system, was that one landowner had an area equal to about half the size This ability to own land has made a tremendous of France. change in the life of the village and of the farmer. Before that the farmer had been getting a small In 1910 the Mexican Revolution began. One of wage for tilling the land; he was paid with tickets its main objectives was. the breaking down of the and had to buy his provisions with these tickets system of land holding, the distribution of land, from stores owned by the landowners. Now with and the making of small farms. The old Indian the allocation of land to the villagers., they must villages had communal lands which all the people work their own land, and they cannot count on a of the village cultivated together. These lands the fixed amount of income each week. But the gov- ernment is getting these farmers and villagers * Extract from an address delivered at the recent International adj usted to the new system.
Missionary Conference, at Madras.
Mahka La's Story*
I -..gf By GUSTAF A. SWORD, Kutkai, Burma I ~- SUBADAR MAHKA LA of Kutkai, Burma, Subadar until he saw the thick filthy black tar- was a nominal Christian but a slave to the strong drink and opium habits. More than like substance was being washed from his body. once did he try to break the habit but without success. Associating with one of the young Ka- Especially from the tips of his fingers came a conchin chiefs, who became a Christian ten years ago and who has experienced the power of God, the tinuous stream of filth and slime. The more they Subadar felt more disgusted with himself than ever before and asked the Christian chief for ad- scrubbed the better he felt. vice and help. The chief told the Subadar that the only way of help he knew was through honest After a while the mystical visitors gradually and persistent prayer to God. And so the Subadar began to pray as never before. faded away in the light. Then the light disap- One night he had a vision; a wonderful light peared and the Subadar awakened from his filled the room and his heart and he saw some supernatural beings. In the pure bright light the dream. A wonderful sensation filled his soul. He Subadar felt filthy, mean and unclean. He looked upon his hands and his body and saw that he was felt clean; he felt free, and happy. • black with a dirty substance like opium. One of the visitors came close to him and when he saw As the Subadar got up and walked about he the filth and misery he told the Subadar to wash himself and be cleansed. The Subadar answered: spied his old opium pipe and a package of opium.
"Sir, I am not able to wash myself. I have tried The sight and the smell of it was nauseating so he but this filth sticks to me, no matter how much I try to rid myself of it. Sir, if you will wash me set about to destroy it. He also poured out the then I will be clean." strong drink. Indeed he had been washed clean. Then this supernatural being called his comrades and they set to scrubbing and washing the It is now five years since this happened and the • From The Burma News. Subadar is now a deacon in the church. All who knew him marvelled at the change; today he is a living testimony to God's saving power.
A few years ago when I was in Kutkai building the new mission bungalow, the Subadar came one evening and placed something in my hand saying, "This is my gift for the new Kutkai chapel." It was dark, I could not count the money but as I came into the grass hut we had erected while we were building the new bungalow, I counted the money and found Rs. 150. Since then he has given me Rs. 350 more for the new chapel. He has also given Rs. 300 to the new Baptist Kachin Mission enterprise in Sumprabum.
OAN A OHRISTIAN BE NON-MISSIONARY?
There is no such person as a Christian who is not making a sacrifice to support the work of the Church at home and abroad. I am not the authority for this statement. Christ is, for it was He who said, "He who would come after me let him deny himself" . . . also "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." We can't escape the fact that He called us to be ready to make a willing sacrifice in order that all men everywhere might share the Good News. . . . Christ decided this nineteen centuries ago, and all we can do is to either prove our loyalty by heeding His command, or rule ourselves out of the company of those who are truly His followers. The work of Christ needs, and has a right to expect, the united backing of every man, woman and child in the whole Church. Furthermore, I do not consider a person worthy of being presented for confirmation unless he is ready and eager to make his pledge on both sides of the envelope for the work of the whole Church. It is time we stopped turning out these generations of church members, half of whom are ignorant as to their responsibility when it comes to the support of the work of the Church.
-Bishop Hobson.
[202 ] I Effective Ways of Working Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~===============================I~ Not Too Early to Plan! light of present conditions. But mends: "The cost varies from here is a job for the Christians institute to institute, but runs to Plan what? To have at least of the world. I am coming to $25-$35 each, for the ten daysone member from your group believe that if enough Christians for room, board, and tuition. attend a Peace Institute this face this problem, we can condi- Tuition alone is generally $10, summer. tion the next generation to think which is the total cost to be and act in terms of world borne by persons from the neigh- You cannot afford to have brotherhood. borhood. your missionary organization, church and community without "I came away from the con- "Some churches are raising a the stimulation and inspiration scholarship fund to send delethat having a representative at ference, with a definite convic- gates. Women's organizations a Peace Institute will bring. tion that a free church has an might hold benefit teas or din- important function to fulfil in ners, planned in the interna- What values are there to be tional spirit with foreign cosgained? Let some of those speak this present world crisis. Our tumes, flags and posters. The who have gone to other institute American churches dare not money raised could be used to meetings. mark time. In this present crisis send the pastor of the church or the Church must challenge the one of the Church School teach- A woman says: "It was a thinking people of our country, ers. Here is a concrete project stimulating experience to have in terms of world responsibility. for those who ask, 'What can I such men as Samuel Guy Inman We must do it now while we are do for peace?' interpret South America to us; not at war – once war is deto have T. Z. Koo of China, with clared, it will be too late." "The institute is an invaluable all his charm, bring to us the experience. It affords an opporbackgrounds of oriental ten- A student says: "The spirit tunity to sit under internasions; and to have Hugo F. of fellowship was uniquely ap~ tionally known authorities; to Simon rub our thinking the mingle with people from many wrong way. Every course was parent in the way it dominated valuable in helping us to under- even the most bitter of the dis- backgrounds – ministers, teachstand underlying currents in an putes which sometimes arose out ers, librarians, peace leaders, ever-changing world. . . . We of our discussions. Therefore workers, students, religious eduleftNaperville 'instructed' and the two weeks was not only cation directors; and to receive 'inspired' to do something to help highly educational and very en- the stimulus of fresh ideas. bring about better understanding between the races and to joyable, but deeply inspirational "Then too-and not the least make this a better world for in its unity of purpose in the -there is the delightful summer others as well as for ourselves." face of sharply opposed opinions. campus on which the institute is held. All these elements com- A pastor says: "Well-out of "I must add that frequent bine to offer the institute-goer a the experience of those ten days, comments were voiced as to the rewarding time." I returned to my parish with the character of the leadership and renewal and deepening of cer- the staff members. The institute It is sound advice for all of us. tain convictions about life. I members were impressed by the Your first step is to write to your sensed anew the fact of the in- workers of the American Friends missionary or "social action" terdependence of the great hu- who were giving so much time board for information about past man family. I saw the similarity and energy to this cause. and future institutes. Second, of the problems which confront find out approximate costs for the different nations of the "As we left, we were not only the one nearest to you. Third, world. I was strengthened in keyed up to a peak of interest find the person most fitted to go the conviction that the one hope in getting out and fighting in the -your pastor, one of the leading for a way out of all this con- peace movement, but also in a laymen, an outstanding woman fusion is through world coop- feeling that groups such as the eration. American Friends Service Com- of the church-choose carefully. mittee and the Council for Social The person chosen must be able "This looks hopeless in the Action deserve our sincerest to provide leadership after re- support." turning. Do not send a simple The Missionary Herald (Con- gregational – Christian) recom- [203 ]
sponge, no matter how keen the eign Missions came to their hun- of the histo.ry of their "Christ- sponge may be to absorb it all. dredth anniversary, and wanted mas Tree in May" and presented You don't want .to. have to spend a new hymn to celebrate that oc- the plans for the celebration of time squeezing to get informa- casion, this one was chosen from it this year.
tion when your delegate returns! over two hundred hymns sub- The back page of the folder Fourth, lay plans fo.r pro.viding mitted. It was written by Dr. tells the story of the enterprise. tuition,transPo.rtation, board Jay Glover Eldridge of Moscow, and room and texts if needed. Idaho. We all rejoice with the HOW WE STARTED It is not too so.on to start plan- Presbyterian Board in its com- In 1921 Bethel Bible School sent its ning. It takes time to get infor- pletion of such a span of service mation, to secure funds, to de- and we find in the hymn an ex- first big Christmas Box to India. It velop interest, to find the best pression of our o.wn ho.pe and de- carried so much joy to the folks who sire; we therefore want to add received it that for fifteen years it to those hymns through which Bethel folks packed veritable treasure we voice our own aspirations. person to. send and to. complete stores of happiness into great wooden arrangements. Summer rolls The tune to which it is set is boxes and shipped them to India. Each around all too soo.n. * year hundreds of boys and girls, men and women, and leper patients in our mission station depended for their Display Gifts Before Sending fo.und in most church hymnals. Christmas remembrances upon the ar- It is the familiar and beautiful rival of this box. Clothing, school There is much satisfaction in "Hymn to J o.Y" by Beethoven, supplies, religious literature, toilet work completed; the value of the tune to which o.rdinarily we articles, toys, and literally thousands this we ignore when we allo.w a sing "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore of things crossed the ocean each year. co.mmittee to collect gifts, pack Thee." and send them, making a weak Several years ago an increase on verbal repo.rt, or even none. After using this hymn as a the "duty" which our missionaries had solo or qua.rtette, use it in the to pay made us decide to send the With the above procedure, next meeting as a hymn, sung by money instead of a box, thus saving contrast the following: the entire group. It should be the expense qf transportation and in- used frequently thereafter until surance. . The women who co.llected it becomes familiar. scraps for making bed covers for HOW IT WORKED flo.od relief were themselves ut- God of years, Thy love hath led us, terly amazed at the two beautiful Thou hast been our bulwark, strong, Our new plan has been highly sucand serviceable covers evolved cessful. Our members have responded from their contributions. They Wall of fire against the wicked, as loyally to this way of giving as will be ready to embark on a Sword of power against the wrong. they did when bringing articles in similar enterprise again. Christmas wrappings. In 1936 and Thou hast blest of old Thy servants 1937 we sent checks of $100, which The women who made gar- As they bore Thy message far; our missionaries have gladly turned men.ts for a migrant Christian into many useful and welcome gifts. Center, and those who had not We who follow in their footsteps joined in the actual work, were Evermore tpeir debtors are. On next Sunday, May 15th, each delighted and encouraged at the member of the Bible School will be sight of a clothes-line full of Onward lead, 0 King eternal, given a small colored bag into which pretty garments, flapping in the Lo, we heed Thy high command, to put a gift for our Christmas check breeze at their outdoor meeting to India. These bags are to be rejust before the garments were Bear good news to every people, turned on the following Sunday, May sent off. Far and near, in every land. 22nd, and hung on Christmas trees in each department as a part of our ob- Seeing the completed task Thine they are, Thy love doth seek servance of "Christmas in May." We gives a feeling of satisfaction so them, are counting on you! that in future similar tasks will be more readily undertaken. Thou wouldst bring them to the Before we turn to the other light; pages of the folder, please note No matter what your under- how skillfully joy of sending actaking, try to. give the entire or- Lead us on till darkness brightens, tual packages has been turned ganization a visual impression o.f On till faith is lost in sight. into happiness in sending a it in its finished state. money gift. Notice that the Lead us forth, a Church united, little bags in which the money is Strong, courageous, in Thy might. to be collected are bright-colo.red, They will take the place of the Lo, the fields are white with harvest, brightly wrapped packages on Sheaves to garner ere the night. the tree, and will have a dra- One our purpose, One our Leader, LeTSaodhusushsaTlohlny,loavCeh,Kuwricnohgrldseh-twealrilndean,le, vperervfaaiil.lt; The Summer Christmas Tree Enrich Your Devotionals Early in May, 1938, a fo.ur- matic value that mere envelopes for an offering cannot have. Here is a new hymn well worth page folder was distributed to adding to your devotional ma- the members of the Sunday But now let us turn to the first terials. It should be sung first school o.f a large church in page of the folder. It announces as a solo. o.r by a quartette. A Evansville, Indiana, It was not the idea – Christmas in May brief introduction may precede a surprise, of course, for they that Others May Have Christmas its first use, stating that when had for eighteen years been hav- in India in December. It is decthe Presbyterian Board of For- orated with a simple line draw- ing the fun of a Christmas tree ing of a Christmas tree hung in May. But it reminded them with bright-colored balls. That • All quotations are from The Missionary t Copyright by The Board of Foreign Mis- will be the bright co.lored bags of the offerings! Herold at Home ana Abroad and are used by sions of the Presbyterian Church. Used by permiSSion. permiSSion.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
A little verse by the mission- their bright bags on Christ~as Reading for Children * trees small enough to be carned. ary in India closes, "whole In selecting missionary books Christmas in December, makes Then from each department, in all of us remember Him, whose for children, there are always coming brought Christmas for procession, headed by one ca~ry us all." two points to keep in mind. ing the tree, they come hack mto Perhaps the nicest part of this First tChheildarpepneaarraenceent~otlfedthtoe announcement folder is the in- the auditorium, where the trees book.' side two pages which carry a Mother's Day thought which bearing their gifts of love are beautiful books. By thIS I do links this observance of Christmas in May to a Mother and placed together on the pla~form. not mean expensive books, be- Child of long ago. Now the gifts are dedIcated. cause many less expensive bo?ks On Christmas night-long, long ago A mother's arms a baby held. It is recalled what joy ther.e will combine the good taste and SIm- A Child that was the Hope of man be in the use of the articles pur- plicity which are char~cteris~ic A prophet's dream at last fulfilled. chased with the money, or other of beautiful books-a hIgh pnce So many children since that day In many lands o'er all the eartJ:1 uses made of it, in that far-off does not necessarily guarantee Rejoice on Christmas Day and smg land of India. There is emphasis quality. But a book for a child Of Jesus and His holy birth. placed on the gift as a link of must be attractive to the eye as Yet many children would not know Of Him and what He came to be love between those giving and well as to the mind-its size and Except as men and women go those receiving. Carols are sung. shape, the siz~ and face of the To take His Word across the sea. Christmas in May is over. type the bindmg, the cover de- The Church a mother needs to be With arms outstretched to gently The groups which use the sign' and the jacket. hold Summer Christmas Tree idea The second point is the con- Each tiny soul close to her heart And with her love all babes enfold. have found that in this quieter tent. A beautiful appearance is "Christl1w8 in May" our slogan is time the carols are sung with worthless without value between "That Others May Have Christmas Too." fresh zest and enjoyment; that the covers. In judging the con- In May we bring our gifts of love there is opportunity for inter- tents of books for children, there To make their Christmas dreams come true. preting the Christmas message is one question to ask one's self: By poverty and sin oppressed to the world in terms beyond Is the content of the book with- Not many joys their own they call that of remembering the first in the ability of the child for A gift from you may make them know Christmas; that where gifts are whom it is chosen – are the That Jesus came and loved them sent more careful planning is words and the incidents within all. mpoosnseiby,le~' that where the gift is his understanding? 'Tis fitting then, this Mother's Day more generous gift is To think of India's children too The final question, which is available and eagerly offered. As real they are, though far away the deciding factor in a decision As your own children are to you. In trying any such plan it is to buy this book instead of that, In serving them, honor anew weU to remember that careful Mother and Child of Bethlehem. is : Is the content Christian? motivation is necessary. We Send Christmas cheer acros~ the sea Are Christian attitudes, sympa- To India's children-In HIS Name. cannot simply s.ay, "Lo! We will thies and conducts treated as So much for the folder. It does have a summer Christmas tree. motivate the enterprise nicely. natural and normal expressions Careful planning and work in Let everyone bring gifts for it." the departments togethe~ w!th of life? education about the destmatIOn Study the record of what this and use of the gifts comes to a In selecting missionary books culmination on the day set. church actually did, how it Each one from tiny child to for children a few factors must grandmother brings a little planned, and what its presentabright-colored bag to the Sun- be applied: (1) The facts about day school service. tions were. Work out your own other racial and national groups Everyone meets to sing carols plans with a definite reason for for fifteen minutes. Then they must be true. (2) The book go to departmen~s, wher.e a bri~f attempting it; think thoroughly service of worshIp culmmates m must not contain any statements through the introduction to it or illustrations that hold racial which you will use. ~ake ~he occasion a real celebratIOn, WIth or national groups up to ridicule.
enough ceremonial to bring the (3) Great world issues, such as atmosphere of Christmas into its disarmament, world peace, eco- observance. Do not attempt, nomic justice, and racial equal- hwohwicehvegr~ to imitate those things ity must not be minimized. (4) into the season itself, There should be no statements such as simulated snow, etc. by which children I?igh~ gener- Here is a chance to have a semi- alize and come to IdentIfy cer- tropical Christmas, such as a tain racial or national groups great part of the world has every with criminal offenses.
year anyway. Start with plans Many of the books which chil- not too elaborate, and if you find dren have been using as supple- the idea has values, let the ob- mentary readers in geography servance grow from year to are useful in this work of mis- year into one of those traditional sionaryeducation. Many secular affairs, ever recur. ring,.yet . ever publication h~uses are prod?c- new and ever mcreasmg m ing books whIch really are m- worth and value for those taking herently missionary.
hanging the gifts of money in part in its observance. • From Women ana Miss·Wn8.
A Story for the
By VIOLET WOOD, Missionary Education Movement THE GARDEN OF JOSEPH You hQnQr yourself in honoring can to make amends for my past OF ARIMATHlEA cowardness." him," said the boy. "It is the same as when Jesus NicQdemus plucked at his long Drawing their mantles about was born – no. place to. lay his them, Joseph and Nicodemus head. And nQw," Benjamin beard as he sat at the rough table went to Pilot and boldly asked wiped away la tear, "who will on which a flickering lamp for the body of Jesus. Receivtake him down from the cross? ing his permission, they went to Who will give a corner of his es- burned. It should have been still the hill called Golgotha, near to tate for the body of Jesus? He daylight outside, but a strange Joseph's burying ground, and said that he WQuld rise again. took the body from the cross. Oh, that he might rise in a darkness had covered Jerusalem Solemnly they wrapped it in garden such as that Qne of yQurs that afternoon. near to. Jerusalem, beautiful with spices and placed it in the new sunlight, flowers of lilies and "My trades will suffer if the tomb in Joseph's garden. Then palm trees!" Jews think that I am a disciple Qf the Nazarene," sighed Joseph. they rolled a great stone against Joseph of Arimathrea paced the entrance and went home to "Yes," a g r e e d Nicodemus, observe the Sabbath. Meanwhile "but perhaps we could take the Pilot placed a guard of soldiers body in the night and bury him secretly." Benjamin forgot that he was up and down as the boy was but a servant boy and cried to watch the tomb, and to prespeaking. Of all his servants scornfully, "All the wQrld will vent the body from being stolen. none was so loved as the young know where Jesus is buried. You The Sabbath passed in gloom. lad, Benjamin, because he was a cannot hide his burial pl1ace. I But on the third day a great fearless disciple Qf Jesus. Joseph have heard that he said he would commotion arose in the streets. was a believer, too, but in secret. rise again from the dead." Often the master and servant People said to one another: "The journeyed together as father "Your faith shames my grave of Jesus is empty, in spite and son. Benjamin was excused years," said Joseph. of Pilot's guard. The stone is from his work to go to the rolled away! Jesus' disciples say market and public pl1aces to hear The llamp on the table flick- Jesus speak. The boy would re- ered as the door opened and a that he has risen from the dead." turn to the inn where Joseph heavily veiled lady crossed the Hearing this rumor, Joseph, Nic- room and ran to Nicodemus, cry- odemus and Benjamin hurried to awaited him and would sit up ing: "Suchan evil day I have the garden; they saw the empty half the night telling the mer- tomb and marvelled. They also chant what Jesus had said and never seen, my husband. I have been the whole day following the heard the stories of the women done. crowds. Jesus has been cruci- who had gone early to the gar- den and were told how the fied."
A full day they had traveled "But he promised that he will guards had tried to defend themfrom Arimathrea to Jerusalem to live again," cried Benjamin. selves. the house of Nicodemus, a ruler "Judith, this ,child is a disciple "Look," cried Benj amin, "how of the Jews. He, too, was drawn of Jesus, and he would have beautiful this garden is! See to Jesus and had visited him by Joseph give the new tomb in his how the flowers are blooming. night to ask him many questions. garden outside the walls of Jeru- It is a holy place and people will "He gave all fQr me," mut- salem for the body of Jesus," ex- come to see it from over the seas tered Joseph, partly to himself, plained NicQdemus. and across burning deserts." "even his life. And I stand here "I beg it, too," said she as she Benjamin was right. Of all hesitant to give his crucified clasped her hands and turned to the gardens in the world the body a corner of my garden. Yet Nicodemus. "Let us give linens most famous in song and story if I went to Pilate, it would be and aloes to a hundred pounds." is the garden of Joseph of known that I am a disciple of She swung around to Joseph, ex- Arimathrea where the body of claiming: "I would not be Pon- Jesus was buried and where he Jesus." "Ah, but if you love him, J 0- tius Pilate for all the perfumes rose from the dead. seph of Arimathrea, you will of the East. He is uneasy in his count it an hQnor to have his soul tonight. He will not refuse Making Use of This Story body rest in yQur new tomb. In you." Children like to take part in pagthe years to come, men will "I will do it," said Joseph sud- eants, especially when they can be in denly, "for my heart tells me not costume and perform before adults. travel from far and near to see They like better often to take part in the place. 'Here it was,' they to be a coward." plays among themselves and to let will say, 'that the Lord's body "I go with you," cried Nico- their imaginations supply stage prop- was laid by his friend J Qseph.' demus, "and will do whatever I erties and costumes.
[206 ] BULLETIN Council of Women for 'Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E, LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
===============================~ "CAN CHRISTIANS BIND carry it out. It is hoped that Three members, each from the THE WORLD TOGETHER?" there may be a national radio The only answer to this is: we broadcast as a closing address. National Council of Federated can try. As we face a choice be- But for this the local papers Church Women, the Council of should be watched and local pro- Women for Home Mission-s, and tween Christianity and chaos, grams arranged accordingly. and there seems to be no other the Committee on Women's alternative, it is important that Last year the church women Work of the Foreign Missions of 414 communities in forty-four Conference. The activities and we should think and work to- states and Canada reported havgether. The National Committee ing h e I d interdenominational interests which have become the May Luncheons for the first responsibilities of its committees of Church Women brings this time. This is all the more re- include: (1) International relachallenge to the Christian wom- markable in that only one such tions, (2) World Day of Prayer, en of 77,000 communities in the luncheon was held in New York (3) May Day Luncheon, (4) The United States, and asks that they City each year during the years Church Woman (magazine), and unite in a nation-wide observ- 1934 to 1937 with an average at- (5) local programs. ance of the May Luncheon on tendance in the two hundreds. Thursday, May 4, 1939. To quote from a few of the re- The foundations for the organ- ports which came in last year: The May Luncheons may be "Westminster, Maryland. The ization of the National Commitheld wherever convenient – ho- most thrilling thing was the way tee of Church Women in its prestel, parish house, church gym- all seven churches cooperated in ent form were many years in the nasium or private home-as long arranging for the luncheon." laying. During the early part of as all "come together with one "Elmira, New York. Our main mind." It is suggested that plans address was broadcast for forty- the twentieth century a number five min utes over WESG." of community women's interdebe started immediately by a local "Lyndhurst, New Jersey. A nominational g r 0 ups were wo man's interdenominational committee was appointed to meet formed to further programs of group, a church woman's group, ten days after the luncheon to study and service. The year or some one woman. The coop~ make plans for further unity." 1924 found these groups related "Lawrence, Kansas. Twelve deeration of all Christian women nominations were represented." to the Council of Women for in the community is vital. "In- Home Missions and the Federaterdenominational" means not *** tion of Woman's Boards of Foronly members of the Protestant eign Missions, but evidencing a churches but of all churches WHY IS THERE A NA- desire to extend their programs which "accept Jesus Christ as TJONAL COMMITTEE OF into fields beyond these forms of God and Saviour," for so does CHURCH WOMEN? "Recogthe constitution of the WorId nizing the desperate need of the mission service so as to include Council define its membership. world for the leadership of Jesus all phases of the church's pro- in all areas of life, we hereby de- gram. In ord~r that church women clare that it is imperative that the country over may face the the womanhood of America be- In 1936 the National Council task unitedly, it is. essential (1) come a united force for bringing that the subject for the luncheon in the Kingdom of God and that of Federated Church Women be, "Can Christians Bind the this united body shall relate it- elected a Commission on Re- World Together?"; (2) that the self definitely to an inclusive evaluation to make a study of the I uncheon he interdenomina- united C h r i s t ian advance." whole movement of interdenomtional; and (3) that it be held These words embody the objec- inational cooperation and relaon May 4th. A program outline tive of the Committee which tionships. One of its recommenis being prepared and will be came into being January, 1938. dations was that a conference of Who constitutes the National all national Protestant interdesent to anyone on receipt of five Committee of Church Women? nominational women's groups cents in stamps.. (Address: The and denominational leaders be National Committee of Church [207] held. Out of that conference, Women, Room 63, 297 Fourth held at Lake Geneva in July, Avenue, New York, N. Y.) Local 1937, came the recommendation that a cooperative committee be leaders will have to be secured to formed. This was a,pproved by the two mission organizations,
members were appointed, and an without the aid of God, but I terms of human personality and initial meeting held September, KNOW . . . I KNOW . . . it the right of every man to be 1937. This committee was con- cannot be done without Him." treated as a God-created being stituted as the National Commit- whatever his race, color or tee of Church Women in J an- "How can we make you see," creed." uary, 1938. said he to the young people, "that this is the greatest cause you can "We need to make better use "This committee has taken dedicate your lives to today. All of our leisure time, devoting it only the first steps in cooperation about you, you see practices chal- to our cause and let people know and coordination," states its lenging your sense of right and we have a cause worth working chairman. "We dare not proph- wrong. All about you are signs for." esy as to its future, but we hope of an undermining of our prethis initial step may mean a cious heritage, the democracy in "We need to discover the truth steadily growing unity among which we live, founded in faith about monopoly control, selfish church women in purpose, pro- by our forefathers with the courgram and action, for only thus age of a real conviction." use of land which robs the soil can the respons,ibility in the of the power to bear fruit, selfish overwhelming tasks which are Where can youth find a use of privilege, exploitation of facing the Church and the church greater challenge than the call labor groups, the underpriviwoman today be faced and met." to heal the deep cleavage so ap- leged migrants,share-croppers, parent in human relations today. MABEL M. SHEIBLEY, Man's inhumanity to man, greed, tenant farmers, the unemployed, crime, oppression, strife, envy, city slum areas, the plight of the Member of the Editorial American Indian and the prob- and Publicity Committee, hate, and war, are these not ene- lems of Indian youth, unfair Council 0 f Women f.or mies enough to challenge any ad- practices in industry and race Home Missions. discrimination. All of us are in venturous soul? A "CAUSE" FOR AMER- Following Dr. Muste's ad- close touch with some of these ICAN YOUTH conditions. We may find that dress, five young people told very church people are in part respon- On January 8 there was held in Baltimore a conference for graphically what avenues of sible and therefore not willing young people, the purpose of service were open to· young peO- that our investigations should be which was to help them see a ple. made an issue. We shall need the little more clearly how they could make real the fact that Christian The young people then sep- courage therefore of our convic- Youth has, the answer to the vital arated and met in small groups tions, that is why it is important problems that face our world to- to discuss more intimately ways day. that we have convictions, and and means of participation in dare to live by them." Choosing as its theme, "Chris- the enterprises which offer optian Youth Has the Answer," the portunities for service. "We do not need to be minis- Young People's Committee of the ters or missionaries to put the Home Missions Councils spon- A number of very concrete Gospel into action." sored this conference for young recommendations were the repeople in connection with the sult of these group conferences, "We can form study groups, annual meetings of the Home some of which we enumerate: join a discussion group, plan and Missions Councils. carry out local projects, make a "We need to inform ourselves survey together, e x c han g e Dr. Abraham Muste, of the concerning conditions that are friendship invitations with for- Labor Temple, New York City, impoverishing and debasing mil- eign groups, offer our leisure was invited to pres.ent to youth lions of our fellow countrymen." his challenging message born out time to social service and recreaof a deep personal conviction "We need to demonstrate that tional centers, give voluntary that Christ is the only answer we are not willing to accept priv- service to City Mission interest man has with which to meet the groups, offer to sponsor a group challenge of present-day living. ileges and opportunities for our- selves and be content to ignore for under-privileged children, In his opening address, Dr. another's lack of privilege." but before all else, practice Muste stressed the fact of sin Christ-like living in all our perand the need of a recognition of "We need so deep a conviction sonal relationships." it as the deep seated cause for that existing conditions are our all the unrest and problems of responsibility that we shall feel "We need to give much more our day. "The Christ-way," said compelled to do something about time to prayer." Dr. Muste, "will face the fact of them." sin, man's need of God, his help- Thus did these young people lessness without God and his "We need a better knowledge express themselves. Has youth power when linked with the a cause? The greatest and Eternal. Once I too thought that of the Bible and Jesus' teachings grandest and most challenging man's way out could be found in order that we may approach existing problems in a Christ- cause in the world – one that manner." Christ died for, and one that we as young people must make ours "We need to begin by asking with a throbbing passionate con- ourselves-Am I truly Christian cern. in my attitudes and actions, in all my relationships?" JULIA HEINES, "We need to stop thinking Chairman, Joint Committee on about discrimination against one Young People's Work, Home particular race and think in Missions Council and Council of Women for Home Missions.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO !.'p'
INDIA, BURMA AND SIAM orable man. I have observed Conference at a meeting of its that you Christian people seem Executive Committee in Lahore. Persecution Raises Its Head to know how to do this." In response to this appeal, the Executive Committee passed the Mrs. John L. Goheen, Presby- Danger to be Avoided following resolution: "This Conterian missionary in West India, ference views with alarm the resays that the Hindu world at The following quotation from cent increase in the number of Sangli has blown wide open in Bishop Lapp's book, "The Chris- marriages in cases where the its determination to prevent the tian Church and Rural India," first wife is alive. It condemns Mahars from becoming Chris- emphasizes one of the difficulties the action of those educated tian. Nightly mass meetings in in Christian work in a Hindu en- women who, setting aside all the theater were held with well- vironment: standards of common decency known speakers exalting Hindu- and sympathy for their own sex, ism, attacking Christianity, de- Christian influence is spread out have consented to marry men nouncing the missionaries, and thinly and watered down to what it whose wives are still living. It warning people against going to is considered the non-Christian staff further appeals to. all women to Miraj and the Hospital. Daily and local non-Christian opinion will discountenance and socially boyarticles in the vernacular news- stand for. The compulsory method of cott all such marriages., and do papers were full of untruth and attendance at religious teaching is their utmost to prevent the celeinuendos. Members of the Hindu practiced, which too often imposes up- bration of such marriages in Missionary Society and others on the pupils an insipid form of re- future." descended upon a group of Chris- ligious instruction. No conversions to tians at night with gas torches Christianity are expected, and the ed- -Indian Social Reformer. and tried ,to terrify or cajole ,ucational training for both Christian them into renouncing their faith. and non-Christian students is given in Conference of Missionaries Few went back to Hinduism a secularized Brahmin atmosphere. to Moslems and those who have done so were One has called it partially Hinduizing all from places where Christian our Christian boys. . . . He compared In December, under the ausservices were infrequent. The what in his opinion are futile and pices of the Henry Martyn whole experience teaches the fruitful schools and supported Mr. School of Islamic Studies, a twonecessity of strengthening the Arthur Mayhew's view that quality of day conference of missionaries Christian life by means of daily work, personality, leadership and free to Moslems was held in Delhi. worship and by training leaders experimentation should characterize The delegates (61 in all) were for every village. This has led the Christian school in India. Our drawn from Turkey, Iran, Palesto the adoption of a plan for call as Christian forces is to do some- tine, Cairo, Korea, and from al-' holding classes to develop lay thing of the finest quality and embody most every part of India. A leaders. The high quality of the Christian ideals in every part of number of those present were on those who have come into the school life for the sake of the Chris- their way to Madras for the classes makes it plain that a new tian boys as future leaders in the World Conference. Under the door has opened. Church and in new India, and for the leadership of Dr. Murray Titus, non-Christian pupils and Indian ed- the delegates discussed "The Mrs. Goheen relates a signifi- ucationalists who watch our work, Christian Enterprise, and Its Incant incident in connection with and to whom the Christian Church fluence on Islam." One session the kindergarten at Sangli. A will be either commended or con- was devoted to the need for well known nobleman asked a demned thereby. He criticized the Christian literature for Mosmember of the Mission to take Western Church for building up huge lems. Miss Constance Padwick, his grandson into her home and institutions which represent methods of Jerusalem, told of present to bring him up as her own son, alien to the Indian eye and thought, trends in literature; Rev. W. A. saying – "I want him to be a and difficult for the future Indian Zoerner described an experiment good boy." Church to manage, in the day when in newspaper evangelism in the transfer of control and manage- North India. "But, you know," said the mis- ment into the hands of the Indian sionary, "I should have to teach Church seems so near at hand. "Lord's Acre" Plan in Katpadi him in the Christian way." Punjab Leaders and Polygamy "We are so poor; the rains "Teach him what you please have failed; our young men have and as you please, but make him Several prominent leaders of an upright, clean living and hon- the Punjab have characterized polygamy as the greatest social evil of India. Not long ago a spirited appeal was made to all women by the Central Punjab Branch of the All-India Women's [209 ]
had to go away to the tea estates progressive Maharajah who died pointment of a missionary the to earn cash to pay taxes. How recently, was to make an agree- next year. It soon undertook is it possible to double our ment to prevent alcoholic bev- w 0 r k among the depressed church contribution, if the Mis- erages from going to Bombay classes in Central Travancore, sion withdraws its help and we from his state which adjoins the from whom it met ready reare to pay our pastor his $25 a Bombay presidency. sponse. Within six years, it or- month ?" Total prohibition is one of the ganized the annual Convention at This was the response to the chief objectives of the Congress Mar3Jmon which is the largest news that the Arcot Mission was for an India which they hope to evangelical Christian gathering obliged to discontinue its annual make absolutely independent of in the world. The Convention grant of $150 to a rural church. England. Writing in his weekly which lasts for a week has been A meeting was called; the mis- paper "Harijan," Gandhi says conducted regularly for the last sionary explained the "Lord's the Congress has the right to ex- forty-four years.
Acre" idea, and it was agreed to pect the sympathy "of the best The audience, which often send month-old, purebred chick- minds in the whole world in this, numbers over thirty thousand, ens from the poultry farm toO perhaps the greatest moral listens to the GoOspel truths froOm some 200 village homes, to be movement of the century." famous evangelists. The activi- raised and later contributed to ties of the association oOutgrew the church. The plan took root, To Train Women Workers the boundaries oOf Travancore and Rev. J. J. ValoOis has set within which it was oOriginally down SoOme of the tangible re- Last year the Punjab governsuIts: The IoOcal income was ment launched a five-year plan confined. In its eighteenth antrebled; the pastor received his for rural development, and as a nual meeting it decided to undersalary regularly; everyone had part of this plan a domestic take missionary activities oOut- side Travancore, and then in a specific share in making the training school for women will Bombay Presidency. venture a success, and the spir- be opened in Lahore. One stuitual life was deepened; the dent from each district has been Membership is open to all selected. Christians without distinction, work was not a "flash in the It is claimed toO be the first at- and every member is expected pan," but interest has continued; tempt of its character in India. to be a witness. "N0 debts" is purebred poultry has spread to After receiving nine months another principle lately adopted. other villages; the project at- training these women welfare tracted attention of other vil- -National Missionary lages; and it was the Indians workers will be posted to their Intelligencer. themselves, not the foreign mis- respective districts and tour sioOnary, whoO made the plan selected villages. They will teach Gospel Transforms Primitive work. -Agricultural Mission women improved methods of Men cooking, sewing, knitting, ele- Notes. mentary hygiene, animal hus- Rev. C. U. Strait, of the bandry, fruit culture, gardening, Burma Baptist Mission, says PoOrt of Bombay Decreed Dry that on his first trip to the Chin cooperatives, maternity and wel- Hills fifteen years ago, the Dewitt MacKenzie, Associated fare work. The school will be Deputy Commissioner, a fellow Press correspondent, says that run on residential lines. passenger, bluntly asked him if Gandhi's crusade to make India he knew where he was going; -The Guardian (Bombay).
dry in three years appears to be Mar Thoma Evangelistic and on finding that Mr. Strait "going places." His latest tri- Association was on his way toO undertake umph puts the world famous missionary work, added: "Do port of Bombay on the dry list The Mar Thoma Syrian Chris- you know that the Haka Chins as from August 1. This cosmo- tian Evangelistic Association of are all drunkards-men, women politan city of about 1,200,000 the Reformed Syrian Church in and children?" They were not people has for centuries provided Malabar has completed fifty only drunkards, he found, but the means of quenching the years of missionary work. 'It dirty to the point of being filthy, thirst of wayfarers from all na- preceded the National Mission- and ignorant beyond belief. Povtions. ary Society of India by 17 years. erty, too, was the natural conse- Thus far, out of the 11 prov- It was in September, 1888, that quence. inces of British India, partial twelve men met in Central Tra- A review of what has happrohibition has been inaugurated vancore and decided to fOrllli an pened in a decade and a half is in half a dozen where the nation- association to take the Christian convincing proof of the power alists-that is, the All-India Na- message to their fellowmen of the Gospel. There are now tional Congress – have gained without distinction of caste, Christians in more than a huncontrol of the governments. Ad- creed or denomination. Every dred villages; four hundred or dition of the rich prize of Bom- member of the group was to con- more are baptized every year. bay to the list will give the move- tribute according to his means, Not many of these revert to ment much impetus. as well as to be himself a witness heathenism. Drunken f e as t s One of the last acts of the bearer. Growth in membership have given way toO the Commun- Gaekwar of Baroda, the famQus and funds made possible the ap- ion Service, and it is an in-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
spirational scene never to be for- tian Homes Campaign of the Hangchow College in Shanghai gotten, says Mr. Strait, to attend Chinese Church, which aims at the Communion Service at a making every Christian home a Dr. Clarence B. Day, of Hang- Chin Hill Association meeting. center of witness. Daily family chow Christian College, writes There twelve to fifteen hundred worship is insisted upon, and is that this college, driven from Christians come together from becoming the regular custom. Hangchow by the Japanese infar and near, and instead of hair Many Chinese Christians would vasion, is now carrying on in the pulling and drunken bouts, one be greatly surprised if they Continental Emporium (a bankobserves a very devout and con- came to America and found how ing and office building) on Nansecrated service. While all are rare a thing is family worship. king Road, Shanghai. St. John's seated closely together on the College was located here a year ground, the service is conducted Missionaries Help Victims ago and Soochow University and without commotion and with the Science Departments of the reverence and dignity. The NO'rth American News- University of Shanghai occupy paper Alliance adds its testimony space in the same building. Indian Church in Rangoon to the service rendered by mis- These temporary arrangements sionaries during the war. More have been made possible by Three years ago an Indian than 4,000 Americans have American contributions. These Church was established in Ran- joined about 3,000 missionaries institutions are working togO'O'n at Judson College. This of other Western nations in gether in class work and operate church now has 88 members, of forming a highly specialized a joint library and a student whom 64 are men and 24 are corps which constitutes the only cafeteria. There are about 2,000 women. During the past year prO'tection the Chinese have in men and women students that there were 16 baptisms. Pastor the dangerous and frequently tax the seating capacity of the Devadass devotes his time to the Iong interval between the retreat classrooms and crowd the elevachurch and evangelistic work of Chinese civil and military tors and stairways. The new amO'ng the Tamils and Telugus forces and the establishment of educational posters display the within the school and in the vi- law and order by the Japanese slogan: "War or no war, Chinese cinity. There are 83 children in invaders. Often they act as Pied Youth must be educated." the Bible school. Pipers to' lead hO'meless children O'ut of the danger zone. For Communists Less Hostile – Watchman-Examiner. more than two years, in addition to Christianity to their usual evangelistic, med- CHINA ical and educational work, they Dr. Earl Cressy, in China have undertaken such special Marches Toward the Cross, Building for the Future tasks as scouring the streets for makes the remarkable statement wO'unded, thrusting themselves that anti-Christian sentiment "Button your cO'at!" is an between drunken Japanese sol- among communists is disappearorder heard frequently on the diers bent 'On looting and raping ing. It is not to be concluded street of any Chinese city. It is their victims, and generally try- that all of them are becoming part of the New Life Move- ing to ease the blows of an occu- Christians, but there is a vast ment which is waging war upon pation by an army that is a law- change from the bitter spirit of untidiness, laziness, .vice and less mob. The conduct of the 1928. Freedom has been given dirt. Anyone slouching along the missionaries is adding a remark- to evangelistic bands of Chinese street with garments half on is able chapter to the history of hu- pastors to circulate among them likely to be told by a member of man heroism in the face of gall- and preach the Gospel. This the YO'uth Brigade to straighten ing trial. sweeping change is described by up his shoulders and keep on the Bishop Roots: left side of the rO'ad. But this is "Only nationals of a foreign not all. The New Life Movement nation can meet the invaders "A short time ago I invited to sends inspectors intO' homes, and and talk to them," is a statement lunch with me one of' the comlabels are affixed to dO'O'rs in- repeated over and over again. munist generals whom I had forming the public whether the heard of in 1930 as a determined hoones are clean or dirty. Every The actual number of mission- enemy of Christianity. After child in school is expected to' do aries on the field has decreased preliminary polite remarks, but something to improve his own by only about 10ro' since the war before he would eat, he asked particular surroundings. Armies began. Board officials report the me, 'Do you remember our past?' of fly swatters strive to see who frequent spectacle of mission- I replied that I remembered him can produce the largest number aries on field trips, caught by an as one who, some years ago, had of dead' flies in a given time. advancing Japanese army, has- carried some of my friends tening frantically back to their around with him as his prison- The O'ld and mid-dle aged in posts, from which Chi n e s e ers. To this he said, 'There were night schoO'ls learn to read how armies and refugees were as many misunderstandings then. a literate people can build a new frantically fleeing away. All de- The missionaries have helped China. The war with Japan has nominations and agencies report much in Shens,i and Shansi. We only increased the ardor of both a large increase in the number are sorry for the misunderstandold and young. Paralleling the of conversions. New Life Movement is the Chris-
ings of the past and want to black lacquer tablet with the JAPAN-CHOSEN work with them for the good of four Chinese words meaning "True Source of All Created Japan Sends Buddhist Priests China hereafter.''' – Watchman-Examiner. Things." The presentation was made in A subtle move on the part of Persecution and Destruction Japan is to send Buddhist priests style. There were musicians and to China, a piece of mission work Forty years of devoted, effi- bearers in gay uniform, some undertaken by the Japanese Budcient service in one of the hard- dhist Federation, whose memest fields in the world, Chinese fine speeches were made and the bership comprises 159,000 Bud- Turkestan, has been tragically usual picture taken. To ensure dhist priests. interrupted. Fourteen of the tha,t only good influences should seventeen missionaries who have Two hundred Japanese Budbeen working under the auspices prevail while the tablet was be- dhist priests have been chosen of the Swedish Mission in Sin- ing hung, the band dared not for the work. Their activities kiang Province (Chinese Tur- stop playing while it was hoisted began October 1 with an inkestan) have been compelled to and fastened in place high above tensive three-weeks' course in return home because of the per- the pulpit. the Chinese language, this course being provided by the Ministry -London Missionary Herald.
secution of the Christians and The Resurgence in the West of Education. Since both peothe practically utter destruction ples use the same characters, the of their work. During a Moslem China's Millions makes fur- acquisition of a working knowlrevolt the station at New Kash- ther comment on the significance edge of Chinese will not be an gar was burned; later the rebels of the westward trek of refu- insuperable task for these J apwere suppressed or driven into gees, which has included per- anese priests.-The Guardian. India. But local authorities re- sonnel of government departvived the persecution, scattering ments, leaders of education, or imprisoning the Christians finance and industry, seeking re- Korean Village Campaign and closing the printing office establishment in "free" China. The plans of the Oriental Misand the hospital. The British A government commission made sionary Society include the send- Foreign Office sought to remedy a survey of these western prov- ing of bands of students to the the situation, but as there was islands off the coast of Korea. no improvement only three mis- inces, and found that their rich- The islanders are very poor, as ness in natural resources is far sionaries have remained to beyond the imagination of those they suffer frequent drouths and watch developments. living in eastern China. They live chiefly on barley instead of Honoring the Church have remained unexploited for rice. Many of them live and die on the island where they were VVhen the Japanese forces lack of good communications, born, without ever making a trip but there are now strategic to the mainland, and therefore were attacking Tsinan, the UTa motor roads linking the large know nothing of such modern cities; one 1,400 miles long ex- things as railway trains and Huai Shu" Christian center shel- motor cars. The students were tered more than 1,000 women tends to the Burmese frontier, often mistaken for government and girls. for over a month, and and it was along this highway officials or police, and many fed those destitute. To show their gratitude, the citizens came that our American ambassador places they had to work for some made the first trip by private car time to assure the people that to the mission and said: "Let us it was all right for them to acpresent you with a red silk um- on his return to the United cept the Gospel tracts. which they States. brella on which the names of the were distributing. donors are inscribed in golden There is an astonishing num- ber of Christians among these letters." "VVhat could we do fleeing refugees, and like the with a red silk umbrella," the "scattered brethren" of the early As they journeyed here and church, they are "everywhere there they sometimes arrived on missionaries asked. "Then we will present you preaching the word." As to stu- an island at midnight, and would find all the inns closed and the with an inscribed tablet that will dents, a missionary writes: extol your virtues to a hundred "If you can imagine all the occupants asleep. They would generations," they said. school boys and girls and univer- then climb the rocks above the "That won't please us," re- sity students of England scat- sea and spend the rest of the plied the missionaries, "we don't tered over the capitals of Europe night praying for all those asleep want to be glorified. VVhy not you get some picture of the ex- below in sin and ignorance. buy a bell to call people to wor- tent, although not of the number, Statistical reports show that ship? If you must present a of refugee students." Another these bands walked 3,519 miles, gift, let it be one in praise of the missionary in Yunnanfu empha- dealt personally with 4,242 perheavenly Father who kept us sizes the spiritual changes that sons, held 218 open-air meetings, safe." So it was decided and have come about, and says that with the result that 918 persons these words were embossed on so strong is the national unity definitely sought the Saviour.
the bell: "The Bell to Rouse the that China can never be con- -Oriental Missionary VVorld." They also prepared a quered by an enemy. Standard.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO NORTH AMERIOA ing to the religious faith of their families. The bill further pro- Going to New Guinea Is America Becoming Pagan? vides that pupils be credited with the time so spent, as if in The latest word from Captain Here are a few facts that actual attendance in school. Ellis Skolfield says that the pro- would seem to substantiate Dr. jected New Guinea trip of the William Adams Brown's claim A Nation-Wide Reading Poll Gospel Ship is now definitely that "America is progressively under way, and the Ship is now becoming pagan." Nearly half The American Institute of at J 010, the last outpost of the of our present population claims Public Opinion has recently com- Philippines b e for e entering no sort of relationship to the pleted a poll on the question: Dutch waters. At J 010 the bal- Christian Church. Ten thousand "What is the most interesting ance of supplies and oil are be- rural communities are church- book you ever ·read?" The aning taken aboard and the re- less, while thirty thousand have swers indicate that the Bible is mainder of the Ship's personnel no pastor in residence. Ap- still the most favored. However, are being awaited. proximately 13,400,000 Ameri- the age distribution is disquiet- can children under twelve years ing. The percentage of people In addition to a full crew in- of age receive no religious in- more than fifty years old who cluding two engineers, there will struction whatever. Many moun- preferred it was more than twice be Captain Skolfield, Dr. Culley, tain pockets and range regions as large as those between thirty Rev. Simon Meek, pastor of the of the South and West, back- and fifty; and six times as high Chinese Church in Manila who ward sections of New England, as those under thirty. will go along as interpreter and Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, the Chinese evangelist and Rev. Dakotas, and elsewhere, voice An editorial in the New York Percy Fraser, independent mis- urgent demands for adequate re- Times declares: sionary who has served in the ligious ministries. Utah has Navy and who will go along as seven whole counties without a Any comment on this may do no special helper to Captain Skol- functioning evangelical mission. more than betray the age of the comfield, also as an addition to the mentator; but it remains a plausible crew. Mr. Fraser is also an In Maine, 100,000 rural folk conjecture that if fewer of the young earnest soul-winner. In addition have no religious opportunities, people of today prefer the Bible it is to these men there will be sev- and throughout New England, because fewer of them read it. It eral Filipino evangelists in the contains not only about the best Engparty. only 40 % of the adults and 33 % lish prose ever written but a greater variety of material than can be found A special gift has made pos- of the young people are claimed in any other single volume on the book sible the purchase of a new life by any church or Sunday school. market; purely as literature, some of boat and some other needed A study of 11 townships of one the most widely read persons in all equipment. Michigan county showed 1,005 ages have found it better reading than children enrolled in 46 public anything else. Oentral Philippine Oollege schools, yet with no church or Sunday school. Another Mich- But in the days when it was uni- Central Philippine College at igan county reported that ap- versally read it was not read purely Iloilo has encouraged local self- proximately one-half its public as literature; it was read because it government since its beginning school pupils were unrelated to was the Word of God, the infallible in 1923, when four Filipino any church, Protestant, Catholic guide for life. If fewer people read members were elected to serve or Jewish. it now, that is to the lasting detriment with the seven missionary mem- of the cultural background of a nation. bers on the school's board of Moral Instruction in Schools trustees. By 1929 a majority of No such survey has previously the trustees were Filipinos. Mis- A bill introduced in the New been made, so that this one does sionaries' places were filled by Jersey State Legislature in Feb- not determine a trend. Some Filipinos in 1936 and 1937 when ruary proclaims in its preamble believe that an adequate apprea number of missionary terms that "One of the first requisites ciation of the Bible can only be expired. In accord with this of a harmonious, contented and acquired in later life, while policy, President H. F. Stuart prosperous state depends upon others say it can never be truly recently offered his resignation, religious tolerance and under- appreciated unless it has been expecting that a Filipino would standing." This bill would au- loved from youth. be chosen to head the institution. thorize public schools to provide The trustees felt that the time one hour of moral instruction In Behalf of Ohina had not yet come for this, and each week; and local boards appointed Rev. F. H. Rose as would be authorized-a permis- American interest in the sufacting president, while they look sive measure – to survey the ferings of the Chinese and the about for a suitable Filipino for religious affiliations of pupils. fate of China is shown by the vice-president, who may later With such information in hand, fact that there are eighty orbecome president. boards could then excuse certain ganizations in America working pupils to attend their respective for the relief of the Chinese suf- -Watchman-Examiner. places of· worship, there to re- ferers or to create practical sym- ceive moral instruction accord- pathy in their behalf. A direc- tory of these groups, published at 33 West 55th Street, New York City, includes all types of organizations, emphasizing va-
rious projects such as political young presbyters were conse- their disregard of the prior occuaid to China, the boycott of Jap- crated. It is patterned after a pation of a field by other Chrisanese goods, the promotion of similar venture started about tian workers. All Christians trade with China, friendly rela- eighteen months earlier in Nas- might learn some valuable lestions and relief of sufferers. sau and Suffolk Counties, New sons from the work of this ener- Eleven of the American organ- York. -New York Times. getic denomination.
izations are composed entirely of German-speaking Churches Chinese. They are scattered all The Seventh-Day Adventists over the country, from New York to California, and from The General Conference of German-speaking churches in Toronto, Canada, to Durham, Seventh-Day Adventists was or- North Carolina. ganized in 1863 – seventy-five the United States form the years ago. Today the work of Progress of Church Union largest foreign group in the Con- this Church is carried forward Those who wish to see denom- all over the world. The Church gregational- Christian Church. inational union will be interested was founded in 1845 and was to know that twelve such unions stimulated by a revival in Bible These have an aggregate memhave taken place in the United study on both sides of the At- States since 1906. Dr. E. D. bership of 22,166, and 109 pas- Kohlstedt, President of the Home lantic Ocean. The leaders em- Missions Council, lists them as phasized keeping God's law, tors. Most of these are in rural follows: especially the observance of the communities. Approximately 95 1906-Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., seventh day as the Sabbath, the and Cumberland Presby- imminent second coming of per cent are German immigrants terian Church. Christ and the judgment on un- from Russia, and the children of 1911-Northern Baptist and Free believers. In 1844 Adventists Baptist Churches. counted a thousand followers such parentage. Who are these and in 1863 there were 3,500 1917-Three Lutheran groups form members. In 1874 these had in- people? German colonists, after the Norwegian Church in creased to 7,000 and in 1894 to America. 42,763. Thirty years later there 1763, settled in southeastern were 70,000 members in Europe 1918-Three other Lutheran bodies Russia and became the object of form the United Lutheran alone with a total of 238,657 in Church. 5,393 churches in all lands. intense persecution. In the early There were then 8,679 pastors 1920-Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., and missionaries scattered to the seventies of the last century, the and Welsh Calvinistic Meth- odist Church. ends of the earth – in addition Czar determined to make Rus- to institutional workers. Today 1922-Evangelical Association and the Adventists report 28,029 sians out of them, and it was United Evangelical Church. workers in 385 countries and in then they sought America, the 1924-Reformed Church in the United 714 languages and dialects. They States and Hungarian Re- have a total membership of land of liberty. Emigration be- formed Church. 452,758 with 8,388 organized churches. The work continues gan at once, but it was not until 1924-Congregational and Evangelical to grow through 5,923 mission- Protestam Churches. after 1890 that they came in ary Volunteer Societies with a 1931-Congregational and Christian membership of 130,748. The large numbers, after which there groups are united. total denominational investment is reported to be $60,026,066. was a continuous influx until 1931-Three Lutheran bodies merge into the American Lutheran Two secrets of the progress 1914. By 1920 there were Church. of this Christian movement seem to be: (1) the missionary spirit 303,532 of their number first 1934-Evangelical Synod of North of its members; (2) the em- America and Ref 0 r m e d and second generation, in the Church in United States. United States. 1939-Unification of American Meth- odism. It is significant that the young Youth Presbytery in Brooklyn people are making little or no In Brooklyn, N. Y., twelve of effort to break away from the religious traditions of their elders. Although there is little opportunity for fellow s hip among these German Congrega- tionalists, since they are scat- tered over a wide area, they maintain their entity as if by un- seen ties, and hold to their mother tongue with great te- nacity. -Advance.
Why Work Among Mormons?
the 38 Presbyterian churches phasis on the Bible as the Word Recently a contributor to and missions have set up a pro- of God; (3) the tithing system Westminster College in Utah visional youth presbytery, made that produces a large and steady wrote Hans P. Freece, a repreup of delegates from young peo- income for church and mission- sentative of this College, and a ples' groups. Their purpose is ary work; (4) the wide use of former Mormon: "As Mormons to promote greater cooperation Christian literature; and (5) the no longer practice polygamy, and in religious work with members large number of volunteer we are led to believe they are their own age from churches of workers. highly educated, with a great other denominations. Members The chief criticisms of the deal of culture and refinement, are to be between the ages of movement are their undue em- just what is the purpose of mis- 15 and 30. phasis on the Old Testament sionary work among them?" To The project was formally Law-especially the observance which Mr. Freece replies :-"It launched in January, when 28 of the old Jewish Sabbath-and is true that polygamy is not now
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
openly practiced, but Mormons forc~ the law against selling liquor Colombian Missionary Society to mmors and to intoxicated persons say the Lord has only suspend- we would request the Territorial A correspondent in Colombian Liquor Commission to deny license re- Clippings describes a meeting of ed it for the time being and that funds to the town, and instead turn ~he Women's Missionary Society that money into the Territorial Treas- m the Central Presbyterian He will restore it in His own ury. Consequently the law was rigidly enforced and there was and is prac- Church of Barranquilla.. There time. God Himself has many tically no drunkenness. The mer- are the usual officers, with com- chant~ re~ort that many long out- mittees expected to have somewives, they say, and polygamy is standmg bIlls have been paid and that thing to report at each meeting. sales I;lre the largest in' years – for Roll call is answered with each practiced in heaven." ~rocerIes, hardware, paint and cloth- member repeating a Bible verse; mg. Mr. Troutman, the principal, de- there is a free will offeriXlg, and "Refinement and culture" are serves all the credit for his fearless a true prayer service. cooperation and determination to probelow the average in Utah. Some tect the natives. The society contributes to help support sick members, and paid better class Mormons send their Monday Morning says that al- the expenses for the hospitaliza- most every third door on the young people to Westminster main street of Sitka is a liquor tion of a faithful member. They stor~. This means sixty saloons also helped to purchase a horse College to get "refinement and servmg a population of less than and saddle for an itinerant mis- 3,500. Alaskan natives are so sionary. culture" ; also, high scholastic ,concerned about this situation attainments. Mormons do not know God nor trust in Jesus Christ, and Christian workers are needed in Utah for the same reason they are needed in China India and Africa. '
Indians On Their Own? that the Alaskan Native Broth- erhood, and Alaskan Native Sis- One of the recommendations terhood, at their 26th annual Among Primitive Indians on Indian work made by the convention, went on record as in favor of a system of governmen- The South American Indians Home Missions Council at its last tal control of liquor, similar to form one of the many groups meeting was a motion for the re- that in force in British Colum- that await the coming of the moval of certain Indian groups bia. missionary. These neglected peofrom the wardship of the Gov- ple range from healthy and ernment, particularly those who LATIN AMERICA friendly to degenerate and suscan well afford to meet their picious. They live in hidden vilobligations in taxation and other Cuban Workers Encouraged lages of the jungle, some orderly, elements of citizenship. some not, in primitive grass Several features of the Cuban houses. Other recommendations called work during the past year mark for the preparation of a state- advance, according to a South- The Inland South America ment setting forth the essentials ern Baptist report. Services are Missionary Union sent two of of a missionary program for In- more largely attended. Sunday their staff, with Indian guides, dians, involving trained leader- schools al'e larger. There are to survey the possibilities for more. frequent calls for cottage wo fo rtkh ea l omnigg ht ht iee sXt i ntgriubuRtiavreir~sonoef ship and one or more cooperative meetmgs. Places of worship are the Amazon. The first five days parishes for experimental work. taxe~ to capacity at ordinary were overland by mule back, Included in this statement is to serVIces, and are proving too attended by every possible diffibean appraisal of the Church's small for special occasions. culty connected with mule psywork in relation to other agen- chology. Then they reached the cies, and suggestions as to serv- The same spirit is manifest in river and the l'est of the trip was many different sections. At Co- by canoe, which sounds pleasant ices best performed by the lon, where people seemed apa- and peaceful but was not. The Church, as well as those best thetic a year ago, there are full canoes were crudely hollowed performed by other agencies. houses at all services. An evan- logs, shallow and heavily loaded. gelist who carried forty decision There were frequent and diffi- -Monday Morning. cards with him when he began cult portages. The sun was blaz- special services in Colon found ing and the insects biting. The Liquor in Alaska they were not enough. This Indian guides fished with bow steady growth calls for better and arrow. One of the men hung Much controversary has arisen trained workers. his clothes to dry on the ropes of the mosquito net one night, and over the liquor problem in Alas- The Southern Baptist Semi- in the morning found that car- nary, now in its third year, has rier ants had happened along ka, and the natives themselves seventeen students. Five go out and devoured most of his shirt. on Sunday to as many different deplore the laxness of law en- centers. Enrolment in the Mis- forcement. Rev. R. K. Wthheeelnear~ of Haines, writes t hat tives had success in their fishing last season, and knowing the peril they were facing he and the government school principal determined to prevent the natives sion School has reached 200 not The missionaries viewed their including seminary students: The hardships with a sense coofnhscuimouosr~ from squandering all their earn- name has been changed from and their perils with a ings on whiskey. He says: Cuban American College to Co- ness of God's protecting care. We notified the Town Council that legio Bautista (Baptist College). -Episcopal News Service. unless the town marshals strictly en-
Two Missions Merged been put up. After surveying the assemblies devoted to the enrich- situation, Mr. Everitt writes: ment of spiritual life. The two Presbyterian Missions in Brazil, the Central and At present there are about 150 In- One is inclined to believe that the South, have been merged for dians living at Poso Yacare and I the pr·esent lull in the battle administrative reasons, and will suppose 200 or more working at the against the Evangelical Churches now be called the Central Brazil cane fields, who will be shortly return- at present is based upon the Mission. Brazil is larger than the ing; there are also numbers of In- same theory as that followed by United States, and the lack of dians living in the vicinity. As there the Communists in Russia in the roads in the interior make it im- is plenty of forest here where they can earlier days of their antireligious possible for committees or collect wild fruits, plenty of fish in the activities: that of letting the administrative g r 0 ups from river, and fruitful ground for gardens,. "old fools" have their churches widely spaced regions to meet there is no reason why this should not so long as youth can be won for planning and organizing be a prosperous startion. -away. The choicest boys are bework. Although the lack of com- ing picked and trained as teachmunications is still a serious To cut down trees and put up build- ers, burgomasters, government problem, it is less so than for- ings is one thing, he continues, but to officials and army officers. They merly, and the two missions be- teach these people and lead them to are insulated as far as possible lieve that greater economy and Christ requires nothing short of a from all Christian influences. more effective work will result miracle. But we have seen miracles from the union. of this kind, and we know that God is -Advance. all-powerful. Lavras Agricultural College Nazification Objectives -Life of Faith. This institution, under the No comment is needed upon auspices of the Southern Presby- EUROPE the following quotation from an terian Church, has recently been address of Alfred Rosenberg, given a very distinct recognition Bibles at Glasgow Empire culture minister of the German by the Brazilian government, Exhibition Reich: having its diplomas accepted for official registration. This mission The great "Empire Exhibi- That the Catholic Church and also agricultural college was the only tion" of Glasgow was open from the Confessional Church, in their presprivate school in Brazil obtain- May to October, 1938, and was ent form, must disappear from the ing such recognition. While the visited by more than 12,000,000 life of our people, is my full convicgovernment realized that the people. Many opportunities were tion, .. , The Hitler Youth Organizaphysical equipment of Lavras afforded for distributing Bibles, tion is an absorbent sponge which was not on a full equality with and none more unique than nothing can withstand. Furthermore, the official government schools, among the dwarfs of "Midget the development of our teaching the outstanding work of the Lav- Town" in the Amusement Park. scheme in schools of all categories is ras graduates caused them to ac- A few of them were Germans, of such an anti-Christian-Jewish type cept the work of Lavras as being the rest Poles, so with a supply that the growing generation will be fully equivalent to that of its of German and Polish Gospels a forewarned against the black-coat own schools. worker sought permission to dis- swindle, , .. We have another means tribute them. He was told that of pressure also and that is the finan- For many years the school had it would be of no use, but the cial one. But here also we must prono more than 2'5 students, but little people were found to be ceed prudently, although systematisince the government recogni- eager to receive the copies. "Po- cally, so as to cut the financial arteries tion the number has gone up to li, Poli," they cried delightedly supplying those clergy whom we cannearly 100. Every effort is now as they retired to a corner to not win over. . . . Reasonable men being made to put the equipment read. will, under pressure, find themselves on a par with that of the govern- compelled to submit to National Soment schools. Some time later a second visit cialist leadership. was paid to "Midget Town," and -Agricultural Mission the visitor was not forgotten. The expected offensive against Notes. Polish Testaments were joyfully Catholic schools in Austria has accepted. The worker was asked been more rapid than was an- In Argentine Chaco to inscribe each copy, after ticipated, and the few Catholic which he was invited to have tea schools permitted to continue The South American Mission- with the midgets. Afterwards, function are those for defective ary Society has established a new it was found that these little station at Poso Yacare, Argen- people carried their Testaments children. * tine Chaco, and the people are about as if a precious possession. eager to learn about the Gospel. The Waldensians Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Everitt have Bible Sales Increase taken up permanent residence in Germany Torre PeIlice, the little capital there, and several buildings have of Italian Protestantism, might The three Bible Societies in be called "the Geneva of Italy." the German Reich (those of There are today 120 Waldensian Wurttemberg, Saxony and Prus- churches and missions through- sia) report an extraordinary in- crease in the sale of Bibles. In • The bulletin of the World's Student line with this is the increased Christian Federation states that on August attendance at Christian summer 19 the German press announced the sup- preSSion of the German Student Christian Movement and the German Women Student Christian Movement.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
out the land. Lack of funds has effect, and it is said that condi- establishment of international closed the doors of many of their order. schools. One in a remote part of tions are worse now than at that Sicily, with 250 pupils all from -Life of Faith. non-Protestant families, is kept time. Wandering Preachers in open by self-sacrifice on the part Soviet Union of the teachers, who continue Baptist Churches in Rumania without salary. This school has A magazine article recently a long waiting list. Parents pre- In spite of a government order published in Warsaw reveals fer to send their children to the permitting several B apt i s t that in spite of persecution, Or- Evangelical School, even though churches in Rumania to reopen, thodox priests and non-conforma small fee is required, while all churches of that denomina- ist preachers travel up and down government schools are free. tion remain closed; and will re- Russia, holding services and fuse to open even one unless per- evangelizing. They have been Every morning the day's work mission is granted to all. There begins with an hour's Bible are 1,602 Baptist churches in deprived of their parishes, and teaching. The work has far- Rumania. The Minister of the have no settled home. Most of reaching results, as shown by an Interior has given 0 r d e r s them have registered as craftsincident recounted by the pastor. throughout Rumania that no men, to shield themselves from Talking to a boy of nine, he more Baptists are to be arrested, persecution ; and earn their livasked him whether his parents and churchmen are pinning their ing by any kind of manual work could read. To his astonishment, faith to him. Some have it that ililteracy being high in the place, the Rumanian Government is they can find to do, sewing boots, the boy responded, "Yes, Sir." anxious to place itself in a favor- sharpening knives or laying "Where did they go to school?" able light in the United States, brick. Wherever opportunity was the next question, to which in view of the New York World's the answer came, "They have Fair, soon to open. presents itself, they minister to never been to school." Mystified, the spiritual needs of the people. the pastor asked, "How then did Eastern Orthodox Churches All this in spite of the fact that they learn to read?" "I taught in Soviet Russia only officially them," was the boy's answer. The Provisional Committee of registered persons may perform "Every day, when I go home, I the World Council of Churches, teach them from my Bible what meeting in Paris, decided to religious services, and only in I have been learning at school." stress particularly the Commit- chapels under constant super- tee's work among the Eastern vision of local authorities. Unquestionably, to evangelize Orthodox Churches of Russia Italy is to promote the peace of and the Balkans. A special depu- In a recent number of The Europe and of the world. tation was authorized to visit the Godless, the Commissar for Balkans with a view tci strength- Atheism has a curious observa- -The Christian. ening ties, and to develop relief tion: "Ever since the beginning work among the hundreds of Purge of Minorities churches suffering from govern- of the Revolution, no clergyman ment oppression. It was also de- fears the Internationale; where- A missionary in Rumania, re- cided to hold an ecumenical sem- as Bolsheviks even up to the turning from furlough in the inar in Hungary, for the benefit present day experience terror at United States, says that after of student pastors, ministers and the sight of the Cross." "the glorious freedom" at home lay leaders. the return to Rumania is like be- -Life of Faith. ing abruptly landed in another As for the possibility of callworld; and is confident that not ing a confel'ence to discuss the Jewish Home a Failure since the days of the catacombs economic and other causes of has there been such a gigantic war, as purposed by the Federal Ten years ago the Soviet plan to wipe out completely all Council of Churches, it was Evangelical Christianity as that pointed out that the demands of Union founded a Jewish Home being launched by the Govern- the rulers of Germany, Italy and ment of Rumania, unless one ex- Japan have gone far beyond in Siberia, near the Manchukuo cepts that of Russia. Threats, mere economic issues; and inbeatings, arrests and closed volve racial, political and im- frontier. It was planned to setchurches are the methods being perial ambitions which no conused. This missionary believes ference can deal with. Hope tle, on collective farms, Jews that the year 1939 is the time set was expressed that individual by Rumania to purge all reli- Christians may exert an in- from the Ukraine, White Russia gious minorities, and has set fluence to check the drift toward herself to the task in dead war; and general secretaries and other parts of the Soviet earnest. were asked to call together a small number of competent per- Union, to develop the rich min- This was written before the sons, representative of different decree withdrawing rights and nations and churches, who may eral resources and timber of the privileges of Baptists went into exchange their thought as to the region, and gradually to create a self-supporting economic unit.
It was thought that 100,000 Jews would settle in this 12,000 square mile area in ten years.
Later, Jews from other countries were to be invited.
There was some response on the part of Jews, but there has been a large exodus, for not more than 20,000 are now living there, and they are outnumbered by non-Jewish inhabitants, three to one. -Alliance Weekly.
Anti-Church Maneuvers beria, only remaining free ter- There are seven native pas- ritory, the Government has in- tors, 7 licentiates, 201 evange- The difference between com- vited the Mission to Lepers to lists, 152 teachers; and, with munism and lliaziism in their at- secretaries, a total paid staff of titude toward the Church seems cooperate with it and with the 368. Church gains are reported to be one of method only, and three main Missions there in a in all phases of the work. The may be summarized thus: "Rus- campaign to wipe out leprosy. parish has grown to 15,000 sia, the godless; Germany, the square miles and includes 26,249 Christless,." The last two re- In the Belgian Congo, in the Christians. maining Lutheran churches in heart of Mrica, government and Russia have been closed recently, missions collaborate fruitfully in Changes in Ten Years and their pastors thrown into all well established leper colprison, according to the New onies, and the funds supplied Mrs. John M. Imrie, a Presby- York Times. The Moscow Izves- through the American Mission terian missionary of Sakbayeme, tia announces that Christian to Lepers are supplemented by sees much change for the better church property amounting to public grants. In the French in West Africa. Polygamous $3,575,000,000 had been confis- marriages are dying out as a recated by the government since mandated territory of the Cam- sult of Christian training, and the war to exterminate religion eroun, a mandate very nervous happier homes are the order. began twenty-one years ago. Of and tense indeed these days be- Heathen men complain that they the 100,000 congregations, less cause it is a former German col- cannot get wives for missionthan 30,000 remain. At the same ony, the return of which may be trained girls will not marry time, the paper admits there are them. Son Mbok, one of the signs of religious revival in demanded as part of the price of towns, ten years ago had only 15 Russia. European peace, full facility is people desiring to learn; today, given the American Mission to Son Mbok has a Central School, A manifesto of German army Lepers.. a teacher, a catechist, an attendchaplains declares that one in ance of nearly 400 on Sundays, every fifteen Protestant pastors Development of Medical and 100 coming up for communis under arrest. Churches are Missions ion each time. The number of forbidden to organize recreation Christians at Ibon increased to for children, or train students To those who remember the the point where a new town, for the ministry; and the gov- difficulties of financing and staff- Maonk, was started to accommoernment claims the right to dic- ing mission hospitals in Africa, date them. Soon there was a tate the content of all Christian congregation of 1,200. This is preaching. the apathy of people toward such in a prairie country, where noth- work, the present scope of medi- ing can be seen but elephant AFRICA cal missionary work in South grass. The people seem to walk Africa is a cause for thanksgiv- out of the grass, but there they Leprosy and Nationalism ing. The recently published are. Christian Handbook for South Dr. Emory Ross, General Sec- Africa gives the following fig- A prominent chief wanted to retary of the American Mission ures as evidence of this changed become a Christian. He was held to Lepers, observes that so un- off for a time to make sure he selfish a ministry as work for situation: was in earnest, and not seeking lepers might be assumed to be the limelight. But Samuel Hiobi free from politics, but it is not Missionary doctors in kept insisting that he had given the case. In Africa a leper work the matter much thought and carried on for twenty years by South Africa ….. . 44 was anxious to become one of an effective American group has the "Tribe of God." At last he been completely stopped, the Mis s ion a r y nurses was accepted as a beginner. He property expropriated and those put away his wives, (keeping in charge caused to leave the (European) …… . 137 only one – the first one he had country. In two more territories married), and promised to care in Africa not only is official aid Nurses (Bantu) em- for them and their children, seerefused to well-executed leper ing that they have medical care work financed and staffed by ployed by Missions .. 54 when ill. He is an example of Americans, but heavy duties are the many who have rejoiced to laid upon chaulmoogra oil and Native probationers in find the better Christian Way of other medical supplies imported Life. for the treatment of lepers. All training ……… . 314 this has come about partly be- Cameroun in Jeopardy cause of clashing political move- Mission hospital beds . 1,605 ments in Europe, and the Afri- Dr. Emory Ross reminds us cans look on in bewilderment. Inpatients "(1937) …. 17,684 that the Cameroun has had more However, this situation does not languages, more governments, prevail in all of Africa. In Li- Outpatients (1937) .,. 270,264 more foreign adjustments forced Figures About Elat Elat parish of the Presbyte- rian West Africa Mission has 189 chapels with an average at- tendance each Sunday of 35,000; Christians 24,037. Of schools, it has 185 Village Vernacular, 15 Village French, 650 pupils, 1 Boys' and 1 Girls' Boarding School, 745 pupils, 50 teachers in training. In one decade of med- ical work: 110,662 sick folk treated, 5,216 won to Christ.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
upon it from abroad in the past with another 2,000 enrolment. In describing the contrasts besixty years than any other part (3) Pay salaries of 160 evan- tween then and now, Mrs. Emof Africa. First, English. Be- gelists, and 25 elders and pas- berson says: fore any foreign government tors; all missionary itinerating ruled, English trade, language and all office supplies. (4) Pay If we wished to visit our outstations, and customs dominated the coast for all repairs on buildings which our only mode of travel was by donkey and spread somewhat inland. deteriorate rapidly in that trop- and bush chair. The chair was pro- Second, German. German gov- ical climate and where white pelled on one wheel under the center ernment, language, trade and ants work destruction. Chris- of the seat, with a long "harness" in customs in the 1880's began to tians at home should not con- front to allow room for the "boy" to cover the country. T h i r d, sider their obligation ended with walk or run without knocking his French. The Versailles group of the payment of missionaries' heels against the step. Behind was a treaties consolidated military salaries. shorter harness which a second boy victories; French government, held, in an endeavor to keep the conlanguage, trade and customs Prison Visitation in Uganda veyance steady. Needless to say, there ruled Cameroun. Each succeed- were many bad moments for the pasing foreign influence has fought One feature of C. M. S. work senger when the boys made even a to root out the preceding. in Kampala, Uganda, and has slight swerve. been for some years, is regular During all these changes the visiting at the central prison Last year we started at 10 a. m. in Church has been almost the only twice each week. This is under- an auto to conduct a morning service uninterrupted, continuing for- taken by Rev. A. M. Williams, in one of our indigenous churches, eign factor in Cameroun life. It who has about 70 names on his about sixteen miles away. We found has pioneered in education, med- baptism record; many more 700 people waiting to hear the Gospel, icine, modern agriculture, man- than that number attend the and 200 of these people partook of ual training, spiritual regenera- services. Since most of the men Communion. Leaving this church at tion. It has brought thousands are there for a long term it is 1 : 30 p. m., we went on to ano,ther of Africans, through Christ, into possible to do a good deal with church some twenty-five miles in a closer human as well as closer them, and results are encour- difllerent direction, and found 1,500 spiritual relationships than they aging. Nearly all are illiterate, people waiting. There was insufficient have ever experienced before. It but all are taught to read and room in the church, so they all sat has interpreted and bound and write before they are baptized, under eucalyptus trees, to listen enmediated. It has taught Eng- except the very old. thralled to the same Word of God. It lish, then German, now French. was unforgettable and very touching, Some of the most effective to hear this crowd of people sing in It has been the largest factor leaders in the mission band have their own tongue, "Rock of Ages, cleft in stability and unity. And now been convicts, and it is not un- for me." After this service, once again Germany is demanding the re- common to find prisoners, after Ohristians to the number of 300 sat turn of Cameroun; Germany, their releas,e, going back to their down at the Lord's Table. whose officials oppose Christian- villages to engage in active evanity, forbid the fundamental gelism. We left them as the African sun teachings of Jesus Christ and quickly disappeared behind a mouncomplete loyalty to Him. Changes in Nyasaland tain, and reached the mission station at 5 p. m., having come into contact Making Ends Meet Rev. Wilfrid Emberson has with about 2,200 Africans on one Sab- spent 27 years of service in bath day. And this difference has Rev. James L. Jackson, of Nyasaland,and recently, because come about in eighteen years! Luebo, Congo State, says that of his wife's ill health, both have for the past eight years the mis- returned to England where Mr. When Mrs. Emberson said sionary budget has not been suf- Emberson has accepted the pas- good-bye, the oldest Christian ficient to meet the needs; and torate of a Baptist church in woman, gripping both of Mrs. by way of being explicit lists Kent. During their joint serv- Emberson's hands, said: "Don't what Luebo station is expected ice in Nyasaland, village schools cry mai (mother), we shall go to do for six months on $2,400. have grown from 40 to more on following the Jesus you have (1) Medical work: pay for all than 100. There are now seven helped us to know and love, and medicine in a hospital where indigenous churches. In the when He comes again for His 15,000 patients are treated and early days there was no building children we shall meet again, as many as 75 major operations in which the sick could stay for and in that day say 'Moni' (Good· are performed annually; pay healing, but, after a boy with a morning) face to face." for all emergency medical trips diseased foot had crawled five when gasoline costs 50 cents a days to reach the missionary, -The Christian. gallon, and quinine to keep mis- two mud huts were set apart as sionary families free from ma- a "hospital." During the first Juvenile Crime in laria. (2) Pay teachers' salaries year 7,000 patients were treated, Johannesburg in a school with 2,000 pupils; all and last year 19,229 sick folk reteaching material and entire sup- ceived treatment. Juvenile crime in South Africa is engaging public attention. In port for 14 outstation schools Johannesburg, it has increased by more than 53 per cent during the past year. An inquiry con- ducted by Dr. Ray E. Phillips names poverty as the root of the situation. Children steal because they are hungry. Other causes named are inadequate housing; unstable marriage ties, which means that children are not liv-
ing with parents; liquor con- tine is obvious. The Germans many encouraging facts. In sumption; lack of educational have established an Arab club Sweden, the number of schools advantages-more than half the in Damascus. An Arab doctor, and scholars has increased durnative children are not in school trained in Germany, goes back ing recent years; and their effibecause of lack of accommoda- and forth between Iraq and ciency is steadily improving. tion-and, by no means the least Damascus, and recently infor- Teacher training courses are significant factor – the separa- mation was let slip that he has held regularly, and junior work tion of families, because 300,000 been busy sending money from for girls and boys, who leave the native men are at work in the Germany to Iraq, to be for- Sunday school at fourteen years mines, and living in compounds. warded to Arab committees in of age has been organized. Palestine. A new motor road -World Dominion Press. between Syria and Imq furthers Progress is the keynote of Germany's plan for a "Greater Sunday school work in Esthonia. WESTERN ASIA Germany" to stretch from Ber- Much time has also been given lin to Bagdad. to visitation of German and Rus- Sunday Schools in Bible Lands sian Sunday schools in the vi- However,a write!r in Al Misry cinity of Tartu: here Sunday Many cablegrams during the believes that the Arabs under- school and Bible class work is year have informed the world of stand quite well the consequences being regularly conducted among bloodshed and bitter strife in the of getting into Hitler's power, Russian and German youth; and lands of the Bible, but most of and their officials are not much great enthusiasm is evident on the Sunday school news tells the impressed by Germany's appeals. the part of both teachers and story of a world of cooperation Arabs do not seriously consider s:cholars. and mutual enhancement among any scheme they do not fully men of diverse cultures. From understand. The report reveals that in Tiberias one writes, "The Sun- France, Holland, Hungary and day school is a movement of MISCELLANEOUS many other countries, the work world brotherhood. It is the is making steady progress. only place where Arab and Jew- The Bible and Education ish children meet in peace and World's Student Christian brotherhood in time of racial en- In an address at the Columbia Federation mity and bloodshed." Another Convocation in New York, comreport says, "In spite of war and memorating the 400th anniver- How to make this Federation rebellion, schools were conducted sary of the English Bible, the a force in America is the quesin Palestine with the help of Dean of St. Paul's, London, said, tion that faces the organization Moslem and Arab boys." In in the course of the address: as they look over the world and Jerusalem one thousand children see Christianity on the defensive. were enrolled in six vacation One cannot contemplate a falling "Not here"; one may say, "these Bible schools. away from the reverence and knowl- things can't happen in the edge of the Bible without seeing a United States." Well, can't they? The work of the Bible Lands great danger of national incoherence. There are movements on foot Union for Christian Erlucation In this modern time there is a great here that have already stamped isa unique demonstration of co- risk that the masses of the population out the Student Christian moveoperation in Palestine, Syria, may become, as it were, uprooted, ment in other countries. Transjordania, Lebanon, Iraq without secure foundation for their and Cyprus. Representatives of lives, that they may degenerate into Two things, says a writer in the Greek Orthodox, Armenian a swaying crowd with no common The Intercollegian, are essential Apostolic, Anglican and Amer- values and no continuing tradition. to promote the Federation: eduican Protestant churches carry The nations flourish or decay ulti- cation and funds. For the educaon 'a vast program of Chdstian mately from within. They flourish or tional program is sugges,ted: l. education. The ancient churches decay from the soul. An enthusiastic WorId Felloware adopting modern methods ship Committee to inte,rpret the for work with children, youth It is surely the duty of everyone Federation's aims. 2. Promotion and adults. The Christian con- who owes his own spiritual life to the of international Christian literaference grounds at Chouei"!', Leb- Bible to do his utmost to insist that ture. 3. Study groups. 4. Use anon, have proven to be a busy it shall take its proper place in the of bulletin boards and chapel center twelve months of the year education of the people; and con- speakers in colleges. 5. Estabfor leadership education, Chris- stantly to urge that no education, lish friendships with foreign stutian endeavor conferences and from the most elementary to the most dents. Correspondence with stuboys' camps. advanced, can be adequate which dents in other lands. leaves students in ignorance of this -World Sunday School fountainhead of all that is best in our Local experimentation is sug- Assn. News. common heritage. gested in the matter of raising funds. "Federation Friends" Germany Filters Into -Federal Council Bulletin. should be enlisted among faculty Near East members and others, and a The W. S. S. A. "Pledge Day" might be es,tab- The connection between Ger- lished. many and the troubles in Pales- The World's Sunday School Association is made up of 51 units, with two administrative centers, one in Glasgow, the other in New York. The recently published annual report contains
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Directory of Christian Missions and obvious that women of different ing medical service, and assist- Churches in India, Burma and Cey- l"'aces and nationalities around ing in village uplift projects, lon. Introduction by Alexander the world have the same prob- convinced that this is a sounder, McLeish. 512 pp. National Chris- lems and interests. Each author because a more helpfully con- tian Council, Nagpur, India. writes from wide experience as structive process than trying to to what Christ has brought to change labels." This is the fourth edition of her own countrywomen. Taken the Directory since 1932 when as a whole, the chapters supply Aside from this bias against its publication was undertaken a valuable record of the trends Christian missions, the book by the National Christian Coun- of the Christian m 0 v e men t bears the marks of scholarship cil. It contains statistics and a throughout the world. It is and is the best account we have very complete list of approxi- clearly shown that Christianity of present-day Turkey. After mately 200 missionary agencies, is a stabilizing force for nations, describing the background in 61 2',000 stations, 7,000 mission- as well as for individuals. At a pages Mr. Webster deals with aries, 175 periodicals, and 2,500 time, when the whole Christian the struggle for independence institutions in India, Burma and world is menaced by systems and the processes of reforma- Ceylon. Anyone will be im- contrary to the tea,chings of tion and leadership under Atapressed by this vast number of Christ, it is important to point turk. The second and longest Christian enterprises but the Di- to His Way as the only force that part of the book (pages 162-2'89) rectory is of especial value to will cement the nations together deals with the ideology of the missionaries, editors and execu- on the basis of righteousness and present government, particularly tives interested in Christian brotherhood. H. H. FERGUSON. politics, the press, education, and work in India. The Christians the result of all this on the social of all sects and races now are The Turkey of Ataturk: Social Prog- structure, the rural uplift and estimated to number 7,500,000 ress in the Turkish Reformation. the life of the people. of whom about 7,000,000 are In- By Donald Everett Webster. Amerdians. In 1931 Protestants num- ican Academy of Political and So- The volume is beautifully illusbered over 3,000,000, a 50% in- cial Science. 337 pp. Price, $2.50. trated, with photographs, diacrease in ten years, and Roman Philadelphia. 1939. grams, and maps, all of them val- Catholics over 2,000,000. Hindus uable. We have also a gazeteer, number 240,000,000. There are The author was a short-term a full bibliography, and a care- 225 languages spoken, in addi- teacher in the International Col-. ful index. As a secular study, tion to many dialects. The Bible, lege, Izmir (Smyrna), and had one can desire nothing better. in whole or in part, has been other contacts with Turkey. His translated in only 120 of these. book describes the complex proc- S. M. ZWEMER. There are still many unoccupied esses which have as by miracle areas and unevangelized millions produced modern Turkey. Its The Wild Rue: A Study of Muhamin India. viewpoint is not political, nor re- madan Magic and Folklore in Iran. ligious, nor that of the journal- By Bess Allen Donaldson. Luzac & Women and the Way: A Symposium. ist, but that of the sociologist. Co., London. 216 pp. 10/6. 198 pp. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 The first sentence in the Intro- cents. The Friendship Press, New duction give the writer's view- Edwyn Bevan, in his Gifford York. 1938. point: "Turkey, no longer an Lectures, used "Symbolism and object of derision, pity, and Belief" as the general title. All What the ace e pta n c e of evangelization, now marches in races are fond of symbols for Christ's Way of Life has meant the vanguard of those nations their faith and superstitionsto the women of every land is a whose post-World War revolu- the Star for Judaism, the Cresquestion here answered by out- tionary processes are most as- cent for Islam, the Swastika for standing Christian women of tounding." At the close of the Buddhism. And so the learned many different parts of the book he remarks: "There are author of this excellent book on world. The list of authors in- still a few Protestant mission- Persian superstition has taken cludes such distinguished leaders aries in the country who do no for title "The Wild Rue," the as Madame Chiang Kai-shek, proselytizing, but spend their most common plant in practice Michi Kawai, Muriel Lester and time in teaching school, render- of magic, used like the mandrake others from home, church, politi- .in the Pentateuch. I know of no cal and professional life, It is [221 ] other volume better suited to give the background of daily life
in Iran. Reforms, social and in- was a deep student 'Of the Bible, captivating. After reading his tellectual, are the order of the which he accepte9. as the in- studies we feel that we know day but eighty percent of the spired word 'Of God, and he was these men and wish to know common people only hear of a preacher tD whom old and even more about them. Dr. them and live their lives under young, learned and unlettered Eastman not only shows us the the shadow of Islam, as in the delighted to listen. He knew men in brief compass, but he repast. That shadow includes a God as revealed in Christ and he veals their backgrDund, the spirit mass of superstition and magic. knew and understood men, be- 'Of the times in which they lived Here we have the key. and their influence 'On posterity. cause he himself was a man. The bODk includes chapters on These Bible notes are m'Ore It is an excellent bDOk for young "The Evil Eye," "Practices at than beautiful nuggets 'Of g'Old men and offers gDod illustrative Child Birth," "M a r ria g e," that Bishop Smith mined in his material for sermons and ad- "Death," and "Burial." We have days 'Of study and prayer, they dresses. an accDunt 'Of superstitions CDnnected with the seasons, the are living seed-thDughts that Evergreen and Other Near East Bible weather, the calendar, dreams Talks. By Abdul-Fady (A. T. Upand sleep; also we learn what came from the granary of God's pious Moslems are supposed tD revealed Word and are copied son) with foreword by Dr. S. M. d'O when they weep or breathe, sneeze or cut their nails and hair. from the Bishop's much used Zwemer. 120 pp. 28. Marshall There is alsD an aCCDunt of wide-margin study Bible. Are Morgan & Scott, Ltd. London. 1938. sacred places, saints and pilgrimages. This material might have nDt such thoughts. as the follDW- This little book of outline talks been better classified but the in- ing stimulating to dee per on the Bible is deceiving in two dex is fairly complete. The book thought, more earnest prayer ways. Its small size does not is written from a woman's view- give pr'Omise 'Of the am'Ount of point but it represents all the old and more Christlike living: life of Persia. As the author says: "Considerable attention "My God, my God, why hast thou real meat in it. And tDO, it gives has been given to religiDus cus- forsaken me" (Mat. 27: 46). This is tDms; this is because the super- hell ! the impression 'Of one of those stitiDns are firmly rooted in the religiDn. With the majority of "Whom God hath raised up" (Acts . devotiDnal books that one can the peDple their occult practices toss off in a day or so and go on. have become religious rites. It 2: 24). If this had been a lie the is to them that they pin their apostles would not have dared to Not so, fDr here is the considered faith, and to them they turn in preach it in Jerusalem – besides the times of trial and crisis. While Holy Spirit could not have blessed a result of years 'Of teaching God's the name 'Of G'Od is often UP'On Word, which fact in itself should their lips, all too frequently it, lie. get it a hearing. This teaching too, is merely a name with which "As for God, his way is perfect" tD conjure. (Ps. 18: 30). We cannot add to a was done in surroundings which perfect thing. To meddle is to spoil. must of necessity reflect them- The uninformed mind turns very "For all the promises of God in him naturally to something tangible in are yea, and in him Amen" (2 Cor. selves in the quality and the times of need. They are surrounded by fears: fears of sickness and death, 1: 20). Subject to no discount. flavor of the material presented. fears of drought and crop failure, fears of famine and flood, fears of "Thy Kingdom come" (Luke 11: 2). The occasional turns and evildoers and their wiles, fears of touches from the Near East save husbands and their relatives, and all Before me petition is allowed for self, this bo'Ok from being just ankinds of fears of the supernatural, and in their ignorance they have but foreign missions are to be rememsought the help of some "magical bered. power" in strange objects or symbols. "But when he was in Rome, he other book of Bible talks. It is sought me out very diligently and SAMUEL M. ZWEMER. clear that the authDr has been found me" (2 Timothy 1: 17). A good there. An instance is the ex- Gems from Bishop Taylor Smith's man is ever seeking people-worldly planation of the "sound of Bible. Compiled by Percy O. Ruoff. 142 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, Morgan people for Christ; Christians for marching" in the vale of Re- & Scott. London. $1.00. Zonder- van Pub. House, Grand Rapids. Christ. 1939. Not only pastors and teachers phaim (page 38). Again the Bishop Taylor Smith was a re- but all Christians will find this reference tD the ripening of the markable character, with a keen Jaffa oranges (page 41) makes sense of humDr, spiritual dis.. vDlume richly rewarding. cernment, a heart of love and a us realize how much a knowledge faith that begets courage. He Men of Power. Volume III. Four of "the Land" is necessary to an biographies by F'red Eastman. 197 understanding 'Of "the Bo'Ok."
pp. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Nash- ROBERT F. OGDEN. ville. 1939.
Benjamin Franklin the scien- Highways and Hedges. By William Wistar Hamilton. 119 pp. $1.00. tist and statesman, R. W. Emer- Broadman Press.. Nashville. 1938. SDn the pDet, preacher and essay- ist, George FDX the fDunder of These are brief stories of CDn- the Society of Friends, and verts in evangelistic work, writ- ten by some fifty Christian work- Charles Darwin the revDlution- ers. Some 'Of them are tDD brief ary scientist-all make excellent to make an impression but others subjects for sixty-minute biD- offer effective material for pas- graphical sketches. Dr. Eastman tors and Sunday school teachers who may unfDrtunately lack is a clear thinker and a dramatic these rich persDnal experiences. writer. The glimpses he gives A careful sifting would improve of their develDpment, their the vDlume. achievements and sources 'Of their power are stimulating and
' j I~~
Upptr Room _2_ April, May, June ~ "'! ,,' -II if.
"It 01 ;:t.
o:j 'S ~ '1 :l: '!J .l1 Spiritual Need -&1/121 "I~ :<!-7. Knows No 'Hi '".:s.~ Boundary Lines ';"51 ~ "'I !I'
A page from Korean Edition PERHAPS, as no other publication, THE UPPER ROOM has proved that men of all races, of all tongues, are in great need of the spiritual inspiration of a daily devotional guide. Because of this universal need for it, THE UPPER ROOM is now published in four languages-English, Spanish, Korean, and Hindustani. It can now be read by half the people of the earth in their own language and new translations are being added as the demand for them arises.
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The April, May, June issue is now ready for distribution. This is the Easter Issue. The cover is one of the most beautiful and suggestive that we have ever used. The interpreta- tion of the cover picture alone is worth many times the price of the book. Be sure that every member of your congregation is supplied. Place your order at once for prompt delivery.
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The Second World Conference on program in revolutiQnizing the B run n e r' s "Mediator," and Faith and Order, Edinburgh, 1937. method of missionary activity in Schweitzer's the "Mysticism o.f Edited by Leonard Hodgson. $2.25. the C. M. S. stations in northern St. Paul," but has not grasped o.r 386 pp. Macmillan. New York. Nigeria provide food for thQught been grnsped by their doctrine. 1939. The final report of the con- for any who may be interested in The tragedy of the post-war time ference includes six chapters: mission work in West Africa. has driven religious tho.ught and The last section of the book leads experience in this Western world (1) Introduction; (2) The up to the tragedy of his death in into a deeper, mQre mysterious, an airplane crash during his sec- Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ; ond term as assistant bisho.P in more transcendent cons,truction (3) The Church of Christ and the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. of the thought of Go.d and of the the W.ord .of God; (4) The Com- grace of God, o.f the fact of sin, munion of Saints; (5) The L. K. ANDERSON. and of the manifestatio.n of God Church .of Christ: Ministry and in Christ, and of the deeds o.f Essential Christianity. By Samuel Go.d in Christ and histo.ry, than Sacraments; (6) The Church's Angus. 226 pp. $2.00. Macmillan. is represented in this book. Unity in Life and Worship. New York. 1939. R. E. SPEER. Here is evidence .of the present Let Us Build. By P. E. Burroughs, reality of the ideal which is Dr. Angus maintains the opin- Illus. 154 pp. 60 cents. Broadpursued. Certain manifestatiQns man Press. Nashville. 1938. of unity remain to be attained ion that Christianity is not a but here is a real unity .of the matter of opinion and he sets Building churches-both physspirit in the bo.nd of peace. The fQrth his opinion .of what essen- ically and spiritually-is a pro.bprayer of o.ur Lord for unity tially Christianity is. It is the lem. Fin an c e s, educatio.nal amo.ng His disciples, like the old self-contradictory circle. A equipment, worship, recreational man tells us that "It dQes nQt facilities are all involved-and unity of the Father and S.on, has how the problems are wQrked no.t been achieved but the dis- matter what a man thinks. It out may mean all the difference ciples are striving after it. only mrutters what he is." One replies, "You are ei,ther saying R. E. SPEER. what you think or you are saying Civilization-The Next Step. By C. what YOlU don't think. If the lat- between success and failure. . Delisle Burns. $2.75. 291 pp. W. ter, what are you? If the former, The author is educational and W. Norton & Co. New York. 1939. why are yo.U saying it if it does architectural secretary of the The author's desires and pur- not matter?" Southern Baptist Sunday School poses are of the best. The next Of co.urse Christianity is very Board and his manuscript has step sho.uld be more friendliness, much a matter of opinion, but been approved by forty-two. kindness, intelligence, equality few, if any, readers of THE RE- architects. The book includes and justice. But the philosophy VIEW will agree with Dr. Angus' forty-five plates to illustrate is the old humanism. Humanity opiniQn of it. "Christianity is an twelve building plans for various is to. lift itself by its own boot- sized churches and differing straps. A living GQd and the experience." It is not faith in costs from $7,000 to. $122,000 Christian dynamic are simply God in Christ. "It is faith in each. It is arranged as a textno.t in the picture. The tragedy bo.ok and contains many valuable o.f the world lies deeper than God like that of Jesus." The note and practical suggestions for this diagnosis. There is such a is the note of that pre-war liber- both churches and Sun day reaUty as sin and there is need alism which defined Christianity schools. Many of the plans are o.f a mQre powerful Saviour and as "the religion of Jesus" and de- very attractive and practical. a more radical salvatio.n than is cried "the religion about Jesus." Little attention is. given to social co.nceived here. R. E. SPEER. It deprecates the relatiQnship of and athletic .equipment and the essence of Christianity to which is so popular today in Guy' Bullen. By his friends. Illus. many churches. Maps. 136 pp. 58. Highway Press, "alleged historic facts o.f debat- able historicity (such as, the Vir- gin Birth, the miracles, the phys- London. 1938. ical resurrection o.f Jesus" the Hugo of the Blade. By Julius F. bodily ascension, the official and Seebach. 271 pp. $1.00. United This biography .of the late Rt.
Rev. H. Guy Bullen, As:sistant authoritative establishment of a Lutheran Publication House, Phil- Bishop in Egypt and the Sudan, Church by Him)." It rejects the adelphia. 1938.
is written by friends and aSSQ- deity of Christ. It accepts what This is a moderately interestciates who. pay tribute to the un- in the New Testament suits the ing novel of the Reformation peusual attractiveness o.f the man's author's o.pinion of essential riod, centering about the life of human chaI"acteristics and to his Chris.tianity and rejects what a printer and his descendants s'implicity and powe,r as a devo.ut does not. who were staunch supporters of Christian. Perhaps the least in- Dr. Angus' emphasis on the Protestantism. The "trimming teresting part o.f the book is the duty of Christlikeness, of obedi- blade," used in book binding, be- first section dealing with Bullen's ence and conformity to the Spir- came the symbol of truth and boyhood where an attempt is it o.f Christ, or unselfishness and freedom. This story won first made to relate youthful inclina- sacrifice and service and love is prize in the "John Rung Legacy"
tions to later powers in the mis- all to the go.od, but his subjective contest for 1938, for the best his- sionary's personality. The chap- humanJsm is a swan song of a torical narrative, educational and ters relating to his far-sighted declining Christism. He has read missionary. H. H. F.
from Many Lands: Stories for GOD'S PURPOSE :h:::'::~
Juniors. Illus. 127 pp. Paper, 50 erery day cents. Morehouse-Gorman Co., New York. 1938. A handy volume of 365 inspirational sermonettes written by distinguished Children will like these stories, clergymen of the English·speaking world. Arranged in calendar form. one and leaders of junior groups will find them helpful in creating an for each day in the year. one to each page. interest in the children of other races and lands and in promoting Cloth,60c; Limp Leatherette, $1.00; Art Leather, $1.50 a missionary spirit. In addition to the stories about children in COD'S MESSACE COD'S MINUTE far-away lands, there are tales about American Indians, Ne- 365 prominent clergymen have Here is a marvelous collection of groes and Mountaineers; also about ohildren of island depend- chosen their favorite Scripture pas- 365 Daily Prayers. each 60 seconds encies-Porto Rico, Hawaii, the Philippines. Following the fif- sages. With each as a text, they long. written by 365 of the most teen stories are six biographical sketches, in language children have written a Message that quick- eminent preachers and laymen in can understand, of stalwart Christian leaders, such as Bishop ens faith, and brings comfort. the world. Azariah of India. Cloth, 6Oc; Limp Leatherette, $1.00; Art Leather, 51.50 HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON. THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Phila. Master Thoughts for Victorious Liv- ing. Edited by Dumont Clarke. 72 The Spirit of the Shepherd. By M. Life's Cricket Match. Reginald pp. 25 cents paper; $1.00 leather- P. Krikorian. 8 vo. 125 pp. $1.00. Wallis. 43 pp. 6d. Pickering & ette cover. Paul M. Hinkhouse. Zondervan Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, Inglis. London. New York. 1938. Mich. 1938. Master Thoughts for Victorious These 285 quotations are from The Twenty-third Psalm is Living. Edited by Dumont Clarke. many different sources from the immortal and seems to be inex- 72 pp. 25 cents; $1.00, Leatherette. Bible to Mohandas Gandhi and haustible. The present inter- Paul Hinkhouse. New York. from John Keats to Robert E. pretation is by an Armenian Speer. They naturally form a shepherd who became a spiritual The Missionary Significance of the great mixture on over fifty topics shepherd and Christian evan- Lord's Prayer. Lee S. Huizenga. and are of varied value. Most gelist. His emphasis in this ex- 84 pp. Eerdmans Pub. Co. of them are very brief-one sen- position is on the revelation of tence – but they offer food for God as the Jehovah who pro- Revealing Christ. Percy Hortill. 71 thought and come from experi- vides, guides, gives peace, over- pp. Is. 2d. S. P. G. London. ence. To many public speakers comes and gives His people a they furnish material for apt Home forever. These character- Studies in Popular Islam. S. M. quotations. istics are all referred to in the Zwemer. 148 pp. $2.50. Mac- Hebrew names. The study is millan. New York. All Around the City. By Esther Frei- practical and interesting rather vogel. Illus. 95 pp. 50 cents paper than unique. The Turkey of Ataturk. Social Prog- and $1.00 cloth. Friendship Press. ress in the Turkish Reformation. New York. 1938. New Boole. Donald Everett Webster. 337 pp. $2.50. Academy of Political and Here is an attractive book on Christian Home Making. (Prepared Social Science. Philadelphia. the city for primary children. A for the Madras Conference of the "Primary Teacher's Guide" is I. M. C.) Edited by Mrs. Robert They Dared to Live. Robert M. Bartalso obtainable at 25 cents a E. Speer and Constance Hallock. lett. 135 pp. $1.25. Association copy. Miss Freivogel describes 141 pp. $1.50. Round Table Press. Press. New York. how children move to the city New York. from the country, their experi- The World's Religions. A Short Hisences at Christmastime, at the Canadian Journey. H. P. Thompson. tory. Charles S. Braden. 256 pp. Neighborhood H 0 use, church 69 pp. S. P. G. London. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Nashville. school and at play. Pen and ink drawings and the story are de- The Church Faces the World. (Pre- Welcome House. Jessie Eleanor signed to interest children. The pared for the Madras Conference of Moore. Illustrated. 95 pp. $1.00, incidents of life will help them the I. M. C.) Edited by Samuel cloth; 50 cents, paper. Friendship understand other children, and McCrea Cavert. 133 pp. $1.50. Press. New York. to sympathize with many who Round Table Press. are undernourished both physi- John Wyclif and the English Bible. cally and spiritually. It is a Christians in Action. A Record of Melvin M. Cammack. 288 pp. $1.75. good book for children from Work in War-Time China. By American Tract Society. New York. seven to ten years of age. Seven Missionaries. 115 pp. $1.00. Longs, Green & Co. New York. Tales of a Waste-Basket Surgeon. Gordon S. Seagrave. 265 pp. $1.50. Green Timber. Esther Gerberding Judson Press. Philadelphia. Hunt. 220 pp. 75 cents. United Lutheran Pub. House. Philadelphia. The Two Ways. A Play in Six Epi- sodes. A. L. E. WilIiams. 53 pp. Hugo the Blade. Julius F. Seeback. Is. S. P. C. K. London. 271 pp. $1.00. United Lutheran Pub. House. Philadelphia. The W orId's Great Religious Poetry. Compiled by Caroline Miles Hill. The History of Christianity in Amer- $1.69. Macmillan. New York. ica. Frank Grenville Beardsley. 244 pp. $1.50. American Tract Why Be Good? James Reid. 191 pp. Society. New York. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Nashville.
Historical Atlas of the Holy Land. The Holy Bible. Illustrated by Wil- Maps. 62 pp. $1.00. Rand Mc- liam Hole. 8vo. 1,252 pp. Eyre Nally. New York. and Spottiswoode. London.
Men of Power. Vol. III. Fred East- man. 197 pp. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Nashville.
State Population Census by Faiths: Meaning, Reliability and Value. H. S. Linfield. 72 pp. $2. Hasid's Bibliographic and Library Service. New York.
'I(~ ,tI1zS .11WiteJ to. ,tItienci
THE NORTHFIELD MISSIONARY CONFERENCE JULY 3-10, 1939 A PIONEER PROJECT in Interdenominational Fellowship on the beautiFul CAMPUS of Northfield Seminary EAST NORTHFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS HUNDREDS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS have received inspiration and training for service in their home churches, their communities and beyond the SEAS Denominational Camps for the Girls SEPARATE CLASSES are held for GIRLS and WOMEN In Bible Study • Mission Study • Leadership Training A FEW OF THE LEADERS WHO WILL TAKE PART Miss Ruth Isabel Seabury Miss Hazel Orton Miss Marguerite Hazzard Miss Alice Murdock Miss Nona M. Diehl Miss Sue Weddell Miss Gertrude Schultz Mrs. Walter C. Stevens Miss Christine Wang Dr. Caroline Palmer Dr. Emily J. Werner YOUR CHURCH SHOULD BE REPRESENTED YOUR LEADERS SHOULD FEEL THE POWER THAT COMES FROM MEETING TOGETHER WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST For further information address—MRS. WARREN C. TAYLOR. 38 Union Avenue W., Schenectady, N. Y.
THE MOILEM WORLD PUBUSHED BY THE HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Editors: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY Some Articles in the April Number Religion and Life • • • Edwin E. Calverley A Protestant View of Moslem Missions Julius Richter The Missionary Conviction and Approach • Robert E. Speer The Law and the Gospel • • • Laurence E. Browne Al.Ghazali and Arabic Versions of the Gospels Constance E. Padwick A Modern Revindication of Islam H. Kraemer Qualities of the Planets D. M. Donaldson A Variant Text of the Fatiha Arthur Jeffery The Traditions of An.Nawawi .. Eric F. F. Bishop The Moslem Doctrine of Sin E. E. Elder Book Reviews Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster +0(-._ _.-~» SUBSCRIBE NOW 50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & SCOTT, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1939
MARCH,1939
Vision and Power at Madras Paul W. Harrison Kenneth S. Latourette Foreign Missions Tomorrow John R. Mott V. S. Azariah Toyohiko Kagawa Recommendations from Tambaram Quotations from the Findings A Kashgar Moslem's Story Mrs. Glenn B. Ogden Primitive Animists in the Celebes Henry P. Van Dusen The Indian Poet-N. V. Tilak Kund Heiberg 25 Cents a COP'Y $2.50 a YeaT
to Remember Rev. S. S. Tema, a South African of Rev. Samuel Hinds Willqnson
Johannesburg, who works among the many years director of the Mildmay February 28-March 31- Teams of large African population employed in Mission to the Jews, died in London speakers from the Madras Confer- the gold mines and coming from many on January 5 at the age of 76. He ence are to visit a number of cities parts of Africa. He speaks four na- was the son of Rev. John Wilkinson, . in the United States and Canada to tive languages as well as Afrikaans who founded the Mission in 1876, and report on the most important fea- and English. became associated with his father in tures of that conference. One team the work in 1882, succeeding him as will consist of Professor G. Baez Obituary Notes director in 1907. He was a successful Camargo of Mexico, Dr. P. C. Hsu missionary'to the Jews and an accom- of China, and Miss Ila Sircar of Rev. Fred G. Mitchell, Presbyterian plished Hebrew scholar, being largely India. The second team will con- missionary to the Navajos since 1905, responsible for the translation of the sist of Dr. Rajah B. Manikam of died suddenly January 12 in his 81st Bible into Yiddish. India, Dr. Hachiro Yuasa of Japan, year. He had retired in 1933. Mr. and Miss Minnie Soga of South Mitchell labored for 14 years without *** Africa. a single convert, but during this time made invaluable contributions to the Rev. Dr. Alfred Williams Anthony, February 28-March l-WiQrld Alliance work as linguist and writer. In 1920, for five yearS! secretary of the Home of Presbyterian and Reformed he was made superintendent of the Missions Council of North America, Churches, Western Section, Pitts- Ganado Mission in Arizona; and from died at Waltham, Mass., on January burgh, Pa. 1930 until his retirement was Director 20. Dr. Anthony was 79 years of of Indian Wells Community Center. age, having been born in Providence, April 26 – Uniting Conference of Here he devoted most of his time to R. I., January 13, 1860, the son of the American Methodism, Kansas City, translation and evangelism. late Lewis and Britannia Anthony. Mo. He was graduated from Brown Uni- *** versity in 1883 and ordained as a min- May 25 – Presbyterian Church in ister of the Free Baptist Church in U. S. A., Cleveland, Ohio. James Fugat, volunteer worker for 1885. After a brief pastorate at many years in the Episcopal Mission Bangor, Maine, he taught in Cobb Di- June 8-Reformed Church in Amer- in the Philippines, was murdered there visional School and in Bates College, ica, New York, N. Y. on December 14. Mr. Fugat went to Maine. In 1911 he was made Corre- the Philippines from the United States sponding Secretary and Treasurer of June 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- shortly after the American occupation the General Conference of Free Bap- vention, Los Angeles, Calif. of the islands and identified himself tists and in 1918 was elected Execu- with the native people. For a long tive Secretary of the Home Missions June 24-July l-E;agles Mere Confer- time he worked in the Moro agricul- Council, where he did very effective ence of Missions. Chairman, Mrs. tural school at Jolo, now closed. More work in cooperation in home missions. Earl Breeding, 24 Rugby Lane, recently, he was assisting at the mis- He is survived by his second wife, Scarsdale, N. Y. sion on Mindanao, where his death Mrs. Gertrude Libby Anthony. occurred. Personal Item. *** *** Dr. George B. Huntington, treas- H. W. Smith, Superintendent of the Mrs. J. H.Hudson, retired mission- Baptist Mission Press in Burma, died urer of the Aimerican Baptist Foreign ary of the Presbyterian East China suddenly of heart disease on January MIssion, died in Santa Monica, Calif., 19. He was fifty-six years of age, Mission Society, has -retired, and Mr. December 21. With her husband, Rev. and he had been in ·the service of the Forrest Smith, assistant, and then as- Junius H. Hudson, she went to China Board twenty-eight years. in 1879. They were stationed at Hangsociate treasurer, has been appointed chow, where Mr. Hudson developed a (Conc(uded on page 113.) small boarding school for boys into in his place. Hangchow Christian College, and was THf PRfS8YTfRIAn its first president. For two years **• after their retirement in 1923 they -=- The only weekly in the Rev. Ernest Grigg, Baptist mission- lived in Shanghai. Presbyterian Church.
ary at Maymyo, Burma, has reached *** .:- Its message is based upon retiring age, but feels the call of the the Revealed Word of God. Mrs. Marie A. Oldham, the widow land to which he has given 45 years of of Bishop William F. Oldham of -=- Goes into every state in Malaya, died on October 12 at the the Union, U. S. possessions service. He will spend months in dep- age of 81, and was buried beside her and many foreign countries. utation work in America and then, at husband in Glendale, Calif. She was born in Bangalore, India. Most of Subscription rate – $2.50 his own expense, win return to Burma. their missionary service was. in Ma- Ministerial rate – – $2.00 . **• laya, being located at Singapore. They celebrated the 50th anniversary of the SOc. extra–Canadian postage Dr. Paul W. Rood has resigned as founding of the Mission after they $1.50 extra– Foreign postage President of the Los Angeles Bible In- had passed the age of 75. stitute, and will devote his entire time THE PRESBYTERIAn to Bible conferences and evangelistic *** campaigns under the auspices of the 121 7 Market Street World's Christian Fundamentals As- The Rev. W. E. Cousins, for many Philadelphia. Pa. sQciation. years a missionary of the London Mis- sionary Society in Madagascar, died *** on January 5 at the advanced age of 99 years. Mr. Cousins was born at Dr. John Lyon Caughey, pastor of Abingdon, England, February 21, the First Presbyterian Church of 1840, and sailed for Madagascar in Glens Falls, N. Y., has gone to Shang~ April, 1862, a year after the death of hai, China, to become pastor of the the persecuting Queen Ranavalona. Community Church. In 1873 he began the great work of re- vising the Malagasy Bible, the impor- *** tance of which for Christian converts in Madagascar can scarcely be exag- Rev. J. C. de Korne, D'.D.• mission- gerated. He is the author 'of "Madaary in China until 1934, has succeeded gascar of Today," "A Concise Intro- Dr. Henry Beets as Director of the duction to the Study of the Malagasy Board of Missions of the Christian Language," and "Malagasy Proverbs." Reformed Church, who retired. upon • • • his· seventieth birthday in January. Among the interesting delegates attending the Madras 'Conference were Bishop A. F. Bennett of Auteaur6a, the son of a chieftainess of the Moari race of New Zealand. This race numbers now about 85,000 and Bishop Bennett· is devoting his life to work among them. Another delegate was
MISSIONARY "I appreciate THE REVIEW so much 'Only 10 swift days direct
REVIEW OF THE WORLD that now, while renewing my subscrip- Yokohama when you sail by tion I am ordering it also sent to the Empress to the Orient. Only DIlLAVA.N L. PlJi:RBON, Edjtor pastor of the Congregational Church. 3 more days to visit lovely Your magazine is especially valuable, Hawaii en route by Empress of VOL. LXII MAR., 1939 No.3 giving as it does important work in Japan, largest and fastest liner all the denominations. Dr. Speer's on the Pacific, or Empress of Publication and Business Offic&– article in the January issue greatly Canada. From California Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. impressed me." ADELE GREENE. ports connect at Honolulu: Editorial and Executive Office– Washington, D. C. Empress of Japan 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-class matter at "We consider*TH*E R*EVIEW very val- Frequent sailings from both Vancouver and Victoria to Post 01l1ce, Harrisburg, Pa., under uable. The bound volumes as well as Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Act or March 3, 1879. the current issues are very widely Shanghai,HongKong,Manila. used by our faculty and students." Consult YOUR OWN TRAVEL 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. AGENT or Canadian Pacific: Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. FRANCES WARNER, 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. Published monthly, except August. Serials Librarian, Iowa State All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. British agents – Marshall, Morgan College, Ames Iowa. and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy. Honors to Missionaries 10 shillings a year. King George VI of Great Britain, MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Emperor of India, has announced the LISHING CO., INC. following missionaries in India as recipients of honors in his New Year's BOARD OF DIRECTORS Honors list. The Kaiser-i-Hind Medal ROBERT E. SPJi:Ji:R. President (First Class) was granted to Mrs. A. A. L. WARNBHUIB. Vioe-Pre,iIIent E. Harper, of Moga, who has had W ALTER McDOUGALL. Treasurer much to do with developing the Moga DELAVAN L. PIllIRSON. Secretarll Training Institute. Miss Ida Scudder, M.D., Principal, Missionary Medical PAUL J. BRAISTED College Hospital, Vellore, Madras SAMUEL MCCRIIA. CA.VERT Presidency, received the Bar to the D. J. FA.NT Kaiser-i-Hind Medal (First Class) . MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Miss E. A. Douglas, M.D., a skilful WM. B. LIPPHARD surgeon in charge of the Lady Kin- ERIC M. NORTH naird Women's Hospital in Lucknow, SAMUJi:L M. ZWEMJi:R received the "Order British Empire." For about twenty-five years she has Editorial Chat given able leadership to the hospital in Lucknow. Miss Helen Gregory, This month we devote considerable Superintendent of the Baptist Mission space to the recent World Missionary Women's Hospital, Berhampur, Orissa, Conference at Tambaram, a suburb of received the Kaiser-i-Hind Medal Madras. Teams of speakers, made up (Second Class) as did Miss Mildred of Christian Nationals of various Louise Dawson, of the C. M. S., Tincountries and of American delegates nevelly, Madras Presidency. are now touring the country to report on the outstanding facts revealed and A Correction the plans proposed for the future of missions. In our February REVIEW (pages 77 and 79), two errors occur in the titles *** of illustrations in the article on the Seneca Indians. The Dowdy family Readers will be interested in the re- (page 77) are not Christian Senecas, ports of Dr. Paul W. Harrison of but are followers of the "Long House." Arabia" Dr. Kenneth S. Latourette of Chief Hubert Kusick (page 79) is not Yale, and others. Next month we a Seneca Indian but was the Chief of plan to publish two appraisals, one by the Mohawk Indians who came from Dr. H. Kerr Taylor and one by Dr. Hen- Canada to the Alleghany Reservation, drick Kraemer of Holland, the author and became a Christian. of "The Christian Message for the Non-Christian World" which was the Obituary Notes basis of much discussion at Madras. (Concluded from 2d Cover.) *** Rev. Ven. Robert Henry Walker, Later issues of THE REVIEW will pioneer missionary and the first archcontain articles showing the develop- deacon of the Church of England in ment of Native Churches in various Uganda, died at Ealing, England, relands, the methods and results in evan- cently at the age of 81 years. He was gelism, the unfinished task of the born in Yorkshire, England, ordained Church and sketches of outstanding in 1880 and as a result of the influence Christian leaders. A number of of a colleague, Bishop James Hanningarticles have been promised from ton, volunteered for service in Uganda Christian Nationals of various lands. in 1887. He passed through some years of experiences of war and per- *** secution in Uganda during the reign of Mwanga. He retired from service Recent letters speak of the help re- in 1919 but not until he had seen treceived through THE REVIEW for a bet- mendous changes in the growth of the ter understanding of world conditions, Christian Church in Uganda. for light on the progress of Christianity, for a clearer knowledge of Indian [113 ] problems and of the American city, as well as valuable suggestions for work in churches at home. The following are brief extracts from some of these recent letters.
DELEGATES FROM MANY LANDS AT THE MADRAS
1. MISS ILA ROMOLA SIRCAR, Secretary of the 2. MISS MINNIE SOGA, South Africa 3. MISS MA MYA KYI, a Christian Leader Student Christian Movement in India 5. BOON MARK GITTIBARN, Pastor of the Sec- from Burma 4. LEONARDO G. DIA, Moderator of the Evan- ond Presbyterian Church, Bangkok, 6. SOETJIP'l'O, Secretary, Student Christian gelical Church, Philippine Islands Siam Movement, Java 8. PAO-CHIFJN HBU, Professor at the Uni- 7. HACHIRO YUABA, Former President of versity of Shanghai (Baptist) 9. G. BAEZ CAMARGO, Secretary of the Na- Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan tional Evangelical Councll of Mexico
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 3 MARCH,1939 Topics of the Times IMPRESSIONS OF MADRAS were present that no one stood out above the others. It was, in the best sense, a conference. Toward the International Missionary Confer- As in no other meeting in history, all Protestantence at Madras last December a great volume of ism was engaged in making plans for its next adprayer was directed. Thousands have been long- vances, particularly in the newer geographic froning that from this gathering a clear lead would tiers associated with the younger churches. be given to Christians the world over in a confused age, and that some pronouncement would come In the second place, the Conference was youthlike a ray of light and hope into a discouraged and ful in its composition. This was in part because bewildered generation. Did Madras accomplish so many of the leaders of the younger churches what we hoped? Was it worth while? The two are under fifty years old. It was also because of questions are not the same. Madras may not the deliberate policy of the organizers of the Conhave accomplished all that was hoped and yet, in ference. Seldom if ever has a gathering of unforeseen ways, it may have been eminently suc- church leaders been so generally drawn from the cessful. younger age groups. This means that those pres- ent have, on the average, from twenty to thirty In the main we believe that it did even more years of active life expectancy ahead. The friend- than those who actually planned the gathering had ships formed and the plans conceived will have dared to hope. It set in motion processes, all of a much longer period in which to come to fruition whose fruits will not be seen immediately but than if the gathering had been made up of delewhich, in the years to come, may prove of striking gates ten or fifteen years older.
significance. Six features of the Conference seem In the third place, Madras gave vivid evidence peculiarly striking. that the younger churches are coming of age.
First of all, the gathering was more widely rep- Nearly half of the delegates were non-Western resentative – more ecumenical- than any which members of the younger churches. At Edinburgh Protestant Christianity has ever seen. Over four in 1910 only a small handful were from the hundred and fifty delegates came from both the younger churches, and at Jerusalem in 1928 the younger and the older churches, and from about minority were from those churches. To a certain seventy different countries. The Jerusalem meet- degree this was by deliberate design. The organ- ing of ten years ago had a much smaller propor- izers of Madras purposely kept the percentage tion of delegates from Asia, Latin America, Af- from the younger churches high and at Madras rica, and the Pacific Islands. Madras was made the younger churches proved that in their own up of a cross-section of the leadership of Protes- right they were entitled to this larger proportion.
tant Christianity. No one or two or three persons Man for man their delegations were fully equal in dominated the gathering. Dr. Mott presided ability and character to those from the older throughout and his mind skilfully directed the churches. Several felt that the delegations from conference. Very fittingly he received an ovation India and China – which, naturally, were the when, near the end of the gathering, it was an- largest of the younger churches-were quite as nounced that he had consented to continue as notable as were the delegations from the Occident.
Chairman of the International Missionary Council The Chinese delegation was especially strong. Ten until 1941. But so many of the well-known figures years ago many of the Chinese and Indian dele- of the older and especially of the younger churches gates would have been still in college or university.
[115 ]
But there was no sense of cleavage between the emerging through such gatherin~s as Madras. delegates from the older and the younger churches. In some respects the Conference did not find it- In the former there was no attitude of condescension and in the latter almost no irritation born of self. Its pronouncements on international relaa sense of being regarded as still in tutelage. For tions and its suggestions for utilizing the resources these leaders the period of tutelage is past. Men of the churches in the promotion of world peace and women were recognized on the basis of their will to many seem colorless and weak. So, too, the true worth and the spokesmen for the younger findings on the Church's relations to the burning churches were not patronized or exhibited as a social and economic issues of the day will seem credit of their teachers. Through their leaders immature. In this they but reflect the present some of the younger churches are taking their stage of thought in Protestant circles. Here and rightful places as equals in the councils of the there proposals were made which have in them worldwide Christian fellowship. much of hope-such as the program outlined for coordinating the efforts of the churches in the In the fourth place, Madras was primarily a lands bordering the Pacific in an effort to make working conference and from this standpoint its that ocean deserve its name. Madras may mark utterances and achievements must be appraised. the beginning of a new and better day in the study Mind rubbed against mind, and spirit against of ways in which the churches can promote peace spirit, as the gathering sought to formulate a pro- between the nations and a more just social and gram for the next stage of the world mission of economic structure of society. Christianity. The entire body was divided into groups for free discussion on particular topics. In the fifth place, Madras was notable for its Out of each group came statements which em- fellowship. In some respects this was the greatest bodied the mind of those present and which were contribution. In a day when the nations of the presented to the entire Conference. earth are pulling apart, Christians from seventy different countries found the tie of faith in their The findings of Madras deserve a careful read- common Lord stronger than the divisions between ing by all interested in the world mission of Chris- their peoples. Chinese and Japanese, while they tianity. They are meant to guide younger and could not entirely agree on the issues which so older churches as the two together attempt to unfortunately divide their governments, met strengthen the Christian movement in the lands of around the communion table. They discussed, too, the younger churches. with amity, the present conflict. Anglican, Lu- theran, and Methodist bishops met the leaders of Madras, it will be recalled, was held primarily the non-episcopally governed bodies with an atfor the purpose of strengthening the younger tempt to win the others to their ecclesiastical posichurches. To them has been directed much of the tions. One communion service was according to effort of missions for at least the past generation. the Anglican ritual, and the other according to One of the strongest of the reports was on the Free Church procedure. The intimate life in the training of the ministry and there was an excel- simple yet commodious buildings of the Madras lent report on Christian literature, a field in which Christian College brought us quickly together and effective coordination and promotion are long facilitated acquaintance and informal conversaoverdue. Evangelism, as a means of fulfilling the tion. We seemed to catch a foretaste of that com- Church's mission and of strengthening the Church, pany which no man could number out of many received much attention and the unoccupied fields races and tongues who were disclosed in vision to were given a comprehensive survey. The relation the Seer of Pailmos. We saw before our very eyes of Church and State, so burning an issue in many the emerging Church Universal. We were explorlands, was discussed and the "faith by which the ing a new and more Christian road to unity than Church lives" as well as the nature and functions the Church has heretofore tried – a road which of the Church, were carefully examined. Pains- seeks a unity of the spirit and which makes unity taking studies on the economic basis of the of creed and of organization ancillary to it. "By Church and the problem of self-support provide this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, the best assemblage of facts which we have had if ye have love one to another." It was in strengthto help the younger churches in their efforts to be- ening this love that the Conference registered its come independent. The subject of the type of mis- greatest achievement. sionary needed and the preparation required is covered by a report which makes suggestions far In the sixth place, we left Madras seeing that beyond the present practice of the Boards. The our meeting was only the beginning of our task. group on cooperation and unity, pressed by repre- In his closing charge Dr. Matt rightly chose as his sentatives of the younger churches, came out with text the words: "To whomsoever much is given recommendations which, if adopted, will carry of him shall much be required." Madras must be cooperation to a further stage and will help to give appraised not by what was said there, or by the visible expression to the unity of spirit which is Findings, or even by the fellowship, but by what
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
is done in the months and years ahead by the dele- paganized Totalitarian government. The persecu- tions suffered by innocent people in the Third gates and those whom they and the Findings touch. Reich cause sorrow and indignation in all who love liberty and justice. Most of us have faith to believe that twenty or Unfortunately today there does not seem to be thirty years hence, we will see that Madras helped any territory to which these oppressed ones can flee for refuge. All the world is claimed, if not forward many movements in the Church and that actually occupied, by those who wish to control it. There are still great open areas, like those in Cenit was the beginning of others of first-class impor- tral Arabia, Australia, South America, Asia, Aftance. Madras may well prove to be one of the rica and Madagascar, that might provide a haven; maj or milestones in the onward march of the but much of such territory is not suitable for hu- man habitation. It is either barren or unwhole- Church of Christ. K. S. LATOURETTE. some. In addition to this the oppressive govern- ments also, like that of Pharaoh in Egypt, are not Yale University. willing to let the people go and to take their sub- stance with them so that they will be able to es- WHEN CHRISTIANS ARE PERSECUTED tablish homes elsewhere.
True Christians never persecute and they do not It is estimated that one million "non-Aryan" retaliate. They were warned by Christ to expect Christians in Germany are suffering with the persecution from those who are opposed to Him Jews, in addition to millions more who are opand His program but they were taught not to re- pressed and have their religious and social liberty taliate. "To return evil for good is devilish; to curtailed by the Nazi regime. Non-Aryans are return good for good or evil for evil is human; to forbidden to teach or to practice law and other return good for evil is Godlike." Christians are professions; they are banned from civil governinstructed to love their enemies, to bless those who ment positions, and are excluded from universipersecute them and pray for those who use them ties and government schools. The text of the Bible despitefully. Are Christians following Christ's itself has been altered in order to make it harmoninstructions today in regard to Nazi Germany, ize with Nazi tenets; church services and preachmilitaristic Japan and communistic Russia? Here ing are either under the ban or are subjected to is a test of true Christian character. the espionage of Nazi police. Christian pastors who do not conform to the governments' decrees Nevertheless some who call themselves Chris- as to religious practices are forbidden to preach tians are inclined to persecute those who differ and many are in prison and concentration camps. from them in their beliefs and practices, or who Many church organizations, especially of the will not submit to dictation. This was true in the youth, have been disbanded by order of the Govmiddle ages, when the Papacy was bent on per- ernment and church schools have been closed. secuting the "Reformers" who insisted on follow- Those who suffer include not only masses of uning the Bible and their conscience rather than the known Christians in Germany, but eminent scien- Pope. Similar persecutions are reported today in tists, doctors, professors, lawyers, authors and parts of Latin America and other lands where pastors. ecclesiastical leaders in power wish to dominate minority groups. Fox's "Book of Martyrs" tells What can Christians in America and Great the heartrending story of the persecution of Chris- Britain do to aid these sufferers, especially their tians; and the life of George Fox, who founded fellow Christians? The problem is too great for the Society of Friends, pictures graphically the any individual or small group to solve. We are aLmost unbelievable sufferings inflicted on a fellow confident that God will work out His plans in time; Christian in England by men professed to be fol- the best His people can do is to cooperate with lowers of Christ. The Puritans, the Pilgrims, the Him as the way is opened. Christians can pray, Huguenots and others fled from religious perse- not only for the persecuted, but for the persecucution in Europe, seeking some place where they tors. But Christians must do more. Committees could worship God according to the teaching of the have been fomned in Great Britain and America Bible and the dictates of their own consciences. In to raise funds and in other ways to help these sufthe Providence of God there was then a whole con- ferers, and, if possible to establish them in new tinent available where they might carve out their homes. The Jews in America have raised $250,000 destiny and build up a God-fearing community. for the present year to help the refugees of their race; surely the Christians can do as much or Today religious persecution is found all over the more. Now is the time of testing, not only for the world, in various forms and degrees. At present sufferers, but for Christians living in a land of attention is focussed on Germany. Not only are liberty and plenty. Every time of religious per- 500,000 Jews suffering there because they are Jews, but Christians also are suffering, either because they have a fraction of Jewish blood, and so are considered "non-Aryans," or because they are Christians and refuse to allow their worship of God to be .interfered with by the dictates of a
secution in the past has been accompanied or fol- are thirty million Protestant Church members and lowed by a spiritual revival-as in the time of the probably over three times that number in families Reformation, of the Wesleys, of John Knox and more or less connected with Protestant Christian churches. The followers of Christ have a great George Fox. May it be so today. * responsibility before them.
SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN HOME MISSIONS Professor Arthur Raper, of Atlanta, called at- tention at Baltimore to the "Present-day Trends In North America, with all of its great re- Toward Peasantry." F.armers and farming form the material basis for American prosperity and sources, its history and its opportunities, there are yet, with the increase of manufactures, the lack of conservation and growing soil depletion, many still millions of people who have no real knowledge farming and grazing districts-in New England, the South and the Middlewest-are engaged in a of God and His wise and .loving will for men. continual struggle with poverty. The demands for shorter hours, higher wages and regulated prices With all our wealth there are multitudes who live are causing increasing confusion and conflict. Not lack of opportunity but selfishness, in both in dire poverty-like the people in city slums, the capital and labor, lies at the root of the difficulty. With the increase of social security legislation and Negroes in black belts of the South, the moun- dependence on the Government for support, the independence, initiative and moral stamina of intaineers and sharecroppers in the South and West, dividuals are decreasing.
the miners, fisher-folk and lumber-jacks. In spite These social and economic trends strongly affect the Church, especially in rural districts. Dr. Will of our great public school system, multitudes are W. Alexander, Administrator of Farm Security for the Government, said: "You may not have still ignorant and uneducated. The evidences of realized that the present spiritual decline has gone hand in hand with the decline in the material welwidespread corruption, industrial conflict, greed, fare of a large part of our rural population. . . . The Church is failing to meet the religious. needs selfishness and sin crowd our newspapers and con- of the people because it has made little effort to meet their social and economic needs." Unsettled gest our courts. . or migrant laborers and farm-tenants, or insecure industrial workers, do not make good church mem- No Christian can be indifferent to the socIal bers. We are told that "one-third of the tenant families in America move on to new fields every trends of the world in which he lives; all moral, year." Such people cannot be expected to take much active interest in their community, churches, economic, political and social problems are di- schools, Government or even in establishing good homes. rectly related to God and His laws, and affect the The Christian forces in America must take a individual, the Church and the community. It is, real interest in these problems and must seek ways, not only to build up the moral and spiritual therefore in keeping with the purpose and plan character and life of the people in every commu- nity, but we must help to solve these problems of of Home'Mission work, to study and discuss the poverty, lack of education and social instability. Good economic and spiritual results were reported present-day social trends and to seek ways in from the development of cooperatives in Nova Scotia and in other districts where they have been which present-day weaknesses and evils may be established among underprivileged classes.
corrected so that all life may be brought into har- Home Mission fields and problems are changing in many ways. The Church, like the individual, mony with the Will of God as revealed in the Bible needs life from God, abundant spiritual life, and Christian forces need to work together sacrificially and in accord with the spirit and teachings of in order to serve each group and locality, in the midst of difficult and constantly changing con- Jesus Christ. ditions. That is a work in which Home Mission agencies. are engaged as representatives of the The recent Home Missions Conference in Balti- Church of Jesus Christ.
more (January 7-10) studied these disturbing so- cial trends and sought the remedy. Dr. Arthur E.
Holt of Chicago, said: "Something awful has hap;ened to Christendom. The industrial depres- sion, political turmoil and social decadence are evidence of spiritual disease. Nothing less than a moral revolution can save democracy." This is true but it is also true that there must be an entire change of front toward God and toward His Son Jesus Christ; a spiritual revolution is necessary to save the nation, the school, the home, the Church and the individual.
America has acquired strength by reason of God's gracious provision in natural resources~ ~nd in the past has developed power by recogmzmg God and putting Him first in national life and in the home and the school. Today the Church of Christ is weakened by neglect; the Bible is ignored in public life, and Christ Himself is widely re- jected as the Saviour and Lord of Life. But there is hope in the fact that there are still multitudes who have not "bowed the knee to Baal." There • The American Committee for Christian German Refugees Is headed by James M. Speers and the office is at 287 Fourth Ave., New York.
Vision and Power at
A New Contribution to the Twenty-ninth Chapter of The Acts t~··- _.•..gf I By PAUL W. HARRISON, M.D., Muscat, Arabia I ~==========================~I W HEN the Apostolic Church met a crisis or ful Church of the West, especially the Church of faced an opportunity, it held a prayer North America, was represented largely by mis- meeting. A. C. Dixon used to tell us that, sionaries and Board secretaries, because the name but it is not the whole truth. Those meetings were and sentiment of a "missionary" conference had for conference as well as for prayer. The men been inherited from the past.
and women who made up the Church of those But we thanked God with great earnestness, days, laid their needs before God. They listened for the guidance which His Spirit had given in the to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and in the light selection of delegates. from the different countries of His guidance, they sought strength and laid where the Church has not been so long established.
plans for the future. The capacity and penetration, the depth and con- The Apostolic Church of 1938 has recently held secration, of the whole Church of Christ were such a meeting. In the days of Peter and James there, and it was the privilege of a lifetime to and John, when the Church was in Jerusalem, it meet that group of four hundred and seventy men was easy for them to pray together, and think to- and women.
gether, and place their souls on the altar of con- Scattered through the group were some of the secration together. The Holy Spirit dealt with giants. of our time. These included Kagawa with the Church as a unit. It was one Church. his delightfully mutilated English, his tremen- But now the Gospel has spread through all the dously important cooperatives, and his five-year world, just as Christ said it would. The Church Evangelistic campaign, which has been used to is at home in almost every land and as a result, revive the whole Japanese Church; and Laubach there are now great difficulties in holding a meet- with his vision of a literate world, a vision which ing of the whole Church for prayer and consulta- under the touch of his extraordinary genius is be- tion and guidance. Men from every nation under ing objectified into literal reality; Stanley Jones Heaven, speaking many languages, must gather with his intense evangelistic soul fired by the vitogether. A few must represent very many, for sion of Christ coming back to rule in men's intel- there are six million Christians in India alone, and lects; Constance Padwick of Egypt who carries in a meeting of this sort, if it is to be a real unit for her face and in her voice, as well as in her soul, prayer must be a group of hundreds, rather than a vision of beauty and poise and harmony brought thousands. into the service of Our Lord, in worship and lit- Through those meetings of the early Church, erature and life. No one left Tambaram Con- God poured out His Divine power, and the mes- ference without a new realization of what God sage of the Gospel, given in the power of the can do in and through imperfect human beings, Spirit, was invincible. The world and the flesh granted only that He is afforded full opportunity.
and the devil together were not able to stop it. But very little time was spent in admiring the And so today the Church of many lands has dele- giants. They were simply members and repre- gated representatives to meet together again, to sentatives of the great universal Church, gathpray and listen, to confer and plan. The difficul- ered to pray and take counsel together and to ties were great, and some were not entirely over- gain a vision of God's will for His work in the come. The essential unity of the Church is badly days to come. To confer with that group was to broken on the surface, by sectarian divisions, serve on one's knees in humility, for it represented most of which are not very important, by differ- the very Church of God in her power and loveliences in theological outlook which are far deeper, ness. Here we caught the inspiration of God's and by subtle feelings of superiority on the part own visions for the future, and His wisdom for the of the stronger Western churches over the weaker present. Here, as we knelt together before God Eastern churches, which constitute the deepest and labored in comradespip with each other, we rift of all. For such a meeting, the selection of felt the mind of God directing us, and heard His the few to represent the many, requires great voice speaking to our souls. delicacy of judgment. Unfortunately, the power- The company was divided into sections to con- [119 ]
sider problems that press upon the Church from enemy of God had indeed come in like a flood. every side. Each section consisted of fifty or sixty When were the clouds over the world so dark as delegates, and a week of intense discussion and now? We saw the tiny Church in Turkestan torn study was given to sixteen different topics. to pieces as by a wild beast and scattered to the four winds. We saw the superb Church in Korea Section 1: "The Faith by which the Church pressed down under the heel of a hostile militaris- Lives." tic government. The Koreans' were the only vacant chairs in that great company. Shadows have been Section 2: "The Church, Its Nature and Func- growing darker over the Church in Japan and tion." Germany and over the whole Moslem Near East. Totalitarian Nationalism, like an epidemic of in- Section 3: "The Unfinished Evangelistic Task." sanity, grows constantly more and more menacing.
Each section included representatives from the But this dark background did not fill our horidifferent areas, about fifty per cent being na- zon. It was dwarfed by a vision which developed tionals, and fifty per cent missionaries and Board as the Conference progressed, and that stood besecretaries. Various points of view were repre- fore us at the end as evidence of the very power sented by men of experience, power and depth, and wisdom of God. It is not easy to put on paper but all alike were intense evangelists. and the dis- the tremendous thrill that took possession of our cuss{ons were carried on in a beautiful spirit. In souls as the mists cleared away and as we came no discussion did I hear any word which, either in to see the Universal Church, which is now at content or in emphasis, was to be regretted. After home in almost every land, and was represented four days of this intense study, a drafting com- by such a group of men and women to serve bemittee spent a more or less sleepless night embody- fore the Throne of God. The giants were there, ing the- discussions in a preliminary statement. but they were simply members of this great group This was presented the following day for the sec- which was nothing less than The Church of the tion to revise and amend, and was then drawn up Living God, gathered to pray and listen together into a more final form. After two weeks of this and to plan for a future which should be greater hard work the sixteen reports were presented to than any past. The caliber and vision and touch the main body of delegates and, after being fur- with God, which we saw in these men and women ther modified, were adopted as the Conference from China and from Africa, from Samoa, and findings. from South America, dwarfed everything human that we had known; we all saw the great Church We made one serious mistake here: we talked Universal, to some little degree as Christ Himself too much, and prayed too little. There was sees it, "the riches of the glory of His inheritance scarcely time to eat and sleep; it seems to me that in the saints." we did not meditate and listen to God as much as He would have preferred. But God is merciful; But it was not the Church merely which filled He has worked many times through men who our hearts with joy and confidence in the face of made mistakes and He did not withdraw His bless- the black clouds which covered the sky.. The ing because of this one. The prayers of many of Church by herself, even the Church Universal, His people were focused on that great company, with a frontierless comradeship that made us and our imperfect efforts, He sanctified with His think of Heaven, is still a human organization. overwhelming blessing. God does not demand He would be a rash devotee who reckoned her that we be wise, and that is well for we are often strength adequate to meet the enemies which opvery foolish. Without doubt we might have pose her, and to accomplish the impossible tasks brought to Christ's feet a much more beautiful which loom ahead. But at Tambaram God did not and fragrant and suitable offering, if the listening show us an empty-handed Church. We saw the ear had more often replaced the wagging tongue. Body of Christ with the eternal Gospel to pro- But our offering, however imperfect, was pre- claim. If one were asked for the central vision sented with clean hands and a pure heart, and and insight of Tambaram, I think that it would be with a degree of love and consecration to our Di- this, a vision of the omnipotent adequacy of the vine Lord which none of us may see again until Gospel. We did not see the Gospel apart from the we sit at Christ's feet in the world to come. There Church or any Church apart from the Gospel. was a unity of mind and spirit, a brotherly love What we saw was the Church of Christ, with and confidence and comradeship, which some of God's Good News in her hand, a magnificent, us had not thought attainable by imperfect human omnipotent Church of the Living God which could beings. look out on the dark developments of man's sin, with pity and love, in the light of that vision, Mountains of valuable information were gath- every opposing thing was like a small child's toy. ered for the Conference and were there to be di- devoid of all power and permanence. gested; multitudes of splendidly thought-out plans were presented for us to study. We saw, with a vividness that was terrible, that the arch-
THE VISION AND POWER AT MADRAS
SCENES AT THE MADRAS MISSIONARY CONFERENCE 1. The African Delegation at Tambaram 2. The Main Building, Madras Christian College 3. WILSON INIA, Delegate from Fiji 4. C. F. ANDREWS, of India 5. TOYOHIKO KAGAWA, of Japan 6. Bishop of Winchester In a Group Conference • 7. Part of the Missionary Conference In Session
There were outstanding results from this. The The call went out for more mlSSlOnaries. Conference knew one thing and only one: It was Doubtless there will be less place than before for centered on evangelism. Many other things were institutional mission enterprises. The Governmentioned, and were discussed, and well thought ments of the world intend to do their own educaout programs. were presented. There were discus- tional and medical work. But with a unanimous sions on education, and on medical work, and on voice the different "National" groups asked, not rural programs. But these were in the periphery for fewer missionaries, but for more. In the light of thought and attention, and were reckoned of Heaven all races are of the same color. valuable only as they contributed to the program of evangelism. That program was centered, not At Tambaram it was not difficult to believe in in missionaries nor in missionary organizations., the power of God. In the love and comradeship but always and everywhere in Christ and His between the Japanese and Chinese delegates. we Church. Missionaries are simply the contribution saw God's love and power defeating the evil effects made by a more strongly established section of the of human·sin. In.the superb Church growing up Church to a weaker or newer section. And the into power in Africa we saw God redeeming a call that went out was for a campaign of evan- whole race. The Church poured her human regelism to include every church everywhere, each sources into that Conference. Financial sacrifice in its own field first of all, and each sending out was there, and human wisdom, but it was the evangelists to the ends of the earth, wherever vision that came down from God out of Heaven, needs are great and spiritual darkness is still in- which made the Conference great. May the vision tense. Afghanistan was seen as primarily the re- of the divine power and beauty of the Gospel, and sponsibility of the Church in India, and Tibet of the omnipotence of the Church with the Gospel in the Church in China. her h~ds, lead us, like a pillar of fire, through all the days to come.
Foreign Missions Tomorrow * Extracts from Addresses and Discussions at the Madras Missionary Conference FAITHFOR A TIME OF CRISIS of our churches had, during the past two or three OPENING ADDRESS BY DR. JOHN R. MOTT decades, done all that we might have done to avert the present distress, then we might be pessimistic. Chairman of the International Missionary Council But with a sense of humiliation and contrition, We come from over seventy different nations or recognizing that none of our churches has done separate areas of the world. Thus we constitute a tithe of what we might have done to prevent the most widely representative. meeting of the theSe threatened disasters, then we are bound to World Mission of the Christian faith ever held, believe that better things are possible. We who and yet we are impressed by the great and blessed have gathered here know Whom we have believed. We well know that nothing has happened in these fact of our oneness in Christ. This is one of the most fateful moments in the recent difficult years which invalidates the claims life of mankind. Not in our lifetime, if· at any of Jesus Christ. Each one of us can say with St. time, have so many peoples been bearing sllch im- Paul in an hour of grave difficulty, "Be of good possible burdens, or undergoing such persecution cheer, for I believe God." We rest solidly on two and suffering. It seems that never has there been stupendous claims of Christ: "I am the Way, the a time when the world was so rent by interna- Truth, and the Life," and "I, if I be lifted up, will tional misunderstandings" bitterness and strife? draw all men unto Me." When have we been called upon to witness such Many have asked, "Why, in view of the present startling relaxing of traditions, sacred sanctions, state of the world, with its abounding troubles, and established law and order? When .has the hardship and depression, are so many Christian very atmosphere across the world been so sur- . leaders caned together, at such expense in money and in precious time, from many corners of charged with suspicion, fear and uncertainty? But we do not come together in despair, seeing earth?" The answer is, "Precisely because we are only the dark background. If we beHeved that all in a time of unexampled and baffling difficulties and confusion; in this time of so many unan- • From notes supplied by W. W. Reid. swered questions of central importance, it has
FOREIGN MISSIONS TOMORROW
been deemed absolutely necessary that such a ized by reverence f'0r religion. And where is there world-wide consultation he held. We must think a people more warm-hearted, more gentle, more out large questions of policy, and the adaptation courte'0us, more peace-loving? Here Christianity of methods to meet new world conditions; this ranks as one of four or five of the oldest of many cannot be done by the churches and missionary faiths; for here the ancient Syrian Church is societies separately. This International Mission- identified with much of the best in Indian life. ary Council is the body which comes together for Moreover in India is to be found a larger memunited thinking, planning and action, and weaves bership in the younger mission-founded churches together the various National Christian Councils than in any '0ther land. throughout the world. In India, too, we are in the presence of one of There have recently been held a great succes- the greatest areas of poverty, '0f human need and sion of world-wide Christian assemblies: the suffering, and of burden-bearing in all the world. World Conference on Life and Work at Oxford "Bear ye one another's burdens and S'0 fulfil the and the World Conference on Faith and Order at law of Ghrist!" What is most important for all Edinburgh, followed by the meeting to form a is the fact that India today presents, the world's World Council of Churches; there is also to be most instructive laboratory of Christian experiheld at Amsterdam next summer the conference ence, method and adventure. G'0d grant us the of the Christian Youth Movements of the world. humility, and the thirst and purpose to learn, that While these meetings were planned without col- we may discover much that will guide and inspire lusion they reveal the fact that all our major us. problems can be met best, in a world context, and with a world-wide desire to draw together in fel- (3) When has a conference '0f Christian leaders lowship and action. This World Mission Confer- assembled at such a m'0ment? This meeting was ence is by fa'r the most important in this series, projected three '0r four years ago with the thought because it is the first one which brings together that it would be held at Hangchow, China. The on a parity the representatives of the older events of recent months made it necessary to churches of Europe, North America and Austra- transfer the meeting to India. In these three lasia, and the younger churches of Asia, Africa; years, what seemingly imp'0ssible events have Latin America, and the Pacific Islands. The elapsed in the Far East: the transformations and World Mission of the Christian faith is the great- alarming developments in the Near East, notably est and the most important of the world move- Palestine, the land of our Saviour; the experiments of our time. It calls for the best thinking ences in Africa, in particular in Ethiopia, events and planning and the most courageous and united which have caused the Christian conscience of the action of which men are capable. world to tremble; the unbelievable '0ccurrences of the recent m'0nths in Europe; and the marvelous It would be difficult to overstate the possibilities developments '0f the last three years in India. I of this world-wide mission conference: venture to say that never has a world Christian gathering assembled at a time when simultane- (1) We recognize no limitation to our central ously, in so many parts of the world, has there objective. It reminds one of the ambition of St. been so great need of its high offices. Paul to "present every man perfect in Christ": "every man"-no limit extensively, "perfect"- (4) We realize the boundless possibilities as we no limit intensively, "in Christ"-no limit dynami- think of the challenges which come to us both cally. Our immediate objective is to arrive at a from the world ab'0ut us and from within the common mind as to God's will concerning the next churches themselves. Looking outside our steps which should be taken to build up the Church churches we are profoundly c'0ncerned as we witand to spread the knowledge of Christ. The ness: primitive races being brought suddenly into Chul1ch is the Divine Society founded by Christ vi'0lent contact with more complex civilizati'0n; to accomplish His will in the world. It is a wor- the breakdown of ancient and honored traditions shipping Society, a witnessing Society, a trans- and of highly valued institutions, also of solemn forming Society-the veritable Body of Christ. agreements and established law and order; the widespread disintegration of moral ideals and au- (2) We are privileged to meet in this fasci- thority; the inauguration of what someone has nating land where we witness so much of the characterized as "an era of god makers"; rival beauty, the grandeur and the majesty of the work challenges to the allegiance of men being-presented of God in nature, and some of the most impressive literally across the world, and, therefore, new atand surpassing works of man; in this ancient tacks on the Christian faith; the necessity of land, with great traditions; in this land of so fighting the battle of religious liberty over again. many varied peoples and tongues-the home of one-fifth of the human race; in this land which The fact that, in the West as well as in the East, is the home of great religions and cultures. Here the Christian message today is confr'0nted by a n'0n-Christian w'0rld. in India we find '0urselves among people character-
Looking to the churches themselves, we are also THE TRUE MISSION OF THE CHURCH confronted wi,th grave perils and inspiring challenges, such as the great continuing problem in THE RT. REV. V. S. AZARIAH the upbuilding and maintenance of the younger churches as a part of the world-wide Christian Bishop of Dornakal fellowship; Here and there are perils of halfconverted churches. There is grave danger lest A Hindu seeker after truth told me this, story Christianity become diluted or adulterated by in- of his experience: He had read the Gospels, and filtration of superstition and sub·Ohristian con- had been fascinated by the life of Christ, and ception of God. There are also ideas and attitudes greatly stirred by the death of Christ. Then he which are tending to cut the roots of the mission- read on into the Book of Acts and felt that he had ary undertaking because they cut the roots of entered into a new world. The Gospels told of Christianity itself. There is need of real thinking Jesus, His works, and His suffering. In the Acts, and sacrificial action with reference to the de· the Christ seems to go into the background, and velopment of a sound economic basis for the it is the multitude, the brethren, the church, the churches. The hour has come to sound out a disciples that take the place of Christ. What the strong recall to evangelism-the larger evangel- disciples did, and thought, and taught had taken ism. This is basic to all that we have most at the place that Christ had occupied; the Church heart. Then there is the problem of Christian continued where Jesus left off at his death. unity, and the fulfilling of the vision, a World "Therefore," this man said, "I must belong to the Council of Churches. The younger churches must Church that carries on the life of Christ." have a part in the realization of this vision. Do the churches realize that they exist to carry (5) We cannot here permit ourselves to think on what Jesus Christ came to do? The Church of limitations in the realm of our resources. exists to proclaim the revelation of God's love, to Think of the numbers of the Christian host, in proclaim redemption from sin. Every member contrast with those of earlier centuries and of of the Church is expected to go forward, continuearlier decades; think of the power of organiza- ing what Christ came to do. tion at our disposal and the means of distributing our forces most advantageously; think of the In baptism, we dedicate a man, a woman, or a wide range of knowledge and of costly experience child as a faithful servant of Christ to life's end. which has been accumulated throughout the his- Every person baptized should be a witness, othertory of the expansion of Christianity; think of wise he denies Christ. "Every Christian a witthe valuable heritage of all our Christian com- ness" is a slogan of our efforts at evangelism. We munions, large and small, notably in sacrifice; have been getting little groups of Christians tothink of that priceless asset, the momentum of gether and training them to go about and answer progress and victory in so many fields. the simple questions of Indian villagers. One was asked by a villager, "Have you seen God?" His With a deepening sense of humiliation and of answer was, "Sirs, you knew me two years ago. set purpose to bring forth fruits meet for repent- I was a drunkard. You know me now. I do not ance, let us dwell on our unused resources. How think I should have had all this change if I had comparatively unused in all our churches and in not seen Jesus Christ." There is no better anall our countries are the capacities of heart power, swer, and no better way of witnessing for God. of thought power, of statesmanship, of unselfishness, of saintliness, of adventure, of heroism, of Often we find that people learn most, not from sacrifice, of fellowship and unity. The only limi- intellectual discussions but from the things that tation in the possibilities seem to be in ourselves. they see and that go straigiht to their hearts. Illiterate men often teach me how to answer the When the whole world seems to be overshad- objections that men make to the Christian faith. owed by ,fear, it is important that we Christians A Hindu said to an illiterate man: "It is nonsense should remember that we have been called to a to believe that anyone can rise from the dead." great confidence in God and a great hope, remem- The man's reply was, "When we bury rice in the bering that illuminating and wonderful word of field and it dies, a crop rises up to feed us. Surely our Saviour: "In the world ye have tribulation. if God plants a life, He can raise it again." Be of go09 cheer; I have overcome the world." In the early church it was the laymen who In view of the alarming Istate of the world, in spread the Gospel of Christ. Christianity spread view of the so largely unfinished task, in view of from slave to slave, from soldier to soldier, from the great designs of our ever-living and therefore artisan to artisan. Every convert talked to the ever-creative Lord, our attitude and spirit should men of his own group. It is our duty to persuade be adventurous, forward-looking and forward- every person who iaa Christian to go out as a moving. witness for Christ. The sharing of experience with others adds to our joy and to our own Chris- tian experience. Let men stand somewhere as
Christians; let them just face a non-Christian But now, in the twentieth century, because we sit crowd; someone else may do the preaching, and others may do the singing; but the experience of in darkness and depression after the breakdown simply standing for Christ will lead people to bow their knees before Christ. accompanying the great European war and the I used to go among the churches and have the following economic difficulties, we have come to baptized members place their hands on their own heads and repeat after me: "I am a baptized understand more of the meaning of redemption. Christian. Woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel !" Jesus showed redeeming love from the start of His Not only the individual but the group must wit- public ministry. Even when He was preaching ness for Christ. When six men of caste came and asked for baptism, I asked them why they wanted the most wonderful sermon on the Mount He had to be baptized. They replied that they had been watching the outcastes in a certain village church, a vision of the Cross. And also when He was and had seen that since they became Christians they were getting ahead of the caste people. happy with his disciples in Galilee, He was con- "They will be better than we are if we do not become Christians," they said. scious of the bridegroom's. destiny to be taken That very day the pastor of that village church away from them. He told them that the experihad been complaining to me of the sins among some members of that very congregation. So I ence of the prophet Jonah would be His own. said to these church members that the church was not perfect. To which they replied, "Yes, there Especially after the death of John the Baptist, are black sheep in every flock. But we know what they were ten years ago and what they are now." Jesus emphatically spoke about His coming death There are outstanding men in all religions, such and resurrection. And at last He informed His as Francis Assisi and Mahatma Gandhi, but it is when the common man is changed that people see disciples that His death was for the redemption the power of Christ. That is what is influencing Indian people to become Christians in the mass of many. movements. This inner consciousness of Jesus Christ was It is the Church's duty to concentrate its energies to do the work of Ghrist-not merely to wor- too deep for His disciples to understand. And ship, but to continue to do Christ's work with help and strength that we receive in worship. Too even today, many people cannot understand this much of the energies. of ministers and of churches is being spent in taking care of hereditary Chris- mystery. tians. The Church exists not to save itself but to save others. When a girl is still young she cannot understand THE MEANING OF THE CROSS the psychology of another person. When she DR. TOYOHIKO KAGAWA OF JAPAN grows older she understands the psychology of her On Calvary I see the blood of Jesus Christ drop- husband, and she understands the child's psycholping down from His body on the Cross! I hear the sound of the agony of the Lamb of God for the ogy when she has a baby. So with us. Unless we sins of mankind! It was for me and for my nation and for my race and for the whole world! I have a wider and deeper consciousness it is imhave committed sins and Jesus died for my sake! My race has committed sins ,and He died for my possible to understand the Ghrist's redemption of race. The whole of mankind had fallen into sin, so He died for us all. sinners.
Forgive us, Lord, for the sake of the blood of Jesus having the fine consciousness of God's law Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Saviour. and divine character could feel that He must die In the nineteenth century some theologians could not understand the wonderful revelation of for sinners. God's justice demanded it and men redemption because they were overshadowed by the amazing development of science and industry. needed to be redeemed from the penalty of broken law.
Some people ask, "If God is love, what is the need for redemption?" We must understand that God is just as well as loving. If He allowed man- kind to remain in sin, God could not truly be love.
There is the need of regeneration and redemption.
When we are saved and made perfect in Jesus Christ we are released from the penalty of sin.
When we study the physical function of blood, we discover how wonderfully the blood is used to heal the diseased body. It gives its life to cure wounds and heal the sicknesses. So the love of Jesus Christ was so great that He gave His very life blood for sinners. This mystery is so great that we cannot wholly understand it. Dr. Adolf Harnack would not understand the inner con- sciousness of Jesus Ghrist, and he thought that there were two Christianities, that of Jesus and that of Paul. Many disciples have written about this redeeming love of Christ, some attempting to set forth the vicarious suffering of Jesus Christ, and others writing about the high-priesthood of JesuL I Redemption pertains to every phase of life: the restoration to life of those dead in sin; suffering
for the weak to give aid to enfeebled strength; truth of rebirth. Isaiah, the prophet, taught this as necessary to pay the prke of sin; as ,a grain of truth many centuries before Christ; and it was wheat dying in order to produce fruit; His death fulfilled in the death of Jesus Christ. This re- was the offering of the Lamb of God for man's sin; deeming love was the revelation of God. If we through His death comes justification, or the for- say only that we trust in God as the Creator and giveness of sins by the declaration of the satis- Ruler but do not believe in His love toward us, faction of God's justice; His death was the atone- then human society cannot see the light and way ment by which God is reconciled to mankind of Life in Christ.
through the mediation of Jesus Christ. Paul said: "Weare ambassadors for Christ, as The rituals of the temple in Jewish history were though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in merely the symbols of the coming redemption Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God" (2' Cor.
through Christ. 5 : 20) . What he said also in Colossians 1: 2'4 Every religion has made an ,attempt to discover and Philippians 1: 29 needs attention. Paul tried this way of redemption from darkness and suffer- to pass on to others the truth about the redeeming ing and sin. We have the fountain head in Jesus love of Christ. This is the real life in Christ.
Christ. When we are saved, we must pass on the reveia- Confucius did not know the secret of this mys- tion of the wonderful love of Christ to others.
tery. Buddha had not this redemptive message; This is the Kingdom of God movement.
nor had Mohammed or any other religious leader. The price for man's redemption having been It was only made real in Christ. paid, we must show the value of salvation to our neighbors; on the contrary how many of us com- There was a young couple in the city of Tokyo. mit sin and bring discredit on Christ. Since He The husband committed a crime and, trying to be died for us, we ought to be willing to die for merciful to his wife, he wrote a note to divorce Christ's sake. her. But his wife had attended a Christian Sunday school when she was young and when she received the note of divorce from her husband, she instantly remembered what she had learned about Jesus Christ-how He had died for sinners and MY MISSIONARY DAY how God has forgiven the sins of those who accepted Him. So, she said to her husband that she Oh there's blue and there's gray would not forsake him, having learned forgiveness In my missionary day. from Jesus Christ. But since she had become un- The sunshine and the shadows both His love and power display.
certain about the truth, she came to me to verify I see His gentle hand at work upon some burdened heart, the truth that Jesus had really died for sinners. And praise Him that in such a task He lets me have a part. She accepted the redemption of sins through the There is joy in every mornin~ and the night cannot dismay Blood of Jesus Christ and she and her husband were both saved. If I close beside Him stay Through my missionary day.
A weH educated young man in the Province of Yes, there's mire and there's clay Chiba had a brother in a college who lived in a In my missionary day, licentious way and began to steal from others in And I sometimes faint and falter in the muck beside the order to frequent evil resorts. This educated man way. So sad the cries of suffering, of sorrow and of sin, determined to kill his brother; but about this time I scarce can hear the sweetness of the still small voice within. he found at a secondhand store a book from which But the Lord has lit my candle and the comfort of its ray he discovered that Jesus died for sinners. He could not sleep that night because he did not know Shines golden through the gray why Jesus had done this. Later, discovering that Of my missionary day.
Jesus was a revelation of God, the Heavenly Fa- Lord, teach me to pray ther, he found that he also could love his own sin- Through my missionary day, ful brother. He believed in Christ and was bap- That I may love and guide aright Thy children gone tized; later he opened his house for a Christian astray, Sunday school. I shall not be discouraged, nor be lonely on the trail, If Thou Thyself walk with me on the mount and through Redemption through Jesus Christ is the means the vale. of remaking mankind. Recent developments in Thy lost ones may be found for Thee if I Thy voice obey. the world of physics and astronomy have begun to teach us truth about the creation of the uni- Oh, lead Thou the way Through my missionary day.
-Lois Johnson McNeill, in "Drum Call"
verse. But laws of moralIty do not teach us the (West Africa).
Recommendations From
A few paragraphs from the "Find:ngs" passed at Tambaram, Madras, by the International Missionary Council. Some of the phrasing may be changed in the final form of these affirmations. These are quoted from "Dnyanodaya," published in Poona, India, January 5, 1939. – EDITOR.
Jesus Christ and Non-Christian Religions Universal. They have their place in the great Christian brotherhood of all ages and races. But CONCERNING the faith by which the Church they should also be rooted in the soil of their own lives the Conference declares: "Our mes- country. Therefore we strongly affirm that the sage is that God was in Christ reconciling Gospel should be expressed and interpreted in inthe world unto Himself. We believe that God re- digenous forms, and that in methods of worship, vealed Himself to Israel, preparing the way for institutions, architecture, etc., the spiritual herit- His full revelation in Jesus Christ, His Son, our age of the nation and country should be taken into Lord. We believe that Christ is the Way for all, use. The Gospel is not necessarily bound up with that He alone is adequate for the world's need. forms and methods brought in from the older Therefore we want to bear witness to Him in all churches. The endeavor to give Christ His rightthe world. There are many non-Christian reli- ful place in the heart of people who have not pregions that claim the allegiance of large multitudes. viously known Him so that He will neither be a We recognize that in them are to be found values foreigner, nor be distorted by pre-Christian patof deep religious experiences and great moral terns of thought, is a great .and exacting spiritual achievements. Yet we are bold enough to call task in the fulfilling of which a young church can men out from them to the feet of Christ, because bring a rich contribution of her own to the Church we believe that in Him alone is the full salvation Universal! which man needs. Mankind has seen nothing to be compared with the redeeming love of God in The Call to Evangelism the life and death and resurrection of Christ. What He is for us, Judge and Redeemer, Friend "The Church's message to the world is the Lord and Teacher, Brother and Lord, we long to see Jesus Christ Himself in all His manifold grace and Him become also for others. . . . Christ is revo- power. It is the work of evangelism so to exalt lutionary; He brings conversion and regeneration and proclaim Him, crucified, risen and glorified, when we meet Him, from whatever point we may that men may awaken to God, and to a sense of have started. Paul said: 'What things were gain their sin and separation from God, may be led to me, those I counted loss for Christ.' to true repentance and to that act of will whereby they believe in and receive the forgiveness of their sins through Christ and enter upon a new life of Christ and People of Other Faiths trust and obedience towards God and of abound- ing hope for this world and that which is to come. "Three consequences of this view of the reli- For its maintenance and expression, this new life gious life of mankind may here be mentioned. involves membership of the Christian fellows.hip, First, it implies that witnesses for Christ must so that he who has thus received the grace and have a deep and sincere interest in the religious forgiveness of God, at the same time must enter life of those among whom they are sent, for the outward society of fellow-believers and in his Christ's sake and for the sake of those peo- turn become a witness to the truth. Evangelism, pIe. . . . while it involves the interaction of human beings "Second, this interest in the religious heritage of on one another, is very diff·erent from attempts to nations must not lead us to assume, as has some- dominate or invade the personalities of others. times been suggested, that the Scriptures of these It is a work whose end can never be attained by religions could take the place of the Old Testa- weak human instruments unless the Holy Spirit ment as introductions to the Christian Gospel. The Himself works previously in them and through Old Testament was the Bible of Jesus to which He them. Essentially the Church is the instrument constantly referred, and gives an indispensable whereby the living God, through His Holy Spirit, background to the Gospel by showing the early makes His impact upon the spirits of men. The stages of God's preparation for sending our Lord. Gospel of Christ carries with it the promise of "Third, when churches grow up in the environ- social transformation and of the realization of ment of non-Christian religions and cultures, it is such ends as justice, freedom and peace. A living necessary that they should get firmly rooted in the Church cannot dissociate itself from prophetic and Christian heritage and fellowship of the Church pra.ctical activities in regard to social conditions.
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True evangelism will always include a forward- the churches require a restatement of the function looking vision. and training of the future missionary. We are The Danger of Compromise driven to make the following major emphases. The maj or functions of the missionary in the next "The Council is not unmindful of the faults and decade may be stated as follows: mistakes which have crept into some of the evan- "(1) To be a colleague and friendly helper in gelistic work of the churches and missions and the upbuilding of the life of the younger churches: that have proved obstacles to the spread of the "(a) By enriching their spiritual life, especially Gospel of Christ and to its genuine acceptance by through Bible teaching, evangelistic work and de- many. In pra'Ctical matters of leadership, or- velopment of means to cultivate and discipline the ganization and finance, Western methods have not spiritual life.
always been adapted to suit the fundamental char- " (b) By helping to train leaders for the varied acteristics of Eastern peoples; they have pro- ministry of the churches.
duced superficial results into which the creative "(c) By special service in medical and educa- work of the Holy Spirit entered only a little. tional work, and social reconstruotion programs There is the danger of seeking to extend the in rural and industrialized areas.
Church numerically without due regard to the full "(d) By fostering the concern within the meaning and purpose of evangelism as the Council churches for the expansion of Christianity into understand it. The Church undergoes temptations unoccupied areas.
to obscure its witness by compromise when faced " (e) By standing against the tide of modern by the problems of relations with governments, secularistic civilization when it invades the life friendly or hostile. of the churches.
"Personal and social habits and practices, which "(2) To witness against all the varied forms of are matters of indifference in one part of the secularized and materialistic life in the society in Church, may be a cause of offence in another, and which he lives, particularly that which derives therefore a hindrance to evangelism; the Council from his own country.
commend for universal acceptance the principles "(3) To embody and communicate the experi- contained in 1 Corinthians 10. In many countries, ence of the Universal Church. He will need fa- denominational differences., and the deep racial miliarity with worship experiences other than divisions within the churches themselves, obscure those of his own Church. He will need to keep in the Church's witness to the Gospel and paralyze touch with the ancient Church and with the de- their efforts to win men for Christ. Beyond all velopment of the world Christian fellowship as a these, there are great obstacles and difficulties in- unity. There is also need for men and women herent in the aim and character of the work itself who embody this spirit and experience in large and in the situation of those to whom the Gospel measure to be made available for limited periods is addressed. The International Missionary Coun- to the service of the whole Church, or the churches cil is of the opinion that these, and many other ob- of a particular area.
stacles to the spread of the Gospel,can be " (4) To help build bridges of understanding overcome fully only in so far as the churches and and cooperation between classes, races and na- their members confront more resolutely the rad- tions, and thus assist the peaceful development ical weakness in their own life which enfeebles and adjustment of their relationships in an or- their power to lighten the spiritual darkness of dered society.
our time and to lead men out of their present be- "(5) To carry the Christian Gospel into the wilderment. The Church as a whole must redis- many areas where Christianity is now unknown, cover the living power of the faith it confesses, or where no churches exist. the very Word of God to our day speaking in and through the Bible it cherishes, and the inward A Christian Rural Civilization peace and constraint that come from the Cross "The past decade has given us the ideal of a with which the Church is marked. Only so will Christian rural civilization. We need now to see it be renewed and enabled by the Holy Spirit to more clearly the implications of this ideal and to undertake the great task of evangelism in our press on more vigorously towards its realization. time. What are the spiritual and religious values that inhere in the processes of agriculture and in the The Future of the Missionary "The basic call to missionary service remains social and economic relationships of rural life?
what it has always been, the inner compulsion of What is the moral responsibility of those who till Christ giving birth to an irresistible sense of di- the earth to care for it and to pass it on inviolate vine mission; but the present condition of the for the use of succeeding generations? What is world and the present stage of development within the relevance of Christian principles to rural
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MADRAS
economy and rural social organization? . . . How "During the discussion it became abundantly clear that may the Christian message of God's redeeming love in Christ be best translated into the language the divisions of Christendom are seen in their worst light of rural peoples and speak to their physical, mental, social and spiritual needs? These questions in the mission fields. Instances were cited by the repredemand that Christians everywhere should engage in more earnest study and adventure so that we sentatives of the younger churches of disgraceful commay find and fulfil God's purpose for His children upon the soil. petition, wasteful overlapping, and of groups and indi- Ambassadors of Jesus Christ viduals turned away from the Church because of the di- "Concerning 'Missions of Fellowship' from the visions within. Disunion is both a stumbling block to the mission field to churches in the countries that send missionaries, the following suggestions are faithful and a mockery to those without. We confess with made as to the principles which should govern the visit of a mission from the younger to the older shame that we ourselves have often been the cause of thus churches: bringing dishonor to the religion of our Master. . . . Vis- "(a) They should go as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, never as 'specimens.' ible and organic union must be our goal. This, however, " (b) They should go simply to share their ex- will require an honest study of those things in which the periences of Christ without ulterior motive. churches have differences, a widespread teaching of the " (c) The members should be worthy representatives, intellectually and spiritually, of the Church common church membership in things that make for union which they represent. and venturesome sacrifice on the part of all. Such a union Cooperation and Unity alone will remove the evils arising out of our divisions. "While we are deeply humbled by the lack of unity in the Church, and by serious limitations . . . We appeal with all the fervor we possess, to the even in the practice of cooperation, we nevertheless wish to place on record the fact that the coop- responsible authorities of the older churches, to take this eration thus far achieved has led to a great increase of mutual understanding and trust. . . . matter seriously to heart, to labor with the churches in This unity of spirit has made us realize more fully how gravely our outward divisions are hindering the mission field to achieve this union, to support and enthe extension of the Kingdom of God, and indeed are stultifying our message of the love of God, as courage us in all our efforts to put an end to the scandalous the great reconciling force in a world that desperately needs it. . . . It is our deep and joyous con- effects of our divisions, and to lead us in the path of union, viction that in our advance along this path we have been led by God Himself and that He has put the union for which our Lord prayed, through which the the seal of His blessing on our cooperative service. We therefore urge the continuance and further world would indeed believe in the divine mission of the extension of cooperation in fields and in types of work where it is imperfectly practiced. . . . Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. .
"The following statement has been drawn up "We recommend: (1) That the International by the representatives of the younger churches Missionary Council arrange for studies to be and expresses their unanimous view. We ear- undertaken with a view to securing cooperation nestly commend it to the prayerful consideration in church discipline in regard both to the treatof all the Churches: ment of individual Christians who are under dis- cipline, and to marriage and other customs which are inherent in the social structure of the people. (2) That the organization of cooperative institu- tions be reviewed in light of the principle that the indigenous Church should have an influential share in the control and direction of policy, and in the relation of institutions to the whole Chris- tian enterprise. (3) That a deliberate and sus- tained effort be made by the International Mis- sionary Council and by the National Christian Councils to win the active cooperation of Chris- tian groups that are at present outside our fellow- ship. (4) That National Christian Councils be urged to initiate cooperative planning for the whole Christian enterprise in their respective fields, and that Mission Boards and churches on the field should consult with the National Chris- tian Councils in such matter. (5) That in view of the evident leading of God and the supreme ur- gency of the call for organic union on the part of the younger churches, the older churches take this to heart with the utmost seriousness, in the fields of prayer, thought, and action."
Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, makes this profoundly true observation: "Humanity desperately needs today a moral and spiritual rebirth, a revitalization of religion. There is no sure way to this supreme goal save through adherence to the teachings of the Bible."
A Kashgar Moslem's
-~ I Recorded by MRS. GLENN B. OGDEN, Kasganj, India Js- KASHGAR is a town on the plateau of Cen- edged Christ, came out of the crowd of bystanders tral Asia, north of the Himalaya Mountains and standing beside Joseph said, "I also am a and near the border of Turkestan. Here Christian." Joseph Ryehan was born. He came of good fam- They were marched through streets filled with ily, his mother being a noble woman and his armed soldiers and an excited mob who shouted, father of Jewish and Kashmiri descent. He was "Long live the King; kill the Christians." Arriva learned scholar, an ardent follower of Moham- ing at the Amir's court, the prisoners were lined med, and knew eight languages. The boy was up for judgment. Abel was shot; then beheaded. brought up strictly in the Moslem faith, but, when When Joseph's turn came he was questioned by still a small boy, was sent to the Christian mission the Amir who shook his fist at him, shouting: school conducted by the Swedish Mission. There "You are the very worst of the lot. You shall be Joseph heard the story of Jesus and the cross, and hung on my gallows tomorrow." The gallows. were was deeply impressed, but for a time he seemed to forget it. newly erected in front of the town's chief mosque.
After the boy had spent a year or two in the Dragged off to prison, Joseph was kept in the mission school, his father sent him to a Moslem stocks, his feet just touching the ground and his preparatory school; but Joseph was not satisfied arms bound so tightly at the armpits that he felt with the teaching there. He continued restlessly sure they would never again be of any use. After to explore other religions, even that of the local hours in this situation he was unbound, but a Chinese Buddhists. He went into their temple as heavy iron was put on his feet. He could not sit a "seeker" but found nothing to satisfy his inner down because the prison which had been a Chinese craving. Later he thought himself a Communist. cook-house, was crowded to capacity.
After a time the boy felt the burden of sin to During the niglit the Amir's younger brother be intolerable, and was unable to get relief. Sud- came into the prison followed by a troop of denly one day he saw a vision of three lights. He soldiers. Joseph thought his time had certainly believed that Christ appeared in glorious form. come. In the midst of his pain and half stupor When he came to Him the burden was lifted and came the thought: "My release has come; now Joseph was happy. Memories of the early Chris- I shall be with Jesus." When the question, "Are tian teaching returned. The New Testament, you not afraid of being killed?" was asked him, which before had seemed uninteresting, became a his reply was: "No, I shall go straight to God." living message, and he studied it with delight. The rej oinder was, "Ah, you should be killed. You Later he joined the Swedish Mission church and will certainly be hung tomorrow."
for four years witnessed at Yarkhand where he But he was not executed next day. A strange succession of events, which included much sufferhad been baptized.
One day an Amir appeared in Yarkhand with ing and reviling, left him still alive at the end of a large invading army, carrying all before him. seventy days. and nights, in the stench and filth In their youth this Amir and Joseph had been of that cook-house prison. Then another armed students together. The Amir proclaimed a Mos- force entered Yarkhand, drove out the Amir and lem crusade in the city, ordering that all Chris- released the prisoners. Joseph was immediately tians should be bound and brought to his court for sent by the friendly British Consul out of Kashgar trial. As Joseph was praying with some mis- into India.
sionary ladies who knew of the violent spirit in Since then he has been studying, preparing for the town, they heard a noise outside. As they further work for Christ. He says.: "I want to prayed, soldiers broke in and called Joseph to witness, always witness for Him." This summer, come with them. He was bound and in company for about two months, Joseph Ryehan was a stu- with many others was led through the town. As dent at the Henry Martyn School of Islamics, they were putting him into place in a line a young Landour, North India, and there told his story to man, called Abel, who never before had acknowl- friends.
[ 130]
Animists in the
A letter from DR HENRY P. VAN DUSEN, written from Rante Pau, Celebes, Netherland East Indies DESPITE its diminutive dimensions on a hewn out of the solid face of rock-cliffs, where the world-map, Celebes is one of the larger and dead, after being kept in their own houses a year more important possessions in the Dutch after death with periodic feasts of an orgiastic Island empire of the East Indies. character and. considerable attendant promiscuity, *** are finally laId away, but with animistic beliefs about their continuing influence in the vivid spirit For almost twelve hours with only a break for the night we had been motoring from Makassar, world. the principal commercial and political center of At last, the road wound down into a river-plain, and we ienntaergerd~sas.t.ycpoivcearledvilcllaegaer.ingBut at the out- skirts, the left, a td the Celebes into the inaccessible mountainous hinterland. Mile after mile the rough road picks its way along the scanty edge of precipitous cliffs, brown steeple lIfted above the trees and the plain round hair-raising bends, up and up, with ever square building below announced itself unmisgrander, wilder jagged peaks on either side. Our ~akably as a Dutch church. It was Sunday mornancient Dodge bumped and swayed, shifting to m~ a~d one o~ two late worshipers were entering, second, then to low, and back again, but pushed shIeldmg theIr heads from the downpour with steadily forward and upward like a wiry kan- large banana leaves, Rante Pau's customary umgaroo. For hours we saw no white face, met no brella. A little farther on, another small white one Who could speak other than Malay and the !;>uilding suggested a hospital. In the doorway Just beyond a young doctor and his wife smiled a local dialect. As the scenery became wilder so characteristically Dutch welcome through the did the appearance and demeanor of the half- drizzle. naked little brown men and women along the road. Their rude rattan huts perched more and more We discovered many mutual friends; both had ins.ecurely on bamboo stilts. At the first sound of been leaders of the Student Christian Movement our car, they leaped for the edge of the road and in Holland before coming to the East. Cocoa turned rather wild and stupid eyes in frightened, and cake broke the ice and refreshed us after the uncomprehending stares after us. A fine drizzle journey. Then we inquired if it were too late to enveloped the mountains, and added a slimy sur- ~ oin the church service. Our host, explaining that face to the other hazards of this uncertain high- It was a quarterly communion and in the Toradja way. language, thought the service must be drawing to- Presently, we noted several of the houses for ward the close for he had heard strains of the which we had been looking, built in the shape of "middle hymn"-not the middle of the service but the native ships or prau which distinguish Makas- the middle of the sermon. (The middle hymn sar harbor, with great overhanging bows and bears certain analogies to a "seventh inning sterns. Then we knew we were in the heart of stretch" and is quite as serviceable, for the two the Toradj a land. For these little people (their halves of the discourse usually reach a half hour stature isa foot below average height), driven each !) tw~ hundred miles inland centuries ago, pushed We slipped into church and stole forward into theIr boats upstream before them and continue to front pews, for all others were crowded. The build their homes in that shape and to bury their Dutch minister, in tbhleacvkerGneanceuvlaar.gowOnn~ was read- ing his sermon in could not dead in prau, hewn of stone or wood. Secure in be certain that the auditors were grasping it much these mountain fastnesses, nearly half a million better than we. There was no slackening of revpeople have successfully resisted penetration by erent attention but I thought I detected a slight the stronger and fiercer tribes below. While the falling off in capacity for absorption during this lTaottreardjahapvraectibceeenunaMltoesrleedmpsrimfoirtivceeanntuirmiiess~ the and last ten minutes. But that did not seem greatly ancestor-worship. We passed their burial caves, to matter. One knew at once that the message of the worship was being conveyed, far more ef- • From The RresbY'terian T,-ibune, New York. fectively than by spoken word, through the un- [131 ]
adorned beauty of the building, through simple gested a garden-village. Again, the contrast to hymns to familiar tunes, through the indefinable the near-by villages through which we had passed intimacy of deep fellowship, perhaps most of all was staggering. We passed in and out among the through the stillness which pervaded the house houses, greeting the residents. On one porch a and all its company-simple, unemotional, genu- leprous mother rocked a new-born infant. Before ine, reverent, comradely, beautiful. another, children played in the sand. Everywhere cheerful, contented faces and cnrdiaI smiles wel- When the sermon was laid aside and the minis- comed us. We learned that the less severe cases ter took his place in the center of the long table can be cured. We noted no walls, no fences, no spread the width of the church and, after the guards. "Oh, but no one wants to leave. They lovely Dutch custom which so nearly reproduces would be driven from their own villages; quite the setting of the First Supper, the worshipers possibly they would be killed." Here was a lepercame forward and took seats at the table to his colony which was not merely a haven of refuge right and left and the bread was passed from hand and happiness for outcast souls but a model village to hand, one knew that Christian worship when for the entire locality! true and sincere is the same in every tongue and in every clime and that its focal center is in one The external contrasts-in cleanliness, health, place only-in the Supper of our Lord. One knew, intelligence, happiness, freedom from fear – no too, that what is supremely needed, alike for one could miss. But it was only later when we primitive animists of Toradja and for cultured visited in homes, inspected fetishes, learned in desophisticates of America, is that they should be tail of the customs and beliefs of the people that drawn through the unforced alchemy of that wor- the deeper contrasts could be fully appreciated. ship face to face with Him who first took bread and broke it, and washed His disciple's feet. It was, late evening before we got around to the hospital itself. Darkness had fallen and we felt As we took our places at the table, facing the our way around the dim wards by oil-lamplight. congregation, we had an opportunity really to Here and there beneath a bed, one or more memlook at them. We saw over two hundred clean, bers of the patient's family were curled up on the alert, well and tastily dressed men and women and floor; only on this condition would they permit girls, spotless in their simple native cos,tumes, hair their sick relative to enter the hospital. I was immaculately arranged, barefooted but winsome surprised to note several beds empty, but was and charming; almost every face was lighted by pointed to a figure stretched underneath; the ocan eager sincere reverence and open confident re- cupant could not rest comfortably on a cot so had pose. The contrast to the unkempt bedraggled rolled onto the floor and there slept peacefully. appearance and the bewildered, staring faces· of Seventy beds, always overcrowded for the conthe past two days was overwhelming. In their stituency number,s 300,000 people. The area of presence most of the discussions of missions one responsibility, close to 10,000 square miles of has heard evaporated into irrelevance like mist at jagged mountains pierced by hardly a road, must sunrise, or like "modern sex theories" in the be covered mainly on horseback. The medical staff radiant serenity of a truly Christian home. So numbers one doctor and one trained nurse, aided much utter nonsense is talked about Christian by locally trained native helpers. Tuberculosis, missions! I defy anyone, with open eyes and a venereal diseases, leprosy, cholera, trachoma, rupmodicum of concern for his fellow-men, to con- ture-these are the major ailments. Just now the front primitive life and religion in stark reality, most pressing need is an electric plant to supply and then witness a center of Christian faith and illumination, drying facilities and above all X-ray; life among them without confessing not merely the but that is a dream to conjure with in the distant validity but the inestimable worth of missions. future. When I was saying goodnight and laid on the table a paltry bill-less than an evening's Our host inquired if we cared to see the mis,sion theater at home-the young doctor grasped my leper colony. A half-mile back from the hospitaI hand with tears in his eyes. we came out upon a little plateau to discover one of the most lovely little villages we had ever seen. As we drove off in the gray dawn the following A dozen small houses, beautifully designed and morning, our last glimpse of Rante Pau was of constructed in the familiar shape of the native two dim figures standing in the doorway where prau and decorated by the inhabitants, each with they had greeted us the day before-weary and a its colorful garden, furnish haven and treatment little haggard but still smiling-surgeon, general and even cure to some hundred and forty lepers. practitioner, obstetrician, ophthalmologist, trop- On the hillside just above, a somewhat larger ical disease specialist, friend-at-Iarge to 300,000 prau serves as village church; the whole sug- primitive people-what a man's job!
Indian Poet, Narayan Varnan Tilak*
By the REV. KUND HEIBERG, Madras, India Missionary of the Danish Missionary Society, 1905- N ARAYAN VAMAN TILAK was called the India and Christ-these are the notes that re- "Tagore of Maratha-Iand." This is not a sound in all of Tilak's songs and in his life's deeds very accurate characterization, but is a tes- since the day he first gave his heart to Christ. timony as t'O the high esteem in which he was held not only among Indian Christians but by his Narayan Vaman Tilak was born seventy-seven Hindu fellow countrymen.. When he died twenty years ago (February 10, 1862) in Karazgao, in years ago (May 9, 1919) his name was known Dapoli Taluk, Konkan. He was a member of a far beyond the limits of Maratha-Iand and he was prominent Brahman family, and up to his ninth considered the greatest of modern Christian poets year lived in his grandfather's house. Here he in India. He was eulogized by a Hindu contem- grew up in beautiful natural surroundings. The P'Orary as follows: plain is one of the most fertile and luxuriant in India, being watered with abundant rain. These "The well-known Maratha poet and Pundit, surroundings developed in the boy a vivid love N. V. Tilak, was a pious Christian, but his Chris- for nature and moved the poetic chords in his tianity, as is the case with a constantly increasing soul. Love for nature was a great part of his life.
number of Indian Christians, 'Only helped to make Religiously he was profoundly influenced by his his love for his country more ardent. He was a mother who was of a poetic and imaginative natrue patriot, who looked into the future with deep ture and more independent in her thought and understanding and he was respected by all on ac- views of life than Hindu women are as a rule. In count of his truly religions life. As a Maratha later years he 'Often spoke of her as the one who poet he occupied a very prominent place among taught him to fear God and to love and serve man. his contemporaries." He declared that he never met another woman who was so nearly perfect as his pious mother. A well-known Hindu paper in Bombay wrote at She was, his first guru or spiritual teacher. the time: "Tilak's death is a loss not only for Indian Christians; it is a loss for the whole na- The grandfather was a pious Brahman who 'Obtion, which will preserve a loving remembrance served his devotional practi1ces with such zeal that of his truly holy life." the inhabitants of his little town even made fun of him. His religious zeal made a deep impression Pundit Tilak's ardent love for his Motherland upon his daughter's son who often played near found a beautiful expression in many of his poems him and t'O whom he was, much devoted. and gave the imprint to his life. But while his love for India was great, his love for Christ was Tilak's father does not seem to have been a greater. He had found the Pearl of Great Price model of amiability, but was a hot-tempered, vioand to possess it he sold all he owned; of this two- lent man. The boy could not get along with him fold love he s,ang: and when the mother died, he ran away from home and tramped to the town of Nasik with his Hindustan is my mother and all her children are most younger brother. Here he succeeded in obtaining precious jewels to me; instruction from some Indian pundits, among whom was a teacher by the name of Ganes Shastri Some lie covered with rubbish, and some lie hid in earth's Lile. Later in life Tilak always spoke of this man dark depths as having been, after his mother, his second guru. Shastri Lile taught Tilak to love India and it was Some are adorned with the radiant crown of Hindustan. in his school the foundation was laid for Tilak's My heart longs for them all; each one I love, ardent patriotism. The boy's talents attracted the I, the humble servant of my Motherland. interest of several prominent men who helped him in many ways. A message have I to bring, Hark ye, all ye sons of Hindustan. The boy attended an English school, but his in- Without Christ all is in vain; quiring (not to say revolutionary) nature did not Only if He fills your hearts, only then Can we know God's aim for our lives. It is Jesus who makes me a patriot true, So that I, His slave, am my Motherland's servant.
• Translated from the Danish by the late Dr. C. Theodore Benze. fit into the four walls of a sichool, any more than [133 ]
it afterwards could feel quite at home in the con- (3) There is no earlier birth and no repeated rebirt~s. fessionallimits of anyone church. All human suffering is due to man's personal failure III fulfilling his duties. A man's condition in this life depends Years of drifting followed during which he partly upon his heredity and environment and partly upon eagerly studied Sanscrit and English, religio~s his.own conduct. and philosophy. He worked hard to learn ArabIC so as to be able to read the Koran in its original (4) The essential thing in all religions is love and surlanguage and thus to penetrate more deeply to the render to God and men. heart of Mohammedanism. Buddhism fascinated him for a time and he determined to be like (5) Idolatry is sin, yea, the ·greatest of all sins; but Buddha in all but his faults. But neither Bud- such virtues as love, truth, mercy may be personified and dhism nor Mohammedanism could hold him per- worshipped. manently. Even in his early childhood he had broken the rules of caste and he continued to assail Tilak understood that if a man wishes to found the system of caste all his life. His mother. a~d a new religion, its future will depend upon such a his teachers who were Hindus and who were dIS- founder's personality. He says: "I saw that in posed towa;d reform, had influenced him in this order to propagate these principles I myself must direction. be a wonderful man. I began, therefore, to study the lives of founders of religions carefully." All Tilak's searching was now directed to finding the religion that would bring salvation, Tilak observed that most founders of religions strength and self-respect to his beloved Mother- were said to have performed miracles. Hence he land. He longed to see India great and free; but wanted to obtain power for this and devoted himit was clear that this could be attained only by self to Yoga practices, from which, according to spiritual regeneration. How to a,ccomplish this Hindu teaching, the power to perform miracles was the burden on his mind day and night. can be obtained. He spent two years in the severest ascetic practices and for days at a time While engaged in these speculations, Tilak came he sat on a mountain top, lost in meditation. His in contact with a religiously inclined Hindu in food consisted of plants and fruits such as he could Nagpur who spent great sums of money to acquire find near by. He sat there without noticing the Hindu literature, both ancient Vedic writings and burning heat of noon or the cold night winds. modern books. To this man's library Tilak had But he experienced great disappointment at this free acces's and "for three years," he says, "I swam very time when he thought to have reached his and tumbled in this sea of spe!culative thoughts goal. and poems." His studies resulted in an attempt to establish the fundamental principles of a "new" The people from the surrounding villages bereligion that was, to be higher and purer than any gan to come in crowds up the mountain to catch a other and which was to unite all of India, nay glimpse of the lonely saint and to call upon him more, all the world, in one brotherhood. For this for help. Indeed, once or twice he was reported new religion Tilak actually set down a number of to have been the means of wonderful healing. principles. Then their enthusiasm grew and the mountain hermit became the object of wondering adoration. This attempt to found a new religion is a strik- But this very enthusiasm opened his eyes to the ing example of the strong religious power, found emptiness of the whole business. "See," he said within the old Hinduism, which constantly seeks to himself, "it is only to get a glimpse of me, or to penetrate. to something better than Hinduism in the hope of a temporal good, that these people can offer. India's religious history reveals both are coming. They do not care anything for the in ancient and modern times a series of such at- teachings of my new religion. All their attention tempts. Its strong minds (like a Rabindranath and their talk centers in me. My doctrine can Tagore) have steadily endeavored to break the amount to something only if I myself can be lost iron bonds of the old Hinduism, especially· its to view while presenting the message I have to caste system. But in all these attempts one finds bring. that the fundamentals in reality point to the truth in Christianity. So he came down from the mountain and ended the Yoga practices. Up to this point Tilak did The following principles were enunciated by not concern himself about Christianity. He says: Tilak for his new religion: "Strangely enough, in my religious investigations I never thought of the Bible or of Christ. The (1) There is a rational Creator of the universe, who is reason for this was that the Bible seemed such a not an indefinite absolute Something like the Brahma of plain book to me." As a Brahman he wanted to the Hindus, but a personal being with a fatherly heart center his attention upon complicated problems, and all men are his children. as Brahmans like to do. He says "The Brahmans are by nature people who enjoy and admire either (2) All holy writingS! in all religions are the. work of such literature as is above their comprehension or men. The only writing in which we can study all about isa riddle to them. There are many Sanscrit God is the book of nature, the whole universe. books, which, I am sure, if they were translated
THE INDIAN POET, NARAYAN VAMAN TILAK
into the vernacular, would be cast aside by these pletely refuted. I began to embrace a love for very Brahmans, as useless rubbish. But let a Christ Himself and I continued to read on to the Brahman sing a few mantrams, which neither he last page of the Bible so as to learn as much as nor his hearers understand, and both parties will possible about Christ.:' be captivated. The simpHcity of the Bible was one reason why I had never investigated Chris- In Rajnandgaon there lived a Christian intianity. Another really important reason was spector of police who gave Tilak some Christian that no Christian preacher had ever talked to me books. One of these, Bushnell's "Character of about Christ and I had never seen any Chris4;ian Jesus," made a s.trong impression upon him. All book in Marathi that I cared to read." of this brought him into a severe spiritual strug- gle. He did not wish to take up the new religion The Christians, whom Tilak so far had met, carelessly but by reflection he came to be constood on such a low intellectual plane that he, an vinced of the truth of Christianity. Christ was educated Brahman, did not regard them as any the Teacher whom India and the world craved. better than idolators. The next step was to be convinced of the power In 1892, when Tilak was thirty years old, his of Christianity. How this happened is told by wealthy admirer wished him to publish a new Tilak in the following words: philosophical and religious periodical. Only two numbers appeared, for since Tilak set forth in "One day I fell into doubt about Christ's word them the new doctrines enumerated above, his 'Ask, and it shall be given unto you.' Like an patron abandoned him and he had to give up his ignorant child I determined to test the truth of editorial position. He then ac·cepted an offer of a the word. I prayed that I might receive a book position from an Indian prince, the Rajah of which would inform me about the history of Pal- Rajnandgaon. The journey thither became of estine and the times in which Jesus lived. I added great importance for he says: in my prayer that if my prayer would not be granted, I would reject the doctrine that God I traveled in the intermediate class and as I entered the showed mercy to His child. Suddenly the next compartment, the only European present, in place of re- day I was transferred to another government pulsing me, made room for me with a friendly smile. office. To my great joy and surprise I found in a box under some old junk, three books, all religious, I had my favorite Sanscrit poet Bhavabhuti with me and that treated of Christ and Christianity. These and the strange gentleman began to talk to me about poets books gave information about the very things. I and poetry. I was much interested in what he said and had prayed to be enlightened on. God continued to I discovered that he knew something about poetry and the send me many wonderful answers to my prayers art of writing it. I discovered that he knew some San- and I came to love Christ." scrit and was well informed on the Sanscrit literature. Afterwards he changed the subject and asked me about At this time Tilak came in contact with Baba my attitude toward Christianity. I told him about my new Padmanji, a learned high-caste man who had bedoctrines and he remarked to my great astonishment that come a Christian. The correspondence and subwithin two years I would be a Christian. I thought the sequent companionship with him was a great help man must be crazy to say such a thing. We talked a long to Tilak, who here found a guide that understood time. Finally he said, "Young man, God is leading you. him and could help him. More and more he ex- Study the Bible and study the life of Christ and you will perienced the power of Christ. The regeneration surely become a Christian." In my heart I scoffed at of soul, which his Yoga practices had been unable what I considered the man's impertinence. But he finally to effect, he found in his communion with Christ. offered prayer and then he gave me a copy of the New Testament. I promised to read it, not from any interest Tilak began to utter his new thoughts and his in the Bible itself, but for the friendly feeling which the changed views of life in verse and prose, in pubman's kindness had aroused in me. I left the train at lished poems, and printed articles. He wrote Rajnandgaon and we took cordial leave of one another. under a pen-name, but was soon discvered and Strangely enough, neither of us thought to ask the other his friends understood that he had become a Chrisfor his name, residence or position. tian. Persecution broke loose upon him, "such a persecution," he writes, "as can hardly be imag- Tilak never learned who his traveling com- ined, except by Hindus who turn to Christianity. panion was, but he began to read the New Testa- But God helped me and delivered me from various ment as he had promised. The book took hold of difficulties; He prepared 'a table for me with spirhim, especially the Sermon on the Mount. He itual food in the presence of mine enemies.' When writes, "I could not tear myself away from these I earnestly considered baptism, I was suddenly words so full of attractiveness and beauty, which reduced to poverty, lost my position, and lost my express the love and gentleness and truth, that friends. I had no acquaintance among Christians. the Sermon contains. In these three chapters I Even my own wife, whom I had considered to be found a satisfying reply to the most difficult ques- convinced of the truth of Christianity, turned tions in Hindu philosophy. I was astonished to see how the deepest problems found their solution here. To my amazement I discovered that the doctrine of the transmigration of souls was com-
against me and sought to overcome my determina- that people spoke disdainfully of "Christian Martion to be baptized. athi" until Tilak began to speak and sing.
"In November, 1894, I dreamed the same dream With the lower forms of speech there went gen- erally an inclination to despise all that was one's three nights in succession.: A person appeared own, to ape the missionaries in dress and man- ners, and to give up national peculiarities. This before me and said, 'Follow Me and fear noth- led to the deplorable situation that Hindus reing.' " . garded the conversion to Christianity as treason to their own land. To become a Christian, was Then Tilak chose the course he would follow. to them the same thing as to renounce Hindustan, He wrote to an American missionary, Mr. J. E. the Motherland.
Abbot, and ask him to inform others that he had In the person of Tilak there now stood forth an become a Christian. The 10th of February, 1895, Indian singer and preacher, who spoke and sang he was baptized by an Indian pastor, T. Nathoji, in words and tones that gripped Hindu hearts. in the American Mission church in Bombay. Tilak Those familiar with the Marathi language look says, "It was exactly two years after the man in upon Tilak's work as a spiritual regeneration of the train had given me the Bible. Thus does the the language used among Christians, yes, even as Lord lead His children and thus His will is done an enrichment of the language itself. One of Tilak',g disciples says it was like the spring that on earth." breaks forth in freshness and beauty.
Tilak's baptism was the introduction to active Tilak's poems have been widely cir,culated. In the streets of Ahmednagar, the beggars sing them. labor in the Ispread 'Of the Gospel of Christ and In Christian homes they have introduced new the Kingdom of God. He became pastor in the songs,. Even the theistic society, Parthana Somaj in BoOmbay, is said to use some of them, with alter- American Marathi Mission Church and accom- ations. One of Tilak's admirers thinks that his plished much good. One of the difficulties of the great poem Christayana ("The Story of Christ") Christian Church in India has been, that most of will exert the same influence upon the speech of its members. have come from the lowest class of Christians as Tulsi Das's Ramayana has exerted population, who before their baptism stood out- upon the Hindu language.
side of the real Indian community and Hindu cul- Tilak stands today first and foremost the poet of India. He sang of his beautiful country, which ture. The result has been that the Indian Chris- to him is "the crown of the earth." tian communion has been isolated. Tilak did what In one poem, "The Ascent of the Mountain," he was in his. power to build bridges. His old Hindu sings of the greatness of the land, its far-stretched friends locked him out when he became a Chris- mountains and valleys with their endlessly varied tian, but his poetic gift had already created a natural beauty. In the poem, "My Motherland," name for him. In this may be seen a reason why, he has sung the praise of In~ia, as her Christian son. after all, many leading Hindus showed him friendship. On the other hand, he was used to lift the Tilak has also been called the poet of flowers. Christian communion out of its isolation into the His language is a language of flowers, colored with many pictures from the world of nature. He is a movements of the times. singer of nature, but with a deep mystic sense for the world of eternity, extending beyond the sur- Tilak labored incessantly to win others for face of the visible world. Christ, especially among the educated classes. His poems have doOne a great work. Likewise his The poet expresses his poetical sense of nature sermons in the church, his instruction of the in the poem, "Woodland Flower," which reports a young and his training of pastors. Social work conversation between the poet and the Woodland he carried on with great zeal. In times of pesti- Flower. The poet admires its beauty, but deplores the fact that the Flower wastes its life in the lence and famine he was among the first to provide wilderness, alone, unknown, and of no use, since help for the needy. The founding 'Of a children's it has no man to admire and use it. But Woodland home and of a Society for Social Work are due to Flower indignantly defends her life in the jungle his efforts. forest by saying that right there it lives its life, free under the open sky and serving God. It well But Tilak did his greatest work as an author. knows the fate of flowers in the house of men who His poetry had a far-reaching importance for the pluck them and use them for their selfish ends. Christian Church in Marathi-land. He is consid- The poet tries to persuade Woodland Flower to ered the greatest Christian poet in the Marathi give up her ascetic life and to come and live among language.
When Christianity is presented toa people, not by one of the land's own sons, but by foreigners who never have completely mastered the language, and when besides most Christians come from the lowest classes of the people and from their least developed dialects, it easily happens that the Christian speech remains undeveloped. This was the characteristic of Marathi Christian speech, so
THE INDIAN POET, NARAYAN VAMAN TILAK
men and to be useful. Woodland Flower says It moveth my inmost soul; "No!" and the poet gives up his case. But as he A vision is flooding with splendor of light leaves the Woodland Flower, his heart is suddenly The halls of my soul. changed and wherever he goes after that, he no- All motion of hands and all action of thoughttices that the Flower lives in his heart as well as It quivers, it sinketh, it ceaseth. in the Woodland. He becomes himself that which My soul drifts away; no longer do bonds he has seen. Now fetter me close to the shores of this world.
Some readers see in this poem the doctrine of o sleep! how I long now to sleep! Have mercy upon me! meditation and action as found in the ancient Indian poem, the Bhagavad Gita. Others interpret Let no one awake me again! it as a description of the poet's peace of heart on seeing the flower in its right place, in the poet's Another example of the mystical trait in Tilak's own soul and there created music. From this the poetry is his poem on "Love" in the form of a thought is derived that the true Gardner of the riddle: soul gives the human soul a chance to grow freely, wherever the right place is. It need not be plucked A flower-it grows way down in sorrow's plain, off sacrificially to adorn us or our surroundings. Guess ye the name? It drinks of tears the rain; When sorrow's sun departs, so hot and dry, Whichever interpretation is correct, we are It groweth upward toward the bright blue sky. agreed on one thing, admiration of this poem and the other nature poems such as "The Joy of A magic drink-can you its name discern? Spring," the "Dance of Nature," the "Music of the One taste of it, the dead to life return: Birds." And silent lips break forth in melody, While eyes of blind see visions heavenly. Tilak is the poet of unity. The striving of this Indian soul for unity back of all multiformity A magic word-ah guess it if you can; breathes forth from many of his songs. In some It makes a "fool" e'en of the "wisest man": of his poems he records the mixed character of The "I" and "thou' he doth no longer know! the times with all their "Noise," "Turmoil" and Who knows the meaning, straight to God shall go. "Division." He meets men, some highly cultured, some without culture, and their common trait is Now have you guessed? What is this flower so rare, that they deplore the times. India's heart is torn That when it blossoms; God is always there? asunder by congresses and conferences, by moderates and extremists, by theists, theosophists, ad- As a religious poet Tilak is, in one sense, a herents of the Arya Somaj, Brahmans and Sudras, continuation of the series of religious poets within caste people and subcastes, by people who desire Hinduism, commonly called "Bhaktas" because reformation and people who clamor for reaction, they gave expres,sion to the devotion of love which by Mohammedans and Hindus, and no one can tell is called Bhakti. But there is a difference. The where all this division will end. But Tilak's op- Bhaktas are like those who seek. This applies to timism answers that from disunion, will come the ancient Bhaktas, like Tukaram, as well as to union, as light breaks through darkness; back of the moderns like Rabindranath Tagore. Tilak the uproar of the times is, God's everlasting mel- has found the secret. The religious songs of India ody which shall some day burst forth as the song contain the most beautiful expression for the longof harmony. Men say India is old; but India is ing of the human soul after the living God; but forever young. in Tilak there is one thing more, thanksgiving for having found God in Ghrist. Bhakti, the devotion The same longing for union, for harmony, for of love, loving faith, meet in Christ, the God who rest meets us also in Tilak's religious poems.. Here is Love. we see a self-surrender as deep as only the strong emotional life of the East can create, and clothed We quote below several of Tilak's religious in rich tropical imagery. The inner union of the songs. soul with God, the penetration into divinity, that is that for which the poet's soul longs. AWAKE, MY SOUL!
In the poem "Presamadhi" we are led into his Awake, my soul, awake and praise mystic thought-world. Immersed in a spiritual The sovereign Lord o'er night and day. trance, in which all ,consciousness of the world of Go forth along life's way again, sense disappears, he feels his whole being over- Praise God, the Glorious One, in song. whelmed, yea engulfed in the object of his love. He sings: To think of Him filled night with song, To serve Him filled the day with peace; o love, I sink down in a timeless sleep, By day, by night at His footstool, We joyed to be at one with Him. Sink down in a timeless sleep, An image uprises before me Whate'er the coming day may bring Bring thou thy offering to Christ; Give up thyself in faith, to Him, And at His feet adore, my soul!
Seek, if thou wilt, the whole world through, Where wilt thou find a friend like Him? He leadeth thee with loving care- o follow Him in all thy ways.
To save thee is His only aim PRAYER To help, to teach, to heal thy heart, And to refresh thy weary soul, Prayer in loving humble hearts, And call thee home from all unrest. Opens wide the doors of heaven, Prayer is God's own dwelling place Thou art the weapon, He the hand, Where His children see His face. And every counsel comes from Him- Upon His altar lay thy will, We from earth a ladder raise, Abide with Him from day to day. Prayer we call it by its name, Prayer is God the Father's knee THE LOVE OF CHRIST Where His trusting children sit.
One all unworthy to be called Rain of love and Spirit's light, Among disciples in Thy school Tears of joy in prayer we have, Thou, in Thy love didst call "a friend," Walk with God, and feel His kiss, Oh Love, amazing, great! That is prayer His servant knows.
So weak am I, oh God of grace Tilak is not only the poet of India, nature and So all unworthy in Thy sight, religious tenderness. He is also the poet of home. That e'en the dust upon Thy feet He himself led a happy home life after his wife Is worth far more than I! returned to him and also was baptized four years after his baptism. In the poem entitled "Sushila," Thou dwellest in unending light Tilak brings before us a young girl's life and Above all earthly sin and shame- growth at home and her spiritual development. In That Thou shouldst bear our sin and shame! the introduction there are a few stanzas that in Can I such love tell forth? no wise yield to the tenderness and beauty of Western song in praise of home. Did He not deem the heavenly throne A matter of such small account, HOME And yet esteem it great to be For me a mortal man? Is there on earth such a lovely place That it may be compared to the one true home? And when the nails pierced deep His flesh Did He not bear it patiently? Where every assumption of "me" and "mine" Then how describe His life divine, Is utterly gone and you never can find So patient and so pure? The slightest traces of selfishness left And love is the ruler that weareth the crown. Thus Love came down in human form, Love's Self, from saving love for me! Where pride is not known that bows down to itself, I hardly dare behold His face Where the good of the neighbor is the same as one's own, For shame, for bitter shame. Where all are intent in one aim to compete, To render each other the service of love. And if there be aught good in me I owe it all to Thee alone Where under the fashions so manifold, Then guard and guide me, 0 my Lord, One mind alone wieldeth harmonious sway, As Thou dost guard Thine own! All suffer, all conquer, all smile or else sigh, Bring Paradise back to the plains of this earth. UNION WITH CHRIST Where under the gentlest and tenderest care, As the moon and its golden beams are one, The highest, most glorious actions spring up, Thus my prayer is this, 0 my Lord and God, And blossom together as in gardens of old, The prayer of the mendicant- And grow to perfection as glorious fruit. That I may be one with Thee! The home which has fostered from the day of their birth, Like a loving wife will I hold Thee fast, And lavishly nurtured all over this earth Yea, hold Thee forever in loving embrace, The heroes and poets, the wise men and saints, Like a daughter I call to Thee, The house that refreshed in their pilgrimage days. Like a sister I sing Thy praise! God's ladder by which all humanity mounts, As words and their meaning are tied in one, And being thus tied they can serve but one aim. To the mountains three t of its highest desire. Thus let us be bound, 0 Lord, Thus utter thy speech through me. A heavenly dwelling and temple divine, Where bideth the Maker, the Father of men. Oh grant that my soul might a mirror be That Thee I might see in its polished face, Yea, is there on earth such a lovely place In my thought, my speech, my life, That it may be compared to the one true home? Oh make them all bright and pure! Tilak had one more string to his bow. We see And take Thou my body, oh my Saviour dear, him also engaged as a polemic writer. His activity And make Thine abode in my inmost soul, as minister and churchman, involved him in all To be without Thee, oh Christ, questions which in recent years have agitated In- Is sin, is the deepest death! t The three mountains of desire are the heights of religion, wealth and position. The desires of the senses, according to Indian thought, are everything that man can wish for.
THE INDIAN POET, NARAYAN VAMAN TILAK
dian Christians. The most burning is the ques- the poet of the proud VISIOns, who foresaw a glorious future for Ghrist's Church in the land tion of the independence of the Indian Church. which he loved and whose sons, as he hoped, should spread Christ's Gospel in their Motherland. Self-consciousness has grown strong among In- Tilak was something of a free lance and a man dian Christians as it has on the whole, among all of opposition; to say it more practically, he had in himself the nature of the woodland flower. Orientals. Hitherto the foreign missionaries were This nature, this urge toward freedom and inde- pendence, induced him finally to give up his posithe ones who guided and directed all affairs of the tion as a pastor and to work for the coming of God's Kingdom to his Motherhood, as a free singer church; now we have come to the time of transi- and preacher of God's grace, as a Sunyasi, his love for India coalesced with his love for Christ. tion in which the growing Church desires to stand Death prevented Tilak from being very long upon its own feet, to be independent and to pass active as a Christian Sunyasi. But the tones which he first caused to resound in the hearts of from dependence to freedom, from subordination Indian Christians, India and Christ, are now heard everywhere in the church of India. to equality. We will close with the poem, "My Motherland," Tilak took part in these discussions and in one which is a fit summary of his spirit.
of his poems gives strong expression to the feel- MY MOTHERLAND ings of Indian Christians, their craving for in- (In the style of an Indian Lyric) dependence, their longing to find their own forms Chaff will I eat and tatters will I wear for thy love's sake, my Motherland. For thy sake will I cast in the dust of expression for their Christian consciousness, all that is thought to be honor and happine.ss.
independent of the dogmatic foreign mold which Sooner or later shall my soul leave this tabernacle of dust and depart hence; but can death part me from thee? the missionaries brought, and in which Indian Thou knowest, it cannot. To be thy child, what blessed- ness is this! Who can take this from me? Has any robber Christians have grown up. The poem is addressed courage to do so? Has time? Has death? Nay, none of them. to the foreign missionaries. . I will offer up my body, my life will I give in thy service, You came here bringing Christ to us, my noble land. Some will laugh, some will weep over this You brought your body, life and all to us! burning love. I care naught for that. Born to be thy son, There is no limit to our debt to you for this; I shall be that to the limit. May God help me to that end. We owe you all. But now we have a little prayer to make. Our riches, our good name, our wisdom, thou carest not Will you then listen? for these. It is we and we alone whom thou regardest as You are our Mother and our Father, we but helpless in- life of thy life. Oh thou loving Mother, take then this my self, which I offer thee, however trifling the offering may fants. be. And as, I do this, I do nothing more than follow my But now it is time these things should end! Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, my Friend, thy Friend and You are the ones who wrought this rule of bondage. the Friend of all. Oh call it not God's kingdom. Weare the dancers, you the orchestra. May the Almighty help me, that the Disciple may be- How long yet shall this last? come as his Master, fully and completely like Him, and How long yet will you have us be linactive? not a particle less than that and to do for thee, my mother- Hath God not eyes to see withal? land, and for the world, what He did. Then shall I, whom Then let us swim, or let us drown. thine eyes may see tortured, slain or dead, serve thee Thus only can we learn at last to swim. throughout the ages, how many of them, neither you nor Keep all your doctrines to yourselves alone, I may know. But let us first find Christ. And be not wroth, for I am but a messenger at best, And what folk utter, that I tell. Let us be brothers first and sisters; Then let us find the answer to our other questions.
Tilak dreamed of a great future for the Indian Church. At the Centennial of Marathi missions he uttered the words: "The century just passed was that of the foreign missionaries. The coming one is ours."
These words give us a clear picture of Tilak, THE LIFE MORE ABUNDANT Christianity is not the religion of sorrow and gloom; it is the religion of the morning, and carries in its heart the happiness of heaven. .
Christianity is not a restraint but an inspiration-not a weight but wings; not subtraction but addition.
Christianity brings zest and sparkle to life; it is sunshine on the flowers, rather than moonshine on the snow; it is life more abundant; it is leaving the little narrow life behind and leaving it for ever.
Christianity is the' experience and the expression of Christ in the heart.
DOCTOR TAKING A PATIENT TO THE HOSPITAL, THE CABOOSE ON RUNKERS FOR WINTER
15 MILES AWAY, BY SNOWPLANE NOTE THE CHIMNEY FROM THE STOVE INSIDE Messengers of Faith in Manitoba IIBishop's Messengers of Faith in the Diocese of Brandon"
~- -e( I By MISS ROSALIE F. PENNELL, Manitoba, Canada A LL are ready for the Christmas festivities at senger speaks of the Light of the World and tells .r-. Dunkinville. True, tomorrow, not today, is how each one must come to that Light to have Christmas, but the Messengers live about their own little lamp kindled, and must then take twenty miles away so that it is impossible for it out into the dark world to give light to others.
them to reach Dunkinville on Christmas Day- Then, in symbolic action, each worshipper brings the "local" runs the day before. an unlighted candle to the Crib, lights it there, It is bitter cold, well below zero. The Mes- and joins. in a procession to bear, as it were, sengers who have started at 7 a. m. are met at Christ's Light into the darkness.
the little station and drive the seven miles in an After the service, Christmas greetings are given open sleigh. There is just time to warm up be- and received. Then the Messengers make their fore the carol service begins in the Community way to the stricken house where lies the body of Hall. But tragedy is stalking abroad on this the little girl. There was no one among the group holy Christmas Eve. A small boy of seven, play- of women gathered there who could do what was ing with a gun, points it at his sister in jest. The necessary. They were all afraid, so that it fell to gun goes off and the little community is thrown the senior Messenger to take charge. There was into gloom. But the Christmas service takes place practically nothing with which to work – only as arranged so that nothing shall hinder the faith- dirty rags and a little soiled cotton-wool; the only ful Christians from honoring the Christ on the sheet in the house being one with a bright check.
evening of His nativity; but the merry-making Then the Messengers. returned at 2: 30 a. m. to as planned is omitted. find that their dear old hostess had been keeping It is so cold that only a few children have been turkey warm for them.
able to brave the weather, their clothing not being "Who are these Messengers and what do they adequate to keep them warm out of doors. The do?"
congregation numbers about sixty, more than half In 1926, Miss Fowler, a graduate of St. Chris- of whom are men. Many are away from home in topher's College, Blackheath, England, asked the the "bush," cutting lumber. Bishop of Brandon to send her out to help the It is a beautiful and heartfelt service, held in lonely and isolated women of his distant diocese the long frame building, dimly lighted by oil in Western Canada. As a result the Order of lamps. Bishop's Messengers of St. Faith's was formed.
The lights in the Christmas Crib glow all the Miss Fowler and a companion were sent to brighter in the surrounding dimness. The Mes- work, not in the town of Swan River, where there [140 ]
MESSENGERS OF FAITH IN MANITOBA
was a resident priest, but outside of Swan River, One Christmas, when the priest, accompanied with a roving commission to do what they could where they could. by a Messenger, was traveling by snow-plane the Starting with a small shack and two workers, Communion wine froze. On another occasion the there are now over a dozen trained and licensed Messengers, and a number of helpers. The Mother engine of the "local" froze at Swan River and the House is located at Swan River and Daughter Houses at Birch River, Cormorant Lake, Wa- priest who should have been at Birch River (20 bowden, and a one-roomed shack at Mafeking. Some of the Messengers minister also to outlying miles north) at about 11: 30 a. m. did not reach districts, holding services and classes in schools or homes. Two other dioceses have borrowed there till 6 p. m. . Messengers from the Order. There are also meetings for Guides, Cubs and What do the Messengers. do? During the summer there is always visiting and visiting and VIS- Brownies, and there is the Guides' Camp at Madge ITING, running a race with approaching winter. At least one Messenger goes out in the Sunday Lake at which many of the Lone Guides get their school caravan. Services are held at as many points as possible, generally once in two weeks, first idea of the team spirit of Guiding. There are and at these schoolhouse services, in spite of the old harmonium, the children's uncomfortable desk game nights, at one of which might be found, on seats (rather a misfit for grown men and women) and day-school surroundings, there is often an a certain night 50 below zero outside, as many as "atmosphere" of worship that would compare favorably with that of many a stately and well-ap- twenty-seven children packed into a room 14 by pointed city church. Something is done to make the building more church-like – a few pictures 15 feet, with two beds, a stove, three tables, chairs are hung up; the teacher's desk is pushed against the wall and draped with hangings; a small and benches! There are socials where many corwooden Cross is placed on it, and someone will bring a bunch of flowers when they are to be had, ners are rubbed off and differences forgotten, and either gathered on the way or from their own garden. you may hear some tired farmer declare that he Then there are classes for preparation for bap- has not laughed so much for years. Mothers' tism and confirmation; men, women, boys, and girls. The Bishop on his annual visit, goes to meetings and unexpected guests at all hours are every point where there is even only one candidate rather than summon them to a central place, added to the heavy but important work of the and thus the congregations get to know and love their Bishop and their place of worship is hal- Sunday school by Post, which is often the only lowed by these associations. religious teaching that children receive in isolated Many difficulties are overcome in reaching these little outpost flocks. Weather looms large in the places. Bundles are constantly being sent out to work of the Messengers, and roads that are good in fine weather, become nightmares in snow or needy families. For example–Edna, a member after rain. All sorts of conveyances are used; in summer usually the auto, which often runs long of one of the congregations, was to be married. after it is wise and this results in many adventures. In winter, cutters, dog-sleighs, box-sleighs, She had worked very hard on the farm and in the cabooses, and on special occasions the snow-plane, which is a sort of car with an aeroplane engine home as her mother used to walk five miles to earn and propeller. It can reach a speed of 30 miles per hour. It is bitterly cold and noisy inside but a dollar by washing. The few dollars that might the chief drawback from the Messengers' point of view is the cost as ic has to be hired at so much have gone to provide a little trousseau were swalper mile, and the miles mount up horribly. lowed up when a summer gale blew off the top of their house. After that they had to live in the chicken house, until they could put on the new roof. The Messengers heard of the disappoint- ment and ransacked the bale room to select a bundle of clothing for Edna. "Were the things nice?" the senior Messenger asked. "I'll say,"
was the brief but unmistakable reply.
Hundreds of Christmas parcels go out to homes which in many cases will have no other material "Christmas cheer." The bale room also stocks the Jumble Sales which take place at each centre about once a year. This is indeed a red letter day for every mother, and pennies are carefully saved to buy the merest trifles for the family. No Bond Street shopper could have more fun in the excite- ment of choosing! The proceeds of the Jumble Sale are put into a fund, aptly called "The Samari- tan Fund," to help the people in sickness and other divers needs. There is the occasional funeral when no minister is within reach, and a great deal of sick nursing.
As one of the Messengers said: "Our work can never be dull for every day brings something un- expected." Inspiration comes through the Mes- sengers' daily private devotions and reading, and in public worship.
Home Missionaries Need
By MILDRED S. CAPRON Secretary to the Protestant Episcopal Missionary Bishop of Wyoming W E ARE a strange people! Families employ or translation, or equipment providing mechan- a cook and provide her with cooking uten- ical and more rapid means of caring for routine sils; a farmer has his faImling imple- work. ments; an architect is not expected to retain his For the most part these are items which the plans in his head but is given a medium for re- average person would take for granted, items the cording them; a nurse or doctor is never without necessity for which the office person or houseequipment. And yet for years church people have keeper or schoolteacher would readily underbeen sending women missionaries, evangelistic stand. Because they are so easily taken for and religious education workers, to their posts, granted, they are likewise easily forgotten. expecting them to do a first-rate job without pro- Many workers have gone to the field quite unviding them with tools or equipment, money for aware of how their hands were to be tied for purchasing teaching materials, for employing lack of materials. One instance comes to mind: a translators, funds for office equipment or postage, woman worker was given the job of revising all traveling expenses on the field, and such items not the teaching materials in the Church school from otherwise provided. For years the missionarie1> primary up-a job requiring several years for have been doing a first-rate job, in spite of the completion. And in a foreign tongue! Obviously handicap, and have skimped on their small sal- a translator was necesary. The only fund availaries to provide in at least a meager way essen- able for paying a competent translator was a tial materials, but feeling always as one mission- monthly amount sufficient for a coolie's wage. ary expressed it "like a bird suspended on a wire." This missionary, though appalled by the size and The day has passed when a desire to be a mis- importance of the job committed to her, did a sionary, or have a call, is sufficient to make a mis- splendid job, but at a great personal sacrifice. sionary. Just as in secular teaching, we now insist that more than a bodily presence is necessary, so Volunteer help was solicited at every turn. the job committed to the missionary demands Those in Church school and rural work are adequate training. This often means a training in history, literature, psychology, sociology, to- aware of the inadequacy of our printed materials gether with pedagogy, also some knowledge of and how we are continually turning to other commusic, finance, practical nursing, handicrafts, munions to supply our lack. domestic science, and possibly other specialties. The evangelistic and religious education worker Visual education is the great need today. But on the mission field is called upon for everything pictures, and maps, and posters, and books all and by everybody. He or she must be so alert cost money. mentally as to undertake any job and do it well. A woman missionary must be able to teach illiter- Again are we doing right when we provide a ates with the same agility as the educated. She rural worker with a car without providing gas must have great facility with children. And above and oil as well? Those living in the broad areas all, she must have the same love for people as that of the deep West, where distances are so great, of Christ the Great Teacher. roads often bad, and gasoline so high, know some- thing of the high cost of locomotion. The cost in Some of the tools needed for this super-person dollars and cents of searching out and extending may be grouped into four sections: a helpful healing hand may seem hardly com- mensurate with the number reached but Christ's 1. Printing. Leaflets, maps, posters for Church religion is not on a per capita basis and wherever schools, auxiliaries, clubs, summer conferences, His children are, it is our high privilege to minand for materials for use in f3!milies. ister to them. These people so isolated, that it is not only necessary to make long journeys to de- 2. Supplies of books and pamphlets to help in liver books and magazines and Sunday school religious education of all ages. material-that could be done by mail-but there should be the uplifting personal contacts, for these 3. Means of travel and traveling expenses be- people are so dependent on their own resources, tween mission stations. that much travel is required to comfort them in their troubles and sorrows and to bring them new 4. Secretarial and office help for clerical work • Adapted from The Spirit of Missions. hope and vision and joy of Christ.
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Effective Ways of Working crested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. i.VICGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~'=I============="~ How a Pastor Enlisted tions and classes already carry- vistas of service and responsi- His Whole Church ing out a program of their own bility are opening up before us. is obvious. He is the logical one From Berkeley, California, to present to them all the oppor- Are you using the newer miscomes a report of a new plan for tunity for a cooperative study of sionary hymns? Or are you still missionary education. Sunday value to everyone. In this case singing about yourselves, "lightschool classes in this church cus- his wisdom was shown in using tomarily had supper meetings on existing class and organizational ed with wisdom from on high," Wednesday evenings. Through units, so that machinery already denying to souls benighted the the fall months the missionary existing might function. Too often an all-church missionary lamp of life? The old hymns education plan has made use of study ignores existing relation- are rich and full. There is still this set-up, displacing the usual ships, doubles administrative a place for them in worship. But loads and loses the automatic in- you need the modern form and activities. clusion of lukewarm persons, words to make responsibilities . Each organization or Sunday quite willing to wor~ witp.in seem vivid, and points of view in their accustomed relatIonshIps, today's missionary task seem school department was given a but not at first interested enough vital. It will stimulate your country or field, in which the to attend extra or unusual gath- missionary group's thinking and foreign and national boards of erings. add much more than just novthe denomination have missions. elty to your meetings to move This assignment was made in Another point to be noted is order that through the fall they that the pastor is familiar with into the field of the new missionmight study it by any means at the needs of the existing groups. ary hymns. their disposal-study books, let- He knows what their program includes. He is able to help sug- Thefollowinghymn (page 144) ters, pictures, etc. gest assignments. which will sup- The church calendar at the end plement their regular activities was written by a Danish man and studies and develop their after the folk school to which he of September listed the 23 as- special abilities. had given hi,s heart's devotion had signments thus made, so that each might know the field of The pastor, too, in most to be closed. It had to be closed their own and the others' studies. churches, is an effective admin- because the government would Africa, Korea, Our Southern istrator. He knows the best not give it the additional aid Mountains, The American Bible channels for publicity. He is usually accorded such schools, on Society-such were the assign- aware of resources. account of his rather liberal ideas. As he agonized over the ments made. As you consider missionary seeming destruction of all he Every Wednesday eve n i n g education in your church, look carefully to the possibility of held dear, there suddenly came groups met for study a?d ~or having your pastor lead the plan- to him a longer view of life. He preparation for a culmmatmg ning and execution of the proj- wrote this hymn, serene in its activity designed so that each ect. It should not mean less faith, rich in its imagery. might share some high points of work for other leaders in the church. But in many cases it Kagawa has "adopted" it an.d their own study with the other will mean a more effective piece it is sung in the meetings of hIS groups and also with those who of all-church work. movement. Cooperative groups use it. It is a good hymn for had not in any way been involved Gain New Strength Through missionary groups in our counin the study. Worship try and elsewhere. What if our This culminating activity took It is a new world we are liv- cause does not go forward as it the form of a three days' exposi- ing in, with new concepts and should? We must look at it with tion turning the whole church new modes of expression. New a longer vision and learn to work into'the "world" and showing re- earnestly even for that which sults of the study by booths, pic- [143 ] may never come to fruition in tures, talks, etc., put on by dif- our life-time. ferent organizations in different parts. of the church. Dse this hymn first as a solo, giving something of its ~ack The pastor's place in such a ground as we have given It to plan which involves organiza-
you here. Have it sung very Young People Make Inter- problem connected with this venture simply. Use its music as pre- racial Contacts has been the securing of delegates lude to your devotional. It is an from the non-white and non-native easy tune and will become fa- The following report has some born American groups, for these are miliar very soon. Then, in some points well worth pondering arid almost invariably composed of low inone meeting, take time to learn emulating: come families.
to sing it together. Use it fre- The summer conference for Meth- The young people of one suburban odist young people of Chicago and church felt they would like to help quently thereafter until it is as vicinity has for some years been op- solve this difficulty by raising a fund erated on an inter-racial basis-and to take one or two delegates to the familiar as "From Greenland's that is a story in itself. Through the Institute as their guests. Surveying Icy Mountains." depression years the most difficult the field, they discovered that Ne- groes, Chinese, Filipinos and several That Cause Can neither Be Lost nor Stayed European groups had been repre- sented in previous summers, but never CHRISTIAN OSTBRCAAItD Danish Folk TUI e anyone from the Mexican group. Ac- cordingly, they began to make plans. J q'"lt •••• Ii •• The Mexican Methodist pastor was '"It -=-J .~ contacted and was delighted to coop- erate. The young people decided upon ~ a lawn festival as a first money- 1. That cause can neith – er be lost nor stayed raising device. The Mexican group 2. Each no' – ble serv – ice that men have wrought sent out half a dozen young people 3. There – by it – self like a tree it shows; who played and sang as a feature of the festival. After the last guest had 4. Be then no more by a storm dis -mayed, departed, the local young folks and their Mexican visitors held an im- • ~_ J ~ promptu party which was a delight to all. ~~kIp. Jfi~ :J -z;I" .". 019- "U The Mexicans were auick to invite their new friends to attend their own Whl.ch takes the couI rse of what ":rod bas made; young people's meeting and on a sub- sequent Sunday evening a joint meet- Was first con – ceived as a fruit – luI tho't; ing was planned. A large group went That high it reach -es, as deep it grows; into the crowded quarter of the city where the Mexican church is located. For by it the full-grown seeds are laid; Several of the visiting young people had the novel experience of bringing ogg r IJ r IF- J=t!=J greetings to the young Mexicans .". :6t through an interpreter. After the formal meeting another delightful ~§:j§j~~~~m9~ w~ And is not trust – ing in program of singing, recitations and and tow – ers, instrumental music was staged.
Each wor· thy cause with a fu – ture glo-rio'us The proceeds of the lawn festival were supplemented from other sources AHJ-~ ~f~~f~-E=:~~~t1~"I-;E~J And when the storms are its branch – es shak-ing, and eventually enough was realized And tho' thp. tree by its might it shat-ters, to invite a boy and a girl to attend .. .. tt· the summer conference as guests. These delegates were selected with the ~ aid of the Mexican pastor, and they '- ~ had "the time of their lives." The But slow – ly grow-ing from seeds to Bow -ers. interest generated by this experiment By quiet – Iy grow-ing be -comes vic – to – rious. carried over into the followinl; year It deep – er root in the soil is tak – mg. and there were a number of other ex- What then, if thous-ands of seeds it scat -ters. changes. A major note in the whole •… ~9!90 interprise was an emphasis upon the • '-=" contribution of music and friendship which the Mexican youth were able to Translated from the Danish by ]. A. Aaberg. make, so that there was an absence The song has been used with the permission of of condescension -and superiority on Cooperative Recreation Service the part of the American group.-J. L.
We should like to draw atten- tion to several points. First, the problem to be solved was one of more than local significance. It involved a policy of the confer- ence, that of operating on an inter-racial basis. The young people started out by wishing to do something to help forward that ideal.
Second, the spirit of the proj- ect became theirs in their deter- mination to take as guests those for whom they financially made conference possible. The differ- ence between belonging to an in-
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
timate group within the bigger to take them as guests. They did the Reformed Church. The cast ingroup for the Mexican boy and not raise money for them but cluded more than forty people from girl, and that of going on their with them. It was a joint enter- the different participating churches. own, no matter how welcome, is prise. Later there was the fur- Our own church furnished the boys for apparent. The difference be- ther joining with the Mexican the boys' school scene, as well as three tween having as part of their pastor in solving his problem of of the leading characters. More than own group the guests they were feeding and clothing his needy. a thousand people crowded into the responsible for, instead of mak- largest church in town and more than ing casual contact with them The pastor's place in mission- a hundred of them had to stand durfrom "the outside," is equally ary education is one which no ing the two hours of the performance. visable. other person in the church can fill. If he does not fill it, it There are several points· Third, the relationships estab- stands empty-a gap in the forlished opened an avenue for serv- worthy of note. First is the ice through the Mexican pastor, ward movement of the Church heading on the enrollment blanks for the needy among his people. toward the Kingdom of God. -"Jesus in the Life of Today- Instead of the usual, "we help Six Sunday Evenings 'To Learn the Mexicans" (or any other A School of Applied group) these young p e 0 pIe and to Worship.''' A rather joined with Mexican people of Christianity good statement of the mission of like interests and attainments in the church, isn't it? "Jesus in relieving human need known to Too often a school of missions the Life of Today!" And the rethe Mexican pastor. is an isolated effort, for which a lationship of the local church to complete plan of organization that – to learn about it and to There are many young peo- worship in terms of it. ple's groups where one or an- and promotion must be provided. other of these procedures could The inclusion of specific study in Another good point is the cirbe carried out to the great en- a series with other studies avoids richment of their experience and this and helps to put the study culation of enrollment blanks for development of their under- several previous Sundays. That standing of the world mission of of the world mission of the the Church. church into right relationship is, the continuation of the series with other emphases. in the study of studies is taken for granted, The Pastor Guiding Youth and a definite intention of tak- of the local church's program. ing part crystalized into enroll- Are you pastors allying your- Here is a report which shows ment, so that proper provision Are you pastors allying your- for books, etc., might be possible. self closely enough with the lead- the outcome of one such inclusion ership of youth activities in your of the mission study with other This church felt that the use state to be aware of areas where of study books prepared for the real progress can be made by en- studies in a series. listing the youth of your church various classes would have an in something big enough and We came now to the series of serv- advantage over the research type worth while enough to challenge ices which we felt would put our whole of study. That is often the case. their interest? program to its severest test. We in- stituted a series of six Sunday eve- But note the hour in which all This pastor knew the pastors nings which we called "A School of gathered for special things of inof other racial groups. Guidance Applied Christianity." Really it was terest to all. The variety is extoward the Mexican group was a school of missions. Several Sundays possible because he was sure of previously we had circulated enrol- cellent. adequate response there. An ment blanks, headed: "Jesus in the The closing pageant, while it enterprise which falls fiat, be- Life of Today"-Six Sunday evenings cause of difficulties beyond the "To Learn and to Worship." Then did not rise directly out of the power of the group to overcome, followed the dates and program and a study, was a culminating presenis not usually a wise activity to place for signature. We began at tation of the field of the study, undertake. Are you enlarging seven o'clock with five instruction and and was done on a scale worthy your own acquaintance with discussion groups, ranging from of being of value to more than leadership among the nationals junior high school to adult. Each just the groups who had been of our own country so as to have group studied and discussed one of the carrying on the six weeks of good judgment is guiding your current missionary books, either on group toward enriching experi- Japan or on Oriental life in the study. ences? United States. This period was fol- The worth of the closing pag- lowed by a worship service, which fea- This pastor knew the danger tured such things as a stereopticon eant to those who had studied of the development of a superior lecture on Japan, a group of foreign Japan was, of course, greater attitude rising from "doing for" students from a near-by college, an others. He adroitly avoided the address by a returned missionary, an than to the rest of the audience, pitfalls for his group. They did evening of Japanese poetry and song but it had a real message for all. not plan to send some other and movies on missionary work. We young people to conference but were overwhelmed when we discovered And note finally, the provision that the assembled groups filled the auditorium to overflowing. for publicity in the city papers. We deplore the devotion of our The seventh Sun day evening daily papers to murders and brought the climax in the presentation of the pageant-drama: "The Cross scandals. Yet we too often neg- Triumphant," which was written by lect our own responsibility for the missionaries of our own Reformed using the daily papers as a Church in Japan, and tells the story of Japanese family life and how it is channel for letting our city know blessed by the coming of Christianity. of the constructive things which We used authentic Japanese costumes, are being done by the church for provided especially for the pageant by the character – building and the Woman's Missionary Society of Christian education of our people.
A Story for the
By VIOLET WOOD, Missionary Education Movement THE WORLD BEGINS "Why not invite the whole writing while I was speaking?" asked Teacher. ALL OVER AGAIN junior and primary department "It's a prayer for our gardens. "The March wind blew me to bring flowers on Children's May I read it?" asked Mary. Day?" questioned David. right into Sunday school," "Yes, indeed," nod d e d laughed Grace. "When our story time is over Teacher.
"Teacher, where does winter we'll invite the children of the Mary read her prayer, "Fa- other classes," agreed Teacher. ther, we pray thee that every go?" asked John. "This morn- "I am sure the Children's Day little seed we plant will grow service will be the most beauti- into a beautiful flower which we ing there were snowdrops on our may give to the sick, to the poor, ful we have ever had. and to make the church beautiful lawn and mother told me that "Now the story today is about on Children's Day."
means that winter is going." an old man and a young boy. Making Use of This Story The old man had white hair and "I know a lovely Indian story lived in a dark cave. When he Children often feel that they are breathed, the rivers froze and left out of the grown-up world toabout winter and snowdrops," the soft earth grew hard as a wards which they look with great rock; the trees shed their leaves longing. The parent or teacher may smiled the Teacher. and grew stark and bare. When guide the child to a simple apprecia- he shook his white head the snow tion of his part in worship and praise "Let me hear it," said Peter. fell. He had only to wave his the child for his singing in the junior arms and the birds were silenced. choir, and for his part in the seasonal "I am to have a garden of my pageants and church socials. "'I am king over the whole own this spring and when my world. Noone can master me,' Ask the children to find out facts he would cry every night. No about young boys whose interest and flowers come up I shall bring one dared to rebuke him and he love of nature led them to become reigned supreme for man y great scientists. They may look up some snap dragons, sweet peas the following names in their libraries months. at home or at school: and poppies to Sunday school." "But one day, when he Michael Pupin, the shepherd's boy "I'm going to have a garden, breathed, the rivers did not from Serbia who made a great discovery about light and sound too!" cried Mildred. freeze. He puffed with all his waves. might and the trees trembled, "Daddy let me help him put but they did not moan. He Luther Burbank, an American, who shook his head fiercely, but in- became a great naturalist and some dahlias in the ground last stead of snow a gentle rain fell. cultivated new fruits and flowers. He looked around impatiently. fall. He said the snow would Hugh Bentley, a New Englander, "'Yes, King Winter, I have who took the first photographs cover them and keep them come once more,' laughed a of snow drops. merry young boy with twinkling warm," David exclaimed. eyes and golden hair. 'The A,sk the children to look through the world will begin all over again.' Psalms for phrases telling of the "We have a window box with He clapped his hands and green wonder of God's creation, such as Psalm 19: 1-4. hyacinths now. In summer we buds stirred in the trees. He smiled and the sun grew Enough have geraniums," said Julia who brighter. He whistled a long, It is enough; I come. lived in a crowded part of the low note and chirping birds an- Christ's human face, divinely lit, swered him. And God's love shining out from city where there was no room "The old man fled back into it for gardens. his cave; when the bright sun- Have conquered. light touched him he disappeared I come; it is enough. "I bet everybody is going to and where he had stood some Is it enough? I go! beautiful snowdrops. pee p e d His hand points toward the plant some kind of seeds, 'cause through the ground. farthest shore I am, too," nodded Joan. " 'Good-bye, King Winter,' the Where human han d sou t- boy laughed. 'Spring is king "I have a wonderful idea." stretched are begging for now.' " The Christ who conquered – 10, David was so enthusiastic that "I like that story, Teacher," It is enough; I go!
he shouted. "Big people bring said Mary. MARY A. HOLT. Baptist Missionary flowers at Easter time for "I didn't think you were listen- ing, Mary. What have you been Review. church. Why couldn't we bring [ 146] some of our ft.owers on Chil- dren's Day?"
"That's a good idea, David,"
agreed Mildred, "because that would make us care more than ever for our gardens."
"I'd like to bring my ft.owers for church," offered Joan. "I'd weed every morning just to be sure I got extra pretty daisies."
"God loves ft.owers and if we bring them, that would be a good offering, wouldn't it, Teacher?"
asked Julia.
"God gives us seeds and the earth and the sun and rain; he makes the ft.owers grow," Peter chanted. BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
Annual Meeting of the Council CO,uncil, secured three new visor in the far West. Mrs. Shotof Women for Home Missions VOIces. Seventy-eight speaking well has a B.A. in Religious engagements were reported for Education and has received her The thirty-first Annual Meet- the year. Material concerning Master's degree in social work. ing of the Council of Women for Council projects was fed to the Her experience in service of mi- Home Missions was held in Bal- denominational press. A volume grants gives her exceptional timore, Maryland, January 7-10. descriptive of the ministry to the qualifications for her new work It was preceded by the meeting families of migratory laborers to which she has come from the of the Executive Committee and has been published entitled, Nevada State Department of by a two-day conference of great "They Starve That We May Public Welfare. Miss Helen importance in the national cap"- Eat." A leaflet "Together" has White, who has acquitted herself ital at which church leaders hav- been distributed outlining the by many summers of service in ing administrative responsibility Council activities. Migrant centers, has been apfor home mission work among pointed to supervisory service in Indians were informed by Mr. Advance p.rogram the Middle West. Miss Lowry John Collier, Commissioner of retains national supervision and Indian Affairs and his associates There is a growing interest in direct contact with the centers in in the Indian Bureau, of the vari- the work among the Migrant the East. ous phases of service which the families. In California, coop~ government is carrying on in be- erative enterprise has been World Day of Prayer half of the Indians. It is hoped initiated, participating organizathat the result of this conference tions being the Ministerial As- Every year a larger number will be reflected on the field in a sociation, church groups, and of places report the observance closer cooperation between mis- civic organizations. To meet the of the World Day of Prayer, sionary forces and government needs of the large camps of Mi- with corresponding increase in workers. grant workers in the west, espe- the use of the program materials cially in California where the and in offerings. In many in- The sessions of the annual groups present a year round ap- stances evening meetings are remeeting proceeded under the peal, a more effective strategy is quested in order that men also genial guidance of the Presi- planned. As rapidly as the may attend. Mrs. Daniel Poling dent, Mrs. Augustus Trow- necessary finances are supplied, reports a new departure in Philbridge. The financial reports it is proposed to provide four adelphia, where Jewish synawere encouraging, all depart- teams, each consisting of a gogues are to be open for prayer ments reporting a balance in the clergyman and his wife with a for the coming of the Kingdom treasury, whose total disburse- public health nurse, whose duty of God and where in an evening ments amounted to $56,63l. it shall be to visit the camps, re- mass meeting Catholics, Jews One-third of this, about $20,000, maining for several weeks or and Protestants will participate. was contributed by the constit- months at a time in order to esuent Boards. The World Day of tablish religious. services and to Christ and the World Commu- Prayer offerings. reached a new provide for health and hygienic nity-at Home high of $15,000 and the dividend safeguards as may be found fixed by agreement with the Mis- necessary. Of these, two shall The general theme chosen for sionary Education Movement, to operate in California, and one the mission study courses of which the entire responsibility each in the states of Oregon and 1939-40 is "Christ and the World for the publication of mission- Washington. The lamented death Community." On the home misary textbooks has this year been during the year of Miss Adela J. sion side it is "Christ and the transferred, realized $5,000. Ballard, whose tireless devotion World Community – at Home." encouraged thousands of migra- The maj or book of this course is The Editorial and Publicity tory people to new life and hope, being written by Dr. Arthur H. Committee has had an unusually left a great gap. She herself Limouze. On the foreign theme, active year. A Speaker's. Insti- pointed to her successor, Mrs. F. "Christ and the World Commutute, conceived as a means of E. Shotwell, who has consented nity Abroad," the author is Basil training women for making pub- to take up the work as super- Mathews. A sec 0 n d book, lic addresses on behalf of the "Women and the Way: Christ [147 ]
and the World's Womanhood," is Missions – met in Washington Election of Officers a symposium in which each of for a two-day conference. Out twelve women contribute a chap- of that conference emerged the The following officers were ter. The usual graded publica- National Committee of Church elected: tions are in process of produc- Women, representing the three tion. above-named organizations and MRS. AUGUSTUS TROWBRIDGE, Presi- for the better cooperation and dent *** coordination of the common in- terests and activities of the three MISS ELINOR K. PURVES, First Vice- Discussion of the liquor traffic organizations. Mrs. E. H. Silver- PJ'esident revealed that missionaries report thorn is Chairman of the Comgrowing problems arising from mittee which has headquarters MRS. KBNNETH D. MILLER, Second intoxication and that the situa- in Room 63, 297 Fourth Avenue, Vice-President tion in Alaska is especially baffling. New York, and four members MRS. J. W. DOWNS, Third Vice- from each of the three cooperat- President *** ing organizations serve with her. MISS DOROTHY A. STEVENS, Secre- The world is one today and "Already the Committee has tary its problems also, for even in made great strides. There are home mission assemblies the four subcommittees carrying on MRS. NORMAN V. PEALE, Treasplight of Spanish war sufferers the work formerly carried urer of Chinese refugees and Jewish jointly by the three organizaexiles makes its appeal and re- tions. The subcommittee"1 are: These are some of the highminds us of our inescapable ob- lights of the first two days of the ligation. "Committee on the World Day annual meeting. Several ses- of Prayer: Miss Margaret Ap- sions were held jointly with the A Decalogue of Peace Home Missions Council for con- plegarth, Chairman. This Com- sideration of such items as Home Upon recommendation of the mittee has pre par e d the Mission Sunday, Government Committee on International Re- and Resettlement Projects, Town lations, the Council voted to programs and other material for and Country, and World Day of limit its relations to peace or- the observance of the Day of Prayer. One of these was a ganizations henceforth to three: Prayer held annually around memorial service paying tribute National Committee on the the world on the first Friday in to Mrs. John S. Allen, Miss Cause and Cure of War, National Lent. The theme for February Adela J. Ballard, Dr. Lemuel Peace Conference and the De- 24,1939, is 'Let Us Put Our Love Call Barnes and Dr. Rivington partment of International Jus- Into Deeds-and Make It Real.' D. Lord, who entered into their tice and Goodwill of the Federal reward during the preceding Council of Churches. The Com- "Committee on May Lunch- year. A notable feature of the mittee also presented a "Church eons: Mrs. Henry Hill Pierce, days was a festive luncheon in Women's Decalogue of Peace," Chairman. This year for the which members of the Council an admirable statement of prin- first time there was a nationciples by Miss Elinor K. Purves, wide ob~ervance of the May Day were invited fa participate with chairman of the committee. It is available upon application to luncheons. In over four hundred the Woman's Interdenominathe editor. different communities women of tional Missionary Union of Bal- all denominations came together timore in the celebration of its National Committee of Church at luncheons for fellowship and Twenty-fifth Anniversary. Women inspiration following the theme of a suggested program, 'Unity The last two days were de- During the year, the coopera- voted to a conference on "Home tion which the Council of Women in Christian Service.' Missions and Social Trends." for Home Missions has been "Committee on International The following topics were precarrying on in an increasing de- sented: "Social Trends in Amergreesince 1927 has culminated Relations: Miss Elinor K. Pur- ica," "Trends toward PeaQantry," in the organization of the Na- "Home Missions and Cooperational Committee of Church ves, Chairman. This Committee tives," "Social Trends as Related Women, whose constitution and unites the church women in in- to Women and Children," "Relipurpose are best described in the telligent work for peace, pro- gious. Trends Among Underfollowing official statement: privileged People," "T r end s "Immediately following the An- motes attendance at the Cause among Lan g u age Groups," nual Meeting 1938, a committee and Cure of War Conference an- "Church Buildings and Equipof representatives from the three nually, and issues news letters ment." The proceedings of these cooperating women's organiza- from time to time covering in- two days may be secured from tions – the Foreign Missions terests in the field of public the Home Missions Councils at Con fer en c e (Committee on affairs. twenty-five cents each. They Women's Work), the National provide an unanswerable argu- Council of Church Women, and "Committee on 'Churr~ Wom- ment for the importance and the Council of Women for Home an': Mrs. J. N. McEachern, magnitude of the Home Mission Chairman. The Church Woman enterprise and the value of the is a magazine published monthly cooperative adventure exempli- fied in the Home Missions Coun- by the National Committee of cils. Church Women reflecting edi- torially the activities of the Story of the annual meeting was written women composing its member- by Mrs. Orrin R. Judd, a member of the ship." Administrative Committee.
~'=================
~ OufM:y~r~~;sp';!~:cu~t~:~ok .If EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO ~'=-==============================~~~ LATIN AMERICA crowds cannot all get inside on The following week, the mission- New Call to Evangelize special occasions. aries were given three months'
This group of believers does notice to vacate the building In view of the recent Pan- not wait for a missionary to lead where they held meetings; American Congress in Lima, them; they go, alone or two by whereupon believers launched a Peru, the purpose of which was two, while those who stay at program to build their own to strengthen the foundations of home look after the farms. Over church, and a site has been pur- democratic government, we note mountain trails these witnesses chased as the first step.
that the missionary opportuni- tramp to take the Gospel where ties in Brazil are of vital concern Ghrist is not known. Their ef- The Gospel by Radio to every Christian and to every forts have led to the establish- There have been occasional at- ment of another group of bap- tempts to radio a Gospel mes- American. Forces that are hold- tized believers; Christian schools ing large areas of the world in sage in Brazil, but only recently has this been done in a systemspiritual bondage, not content have been established, with na- atic way. In Rio de Janeiro with domination in their own tive teachers. Young men and lands, have turned "missionary women are being prepared for every Sunday night at ten o'clock every Brazilian who has and messianic." The phrase the Bible Institute and for more a radio can now hear the Chrisheard so often at Lima: "One effective service. The adminisfor all, all for one" can best be tration and spiritual oversight of brought about by spiritual unity the church is with the local com- tian message. In many places where there is no church there among the nations. We shall be mittee, and capable men they are radios, and it is an interestwell on the way to make the are. Their leader is a man of western hemisphere Christian God, loves the Word, and knows ing development that in some communities the principal famwhen we evangelize the "land of how to preach it. ilies have opened their houses on the Southern Cross." Sunday nights. for the conven- A Suffering Church ience of those who do not have There is no lack of churches radios, thus bringing about the in Latin America, and symbols The Peruvian Evangelical hearing of the Gospel by cultured of Christianity are much in evi- Church is hated by the pagan people, who would not ordinarily dence; rites and ceremonies are world and persecuted by Roman- be reached. In the capital it has practiced everywhere, but these ists. Not long ago a Catholic been noted that in many coff·ee have taken the place of true Congress was held in Cuzco, houses where men were lounging spiritual Christianity. In Brazil when opportunity was used to about, drinking and playing pool, the government of President bring everybody under control of all grew quiet when the hymns Vargas is liberal, leaving the the papacy. All the school chil- began, and men took off their doors open for evangelical work. dren were marched from their hats on hearing the Scriptures Wherever such work is being schools and compelled to attend read. -Watchman-Examiner. carried on, remarkable results the confessional. This was a have followed. terrific test for evangelical chil- The Mennonites in Argentina dren, as they were sure to be -Christian Observer. failed in their studies if they did Mennonite missionaries have not conform. The decorations, Indigenous Church in Colombia Far in the interior of the Cor- parades and enthusiasm of this been at work in the Argentine dilleras range is a mountainous the oldest city of South America Republic for twenty years, ocdistrict of Colombia called Cam- made it plain that after thirty- cupying stations on the Western pohermoso, a coffee-growing re- five years of evangelical witness Railway line of the Province of gion. Some years ago a land the city is far from being evan- Buenos Aires. During these years they have seen their efforts owner was touched by the Gos- gelized. pel, and through his testimony a A cardinal sent from Rome bear fruit, and they now occupy group of believers organized, for the occasion urged the Cath- 27 stations, all under the superelected a board of five men and olics over the radio to run every vision of two bishops, eight mismighty results have followed. evangelical out of the city. He sionaries and their wives, five The church building has twice told them they had the power, national workers and their been enlarged, but still the and it was up to them to do so. wives, a number of Bible women [149 ]
and Bible coach workers. They will have nothing to do with mili- "The exercise of religions in Alhave an orphanage, their own tary service. Something in the bania is free; but proselytising printing pre s s, kindergarten nature of "pure democracy" ac- propaganda is forbidden by law schools in most of the big towns, cording to the Greek plan is and such cannot be tolerated, beand a clinic. Their membership maintained, for important prob- cause it creates divisions and reaches about 520, but in com- lems are settled by discussion in disharmony among the religious mon with other missionary which the whole community elements." The choice of relibodies they are feeling the ef- takes part. gion, therefore, is not purely a fects of increased opposition. personal matter of religious con- -Christian Advocate. viction, the State intervenes on -South America. the ground that a change of re- Churches Still Grow ligion is detrimental to the in- EUROPE in Germany terests of the State.
Totalitarian Youth Movements Dr. Henry Smith Leiper pre- Baptists in Rumania dicts that worse things are still Addressing a men's meeting ahead not only.for the Jews but High ecclesiastic authorities in Leeds, England, the Arch- for the churches. Wholesale in Rumania have chosen the time bishop of York predicted that mass killings are possible in the when the world is watching, the hate motive behind youth near future. Confiscation of with strained attention, the movements in totalitarian coun- Catholic properties will be fol- working out of other minority tries would ultimately destroy lowed by similar action with re- problems to snuff out religious tho.se movements. Said he: gard to Protestant properties minorities in their country; and where there has been any opposi- the latest restrictions impo.sed "No fellowship, no community tion-vocal or otherwise-to the upon Baptists will probably close o.f interest of that sort can sur- Nazi program. In spite of all every Baptist meeting place vive for long, and soon all the this, aNew York Times corre- when (and if) the decree behatred, pugnacity, and ill will spo.ndent reports that 5470 of the comes effective on December 15. which you have used and di- population still belongs to the rected against the enemy will Protestant Church, and the per- The larger Protestant groups, show itself inside the fellowship centage is on the increase. More Lutheran and Reformed, have itself and break it up." suffered much in the expropria- than 95 % of all children born to tion of property and in interfer- Another "Brook Farm" ence with their schools, but they Protestant parents are still be- have had the advantage of a As long ago as 1936, a group recognized legal status, as the of earnest German Christians ing baptized; 90 % of those dy- Baptists have not. fled from Nazidom, went to England and established a colony ing are still buried with Chris.. -The Christian Century. which has become a model for tian ceremonies; and 8070 of Britons in the vicinity. There are those marrying – from among Bible Distribution in now forty families in fhe Cots- Protestants-avail themselves of Old Austria wold "Bruderhof." They own the church's blessing. Corre- 211 acres and rent 100 more. A sponding figures for the Catholic "God recompense you!" are hundred acres is under cultiva- churches are even higher. Also, words often heard by the mistion, eleven are in kitchen gar- according to the same source, sionary who travels among the dens, and the remainder is held Confessional churchmen who isolated hamlets, mountain vilfor use in growing fo.od for the prayed for peace during the Sep- lages and cottages of Austria. stock. German industry has tember crisis, and were punished Perhaps it is to avoid Nazi demade the project prosperous. In therefor are nevertheless pray- struction of his work that a colorganization the colony is some- ing for all who are being perse- porteur of the Scripture Gift what like America's Brook cuted and confessing the sins of Mission does not identify the Farm. All goods are held in the German people. little town where his visit is decommon. The women work in scribed as follows: the communal laundry, do the Juggling Words in Albania gardening and instruct the chil- The lonely folk living in these dren. The men till the soil Officially, and theoretically, isolated places of the world, at a (there is a provision that farm- Albania has religious freedom. height of between 4,000 and 6,000 feet ing shall be the means of earn- An individual is free to follow above sea level, were delighted as I ing a livelihood), and carryon the religion of his choice-it is talked with them of the things of God. the vario.us crafts that make the purely a personal matter. Four At every cottage I experienced a warm community self-sufficient. There men who believed this, became welcome, and as -soon as I arrived in is a community dining room Christians and were arrested, one of these mountain cottages, chilwhere all meals are eaten. Re- taken to the capitol under dren and parents gazed with admiraligion is prominent in the life of armed guard, confined to prison tion and were eager to get the Scripthe colony. The Pro.testant the- for ten days, followed by two tures. Some of the shepherds are ology is that accepted, but the months close police supervision. really eager to know the teaching of people refuse to. take oaths and An official communication sent the Scriptures, and I had opportunity to the missionaries who had of giving Gospels to some who were taught these converts runs thus: seeking their lost goats, and to others who were watching their cows on the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
hillside. Old women on the wayside chists and school teachers in dif. agitate for a re-housing project and farmers engaged in the fields, do- ferent parts of the country come to eliminate slums, and made a ing their last work before the snow from Nnewi, and this year, for start on private funds. Since starts, were all pleased to receive the first time, a native of the then 3,000 modern, brick homes God's Word. town was among those ordained. have been constructed. Almost all are cottages, because the All the houses I have visited in this -Life of Faith. South African prefers them to distant valley have not had the Gospel apartments. hitherto. I have left Gospels in al- Advance in Tanganyika most every house, and for the first In the fight against strongtime I have been able to sell some, for The colony of Tanganyika has drink, the present goals include: the people are very eager to obtain been brought into the limelight To stop wine rations to farm booklets in these high regions where since the crisis in Europe, last laborers; to prohibit sales to nareading matter is very rare. September. It was one of the tive Negroes; to restrict sale territories handed to Great Brit- hours; to control bottle sales to AFRICA ain by the League of Nations at non-native colored people; and the close of the World War, on permit local option. Since wom- Work of the A. I. M. the understanding that the wel- en have had suffrage for only fare of the inhabitants should be seven years, it is not yet known The Africa Inland Mission is uppermost. The Mandates Com- what effect their votes will have in direct touch each week with mission at Geneva last year made upon the liquor evil. at least 500,000 people, out of the comment on the excellent work 2,000,000 for whom it has under- done there by the British Gov- Christian Council of taken responsibility. During the ernment, in which the Church South Africa past year, 10,000 Africans in Missionary Society had no small this area have professed their share. There has been close co- This recently organized group faith in Christ. The number of operation between government is one of the latest links in the native teachers and evangelists and missions; the number of world chain of cooperative counhas increased from 2,000 to Christian schools has been in- cils, affiliated with the Interna- 2,400; and at least 100 Christian creased, there are child welfare tional Missionary Council. It weddings have taken place. This centers and two well established has just published the "Christian last fact has real significance in hospitals; and more and more Handbook of South Africa," in a land where polygamy is almost responsibility for the main- which, for the first time, an atuniversal. tenance of the Church is being tempt is made to classify the borne by the Africans them- many activities of the churches A Moslem advance and a for- selves. and missions in South Africa, ward movement of communism and the Protectorates. Some make the situation there an It is doubtful whether any 1,300 institutions and organizaurgent one. -Life of Faith. country presents such complexi- tions, and about 3,500 Christian ties in life as Tanganyika. There workers are listed in the Hand- Progress in lbo-land are no national distinctions, and book, which includes the work German, Dutch, French, Greek of the Roman Catholic Church. The recent dedication of a and Italian are, with British set- It is hoped that this information new church at Nnewi, native tlers and officials, found in will serve to give a true view of lbo-land town of about 6,000 in- closest contact with Indians, the activities of the Church, and habitants, furnishes a striking il- Arabs and Africans. To plunge of the unfinished task in South lustration of growth made by the them now into a political up- Africa. Copies may be ordered Church Missionary Society. The heaval would be most unfair to from the World Dominion Press, first effort to gain a footing there the native races, and a breach of price 4/6 postpaid. was made thirty-four years ago. faith as well. Considerable danger was en- Madagascar's Last Queen countered, but once the people -C. M. S. Outlook. agreed to accept a teacher steady The remains of Ranavalona advance has continued. There Problems in Capetown III, Madagascar's last queen, are now four large permanent exiled in 1897, were brought churches, built of cement blocks Slums, intemperance and back to her island domain last and well furnished, in different marijuana are three basic prob- October from Algiers, where she quarters of the town; the one lems that must be dealt with in died in 1921. In bringing back which was recently dedicated is South Africa as well as else- her body, the French governcapable of holding over 1,000 where, although juvenile delin- ment has made a gesture that people, as are all the other three. quency does not bulk so large as has touched the heart of Mala- There is a central school in the in the United States. Mrs. gasy people, in whose opinion to town with about 500 scholars Muriel Jones, of Capetown, be buried away from home is to and twenty teachers, all Afri- South Africa, President of the lie uneasy and neglected. cans, and three "feeder" schools National Council of Women, is of about 100 children in each. in the United States studying Most of the present generation these questions. Ten years ago never saw their queen. Eleven All ordinary parish activities she and three others began to are to be found, including weekly prayer meetings, women's guild, Scripture Union, and Boy Scouts. Large numbers of cate-
years before she came to the Balkan Entente, the four-power book. After reserving enough throne she was baptized in the pact toward the East, and a for necessary bills, she was able church at Ambohimanga. She sturdy policy of friendship with to buy a few books which she attended high school like any the European countries. The de- listed and numbered. She then other young girl, except that she velopment of industries also has offered to pay the postage on the had a slave to carry her books. contributed largely toward eco- little periodical "Messenger of Her Protestantism was sorely nomic stability. The title of Truth" if the workers would sub- tried when, at the time of the Atatiirk was conferred on him scribe, which they did. She French conquest, came the Ro- November 26, 1934. This corre- writes in Woman' s Missionary man Catholics, as in the case of sponds very nearly to "Father of Friend: his Country." Ethiopia years later. It was As time went by I was able now openly declared that to be a Prot- Solve This Problem estant was to be a traitor to and then by a slight margin in the Religious liberty means differ- work funds, or my tithe, or a personal France. ent things in diff·erent places. A gift, to increase the number until now The queen stood firm all prominent official in Damascus we have in the Telugu 171 books for through her exile in Algiers. adults ,and 251 for children; and 78 in the Kanarese language. . . .
Her body now lies beside Rana- recently made the following pro- We make charts; write the names valona I, the persecuting queen of our workers with the books they who, for a quarter of a century, nouncement on the subject: have read and those they have had kept all the missionaries out of "Yes, we believe in religious lib- read in their villages. Comparisons erty, but we Moslems are not ex- are made and all can see who are the her country and wa.ged cruel war ercising our full liberty. The readers. . . . against Christian subjects. To- In the last six months in my two day, Protestant and Catholic Moslem religion teaches that an church members form one-third apostate must be destroyed, and districts, thirty-six workers have read we are not practicing religious 295 books, thirty-four school children have read 49, and fifty-four village of the population of three and a liberty in that regard." An- people have read 114. At the present half millions. A recent proposal time there are 220 books out in the is to make Madagascar a na- other Moslem official in north district being read. Syria recently advanced the thetional home for persecuted Jews of Europe. ory that it was proper for a Jew Against Polygamy WESTERN ASIA to turn Christian, or for a Chris- A bill to make polygamy il- tian to turn Moslem, for in each legal in India has the support of Atatlirk-"Father of His case the change would be a step the All-India Women's Confer- Oountry" upward and forward. But since ence, and various provincial Christianity was an improve- women's groups as well. For It is worth while to note the many years, protests against difference between the Turkish ment on Judaism and Islam an polygamy have been issued by dictator and the former dicta- advance on Christianity, it could women's conferences, and advotors of Europe in that Kemal not be tolerated that a man cating social boycott for those would go backward to Christi- anity. There is no constitutionknew how to accomplish things al way in the Syrian state where- who persist in plural marriages. by legal methods, instead of re- by a person may legally change There seems little doubt but that sorting to force or personal de- his registration from Moslem to the educated women of India are cree. The world acknowledges Christian. of one mind in demanding this with wonder the long list of his A change from Islam to Chris- reform. achievements of the past fifteen tianity is legally possible in Leb- The men of India, however, years. He rescued his country anon, but is beset with difficul- are not very enthusiastic in their from reactionary Moslem forces ties. After the application is support of this reform. They are by separating religion and the made, a public hearing is held at inclined rather to be silent or to state; the caliphate, religious court. Representatives both of resort to jesting in their refercourts, dervish orders were all the faith he is renouncing and ences to it. An editorial appearabolished, and the secular power that which he is confessing are ing in a leading paper in Northconsolidated. The list of bene- permitted to be present and to ern India says: "When a man ficial reforms includes compul- use their influence. It is easy marries two or more wives, sory education, purification of to see why converts are so few. surely there is no need to punish the language, adoption of family -Foreign Affairs Bulletin. him by law." names, reform of the calendar, the alphabet and the metric sys- INDIA, BURMA, SIAM However, the question is not tern; the reorganization of the regarding the punishment that legal system, founding the Uni- Importance of Literature comes to the men in polygamous marriages, but to the women. versity at Angora and the mod- A missionary of Tandur saw ernization of the one at Stam- the need for reading material not -Indian Witness.
boul. Perhaps his greatest con- only for children and adult con- New Bible House tribution to his time was his verts but for village workers as steady cultivation of friendly re- well; and consulted a catalogue A new Bible House has been lations with all the neighbors. of of the Christian Literature So- erected in the heart of the busi- Turkey, the establishment of the ciety, then the state of her pocket ness district of Secunderabad,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
and fills a long felt need in the two other buildings collapsed made more classrooms available. State of Hyderabad. It houses with the weight of the crowds in The aim is to build more such both the British and Foreign attendance, evidence of the in- homes, not only to offer home Bible Society stock and display terest aroused. training to all the students, but rooms, and the Christian Litera- No statistics can measure the to release the whole main buildture Society depot. The large value of this work. When the ing for classrooms and chapel. assemblage of people present at general evangelist for this field -Siam Outlook. the formal opening found the made a tour of 171 non-Chris- Bible attractively displayed in its tian villages, ninety of them various languages. The local asked for Christian teachers. OHINA Society has to date furnished "Give us some one to show us The Old Order Changes Bibles or portions in fifteen how to live," they said, and "we A writer in China's Millions different languages. In the ad- will follow Christ." While less shows how present forces are joining rooms the Christian Lit- than fifty adults have been won changing all of China. (1) Poerature Society displayed its fine to Christ by these young people litically: no longer do local war assortment of literature and from Bassein, many lives have lords desolate the country with pictures. been influenced and some vil- the sole purpose of gaining per- lages have one Christian family, sonal power. Petty quarrels are The annual meeting of the and others two families or more forgotten in united allegiance to Bible Society followed the dedi- to set an example for their Chiang Ka.i-Shek. (2) Geocation. It was announced that neighbors. In the village of graphically: whereas there were the Bible Society of Bristol, Eng- no motor roads in the interior a land, was largely responsible for Impala there are nearly sixty few years ago, there are now the funds which made possible who are about ready to give up roads in all directions, linking the. new Bible House. their heathen customs and follow the provinces and making travel the Christian way of life. -The Indian Witness. and shipment of goods less la- Training at Dara Academy, . borious. (3) Socially: the in- Ohristian Oolleges in India Siam flux from the coastal areas to the The extent of Christian educa': tion in India, under Protestant The training offered to girls in interior, the migration of univermissionary auspices, is indicated mission lands must prepare them sities and their faculty and stuby the fact that the missionary to meet real problems; to imagencies conduct 38 colleges, in- prove their home conditions and dents cannot but affect the social cluding five theological schools help neighbors do the same. life, and (4) there is also a spirin seyen provinces. These insti- But the environment at school is itual change. "They that were tutions have on their staffs 339 so different from what the girls scattered abroad went every- Indian Christian teachers and have been accustomed to, and the where preaching the Word," is 412 non-Christians, in addition dormitory so unlike the little being fulfilled in China, and not to 181 foreign teachers. The bamboo houses they live in that only winning new converts but strengthening weak Christians.
resident Indian students number not all their training can be ap- As to the Christian Colleges 4,685, of whom 1,599 are Chris- plied. Realizing this, Dam tians; there are also 13,741 non- Academy at Chiengmai started a Through all the hardships of resident students, of whom 824 project about four years ago in warfare, the 12 American-sup- a little bamboo house on the ported colleges in China continue are Christians. campus. It is simply furnished, to teach the principles of Chris- Young People's Evangelism in keeping with what the girls tianity and democracy. Only in Burma have in their own homes, and is two, however, are conducting all used as a practice home. Now their work on their own cam- A native evangelist of the two more frame houses have puses; Yenching and West China Burma Baptist Mission person- been added, each home being in Union University. Of the ten ally raised funds to send young charge of a Siamese teacher who which have had to move, six people from the Karen Theo- lives there. The girls do all the have been able to remain near logical Seminary and the Wom- housework and laundry. Nor is their original sites, and thus to an's Bible School to work among religious life neglected. Family continue serving the areas from needy villagers. Beginning in prayers are held in each house- which their students are nor- 1936, the number of volunteers hold every evening. mally drawn. The remaining has increased each year. The The teachers choose which four have moved far into "Free first task was to make friends girls are to live in the practice China," where the problems of with Buddhist Karens and ani- homes, and each group remains travel for their normal student mists. Daily Vacation Bible all year. The project is too new bodies and of finding satisfac- Schools were conducted, and last for one to judge results, but tory accommodations are both year there were fifteen such there can be little doubt of the very serious.
schools, with a total enrolment value of the plan. Aside from Efforts are being made in of 375. Two of the schools were any other advantages, the build- every instance to retain posses- held in Buddhist monasteries; ing of these practice homes has sion of property. Those not now
being used for educational pur- killed, but still they can yield no cause so many refugees from poses are, under supervision of money. other places are in Shanghai resident Americans being used nearly every parish and mission for the relief and protection of Japanese fired 110 shells, by actual was represented. Many of the war victims. count, costing hundreds of dollars, on women are homeless and, as a Chinese fort where there were refugees, are SUbsisting on a With 54 of the 114 Chinese neither Chinese soldiers nor guns. minimum of food and clothing; Government universities de- With the Chinese gone, little customs yet they met to plan, and carry stroyed or closed by the war, income, it is the Japanese people who forward the work of the Church. many of their students are turn- pay. On the other hand, in "free" ing to the American Colleges, all China the trade balance is in China's The annual offering, by some of which are cooperating closely favor. Competent observers say that miracle, amounted to over $1,500 with the Government and its her reserves far exceed those of Japan. Chinese currency. The women agencies. The most urgent prob- make yearly appropriations to a lem is that of financial support, -Christian Advocate. wide range of objects, including and emergency funds to the the Chinese missionary district amount of $330,000 are being 'War's Effect on the Churches of Shensi, the diocesan mission sought. board, endowed hospital beds, Mr. H. Witt, writing in "The the Chinese Churchman, dio- Destruction in China Bible for China," says that the cesan conference, and $25 to the .problem of local churches due to American Woman's Auxiliary It is difficult to picture the war conditions has two aspects; triennial. amount of destruction that has one, the breaking up of churches been going on in China during when flight becomes necessary, -The Living Church. the past eighteen months, since and the other the arrival of the Japanese began their cam- Christians from other parts of Envelopes with Christian paign. Bombs, arson and raids China who, however, do not come Message have destroyed hundreds of to stay but move on again after thousands of lives and have laid a comparatively short time, tak- It occurred to Archdeacon low thousands of buildings and ing part in the "trek" to the Donnithorne, of the C. M. S., equipment that have cost millions West which ultimately will give that the backs of business enveof dollars and years of labor. rest and safety to 300 millions of lopes might carry a Christian One missionary society alone refugees. This situation has its message. He now uses such en- (The Methodist Church, South) value in the opportunities af- velopes for all his business correports property looted, damaged forded to preach to outsiders. respondence in China. At the or destroyed in Shanghai, Nan- There are weeks of evangelistic upper right corner is a picture of siang, Taichang, Changsu, Sun- meetings when most of the audi- Chiang Kai-shek, and under it kiang, Changchow, Huchow and ence is made up of students and his testimony: Soochow. It is a repeated story officials, some with their fam- – buildings occupied without ilies, who are willing to come out I have now been a Christian for permission, looted, stripped of definitely for Christ. Soon they nearly ten years, and during that time wood-work, bombed or burned. are gone and another type of I have been a constant reader of the Nevertheless, the lives of the people take their place. Bible.' Never before was this sacred missionaries have been spared, Book so interesting to me as during the morale of Chinese Christians Another feature of the situa- my two weeks' captivity in Sian. . . . is unbroken and the work is go- tion is that pastors, evangelists The greatness and love of Christ burst ing on with marked success. and Bible women who have lost upon me with a new inspiration, in- their positions offer to work in creasing my strength to struggle Why Still Confident some new locality, a factor that against evil, to overcome temptation sometimes produces an unstable and to uphold righteousness. A missionary attests the truth element in the work. But the of General Chiang's statement: simple testimony of Christian At the upper left is a state- "Japan has lost the war. China refugees who will faithfully wit- ment about the "New Life Movehas not yet won it"; and gives ness to the Lord, wherever they ment"; at the bottom, an emthe following illustration to go, will undoubtedly make a deep phasis on being "born again"; prove it. impression upon their people and at the right of this are the and there, too, much seed will be words: "To support General I visited Amoy and saw on the Bund, sown on fertile ground-for it is Chiang you ought also to be a the formerly active waterfront, only far more fertile than ever before Christian !" three Chinese. Of course there were – which will sometime bear many Japanese soldiers on guard, and fruit. -C. M. S. Outlook. a tank running up and down the street. The Chinese had all left. Chinese Women's League Japanese Occupy Hainan Japan is left holding an empty city. There are no people to tax, no busi- The Chinese equivalent of the On February 10 the Japaness from which to secure income. Women's Auxiliary, in the dio- nese army landed military forces Folks with money and the middle cese of Shanghai, held a business on Hainan, the Chinese island off classes have moved on. Only the poor session recently for the first time the coast of French Indo-China. are left. They may lie tortured, finally in two years. Only the Shanghai This large island is of vital im- churches were able to send their portance to French Indo-China, full quota of delegates, but be- to the Chinese Government, to Great Britain and to the Japa-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
nese, on account of its strategic practically impossible for for- Life of Christ. Japan can't win. p 0 sit ion. The Presbyterian eign physicians in Manchukuo, Nobody can. If the war goes on, Church in the U. S. A. has four missionary or otherwise, to ac- it will end in the collapse of both main mission stations on this cept Japanese, Korean or Man- countries. Some way must be island – at Nodoa, Kiungchow, churian patients. found to bring it to an end be- Kachek, Hoihow – with 24 mis- fore exhaustion comes." sionaries. It is a large and im- A religious law, just promulportant work. Several times the gated, forces Buddhists, Confu- He was asked whether the island has been bombed by Jap- cianish:;, Christians and even time had come for Christian peo~ anese airplanes and mission Shintoists to obtain permission pIe to prepare the way for peace, property has, been damaged. It for their activities, and demands and replied: "Not yet. Just is not yet known whether the a written statement of their aims now it would serve no good purmissionaries will be permitted to and methods. pose, and might do harm. Let remain and continue their work the Christians on both sides pray during the military occupation United States and British mis- without ceasing. The day of of the island. sionaries, driven from Korea by peace will come when it is least a similar law and having fol- expected." "Born Again" in Hainan lowed large groups of Korean colonies into Manchukuo, believe Love in Scavenger Town About two years ago, the that their activities will soon be church buildings at Nodoa were impossible. Imagine a community of subject to constant depredation 25,000 people, living in wretched at the hands of a gang of ruffians -New York Times. shacks made of every conceivbetween 14 and 16 years old. able kind of refuse, crowded There were broken windows, JAPAN-CHOSEN along alleys reeking with sewage ruined trees, rubbish in the door smells, with children and mothways. Some of these boys had "Exceptional Christians" ers doing piecework in the hov-· been in the Sunday school, and els, with diseased bodies and one belonged to a Christian fam- A Christian week-day school crippled minds hovering in the ily. Last fall, three Christian of religion with 750 voluntary alleys, with undernourished tots young people started an evening attendants is news anywhere, weaving in and out among the Bible class in the home of one of and such a school is in operation shacks, with images of superstithem, and gathered in street in the conservative city of Tsu, tion at every turn of the path, children to teach them hymns Japan. Small children, dismissed and all of this laid down in a and Bible stories. The gang from public school earlier than swamp hole that might be flooded stood outside the door at first, the older ones, come first; the feet deep when the rains came. then went in and finally took older children come an hour or Here you have a picture of part. Then followed a week of so later. "Scavenger Town" in East evangelistic meeting~ in the Tokyo, where eight hundred church in which the theme was One of the government teach- families live, well watched by "Ye must be born again." Every ers remarked that most of the Tokyo police. The hovels were member of the gang responded, best pupils of the school were en- thrown together after the earthand now the group is always at rolled in the classes in religion, quake in 1923, for unfortunate church, keep up regular Bible and added: "I don't know paupers, many of them with study and go on evangelistic whether they go to the Christian criminal records. Recent events trips to villages. classes because they are excep- have tended to increase the pop- tional or whether they're excep- ulation. Physicians Hampered in tional because they go to those Manchukuo classes." But all is not dark there. Within the settlement is a Japan's hand is seen in the in- The school of religion has been cleared space, a playground and creasing restrictions e x per i- conducted for the past 13 years. several clean modern buildings. enced by foreigners in Manchu- Missionaries in Tsu believe that This is the Ai Kei Gakuen – "a kuo. When a Korean woman a large part of the good will to- Garden Radiating Love and patient of a British doctor died ward Christianity in their neigh- Blessing," the work of a missionafter an operation, two Japanese borhood is due to this project. ary of The Woman's Missionary lawyers induced the family to Society of the Methodist Episswear out a complaint, and the -Monday Morning. copal Church, Miss Mildred A. doctor was arrested on a charge Paine, graduate of Oberlin Colof manslaughter. After a fort- Kagawa Writing a Life lege. For more than eight years night's detention in a native jail of Christ she has given her life to the servthe doctor was released upon ice of the children of "Scavenger payment of a large sum to the The Japanese are a reading Town," and has drawn around family. people, and will read anything her a corps of well-trained J ap- Kagawa writes. He is now writ- anese young women, devoted to Such precedent, despite Brit- ing a "Life of Christ" in fiction the needs of the boys and girls. ain's strong protest, makes it form. Dnyanodaya reports him President Yoshimune Abe, of as saying: "We Japanese are miserable about the war. What Japan needs is redemption and remission of her sins, and I have just come to that chapter in my
Aoyama Gakuin, Tokyo, is presi- astrous for them. There are New Britain Dictionaries only about 7,000 Japanese in dent of the trustees and the work these islands, but a victory for Members of the Young Womhas the support of the Tokyo the forces of the "son of heaven" en's Missionary Movement in Methodist Social Service Federa- would mean trade pentration. Australia achieved a remarkable tion and Japanese and American Japan sells more goods there feat and made a great contribu- Christian leaders. than Holland, cutting prices with tion to Christian work in New the natives. In outlying districts, Britain when they typed out six -Christian Advocate. they are beginning to take up dictionaries for the better equip- the farms; in the mines they ment of missionaries. To type a The Challenge in Korea have $222,500,000 invested. book of 900 pages seems a monu- mental undertaking, but when it An outstanding Korean pas- There is a compact colony of is a dictionary and grammar in tor thus describes the change Japanese in Davao, and Japanese a foreign language it is a very that has come about in Korea exacting task. It was all done within the last three or four concessions in Surinam; the by voluntary workers, and when years: center of their pearl fishing fleet completed the books were bound is in the Aru Islands. If the J ap- with special tropical inSUlation. "The Korean Church has en- anese pursue their notion of desjoyed fifty years of religious tiny, and should oust the British Report from the Philippines freedom. It now seems to be from Singapore, Netherland Instarting on a fifty-year period of dies folk would expect their rubpersecution." It is demanded of all citizens of the Japanese em- ber, sugar, tea, coffee, petroleum Lucena Church is the largest pire that they show their patriot- and most progressive in the ism, not only by swearing alle- and tin all to go to Japan. province of Tayabas. Dr. C. N. giance to the same emperor and Magill, Presbyterian missionary by saluting the same flag, but Should the Chinese win, the who has been in the Philippines also by worshiping the same result would be equally unde- for thirty years, reports that adgods. Those citizens who refuse sirable to them, for the Chinese vance has been made during the to worship the mythological gods past year, in spite of difficulties. of Japan endanger their oppor- outnumber the Islanders seven to Loyalty, perseverance and dilitunities for education, their jobs one. The fear is that they would gence have characterized the with the government, their embark upon the same kind of little struggling churches in that rights as citizens, and even their province, none of which have lives. nationalistic fervor for raw ma- any wealthy members. When terials as the Japanese. Thus, Dr. Magill was asked what were "Daily, Christians are coming the Far Easterners follow the example of the West. -Christian Advocate.
to the missionaries for advice Bible Circles in Java the principle crops of Tayabas, and comfort. They have been he replied: "Coconuts and chilthreatened, b eat e n, deceived. Javanese young people have dren," adding that while coco- The ear of the missionary is the organized "Circles of Five," to nuts were worth only 25 % of the only safe place to tell their meet and read the Bible, under price received 10 years ago, chiltroubles. It is a time when fam- one of their number 'as leader in dren were worth much more ilies are divided because of the the higher classes of elementary than they were then, for they are Gospel. One can no longer trust schools and of secondary schools. building character. the non-Christian members of Each circle becomes a sort of Spirituality and benevolence his family. No longer can union of secrecy and fidelity of go hand in hand everywhere. In brother trust brother. Secrets uncommon strength, marked by Lucena Church, sacrificial givhave such a strange way of personal devotion. Attendance ing has made possible a full-time reaching the ear of the police- at the weekly meetings is· con- pastor and three women workman." sidered a sacred duty, not to be ers, with all bills paid and a sub- Missionaries are hampered, missed. Printed outlines of Bi- stantial balance on hand. Bebut not harmed; they are fol- ble study are sent in advance to sides regular services, about 400 lowed by spies, but their words each circle, to be discussed at the persons hear the Gospel at six are not muzzled, and they can meeting. Coordination is se- different Sunday schools. Weekly cured by monthly meetings of services are maintained in two still tell "the old, old story." leaders, mostly girls and boys villages. There are only five or- -Christian Observer. under twenty. dained Filipino pastors in the The number five was chosen province, so that much of the ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC because in Java it is a sacred activity must be done by lay number, expressing completion. workers. Twenty-four trained Rulers and Ruled in the Five is the number of the fingers women have a large part in Dutch Indies and expresses unity. Five was building up the churches. Church An "undeclared peace" would the number of the prayer circle sessions are usually half women please the people of the Nether- in Antioch from which the Holy and half men. lands Indies, for they feel that Spirit selected and commissioned A large amount of literature, victory by either side in the Sino- Paul and Barnabas. both English and Tagalog, has Japanese struggle would be dis- -World Dominion Press. been distributed. One publish-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ing house in the United States cedure which has the following sible effort to ensure accuracy of sent surplus material that has five points: these figures. The report shows been most useful. They include that the membership of the beginners' stories, quarterlies, 1. Every member of the Communist churches in the United States incharts and picture cards. The Party belongs to a neighborhood creased twice as fast as the pop- Scripture Gift Mission of Lon- branch, a factory or shop unit, or an ulation in 1937. Significant of don contributes tracts and blot- industrial unit. The whole pyramid the trend toward church unity is ters with a Bible verse. of the party rests on this broad base the fact that 97.3 per cent of the of thousands of 11- or 12-member total membership is in the fifty NORTH AMERICA units, or 20- or 25-member neighbor- larger bodies-all with member- hood branches. ship of 50,000 or over. The small Bible Verses in Street Cars bodies account for only 2.7 per 2. The Communist Party publishes cent of the total church popUla- "A Bible Text in Every Public more pamphlets than any other or- tion; furthermore, the former Car" is the objective of Chi- ganization in the United States. number of 212 denominations cago's Best Seller Publicity Com- has been reduced to 200 by mermittee. It was initiated by a 3. Since publishing means nothing gers, or disappearance. small group of Chicago Chris- without distribution, communists have tians, and is similar to a move- one of the largest book store chains in Havoc Wrought by ment begun in England 55 years the country; sell more pamphlets and Godlessness ago. For the past year, one out magazines than any of them, and alof every fourteen street cars of most as many books. Here is a further slant upon this great mid-west city has dis- our growing juvenile crime probplayed a Gospel message with 4. Every "unit" has a literature lem. From time to time the striking attractiveness. The De- agent, whose business it is to promote judges of our courts make some cember card was the work of a wide reading. pronouncement upon the under- Pulitzer prize winner artist, and lying causes of this menace to other prominent artists have 5. More than publishing and distri- our cherished institutions, and contributed their skill. bution is required; there is also edu- here is what Judge Hill, Man- cation, and communist "Workers' hattan's foremost juvenile crime Written response to the car Schools," to which every member must jurist, presiding justice of the cards has afforded much stim- repair twice a week. New York Juvenile Delinquency ulus to the work. No sooner had the displays appeared than a let- Church Unity Gains Court, says: "70 % of the 6,000 ter from a Chicago man revealed that he had "prayed for four- The thirtieth anniversary of delinquency cases which anteen months that someone would the Federal Council was marked nually come before his court are start a work of this kind." The by wider Christian unity, ex- the result of dissolute and Godsentiment of evangelical believ- pressed in four important ways: less home environment." He ers was set forth in another of said: "As a jurist who judges the communications: "It has re- Admission of the Syrian Antiochian thousands of crime-broken boys j oiced the hearts of many Chris- Orthodox Church of North America and girls each year I know that tians to find such verses while into membership – the first of the religious interests for young peoriding the cars." Greek Catholic group to become offi- ple are essential for their moral cially affiliated with the Council. welfare and future as worth- The Best Seller Publicity Com- while American citizens. Relimittee (Box 409, Chicago) in- Enthusiasm for the projected World gion is necessary to the happivites response. Council of Churches. ness of American youth, but it is not enough merely to send chil- Scripture texts in public ve- A plan by which local and state dren to church. Parents must hicles provide fulfilment of councils of churches, as the instru- attend church, for the child in- Christ's missionary coonmand. ments of cooperative unity in local evitably follows the examples set Chicago is the largest Polish city communities, may become affiliated by its father and mother." in the world and the third with the Federal Council. largest Jewish city. There are Sunday School for Offenders 4,000 Chinese and one of the Concrete projects for united action. largest groups of Negroes in any For five years, the Mayor of northern city. Here then is op- After the completion of the Guntersville, Alabama, has been portunity to reach people of all University Christian Mission sending minor offenders to Sunraces and all nations. this year, a new evangelistic day school instead of levying undertaking for 1940 – to be fines, or sending to jail. To save Look At the Communists! known as the National Christian embarrassment to the offenders, Mission-will be launched. An this plan was not made public, Shall we say that lukewarm invitation will be sent to Chris- and only recently has it become Christians could profit by con- tian forces of other lands to join known. Then it was revealed sidering the enthusiasm of com- in a world-wide movement of that not one of more than 100 so munists in this country? Prot- evangelistic advance in 1940. sentenced had reappeared before estant Episcopal headquarters the Mayor, charged with any supplies an outline of their pro- Church Membership Increases The Federal Council's weekly issue of Information Service for January 14 gives the total church membership for the United States as 64,156,895. Of these 52,379,579 are more than 13 years old. The total number of churches in this country is 248,410. There are 200 different religious bodies.
Dr. Herman C. Weber, editor of "The Year Book of American Churches," has made every pos-
crime. About half the culprits region for just our kind of gos- the Indians, in whose music is a became regular attendants at pel work. Only about 7 out of 68 certain plaintiveness. They are Sunday school after their sen- places this season have any local very poor, yet most of them tences expired. Most of them, Christian work at all, and one of bring two or three, some four or before being sentenced, had these is mostly for Indians. And five skins as their gift, and a never been inside of a Sunday the Mormons are sending out skin is valued at fifty cents. school. 2,000 emissaries to win converts." MISCELLANEOUS – Watchman-Examiner. Union Work for Indians The Church in the World Sunday School Extension The Government I n d ian of Today School at Flandreau, South Da- The Presbytery of Cumber- kota, is one of six such schools in Unquestionably, darkness is land Mountain, Tenn., is an ex- which religious activities are surrounding the C h r i s t ian ample of successful correlation carried on by the Home Missions Church in many lands today; not between pastors and Sunday CouncIl's Committee on Indian only the darkness of unevangeschool extension workers, a pro- Work. This Committee, which lized paganism, which still pergram that began more than fifty represents 23 churches of the sists in many areas, but the oryears ago in this territory. In United States, was organized to ganized barbarism sweeping addition to the several Presby- enlarge and coordinate Christian over large parts of the world terian churches that have been work among our Indian people. once classed as Christian. But organized as a result, many Bap- Interdenominational religious there are other facts, equally untist, Met hod i stand other work directors are maintained at questioned, to be set over against churches have been organized these six schools through offer- this. and built up. Especially in the ings on the World's Day of lumber and coal camps a high Prayer, appropriations from va- In India the number baptized value has been placed on this rious church boards and private has multiplied tenfold in the Sunday school extension effort. contributions. present century, and more than More than 2,000 children and doubled in the past twelve years. young people have been reached. A new feature of this work is a "bookmobile," which carries a Africa south of the Sahara has In many communities classes traveling library to Indian reser- also shown a prodigious growth. in Week Day Religion have been vations. In the Philippines the number of conducted in cooperation with Protestant communicants has school teachers. Besides this Eskimo Thank-offering risen from practically nothing much help through the years has in 1900 to over 190,000. In been given through the distribu- The Church of England has a Latin America the growth has tion of clothing to the needy and Mission at Aklavik, Alaska. An been phenomenal and the nummany children have been enabled important annual event is Rat ber of communicants appears to to remain in school in this way Sunday. "Whatever is that?" have multiplied more than sevwho otherwise would have had you say. Rat Sunday is a sort of enfold in the present century. to drop out. Portions of Scrip- harvest festival, when Indians ture, Bibles and other religious and Eskimos who make their liv- In Japan the number of comliterature are being .distributed ing by catching muskrats bring municants has increased nearly continually. some of the skins to the church fivefold in the same period, and as a thank-offering, when they has grown by about fifty per Religious Destitution in Utah come to Aklavik to sell their cent in the present decade. An summer's catch. At this service, advance of nearly seventyfold is A writer in Light on Mormon- after the singing of hymns and reported from Korea, and the ism has made a survey of four other devotional exercises, the number of communicants in counties in Utah. Putting the church wardens go around with China is said to have multiplied settlements as located all in one large plates on which are laid the about fivefold since 1900. direction (68 places) they would little bundles of skins. The Incover 160 by 20 miles, with pres- dian service is held first; follow- Of more importance than the ent population of about 30,000. ing this, the Eskimos hold theirs numerical increase is the evi- In all this area, only six or seven and their thank-offerings of dence of deep rooted Christian places of Christian worship were skins are brought in big white faith in the lives of new converts. found, not including two or three bags. To quote Dr. Kenneth S. Latour- Roman Catholic ones. The total ette: "In a day when Christianat all these Protestant meetings In church both Indians and ity is being tested as it has not was perhaps 100 out of 30,000. Eskimo are notably reverent. been for over a century, and Says this writer: The men sit on one side, women when chaos international and and children on the other, all in- within many lands is increasing, "During all of 1937 we found tent on their worship. A baby the younger members of the only 6 or 7 places with Christian may cry, a little child may run world-wide Christian fellowship work out of 46 visited in over across to her father, but the have been increasing in numeri- 600 miles of field worked. Noth- sense of devotion is not broken. cal strength, in leadership, and ing more is needed to show the Eskimos sing more heartily than in self-reliance." tremendous need of this whole -C. M. S. Outlook.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The Heathen. A Study in Ethnology stating common things in an un- mon expression since men and and Religion. By Henry W. Frost, D.D. 106 pp. 35 cents. Funda- common way, and an almost un- women may endure but cannot mental Truth Publishers, Findlay, Ohio. canny ability to perceive the understand the reason or know The author is not ashamed to heart of truth and to present it the outcome. use a good old word to describe those who are without hope in so that thought is stimulated and Margaret H. Brown has been Christ and without a knowledge the heart satisfied. of God. He believes that the for fifteen years a missionary of Book of Genesis gives the true story of man's origin and that FRANCIS SHUNK DOWNS. the United Church of Canada. the widesprea;d traditions of a deluge are evidence of its univer- Sufism: Its Saints and Shrines. In- She has been stationed in Honan sality. "The heathen" are without hope of eternal life, except in troduction to the Study of Sufism, and later in Shanghai and was Christ and His Gospel, which is an eye-witness of many tragefor all in lands of darkness. Our with Special Reference to India. By dies. Here she tells the story only criticism of this brief bib- John A. Subhan, B.A., B.D., Lec- vividly and sympathetically as lical study is the title; and to the seeming limitation when the turer, The Henry Martyn School of author says: "As long, then, as the Church fails to give the Islamic Studies, Lahore. 420 pp. the story of a farmer, Chang Good News to the people in far- Yungshan, who suffered insults, away climes and they have not Rs. 4/- or $1.50. Lucknow Pub- abuses, temptations and privaheard and received it, we must tion after he moved to Shangthink and speak of them as lishing House, Lucknow, India, 1938. hai. Then followed the terrifyheathen." We can find many ing experiences in the Japanese heathen nearer than in Africa or Islamic mysticism goes by the China. The non-Christian world name of Sufism (from the Ara- invasion. The bright spots were is not a geographical unit. bic word for wool, because the the kind acts of Christians early mystics wore a woolen whom he met and through whom S. M. ZWEMER. robe). From the second century he became a Christian. It is a of Mohammedanism this teach- moving tale, filled with fa.cts, "Filled with the Spirit." By Richard ing spread in all lands until to- and all with a true Chinese at- Ellsworth Day, D.D. $1.00. Zon- day no one can really understand mosphere. Read it-young and dervan Publishing House. Grand the religion of the common peo- old – and your sympathy with Rapids, Mich. 1938. ple unless he knows this phase also. the Chinese will increase. Dr. Day's earlier books, "The Shadow of the Broad Brim" and A Moslem convert, who once "Bush Aglow," are inspirational belonged to a dervish order, has biographies of Charles Haddon Spurgeon and Dwight L. Moody. given here a very careful study The Approaching Advent of Christ. This new volume-"Filled with of the origin, history and prac- By Rev. Alexander Reese. 8 vo. the Spirit"-is a book of devo- tices of Indian Moslem mysti- 328 pp. $2.40. Marshall Morgan tions for daily reading and & Scott, Ltd. London; Zondervan, meditation. cism. The book is carefully docu- Grand Rapids. mented and bears the mark of Dr. Day has a rare combina- scholarship. Our only criticism An unusual book is this. As tion of appreciation of evangeli- is that there are a number of the title suggests, it deals with cal truth and the ability to typographical errors. All who a branch of eschatology which express, in winsome and distinc- work and pray for the Moslems has become highly controversial tive language, the great and of India will be interested in the and concerning which strong gracious things which God has prejudices exist. The 328 closel'evealed. He has a real gift for book. It is a witness to growing .ly printed pages are devoted to interest in the evangelization of the seventy-seven million Indian a spirited, documented and very full discussion which even fair- Mohammedans. S. M. ZWEMER. ly well instructed Christians will Heaven Knows. By Marg,aret H. find it difficult to follow. Debate Brown. Illus. 167 pp. $1.00. in this sphere has been largely Friendship Press. New York. 1938. confined to the opposing "pre- No one who has not suffered in millenial" and "post-millenial" the devastation wrought by the schools of interpretation; this Japanese in China can imagine writer discounts both and identi- the horrors which the people fies himself with the view of a have endured and are still indur- small but estimable group of ex- ing. "Heaven Knows" is a com- positorssometimes referred to Any of the books noted In these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[ 159]
as "a-millenialists." The authQr prQminent in the Gospels. If the and the Church, are hardly less is a missiQnary labQring in SQuth QbviQUS meaning is to. be at- evident than that between the America, who. has given twenty tached to. the language Qf many Old and New Testaments. Mulyears to. the preparatiQn of this well-kno.wn passages, then the titudes Qfstudents have fQund it volume. The main argument is theQry set fQrth in this bQo.k, of clarifying and helpful to. trace directed against what is termed intervening signs and events, be- these successive stages in an un- "Darbyism," having reference to comes untenable. folding plan, and to. increasing J. N. Darby, an Qutstanding The mQre theQIQgically-mind- numbers the pro.cedure seems leader amQng the Plymouth ed reader will naturally give at- elementary and necessary. Nev- Brethren, whQse advQcacy Qf tentio.n to. the analysis o.f leading ertheless this is, in effect, the dis- pre-millenial views has had wide passages relating to. the "last pensatiQnalism which this authQr influence during the past half- things," and here the authQr's so. severely arraigns. He WQuld century. CIQsely connected with exegesis is Qften interesting and have dQne well to. include in his the pre-millenial dQctrine Qf suggestive. It is no. dQubt true extensive bibliQgraphy a notable Darby and his followers is the that prQPonents Qf each Qf the volume entitled "After the ThQuteaching referred to. as "dispen- views discussed have claimed too. sand Year·s" by George F. sationalism," which is also large an area of scriptural sup- Trench, which deals in a CQnstrQngly QPposed. In fact, the PQrt fQr their theQries. But be- vincing way with the histQric whQle eschatQIQgical system as- fQre setting aside on narrQW development Qf dispensational sQciated with these views meets critical grQunds a dQctrine so. teaching. such disapprQval as to. eVQke the thoroughly embedded in Chris- We question whether the pro- statement: "It is as pure myth tian tradition as the pre-millen- digiQUS effQrt represented in this as ever entered the brain of ial return of Christ, it is natural elabQrate treatise will accom- to inquire if any Qf the alterna- plish much tQward clarifying o.r man." An excess Qf zeal is also. dis- tive views accord as nearly with unifying opiniQn in matters Qf eschato.IQgy, Qr will cQntribute in played in the effort to. discredit Scripture teaching. methods of interpretatiQn which Learned expositQrs have PQint- substantial degree to. sQund bibfQr generatiQns have had wide ed out that the pre-millenial lical schQlarship.
acceptance amQng trusted ex- view serves to. Qrganize and give HUGH R. MONRO.
PQsitQrs; there is a disregard Qf co.herence to. the entire teaching Ra-Ha-La-Hi-Ho (My Brother in of Scripture, while it is of great Madagascar). By Andrew Burgess. evidence which WQuld definitely Illus. 8vo. 224 pp. $1.00. Augsnarrow the area Qf debate. In practical impQrtance as an indealing with certain pivQtal pas- spiring mQtive fQr Christian liv- burg Pub. House, Minneapolis, sages, for example, Mr. Reese ing. It is also recognized that Minn. 1938. seeks the most favorable trans- biblical predictiQn is nQt a mere The Norwegian Lutherans Qf latiQns for his purpQse. He fre- timetable or calendar by which North America QCCupy twelve quently turns to. MQffatt and the student may identify dates, missiQn statiQns in the extreme GQQdspeed (who. do. nQt co.m- but a mine in which the devQut sQutheastern district Qf the large mand the cQnfidence Qf evangeli- may delve for buried treasure. island Qf Madagascar. Other cals) and to. WeymQuth whQse There are profQund spiritual Lutherans have the sQuthern half translation, while generally ac- reaSQns why this shQuld be SQ. Qf the island as their field, while ceptable, is assQciated with a The authQr's rejectiQn of dis- the LQndQn MissiQnary SQciety, viewPQint in eschatolQgy to. pensatiQnalism raises entirely the Friends and French Evangel- which few evangelicals sub- different issue. Here questiQns icals wQrk in the northern half. scribe. On the Qther hand, ex- Qf eXPQsitQry methQd are in- This vQlume by Mr. Andrew PQsitQrs, such as Kelly, SCQfield, vQlved, rather than doctrine. Burgess, the field representative Gaebelein, Griffith-ThQmas, and With full appreciatiQn, hQwever, Qf the missiQn and who. married Sir RQbert Anderson, are lightly Qf the extravagances which have one Qf the Madagascar missio.npassed Qver Qn the grQund that been attached to. this line of aries, gives graphic scenes fro.m they are bQund to. the sQ-called teaching, may it nQt be true that the experience of missio.naries Darby system. But even the re- the principle is implicit in the frQm the early days until the jectiQn Qf these well-knQwn writ- structure of Scripture itself. present time. The incidents are ers is less significant than the Any co.nceptiQn of an expanding well to.ld and describe the days ignoring Qf evidence that pre- Revelation and the differing o.f slavery, missiQnary pioneermillenial teaching largely domi- principles which have marked ing, life amQng primitive savagnated the thought Qf Christians GQd's dealing with mankind es, cQntacts with witch dQctQrs, in the first and seco.nd centuries. through the ages suggests a dis- wQrk with bQYs and girls, super- This: verdict Qf leading historians pensatiQnal structure. Terms in stitio.ns and belief in evil spirits establishes the cQnclusion that this instance are unimpQrtant, and the rewarding results Qf acceptance Qf the pre-millenial but the fact that inspired his- missiQn service. The many drawview preceded Darby by at least tQry falls, into certain natural ings, phQtQgraphic illustratiQns eighteen hundred years. Anoth- epQchs Qr divisiQns is to.o self- and maps vividly PQrtray the naer neglected area Qf investigatiQn evident to be ignQred. Distinc- tive beliefs and custQms and the is the teaching cQncerning the tiQns between the patriarchal missiQnary life and wQrk in imminence Qf Christ's cQming, so. and the Kingdom Age, Qr Israel Madagascar.
Two Ways. A Play in Six Epi- and sometimes illuminating. The sion Hoispital at Wai, India
sodes. By A. L. E. Williams. 53 New Testament references refer cents each; $5.00 per dozen. Bom- pp. lB. Society for Promoting very little to archeological finds. bay Tract and Book Society. Bom- Christian Knowledge. L 0 Ii don. It is a good book for beginners bay, India. 1937. in the stUdy. Christianity and the Creative Quests. Drama is finding an increas- The Holy Bible. Illustrated from Gaius Glenn Atkins. 232 pp. $2.00. ingly large place in church work. color drawings by William Hole. Cokesbury Press. Nashville. Some of it is very effective in its 8vo. 1,252 pp. Eyre and Spottis- Christian message. This mis- woode, London. Evangelism for the World Today. sionary play is by an Anglican As Interpreted by Christian Leadvicar and calls for about thirty Family Bibles were formerly ers throughout the WorId. Edited performers including angels, the found in many Christian homes by John R. Mott. 296 pp. $2.50. apostles, priest, Peter the Her- in large print and used for fam- Harpers. New York. mit, monks, abbess, sisters and ily worship as well as for a leper, Moslems and others. The record of marriages, births and Fire in India. Canon Manuel's Work six episodes cover the time from deaths. This one, not so large in Irugalur. Ruth Henrich. 16 pp. Christ's ascension near Jeru- as the old style, has also pages 1d. S. P. G. F. P. London. salem to northern Indian and the for "photographs" and is illus- Jerusalem Conference in 1928. trated with twelve excellent col- Gems from Bishop Taylor Smith's The plot and treatment are in- ored pictures from the artist, Bible. Compiled by Percy O. Ruoff. teresting and impressive. The William Hole. There are no 142 pp. $1.00. Zondervan Pub. greatest difficulty in m os t cross-references or notes on this House. Grand Rapids. churches will be learning some edition which is the King James parts of the longer dialogues. All Version and is in large clear How Long? Why the Jews Are Peris truly Christian and mission- type. Here is a very satisfactory secuted and Studies in the Psalms ary in spirit. family Bible in handy size. of Israel. 118 pp. $1.00. Eerdman Pub. Co. Grand Rapids. Who Claims the World. By Cecil The Book of a Thousand Tongues. Northcott. 100 pp. lB. net. Liv- The Translation of the Bible, with Let Us Build. P. E. Burroughs. 154 iilgstone Press. London. 1938. over 1,100 samples from the text. pp. 60 cents. Broadman Press. Edited by Eric M. North. Illus. Nashville. .The Literary Superintendent Four indexes. 'Quarto. 386 pp. of ,the London Missionary So- American Bible Society. New York. Launch Out into the Deep. Andrew ciety presents here for young 1938. Gih. 120 pp. 40 cents. Zondervan people a very effective argument Publishing House. Grand Rapids. for world-wide evangelization- The miracle of the pentecostal the need, motives, the progress, "gift of tongues" is repeated to- Meditations on the Holy Spirit. the unfinished task and the dy- day by translators who have Toyohiko Kagawa. 170 pp. $1.50. namic on which the enterprise given us the Word of God so that Cokesbury Press. Nashville. depends for success. Some six practically all the people in the objections to missions are pre- world can read it in their own Poems and Verse of Betty Scott sented and three good. diagrams. tongues wherein they were born. Stam. 129 pp. Kelly & Walsh, Ltd., This book offers excellent ma- Here is evidence of the fact; and Shanghai. terial for pastors and others who it is most effectively presented, wish to promote missions among with facsimile reproductions of The Prayer Life. Andrew Muiray. the youth. parts of the Scriptures in over 153 pp. 35 cents. B. 1. C. Assn. eleven hundred languages and Chicago. Thrilling Voices of the Past. By T. dialects (in native characters). Christie Innes. ' Illus. 151 pp. There are also brief descriptive Mary Reed of Chandag. Lee S. Hui- 28. 6d. Pickering and Inglis. Glas- articles on forty-two of the lan- zenga. 36 pp. Zondervan Pub. gow. 1938. guages, notes on other versions, House. Grand Rapids. and portraits of natives of many Biblical archeology is receiv- races and nationalities. The in- The Second World Conference on ing much attention these days troductory section, on the trans- Faith and Order. Edinburgh, 1937. and the discoveries are evidence lations and translators, is very Edited 'by Leonard Hodgson. 386 of the trustworthiness of the illuminating. The whole volume pp. $2.50. Macmillan. New York. Biblical record. Mr. Innes, a is a work of art and is indismember of the Royal Asiatic So- putable evidence of the indis- The Story of Chung Mei. Charles R. ciety tells here, in a brief and pensable work of the American Shepherd. 265 pp. $2. Judson popular way, of the evidence Bible Society. Press. Philadelphia. archeology offers us to the flood, Abraham, Jericho, the Exodus New Books ~!,mns and the New Testament history. of tbt There is also a helpful, but brief, By Life and By Death. The Diary of <tbristian . bibliography. The author is a John C. Stam of China. E. Schuyler lLift believer in the Bible record and English. 62 pp. 25 cents, paper; rejects the evolutionary theory 50 cents, cloth. Zondervan Pub. ell BOOK of worship in song, comof religion. The evidence on O~d House. Grand Rapids. bining a hymnal for general. Testament sites and customs is church use, and a song book for evanfragmentary but is interesting Christ and the Dawn. Copy of a ~elistic purposes. ODly songs soWKl Painting by an Indian in the Mis- lD the raith and inspirational in char- acter included—emphasizing Evanp- ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life.
Many of the new—the best of the old.
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The Missionary Review of the World — February 1939
1939
About Shinto Shrine Worship A Japanese Christian How One Mission Works in Chosen A Missionary Report Conversion of a Pagan American Lena Blowers Janowsky Preaching Christ to Students in China Stanton Lautenschlager The Chinese Dragon No Longer Sleeps Mrs. Gerald R. Zimmer Save India Through India's Women . Anbu M. Azariah , Closer Cooperation in Missions Alexander McLeish 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
D.te. to Remember Seminary; He became a local preach- was Honorary Secretary of'the
er upon his conversion in 1906. January 23-February l8-Iowa School India Tract Society. He served for a for Missionaries. Iowa State College, considerable time on the faeulty of Ames, Iowa. * ob*erts*has Mr. been elect- the Theological Seminary in Saharan- February 2-4–Conference on Siam at Thomas R pur. 156 Fifth Ay,e., New York. ed secretary-treasL/rer of the New After his retirement he served for February 6-l4:'-International Council York Seamen's Church Institute, to of Religious Education, Chicago, Ill. fill the vacancy caused by the death of sixteen years as an honored and greatly beloved adviser for almost February 7-March 31 – Teams of Mr. Frank T. Warburton. Mr. ROb- every phase of missionary life. speakers from the Madras Confer- erts is well known as financial ad- ence are to visit a number of cities visor to many organizations. He is survived by two daughters in the United States and Canada to * and one son, Rev. Edmund D. Lucas, report on the most important fea- 'I< 'I< Ph.D., vice-principal of Forman tures of that conference. One team will consist of Professor G. Baez Mrs. M. D. Eubank, retired mission- Christian College at Lahore, India. Camargo of Mexico, Dr. P. C. Hsu ary of the American Baptist Foreign of China, and Miss Ila Sircar of * 'I< India. The second team will con- Mission Society, died in Kansas City, 'I< sist o.f Dr. Rajah B. Manikam of India, Dr. Hachiro Yuasa of Japan, Mo., September 24, 1938. With her Helen Miller Gould Shepard, the and Miss Minnie Soga of South Africa. husband, Dr. Eubank, she sailed for wife of Finley J. Shepard of New Huchow, East China, in 1899. They April 26 – Uniting Conference of York and Tarrytown, died on Decem- American Methodism, Kansas City, continued their medical, educational Mo. and evangelistic service until 1915; ber 2lstat the age of 70 as a result of an apoplexy stroke.. She was the FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- and since their return Dr. Eubank has ARY ASSEMBLIES daughter of J.ay Gould, the railroad been field representative of the Mis- February l-3-Palm Beaches. sion for Missouri; magnate who willed her a large share February 4-8-0rlando. of his fortune. She received this gift February 5-7-De Land. as a steward to ,be used for God in February 8-lO-Ft. Myers. *** February 9-10-Sarasota. His work for man. Her contributions February 11-l6-St. Petersburg. Miss Mary C. Helm, Presbyterian to various cause's were many and February l2-l5-Clearwater. ll'ebruary l7-l8-Southern College. missionary in the Punjab, died in the large, including work for soldiers and February 19-2l-Tampa. Deaconess Hospital of Boston, Octo- February 19-21-Winter Haven. ber 15, 1938. She was, successively, sailors, for Bible instruction in col- February 22-23-Quincy. February 23-24–Tallahassee. principal of the Boarding School for leges and for missionary and philan- February 24-26-All College. thropic work in many lands. In 1913, Girls in J agraon, teacher in the Mary at the age of 55, she was married to E. Pratt School in Ambala City, as- Mr. Shepard, then a manager of the sistant principal of the Boys' Board- ing School in Khanna, and from 1923 Gould system of railroads. Mrs.
until her death, principal of the Sarah Shepard was on the boards of many philanthropic and Christian enter- M. Wherry School for Girls in J a- prises, including the American Tract graon. She was keenly interested in Society, American Bible Society" the literacy campaign which has been American Christian Literature So- developing in the Punjab. ciety for Moslems, and the World Do- * * 'I< minion. She was a member of the Dr. Henry Beets" the Secretary of Reformed Church in America. She is the Christian Reformed Church Board survived by her ~ husband and three of Missions to the Heathen, and Stated adopted children and one ward whom Clerk of that denomination,and Edi- she educated. tor of The Missionarry Monthly * * 'I< (Heidenwereld), retired in January as Secretary· of Missions, having Dr. A. E. Burrows, the editor of the Rarm's Horn, died on November 13th, Personal Items reached the age of 70. Dr. Beets con- tinues his work as Stated Clerk and as a result of an automobile accident followed by an apoplexy, stroke. The Dr. Emory Ross, secretary of the Editor of the Monthly which he has publication of the Ram's Horn will be Africa Committee of the Foreign Mis- carried on effectively for so many sionsConference, of the African Wel- discontinued for the present at least fare Committee of the Federal Council years. and will be missed by its many of Churches, and of the American Mission to Lepers, returned in December readers. .. * * from a lleven months' trip through Africa, from one end of the continent Obituary Notes Mrs. Katherine, Ellis, senior C. M. S.
to the other. The Rev. J. J. Lucas, ·D.D., an hon- missionary in Palestine, lived almost uninterruptedly in the country since *** orably retired missionary· from the North India Mission of the Presby- she first came in 1884, with her Mrl!. F. S. Bennett, in whose honor terian Church in the United States of mother. Seven years later she was a bell was placed in the tower of the America, died in Lahore, India, Jan- Central Church of Santo Domingo, has uary 7, 1939. (Concluded on piJ,ge 65.) again been honored in the naming of a new unit of the· Presbyterian Hos- James Joseph Lucas was born in A Scriptural Stud'Y Each Week-52 Lessons pital in San Juan, P.R. A gift of Dublin, Ireland, August 21, 1847, and $23,000 to the Hospital had made poS- came to America with his parents A practical, effective course in methods sible the addition of a new clinic, when he was a small boy. He received of Christ1an work and soul.winniD.!l. additional private rooms and two op- his education in Danville, Kentucky, erating rooms; but the equipment for and Princeton Theological Seminary. Send 15c in stamps for current iUu.. the operating unit had waited for ad- In ~870 he was appointed asa misditional funds. In December the Pres- sionary to India and two years later RISTIAN PUBLICATIONSJNG byterian Board of National Missions married Mary Eveline Sly, a mis- .allocated $5,000 for this purpose, and sionary. ~n 1884 they went to Alla- Hlrrlsburg, PI. Mrs. Bennett has been asked to repre- habad, where they remained until sent the Board at the dedication. honorably retired in 1922, ·after fifty- two years of active service. Mrs. Rev. Chong *00.* * pastor of the Lucas died in 1931.
Kim, For years Dr. Lucas had o¥crsight of evangelistic work in a large field, First Methodist Church of Seoul, Ko- was head of the boys' school in Alla- habad, where he taulfht Hindu, Morea, has been elected General Superin- hammedan, and ChrIstian students. He was the author of many books, tendent of the Korean Methodist commentaries, and tracts in the Indian Church. Bishop Kim was educated vernaculars and for a number of years in the Pierson Memorial Bible School and the Union Methodist Theological
MISSIONARY Thursday of February each year, will
REVIEW OF THE WORLD be postponed until further notice on account of the absence of several of By mistake the death was reported DBLAVAN L. PIBllBON, Bent.". the Directors at the Madras Con- (in the January issue) of Thomas ference. Moody, who served many years in VOL. LXII FEB., 1939 No.2 Central Africa as a missionary of the Obituary Notes American Baptist Foreign Missionary Publication and Business Office– Society. We are thankful to say that Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. (Concluded from 2d cover.) Mr. Moody, while retired as a mission- ary, is still living at Closter, N. J. Editorial and Executive Office– accepted as a C. M. S. missionary. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. She married Mr. F. T. EUis, head- In the brief a*rtic*le *on Dr. Imad-ud- Entered as second-class matter at master of Bishop Gobat School in 1894. She died in Palestine on No- din, reprinted in our December num- Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under vember 17th. Few people have a con- ber (page 573) from The National Act of March 3, 1879. tinuous record of fifty years' service Missionary Intelligencer of India, ap- in the Moslem world. pear two errors as to dates, Dr. Imad- 25 cents a copy-$2.60 a year. ud-din, the famous convert from Islam Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. *** was baptized in 1866 at the age of Publlsbed monthly, except August. forty-four (not sixty-four) and was All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. Rev. Ezequiel D. Torres, of San ordained to the ministry in 1868. He British agents – Marshall, Morgan Miguel de los Banos, Cuba, a Presby- was descended from the famous Mos- and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, tenan leader, died suddenly on Jan- lem Qutub (not Gutale) Jamal, a London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, uary 6. He was born in Cuba on descendant of the royal house of 10 shillings a year. April 8, 1887, and came under evan- Persia. gelical influence early in life. At the MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- close of the SpaniSh-American War *** LISHING CO., INC. when Protestant missionarIes went into Cuba, Dr. Torres' mother at once The "Fourteen Points for Foreign BOARD OF DIRECTORS enrolled him in a mission school. He Missions" quoted in our June number ROBERT E. SPEER, President was graduated from La Progresiva at (page 262) was credited by mistake A. L. W ARNBHUIB, Vic"-Pr,,.id"'" Cardenas, and entered Westminster to Dr. William Adams Brown. The W ALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer College, Missouri, from which he re- correct author is the Rev. William A. DF.I.AVAN L. PIERSON, Secretor'll ceived his A.B. degree in 1909. He Brown, founding pastor of the studied for the ministry at Union The- Friendly Mission at Cave Junction, PAUL J. BRAISTED ological Seminary, Richmond, Vir- Oregon. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT gima, and returned to Cuba to take a D. J. FANT pastorate at Camajuani. He opened An Effect of Tithing MRS. ORRI~' R. JUDD a mission day school to give children the advantage of daily religious train- Whereas the total per capita gifts W14. B. LIPPHARD ing and contmued in educational work of American churches, for both out- from that time until his death. After side benevolences and congregational ERIC M. NORTH 1930, he was principal of the Kate expenses, averaged only $13.02 per SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Plumer Bryan School at Guines, Cuba. member last year for 20 large Prot- Dr. Torres was a gifted orator, with estant denominations, the four leading Editorial Chat a brilliant mind, and was well-beloved churches of Long Beach, California, by church groups in Cuba and the last year gave $13.47 per member to The special home and foreign mis- United States. benevolences alone. The average besion study topics for the year 1939 and nevolent gifts reported for all leading 1940 will take up subjects that deal *** American churches was only one sixth with the needs, the progress and the this amount, or $2.23 per member. At program for promoting the Christian Rev. George A. Landes, an honor- the same time the Long Beach enterprise at home and abroad. The ably retired missionary from the churches are paying off their "Earthforeign missions textbooks will deal South Brazil Mission of the Presby- quake Loans" and are engaged in with the subjects discussed at the re- terian Church in the United States of building programs. One secret of the cent Madras Missionary Conference America, died after a brief illness in fine showing of the four Long Beach (December 13-30, 1938), These relate Pasadena, California, December 30, churches is that they are tithing to the Church and its opportunities, 1938. churches. They give 40 % of all their methods and program in mission fields contributions to local home and foraround the world. He was born in Milroy, Pennsyl- eign mISSIOns. Tithing evidently vania, February 17, 1850. He grad- brings blessed results both to givers *** uated from Pennsylvania State Col- and to the work of Christ. The po- lege in 1877, and from Princeton Theo- tential giving power for Protestant We plan to publish a series of logical Seminary in 1880. On August Christians in the United States is papers in THE REVIEW to give views 3, 1880, he married Miss Rebecca estimated at about $3,000,000,000 a of delegates as to the importance and Margaret Newell Shoeder and they year, or ne"l'ly ten times the present probable results of the conference. left for Brazil, commissioned by The reported gifts. Papers are expected from Dr. Paul Board of Foreign Missions of the W. Harrison of Arabia, Dr. John R. Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. Dramatic Portrayal of Life Mott, Chairman, Mr. B. L. Rallia in India Ram of India, Prebendery W. W. Cash First stationed at Rio de Janeiro, of London, and others. Later papers later they moved to Curityba, Florian- Mr. and Mrs. Ramkrishna Shahu and photographic illustrations will be opolis, and were the first missionariE:s Modak of Ahmednagar, India, are ofpresented on the most interesting and to establish work in Curityba. He fering a dramatic program in costume important topics discussed. made extensive journeys on horseback showing everyday life in India. Mr. over almost impassable roads, travel- Modak is pastor of a large, self-sup- *** ing hundreds of miles to reach the re- porting Christian Church and Mrs. mote areas of his field. Several groups Modak, formerly Marguerite Grove, a The home mission text books for the of evangelical Christians were estab- missionary of the American Congrecoming year are to deal with "The lished as a result. gational Church. They are very active World Community at Home." We plan in Christian work in India. Mr. and also to present in THE REVIEW a num- Mr. and Mrs. Landes were honor- Mrs. Modak can be addres~ed at 47 ber of articles by outstanding leaders, ably retired in 1923, after forty-three Allenhurst Road, Buffalo, N. Y., by dealing with this and related topics. years of devoted service on the field. those interested in their portrayal. In 1927, they returned to California. *** Mr. Landes is survived by his wife and several children, one son, Philip, There has been a large demand each being a member of the South Brazil year for our special numbers dealing Mission. with the mission study subjects. Mrs. F. F. Hutchins of Indianapolis writes: [65 ] "The October number is an invaluable help on India." This year the special articles will be distributed through the year.
*** The Annual Meeting of THE RE- VIEW, regularly held on the second
CITY OF PAHSIEN (CHUNGKING), SZECHWAN, WHICH IS NOW THE PROVISIONAL CAPITAL OF CHINA
HEAVY FOGS HAVE MORE THAN ONCE AFFORDED THIS CITY A NATURAL PROTEC'TION FROM JAPANESE AIR ATTACKS Photograph by E. Warren Knight, M.D. CHINESE REFUGEES LISTENING TO THE GOSPEL IN FRONT OF THE MEN'S HOSPITAL, LINFEN, SHANSI. A BRITISH FLAG IS SPREAD ON THE ROOF BESIDE A PAINTED RED CROSS, SE'RVING AS A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION AGAINST AIR RAIDS SCENES CONNECTED WITH MILITARY AND SPIRITUAL CONFLICTS IN CHINA (These plates are used by courtesy of Ohina's Millions, Germantown, Pa., January, 1939)
NARY
ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY, 1939 Topics of the Times FORWARD IN FOREIGN MISSIONS advance. The goal is world-wide evangelization and the establishment of Christian churches, with What has been achieved by the Christian trained Spirit-filled leaders in every land, ready to Church in nineteen centuries of missionary work? carryon victoriously in the name and power of The forces against Christ and His program of Jesus Christ.
love and righteousness have been many and active. Among the advance steps to be taken in Chris- They have usually been foolish or diabolical. But tian missions, in order to make the work more the forces for good have been stronger, for God effective, may be mentioned the following: has marshalled and inspired them. As one result the Bible (in whole or in part) has been now First: A new study of the areas yet to be evantranslated in 1,000 tongues so that nine-tenths of gelized and at least given an opportunity to see the earth's population, if they can read at all, can Christ and receive Him as the living Lord and read God's message to man in their own language. only Saviour. This includes not only the unoccu- In every land and to every race the Gospel of pied and unevangelized geographical areas, but Christ has been proclaimed; and in practically the areas in social life in so-called Christian lands. every land the Church of Christ has been estab- There is need for advance today in evangelistic emphasis and activity. lished and prepared to carry forward the work Second: An appraisal of missionary message, of evangelization. Hundreds of thousands' of personnel, assets and methods at home and abroad Christian witnesses of every race and tongue and to discover which are the most productive in abidnation testify to the grace of God~most of them ing spiritual results. Is our work sufficiently for love and without any thought of personal gain sacrificial? Is more courage needed in meeting from this service. The largest number of the opposition? Is evangelism ineffective in instituearth's inhabitants now are called Christians- Honal work? Is the Holy Spirit given the right though they are divided into Protestants, Roman of way in guiding young Christians and young and Greek Catholics, Abyssinians, Copts, Gre- churches in mission fields?
gorians, Nestorians and other sects. While they Third: What steps should be taken to clarify outnumber the Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, Tao- the essential Christian message and to purify the ists and other non-Christian sects, many of them Church life? Many miss,ionaries today are critiare still weak and ignorant and know not the cized because they are not first of all true "ampower of God in their own lives. The amou~t bassadors for Christ." At home and abroad both done in fulfilment of our Lord's last command IS churches and Christians are inclined to be too selfvast, but the work is still incomplete. indulgent and to adopt other standards of life We look backward to learn from experience; we than thos,e set for us in the Word of God. Fourth: There is need for more Christian fellook around in order that we may see the present lowship and cooperation among all those who aclnoeoekds~pffoorrcegsu, ideannecmeieasn,d and opportunities; we cept Christ as Lord and Saviour. This may not strength; if we wish to mean organic church union, but it does require spiritual unity and cooperation with other memgo forward and make progress, we must look bers of the body of Christ. How can this be ahead. Christians press on toward a definite goal -in spite of difficulties and discouragements.
The foreign mission leaders at Madras have effected so as to avoid duplication, conflict and been looking forward in preparation for a new confusion? How can such a united front be pro- [67 ]
moted without weakening Christian testimony in Naturally this affects their religious philosophy evangelism and in education and service? and life. They see that Buddhism and Buddhist Fifth: Greater emphasis must be placed on the priests are antiquated, and there is a search for a training of native Christian leaders in every land. better way of life. The war in China is today In the past too much energy and money have been driving many illiterate Tai from southern China spent, proportionately, on the general education of across the border to seek a home in Siam.
non-Christians. The greatest need today is for The great present day need is the promotion of Spirit-filled, well trained Christian leaders and enlightened Christian ideas and the development teachers in every field-especially volunteer lay of strong Christian leaders in Siam; otherwise workers. the country may go the way of other lands, seek- Sixth: More emphasis must be placed on the ing to gain strength through communism or by production and use of Christian literature. With dictatorship. The Christian missionaries are growing literacy all over the world, new and highly respected in Siam because of their valuable larger fields are opened; with the increase of contributions to educational and medical progress.
cheap and harmful literature, more must be done They have sought to supply Siam's greatest needs to counteract this evil by wholesome books and and are recognized as unselfish, enlightened bene- papers. Mission Boards have not yet devoted factors and statesmen. As a result there has been sufficient attention to the power of the printed for some years, and is today, a great response on page-with a message skilfully presented. the part of the Siamese to the Christian Gospel, Seventh: The members of the army of Christ especially among the Lao and Shan tribes in the must advance on their knees. The need for this North. A national church has been formed and is has always been recognized but not sufficiently making encouraging progress.
practiced in spirit and truth. Prayer sometimes One peculiarity about Siam as a mission field is made subordinate to programs. Is not the is that only one Protestant church is working Spirit's guidance too often sought after steps have among the Siamese and Lao – the Presbyterian been taken, rather than before? Church in the U. S. A. which opened work in Christ's challenge comes to His Church to ad- Bangkok ninety-nine years ago. This Church has vance. There is reason for thanksgiving for the now seventy missionaries in thirteen stations, and progress made, but while 60 millions in India are 412 Siamese full-time Christian workers. still considered Untouchable; while 100 million in Africa have not yet heard of God's love for A special conference on "The Present Day Opman; while militarism holds sway in Japan, and portunity in Siam" is to be held in New York, China is suffering the extreme horrors of warfare; (February 2 to 4) in which three Siamese Chrisand while even in more privileged countries antigod movements are active, there is clearly no rea- tians and eighteen missionaries from Siam are to son for self-satisfaction because of the past take part. In Siam the present door will not reachievements of the Christian Church. There is main open if atheistic, materialistic, communistic a clarion call to more earnest prayer and more or totalitarian forces gain the ascendency. Her~ united service in the Cause of Christ. is a friendly, receptive country located in a stra- tegic position in Southern Asia. It is a unique opportunity in a unique mission field.
SIAM, A UNIQUE FIELD MISSIONARY UNITY IN MADAGASCAR Siam, called by the Siamese Muang-Thai, or The great island of Madagascar is famous in "Kingdom of the Free," is one of the last liberal, missionary history for the remarkable conversion constitutional monarchies in Asia. Its area is of the people, followed by terrible persecution un- 200,000 square miles, or twice the size of New der Queen Ranavalona lone hundred and ten England. The population is growing and now years ago. There were many martyrs but the atnumbers about 10,000,000, or one half that of tempt to blot out Christianity failed. Today the New England. While Buddhism is the prevailing church is making real progress with 3000 organreligion, there is full religious liberty; ninety per- ized churches and 212,000 Protestant Christians cent of the schools. are still located in Buddhist connected with two British, two American and temples. two continental societies, in addition to the Roman Catholics. Today Siam seems to be awake and ready to step out on a new program. The spirit of nation- This East African island, which was taken over alism is felt and national leaders are studying for- by the French in 1896, has an area of 241,000 eign ideas in medicine, education and modern im- square miles (one fifth larger than Siam) and a provements to adapt them to the country's needs. population of 3,604,000 (the same as Cuba which The people are seeking new education and the ad- has one fifth the area). Recently the five leading vantage of Western discoveries and inventions.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
Protestant missions have come together in har- the Christian worship, the opening of new places, monious cooperation and division of territory. and liberty to preach and teach the Gospel in all Twenty-five years ago the first conference of the prisons. of Madagascar. .
all the Protestant missions was held in Madagas- 3. The chief of public instruction was to be recar. Last August we held the fifth inter-mission- quested to abrogate the school law that rules out ary conference. teaching the vernacular. The former meetings were held at Tananarive but this time Fianarantsoa was chosen, with the 4. The French Mission was asked to consider Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary at Ivory as permanent mission work in the prison colonies at headquarters. St. Marie and Nosy Be. All missions are to sup- port this work financially since the prisoners at The delegates included 56 voting members, be- these colonies come from the whole island. sides advisory ones-from American, Norwegian, British and French missions. Dr. M. J. Stolee 5. The same mission was asked to open a home from America spoke in fluent Malagasy, although and a school for the metis children as soon as he had been away from Madagascar for 29 years, possible. All the Protestant missions are to take and gave some of his impressions about the chang- their share in carrying the expenses of this new es he observed in Madagascar. home and school.
The Inter-missionary conference is made up of 6. In order that all church workers may have an equal number of missionaries and native church free access to the present church and school laws, workers from the three Lutheran missions, the a member of the conference was asked to gather London Missionary Society, the French Protestant and publish these laws.
Mission, and the Friends. The Anglican mission 7. A Gospel Campaign by all the missions was withdrew a few years ago. agreed upon, to be launched in 1939 preferably in The aim of the conference is cooperation in such August or September, with Gospel teams prepared enterprises and problems as call for combined ef- for the work.
fort. There is a general agreement that these 8. Each mission was asked to encourage and • missions will not take up missionary work in the train Christians for different kinds of laymen's fields assigned to another mission. This has been work.
a wonderful blessing, and has saved overlapping 9. Standing committees, with members from and strife. Any Christian, upon the presentation each mission, were recommended on the followof certificate of membership from one church, is ing lines: Theological text-books; Malagasy meloreceived as a member in good standing in any church in the locality to which he moves. dies adaptable for religious use; tracts and re- ligious posters. The programs, of the conferences avoid doctrinal differences in order to prevent unnecessary dis- 10. Emphasis must be put on the propagation of cussions and to promote the spirit of Christ-like the Gospel by mission s.chools. It is better not to cooperation and unity in the Holy Spirit. have any schools if they are not strictly Christian.
All the topics tliscussed were either religious, 11. A good Protestant weekly newspaper was social, or educational, or were topics presented by recommended in order to counteract the present the Inter-missionary council. These are evidently communistic tendencies.
to be further discussed at the International Mis- 12. The Malagasy Protestant Church was asked sionary Conference at Madras, India. Papers to send two delegates to the International Miswere read on the Sunday School, the Young Peo- sionary Conference at Madras, and Mr. E. Burton ple, Laymen's Work, on Church Music, the Fam- of the L. M. S. and Prof. Johanes Rakotovao of ily Altar, Christian Literature, Evangelization, the the Norwegian Lutheran Society were elected.
Social Evils and their Consequences (such as alco- An open air meeting, held at Ivory, was unique holism, slums, etc.), and Leadership Training. in the mission work in Madagascar. It w,as esti- Representatives from each mission reported on mated that between 3000 and 4000 people were the progress of the work in their respective fields. present. Eight speakers were picked from the The following are the substance of the most best missionaries and native preachers and the important resolutions adopted: Malagasy choir sang. This meeting was an in- displltable demonstration of the strength and in- 1. Christian work should be taken up among fluence of Protestantism in this Island. the natives of the Comore Islands (a dependency of Madagascar). This new field was turned over This Inter-missionary conference closed with the Lord's Supper, held at the Norwegian Lutherto the French Protestant Mission. an Mission. A general feeling prevailed that all 2. The central committee should approach the were one in Christ Jesus, our Saviour. Governor-general with the request for a more liberal interpretation of the laws pertaining to M. G. C. VAAGENES.
PRAY FOR TROUBLED KOREANS Since the Japanese invasion of China began, the Strict Japanese censorship makes it difficult for difficulties in Chosen have greatly increased. Americans, or even Japanese Christians, to know Under police instructions the Korea Sunday the facts about the present situation in Chosen School Association, the Christian Endeavor Sowhere there are over 500,000 Protestant adher- cieties and the National Christian Council have ents of the Christian Church, in addition to the been forced to disband "voluntarily" on the pre- Roman and Greek Catholics. Many of the Korean text that they are no longer needed. The Korean Christians are noble-minded, well-educated lead- Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. and the W. C. T. U. have been united with the Japanese orers, and most of them are courageous, intellige.nt ganizations. A group of Japanese pastors was sent to Chosen, under the auspices of the Governand God-fearing men and women, not easily In- ment, to organize associations of Korean and J aptimidated. The Japanese, who are forcing their anese pastors with a view to winning the Korean way in Manchukuo and China, are determined to churches over to the Japanese point of view and form a totalitarian state in Japan and Chosen, to make them willing to participate in shrine worone in which the people will acknowledge no au- ship. Great stress was laid by the Japanese repthority as superior to that of the Emperor. They resentatives on the need for the Korean churches therefore require all subjects to attend and bow to weaken their connections with foreign missionat the national Shinto Shrines, dedicated to the aries and to come more under Japanese control. Sun-Goddess, Ama-terasu O-Mikami, who is re- Systematic propaganda is now being carried on to puted to be the grand ancestress of the Japanese foment anti-foreign and anti-missionary sentiimperial family. The Koreans lost their national ments throughout the Korean Church. No deleindependence by annexation in 1910. They are gates were allowed to go to the Madras Confernow threatened with the loss of all liberty of ence unless they would agree to favor Japanese thought and action in matters which do not harmonize in the program of Japanese dictators. policies.
The Constitution of the Japanese Empire guar- On account of the present situation and the unantees religious liberty, but this guarantee is of certain outlook, it was decided not to open the • little value if the officials can decide what is reli- Theological Seminary in Pyengyang, and to omit gion and what is not. Who is lord of the con- holding some of the Men's Bible Institutes. Misscience, God or the militaristic government? In sionaries have been advised to give up visiting Korea, at least, the Government is divided into their country churches inasmuch as these visits compartments-civil, military and the police-and result in increased pressure and bring new diffithe greatest of these is the police. These three culties upon the church members. For this reason departments very largely act independently. The much of the Christian work, which has been so educational authorities say that the Government promising, is now almost at a standstill and the does not force citizens to do obeisance at the organized work of the Church has been greatly shrines, but that only the pupils and teachers in hampered. Many of the Church leaders have been schools must go. When a delegatio!}. of mission- imprisoned and some have suffered tortures. In aries waited on the Governor-General he declared past years the Korean Christians have gone that it was not his policy to force religious or- through times of severe testing, when their whole ganizations to go to the shrines. At that same future seemed to be threatened, but the Spirit of time the police in Pyengyang were forcing repre- God, quietly working in Christians, has overruled sentatives of the Church to attend shrine cere- each trial in the past. This has led to the strengthmonies. ening and purifying of the Church and has pre- For over two years Japanese detectives have pared for greater growth.
been present at nearly all Christian church serv- The present situation is the most difficult and ices and have been ready to report anything the most threatening in all the history of Chris- said that might be interpreted as "Dangerous tian work in Korea. Many are confused and Thoughts." Since the order that all schools must troubled. Earnest prayer is needed on behalf of do obeisance at the shinto shrines, any discussion the missionaries and church leaders, and for of the question has been forbidden and declared Korean Christians, that their faith may not fail, to be lese majeste. All church and mission eom- but that they may be sustained amid conditions mittee meetings receive police permits only after which often seem heart-breaking. In spite of the pledges have been signed promising not to discuss apparent hopelessness of the present situation we the shrine question. Usually English-speaking believe that God will over-rule the present diffi- detectives have been present to see that this de- culties and will prepare for clear testimony to the mand was obeyed. It was therefore with great supernatural power of God. This has often proved difficulty that the decision to close the mission true in the past. God's arm is not shortened that schools was passed by the missions. it cannot save. Pray for the Christians in Chosen.
TEARS
Ah, tears, unbidden tears! Familiar friends since childhood's lonely years, Why do ye come again to dwell with me? Ye come; nor wait your coming nor delay; Nay, fearless with what scorn, Ye picture China by my brothers torn. The scorn I must accept, But I'm no coward; pray heed ere more ye've wept; I love Japan so fair, And China too; this war I cannot bear . .
TOYOHIKO KAGAWA.
Facts About Shinto Shrine Worship __ <!III By a JAPANESE ClffiISTIAN II~– [This authentic statement, translated and condensed the people worship at the shrines religiously. In view of from a paper written by a Japanese Christian, shows how this fact the Government measure requiring the people to obeisance at Shinto shrines was regarded in Japan before pray for victory in war is recognized as constituting no the matter became a political and totalitarian issue.- small obstacle to evangelistic work. This is the reason for the present resolution. EDITOR.] n..A FTER the restoration of the Emperor to his At the Convention of the Christian Church of throne in 1868, and up until 1882, the Jap- Japan, and in the Federation of Christian anese Government did not attempt to foster Churches of Japan, the following resolution was State Shinto shrine worship. Indeed the opinion also adopted: prevailed among the authorities that all religion was useless. In 1882, however, possibly to arouse The festivals at the shrines are held today in a purely greater patriotism through ancestor worship, the religious sense and with religious rites. It is recognized Government began to revive Shinto and, at the therefore that the authorities, in encouraging worship at instigation of Marquis Okurma, began also to de- the shrines and in frequently forcing school children to clare that State Shinto is not religious. attend them, are evidently violating the Constitution of the Empire and are impairing the freedom of religious belief. Later, after the China-Japan and the Russo- Japan wars, the authorities became keenly aware Three years later (October, 1917) the Federaof the need for religion. This attitude grew tion of Christian Churches of Japan distributed stronger so that in 1911 the Government issued to all the Christian churches of the country a reorders that all primary school pupils throughout markable declaration in commemoration of Marthe land should attend the shrines. When, on tin Luther's posting of his Ninety-five Theses at August 23, 1914, war was declared on Germany, Wittenburg. the prayers for victory and speedy restoration of peace were commanded to be offered at all the October 31, 1917, is the four hundredth anniversary of 49,000 State shrines above village grade. the posting of the ninety-five articles by Luther at Witten- burg. Nothing that we could do would be too great to Immediately ;:tfter these orders, the following commemorate his grand work of making clear to all the resolution was introduced at the Convention of meaning of Christianity, of advocating the great principle the Congregational Churches of Japan, held at of freedom, of dispelling the dark clouds which had ob- Kobe, October, 1914: scured religion, of denouncing superstitions and of break- ing up evil customs of society. The Government encourages shrine worship mainly for the purpose of ancestor worship, and a large number of In commemorating this day we realize that the general condition of this Empire (Japan), the inclinations of so- ciety and particularly the conditions affecting religion, are in many points similar to those obtaining at the time of the [71 ]
religious reformation in Europe; and we cannot but feel minded parties are spreading the idea that shrines the responsibility to awake and rise up to advocate these "are superior to" religion, and that opposition to great principles throughout the world. the shrines is opposition to the nation.
1. The Japanese people are, in religion, like sheep with- As proof that shrine worship does not constiout a shepherd. Their spiritual power has disintegrated, tute religion, the Government calls attention to the power of faith has declined and, therefore, they do not the fact that shrines and religion are supervised know what to follow. They are destitute of piety, they by different governmental bureaus, although forhave become rude and shameless; their haughtiness, ex- merly they were under the same bureau. This travagance and lewdness are growing worse day by day. contention of the Government, however, utterly There has never been a time when spiritual reform was disrega~ds a history of many hundred years durso urgent as it is today. ing which the shrines developed as religious in- stitutions invented by the Japanese. No Govern- 2. Evil gods, superstitions and other accumulated evil in ment proclamation that shrine worship does not religion impair society and poison public morals to a ter- constitute religion would be worth anything. Not rible extent. We believe that to remedy these evils and the arbitrary and political interpretation of addevelop sound religion, to arouse a sense of piety, to build ministrative officials, but only the impartial and up strong and good belief and to improve social spirit and disinterested judgment of qualified theologians, taste is very urgent indeed if we would meet the needs of can be conclusive. In actual fact there has not the times. been one scholar in our country-indeed there has not even been one among the theologians of the 3. The only true personal God, who is Father and Ruler whole world – who has declared thfl,t Japanese of all the people in the world, is the only one who should State shrine worship is not religious. be worshipped. The fact that the shrines are religious is fully This declaration, after comparing the situation demonstrated by their historic origin, the nature in Japan to that in Europe at the time of the of their festivals and the attitude of devotion that Reformation, stated that the Japanese people, in must be observed. Moreover, charms or amulets religious affairs, are like "sheep without a shep- sold by the shrines confirm this conclusion and herd," that evil gods, superstitions and other reli- the prayers which the Government causes its gious evils poison public morals, and that the only priests to offer to their gods, make it altogether true personal God (Jehovah) should be wor- impossible to doubt that shrine worship does acshipped. In regard to Shinto the Federation de- tually constitute a religious rite. The following clared: are actual Government instructions as to such prayers: 4. There is a clear distinction between veneration for ancestors, expressing itself in the exaltation of historical 1. Prayer for a good year; that there may be no damage benefactors who performed distinguished service for their country, and religion. To hold ceremonies full of religious through storm or flood; that crops may be good and rites (on the plea of venerating such persons) is not only unreasonable but also it adversely affects education and abundant; that the country may be prosperous. impairs national development. It is the duty of loyal subjects to cut off such evils, abolish the evil practice of con- 2. At the harvest festival (niina1nisai); to return thanks fusing purple and red, remedy narrow-minded habits and thus greatly encourage the spirit of the world. for good crops and to invoke peace and prosperity for 5. Freedom of religious belief is guaranteed by the Con- the country. stitution of the Empire. We must exert ourselves to defend this right, for there are today many things taking 3. At regular festivals; to pray for the prosperity of the place in violation of it. Such are the recent enactments and events relating to shrines, the relation between educa- country. tion and the shrines; various customs in villages and even in large places which are almost compulsory. It is the 4. At the time of Saidansai, Genshisai and Kigensetsu; duty of subjects of the Empire to correct all that is wrong in these practices. to pray for the tranquility of the country, abundance Although the Japanese Government encouraged of grain, prosperity of industry and expansion of nashrine worship, it took the position, for a time, that such worship ought not to be forced. This tional glory. . may have been because Christians objected, or because Buddhists did not like it, or possibly for 5. In the "purification ceremonies"; the prayer reads, "If fear of violating the Constitution which guarantees religious freedom. the priests have unwittingly committed sins, keep evil This cautious attitude, however, has now been spirits from them and purify them." superseded by one which increasingly compels shrine worship. This has come in the wake of No one objects to efforts to foster respect for the demand for revival of "the spirit of Japan," ancestors. However, since ideas and beliefs vary and may be owing to the growing power of the in different persons, methods of showing respect military, the use of rightist parties, or may be also vary. It is a great error to think that the due to the authorities taking the chance of our only way to honor ances,tors is by the Shinto cere- being weak and unprincipled. Wilful and narrow- mony. Even in ancestor worship it would not be desirable to have different races and peoples par- ticipate in the same ceremony. Germany or Italy, which each consist of but one race, may unite in one such ceremony, but our country (Japan) com- prises, besides Japan proper, Chosen (Korea), Formosa and Karafuto, and is therefore a country
FACTS ABOUT SHINTO SHRINE WORSHIP
of four peoples. Japan is now making great prog- as a useless thing fQllowed up by an attempt to. ress as one o.f the great nations. The ideas and enfQrce religiQus practices under the name Qf beliefs of these different peoples ·therefore will patriotism. Pray fQr the Japanese Christians. not readily be given up so that they will embrace a universal relIgion by governmental edict. The Appendix Added March 1936 idea that the peoples of Chosen, Formosa and Karafuto will adopt the same attitude of mind What attitude did the authQrities and the peQple toward the popular Japanese gods as the people take toward, and what criticism did they make Qf, of Japan, is an exceedingly foolish self-deceptiQn. the military o.fficers who. as,s'assinated Premier HQwever much the Government authQrities may try to. aVQid the name "religiQn," if the shrines Inukais.ome years ago! [It was notorio.us that are regarded by the people as religious. institutions, they come within the prQtectiQn of the Con- they too.k no. adequate action whatever.-ED.] stitutiQn (article 2'8) which grants freedQm Qf religious belief. The Supreme Court (of Japan) Then (February 1936) they hesitated to call in October 1901, rendered a decisio.n saying that State Shinto is religious. Therefo.re to fQrce such those tr.oops traitQrs o.r insurgen.ts, o.r riQters who wQrship on the people, for whatever reaSQns and by whatever eloquence, co.nstitutes an interference attacked and murdered many elder statesmen and with the guaranteed freedom of belief and tramples upon the rights of the peQple. It is our duty high ministers, seized and held for four days govto compel a reform of wrQng administratiQn which disregards the spiritual life of the people; ernment o.ffices and principal streets in the Imand we should uphold the great principle Qf freedom Qf belief. perial metroPQlis and made necessary the prQcla.- To. speak mo.re particularly, it has beco.me the mation of martial law! Instead they used very fashiQn in recent years to. pro.mo.te "the spirit Qf Japan," and even to. subvert constitutiQnal gov- mild terms to describe them. ernment. DesPo.tic militaristic parties are rampant. Even disturbances by soldiers in which We Christians have been greatly cQncerned lest, elder statesmen and high ministers o.f state have been murdered have been kno.wn. Under such co.n- if the people be nQtawakened to. the religiQn which ditio.ns freedom of speech so. Io.ng enjoyed, will be lost, freedQm o.f belief will share the same fate teaches respect for and belief in the supernatural and thus the rightful authQrity of the WQrld Qf GQd-excluding belief in natiQnal go.ds and wo.rthe spirit will be dethroned. ship Qf ancestQrs – the cQuntry shQuld fall into. There is no doubt that all this is the result of an erro.neQUS educational PQlicy ado.pted at the time decay and decline. Qf the Meiji RestQratio.n which regarded religion Our anxiety has: been justified. A great insur- rectiQn has taken place, invo.lving a shame that can never be blotted o.ut from the history Qf Qur country. This exposes the errQrs, Qf the educa- tiQnal policy adopted at the time Qf the Meij i Res- tQration. TQday extreme young military Qfficers may be said to. be spiritually paralyzed, s.o much so that they, in the name of the country, disregard justice and humanity, violate the laws o.f the state and know no. shame. .
There is but Qne way to save the present age- and that is thro.ugh belief in Christianity, the only true religiQn to which end we now appeal again to. the public at large.
KAGAWA IN TROUBLED TIMES Many are wQndering what TQyohikQ Kagawa is doing in these troubled times. In spite Qf the difficulty which every o.utward expressiQn of Christian effo.rt in Japan has met this past year, Kagawa's numerous activities have been incorpQrated into. a juridical bQdy as the "Pillar of CIo.ud FQundatiQn." In hQnor of the silver wedding anniversary o.f Dr. and Mrs.
Kagawa their friends thrQughQut Japan presented them with a substantial mQnetary gift as a start toward the endo.wment o.f the new FQundatiQn. It is hoped that $150,000 may be secured to. relieve Kagawa o.f his literary hack work.
In spite of ill health Kagawa is active in writing, promQting cQo.perative ventures and carrying a heavy program of preaching. Sensing the spirit of the times, he now asks all per- SQns whQm he receives into church membership, in additio.n to. the usual questiQns, wheth- er they are willing to suffer persecution, and if necessary go to death fo.r the sake Qf the GQspel.
When criticism of army plans was being construed as treason and men Qf pacifist inclina- tions were being apprehended and, imprisQned, Kagawa published in his Fellowship Bulletin the PQem on page seventy-one.' Heis now in India, making post-Madras CQnference addresses. . /' " ….;,;: ~'…~' , …..~,
One Mission Works in Chosen*
C HOSEN is a small field of about 85,000 2,022. For the first time the c.ontributi.ons from square miles and a population of 22',000,000. the churches connected with .our mission al.one The American Presbyterian Mission is re- totaled more than Y 1,000,000, showing a gain .of s'Ponsible for about half.of this field. There are now 880/0 over the year 1932."
eight stations in Chosen; three in the northern, Closing the Mission Schools two in the central, and three in the southern part.
Seoul and Pyengyang, the oldest and largest sta- In the field .of secular educati.on, conditions were tions, contain all the union institutions; Kangkei n.ot normal during the past year because the mis- and Andong, the youngest stati.ons, alth.ough sion was in the process, of withdrawing fr.om sec- each more than 28 years old, still .offer some of the ular education (due to the shrine problem).
physical hardships and thrilling experiences of Nevertheless, f.our girls' and four boys' schools of pioneering days. Kangkei heard the whistle of a middle grade ran all or part of the year. In Pyeng- locomotive for the first time during the past year. yang, n.o students. were received in the entering The other four stati.ons are Syunchun, Chairyung, class .of either the boys' or girls' school in March Chungju and Taiku. There are now one hundred 1937 so that the enrolment was greatly reduced, and twenty-eight missionaries of the Presbyterian and in March 1938 both scho.ols were closed. The Church of the U. S. A. in Ch.osen. Our 1,998 g.overnment took over the pupils. and is using the Korean workers, though not strictly a part .of the property of the boys' school temporarily until it mission personnel, are an indispensable 'Part of can provide other quarters.
our active force. Of these, 324 are .ordained min- The other six schools took in new pupils, though isters and these K.oreans have, for years past, it was not the mission's wish that this be done in done most of the work and controlled the official five of them. Until March 1939 these schools will organs and c.ourts of the church in Chosen. Both continue toO run under the j.oint auspices of mis- missionaries and nationals are the laborers UP.on sion and KDrean groups. as provided by their con- wh.om God looks in love, as they suffer for Him, stitutions, after which the missi.on will withdraw w.ork in His vineyard, trust His pr.omises, and from all except the girls' school in Seoul (which rely on His power. will continue another year). The future of the The activities carried on by this working f.orce schools and the disposition .of the prDperty will include church, scho.ol, hospital, s.ocial service, be determined by the special conditi.ons. In both Kangkei and Chungju, serious property problems agricultural, and literary work-all with an evan- have been created by the taking over of church gelistic emphasis. schools by non-Christian bodies who refuse to va- Although most missionaries have an assignment cate the buildings belonging to our missi.on. to work in some local church, the major part of the work .of a strictly evangelistic WDrker is with The strictly religious, or Biblical, education has the churches in the country districts; itinerating, fared better, though how long they can escape the holding Bible classes, preaching to the unsaved, fate that has befallen the other schools .only time organizing new groups, etc. Such work has been can tell. Large Bible institutes and normal traincarried on about as usual during the year, though ing schools were held in all the stations of the in some cases, either because missionaries were mission with attendance ranging from 200 to unable to meet the shrine requirements of the offi- 2,000; Bible conferences were held in all country cials, or because visits of missionaries made new districts and in many individual churches. If condifficulties for the churches, these visits were dis- ditions permit, we hope to put even more emphasis c.ontinued temp.orarily. But in church attendance, on this type of education, now that we cannot zeal f.or Bible study, .organization of new groups, longer carryon secular education. reception of new believers, and even in the CDnstruction of new buildings., the past year was very The Women's Biblical Seminary in Pyengyang successful. The statistician says, "All .our stati.ons is the capstone of our work for women and may show a gain in the average attendance at the prin- serve as a typical example of the work done in cipal service. F.or the f.ourth c.onsecutive year a other institutes. During their three years of gain is shown in the total communicants. The study, the pupils engage in hospital visitation, t.otal gain f.or the wh.ole Presbyterian mission was street chapel preaching, holding noonday meet- ings in fact.ories, c.onducting Bible clubs, Sunday school teaching, and many other tasks in and near • Extracts from the Presbyterian Mission Report tor 1938. the city.
[74 ] Hospitals and Social Work of our younger missionaries are giving consider- able time to the Morning Calm products plant and In spite of the fact that four of our six mission a demonstration dairy; to the publication of the hospitals were without any foreign doctor during Farmers' Life magazine; to animal husbandry; the past year, all show increases in the number of and to plant and tree culture. All these enterpatients treated. Two of these hospitals have not prises serve to supply demonstrations, inspiration, had any foreign doctor in charge for some years; and information to the whole country. the other two have doctors who were on furlough. Whether we shall ever be able again to staff all Producing Ohristian Literature these hospitals we do not know, but it is exceedingly difficult for lay missionaries to supervise the Many missionaries are active in the work of work. Such supervision, however good, is not producing and distributing Christian literature. satisfactory, and besides it detracts from the work Our Mission also supplies the editors and business that such missionaries should be doing in the fields managers of some of the magazines published in for which they were prepared. Either more mis- Korea. sion doctors or fewer hospitals will probably be the way out. Language study is assuming a larger and larger place in the life of all missionaries, both new and Social welfare activities of many kinds are find- old. This country has become bilingual to such a ing an increasing place in the mission program. degree that it is imperative that all new mission- Almost every station reports some such work, aries become proficient in both Japanese and though most of it is done in the two large cities of Korean. Many of our missionaries conduct lan- Seoul and Pyengyang. This work includes tem- guage classes (both Korean and Japanese) and perance; tuberculosis stamp sales; work for many are studying Japanese with private teachers. blind, deaf, and dumb; baby clinics; work in factories and with employed girls; and visitation Some missionaries devote nearly all their time in cafes and restaurants and even brothels; to say to the work of union enterprises in which our misnothing of the share our mission has in the work sion cooperates, and still more give some time to for beggar boys, fallen girls and travelers carried such institutions. Strictly speaking, all our evanon under the auspices of the Salvation Army. gelistic work is union in as much as there is but one Presbyterian church in Korea in and under After nine years of effort, a great victory was which the Northern Presbyterian, Southern Preswon for temperance in Chosen when on April 1, byterian, the Australian Presbyterian, and the 1938, the law prohibiting the sale of both liquor United Church of Canada missionaries work. The and tobacco to minors (which has been in force in Presbyterian Board of Christian Training con- Japan proper for some years past) was made to tinues to function, and, among other things, pubapply to Chosen. lished the Childs' Life magazine, supervises the Bible Correspondence Course, and the Christian The value of the work among laboring classes, Herald, and conducts Daily Vacation Bible especiaIIy women is revealed in a year-old project schools. The Bible Course enrolls about 10,000 in Seoul in work with bus and street–car girls. pupils, and has some 800 graduates; there were This work is done by a Korean woman with the 880 Vacation Bible ,schools held by 4,364 teachers assistance of some of the missionary ladies of the for 64,146 pupils. Both the Korea Sunday School station. Some twenty suoh girls. meet regularly Association and the Christian Endeavor National once or twice a week in a missionary home where Union w,ere temporarily disbanded during the they study Bible, English and sewing, and sing year. When and under what conditions they can and play and pray together. Already twelve of resume their organization and activities we do not these girls are attending church regularly, and know. they have asked for an English Bible class teacher. Union Institutions Work for blind, deaf, and dumb is done both in Seoul and Pyengyang. In Seoul it is strictly evan- In union education, our Presbyterian mission gelistic and is confined to the blind among whom cooperates in four institutions, viz., Union Chrisa blind evangelist preaches and teaches. holding a tian College and the Theological Seminary in Sunday morning service at the Central church at Pyengyang, and Chosen Christian College and which the average attendance is about twenty. Severance Union Medical College in Seoul. The In Pyengyang a blind-oral school has been de- first of these was closed in March 1938 and the veloped during the past year, wholly under Korean other three have carried on only under the greatauspices and largely self-supporting. est of difficulties.
Although the first days of enthusiasm for the No entering class was received in the Union rural work and the agricultural program are over, Christian College in March 1937 and the college there is still need and opportunity for practical came to an end March 31, 1938. Most of the pupils efforts along well-defined lines in this field. Some were transferred by the government to other
schools. All the land, buildings, and equipment work; and the growing spirit of nationalism and reverted to the Presbyterian Mission which had self.,sufficiency of the Koreans, all combine to provided them. The college had rendered out- create a spirit of unrest. But, despite these acstanding service to Chosen for 32 years. Nothing knowledged difficulties, distinct progress has been but absolutely impossible conditions under which made both in services rendered and in the imto operate could have caused the abandonment of provement of the plant. In the medical college, so valuable an enterprise. there are now 192 pupils, and in the nurses' train- ing s'chool there are 146 pupils. During the year, The past year has been, perhaps, the most diffi- the hospital served 2,921 new cases in the in-pacult yea!r in the history of the Chosen Christian tient department, of which 15 ro was free service. College. With the vice-president, dean, heads of The out-patient department served 23,955 new all departments, and nine members of the regular cases with a free service of 12ro. At present, our teaching force under detention by the police a mission has but one medical doctor, two dentists, good part of the time, and later forced to resign, and three nurses on the staff." it has been almost impossible to maintain the regular teaching schedule. Nevertheless, the college Our mission has a large share in the work of did carryon with considerable success. After the Christian Literature Society of Chosen, even graduating 103 pupils in March 1938, bringing supplying the Acting-Administrative Secretary at the total number of graduates to over 800, and the present time. A report for 11 months reveals receiving an entering class of 170, ,selected from a total of 2,073,485 copies of new and old titles. 369 applicants, the roll stood at 475, eighty per The Korea Mission Field put out 13,000 copied cent of whom are Christians. this last year. The closely related British and Foreign Bible Society also serves the whole of Even the Theological Seminary has not been Korea. The past year saw the final revision of without serious problems, but God wonderfully both the Old and New Testaments completed on blessed it this past year. Forty men were grad- September 22, 1937-a notable event. In the disuated in March 1938, and the new term began in tribution of Scriptures there was an increase of April with 191 in attendance. 10,373 over the previous year, the total number of volumes circulated reaching 872',821 a year. The medkal work, both in Seoul and Pyengyang, is union. These two hospitals serve more In this great mission, as in the days of the patients than all six of our other mission hospitals early Church, "there are diverse gifts, but the combined. The Severance Union Hospital re- same spirit; diversities of administrations, and the ports: "The year has been a difficult one. The same Lord; diversities of workings, but the same peculiar times in which we are living in Chosen God, who worketh all things in all. But now they keep everyone on tension; the swing away from are many members, but one body. Ye are the western ideals and the inability to import neces- body of Christ, and severally members thereof." sary drugs make it difficult to do satisfactory TOYOHIKO KAGAWA ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE "As the sculptor devotes himself to wood and stone I would devote myself to the living soul. But I am solemnized by the thought that the sculptor cannot carve Either on wood, or on stone or on the living soul, Anything better than himself. All the lines of my carving Will but reveal my own portrait. Gazing at my hand, at my chisel, I shudder. How long will it take for this human sculpture, Which can not be carved by me better, finer than my own soul, To escape! To escave from my pitiable and limited domain, And to advance to the position of a carving of God?
Happily, there is a Guide for me. lt is He who has broken open the door of the Sanctuary And made a molten cast of God's Portrait in His: own. flesh."
Conversion of a Pagan
_'~I,–====B_Y """1_ _L_ENS=aAl_aBm_La_nOc_a_W, E_RN_Se=wJANY=Oo_rWk=S_K;;;;;Y;;;;;'==;;;;;;;;;.Jllo1.7.•.- SET back toward a wooded hill, on the road the dance continues until about 10 o'clock at night, that runs past the winding Allegheny River each hour growing more intense as the Indians near Salamanca, New York, stands an Indian warm to the spirit of the celebration. It takes Long House. To it come the pagan Indi'ans of the three days to recite the Gai'wiio (pronounced as Seneca tribe at least twice a year to attend the "guy-we-you," and meaning "Good Message").
"Green Corn Dance" in September and the mid- As the bus turned homeward to Canada, the winter "New Year" festival of the Iroquois, be- Chief of the Mohawk tribe decided to ' remain on the Allegheny Reservation to tryout the hospi- tality and friendliness of the Senecas. All are brothers of the Six Nations of the Iroquois.
Between the pagan ceremonies held at the Long House in September, .and the Revival Meeting held in the little white church in November, is only a short interval. In the church a group of Christian Senecas gather to worship. Upon their knees they testify to the saving power of Jesus' blood through His death on the Cross; they make humble confession of their failures and pray earn- estly for victories. Among these worshipers was KENJOCKETY ADDRESSING THE INDIANS the Mohawk leader of the pagan dances. He could not easily understand or speak English but, at tween January 15th and February 15th. At such the invitation of friends, he knelt in prayer. One times the "old time" Indians send for an "Ex- ray of the light of Heaven must have penetrated pounder," paying his traveling expenses and en- his heart, darkened by sin and superstition, for tertaining him during his stay. when he retired for the night at the home of one of the Christian Indians he was asked, "Which Last autumn, a large, rather grimy, batter~d looking bus might have been seen making its way along this road, in the direction of the Long House.
The bus bore Canadian license plates and the faces that peered out at the windows were Red. In- dian religious officials were coming to celebrate the Green Corn Dance-the ceremonial Thanks- giving to the Creator.
Among the leaders from Canada was a small wiry, hard-faced Indian of the Mohawk tribe. It was his duty to shake a horn rattle for the chant, which the speaker starts as the company of danc- ers circle around the benches, intoning sections from their religious ritual. The gathered assem- bly offers thanks for all things "from below up to the Creator Himself," starting with the fish, wild beasts, sweet water of the maple tree, herbs, fruit, forests, nuts, rain, thunder, stars; for the sun, "eternally dutiful,"-for the moon, "our grand- mother, the night shining orb,"-and for "Hand- some Lake," the Seneca Prophet whose teachings they profess to follow. The stamping of feet in THE DOWDY FAMIl,.Y—-<JHRIS'rIAN SENECA INDIANS [ 77 J
AN INDIAN PROPHET WITH MASK CARIVED OUT OF WOOD. CLIFFORD HALF-TOWN AND HIS FATHER, JEFF HALF-TOWN. THESE MASKS, USED IN THEIR CEREMONIES, THEY ARE CHRISTIAN INDIANS WITH FINE ARE SACRED VOICES FOR SINGING way do you think is best?" To this he responded gins ten days after burial. The bereaved family with a fervent ejaculation of the Christian and friend offer thanks to the one who cared for "Amen!" the body and dressed it for burial and to the one who dug the grave. The property of the deceased The Chief was also present at the night of the is distributed and all must eat of the death annual Thanksgiving feast at the Council House. feast. After the ceremonies were ended, the This was held in commemoration of the time when young Chief returned to the States his mode of White and Red men first ate together. The Chief travel being to point with his thumb at motorists seemed heartily to enjoy the good things and lis- along the highway. tened attentively tothe earnest exhortations of the evangelist after the feast. Then for several So it came to pass that the missionary of the litmonths he was not again seen in the Christian tle flock of Christian Indians, coming along the services and only occasionally did we see his road from the camp grounds, recognized the Instolid face as we drove through the reservation. dian Chief of the Mohawk tribe standing by the Force of habit had led him back among the non- wayside, thumbing his way. Sensing an oppor- .Christians, to the gambling and vice so prevalent tunity, the missionary invited him into the car and among them. asked him to go to the camp ground and remain for several days. Dirty, hungry and travelworn, Summer came and with it the denominational the Indian was glad to accept the invitation. An camp meeting for the Christian Indians a few empty tent was offered for his use, a cot and a miles distant from the reservation. Word came blanket or two were secured for his comfort and that an uncle of our Mohawk Chief had died, he his meal ticket was provided. The Indian was was called back to Canada to attend the funeral well pleased to have a Seneca dwelling so nearly and the death feast. The Code of "Handsome like those of his ancestors. But the Bible studies, Lake," the Seneca prophet, decrees that "It is evangelistic meetings and form of worship were right to have a feast for the dead" and this be-
THE CONVERSION OF A PAGAN AMERICAN
still an enigma to him. Brotherly young men of tributing Christian literature to those who can the camp loaned him clean clothing and took him read. He often spends almost whole nights in with them to play ball at the recreation hour. In prayer for them and uses practically all his money this atmosphere of love his heart began to melt keeping his old Chrysler in repair and buying gasand when an invitation was given one evening our oline so that he can take his people to and from Chief went forward for prayer. There he wept the services. and prayed; but soon his countenance seemed to clear and he was seen to laugh. When a lady Spiritual truth seems to dawn slowly on Indian evangelist, kneeling near by asked if the Lord had minds. Their habits of lying, stealing, drinking saved him, the Indian answered affirmatively. On and adultery are hard to break. But numbers of further questioning he said that he knew this to them become true Christians after they have be so because "The Lord made me laugh." grasped the meaning of who Jesus Christ is, and Afterward in his testimony he said that God CHIEF HUBERT KUSICK OF THE had taken him into "a beautiful room," where the SENECA INDIANS old furniture of sin and vice had been cleaned out; the house was swept and garnished and the new what He has done for them. New grooves of furnishings of Heaven had been moved in. Later thought are gradually established along the lines he said, "I met brothers and sisters there who told of righteousness as taught in the Word of God. me things for my good. I have just waked up." Some of our Christian Indian boys are being sent to college and are making good use of their op- Perhaps some self-satisfied religionist "at ease portunities. We hope that at least one will come in Zion," with few difficulties to face and no spe- back to help his own people. There is great need cial persecution to undergo because of his Chris- among these Indians for a real experience of tian stand, may ask: "How long will his experi- Christ in their lives. This calls for much earnest ence last?" S.ome have said with a sneer that the prayer, faithful testimony and sacrifieial service. only way to get an Indian to Heaven is for him to die immediately after his conversion. But experience has proved that this is far from true. Some slip back as do many of the white race who have once "tasted of the grace of God and the power of the Wlorld to come." We must remember that, while we have centuries of Christian background, our Red Brothers are only three or four generations out of savagery.
It is necessary to be patient, to build slowly and to lay a good foundation. It is often necessary to rebuke and reprove in all long-suffering, forgiving those who slide back, knowing that Christian Indians are often unconsciously influenced'by the superstition and unbelief of the pagans. It is hard for a Christian Indian to be called a traitor to his. race, one who imitates the white man and is ashamed of his ancestors and their religion.
God who can "bid raging winds their fury cease," can also "calm the savage breast to peace." It is true of the evil spirit in the Indian, as in the demoniac boy of old: "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Our local Indian preacher, Frank Pierce, is very faithful in visiting the homes of these people, dis- JEWISH NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS Rabbi Heller, speaking at the opening of(the Jewish New Year, suggested the following resolutions: "Though men may hate me and mine and wreak their enmity upon me, I shall not give them hatred for hatred. I shall not permit their dark intolerance, their depravity, their inhumanity, to take possession of my soul. I shall strive to see in them misguided children of God, and to pray for the day when they will return to reasonableness and brotherly love. I shall strive always to hate the sin but not the sinner. I shall never let the realization leave me that I am not alone in my problems. I shall strive to cooperate with all men of good will, and with all faiths."
Christ To Students in China*
By REV. STANTON LAUTENSCHLAGER, -otEt Tsinan, Shantung ~- Associate Professor of Sociology, Cheeloo University THE crucified Christ is always the greatest difficult to carryon Christian schools there. In possible challenge to any youth. This is espe- occupied territory, schools are forced to take part cially true when injustice seems to be on the in Japanese victory parades and in public demonthrone, and righteousness on across. That is why strations against the present Chinese national preaching Christ crucified tQ students in China government. Christian schools are not allowed today is probably the greatest privilege which even to be neutral in the war, much less to teach can come to any man. patriotism. Some which refused to take part in Under the auspices of the China Christian Edu- pro-Japanese dem'Onstrations, have had their prin- catiQn AssQciation, this privilege came tQ me re- cipals dismissed and their students 'Ordered to cently in a two months' evangelistic tour in the transfer tQ other schools. If students. are forced Christian schools 'Of South and Central China. to take part in such demonstrations contrary to This tour took me more than a thousand miles by their cons>Ciences, they become invoOlved in hypoc- sea, from the Japanese occupied territQry of risy. Therefore it seems to many that where both Tsingtao in North China to British cQntrolled Christian prin>Ciples of loyalty to country and to Hongkong in the South, and then another thou- conscience are impossible, we should sacrifice our sand miles by rail and steambQat via Canton, institutions rather than .our principles.
Macao, Hengyang and Changsha to the three gre-at Tens of thousands 'Of students have fled from cities of Wuchang, Hanyang and Hankow. occupied territQry to free territory, to the South, On the second thousand miles, I preached on an Southwest, Northwest, or toO Central China. Here, average of three times a day, in eleven cities, and both in the new schools and in the old, doors are in more than thkty Christian middle schools and wide open to the preaching of the Christian Gos- colleges, as well as in a number of government pel. The national crisis- has forced students to schools, Y. M. C. A.'s and Y. W. C. A.'s, and in rethink, not only the foundations of the nation, many churches of all Protestant denominatiQns. but the very meaning of life. Some have lost their In most schools, I was invited to speak to the parents; many have lost their homes and most whole student body on some political or interna- of them have lost their source of income. They tional subject. When this was done first, prac- traveled a thousand miles to free territory only tic,ally all the students came to the evangelistic to be bombed again.
meetings later. Everywhere, there was the most Faced with the annihilation of their nation and inspiring cooperation between the Christian with a threat to their very physical existence, the sehoQls, the national churches, the missionary students are gripped in a new way by the chal- bodies of all denominations, and other Christian lenge of the cross. During my recent evangelistic and even non-Christian institutions. tour in the free territories of South and Central Due to the terrors of war, which accompany the China, I have seen hundreds of students accept present invasions of China, the bQmbings, the Christ and His cross as the way and inspiration flight of refugees, the rape and the loot, the for the s-acrifices they feel called upon to make at slaughter and destruction, Chinese students have this time of personal and national crisis.
a new understanding and a new apprecia;tion of It was my privilege to lecture and to preach in the meaning of the cross. Perhaps that is why abQut thirty scho'Ols and to nearly ten thousand they have everywhere responded to its challenge students, not in great mass meetings, but always in such an unpre-cedented way. in individual schools. Only in tWQ or three schoQls In Occupied and in Free Territory were there as many as three or four hundred stu- dents at one meeting. Where decisions were made, Student evangelism is more difficult in territory discussion grQUps were held, and the school prinoccupied by the Japanese military, because it is cipals and teachers promised tQ follow up the de- cisiQns with Bible classes and with other prep- • Condensed from The Ohine8e Recorder for October, 1938. aration fQr baptism and for Christian service.
[80 ] Only a Christ-centered and a cross-centered gions. We are Christians; not godists (in a genmessage is adequate for the spiritual and social eral sense). We find God in Christ. He i,s the needs of Chinese youth today. Where time did Way-the way by which we go to God and the not allow more than three evangelistic appeals, I way by which God comes to us. He is the vine. spoke first on the challenge of faith, second on He is the door. He is the bread from heaven. the challenge of patriotism and third on the chal- He is the water of Life. He is the truth and the lenge of Christ and His cross. He was presented light. He is the Saviour of men. It is God in from the human side as the courageous youth, the Christ who died on the cross, and who rose again. carpenter's son, the noblest revolutionist, the true Jesus is truly both God and man."
son of man, challenging wi,thout fear or favor all Results of the Christ-Centered Message the selfish social and political forces and all the hypocritical religious forces of his time, with a The challenge of the Cross always becomes the vigor and a determination which sent him to the triumph of the Christ. After the final mes,sage cross. He was also presented from the divine side on the cross, I alway,s gave an opportunity for as the true son of God, the vine, the bread from three kinds of decisions. First, for Christians to heaven, the Lamb of God, the Saviour of sinners, be better Christians, to know Christ more and to who gave His life as a ransom for many. serve more unselfishly. Second, for believers to I tried to make students understand the cour- prepare for baptism and for Christian service; age and the conscience which made Jesus attack third, for non-Christians to accept Christ as every wrong. I tried also to make them under- Saviour and Lord. An opportunity was also given stand the love which made him willing to die to for students to present their problems, which they move men's, hearts to repentance, to s,ave s,inners, wished to discuss with a friend.
which was the divine reason for the Cross. At the first few meetings, students were only On the one hand, it was Jesus' attack on the asked to raise their hands or to come forward and social, political and religious wrongs of his time, give their names to the religious instructor; later which unified his enemies into a demand for His a Christian principal suggested the card method. death. It was the organized institutional, social, This method gave the principal and the religious political and religious forces of His time and na- leaders a better census of the students' religious tion, which nailed Him to the tree. On the other needs and ideas. As soon as we used the card hand, it was Jesus' love for sinners, for His method the decisions at once doubled, for the stuchurch and nation, which drove him to Jerusalem dents then each had some definite propositions to face His enemies and His cross there. Jesus which challenged their consciences.
was slain on the cross by our sins and for our Only a few individual schools, and some of the sins, but it was also His great love for us sinners, more unique experiences; can be mentioned here.
which finally broke not only His hands but also In the Canton True Light School for Girls, now a His heart. On the cross, deepest sin and highes't refugee school in Hongkong, twenty-eight made love met. Love conquered. Sin was defeated by decisions to become Christians. About half of doing its worst and by being forgiven. After these were baptized at the end of the term. In Jesus' "Father forgive them," there was hope for St. Paul's Girls School in Hongkong, although every individual sinner and for every sinning there was time for only one brief chapel talk, six- group. teen girls, came forward to accept Christ.
I tried to show how even a meagre knowledge In the Canton Girls Union Normal School, now of this Jesus of history drives us to real repent- in Macao, there were thirty-two decisions for ance. It makes us repent of our uncleanness, of Christ. Fourteen of these girls were seniors.
our faithlessness, our selfishness, our cowardice Nearly all of these seniors said they wished to and our laziness. True repentance brings the joy practice their new faith and to realize their new of forgiveness; Christ received in faith gives us vision by going into the country villages to teach new courage, new power, new love and new life. and to preach as soon as they graduate.· In the To build our new lives and the new world, we American Presbyterian Boys School in Hengyang, must receive and worship Jesus as Lord so that Hunan, where the card system was used for the we may have His new life and His spirit; but we first time, there were sixty-eight decisions to ac- must also follow Him, to do what He did and what cept Christ in a student body of one hundred and He clearly told us to do. ninety-four. Thirty-seven were already Chris- A bright girl student in a discussion group said, tians. These decisions changed the average of "Why do Christians talk so much about Jesus as Christians in the school from one-fifth to more if He were more important than God?" "You than one-half.
have hit on a great truth," I said. "That is what In Yale-in-China, the only senior Christian Boys makes Christianity unique in the history of reli- Middle School in the province of Hunan, one hun,..
dred and twenty-nine in a school of four hundred treat. Not many of them were Christians. I made decisions to become Christians, while nearly spoke on the Cross of Christ as we sat on the hillone hundred expressed their determination to be- side overlooking the sea. The glory of the setcome better Christians. Of those who accepted ting sun shone on the mountains and on the faces Christ, seventy-nine made a further decision to of these young leaders. It also shone upon the prepare for baptism. Twelve of these were bap- "carriers," just beyond our vision, from which tized a month later, just before the close of the bombers daily rained death upon the civilian popspring term. In the Fu Hsiang Girls School, also ulation of Canton, less than one hundred miles in Changsha, and the only senior girls school in away. Hunan, there were eighty decisions to follow Christ, thirty of whom wished to prepare for bap- I challenged these student leaders to accept tism. Another ninety made decisions to be better Christ as their Saviour and as their power to Christians. build their new lives and the new China and the new world. It was my first invitation to students At Yiyang, Hunan, the response in the Lutheran to accept Christ on this three months' tour. As Schools was equally great. In the Girl's School, we waited a moment before prayer, one by one, although there was only time for one address, over nine hands went up. Then the general secretary 20 girls made decisions to be better Christians. of the Hongkong "Y" said, "Tonight, when we In the Boy's School, the decision cards were dis- divide into discussion groups, we will add another tributed at the last meeting. The students were asked to think it over and to hand in the cards the group for those who wish to know how to become next day. This was to prevent decisions too lightly made, under the influence of emotion. In spite of Christians. Thirty-two, about one-third of the this, the number of decisions were as great or total number, came to this group, and after we greater than in any other school. Thirty-four talked to them for an hour about the meaning of said they wanted to be better Christians, which the Christian life, twenty-five signed their names was almost the total number of Christians in the to join a new Bible class to learn more about the Boy's School. One hundred and two made de- Christian Way of Life. cisions to believe in Jesus and follow Him. About half of these made additional decisions to prepare In the three Wuhan cities, Wuchang, Hanyang for baptism, while another hundred decided to and Hankow, although the meetings had to be enter classes to study Christianity. held in the two weeks of final examinations, there were one hundred and eighty decisions to accept Bombs Make a Nation of Singers Christ and more than two hundred to be better Christians. In Hongkong twelve hundred students meet weekly for patriotic singing. After an hour of While our work was mostly in the middle singing they divide into groups to do social and schools, there was excellent response in five unipatriotic work. There are also hundreds of clubs versities. Two of these were Christian, Lingnan which proclaim the Gospel of patriotism and of University, Canton and Central China University social justice in song and drama. This kind of in Wuchang. Three were government universithing is going on all over "free" China. The roar ties, the University of Hongkong, Chung Shan in of Japanese bombers has made "free" China into Canton, and Hunan University in Changsha. In a nation of singers. The aim of this mass sing- some of these there were decisions to become ing is to stir the soul of youth to true patriotism Christians. and to unify their spirit. In these three months of preaching in the Some years ago a Chinese youth, who in a schools of South and Central China more than moment of despair had decided to commit suicide, eight hundred students made decisions to be betwas saved by hearing mass singing in a Christian ter Christians and more than seven hundred to school in Tientsin. He wondered who could sing accept Jesus as their Saviour and to follow Him in such· a dark world. He investigated and didn't in a new life of unselfish service. More than three commit suicide but became a Christian and gave hundred made additional decisions to prepare for baptism. More than three hundred, individually himself to education. He founded a middle school or in small groups, discussed with me the prob- lems which weighed heaviest on their hearts. of three thousand students and a university with six hundred. Japanese bombs have destroyed both Questions Chinese Students Ask Today his schools. But he has gone West to "free" China, and has created other schools. A man, who The questions which students asked can be dican still sing, cannot commit suicide, and a nation vided into four groups, individual, social, political of singers can never be destroyed. and religious. Only a few of these questions will be mentioned here, without suggesting any an- On Easter Sunday, ninety singers, mostly lead- swer. Here are some: ers, met on the mountains of Hongkong for a re- Is there really a God? If so, what and where is God? How can God be all-powerful and all-loving and yet
PREACHING CHRIST TO STUDENTS IN CHINA
allow such suffering and injustice as the present invasion Qwn. He also. promised to. invite his wife to. re- has brought on China today? turn to. China to. help him live on this new basis. Why do the Christian nations do so little to help China? In abQut two. weeks I received a joyful letter say- If Christianity makes nations more righteous, why do ing that two. days after he wrQte to. his wife, and IQng before she could have received his letter, he the Christian nations not help China more than non- Christian Russia?
Why do the nations, which have declared Japan the ag- received an air-letter frQm her saying that she gressor, still send war materials to Japan? was to. blame fQr some of the trQuble, and that she Why do nations, which protest the bombings, still sell also. wanted to. begin life Qver again Qn a new basis. GQd's spirit had been working in America, planes to continue the bombings? while we were praying in HQngkQng. Why do Christian nations send munitions to Japan and only communist Russia does not do so?
Why do more communists than Christians in Japan run A Hero's Grandson Accepts Christ the risk of prison and of death in protesting against Jap- anese militarism? In my address, "The Challenge Qf the Cross," I Is there any real conflict between communism and Chris- Qften used the illustratiQn Qf the herQic death Qf the famQus Chinese revQlutionist, Tan Tzu T'ang. .tianity? If so, what is that conflict?
What is the difference between socialism and com- munism? When warned to flee, he said, "I can die but I Should we organize a Christian socialist party to advo- can't run away." He wrQte a letter to his fellQwcate Christian socialism, democracy and internationalism? revQlutionists in which he said, "China is nQt be- ing saved because no. Qne is willing to. die for What is the real meaning of life? China. We cannot all die, if we all die, who will How can the cross save men? carry out the principles o.f Qur revQlution? But How can we get Jesus deep into our hearts? How can we get his courage and his noble spirit?
How can we get rid 01 social injustice, aggression and someone must die to. move the hearts Qf Qur people. war? YQU may live and carry Qut the principles Qf Qur What are the social and political duties of a Christian? revolutiQn, and I will take on myself the Qther The Problems of a Governor's Son duty-that of dying. But if I die fQr China, yQU a A bright, fearless student, a governor's son in can no. IQnger live for YQurselves. If I die fQr China, yQU must live fQr China." Yale-in-China, said, "I admire some of the Christians, and I am much interested in what you say, This stQry was used as an illustratiQn of Jesus, but when I try to read the Bible, it seems like who. steadfastly set His face to go. to Jerusalem, mess of contradictions and superstitions to me. the centre Qf all selfishness and of opposition to. Also while I admire Jesus, I cannot believe in the His GQspel, and who. knew that Qnly by dying fQr existence of God." His cause CQuid He becQme a SaviQur and move hearts to. repentance. I tried to explain what intelligent Christians The Wounded Soldiers mean by God. I told him that the Bible, besides being the Word of God, was also the history of the The Province Qf Hunan has six thQusand Hebrew people. If he remembered that, the seem- wounded soldiers frQm many battle-frQnts. At ingly contradictory ideas about God in the Old Changsha, I had the privilege Qf speaking to. abQut Testament would disappear. His final reSPQnse three hundred Qf them. When I used the picture was, "I can believe what you say. It seems quite Qf Christ Qn the cross, the soldiers crQwded around clear and reasonable, but why don't the preachers and asked many questiQns abQut Jesus himself, say it that way?" abQut the bandits Qn the Qther cro.sses, about the Not only did hundreds of students accept Christ, WQman at the fQQt Qf the cross and especially but older Christian leaders refound him. At about the RQman soldiers in the background.
Hongkong, a college graduate, who had long been NQt many Qf the sQldiers were Christians. After a Christian leader, told me that he was in great speaking of Jesus' struggle against injustice, distress. His family life was bankrupt. Quarrels which tOQk Him to. the crQSS, I said, "Do you and jealousy had almost broken up his home. His understand the meaning of the cross?" "Yes,"
wife had taken the children and had gQne to. Amer- they said, "We knQw the crQsls." "What cross do.
ica. His family life was a continual clash of wills. you know?" I asked. "We knQw the Red Cross,"
He had also lo.st God Qut Qf his own life. My ser- they shQuted. "What does the Red CrQss mean?"
mon to the singers had aroused in him a deep I asked. "It means save life," they answered.
sense of remorse and a great desire to be different. "YQU are right," I said, "the Red Cross means We shared some of our failures and victories and save life." prayed that the clash of wills WQuid disappear in I explained that befQre Jesus died on it, the a new acceptance of GQd's will. He promised to. cross was an instrument Qf torture, the black crQSS write to his wife, confessing his share of the blame Qf death. That is why the sQcial forces, which and telling her that he wanted to. begin life again ruled in Jesus' time; nailed Him to. it. They Qn the new basis of Christ's will instead of his thQught the black crQSS Qf imperial Rome WQuid
destroy Him forever. But the Galilean was too for his spirit. We give our all to him. We regreat. The black cross of death could not destroy ceive him. He gives us power to become the sons him. His death changed the cross into the symbol of God. Sinners of weakness, become saints of of life-giving and life-saving, into the symbol of power. The spirit of the divine carpenter becomes sacrifice and service. It was the blood of Jesus our spirit. Our all given to him is transformed which changed the black cross of death into the and to our all is added His all. Our all is not Red Cross of life-saving. So the Red Cross of enough, but our all and His all is enough. Christ saves the bodies of men, and the Christ of the Red Cross saves the souls of men. Jesus came to make the blind to see, to set the captives free, to give liberty to the oppressed, to The soldiers were greatly impressed and nodded bring glad tidings to the poor, and to give His life their approval. An officer thanked me for the a ransom for many. He came to abolish human message and urged the men to believe in and to suffering, both physical and spiritual. He saw this follow Him who died on the cross and whose blood was not possible under the selfish social, political. made the black cross red. and religious system of His time. Therefore He attacked these systems with all His might. This Chinese students are determined to struggle for attack took Him to the cross where He died. He a just social order, a free nation and a peaceful became a Saviour and He sent His disciples out to world. A Gospel which is unrelated to society make disciples of all nations, to teach all He had has no meaning to Chinese youth today. Students taught and to do all ,that he had done. He said, are socialists, democrats and internationalists. "What I have done, ye shall do also, and greater Nearly all Christian students wish that the Church things than these shall ye do, because I go unto was even more socially minded than it is. Many my Father." He also said, "Go, I am with you students and college professors would like to or- always, even unto the end of the age." ganize a Christian-Socialist party or group, which would be Christian in its spirit, socialist in its This gospel of Jesus is both evangelical and soeconomics, democratic in its politics and interna- cial. It is the gospel of repentance, and of the tional in its outlook. Most Christian youth realize Kingdom of God. It is that gospel in which all that the Church, as such, cannot itself become a is given to men by giving all to God, and in which political party, but they want the Christian spirit all is given to God by giving all to men. It is the to be more definitely expressed in social and po- gospel of socal evangelism, in which the Lord of liticallife. They want Christianity to take a more our worship is hungry as long as men are hungry, definite stand against the present unjust economic and cold as long as children freeze, and in untold order. They believe that a Church which can be agony as long as men are torn with strife, and silent in a world of such cruel injustice is not women and little children are bombed in war. following Jesus. The Church should now arise and declare itself Challenge of Evangelical Socialism unequivocally, as Jesus did, on these great social issues. If she does, she can win the allegiance of Chinese youth is best gripped by a gospel which whole armies of Chinese youth. If she does not, is both evangelical and social. Youth believes that she will unconsciously abdicate in favor of other Christianity should take on more of communism's philosophies, as far as Chinese students are conpassion for social justice, and that communism cerned. should take on more of the spirit of Jesus. Chinese youth is ready for the full Gospel of evan- Hundreds of students in China are accepting gelical socialism. They insist on a Gospel of Christ today. These students believe that the cross-carrying and not just a Gospel of cross- Church is more and more awakening to both its worshipping. The students are ready to give their social and evangelical mission. Students are arisall for their nation, for a just society and for a ing to welcome Christ as the Lord of all life. Will new world of peace. Any philosophy which does the Church also arise, as never before, to follow not challenge them to give their all ,cannot get Him in all things? If so, the vision for a new their allegiance. China can be realized, and the new faith of Chi- nese youth in Christ will not be disappointed. The full Gospel of Christ challenges us to give more than our all. Real Christian communism is The challenge of Chinese youth to the Church is a greater challenge than Marxian communism. as unequivocal today as that of Christ to Chinese Christian communism says that our all is not youth. The evangelical-social gospel, the whole enough to create the new world. It takes our all gospel of Christ for the whole of life, is what and Christ's all. We are sinners. We are too China and the world needs today. And in China, cowardly. We are too lazy. We are too selfish. at least, when this gospel is preached, even in We are too unclean. Before the majesty of the weakness, hundreds of youth everywhere in a new cross, we see our true selves. We see what we way respond to its challenge. Will the Church are, and what we might be. We repent. We ask equally respond?
Chinese Dragon No Longer
By MRS. GERALD R. ZIMMER, Tungjen, Kweichow, China Missionary of the Evangelical Church I N EARLY Chinese art there was frequently entire group must walk. In the fall some of them pictured two swirling dragons grasping for the will return while others go to the front as nurses, flaming pearl, which always remains beyond officers and to serve in other capacities. In the their reach. This is the parable of man's striving near future one thousand more refugee students for the unattainable. China has been compared are expected here from Hankow and vicinity. to a sleeping dragon. But the dragon no longer sleeps! China is united and, even though torn by Tungjen is also to be the training center for war, her people are working together and are ac- twenty thousand new recruits from the counties in this section. Although Kweichow province is complishing what was considered the impossible declared to be free from professional bandits we a few years ago. are troubled by local bandits. When a troop of soldiers left for the front, leaving the city prac- Kweichow province is often called the Switzer- tically unprotected, bandits entered and kidnapland of China. Tungjen, a city of twenty-four ped a wealthy merchant's son and fatally wounded thousand people, is fourteen hundred miles from another, holding the son for $20,000 ransom. The Shanghai. The living conditions are twenty years government would not permit the family to pay behind those in down-river towns where the in- it because this would encourage other kidnappers. fluence of education and modern inventions have Food shortage means famine, disease and inbeen felt. Kweichow has been one of the most creased banditry. backward and undeveloped provinces but now every effort is being made to develop it along agri- In a recent letter to us Madame Chiang Kaicultural and educational lines. Where tall, bril- shek said in part : "We are trying to do the best liantly colored poppies formerly grew, golden we can for the salvation of our country. China headed wheat and other food products are planted. is now passing through a terrible crisis, and what The government is succeeding in the suppression the end will be, no one can foretell. We will conof opium, and the mission hospital is filled with tinue resisting to the best of our ability, but we men and women taking the opium cure. Opium know that great pain and suffering will have to users are given a stated length of time to quit be endured owing to the terrible ruthlessness and smoking or be punished by imprisonment or death. barbarity of the Japanese. . . .
Tungjen has been suddenly jolted awake by "The morale of the troops is high, and the spirit thirteen hundred refugee high school students and of the Chinese people has never been greater. The two hundred teachers and their families coming philosophy of the refugees is helping them to bear to the newly established government school. The the impoverished condition with goodwill and comstudents and teachers, from all parts. of China, parative cheerfulness. are readily distinguished because of their sophisticated air and mode of dress. Many are homeless "Everywhere efforts are being made to take and friendless. Some have no idea where their care of the refugees and the orphans and the lost parents and relatives are, many of whom have children. . . . The Generalissimo and I have pubbeen killed in the war. Because of the unsanitary licly expressed our great admiration of the misconditions, and lack of proper care and food dur- sionary body, and our abiding gratitude for all ing the past months, many of these students are they have done, and are doing, for our people. ill. They are crowded into the former government The example of the missionaries has been a great buildings and large temples where they are quar- inspiration to many of our people. . . ." tered too closely for good sanitary and health conditions. The work this great, courageous, Christian woman and the Generalissimo are now doing is August first, four hundred seniors, both boys heroic. They have the strength which comes and girls, left here for Kweiyang, capital of Kwei- from the determination to give all for the greatest chow, for military training. It takes five days to cause in the world-that of building a united and make this trip by bus but as none are available the Christian nation.
The Christian Church in China is faced with [85 ]
the greatest PQssibilities in the histQry Qf the within the walls at night because Qf the activities Church. Our desire is to. help Qur Chinese friends Qf the Chinese guerilla bands. t'O a kn'Owledge Qf Christian peace and JQY. We thrill at the QPPQrtunities fQr service each day. We believe that China will be victQriQus in the end. When that time will cO.me we do. nQt knQw, In· the "Qccupied" parts 'Of China the Japanese but this we do. kn'Ow, Japan is fighting a losing are not really in cQntrol. Many villages are prac- battle. But whatever CQmes we stand in admiratically empty, shQPs are clQsed and peQple have tiQn and IQyalty to. these faithful and persistent fled to. safer districts. When Japanese troQPs QC- Oriental brQthers Qf Qurs. The DragQn awakes! cupy the walled tQwns, they are fQrced to. stay China will attain the flaming pearl!
Hu Shih on China's Progress* DR. HU SHIH, the new Chinese ambassador they will admit that in quality and quantity the to. the United States, is nota Christian but new system has excelled the old many times over. is, an ardent patri'Ot and a pr'OfQund sch'Olar With the Qld system Qf educ.ation, there have in China's histQry, literature and philosophy. He fallen the absurdities. Qf the 'eight-legged essay,'
strongly 'Opposes the recent attempt of some Chi- and the mechanical forms Qf blank verse and nese leaders to. stimulate nationalism by a revival PQetry. The new system has not yet achieved 'Of CQnfucian culture and semi-annual SlaCrifices to. much, but it has already increased knowledge, thes.age. Dr. Hu Shih is c'Onvinced that China imprQved skill, ref'Ormed the written language, must I'Ook t'Oward ,the future rather than the past, advanced physical educatiQn, and popularized na- and must face reality. In a recent address, pro- tiQnal CQnsciQusness.
testing against dependence Qn Confucian cere- . 3. "The cMnge of the family system. Recent monies to. bulwark the national spirit, he recites industrial, commercial and educatiQnal develQP- the evidence 'Of progress in China during the last ments started the prQcess Qf c'OncentratiQn Qf Po.P- twenty years, befQre the invasiQn by Japanese ulatiQn in the large cities; the first instituti'On to armed fQrces. He wrQte in Chinese f'Or Chinese, be affected by this transfQrmatiQn is the family, and not fQr foreign propaganda. which has been reduced in size. Parents, parents- The number Qf elementary schQol students in in-law, ,and heads Qf clans have l'Ost much Qf their China increased fourf'Old in the last twenty years; aricient powers. and prestige. Sons and daughters the number Qf seco.ndary school Sltudepts tenf'Old, have declared their independence.. The elevation and the cQllege and university students a hundred of WQmen and the improvement Qf the marriage fQld. There were in 1937 abQut twelve and a half . system that haveaccQmpanied this change in the milliQn students in the mQdern sch'OQls Qf China. family QrganizatiQn can be regarded as the great- Hu Shih says: est refQrm. of the last five thQusand years., "China has made wonderful strides in the last 4. "The reform of social customs. The abQlitwenty years. The prQgress during these years tiQn of f'OQtbinding, male pr'OstitutiQn, judicial in intelligence, m'Orality, nati'Onal spirit and char- t'Orture and Qther refQrms are nQt positive deacter, sQcial custQm, P'Olitical QrganizatiQn and velopments, but the emancipatiQn Qf women, the self-respect has surpassed any Qther generation attempts to. reduce the expense Qf funeral and in the histQry of the cQuntry. Of course this periQd marriage ceremQnies; the enthusiasm Qf y'Oung has n'Ot been withQut its Qbno.xiQus features and people fQr athletics, and the extensiQn of sdentific weaknesses, but these do no.t cancel the gain. We medicine and public health wQrk are all achievemay PQint Qut some of the 'Outstanding evidences ments beYQnd the dreams of the ancient sages. Qf progress. 5. "New developments in political organization 1. "The overthrow of despotic government, with are the direct result 'Of the passing of ·the old desPQtic gQvernment. NQt all these experiments all its parasitic systems, imperial cQncubines, have been successful, but many Qf them, such as Qur mQdernized judicial, PQlice and military syseunuchs, hereditary nQbles, yamen-runners, the tems, and the advance from a yarnen-centered to. a schQlar-centered gQvernmental machinery have purchase 'Of government PQsitions and other evils, prQduced unusually satisfactory results. Our re- cently promulgated civil law, which embQdies has been a great achievement. , many impQrtant imprQvement~, has been in itself 2. "The reform in education. Ther.e are still superficial observers who. attack the failure 'Of the new educatiQnal system, but if they stQP to. think what the old system was, and what it had to. offer, • Forwarded by Dr. Geo. W. Hinman. a blQQdless revQlutiQn.
WHEN HINDUS BUY GOSPELS IN INDIA
"These are indi,sputable historical f,acts. The attitude, freedom of action and sublimity of charsucces1s of the revolution against the old regime, acter. In classical scholarship, ih polish and and the achievement of modernization in China, worldly wisdom, and in punctiliousness in little are facts. Has there been progress in character- things, Dr. Sun Yat~sen may have been excelled building, self-confidence and strength of the people by Tseng Kuo-fan. Neverthelessl in courage of during the years between 1917 and 1937? At this thought, greatness of personality' ,and fearless time when the habits and behavior of men are action the revolutionary leader has greatly surexposed to the influence of forces both old and passed the earlier philosopher statesman. Acnew and trends of thought, both Western and cording to my observations during the last decade Chinese, it is very difficult to decide which com- or two, the personalities of those who have been bination of forcesl produces which type of char- most influenced by modern culture not only comacter. But without hesitation we say that because pare favorably with those of the great men of the leaders of this age have lived in a new world any other age, but have frequently excelled them. and under new currents of thought, they have sur- The new type of character, which is manifested passed their predecessors in thoroughness of by Generalissimo Chiang, adds much to the glory thought, richness of knowledge, magnanimity of of the age and convictions that produce it."
When Hindus Buy Gospels in India -~ I By MARGUERITE MODAK, Ahmednagar, India I }!lE-•.- T HE first sales-of twelve Gospels-were the city, a few Gospels in my hand and a boy with made by an eleven-year-old Indian girl, the me to carry the extra supply. To each one I met daughter of a member of our church in on the way I offered a Gospel in his own language, Ahmednagar, India. She sold them to those she saying that as I read other Indian religious books saw on the street, between the church and her in order to be informed for, the same reason they home. The first man to buy was a Hindu milk- should read mine. Almost every person purman carrying quart cans of milk on his bicycle. chased a copy and within an hour I had sold The next purchaser was an elderly Mohammedan fifty-five Gospels to non-Christians. The only obwhom she saw in front of his dye-shop, hanging jection to the sale of these books occured when out a bright red turban-cloth which he had just I approached three Hindu ladies sitting on their dipped in the dye. Indian girls are generally shy door-step. A Hindu gentleman passer-by interand timid but this young girl was fired with a ferred and told them not to buy. zeal to sell more Gospels than anyone else, and to follow the instructions given her, that they be Five hundred people had in their hands, many sold to non-Christians. for the first time, the words of Christ to speak to them directly. While many Christians may be Five days in the early part of 1938 were al- unworthy of the name they bear, Christ himself lotted to the sale of Gospels by the First Church and His words meet little opposition from nonof Ahmednagar (The United Church of Northern Christians in India today. A Hindu or Moslem India). The British and Foreign Bible Society of may not be willing to leave his social group, as his Bombay sent one of their representatives to teach family would no doubt force him to do if he were our church members the best methods of ap- baptized, but he wants to know more about Christ. proaching non-Christians. He was a young Indian gentleman, modest in appearance and effi- Gospel selling week was a part of the year's cient in his work. Fifteen of the men of the work for the Ahmednagar Church. The calendar church and our most enthusiastic young people for the church was drawn up in December for met in the church and then went out singly and in the ensuing year, and called for two periods of twos to do this important piece of evangelistic Gospel selling, as well as for a retreat, a series of work. My husband, the Rev. Ramkrishna Shahu special meetings, picnics, one day of commemora- Modak, pastor of the church, sold fifty copies in tion of the dead, Bible reading, a church birthday two hours in the bazaar where tradesmen of all celebration, a village preaching campaign, and kinds, and gentlemen of the city were transacting the annual religious festivals., The retreats of business. I went down one of the main streets of our church are days when the people sit in silence before God and mediate upon Him.
of "Spirit of Missions," New
A CHRISTIAN HOME IN AN INDIAN VILLAGE'
Save India Through India's Women -<III By ANBU M. AZARIAH,' Domakal, Ceottal Iowa IIJIo- O UT of the whole population of India, "some coolie work with her husband and children. She 352 millions," more than eighty-nine per does not return until dusk, when she again cooks cent live in villages. In the Telugu coun- a meal for her family. For nine months in the try, there is not even one city of major import- year, this is her life; the remaining three months ance, or any militwry station. Hence, to give a in the hot weather are less occupied, but are pro- typical picture of the life of the average Telugu portionately "lean."
Christian family, we must look closely at one or The village women toil all the day long but, like two villages. the rest of their family, they are underfed.
Many efforts are being made by the present Not only the depressed classes but the sudras Government at rural reconstruction. Yet the (farmer caste) also live under insanita.ry condi- backward conditions under which most village tions. They and their cattle live under the same women live at present will probably strike Amer- roof. One village is noted for intestinal di,sorders.
ican Church people as surprising. Until recent The filthy condition of the neighborhood, the cow years, nearly all the village Christians were drawn dung heaps close to the houses, and the number from the "depressed classes." These still live of flies, are the root cause of this common malady.
outside the village proper, in hamlets of thatched Propaganda work is being done by talks on the huts. In the hot weather these hamlets are sub- laws of health and by health song;s composed in ject to devastation by fire so that every year many Telugu.
homes and all their contents are reduced to cinders One caste woman who had been to a hospital in a few minutes. One room or at most two are for an operation and who used to live in a house all that a family possesses. Earthen cooking pots, with no proper ventilation, had another house with one or two brass vessels for water, large built to live in, with large windows and doors as baskets for storing grain and other food stuffs, a result of what she learned at the hospital. a coir (rope) bed or two, and some mats of wild date palm leaves are all the furniture they possess. And yet there i,s a brighter side to the life of The wife and mother rises at dawn, pounds her the Christian family, even living in these condigrain, does some hasty cooking and departs for tions. Christianity lets in light, even in the dark- est places. There is, first of all, the village Chris- * Wife of the Bishop of Dornakal, the Rt, Rev. V. S. Azariah, tian schools for the children; to these the boys, contributes this paper to The Spirit of Missions, Protestant Epis- and an increasing number of girls, are sent. There copai Church, New York.
[88 ]
SAVE INDIA THROUGH INDIA'S WOMEN
is the evening service, late in the evening, when number of adult literates rapidly in each congrethere is a joyous service with hearty singing. The gation. This is true not only of the depressed truths of the Chdstian religion are simply taught, classes but of caste people also who gladly avail including preparation for Baptism and the Holy themselves of this opportunity to learn to read. Communion. All these truths give a new meaning to downtrodden lives. There is on the faces The Diocesan Guild for Christian girls (Andhra of some Christian men and women a look of in- Christava Balika Samaj) is another auxiliary orward joy and peace, and outward cleanliness, ganization which enables us to serve village girls. which cannot be mistaken, when they are com- This guild aims at helping unmarried girls in the pared with their non-Christian neighbors. villages. and towns. The village girls have never had the chance of going to school; they have al- The Mothers' Union, in spite of all difficulties ways worked in the fields to contribute to the caused by illiteracy and ignorance, has been a family income. In the Samaj, they learn to live means, of strengthening the faith of these village a simple life, say a prayer each day, and celebrate women, of improving their standards of life, and a joyous Christian festival once a year. They are of giving them a sense of fellowship with other gathered into night classes where they learn to Courtesy of "Spirit of Missions," New York FUTURE WOMEN LEADERS AT THE DIOCESAN GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL This Is one of four girls' schools in Bishop Azariah's area of Dornakal. About five hundred Christian girls are enrolled in this school.
Christian wO'men. The Mothers' Union members read, to sing, to sew or anything else that will help are also able to preach the Gospel to others. During the "Week of Witness" in May, 1938, in many them to better their lives. . villages they went out to their caste neighbors with the Good News and witnessed for Christ In some villages, this year, the Balika Samaj under the leadership of teachers' wives. girls presented an Easter drama, "Seeking the But we must look outside the village itself to see what Christ has done for the women of the Body of Christ," and thus taught in a beautiful depressed classes. Out of some of the most depressed hamlets have gone girls who,. passing way the meaning of Easter. The girls,' boarding through the Church's boarding schools, have become teachers, nurses, doctors, wives of the clergy schools have branches of the Samajand the girls and Government officers. These are giving to India today many instances of the ideal Christian who were originally drawn from the villages, now home worked out in practice. having O'btained the privilege of a Christian edu- The "Laubach method" t of adult instruction, cation and training, pledge to help their village used in this diO'cese, enables us to increase the sisters by fellowship and service, especially dur- t See article by Dr. Frank C. Laubach in our January, 1939, ing the summer vacation when they go home. REVIEW. The Christian women leaders are those who thus get their training at the girls' boarding and training schools. These schools, are an important adjunct to' the work of the Church, under the man- agement of women missionaries. There are four such institutions in the diocese with about five hundred Christian girls enrolled in them.
There is a training center for women in a vil- three years. As Dornakal is wholly rural, it is a lage in Kurnool District where two women mis- good training ground for rural service. Their sionaries live in a simple thatched house, with the wives are required to prepare for the ministry of students in similar simple huts built all round their their husbands. The spiritual preparation and house. Here the women have a thorough course the consecration of their whole being to Christ's of training in the Scriptures, Church doctrine, and service are important factors in the ministerial practical social and evangelistic service. service of their husbands. To help them in their spiritual life, early morning devotions, morning In a village, the teacher and his wife are looked and evening services are held, with Holy Comupon as the leaders of the people. Where the munion on week days, and a quiet day once a quarter. Courtesy Of "Spirit of Missions," New York AN INDIAN MOTHER AT WORK The women have regular classes daily, from one o'clock to two forty-five, when the babies and chil- She rises at dawn to pound her grain as the dren are left at home in the husbands' charge. first task in her long day ot toll They learn a short outline of Old Testament his- tory, the Life of Christ, and the Acts of the teacher's wife is a very earnest woman the women Apostles. Once a week, they go out to preach to of the congregation follow her example. Study non-Christian women. They also go out another schools for the teachers' wives and the wives of day to do social and welfare work among village the clergy are conducted by the women mission- women in the neighborhood. Every noon, interaries, often assisted by the officers of the Mothers' cessions are led by the women in turn. Union. They also write essays on home life, training Candidates for ordination (as clergy) undergo of children, village service, and kindred subjects. training at the Divinity School for two or three They do Sunday school teaching for the local vilyears. They come to Dornakal with their families lage men and women. Thus they are trained to and live at quarters provided for them for about take upon themselves the responsibility of the leadership among women.
These classes, now completing two decades, have long since proved their worth. Most of the women who have been in Dornakal with their husbands are helping in the villages by their work among women. Some are able to visit in the pastorates with their husbands. The village women look up to the clergyman's wife as their pattern in every- thing, in social, physical and spiritu.al life.
The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host (Psalm 68: 11) .
These words receive literal fulfillment today in the misision field. If you want to transform the nation, transform the mothers. If you desire to transform the mothers, transform the girls. If you want the girls, catch the children. The child, the girl, the wife and the mother afford great op- portunities of service for India. Save the women, and so save the nation.
THE CRY OF A TAMIL POET Lord, in the darkness I Wlander; Where is the Light? Is there no Light? Nothing know I, but I wonder Where is the Way? Is there no Way? How may I reach Thee, I wonder; Is there no way? Where is the Way?
(Tamil poet, 1,000 years ago; quoted in "The Women's Missionary Mag- azine.")
Cooperation in Mission
By the REV. ALEXANDER McLEISH, London Survey Editor of "World Dominion"
THE last twenty-seven years have been marked This whole movement towards cooperation in- by the growing cooperation of missionary dicates that this method of work has come to stay, societies and churches. World Christian and having gone so far it is clear that we must Councils have been formed in nearly all the mis- go further. Recently in India cooperation has sion fields and these have done much to give to been entering a new field. Owing to the growing Protestant missions a united front as they face emphasis on the preeminence of evangelism in the the problem of evangelism in their respective work of the Church, the field has been viewed fields. As was to be expected, this spirit of coop- from a wider point of view, and the ideal of a erative helpfulness has resulted in the emergence united Indian Church in the various areas has beof many projects. In reviewing the work of a gun to dominate policy. Some of the Provincial whole area much overlapping has been avoided by Councils, in view of the urgency of the present cooperation in various activities. This has been situation, have brought about a new cooperation the means of economy in men and money, and among missions in evangelistic work. Mr. J. Z. has secured a greater degree of efficiency. Hodge, Secretary of the National Christian Coun- cil of India, gives one example of this in the case These projects, however, should not be confused of the missions working in the Bhil country in with "Church union." Undoubtedly the atmos- Central India. This people is one-and-a-half milphere of cooperation has greatly aided the nur- lion strong, and on the advice of the Mid-India ture and completion of many schemes of union. Christian Council, which had previously surveyed These, however, have taken place almost exclu- the field, the mi·ssions in the area have formed sively along the line of denominational affinities, themselves into a council of work among the Bhils, the widest union being that of the Church of pledged to seek as their objective a united church Christ in China. This includes almost all denom- in the Bhil country. This action has made posinations and Christian bodies with the exception sible the interchange of workers and, where necesof the Episcopal Church, the Scuthern Baptists, sary, the readjustment of territory. and the China Inland Mission. In Japan many unions have occurred between the separate The study of many of these cooperative enterchurches of different denominations; in India, prises reveals one great weakness. This arises the Church of North India and the Church of from the nature of their development and their South India are mainly Presbyterian in character, relationship to the normal work of mi,ssions. They while the Lutheran and Baptist unions have been have tended to be viewed as an extra or additional .more exclusively along denominational lines, as commitment outside the main budget, and have also is true of the Church of India, Burma and not been considered as an integral part of the Ceylon. But all these unions within the various work. But it is clear that if this type of activity camps have laid the foundation for further union. is to develop it must be viewed by the mission boards as just as much an integral part of their In cooperative projects. a still greater degree of activity as any other and more particularly decommon action is found in many places. Chris- nominational interest. A readjustment is needed tian colleges exhibit a wide degree of cooperation in the point of view of the relative importance of in India; the work of the Baptist Mission and the .our various activities. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Delhi is a cooperative effort that promises well This growing cooperative activity should be for the future. It is probably not generally real- placed in the centre of our purposes, planning and ized how great has been the growth of union in- budgeting. stitutions. during the last few years. As an example of this, there are now twenty-six union Very closely connected with this is the educaenterprises in India, apart from those general tion of our respective constituencies as to the need, movements that may be described as interdenom- the value, and the results of cooperation. One inational. finds in most mission reports little or no adequate reference to the work of these cooperative [ 91 ]
schemes. It is' very important that full particulars (h) In all such projects the financial side, once should be broadcast to show the significance of settled, should not be allowed to obtrude itself these cooperative movements; projects in which continually, and the real object of the scheme missions may have a share should be reported in should command all the energies of those working annual report,s and other periodicals as truly the it. The spiritual objective and the fellowship of activities of that mission. The education of our endeavor should be kept first. supporting constituencies is a crucial matter. The cooperative field, more even than the denomina- The organization of cooperative councils is now tional field, needs the fullest publicity, and those fairly complete throughout the world. The coengaged in such work should be more alive to this operation between missions that resulted from the necessity and obtain publicity from home commit- Edinburgh Conference of 1910 has been gradually passing in most fields into cooperation between tees. mission and church. Cooperative activities have greatly appealed to This development has changed the whole situa- Christians with large vision as to the needs of tion; in India it has been marked recently by the definite fields; and from time to time individual amending of the constitution of the National Christian Council. The two new factors embraced givers have been found to help inaugurate these in the scheme are of supreme importance. They schemes. In other cases one society has associated are: others with it in some activity, and has had to (1) To review periodically the progress of the bear the brunt of the support of a cooperative project. Recently much of this support has been Christian enterprise in India, Burma and Ceylon withdrawn. The men loaned to cooperative work in cooperation and consultation with the Provinhave been withdrawn, or the building has been cial Christian Councils, and to suggest plans for required by the society; no financial equivalent has been forthcoming, so that many cooperative further advance. projects have fallen into a perilous financial (2) To take all possible steps. to give-effect to situation. the principle within the Chri,stian enterprise that Some Needs in Reconstruction the church is central and permanent.
This decision means that the future business of the annual meeting of Provincial Christian Coun- A good deal of reconstruction is required if cils will be to review the progress of the Christian cooperation is to make adequate progress. From movement in its area and to plan accordingly.
the experience of the last few years I would sug- The Provincial Councils know with some certainty gest certain requirements: what the needs of the area are, what are the (a) The need of broadening the basis of sup- available resources, what reinforcements are re- port and so decreasing the individual grants-in- quired, and how they should be distributed. The aid. This would, at the same time, widen the point to emphasize is that cooperation is to centre interest in the project. around the church and its activities. This' coop- (b) Every scheme should be supported by a eration in the' church and mission institutes a budget covering a definite period of years (three definite procedure to what were exclusively mis- or five have been suggested). sion activities. A policy of greater "give and (c) Supporters of the [scheme should be kept take" is needed. In many fields too definite a line particularly well informed of its progress. has been drawn between church and mission.
(d) In order to command the fullest confidence Burning Questions such projects should have a good executive with the requisite knowledge. From my recent visit to India I have found (e) Gifts of men and property to help the that there are many burning questions in the project, in lieu of money payment, always present minds of Indian church leaders which require a difficulty, for when the man or property is with- handling by missions with greater sympathy and drawn it is not likely that the equivalent in money understanding. A few of these might be men- will be forthcoming. If possible, every project tioned: should be so financed as to pay for its own staff. First, there is the administration of money as and equipment. between the mi,ssion and the church. As things (f) There should be equality of status among stand, the indigenous church has been operated the cooperating groups; all should pull their on a too limited self-support policy, a policy which weight, and not let the others down. can barely keep it in existence. It appears to the (g) The various cooperating councils have a church leaders that they are a poor, struggling special duty to keep in close touch with the work- body, while the mission seems to be a wealthy or- ing of these projects and to keep the supporting ganization. Yet increasingly the church is being churches and mis,sion bodies well informed of the called upon to face the whole Christian task, and progress, as they affect the interests of each. it is being admitted that the church and not the
CLOSER COOPERATION IN MISSION WORK
mission is the main factor in future evangelistic prises where the support comes mainly from forefforts. Nevertheless, evangelistic activities, eign countries. There is a growing feeling among owing to the pos,session of the necessary finance, some that financial support ought not to give the are largely undertaken by the mission. The right of control of work conducted in another nachurch leaders feel that there is something wrong tional area; there is much to be said in support about all this. of this contention.
Financial support cannot be separated from In a lengthy vi,sit to India and the Far East I other factors in the situation. An amazing was struck by the fact that while there is wideamount of self-support can be carried on a wave spread acknowledgment of the centrality of the of spiritual awakening, but should this spiritual Church in the Christian enterprise, there seems, fervor decline, the effort to maintain self-support from the practical point of view, very little grasp may be found quite inadequate to the task. No of the significance of this truth. Many say, "Yes, one will deny that the church must be further the Church must increa,se and the mission deenlisted in the evangelistic movement. A case in crease"; but in many quarters it was not recogpoint is that of the opportunity presented by the nized that this is an exceedingly revolutionary Mass Movement in India. If, at this stage, the proposition. It affects not only the question of missions were to seek exclusively to cultivate this policy, but the whole personal attitude of the misopportunity and to rush forwaFd with what mone- sionary to his indigenous colleagues.. It affects tary help they can obtain, the position of the his standard of living and his relationship to the Church would be a very difficult one. It would feel prevailing economic situation. It is very regretthat it had taken no effective part in the move- table that so many quarrels exist between the ment and yet was likely to be called upon to take local mission and the local church. Of course, it up the responsibilities of the infant church gath- is inevitable that it is difficult to establish the new ered as a result of the missions' evangelistic ef- relationship, and it is just here that the demand forts. To avoid any such result it is vital that for allocation of foreign workers in the field of the church should be taken into full cooperation the church becomes acute. The leaders of the with the mission in facing any evangelistic oppor- church feel that they must be able to say who tunity that may present itself in the mission field among the foreign missionaries they wish in the today. The time has gone when the mission can service of the church and where they would like act alone. The church that has been established to see them employed. is the central consideration. Its interests must be regarded in a new way that will involve a read- These questions show how vital it is that a: real j ustment in the allocation of foreign money for the fellowship should exist between the mission workprosecution of the Christian enterprise. ers and church workers, and how necessary it is at the present specially critical stage to preserve In the second place, a good deal of misunder- the spiritual value of the relationship of the misstanding is being caused, rightly or wrongly, in sion to the church. If that relationship is obconnection with the question of the holding of scured, the mission will not be in a position to help property. Where the mission has acquired prop- and cooperate with the church in shouldering the erty in any particular area for the prosecution of future task of evangelization. It is an undoubted the Christian enterprise, the native church leaders fact that here we find the reason for stagnation in think they have a right to remand that this prop- many, fields today. erty should remain in the service of the Christian enterprise of that area. Many may hold that a The new position into which the church has mission, .having spent money on land or property, come in the cooperative councils of the world has a perfect right to dispose of it by sale or makes the question of cooperative mission projects otherwise. This seems to be reasonable, especially still more important. The interest of the church when there is a deficit in the work conducted in must be secured in the project; it must feel that that area. Nevertheless, the question is not so the matter is one that intimately concerns its own viewed by the indigenous church. Mis,sionary welfare, and if possible the church should be asleaders may think that this is wrong; others may sociated with the group of missions that are comthink that selfish motives are at play. What has bined in the particular project. to be faced, however, is that this feeling is widespread, and to ignore it is to do irreparable dam- Viewing the whole field I' have not merely been age to the relationship between the indigenous impressed with the variety and extent of cooperachurch and foreign mission. tion already achieved, but also by the wholly un- developed possibilities. Everywhere new vistas In the third place much misunderstanding has of possible cooperation open up. This is especially resulted from the effort to assert control of work so when we realize, as Dr. Mott points out, that financed from outside sources. The very word the Christian mission today is confronted with an "control" is "a red rag" in many indigenous enter- intensification of the forces of opposition, with the organization of religions against the Christian
cwliatinmeisns~ and with the success of the many isms Faith in Christ has been discerned in a new di- the allegience of men. In answer to this mension in the fellowship of others representing all sections of the Christian Church. Where these world situation the missionary enterprise must conference and councils have included Christians of all nations this discovery was even more sigalso intensify, organize, and make more efficient nificant. Faith has enlarged its boundaries and has overstepped divisions; in very truth Christ its organs of cooperation. has been found by all in a new way.
In view of this necessity, it is regrettable that The faith of the Church as a whole has thus so many missionary cooperative councils are crip- taken on a new significance; this has not been pled for lack of adequate financial support. It because of organization and manipulation, it was stands to reason that the cooperative projects al- a real discovery. This wider and deeper faith, ready functioning will be greatly endangered if which the Church has entered upon in this way, these councils are not strengthened. Is it not a has opened up new possibilities; these possibiliwrong policy to be concerned chiefly about the ties are not confined to committees, the Church support of this or that project when the mission- has discovered that it had a more adequate Mesary council itself is, in serious financial difficulties sage for the world. What Christ might mean for and is largely rendered inoperative? In spite of Christians and for non-Christians has been set all handicaps, however, it is amazing how these forth more clearly, and the whole witness of the councils have functioned through times of recent Church is definitely linked up with the needs of difficulty and how extensive have been their opera- men everywhere. The life and witness of the tions and how vital the emphasis they have placed Church necessarily involves a world outlook, as upon the centrality of evangelism. has been demonstrated beyond all gainsaying.
Two dangers have been present in the develop- On the practical side the experience of these coment of cooperative projects. On the one hand operative councils has thrown increasing light on schemes have been promoted by specially inter- the problems of world evangelization and on the ested groups, which have not been properly dis- whole mission of Christianity. The experience cussed by the missionary community. This danger gleaned from other parts of the mission field, and is the greater where the group interested can from other sections of the Christian Church, has usually provide initial finance. Development once been brought together and has been applied to the begun may wrongly direct a great deal of mission- whole enterprise. Solutions otherwise impossible aryactivity. have suggested themselves for long-standing diffi- culties, and the Christian forces have found them- On the other hand there is the danger of pre- selves facing the task presented by its information paring plans from the top, and not sufficiently throughout the world with fresh vision, rejuvepreparing the ground and nurturing them from nated faith, and conscious power to apply the below. The result is that often the schemes are Christian interpretation to the life of the world. superimposed upon an uninstructed constituency It can safely be said, therefore, that we have whose interest has not been captured. Another reached a point where it has become clear that necessity in all cooperative projects is that while cooperation in the missionary enterprise' has come they should be devised on a thorough business to stay, that it must become an integral part of our outlook, plans and budget, and that we must basis, we should never lose sight of the spiritual embark upon a process of education of constitu- encies in order to show unmistakably the signifisignificance of the project. It should constitute cance, the need and the value of cooperation. for all concerned a call upon their faith and sacrifice. It is the growing conviction of those who have much experience of cooperative projects and the This subject of closer cooperation formed a part work of these Christian councils that they have of the program of the World Missionary Confer- a significance for the missionary enterprise ence in South India. The time has come seriously greater than that devoted to parochial or denomto reconsider the whole question of cooperation inational interests. This, in fact, stands to reaand its financial support, and to integrate it in the son, and there undoubtedly seems a special blesseveryday plans of missionary councils and com- ing attached to all such endeavor. It demonstrates mittees. The experience that has, attended such the existence of a unity for which we all pray, and cooperation has revealed to those participating is the closest approach we have yet been able to something unique. It has been found that what make in the present circumstances to the fulfilwe hold in common is much deeper and more sig- ment of Christ's prayer, "That they also may be nificant than that which separates Christians. one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou This is a great discovery! The magnitude of the has sent Me." issues at stake, and the demands of an increasingly difficult situation may have drawn us together, but it was not these which kept us together. The spirit of Christ has been found to be the unifying factor, and this was a real discovery.
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I Effective Ways of Working crested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home 'v. EDITED BY MISS GRACE .;yICGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~'=i======================~====~~ Enthusiasm is something home after the Sunday evening chance to meet thus. Spontanewhich can be caught. Ten min- service and called a men's meet- ous or pre-planned, it accomutes with someone who is ac- ing to hear him. I never saw plishes something that a mixed complishing something is worth men as captivated as were the group will not do. ten hours reading about him- men at this conference."-M. E. provided the ten minutes is used Obviously their mISSIOnary effectively. Weare deeply con- Very well; look at what hap- had a winning personality and a cerned in developing the interest pened. Labor Day-a week-end real message. But so do many of our laymen in the missionary when men would be free. His other missionaries who are never task of the Church. Are we approach-refreshing to say the given half a chance to put them making effective use of the times least; and vital. We venture at your service. when our missionary is, for a that those who arranged the conbrief period, with us? Is the ference gave deep thought to the Two-Way Contacts enthusiasm which dominates his question of what phase of the (or her) life to the extent of work they wanted their mission- We have often heard of readkeeping him at work in a foreign ary to present. It is necessary ing a letter from our missionary environment being transferred to study out what a group needs. once a month at the meeting. to those who are responsible for To say, "Just speak to us upon Here is something different. It his being there? anything that is in your heart," comes from a church in Louis- is a lazy and ineffective method, ville, Kentucky. Almost as valuable, and in some cases more so, are the con- calculated to result in nothing. "Our Young Matron's Guild, tacts with the National Chris- (Parenthetically may your edi- our Business Young Women's tians from mission lands. Guild, and our Women's Mission- tor remark that within this past ary Society each write a letter And to a varying degree, the year she listened to an address every month to our missionary same is true of opportunities to given by a world famous mis- in India. Our pastor also writes meet Mission Board secretaries occasionally. We keep up a suband other official liaison-people sionary at an interdenomina- scription to Good Housekeeping of the various boards. tional gathering of thousands, for her and once in a while send which was but futile piffle. her patterns of dresses, as some We have received and present Probably because no one had of our women wear the same to you some interesting accounts troubled to discuss with the size." They find many ways of of effective use of such opportu- speaker possible background and sharing in her work and of keepnities. They compose but a frac- needs of the group to be ad- ing her assured of their contintion of the ways in which we dressed.) uing interest. "In fact," the acshould be making better use of count closes, "we are all crazy personal contact with those on Arrangements were made for about her and do all we can for the far-flung battle line of Chris- her."-E. S. tian progress. close contact with three laymen -not with a family or a married The emphasis, in that church, As Man to Man couple. Those three men may we note, has been almost entirely on its responsibility to their mis- "An adult conference in Iowa have been chosen because of sionary. The personal contact over Labor Day week-end was what the experience would mean was made while she was on furarranged to take advantage of to them, and through them to lough. Now their affection and the presence and participation of the local church; or it may have expression of interest follow her. a missionary home from Africa. been a deliberate setting of the It does not take much imagina- His approach was from the point stage for just what happened tion to picture the difference beof view of the African who ac- spontaneously. tween the atmosphere in which cepts Christ; and revealed the that missionary works and the changes that must necessarily There was a spontaneously one in which the unattached come in his whole scheme of liv- called meeting of men-where as worker labors. Upholding the ing. The missionary stayed with hands of those afar off to give three laymen, who took him man to man the subject could be them power to achieve is no followed further. Men gather for serious discussion in almost every organization except in re- gard to the missionary work of the Church. Men need to have a [95 ]
sentimental imagery. We called become set into a form. Con- the place where her abilities it morale in the days of the Great sider this year having at least could serve. She is a success and War. one dramatic element is your a piece of work is being well Do not be content to be on the service. The following report done. receiving line. Make a two-way gives an excellent suggestion. How often have we tried to contact with some worker and With the world in its present force every member of the misenter into his or her work with state, what more forceful than sionary society into a pattern of appreciation and intelligence. the symbolic recognition of the giving? How often have we Presents are all right. One gives fact that only Christ can draw measured the success of our where one's heart is. But under- the peoples of the world together stewardship by what we have standing and interest is the jewel in friendship. Use nationals if accomplished along one or two beyond price that lies in our possible; it will give reality to lines? hands to bestow. the service. But the nationals Why not try, instead, to A Continuing Contact must express their own convic- search out the realm of every tion as to the power of Chris- member's greatest interest in A state missionary leader in tian living. It must be real, not giving and then demand "Full Georgia writes of a series of con- assumed. We are in a service of measure, pressed down and runtacts with a missionary which prayer, not in a playhouse. ning over," of everyone in her she is using to secure that con- This year the international service chosen field. The total giving tinuity so often lacking in our was held in the Community Church, when unorthodox avenues re- with the wife of the sub-dean of Holy ceive recognition and encouragemissionary education. Trinity Church presiding. Twelve ment will amaze you. And there Three steps are noteworthy. different nations were represented in will be an increase also in your First, a series of contacts in the audience. Each one prayed in her regular avenues of stewardship, which a missionary was person- own language. The earnest prayer ally escorted from church to offered for the sufferers of the war for increased interest always rechurch by the state worker who by a Japanese woman will long be re- sults in better general support.
was quite familiar with those membered. The high peak in the Here is one way of finding out churches. What a splendid way service was the candle lighting service interests and abilities and get- when women, representing the differ- for a first contact to be made! ent nations, approached the central ting them into harness. Be sure The missionary was free to give candle with their unlighted candles, herself; and received so much each team has a driver who, in her companion's interpreta- from opposite aisles, to return with them lighted to spread their light. even if the road is new, is will- ing to work along and find its A holy hush fell on the audience as tion of the situation in each the Japanese and Chinese women from goal. opposite aisles approached the cen- Make a sheet, or sheets, church as to be able to give tral candle and at the same time preferably mimeographed, with what it needed most. Second, a lighted their candles to return to project of providing things for spread their light. It was evident something like the following on the missionary's use in the field that the only way out was for the them, leaving space at the botwas arranged through Board love of Christ to lift us all above the tom for any member to write in Headquarters. The necessary narrow nationalism which is darken- any other special ability she follow-up study of that mission- ing our world. We were challenged to might care to offer for service. spread the light of His love as the ary's work was a natural accom- only way out of the darkness which Place a copy in the hands of paniment of such a plan. Third, is fast enveloping us. . each member of the missionary and this is especially interesting, Harness Hidden Abilities society, asking that one or more this contact and the project were of the items be checked, that the deliberately planned long enough The director of a welfare or- slip be signed and returned to ahead to be the build-up for the ganization with a million dollar the officers. * From a study of endowment remarked, "I don't the returned sheets, interests of present India study. The same sort of thing is pos- know why we keep Miss X. She members will become apparent, sible in any group. Too often violates every rule for procedure and abilities hitherto neglected we study frantically a certain that we have drilled into our may be put to use. country or racial group and after workers." He paused thought- 1. I feel the need of a bit of the six months is over, we drop fully and added, "And yet she serious study. I would like somethem like hot stones while we can, in her own way, accomplish time during this year, to join a pursue a new interest. New results in this group of contacts leadership training class on studies keep us alert. But let that has baffled our best work- methods of effective missionary us so plan our approach, our ers." work in the church . . . contacts, our service projects, That organization is to be our study, so that along a few complimented. Although Miss 2. I am interested in needle major lines at least we build up X's talents lay outside the pre- • Before preparing the slip. the officers a continuity of interest and ac- should consult anyone directly involvedtion. scribed set-up, she was allowed such as the leader of a Junior group. or to serve in her own way and the superintendent of the Sunday school- The World Day of Prayer given a problem the orthodox so as to have some idea of what types of could not solve. They used her service may be rendered. The possibility of The observance of the WorId inability to work in routine a few weeks of help may encourage the Junior leader to take up a mission study with the children. Or it may reveal the fact that she is not cooperative. and so lead to Day of Prayer can all too easily ways to advantage by finding the decision that that item should be omitted.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
work. I might be able to join a 7. I like giving book reviews. ward older members who can small group of women who I shall be glad to read and pre- not otherwise come. I would would meet occasionally, to pare introductory book reviews like to have a regular group of make garments for some mis- on several books which would be passengers so that we can desion center, such as those for stimulating reading for our velop a fellowship-so these Migrant workers under the members. . . . members will not feel they are Council of Women for Home imposing on me for an "occa- Missions. . . . If such a group 8. I have directed dramatics. sional" ride. . . . meets I think it would be inter- If playlets for the meetings are esting if a chapter or two at a to be given, I shall be glad to A Garden Meeting for Bab y time of some one of the lighter help direct, costume and stage Bands: As children and leaders mission study books might be them . . . If a missionary play gather together, two lovely read out, – something which for public presentation is to be verses were read from the memnone of us have read…. given, I should be happy to un- bership cards and mothers and dertake its production. . . . or babies sang, "Jesus Loves Me." 3. I enjoy telling stories to to help in its production. . . . Four tiny members then apchildren. I should be glad to peared dressed as the little gift undertake the preparation and 9. I have had some experience box friends, Sita, Lillian, Taro telling of a group of stories in in directing music. If new mis- and Danny, and in a few words one of the children's story hours, sionary hymns, are to be used, I told something of these little or study periods for "missions. It will be glad to learn them and to folks. In response to the roll would give me a fine excuse to plan for interesting learning call each child presented his or be with the children in one of periods in which I shall guide her kodak picture to be used in their units of mission study, and our members in learning them. a Family Album being started it would bring me up-to-date on in the Baby Band. The speakers the methods and materials being 10. I like to cook and to ex- were the ministers of the church, used with children today. Be- periment with new dishes. I who gave the mothers a thoughtsides, "it would encourage the shall be glad to tryout recipes ful talk on child training, and leaders of the children's group for foreign foods and to plan re- the branch secretary of Baby to have an extra helper once in freshments or dinners using Bands an interesting address on a while…. them, supervising or undertak- the work done for Japanese chil- ing their preparation. . . . dren at one of our schools. The 4. I find I would like to do S. S. superintendent provided a some special reading on –. I 11. I have had some training very happy surprise in the way would like our librarian to make and experience as a teacher of of moving pictures. A brief out a list of several good books adults. I would be willing to program of games followed, the on the subject and give it to me. prepare to lead a group of our children having been told that If she will indicate whether the members in a leadership train- other little boys and girls all books are from our own library, ing course on missions . . .; around the world were running, are personal copies or are in the in a study of the current home skipping, playing ball just as we public library, I will try to read missions book . . .; in a study at least – – of them during the of the foreign missions book were. For the refreshments the year. table was spread with pink and 12. I like going to Confer- blue paper-Baby Band colors- 5. I have become interested in ences. I am willing to consider and flowers to match. Bread the political aspects of some of giving several days to go to a and butter or little sandwiches our city problems. I am willing missionary institute, summer with peanut butter or jelly were to investigate any such thing as conference or something similar offered, cocoa or milk given to Juvenile Court, Playgrounds, during this year. . . . drink, and ice cream was served, Color Lines and restrictions, made" attractive with animal which would help our society to 13. I enjoy making out bib- crackers (bears, elephants, etc.) find out what our nearest city liographies. When our mission- climbing up the mound. – Misconditions really are . . . I ary group wants to do some sionary Monthly of the United might be willing afterward to reading on a special subject, I Church of Canada. serve on an interdenominational shall be glad to browse thrcugh committee to attack some one our own and the public library Unique Report: The secretary for phase of the contributing cause and make out an annotated list national and overseas sewing of Los of trouble at its root, in the at- of books and magazine articles Angeles Presbyterial, in presenting tempt to destroy or modify it. to be circulated. . . . her report at an annual meeting, used a chart to illustrate the number of 6. I enjoy entertaining. I 14. I have some artistic abil- articles sent to the field. She had should be interested in helping ity and would be glad to plan written on a roll of wide shelf-paper, to arrange for interracial social and make posters and announce- fastened to a curtain rod, the numbers affairs, . . . in entertaining ments for special meetings . . .; of the various articles made, the some guest speaker of another or place cards and table decora- smallest figures first, and the largest race . . ., in planning special tions for special dinner or lunch- last. As she rose to make her report, times of fellowship and recrea- eon meetings. . . . she unrolled the chart to its full tion for our group. . . . length. The effect was very dramatic. 15. I have a car and shall be -Women and Missions. glad to call for and bring to the meetings and return home after-
A Story for the
By VIOLET WOOD, Missionary Education Movement THE LITTLE HYMN She was in despair because she MAKING USE OF THIS wanted her voice to be as beau- SINGER tiful as possible. Mrs. Anderson STORY tried to comfort her daughter Marian had one joy, which with the hope that a way would Tell the story of Abraham Lincoln was not many for a little Amer- be found. and his struggle to free the American ican Negro girl living in the Negroes from slavery. Explain that poorest and noisiest section of The minister, the organist and he knew that freedom for them was South Philadelphia. She loved all the friends at Marian's only half the battle and that the other to go to church, for there she church knew of her problem, and half lay in making it possible for them could sing as much as she wanted wanted to help her. One of them to have an education. Out of illusto, without fear of disturbing said, "It seems selfish to keep trations from the work of your own sleeping babies in adjoining Marian to ourselves. How proud denomination show how Christian tenements at home. Standing up we Negroes would be if white home missions are carrying on the between her mother and older people could hear her sing !" work that Lincoln started. Round out sister she would pour out her the child's understanding of the term heart in "spirituals" (Negro "Yes," said another friend, "it "Home Missions" to include Christian hymns) . The other people in might help white people to real- schools, colleges. community houses, the congregation often stopped ize that God gives beautiful gifts traveling hospitals, clinics, clubs, singing just to listen to Marian. to us as well as to them." churches, social workers, nurses, doc- tors, teachers and pastors for the "Did you ever hear such a As a result of their talk to- Negroes in rural and metropolitan voice as that?" one of the church gether it was suggested that they America. people would say to others; "that arrange for a big concert at child of Mrs. Anderson is the which Marian could sing. Tick- In building up a picture of the backbest little hymn singer I ever ets would be sold to members of ground of the South from which most heard." all Negro churches so they could Negroes come, make the scene vivid raise the needed $125.00. Marian by describing sorghum cane, cotton It was small wonder that be- sang that night in her rich con- bales, Mississippi paddle-wheel boats, fore Marian was eight years old tralto voice to a full house. The paper-shell pecans, Spanish moss, she was singing solos in the people sat spell-bound and called Negro spirituals, sage brush brooms, adult choir of the Union Baptist for encore after encore. It iron kettles, and other things con- Church. Many people came to seemed as if they would never nected with their life. church especially to hear her let her go. sing, and finally the organist A True-False Test for Children arranged a concert so that many That was the beginning of a more could hear her. Admission great career. Today Marian (When the child has written his anwas charged to help raise money Anderson is one of the world's swers, or given them orally, the parent for a community project. famous singers. She has sung or teacher should follow up each item in the capital city of almost with "We know this is (or is not) After that, almost every every country in Europe, in Rus- true because . . ." month she sang at some church sia and in South America. She social in her own or in other gave a concert in the White 1. George Washington set Negro communities. She was House, and she sang before the free the slaves in very poor and had to work to King and Queen of England. Jan America ………. T- False help her mother, but with her Sibelius, the famous Finnish earning, of from fifty cents to musician, admires her so much 2. Negroes do not admire two dollars each Sunday, she that he has written songs of Abraham Lincoln .. T- False sang her way through grammar great beau~y especially for her. school and high school. Her fa- 3. A Negro dance is called ther was dead, and life was not Marian has not forgotten that a spiritual …….. T- False easy for Marian, her mother and her two sisters. she was once a little hymn singer 4. Negro boys and girls can go to any school T- False One day her mother realized in a Negro church. As the clossadly that Marian could never 5. Roland Hayes is a fabecome a better singer unless ing part of her concerts she al- mous Negro singer . True Fshe could take lessons from a teacher who could help develop ways sings three or four Negro 6. Marian Anderson is an her voice and inspire her to hard spirituals. Some day you may English singer ….. T- False work. This would cost much hear her over the radio, on your more than Marian could pay. phonograph or at a concert when 7. A Community C h est she sings "0, Lord, What a helped Marian An- Morning, When the Stars Begin derson ………… T- False to Shine." 8. Jan Sibelius does not [98 ] permit Marian An- derson to sing his songs …………. T- FaIlle Music "African Hammock Song" -first English printing of song of native African men bearing the hammock of the white missionary and incorpora- ting the rhythm of the marching feet on the forest trail. Both English and Buluba words. (5 cents per copy or 3 for 10 cents.) Order from the Missionary Education Movement, 150 Fifth Ave., New York. BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~==–=============I~ The Women of the Church sion of these Boards in order good will are vital factors in in- Seek Peace that women of all denominations ternational relationships. may use it if they so desire. The The Christian Church in these complete program may be ob- As citizens of the United days is in the vanguard of that tained from the headquarters of States we join in the renunciagreat movement driving the peo- these Boards, 25 East 22nd tion of war as set forth by the ples of the world away from war. Street, New York City. Kellogg Peace Pact which our Amidst the tension of the hour nation has signed. in international relations and *** the confused thinking as to how Finally, we seek Peace because to preserve the peace of the Call to Worship: Glory to God we have seen the fruits and fuworld one fact stands out in bold in the Highest, and on earth tility of war. Its cost in money characters, and that is the de- peace, goodwill toward men. was the smallest price of the sire of the common people to find Blessed are the peacemakers; World War. It cost 33 million a way to keep out of war. The for they shall be called the chil- human lives. Church is making its contribu- dren of God. The day spring tion in its declaration that war from on high hath visited us, to The end is not yet; the fruits is sinful and contrary to the way give light to them that sit in of life as revealed by Jesus darkness and in the shadow of are still with us, in broken Christ-and in its effort to lead death, to guide our feet into the homes, shattered lives, economic Christians in their attempt to way of peace. And He shall achieve a peaceful world built speak peace to the nations. Glory burdens, increased bitterness upon justice and brotherly love. to God in the Highest, and on and distrust among nations. In this movement the women of earth peace, goodwill toward The last word of a war is never the Church through their organ- men. (Luke 2: 14; Matthew spoken. ized groups, and as individuals, 5: 9; Luke 1: 78, 79; Zech. 9: are taking a leading part, and in 10; Luke 2: 14.) We seek peace because the increasing numbers are seeking way of war has failed. Why not peace and pursuing it. How are Hymn: In Christ there is no try His Way? Love never they doing it? Through wor- East or West. faileth. ship, first of all, believing as they do that God is wisdom and Scripture Reading: Isaiah 52: Meditation: How shall we that only through communion 7; Zechariah 9: 9-11; Isaiah 11: pursue Peace? with Him will the true solution 2-6,9; Micah 4: 3. be found. It is not enough to seek peace; Prayer. "Seek Peace and Pursue It" we must pursue it. World peace Hymn: Jesus shall reign is an ideal still far from real- A WORSHIP PROGRAM where'er the sun. ization, but it is our part to fol- low the gleam. To achieve peace This peace program, extracts Reading: Why do we seek we must follow hard after the from which are here given, has Peace? things which make for peace. been recently published by the We know the things that make Women's Boards of Domestic As Christians we have chosen for peace with our neighbors; and Foreign Missions of the Re- to follow the Prince of Peace. the same laws operate for naformed Church in America. It As loyal followers we believe in tions. Love is the fulfilling of emphasizes the relation between His teachings and spirit, and He missions and peace and is in- taught and exemplified the the law. Mayall that we do be tended for use by women's mis- power of love. He showed us done in love. sionary societies or other groups the Father, and all men as our of church women. It is given brothers. We seek peace because *** here in outline with the permis- it is His Way. Prayer: Dear God of Love, As worn e n in the home and King of Peace, we know that churches we have become ac- out of the heart are the issues quainted with God's children of life. Disarm our hearts. Take around the world. We believe from them all things that make that understanding, respect and for strife, all hatreds and preju- dices, all suspicion, and self- [99 ] seeking, and self-righteousness, and give us hearts sensitive to the sufferings and the needs of all our brethren, of whatever
color or race or nation. Make people of a community are being "Eleven hundred luncheons held us ever anxious to aid, eager to aroused to the need for intelli- by eleven hundred women each share. In our own lives, and as gent study and responsible ac- entertaining eleven guests at far as we can project our in- tion in this field of foreign af- eleven minutes before eleven on fluences, may we follow after the fairs. Never have the people of the eleventh day of the eleventh things which make for peace. the United States been so inter- month" was the goal set by the May we who dare to call our- nationally minded as at the presselves by His name, dare, too, to ent time, nor so confused by the Council, and the church women try His Way, the way of love. trend of world events. To create of the city took an active part an intelligent public opinion in the project. At eleven o'clock In the name of the Prince of from the point of view of the Peace. Amen. Christian citizen is the work of there was a radio broadcast con- these groups of church women ducted by some of the religious Hymn: 0 God of Love, 0 who are cooperating with men leaders of the city. The time King of Peace. and women in other organiza- tions who are equally aroused to from that hour until luncheon The Church Woman's Deca- the need of the hour. was served was given to a dis- logue of Peace cussion of the world situation, And what are some of the and after luncheon a ballot was A statement of beliefs has taken to register the opinion on evolved from the thinking of things which these women are American foreign policy. The groups of church women who interest was very great and it is through study and dis>cussion doing? The Woman's Auxiliary have come to the conclusion that of the Diocese of Newark, New the hope of St. Louis that other they must base their work for cities will follow their example peace upon the principles here Jersey, sent out a call for a one next year. set down. The National Com- day Institute on Peace Education mittee of Church Women be- for which they asked the coop- These are but samples of the lieves that this Decalogue ex- eration of the New Jersey State many ways in which the women presses the point .of view of the. Committee on the Cause and of the churches are working. If maj ority of the church women Cure of War, the first time that you are convinced that your with whom it has come in touch. a church group had appealed to Does it represent your convic- that committee for help in set- church should have a share in tions? Write to the editor for a ting up such a program-a fine this great task and would like to free copy. Study it and decide. example of cooperation between know how to get started, send to church and secular agencies. To the Church Peace Union, 70 Gleanings from the Activities quote from the letter sent out by Fifth Avenue, New York City, of Church Women in the the President of the Woman's Peace Movement Auxiliary of the Diocese: "The for a leaflet called, "Building a findings of the great World Con- Peace Committee in the Church," The organized women of the ferences at Edinburgh and Ox- and you will find much help. Or, Church are taking an ever in- ford have so appealed to our increasing interest in public af- clination toward church unity write to the National Committee fairs. Witness their activity in that we have perhaps missed an of Church Women, Room 63, 297 interracial and social pr.oblems equally important emphasis in Fourth Avenue, New York City, which are so closely aligned with the program of the church cooptheir mission study, and the eration with existing organiza- which represents the Council of growing realization that inter- tions and agencies in the interest Women for Home Missions, the national relations are so bound of world peace. This is, there- Committee on Woman's Work of up with the missionary enter- fore, more than' a date on our the Foreign Missions Conferprise that the building of the calendars. It is an expression ence, and the National Council Kingdom of God on earth de- of faith that, in spite of the sense pends to no small degree upon of futility induced by present of Church Worn e n, through the solution of the problem of world conditions, it does matter which the organized women of peace and war. Studies in inter- that the church women of the the Church are related to the national relations are being put Diocese of Newark believe in peace movement. into the programs. of missionary peace." The program included societies, and .other church among other topics a discussion "Seek Peace and Pursue It." groups, and this-is leading to an of peace education in parish pro- This theme represents the ideal active participation in the peace grams, and from that institute movement through church agen- there no doubt was carried down which moves the women of the cies or through one, or more, of into the churches of the diocese Church today as through worthe various peace organizations. a new enthusiasm for this phase ship, education and action they of the work of the Church. seek to put the Christian motive Many stories could be told, into the heart of the great cause would space allow, for in one Another instance: The Peace for which they work-"on earth way, or another, word comes of Council of the City of St. Louis peace, goodwill to men." the many methods by which the planned a huge demonstration ELINOR K. PURVES, for peace on last Armistice Day. Chairman, International Re- lations Committee, Na- tional Com mit tee of Church Women. * * The National Committee of Church Women is the coordinating Committee of thE'
Foreign Missions Conference, the National Council of Church Women, and the Council Of WOmen for llome MissionS, .
• Our World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO ,.
================================I'~ CHINA set with diffi,culty in such areas, Nothing of the kind had ever because students are compelled happened before. The majority Spreading the Gospel by Radio to take part in Japanese pro- of those aroused from sleep and moted parades and demonstra- carried off for ransom were The Shanghai C h r i s t ian tions against Chiang Kai-shek young girls; the others were Broadcasting Station is in many and the central government. In three men, some married women cases the only means by which schools which refuse, teachers and several children. Tied tothe Gospel is heard in China. are dismissed and students are gether with ropes, they were Additional factors favor this transferred to other schools. forced to wade through a river method of spreading the message Some feel that institutions should waist-deep. Nevertheless, they of Christ. be sacrificed, rather than ideals; refused to be' frightened and others think it their duty to car- went serenely with their captors, The people of China are from ry on as, best they can. Paced confident that they were in God's 80% to 90% illiterate, but no il- with such a desperate situation loving care. At first, their capliteracy prevents them from Chinese students are gripped in tors taunted them with the fact hearing. Even a lack of educa- a new way by the challenge of that they did not believe in God, tion does not prevent their Christ and the Cross; hundreds that their church had not been understanding the story of sal- are accepting Him and hundreds able to take care of them, that vation through Christ. more are ready to do so. God had not helped them; but this taunting did no damage to Many who would be afraid of -Foreign Affairs Bulletin. their faith, and soon the bandits "losing face" should they be seen began ,to be impressed, whether going to a Gospel Hall, do not Love of God in Action they would or no. Then began hesitate to Hsten over the radio. an experience for these ex-sol- A China missionary on fur- diers as to what ChrisHans were The worse the weather, the lough in the United States. says like. They could trust themlarger is the audience around that more progress has been and this resulted in more liberty. the radio so that storms do not made in Christian work in the They spent much time in prayer, hinder the work. last six months in the a,rea where and couldn't be intimidated. Fi- he has been doing relief work nally their captors said: "Truly, This is also the quickest and than in the previous ten years. your prayers have power to open cheapest way to reach large The love of God shown in the the heavens." They returned areas with the Gospel Message. heart and life is more convincing them in safety, some even saying than sermons·. wistfully that they would like to Christian unity is promoted, become Christians too. "Come for from 80 to 90 speakers from All of the thirty-nine Presby- with us to our compound," was different missions and churches terian mission stations areoccu- the reply. "We would be given take part in the program each pied and active. For the most ropes and told to hang ourweek. At the end of 1937 there part, missiolliary mothers and selves," was the answer. "No, were at least 1,500,000 receiving children are in protected areas, Christians forgive," was the resets in China, and the number while the men remain at their ply. "They do not want reis increasing. There are very posts or service. Two mission- venge." Probably it was their few programs on the air in Chi- aries have recently been allowed guilty consdences that did not na, so that the Christian message to return to Soochow, the an- permit the acceptance of the inis listened to more readily by cient capital, which was almost vitation, but who knows but that those who have radios in their destroyed by the Jlapanese. in happier times some of them homes. -Alliance Weekly. will find the better way? Forty Christians Bear Witness Students and Christianity -World Dominion Press. Forty Christians at the United A Presbyterian college pro- Church of Canada Mission in All Seek a Better Order fessor in China says that preach- Changte, Honan, were carried ing Christ to students in China off last August by 160 armed A writer in the Missionary Retoday is probably the greatest men who broke into the com- search Library Bulletin reminds privilege that can come to any pound. Later, all were safely us that whereas one country follower of Christ. This convic- returned, and had a tale to tell. tion came after a two-months' .evangelistic tour among students [101 ] in Japanese-occupied territory. Student evangelism is more be-
turns to Communism, another to supported by national and inter- Two native evangelists pene- Nazism, another to Fascism and national student organizations trated the interior of Tibet, disstill another to old age pensions to meet the acute needs of stu- tributing Gospels to the wander- -all in the pursuit of a better dents in China, to demonstrate ing tribes they met on the arid social order-not one has shown student solidarity around the Pa- plateaus of that country. They sluch inclination to turn to Christ cific, and to strengthen the forc- encountered little difficulty in as the solution of its problems, es of reconstruction in the their travels, partly because they as has been revealed in China in war-torn Far East. Last year, had toured that district on a preher crisis. The germ of a mighty C h r i s t ian Associations and vious occasion, and partly benational movement is there. The church groups raised $18,000 for cause they carried a medicine Japanese invasion has shattered the same purpose. chest with them which proved the placidity of the Chinese invaluable as a means of creatmasses, so that the missionary Funds are distributed through ing a friendly spirit. Longer program must follow a new path. nine local committees in key stu- tours are arranged at times dent centers of China. Trained when the rivers and passes be- Hitherto, the chief emphasis has secretaries, gIvmg volunteer come more or less easy to negotibeen on training the intellec- service, make possible wise se- ate, though travel at any time in tuals,and the success of this em- lection of those receiving aid and the Himalayas is fraught with a phasis is well demonstrated by a personal relationship with certain degree of difficulty and the large number of Christian them. There is no discrimina- considerable risk. leaders in every department of tionas to sex, religion or politithe nation's life. It is this group cal views. Help is given to any The poverty of the average of the nation's Christian leaders student in good academic stand- Tibetan Christians and the fewwho are urging ,a program for ing who is in desperate need be- ness of their number are factors cause of the war. that stand in the wlay of selfcarrying the Gospel of Christ to support for the churches; yet the the awakened masses as the ob- -Presbyterian Tribune. fa,ct that they are attempting to jective of future missionary face the problem is a step toward work. Literature for Refugees the goal. -Life of Faith.
Missionaries vs. War The Christian Literature Soci- Chinese Hospital Merger ety for China reports that after A significant development in Presbyterian missionaries at months of disturbance and un- medical education has been the Shanghai have sent the following certainty, they are going ahead merger of three large mission appeal to the readers of Monday in their Shanghai headquarters hospitals in Chengtu, capital of Morning: with something resembling a Szechuan Province into a teach- ing hospital for the medical The members of the Shanghai Sta- normal program of printing and schools of the three universities tion of the Presbyterian Mission in distribution. In the refugee in that city. The three hospitals are the Canadian Mission Hos- China would appeal for social action camps-for Shanghai is still a pital for Men; the Canadian Mis- sion Hospital for Women ; and to the Presbyterian ministers of the city of refugees, with 100,000 in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat the shelters-at least 10,000 took Hospital. Each has a history of United States. We ask that they or- literacy tests, preliminary to en- more than twenty years. The ganize the men of their churches, and tering the classes organized in three universities are Central University, Cheeloo University the women, for action against war; and the West China University. that they send letters or telegrams to The medical colleges. of these three universities have a total of the President of the United States, to . these centers. These destitute more than 200 students. the Secretary of State, and to representatives in both houses of Congress, people welcome books and maga- -Chinese Recorder. demanding that the United States no zines, though war has so filled JAPAN-CHOSEN longer be a partner to the invasion their minds that they cannot set- Contrasts-China and Japan of China through supplying the means tle down to anything but brief pamphlets and magazines. "Pil- Dr. Fred Field Goodsell, of the of aggression to the Japanese invad- grim's, Progress" is one of the American Bo'ard ,sent an article ers or through the loaning of money most popular books. for Advance from Hongkong, in which he points out marked diffor the so-called reconstruction of "oc- ferences between Christians in cupied areas." China and Christians in Japan. Christians in Japan, for the most We want peace for the United part, are urban, middle class folk. Their churches are usual- States, a peace that is not only legally Christian Growth in Tibet correct, but that is also honorable in its relationships to other countries. Although progress is neces- Our latest information is that 54 per s'arily slow in a land of age-long cent of the war supplies purchased by darkness and prejudice, such as Japan have been secured from the Tibet, yet one finds much encour- United States.
We ask that the United States of agement. For example, at Sheh America make no further such contribution to the armed agression of there are now four Christian another nation in China. households; a Tibetan evange- list has gone to live there so that (signed)-Members of Shanghai he may teach the people to read Station Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and give them Christian train- Student Aid ing. This little company has shown so much growth in grace The Far Eastern Student that it is hoped to build a church Service Fund of $50,000 is being at Sheh in the near future.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ly simall and coherent, growing with dis,trust by the Japanese with you to be unresentful, faithvery slowly. It is assumed there can be no conflict between reli- Government, and are threatened ful and loyal till the end." gion and the state, so that J apanes'e Christians, with few excep- with serious curlailment of their He was calm, s,elf-possessed, tions, do not feel that they are untrue to their Christian princi- religious and personail freedom. dignified, but meek and unreples when they support the policies of their government, even -Pageant. sentful. One could see the flowwhen it invades China. Dr. er of Bushido baptized into a Goodsell heard one Japanese Christian say: "Of course we Spiritual Mobilization Japanese Christian gentleman. don't like this war business, but Nobody could lay hold upon him since the government has gone Japan's present emergency at that time. Later, however, the into it, we must see it through." has forced religion upon the at- pressure wa's brought upon him, tention of the Government, hith- because of his Christians views The Chinese in contrast to the erto indifferent to all religion. on many critical issues. For the grim seriousness of the J apa- Great efforts are being made to peace of his university where he nese, are naturally exuberant secure the understanding and co- had taught over seventeen years, and enthusiastic. There is a gap operation of religious leaders in he resigned his chair. between Christian intellectuals promoting the "Spiritual Mobiliand Christian peasants in China, zation Movement" of the Gov- – World Dominion. such as is not so apparent in Japan, probably for the reason ernment. Recently, a week's A Novel "Experience Meeting" that there are fewer Christian Training Conference was held at pea's.ants in Japan. which Government officials and Around the dinner table at a specialists presented national missionary's home in Chosen, Under Government Control problems for consideration. some guests related the manner These included the nation's ec(}- of their conversion. When the proposed mobiliza- nomic life, thought life, objec- An elder of thirty years' tion is completely effected, Ja- tives on the Asiatic continent standing had been a dissolute pan win rank with totalitarian and future policies. Buddhist youth. After much urging on states. Speech and press are and Shinto priests, predominat- the part of a Christian older rigorously censored. Textbooks ed, but 'sixty Christian pastors, ' brother he went to church, merehave been rewritten. Universi- representing all the denomina- ly to please his brother. There ty and college professors- tions, were present. The crisis he was fascinated by the clock among them a number of Chris- is forcing the followers of all re- on the wall, and went back time tians-who. professed liberal or ligions, and especially their ~ead and again to observ-e this redemocratic opinions, have been ers, seriously to grapple with the markable foreign contraption removed from their positions questionings and problems which that had the power to move its and held for trial. The bill for ass,ail the nation. Therefore, a hands itself, and by which one the control of religious organiza- Buddhist-Shinto-Christian Coun- could tell the time-if he knew tions, if enacted in its present cil has, been formed to enable the how. It couJd be nothing less form, will extend government leaders of these three faiths to than spirit-controlled. Fascinatcontrol of churches and temp~es take united action where possi- ingas it was, he could not coneven to such details as the ap- ble, if no compromise of religious centrate on the clock all the time, pointment and dismissal of re- so that gradually he became ligious workers. principle i,s involved. more interested in what the Japanese Christians number -World Dominion Press. preacher had to say, and after less than 300,000 ina total population of approximately 67,- Japanese Professor Speaks that it was not long until GOod's 000,000. In their outlook on the Truth took hold of him. world, their sympathies lie with the democratic states of the west When a Japanese professor Another man said that when rather than with Japan's new European allies. They profess a addressed a large audience on he had gone to market he was religion which is strongly identified in the public mind with in- "The Christian Idea of Right- asked to buy a smalJ book. He ternationalism and movements for world peace. In recent years eousness," facing him were seat- was not interested and had no their leaders have been striving earnestly to realize a common ed some twenty secret service intention of buying, but he could viewpoint with Chinese Christians on a basis of fellowship to men ready to jump at him if he not be impolite enough to say a "remake the world." This explains why they are looked upon uttered any sentiment against curt "no" so he asked the price.
the national unity movement. When he learned it was only two "0 Holy Spirit," he prayed aloud sen he felt sOorry for the man before his lecture, "stand bes,ide whom he thought must be in me and give me power to be very reduced circumstances to Thy witness, Amen." Again and be selling anything as cheap as again he appealed fervently to that, so he bought one. But this the audience, saying, "You who did not mean that he had any in- are not Christians, I assure you tention of reading it. He had that Christianity raises up true charge of a sewing machine in a patriots in every land. Search clothing shop, so stuck the book history. Christianity makes us in the drawer and forgot about the best citizens, the best Japa- it. Eight years later, when work nese. You, Christians, I plead grew s,lack he sometime,s glanced
at the little book, so long out of northern and southwestern part NORTH AMERIOA sight and mind. Finally, his in- of Dutch New Guinea has been teres,t was gripped; he began to offered Captain Skolfield. Present Day Demands on wonder if this thing was worth American Missions inquiring into. He sought out a The present population of the Christian group, was given in- Dutch East Indies probably ex- Two conferences were held in struction, and now, for many ceeds 75,000,000. On this basis Pittsburgh by United Presbyyears has been a Chris,tian help- it appears that there is not one terian le,aders last October. er in his district. white missionary or Christian There was a courageous facing worker, (including Roman Cath- of realities and responsibilities -Presbyterian Board News. olics) to each half milHon people. in this day when every system, A section of Central Sumatra, social, political and religious, is ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO inhabited by more than a million being tested by fire. Definite ob- people, has never seen a mission- jectives include taking CDmmu- A Memorial Day in Papua ary. There is a highly developed nity census at proper intervals; civilization, supervised by Dutch enrolment of communicant class- The birthday of Charles W. officials, without one Christian es; where possible, series of Abel, founder of the Kwato Mis- among them. -The Message. evangelistic meetings fDr winsion in Papua was celebrated as ning of life. a memorial day. Events indud- Philippine Oooperation Aded a cricket match; a dedication vances Dr. W. Bruce Wilson, before service when 40 babies were the conference, had completed a baptized, among them the first During the past five years, 10,000-mile tour of western sta- Dorevaidi baby, from the inter- and notably during 1938, definite tions; some in the "dust bowl," ior. Chief Sibodu brought his others in mountain fastnesses 14-month son, and in his own forward steps have been taken where the Jmrty stuck in a snow gutteral tongue promised to in a 40-year old cooperation drift nine feet deep. In that negbring him up to love and serve lected, one-time important gold God. among the missionary boards in mining center, a promising North America and among the group was brought together. In At women's and men's meet- institutions set up by them in the second largest county in the ings, great surrenders were the Philippines. Asa result of Uni,ted States, not many miles made, in' which Papuans re- what was formerly the Ameri- from Los Angeles, Cal., is a disnounced pride, unwillingness to can Council of the Philippine trict without a Christian minislet God convict of things they Federation 0 f Evangelical try and typical of 10,000 comdidn't want to let go, unwilling- munities in our boasted land ness to be really unselfish in the Churches there is now the Phil- without religious instruction, home. They expressed a desire ippine Committee of the Foreign Protestant, Catholic or Jewish. to live, instead merely to preach, Missions Conference of North There are 60,000,000 of our felin difficult situations. Many said America; a secretary has been low ,citizens without definite asthat they had caught the vision added-for at least a year's serv- sociation with religious faith of God's plan for Papua, but had ice-to the Foreign Missions and culture; more than the milshirked the cost and preferred Conference staff to be also secre- lions in fields in India, Egypt the easy life ofa nominal Chris- tary of the Philippine Commit- and the Sudan. tian to the revolutionary life of tee during much of his time; and complete God-control. the Philippine Committee is" by -United Presbyterian. action of the American Council Mr. Cecil Abel gave a story of of Missionary Boards agreed Men and Missions Sunday the Mission to help the young upon last spring, cooperating people realize their heritage and with the Philippine Federation The Laymen's Missionary responsibility. of Evangelical Churches in a Movement-in case anyone has number of aggressive enterpris- forgotten-is a voluntary fel- Expansion into Dutch East es. lowship of Christian laymen of Indies all denominations, whose objec- Among these cooperative ac- tive is to enlist the interest of Captain Skolfield, in command tivities are the following two: men in missions at home and of the Independent Baptist Gos- "A more adequate presentation abroad; and to stimulate their pel Ship in the Philippines, has to the American people of the support of missionary work in been looking into the missionary strategic position of the Philip- the churches with which they situation in the Dutch East In- pines in the Far East, and are connected. From their headdies, with a view to expanding America's Christian responsibil- quarters in Chica.go comes the work into that field. He says ity and opportunity there"; and report that "Men 'and Missions" that this is the neediest, least "continuous study of the needs, Sunday was observed in 1341 evangelized field in the world. progress and opportunities of cities and towns from coa.st to As a result of conferences with the evangelical Christian move- coast in the United States. Every the Missionary Consul there, Mr. ment in the Philippine Islands, State in the Union was repre- Van Randwyck, territory in the with a view to the development sented. Each year the partici- of a more adequate and effective pation has increased, and this program of work."
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
year's total is the largest to date. ganization is spending some $1,- four years ago often refused to Fifty-three denominations co- 500,000 a year on 5,500 mission- come to the door when visitors operated with the National Com- aries, Bible women and other called. She now spends many mittee of the Movement in pro- workers in 17 lands. It is the hours talking with her friends moting the enterprise. Plans largest UnUed States organiza- about the meaning of church are already under way to secure tion of its kind. It now faces membership, and urging them to an even wider observance of the the prospect of losing its identity join.
day in 1939. in the merger of the three main A small group of young peo- branches of United States Meth- ple meet about once a week to odism. One problem that must Are We a Nation of Gamblers? be decided is how best to merge share opinions and convictions seven boards all doing related about fellowship among people Dr. George GaUup, Director tasks. Probably four boards of various races. At one of these of the American Institute of will remain: Education, Home meetings, a Negro lawyer spoke Public Opinion whose polls on Missions, For e i g n Missions, to the group, and on one Sunday various subjects have proved ac- Christian Work for Women. The morning breakfast was served curate to a high degree, has com- Woman's Foreign Missionary to fifty people of eight different pleted a study of the gambling Society will have to join with Qne races. habit which leads him to assert of the last twO'. -Watchman-Examiner. that 50 per cent of the people in Syrian Church Enters Federal Council In Mormon Theological the United States indulge in Seminaries games of chance, by which fabulous sums of money are squan- Every High School in Mordered. Included in this are lot- teries, slot machines, raffies, The first non – Protestant mondom has one of these, a thesweepstakes tickets, racing, elec- Church to enter the Federal ological training department tion bets and sport gambling. Council of the Churches of which every boy and girl is ex- Church lotteries, bingo, and raf- Christ in America, the Syrian pected to attend for one hour a fles of one SQrt or another have Antiochian Orthodox Church, day in their graduating year; become amazingly common, even was received into membership at members of lower classes one in some Protestant churches. the thirtieth biennial meeting hour or more a week. They are Once this fever grips a per- in Buffalo, December 6-9. Other taught much of the Bible, meson, moral and spiritual degen- features of this meeting were chanically if not spiritually, and eration is sure to follow. Many vigorous denunciation of anti- Mormon books rate even higher people are driven into financial Semitism and similar racial en- in authority. difficulty which sometimes leads mities; appeals for prayer and to suicide. aid for refugees; a call for world- Sometimes these "seminaries" wide cooperation among the have asked Protestant mission- -Watchman-Examiner. churches. aries to' talk to the classes; pre- sumably, to give the opportunity A request was made to the De- afterward to refute what has Methodists Study Merger partment of State at Washington to exert influence to persuade Time observes that the 19th sellers of war supplies to Japan been said. But many mission- Century saw the women of the aries have spoken so plainly and United States emancipated in to cease such operations volun- logically that orders have now many fields-but not in religion. tarily. Arrangements were made been issued that no longer will When, in 1869,eight Methodist they be allowed to address the women formed the Woman's to form a commission to study students.-Light on Mormonism. Foreign Missionary Society, an measures by which the Church independent bQdy, churchmen can remove economic injustices Coordination in Alaska between nations, and a call was tried to persuade them to let it issued for a spiritual revival A new cooperative piece of be administered by men, who among the churches in order to missionary work in southwestknew about such things. But meet the challenge presented by ern Alaska, called the "United the women stuck to their pur- Protestant Conference of Southpose, which was "engaging and "new secular rivals." western Alaska," is reported in uniting the efforts of the women Friendliness Wins Monday Morning. Its first meetof the Church in sending out ing, held in the spring of 1938, and supporting female mission- Volunteer workers in Berke- was attended by missionaries of aries, native Christian teachers ley, California, who call in for- the Presbyterian, Methodist and and Bible women in foreign eign homes, are delighted that Baptist Churches, Allocation of lands." they are now beginning to see territory among the different de- The society sent to India one some outward results. Twelve nominations was suggested for of the most famed missionaries Chinese have joined the Church, approval by the Home Missions of all time, Isabella Thoburn. at least half of these came Council. Rev. Bert Bingle, Pres- It sent to the East the first wom- through influences working in byterian missionary in the Mat- an doctor from the U. S. A., the Chinese-American Club. The anuska Valley, was' elected pres- Clara Swain, and today this or- Chinese President of this Club ident. Annual meetings will be
held, and all matters pertaining tral Plateau. Thus students in 20,000 square miles, possible to to the coordination of Protestant training are making a contribu- be covered only on mule back. mission interests in southwest- tion to the evangelization of Part of it is in a low, wet area, ern Alaska will be deared Costa Rica. which in the hot season is a pest through this organization. -Latin American Evangelist. hole for malaria; but the east- ern pa,rt is in a high, healthy Religious Education in Domin- Changes in Ecuador location, and his home is estab- ican Republic lished there. Mr. Reasoner tells Last summer the Board of The spiritual progress evi- of holding a meeting in a farm Christian Work in Santo Domin- house, where a man got up durgo held its seventh annual Insti- denced in Ecuador in the past ing a prayer and said in a loud tute of Religious Education. It three years is noted by Mr. and voice, "I'm not in agreement with was attended by eighty dele- Mrs. J. D. Clark, of The Chris- this, I am of the other religion, gates, representing the 80 con- tian and Missionary Alliance, I'm an illiterate." Another time a gregations in the Republic. So who have recently returned af- man said, "I believe in God but keen was the interest in one of ter a furlough. They note that will not swear that there is one. the courses, "New Orientations the people are more open to the I have never seen God nor found in Education," that public school Gospel, that it has taken deeper anyone that has seen him." Afteachers asked one of the staff ro.ot in their lives, and that it ter showing him that we know to give a series of lectures on ed· exerts a wider influence in the things through other means than ucation in Central Church, and country. The radio has played by sight, Mr. Reasoner told the over 100 attended. man that he was willing to its part in this; native witness- swear there was a God, because If a new day is dawning in the ing is another factor; there is he had experienced Him, and educational life of the Domini- greater stability in wo.rk begun. had seen His power change can Republic, the Evangelical lives. The greatest challenge is the na- Church is providing some of the tive ministry; new recruits' are urgently needed.
light. These annual institutes D.V.B.S. in Colombia Brazilian Broadcasts offer Dominican youth one of the Bahia, Brazil, has a broadcastfew opportunities available for Daily Vacation Bible Schools ing station powerful enough to definite study in new fields, un- in Barranquilla report that they der competent instructors. Six- are impo.rtant instruments for reach two-thirds of the people of teen were recently graduated in bringing the Gospel to many that country, which is larger Religious. Education. The Na- than the United States. The tional Department of Education children. The first such school Presbyterian Mission School in recognizes the value of these in- there was held in 1933. The fol- Bahia has been on the air three stitutes. -Monday Morning. lowing year there were two times with a program of mu- schools, and the increase has con- sic, a Gospel message by a Bra- LATIN AMERICA tinued steadily until this year a total of eight schools were held zilian teacher at the school, and Student Evangelism in Costa in this area. Five of these were the offer to send the evangelical Rica in the city itself and the others monthly Light and Life, free, in near-by villages. One of the Practical experience in evan- to anyone sending in his name gelistic work is part of the train- directors writes: "In spite of the and address. Requests have ing received by students at the fact that three public primary come from as far away as the Bible Institute of Costa Rica. Amazon in one direction, and Open air preaching and work in schools were still in session near Sao Paulo-1,000 miles distant public institutions are closed to our center, we had an average -in the other. The school hopes them, but much has been accom- attendance of 43. The general to be able to continue the pro- theme was 'Service'and the chil- gram for six months. dren were genuinely interested.
plished by house to house visita- In order to. attend the school, Outward Religion in Peru tion and distribution of liter- one ten-year-old girl had to preature. Workers can be seen any pare food for her father who was No country in the world Sunday morning coming out of sick, leave the house in order, seems to present the outward the Institute swinging their and get ready three little broth- symbols of religion so conspiculunch bags, to set off by twos ers who came to the school with ously as does Peru, where the for villages and towns. The her. The mother was employed Pan-American Congress recentmorning will be spent evangeliz- outside the home. The Lord ly met. Visitors are confronted ing along the roadside or visiting has richly blessed the work in by images of the crucified Christ on every hand; and one can from house to house. Sunday this section of the city." scarcely round the corner of any schools are held wherever pos- street without seeing a statue of sible in the afternoon befo.re the Itinerating in Brazil a saint, the Virgin or the crucirains set in. During the past year, students have conducted Rev. D. T. Reasoner, Presby- fied Christ. But there is little about 15 different Sunday terian missionary in South Bra- evidence of any consciousness of schools, scattered over the Cen- zil, has a field comprising over a living Saviour, the Hope of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
mankind, who has the power to Recently 2,000 Scottish fisher position, but has hitherto withtransform lives. His teachings girls made a protest against Sun- stood ever-recurring attacks of of love, truth, honesty, brother- day fishing-not in Scotland, but apathy and despair. Dr. Martin hood, seem to have been missed, in England. As the English fears that the Confessional cler- -so completely overlooked that boats put out to sea on Sunday, gy, deprived of Neimoller's leadboys and girls in mission schools they have an advantage over the ership, will have less resistance are surprised and mystified that Scottish fishers who do not go to Naziism; and Dr. Karl Barth acts of truthfulness and honesty out that day. The girls claimed has seen the advisability of sendare considered essential attri- that the conditions were unfair ing a circular letter to the Counbutes of Christian behavior. To and went on strike, refusing to cil of the Confessional Church their way of thinking, a wrong clean Sunday-caught fish. Their and to many of the clergy urging is not wrong unless one is caught effort drew public attention to them not to give up the struggle; in the act. Such is the result of their grievance, although they as the concessions they are. ofa religion whose teaching goes have not as yet won their point. fered, in return for taking the no farther than outward rites oath of allegiance to Hitler, are and observances. -The Presbyterian. slight and practically meaning- less. -Christian Observer. An Unfinished Task Hitler Requires New Oath South American Missionary The founders of the Belgian Society Gospel Mission, Mr. and Mrs. German Evangelical pastors Ralph C. Norton, had a great The annual report of the work vision for that small country. are now being called upon by of 1937 in the Chaco, (Para- Counting all Protestant groups Hitler's National Socialist State guay) tells of some recent ac- at work in Belgium, their adher- to give the following oath which complishments: ents do not yet number one per cent of the population. But there is identical with that required of On every station the tide has flowed are encouraging facts to record. all State officials: "I swear I Books and tracts in French and will be loyal and obedient to the the same way, sometimes quicker, Flemish, as well as the monthly Gospel papers, have penetrated Leader of the German Reich, sometimes slower, but surely never- as far as the Congo and Haiti, Adolf Hitler, obey the laws and the Dutch East Indies and theless. It is rare for an Indian to French Indo-China. Subscribers fulfil the duties of the office I in ten different countries have hold, God being my helper." The live long in anyone of our stations taken Bible Courses by Corres- pondence. Young Peoples' So- pastors were given a month to without making tentative attempts to cieties have been organized, and decide whether or no they would progress is being made with take this oath. Advice was join the ranks of the inquirers; some- Summer Camps. In addition to sought from Dr. Karl Barth, Sunday School and Thursday exile in Switzerland, and this is times, after questioning, he is put Schools, Children's Meetings are his reply: held during the tent campaigns. back till he appreciates better what Young people are urged to take My opinion and my counsel amount Bible Correspondence Courses to this, that the oath should not be the step means; sometimes he is ac- which will fit them to train the taken either with or without reserva- little ones. Self-support has been tions. . . . The question before mincepted, and enters on a period of pro- attained by some of the stations. isters today cannot be how they would One Belgian couple, M. and Mme. or could interpret the oath, but how bation and instruction, the length of Mayeur, have offered their lives National Socialism requires it to be for service in the Belgian Con- interpreted. Every other way of exwhich varies according to his appre- go and, after additional training plaining the question would mean an in England, plan to sail next au- evasion of the decision required and ciation of the teaching and visible tumn. Belgian missionaries are ultimately an evasion of the Christian in great demand there. witness which God demands…. This growth in grace as testified to by oath demands that Adolf Hitler should About Pastor Niemoller become the law, conscience and standthose who live with him. These week- ard of the one who subscribes to the Dr. Julius Martin, in a letter oath in every relationship. . . . He ly classes are a regular feature of to The Spectator, in London, says who takes the oath in this the only that Dr. Martin Neimoller, who possible way has at the same time mission life; the attention is usually is suffering from intestinal ca- under solemn invocation of God ex- tarrh, is being subjected to the pressly contradicted the First Comexcellent; the attendance is good, and relentless process of slow demen- mandment. . . . In 1935 the National tation reserved in Nazi Germany Socialist State punished me with disoften considerable inconvenience is for recognized leaders of the op- missal because I intended to make ad- ditions, such as those which today cheerfully borne in order not to miss stand in question, to the oath required of me as a State official. . . . I can a class. . . . Today in the fully es- see nothing but a temptation in taking the oath in any form whatsoever. In tablished missions . . . and in the a spirit of true friendship, therefore, I desire to warn everyone against this extensive rural schools of the districts temptation, and pray God that many may have strength to resist. served by those stations, we have a -Dnyanodaya. permanent bulwark of faith to con- vince the casual inquirer of the im- portant results of mission work among such aboriginal peoples as the Map- uches. -The Christian.
EUROPE Scotch Sunday Fishing Problem The Church of Scotland maintains an efficient ministry among the 10,000 Scottish men and women engaged in the English herring industry, and follows them up with care for bodily ills. as well as soul needs. The staff of twenty-seven workers includes ministers and skilled nurses who speak Gaelic.
Expanding Work in Italy Jews in Czechoslovakia gion. "Teaching must be so con- The Spezia Mission faces the Rev. 1. E. Davidson, Director tlucted," says an article in the bitter hostility of the Vatican at of the Barbican Mission to Jews, official organ of the commissarvery close range; and the trend tells of the readiness of Jews in iat of education, "that by the end of Fascist political life has a Czechoslovakia to hear the Gos- of his schooling the pupil has a strong anti-Christian influence. pel. He explains that he cannot clear understanding that, though Tact, good judgment, courtesy give particulars, because only religions differ in form, they all and infinite patience are con- one page to foreign countries is in essence lead to the same end, stantly needed, and without firm permitted and letters must be all are ideologies of slavery, all faith it would be impossible to left open. "When I tell you," he implacably contradict science go on. Rev. C. H. H. Pullen, gen- says, "of the number of Jews and all are directed against the eral director of this Mission, who are asking for baptism, per- interests of toilers." thus describes the situation: haps you will think that I exag- gerate; but I assure you what I AFRICA Here in Italy we labor among a am reporting is true. I am in very fine people-keen, intelligent and, Whole Clan Converted in the great centers, highly educated. touch with 12,000 to 15,000 Their history and their experience, Jews who are asking to be bap- A special mission was con- and more especially the assiduous tized. I am giving instruction ducted in the upper Nile region working among them of the Roman to hundreds every day; some last year under C. M. S. direc- Catholic Church, while they have times I go a whole day without tion, and one result was that . made the rustic populations supersti- forty-two old men and sixty-two tious and bigoted to the point of fan- a meal. The anti-Semite land- old women in one small village aticism, have driven the thinking and lord, seeing so many Jews come have been admitted to the cate- more influential parts of the nation to to the house, gave me notice to chumenate. The Rev. H. F. cynicism and scepticism, and they are leave the flat by January 17, Davies writes: "The church was very hard indeed to reach on religious 1939. His brother, quite a dif- too small, so we held the service matters. ferent man, told me to remain under a tree. We were very in the flat, and said, "The Jew is touched when the old men and It is evident that the efforts of the also our brother," but I think it women stood up to make their Mission are bringing results, for many promises. First were the old have recently been baptized and joined will be better for us to look out women, most of them grand- the Church. Before a convert is bap- for other mISSIOn premises. mothers, many with grey hair tized, the greatest care is taken to en- These premises, in any case, are and failing sight. Then came sure that the change of heart pro- too small. God is blessing this fessed is real. Those who have found work in a wonderful way." Christ are gathered into classes by the pastors and carefully taught and pre- -Life of Faith. the old men, grey-headed elders pared.
The distribution of the Scriptures accomplishes a great deal. Colpor- of the tribe. It appears that a teurs make contacts with people on the highways and on doorsteps. Religion Dies Hard in Russia whole clan has come over in a body. We asked what was the -Life of Faith. The Christian Century ob- cause of this movement, and Repression in Rumania serves that the corpse of slaugh- were told that during the last tered Christianity in Russia mission a teacher went to the King Carol of Rumania, visit- keeps on moving, "occasionally village and visited and preached, ing London, was waited upon by lifting its head and even opening and as a result these people have a deputation representing the come in. an eye." Then it must be killed Evangelical Free Churches and again-if possible. Recent re- Now they must be taught, and including some Anglicans, to the only teacher available is not ports tell of "deplorable" mani- highly trained. Perhaps while protest against the suppression festations of religious sentiment he is trying to explain the Gosof Protestants (almost all of and practices in many districts. pel to others, he will gain a betthem Baptists) in Rumania. The Last year children went about ter knowledge of Christ himself. King was petitioned to use his singing Christmas carols, even influence and authority to en- on collective farms; and at Eas- -C. M. S. Outlook. ter they went to church and car- sure: (1) That the Baptists ried candles; and on religious Refugees in the Sudan and others now in custody or in holidays some of the schools are prison should be liberated; (2) half empty. Accordingly, the Missionaries are not the only That the administrative decree commissariat of education feels refugees from Ethiopia who published by the Rumanian Min- he must again exhort all teachers have sought safety in the Sudan.
istry of Cults should be with- to redouble their efforts to "con- Many Ethiopians have gone drawn; (3) That the Baptists of vert all Soviet school children in- there to live, one of these is Rumania should be acknow- to convinced, active fighters Banchi, (former pupil of Gorei ledged as members of a legally against religion." Whatever re- School.) Mrs. R. F. Shields, recognized communion. The ligion is strongest in a particu- United Presbyterian missionary King's foreign minister, who re- lar district, that is the one to of Khartum writes in the Womeeived the protest, promised to fight most fiercely, but the war is en's Missionary Magazine: recommend favorable action. a general one against all reli- "After our la·st missionaries
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
left Gorei she continued to teach villages, and on the day appoint- Here is what one finds today: the Gospel. Because their house ed for volunteers to meet at a a central church numbering over was neat and clean they were central point, 160, young and 5000, divided among 16 local suspected of being servants of old, came forward. That day was churches, of which eight are foreigners and she was told that spent in prayer, and the week self-supporting; more than 200 she must become a servant of following in plans for action. teacher-evangelists who instruct Italians. But by night Banchi From reports that have come in, 10,000 village children in almost and her husband started for the it was found that more than 4,- 200 villages, conduct morning Sudan. She had shaved her hair 000 people had burned their and evening prayers and special off and dressed in men's clothes idols. Not only this, but church Sunday services; a rising educa- and together they came to Kur- members have been revived and tional standard and an increas- muk with a group of carriers, reconsecrated. ing number of those who request walking eight days. . . . Sev- the marriage ceremony. eral times she has gone over to News from Central Africa Khartum and gathered a few of The C. M. S. Outlook reports Facing Problems in S. A. the Ethiopian women together to that Christianity has taken root teach them a Gospel story. Ban- in Uganda, and the Church is be- During the darkest hours of chi has been faithful to her Lord coming increasingly i n dig e- the international crisis in Sep- and has trusted Him through nous. In Kenya Colony, within a tember, more than 1000 minis- many hard times. She told me few years, the number of com- ters and laymen of the Dutch of how she was in a place with municants in the Church of Reformed Churches gathered in bombs dropping all around, and Scotland Mission has increased Bloemfontein in the largest Mis- while others were afraid, she from 1,000 to 4,636; and there sionary Conference South Africa opened her Bible and read, una- was an increase in giving. Dif- has known; and earnest prayers fraid, because she had faith in ficult problems are raised by the for the peace of the world Christ and it mattered not to impact of Western civilization, mingled with the discussion of , her whether she lived or died. and the demand for education. plans for a wide extension of the She is now working in the Eng- Church's missionary work. lish Mission Hospital. Her hus- There is reported a steady band is stUdying Arabic, with growth of African ministers, re- This Conference was not mere- the small boys, in the Mission sulting in more conversions and ly a gathering of missionaries. School, and trying to learn Eng- more adequate pastoral care of The 150 mission churches were lish in the evening, with Banchi Christian communities. The Mo- each represented by a European as tutor." ravian Church has opened a new missionary, and no less than clinic at Usoke in Tanganyika, 4 0 0 European congregations Chiefs Destroy Idols while the Mennonite Mission were also represented each by its now has four stations and four- minister and a chosen lay mem- In 1937, field executives of the teen missionarie~ of whom two ber. Qua Iboe Mission decided that are doctors. SOWle disturbance intensive Gospel campaigns is reported in Nyasaland, due to A good deal of attention was should be inagurated at each a number of separatist move- given to native education. It central station during 1938, with ments, seven such sects having was emphasized that schools are a view to carrying the Gospel to been organized. of great importance to the all the heathen compounds in Church; that secularization of every town. Reports have come Moanza-Yesterday and Today teaching much be opposed, and in from several stations that are that education must not "dena- most encouraging. Never in the Writing in the Watchman-Ex- tionalize" the native. history of the mission have so aminer, Rev. T. E. Bubeck pic- many idols been burned in nu- tures what the visitor to the Bel- Another problem considered merous cases by heathen chiefs gian Congo would have found was the degree to which heathen who, in the evening of their days, there twenty-five years ago. customs should be recognized. have turned their backs on the There would have been, to begin Some held heathenism as the old ju-ju worship, and have come with, no teachers, no pastors, no Gospel's deadliest foe, seeing a to Christ. evangelists, no Christians, no danger that heathenism might followers, no churches, no village adapt itself to Christianity in- Two elderly men who had nev- schools, no school children, no stead of being rooted out; others er faced an audience before be- medical work, no medical in- held that Western civilization came very eloquent, and were in struction, no trained in/irmiers, was replacing by its evils the great demand as evangelists. no Christian worship, no Chris- old paganism of the tribe, with- One had been a witch doctor of tian homes. The visitor would out imparting religion, the only safeguard.
great repute; the other had been have found tribal wars, social Discussion of controversial a member of all the heathen so- isolation, spiritual desolation, matters was not allowed to ob- physical suffering, fetish wor- scure the ultimate aim of estabcieties. Preparations for this cam- ship, belief in animism, the prac- lishing an independent, self-suppaign began with an appeal to tice of slavery and in some parts, porting native Church.
those willing to travel among the cannibalism. -South African Outlook.
WESTERN ASIA asm. When the people expressed Arabs of the Shiah sect, though surprise at these exa-mples of there are many Sunnis among Religion in Turkey unselfish service, and asked the them. Outstanding character- Turkey has not suppressed re- reason, they were told it was J e- istics are hospitality and a caligion, but it has ended the au- sus' command. "How good this pacity to endure hardship. The thority of the State over religion. man must have been!" they said. more than a hundred families When republican Turkey de- "These expressions encouraged of Jews there are probably desposed the sultan and abolished us," said Mrs. Younis, "and made cendants of the Babylonian capthe caliphate, the clergy was us see that kindness is more ac- tives. There is also a small stripped of authority and stand- ceptable than speeches. I then group of Christian converts ing. The regrettable result of began to teach the girls how to from Islam, but the Christians all this has been the neglect of weave rugs, and other handi- one finds are of various sects, religious training for children, crafts. Children kept coming to and not a united group. except what they may receive in our home, so I started to train their homes from their parents. them in politeness, cleanliness New forces are acting upon all Mission Sunday schools, known and truthfulness. Their parents these people. Motor cars, teleas Services of Worship for Chil- noticed a change in their conduct phone, electricity and telegraph dren, have, therefore, a large and were pleased. Other little are changing life and thought. and fruitful field of activity ones began coming, so I got a Irrigation is extending the araamong Turkish children. A re- few ·supplies and started kinder- ble land, and there are new vival of religious interest is ap- garten methods. We have rela- roads, new buildings, new towns. parent in many directions. The tions with about thirty-five fami- Also, the educational system has Christian Scriptures, especially lies whom we visit and who come been greatly extended, and esthose in the new Latin script, are to visit us." pecially noteworthy is the inin demand, and Christian litera- crease in the number of schools ture has free circulation. Re- -Syria Mission Quarterly. for girls. Much of the fanaticently, interest has been aroused cism of former days has disap- ' by publications dealing with The Palestine Problem peared. the early introduction of Christianity among the Turkish tribes. Rev. A. S. Morrison, of the INDIA Church of Scotland Mission in Religion is everywhere re- Jaffa, gave an address in Edin- Mass Movement Figures spected in Turkey today. In burgh last October in which he thousands of mosques and in said there is only one solution of From distant jungle villages, hundreds of churches and syna- the present dilemma in Palestine, about 15,000 people traveled to gogues worship goes on unhin- and that is the spiritual solution. a recent Christian Convention in dered. Four evangelical church- Arabs and Jews must learn the Dornakal, where loud speakers es in Istanbul hold services as way of brotherhood. A German were installed so that all might usual.-World Dominion Press. Jewish lawyer, recently convert- hear the addresses. Village ed to Christianity, expressed this Christians put by small sums Evangelical Venture view as follows: "I have had a throughout the year in order to hard life. I belong to a perse- cuted race, and it has forced me To move from a Christian to to think. I have been up against attend these annual meetings. a Moslem town is something of the German problem, the Jewish Following this Convention, 33,- a venture, but to go there as an problem and the Palestine prob- 000 communicants took part in a evangelist r eq ire s courage. lem, and the solution of these "Week of Witness"; an increase Last year, a young Syrian evan- problems contained in the Gos- of 10,000 over the previous year.
gelist and his wife were sent to a pel seems to me to be the only Reporting on the results in virgin field in the Alaouite Dis- way out." one of the areas, Archdeacon trict, and they went in consider- Mr. Morrison believes that Tanner, of the C. M. S., writes: able trepidation. His first move conferences, pacts and disarmawas to secure government per- ment programs will not bring As regards the visible results, mission to transplant about 4,- peace; and that men or nations eighty-two villages asked for a teach- er. There were 4,969 definite deci- 000 olive trees from an aban- will not stop fighting merely be- sions to become Christians, including doned grove,-an odd way to cause guns are taken out of their 1,037 Sudras. This is a rise of fifty per cent on last year's results. An preach the Gospel, but it proved hands. even larger number of persons-6,553 to be an entering wedge. The The Church of Scotland is sup- -promised to become Christians later next move was to secure a model porting Missions to the Jews in on; these included 1,658 caste folk. bee hive, and start raising bees Budapest, Prague and Cluj in What are we going to do about it? After removing the names of unsatisscientifically. Not only does all Europe; Alexandria in Egypt factory inquirers, we had 27,136 this work make friends, but it and in Jaffa and Tiberias in Pal- names on our Kistna list to be preserves a real need of the people estine.-E. M. M. S. Quarterly. pared for baptism. At our present rate, it would take about nine years whose way of living is primitive Problems in Mesopotamia to baptize all of them. Now nearly and degraded. Since this was a another additional 5,000 have asked large town, a reading room was The majority of Mesopotam- us to prepare them for baptism, and opened, and met with enthusi- ia's inhabitants are Moslem that in one week.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Hyderabad Mission Then there is Philip Bhai B. A Non-Christian Testifies Christian, who used to read the The bi – monthly H yderabad stories of David Livingstone in An Indian woman doctor of Bulletin says there are 800 his home school at Baroda, and great prominence, a non-Chris- Christian congregations with a is this year leaving with his wife tian, touring India on an educacommunity of 109,885 people in and child for Old Umtali, Africa, tional commission, discovered the Hyderabad (British) Meth- where he will be an Indian-sup- the widespread influence of odist Mission. In the villages, ported missionary among the Christian missions; and in the 690 evangelists and 667 Bible- Indians of Africa. There is a course of an address before the women are at work. In 1937, the member of the British army at All-India Women's Conference total number of baptisms was Leonard, who left the ranks and said: 8,923. There are 715 Sunday plans to become an Indian evanschools, with 983 teachers and gelist. -Christian Advocate. I feel I would be failing in my duty 16,296 pupils. In the Theologi- if I do not offer a tribute to the miscal School, 128 students are in A Life of Service sionary education organizations which training. It is now over ten have been the pioneers in every provyears since the first caste-con- A Jain, former pupil in a Kol- ince in the cause of female education. verts appeared for baptism. apur High School, spent three The female population of this country Since that day, there has been a years in residence in the palace has been placed under a deep debt of constant stream of enquirers and of a Maharajah, of West India, gratitude to the Christian missionary "the movement" seems to be and there was imbued with a de- societies for their valuable contribumore vital and determined than sire to serve his people. He tion to the educational uplift of Indian ever. gives all the credit for this ideal women. I honestly think that they to Christian missions. A writ- have done more for women's education Training a Native Ministry er in Western India Mission in this country than the Government Notes outlines the result of this itself. . . . Even more than the edu- Leonard Theological College desire on the part of Mr. Patil, cational and the cultural contribution at J ubbulpore recognizes that a the Christian Jain. made by these missionary societies trained native ministry is the to the Indian people, the noble and means for evangelizing the mis- "A hostel in Satara where self-sacrificing examples of the men sion field. They also realize that there are now 183 boys from 100 and women who, infused with a spirthe type of training in the West villages from all castes, who cook it of love and service for suffering does not adequately equip stu- and eat together in friendliness humanity, and true to the teachings dents for service in the Oriental which is continued when they re- of their Master, face obstacles and Church. The curriculum at turn to their villages. They live very often a single, lonely life, Leonard includes practical work promise to cease to observe caste cannot but have a very beneficial efin villages. The students make 'wherever.' fect upon the men and women of this surveys, conduct reading rooms, country. study indigenous handicrafts "A Normal Training School and industries, travel to fairs for teachers has 40 students this -Christian. and melas for the purpose of ex- year. There is a Practising hibiting higher standards of vil- School up to the 4th Standard. Sundar Singh Ashram lage life. In the midst of a Hin- In the home of Mr. Patil are du mela, held near Jubbulpore nine or ten small boys who live Christian circles all over Inrecently, was a working exhibit and eat and study under his di- dia are awaiting developments of village industries. Christian rection. The house in which they of the proposal to establish a boys from Leonard were show- live was built by the hostel boys Sundar Singh ashram at Subaing the pilgrims how to improve themselves. Next year Mr. Patil thu to carry out his expressed their lot with household weav- plans to open schools in 50 vil- wish and to consolidate the work ing, spinning and planned agri- lages of the Satara District he started. A writer in The Naculture. where there are now no schools. tional Missionary Intelligencer The teachers will be sent from of India thinks the Sadhu's most Among the students this year his own training school. important piece of work was the is Joseph Johannes Khan, a con- adaption of Christian missionary verted Moslem, who escaped "A recent project is that of methods to the needs of his from hanging after fifty-seven selling grain at cost to the vil- country. Hindus and Moslems strenuous days in jail in the lagers, in the midst of a bazaar heard through him a truly In- Turkestan country north of the where profiteering is rife. Boys dian version of the message of Himalayas. Incarcerated for his from the school will carry it on. the Gospel. His success was phe- Christian preaching, the Mos- Land has been secured for nomenal, and Christian ashrams lem rulers threatened him with permanent hostel, schools, etc., have sprung up at Tirupatur, poison, hanging, and all kinds of and the boys are to do the build- Poona, Sat Tal, Coimbatore and bodily harm. Later released, he ing. Farming is the chief in- other places, and is carried on ran away across the pass to In- dustry taught." by real sadhus in every sense of dia and Jubbulpore. the word. Mr. Patil himself lives on 20 rupees a month and puts 100 ru- The writer of the article sug- pees a month into the work. gests an ashram with a two-fold purpose: first, "a center for the deepening of the spiritual out- look of our people and provide ample means and devise methods for doing SQ." Secondly, it should
serve as a school for the prepara- "Freedom of worship, lawful Only 10 swift days direct to tion of sadhu missionaries im- liberty, equality of economic and Yokohama when you sail by bued with the spirit of sacrifice social opportunity were among Empress to the Orient. Only to carry the Gospel message to the worthy objectives of the 3 more days to visit lovely all corners of India. founders of this RepUblic. . . . Hawaii en route by Empress oj The value and importance of the Japan, largest and fastest liner Educational Adventure Church in every city, town and on the Pacific, or Empress oj hamlet must be reemphasized. Canada. From California With social customs what they . . . The teaching and practice ports connect at Honolulu. are in India the admission of of the New Testament standard women students to college class- of stewardship, and the larger Empress of Japan es is something of an adventure. recognition of youth in all the The Church Missionary Society, plans and programs of the Frequent sailings from both which was the first agency to Church are essential if we are to Vancouver and Victoria to provide education for girls in fulfil our God-given mission… Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Travancore, announces this im- Shanghai,HongKong,Manila. portant development at the C. M. "We call upon our church peo- Consult YOUR OWN TRAVEL S. College at Kottayam. It is ple to give more earnest atten- AGENT or Canadian Pacific: intended that all girls admitted tion to prayer, the devotional 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. to the classes shall live in a hos- reading of the Word, personal tel, with a woman missionary as evangelism, and such other forms Facilities available warden. There they will have of Christian service as will make for the celebration of their own social activities and the Christian Church once again games, and should gain valuable a witnessing Church to the sav- Holy Mass experiences in the art of living ing power of Jesus Christ." together in a Christian atmosphere. This hostel began with -Christian Advocate. twenty women students. Braille Missionary Union -C. M. S. Outlook. This valuable adjunct to the MISCELLANEOUS missionary enterprise makes the Scriptures and Christian litera- Race Relations Sunday ture available to the blind in many lands. A special appeal for the observance of Race Relations Sun- The Union's organization is of day (February 12th) says the the simplest. The work is volday has never rolled around with untary, and is essentially an insuch crucial importance as in dividual one, since the various this troubled year. The message operations of producing braille reads: "The world appears to books is carried on by workers in be drunk with fear and hate, their own homes. The first obcrazed with desire to persecute ject is the supply of free Scripand crush racial minorities." tures; then grants toward the support of teacher evangelists Such is the theme of the chal- and pupils, and for the provision lenge to Christian people from of equipment whereby copies of the Federal Council of Churches, various publications can be mulas it issues through its Depart- tiplied on the field. ment of Race Relations a new set of programs for various depart- There is also a library departments of the Church for the 17th ment, in which devotional books annual observance of Race Rela- of an evangelical character are tions Sunday, to be followed by prepared. Interracial Brotherhood Week. It is possible for workers to How to Make Democracy Safe transcribe into braille charaHers books in any language employing In a statement issued by the the Roman script, without knowl- Methodist Board of Home Mis- edge of that language. sions, attention is called to the grave dangers that confront our The Union is entirely dependnation. "America for Christ," ent on missionaries for the teachsays the appeal. "Our democra- ing and supervision of the blind. cy will be safe only in proportion It is anxious to get in touch with as it is Christian, because the hu- retired missionaries who are man content of Christianity and willing to make use of their democracy are the same. knowledge of other languages in preparing Braille Scriptures for copying. -The Life of Faith.
Reviews beliefs and hopes. The book is New
divided into sections, dealing Horizons of Stewardship. By Her- with such subjects. as The Search Directory of Christian Missions and man C. Weber. 8vo.. 119 iJp. $1.25. Churches in India, Burma and Cey- Fleming H. Revell CQ. 1938. for God, Existence of God, lon. Rs. 2-8. National Christian Faith, Prayer, Worship, Nature, Council. Nagpur, India. Probably no one is better fitted to write on Christian steward- Sorrow, Life, Death and Immor- "Heaven Knows." Margaret H. ship than is the president of the tality. Any reader may find Brown. 168 pp. $1.00. Friendship United Stewardship Council of Press. New York. North America. Dr. Weber has here food for uplifting medita- The Horizons of Stewardship. H. C. tion, faith and hope. It is a book Weber. 120 pp. $1.25. Revell. worth owning and will repay New York.
made a thorough study of the very thoughtful reading. Highways and Hedges. William Wissubject and has presented it to tar Hamilton. 120 pp. $1.00. Prisoner of War 31,163 – Bedros M. Broadman Press. Nashville. many churches allover the land. Sharian. By Ernest Pye. IIlus. Here he discusses many philos- 8vo. 202 pp. $1.50. Fleming H. The New Man. A Play in Four Acts. phies and problems associated Revell eo. 1938. Margaret Cropper. S.P.G. London.
with money-including¥Ceti- Here is an echo of the World Ra-Ha-La-Hi-Ho (My Brother in cism, materialism, greed, r1cket- . War, gathered from a soldier's Madagascar). Andrew Burgess. 224 pp. $1.00. Augsburg Pub. e e r i n g, gambling, wasteful war journal, and sent out by the House. Minneapolis. former president· of the School 25 Years Mission Work Among the spending, the tithe, stewardship Lepers of India. Wm. C. Irvine. and the every member church of Religion at Athens. Bedl'os 143 pp.. 2s.6d. Pickering & Inglis. canvas. The book is illustrated Sharian was born in Cilicia by some very suggestive charts, about 1862 of Christian parents London.
statistics and interesting experi- and was educated in a Mennon- Who Claims the World. Cecil Northences. Any pastor seeking to cott. 100 pp. Is. Livingstone Press. educate his congregation, and ite school. He was drafted into London. any Christian desiring to be a to World War. by the Turks, The Heritage of the Indian Chrisfaithful steward will. find here served in Gallipoli and later was tian. The Story of the Christian captured on the Mount of Olives Church and the relation to' it of the some excellent principles and in 1917. The story of his exper- Church in India. By a Member of the Church of India. 179 pp. Maps. practical suggestions. Here is iences is vividly told-as soldier, Rs. 1-4. S.P.C.K. Madras. store-keeper, interpreter, prisonnot a bibHcal study· but it is Couriers of the Dawn. R. H. Boyd. based on Bible teachings. It er of war and latera cavalry 255 pp. Illus. 2s.6d. Church would serve as a very useful man in the British Army. Under House. Belfast.
text book on the subject. all circumstances Bedros showed The Real Conflict Between China and his Christian faith and courage. Japan. Harley F. MacNair. 216 The World's Great Religious Poetry. Today he is living in America; pp. $2. University Press.Cam- Compiled by Caroline Miles Hill. an industrious, successful and bridge. 8vo. 836 pp. $1.69. The Macmil- respected citizen. lan Co., New York. 1938. The Chinese People: New Problems Seventy Less Known Bible Stories. and Old Backgrounds. George H. It is a difficult matter to com- By George Goodman. IIlus. 8 vo. Danton. '312 pp. $3.50. Marshall· pile an anthology of religious Jones. Boston.
poetry, or of any verse. Idea.s 333 pp. 3s. Pickering & Inglis. What about Ipdia? L. F. Rushbrook and tastes differ and the mate- London. 1938. WiIIiams. (Discussion Books Series, rial is almost unlimited. Dr. Hill, no. 4). 176 pp. 2s. Nelson. Lonthe compiler in this case, has The author of these stories, don. done her work well, in the wide retold for preachers and teachscope and variety covered by the ers, has written several stimu- The Bible in I·ndia. J. S. M. Hooper, lating books and is the editor of Illus. 152 pp. 3s.6d. Oxford Uni- versity Press. London.
verse. Some are not poetry ac- Daily Bible Notes, widely used An African Survey: A Study of in Great Britain. There are Problems Arising in Africa South cording to the generally accepted twenty-two illustrations from of the Sahara. Lord Hailey. 1837 standards, and many verses are photographs of Biblical scenes. pp. 218. Oxford University Press. not religious. The seven hun- London. dred or more selections from Mr. Goodman also adds a helpful some four hundred authors in- chapter on "The Wonders of the Pioneers In Pondoland. Godfrey Cal- laway. Illus. 199 pp. 5s. Love- Bible" and a·· poem on "The clude, Jewish and· Zoroastrian, Value of Memory." His Bible dale Press, Lovedale, South Africa; Chinese and Indian, Greek and Livingstone Press, London. Latin, American Indian and stories are chiefly in outline and Christian. Both omissions and are homilies-with texts, lesson The Native Tribes of Central Ausinclusions cause surpris.e but tralia. Baldwin Spencer and F. J. and application pointed out in Gillen. Illus. 671 pp. 258. Mac- millan. London.
the selections are intriguing and each-rather than retold stories. The Philippines: A Nation in the They include the stories of Mel- Making. Felix M. Kessing. 137 lead a reader to realize the way chizedek, Jethro, Caleeb, Jeph- pp. 6s. OxfO'rd University Press. in which the unseen, the eternal thah, Ishbi-benob, J ezebel, To- London. and the spiritual aspects of life biah, Barnabas, Tabitha and a and thought have captured the number of Jesus' parables. Over The Christian Handbook of South Africa. 289 pp. 4s. Lovedale attention of men's minds in all Press, Lovedale, South Africa; ages. There is a distinct advan- one thousand Scripture texts are World Dominion Press, London. listed. Preachers and teachers Evangelism for the World Today: tage, too, in noting the contrasts will find these outlines very help- As Interpreted by Christian Leadand similarities between ancient ful but they must be adapted to ers Throughout the World. Editand modern Christian and non- ed by John R. Mott. 295 pp. $2.50. Christian thoughts and emotions, pupils or audiences. Harpers. New York. PREVIOUS RECORDS BROKEN!
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The Missionary Review of the World — February 1938
1938
From Confucius to Christ Andrew Gih Effective Missionary Appeals Today Cleland B. McAfee The Dynamic of Philippine Progress Enrique C. Sobrepena What a Missionary Knows Geoffrey W. Royall Missionary Pioneering Today Kenneth G. Grubb The Foreign Missionary of Tomorrow J. Lovell Murray Christian Unity in Santo Domingo Barney N. Morgan 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yea"
MISSIONARY To have the restoration of Palestine so phenomenal-.-
REVIEW OF THE WORLD To have the building of Jerusalem so progressive·– DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor To have the wealth of the Dead Sea so extraordinary— VOL. LXI FEB., 1938 No.2 To have the unfolding of Bible prophecy so manifestly before our eyes— Publication and Business Office– Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. is to cry out, "THE JEW! THE JEW!" , Editorial and Executive Office– Read this timely and attention-holding volume- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-class matter at THE JEW AND HIS MISSION (IN NEW AND REVISED EDITION) Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. By HENRY OSTROM, D.O., Author, Bible Teacher and Evangelist 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Library Cloth Covers, 156 pages, only $1.00 net Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. The Bible Institute Colportage Association, 848 North Wells St., Chicago, III. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan important place in the program of the active members of the committee and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, missions." are Mr. Philip Benson, president of London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, the Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn; 10 shillings a year. ADAM W. MILLER, Secretary of Dr. Hugh R. Monro, president of the the Missionary Board of the Stony Brook Assembly, and Mr. James MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Church of God. E. Bennett, attorney, Bible teacher LISHING CO., INC. and radio speaker. The secretary is BOARD OF DIRECTORS *** Rev. Alexander H. Sauerwein of the First Presbyterian Church, Flushing, ROUERT E. SPEER, President "I follow the articles published in N. Y. A. L. WABNSHUIS, Vice-President THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE W ALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer WORLD with great interest." March 4. World Day of Prayer.. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary The day of prayer for missions was PAUL J. BBAlSTED REV. F. A. GOETSCH, D.D., begun in 1887 by Presbyterian women SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Executive Secretary, Board of the U. S. A. and was made a World D. J. FANT of Foreign Missions, Evan- Day of Prayer in 1927. lt is now ob- MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD gelical Synod of North Amer- served in more than fifty countries, WM. B. LIPPHARD ica. beginning in New Zealand and the Emc M. NORTH Fiji Islands at daybreak and contin- SAMUEL M. ZWEMER *** uing westward around the world until the day ends forty hours later at Editorial Chat "I have been a reader of your splen- Gambell on the St. Lawrence Island did magazine for many years and off the coast of Alaska. Plans are under way for two more would not like to get along without it. special numbers of THE REVIEW this lt is a great help m giving the needed II If you use year. Our June issue is to be devoted information regarding missions the to the important Home Mission topic world over." for 1938-1939, "Christ and the City Today." Very attractive and stim- STELLA WOOD, Editor, Albert ulating articles, with noteworthy au- Lea, Minn. thors, are promised. *** Our October issue is to be devoted to that great continental peninsula- "I have been a reader of THE MIS- India – the land of many races, SIONARY REVIEW for nearly ten years languages, castes, religions and op- and value it highly. Its material is portunities. This i& an especially excellent and helpfuL" fascinating subject. MRS. M. W. DOUGHERTY, Morn- *** mg Sun, Iowa.
The annual business meeting of CHRIST AND THE WORLD'S PRINTING THE REVIEW is to be held at 156 Fifth FAIR Avenue, New York, on February 10th, YOU will profit from an acat 2 P. M. The next great World's Fair is to quaintanceship with us. We be held near Flushing, a suburb of do the job complete in our own *** New York, on Long Island in 1939-40. plant, whether it be large or Already the grounds and buildings on small. The special numbers of THE REVIEW Flushing Bay are taking form and the on Rural America and Moslem Lands architects and exhibitors promise a While our specialty is Books, have been in great demand and orders most attractive, complete and unusual Magatines and Pamphlets, yet for additional copies continue to be exhibit – scientific, industrial, educa- we have a variety of modern received. tional and recreational. A Committee equipment to meet all the re- of New York Christian laymen and quirements of your particular *** women have also formed a committee job. You will find our service to promote Christian activity at the prompt, careful and courteous. Here are some recent comments on Fair. This committee includes reprethe value of the magazine to our sentatives of over sixteen interdenom- Will you allow us to estimate readers: inational organizations, among which on your next printing? We be- are The National Laymen's Christian lieve you will be delighted with "I want to express appreciation for Fellowship, the Gideons, Union of our product, price and service. the MISSIONARY REVIEW and what it Gospel Missions, Pocket Testament means in the program of missions. League, Christian Youth Movement The EVANGELICAL PRESS Leaders in our missionary societies and the Missionary Review of the and groups throughout the country World. Printers of subscribe to it regularly. During our The Missionary Review of the World annual convention in June when our The main purpose of this committee new program of missions is inaugu- will be to present Christ and His Gos- PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE rated, special prominence is given to pel to those who attend the Fair-by Third end Reily Streets Herrlsburl, P•• the place that the REVIEW has in help- mass meetings, personal work, over ing to create effective missionary pro- the radio, by distribution of literature, grams. lt is our sincere wish that motion pictures and art, Christian THE REVIEW will continue to hold this education and entertainment. Among [ 65 ]
FILIPINO BABIES-MOTHER AND BABY DAY AT A MISSION HOSPITAL
SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON PARADE – DUMAGUETE PRESBYTERIANS TRAINING THE COMING GENERATION IN THE PHILIPPINES (see page 78) REVIE ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY, 1938 Topics of the Times OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA Christians have not wavered. Out of about six thousand Protestant foreign missionaries in China Larger harvests follow thorough harrowing; at the outbreak of hostilities over one-half remain better fruit is the result of careful pruning; light at their posts-many of them in the war-torn is increased by trimming the wick; spiritual areas. Most of the women with children have growth is stimulated by hardships and persecu- been evacuated to port cities or to the Philippines tion. This has always been true-in the days of and other countries, but the men who could do so the early Church, during the Reformation, and in are standing by to minister to the Chinese and to the modern missionary enterprise. It is true to- encourage the suffering people. Of the American day in China. In spite of many difficulties and Presbyterian missionaries, 115 remain at their dangers-or because men's hear.ts are made tender stations and 70 more have been transferred to by trials-increased spiritual fruitage is evident other points of service in c:uina. The spirit of among Chinese Christians today in the midst of the missionaries is shown in their disapproval of the horrors and hardships of a foreign invasion. the Government's "evacuation policy." They are While Japanese soldiers loot, ravish women, com- in no mood to withdraw. One missionary writes: mit cruelty and murder, the missionaries befriend "All feel that if it was worth while for us to come the Chinese who find refuge in their mission to China in time of peace, it is even more imporchurches, schools and compounds. A recent dis- tant for us to remain here in time of suffering patch from a Canadian insurance surveyor in and warfare-to heal the sick, feed the hungry Hangchow, at the time of its capture by Japanese and to preach the Gospel of Christ. Today is the soldiers, reports: day of challenge to missionaries. Woe betide us if we sound a retreat." Hundreds of women and girls found refuge in the six refugee camps established by thirty American, British The China Inland Mission reports on several and French missionaries throughout the city. Heroic places where God is working; among them there service was rendered by these plucky foreigners. Every is a revival at Salowu, Yunnan. Chinese woman and child who appealed for a haven in these camps was taken in, although all were badly over- The work began in the Bible School. The work spread crowded. . . . Bishop Curtis E. Clayton, of the Methodist among church leaders and church members. I have not Wayland Academy; Dr. K. Vaneverer; Gene Turner, of seen such a deep work among so many people since coming the Y. M. C. A. refugee camp; Mr. E. Fairclough, of the to China. We felt led to form a revival band, planning a China Inland Mission, and other Americans risked their visit of several months to various tribes and stations. The lives on many occasions. revival blessing is still spreading. Considerably more than one hundred church members have come out confessing The American Protestant Episcopal Mission re- sins, while fully one hundred unbelievers have come out ports great damage to their mission property, in- and made profession of conversion. cluding hospitals, churches, schools and residences in Shanghai, Kiangwan, Woosing, and elsewhere, Similar reports come from many stations scatbut the missionaries are still carrying on their tered throughout China. Pray for the missions work of witnessing and mercy. Many mission- and Chinese Christians particularly. aries and Chinese Christians have lost all their possessions in the battle zone. Many have been In the majority of the provinces the missionary passing through a baptism of fire and blood but work is continuing and all are encouraged by reports of revival movements in the churches and of numbers coming forward for baptism.
[67 ]
The following is an extract from a missionary's coming of Christ into the world. As to recent letter: progress The Korea Mission Field says: The people's hearts are very fearful, and we have a Half a million enrolled Christians, meeting in 5,000 special ministry amongst them just now-a ministry of places, in groups large and small, not only create an comfort and encouragement, and these days of distress are impression of a large organization but they render a great making openings for the Gospel. N ow is the time to put service. Tens of thousands of Korean youth are enrolled into practice what we have so often preached, namely, in extention Sunday schools, in day and night schools, in that our God whom we trust is able to deliver us and to children's clubs, and in Daily Vacation Bible Schools. give us His peace no matter what the outward circum- There are kindergartens, orphanages, homes for the aged. stances. The very fact that we are here is a help. A The Christians assist in flood relief, fight intemperance, sanctify the marriage relationship, elevate the home, edu- Chinese was heard to remark, cate their children and enlist in community betterment "Oh, they haven't run away yet." movements. "No," replied the other, "they believe and trust in God."
The British Baptists, writing of "New Oppor- As Korean Christians scatter into Japan, into tunities in Shensi," say that while in Shansi and Manchukuo, China, Mongolia, and Siberia, many Shantung work has been completely dislocated by become heralds of the Gospel to other peoples in the Japanese advance, there are great opportuni- these lands. Missionaries are being sent by the ties there for aggressive evangelism. Korean Church to the Chinese with satisfactory results. As the momentum of the Korean Church Rev. A. Keith Bryan writes from San Yuan: increases, an evangelized Korean people may do much to fulfil the purpose of God in the Far East. Several new village Sunday schools have been started. This work is still in its pioneer stage and is beset with CONSIDERING FOREIGN MISSION -difficulties, but shows great promise. . . . PROBLEMS AT TORONTO Weare planning a special campaign throughout all the churches in the Sanyuan and Fuyintstin districts. The Never in the history of the Foreign Missions object is to strengthen the faith of all church members at Conference has the missionary enterprise faced this time of national crisis and to enthuse those who have such a world crisis as in the warring world of grown cold and indifferent. today. For the first time in the more than forty years of close fellowship between the Foreign CHRISTIAN PROGRESS IN KOREA Mission Boards of Canada and the United States, the Conference met in Canada (Toronto, January In spite of poverty, hardships and persecution, the Church of Christ has grown and continues to 3-6) * for the forty-fifth annual session. grow in Chosen. Periodically Christians have been called upon to suffer and even today indi- The spirit of the Conference is hard to put into vidual Believers are being persecuted by their un- cold print; there was a depth of feeling and a believing neighbors. In the past, many attempts spiritual atmosphere which permeated every seshave been made to blot out Christianity and to sion. The periods of worship, the messages, the obliterate the Christians' Bible. Temporarily the papers all carried this atmosphere so that the number of Believers may have been reduced but whole program was a unit with the dominant note the Church has been purified and unafraid, and of "Maintaining the spirit of love in the midst of will endure as long as it is faithful to Christ. hate"; the love of God as revealed by Jesus Christ in the midst of a world filled with hate and greed. The Federal Council of Evangelical Missions in It was the message of a supernational Christian Korea recently reports: fellowship to a needy world. The outstanding result of the Conference were two resolutions The Korean Church has gathered momentum; its houses given below. of worship and school buildings dot the landscape everywhere. On Sundays, long lines of people can be seen Naturally much of the thought of the delegates going to and from the Christian services. Everybody in centered in the China-Japan situation. Again and Korea knows about the "Jesu Kyo" and knows something again it was emphasized that as followers of the of what this doctrine stands for, particularly in the field Christ we must live and teach the spirit of love of morals. regardless of the provocation for hate. Facing the present need in China the Conference adopted, The Roman Catholic Church in Korea has been in exist- with a rising vote, this very significant action. ence for over 150 years and reports 150,000 converts (in- cluding all adherents). The Protestant Church has been • The Canadian hosts excelled even their own noted hospitality in at work here for a little over fifty years and has won 225,000 baptized members, not counting enrolled Christians the plans which were made for the conference in the spacious hotel who are neither full members nor probationers. The total number of adherents in both churches is greater than ever and in every detail including a tea to the Conference on Women's before. Work and a complimentary dinner given t<> the delegates by the In all Korea there are at least 425,000 non- Roman Catholic Christians enrolled. There are Canadian Boards. Miss Mabel E. Emerson of the American Board, now more Christians here than there were in all as chairman of the conference, presided with great ability, wisdom, the Roman Empire one hundred years after the tact and with spiritual force. There were a hundred and ninety-six delegates and seventy-two visitors. G. S.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
A resolution concerning relief in China was wherever needed, developed along lines to reveal adopted, in substance as follows: the underlying motive of this world mission; co- operation not as graciously offered to the younger The Conference is confronted with a situation in the churches but as the inherent right of all groups. Far East which already involves human suffering on a Miss Lyon closed by speaking of the need of these scale unparalleled since the World War. Millions of men, newer concepts of the world mission in order to women and children are homeless and on the verge of meet the needs of a "world rocking on its base," starvation. They will perish unless the Christians of the and quoted from the bulletin of the Japanese Stuworld rally to their rescue. If in this hour of China's dents' Christian Association of North America, supreme distress the Christian churches of North America "In the present hour of darkness, even patient, rally to the help of the sufferers in China, they will give a peace-loving people are apt to fall into victims of demonstration of the reality of their own Christian char- dark despair. Yet, everyone who has made his acter and will strengthen their witness to the Gospel of or her deliberate choice with Christ must see Christ which they profess and proclaim.t through the present darkness the approaching dawn. . . . To lead men in the way of Jesus-a In view of this situation, be it world project indeed, and how glorious that North America can be one unit in that world adventure." Resolved: It is difficult in a few words to give a summary (1) That the Foreign Missions Conference recognizes of one of the most deeply stirring messages which that this is a primary responsibility which the Protestant came to the Conference from Dr. Lyman J. Shafer churches of North America must accept as their own and on "What should be the bearing of the foreign to which they must devote unstinted energy. missionary enterprise on world peace?" peace as a positive not a negative force; the building of a (2) That to carry forward the share of the Foreign world Christian community to give recognition to Missions Conference in this responsibility the Conference the values of nations and races and to proceed not appoint a special Committee on Relief in China with power across but through national units. "As Christians to add to their number, this committee to report to the we should seek not one vast world community of Committee of Reference and Counsel from time to time. like-minded people but as a federation of states which for mutual advantage-have given up the (3) That this committee be instructed to cooperate in notion of absolute sovereignty for each nation and Canada with the National Committee for the Relief of have accepted the principles of self-denial- the War Sufferers in China and in the United States, with way of the Cross – that the abundant life for all China Emergency Civilian Relief, Inc., the Federal Council may be realized." of Churches of Christ in America and other interested groups in making and carrying out effective plans to enlist Embodying the spirit of this message by Dr. the support of the Protestant Christians of North America. Shafer, another resolution was passed concerning progress toward world peace. (4) That the Conference urges all churches and mission boards in North America to do their utmost in responding The representatives from China and Japan who to the needs of the suffering people of China; and with were attending the Conference and particularly this in view, instructs the above named committee to ap- the Nationals from China embodied in a remarkproach the responsible church authorities to obtain effec- able way this spirit of love and Christian fellowtive action on their part by such concrete methods as a ship. China Relief Sunday, use of denominational publications, utilizing the services of China missionaries on furlough Dr. Mott and Dr. Warnshuis presented plans for and other plans to secure an early and generous response. the International Missionary Council at Madras, India (December 13-30, 1938). The theme will Outstanding messages were given at every ses- center around the universal Church as a Christian sion. The spirit of the Conference is revealed in fellowship creatively cooperating in presenting an the summaries of two of the messages. The first intensive evangel to the mind and heart of men dealt with "The Newer Concept of the North everywhere. The delegates will come from prac- American Missionary Program as Part of the tically all of the nations of the world, half of them World Project." Under the skilled leadership of being from the Asiatic and African churches and Miss Sarah Lyon, the Conference faced five types half from the churches of Europe and North and of patterns which reveal the field as the whole South America. The National Christian Council world, with the Church of North America as a in each country is making extensive preparation struggling unit in this world Church; this world in order that this Conference may be most sigmission of the Church going from East to West nificant in the development of the universal and not only from West to East; the new mis- Church. A call to prayer is going out to all sionary as a servant "realistic, flexible, compell- churches throughout the ·world since prayer preping, winsome"; "headquarters" not centering in aration is of the most vital importance in order North America as the home base but mission units 1" In response to this situation, there has been formed in Canada a National Committee for the Relief of W,ar Sufferers in China, in which the Canadian Red Cross Society and the Religious Bodies of Canada, cooperate. In the United States, while China Famine Relief, Inc., the American Red Cross, the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, the Foreign Missions Conference, and Mission Boards and other groups have secured and forwarded limited sums for relief, no adequate program has yet been undertaken. At the present time, a national movement is being launched by China Emergency Civilian Relief, Inc., which is being developed as a unified agency with the active cooperation of the Far East Committee of the Foreign Missions Conference, of the Federal Council and of other interested groups.
that the Conference may arrive at a united under- and stimulating statement that brought new constanding of the Will of God and of the mind of Christ for the World mission of Christianity. fidence as to the efforts of the City Government In the closing service of worship of the Confer- in promoting good living conditions, especially to ence, led by Dr. E. W. Wallace, Chancellor and President of the Victoria University of the Uni- the children of this metropolis of over seven milversity of Toronto, each delegate faced personally the responsibility of having been a delegate. "Our lion people, including all colors, races, languages, hearts have been burdened, our faith has been tested and yet our hearts have been warmed as faiths and conditions. news has come to us as to the ways in which God is moving in the hearts of men even in war-torn DI;. Robert W. Searle, Secretary of the Greater China. We have faced the glory of the expectation which lies before us." GERTRUDE SCHULTZ. New York Federation of Churches, gave a power- THIRTY YEARS OF HOME MISSION ful address at the annual dinner on "The Mission- COOPERATION ary Challenge of the City." (We hope to publish In 1908 three councils were formed to bring into closer cooperation the various Protestant this later.) Church bodies working for the advancement of Christianity in North America. These were the Much has already been accomplished in inter- Home Missions Council, the Council of Women for Home Missions and the Federal Council of denominational cooperation and by church federa- Churches of Christ in America. The first two of these interdenominational councils held their thir- tions in many states, and in promoting evangelical tieth annual meetings in New York City, January 9 to 12, .to consider reports of progress, to elect work for Spanish-speaking peoples of the Southofficers and plan for the future. The secretary of the Home Missions Council, Dr. Wm. R. King, west, as well as in other fields. Dr. Edward D. who for the past ten years has served the cause most effectively, has resigned because of ill health Kohlstedt, the re-elected President of the Home and has been succeeded by the Rev. Mark A. Dawber, for some years the able secretary of the Missions Council, gave a stimulating address on rural work for the Methodist Episcopal Church. As Dr. Dawber said in his inaugural address: the stupendous task before the Christian Church "The great job (of Home Missions) remains in America – to combat indifference, secularism, for the most part to be done. . . . The vast army of the poor and needy, the influence of the liquor communism, crime, intemperance, vice and other traffic, .the new social security measures, the decrease m incomes due to the 'depression,' the prob- evils by presenting Christ and His full Gospel, lems of church comity, the unemployed ministry and the changing status in foreign language with all of its implications. groups-all these and other conditions influence the Home Mission task today. . . . To date the The Council of Women for Home Missions have work of promoting comity and cooperation has been for the most part in the realm of the town been doing a remarkable work, not only by bringand country field. The next step is to see how far we can apply the principles of interdenomina- ing women's boards and societies into closer cotional cooperative service in the large cities." . "The City" is the topic for Home Mission study operation, but in promoting Christian activity in cIrcles for the year 1938-39 and will be dealt with in the June number of THE REVIEW. It was espe- behalf of American Indians and neglected Migrant cially noteworthy that the Mayor of New York Mr. F. H. LaGuardia (a member of the Protestant Groups. The Executive Secretary, Miss Edith E. Episcopal Church and a former interpreter at Ellis Island), addressed the conference on "Some Lowry, and the various committees gave encour- Social and Moral Problems of our City and How We Are Seeking to Solve Them." This was a clear aging reports on many phases of the work carried on independently and in cooperation with the Home Missions Council. The President of the Council of Women for Home Missions, Mrs. Au- gustus Trowbridge of the Protestant Episcopal Church, succeeds Mrs. Millard L. Robinson of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Home Mission task of the churches in America is far from completed and will not be finished until every man, woman and child in this great continent has the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Christ, and has available the facilities for Christian training; and until it is far more difficult than it is at present to exploit youth, the laboring classes and the underprivileged, and until true Americans are solidly united in combatting the evils of intemperance, injustice, vice and crime and warm.enhm.ognemstleyn devoted to the worship of Ggeond-' are to Christ, and Christians erally are enlisted in His service.
If thou wouldst walk with me, Take up thy cross: I carried mine-is thine, then, heavier?
Step for step, I walk with thee: Lay thy tired hand in Mine. Love bore for this alone The prints that press thy palm That I and thou together mighest walk.
-The Calvary.
Confucius to
-<II 1 By ANDREW GIH, B,the! M]"ion, Shangh.i, Chin. 11)10– I N A LARGE room full of Chinese boys and vidually. One by one the pupils stood before the girls a little lad of six was kneeling on a hard teacher with their backs to him and recited their bench. He was obliged to kneel there until he old lessons; then the teacher would read the new could recite from memory the daily portion of sev- portion to be learned, and they would return to eral pages from the Confucian ~lassics. He their seats. The confusion of so many voices was shouted the lines rhythmically at the top of his at first very distracting, but I soon became used voice, though the words conveyed no meaning to to it. A bright student could recite his lesson by him. noon, then in the afternoon he could receive a new assignment and thus make rapid progress. It was a bright, wintry February day when I started to school. In honor of the great occasion We went home for luncheon but hurried back my mother bought me a new wadded coat and as quickly as possible for our writing lesson. jacket. She combed my hair and tied a red string First we had to make our own ink by vigorously on my little queue. In my father's absence my rubbing a solid stick of ink around in an inkuncle took me to the school, carrying a red blanket, stand containing a little water until the liquid candles and incense. On entering the school build- was of proper consistency. We had no pens but ing I found a big room with 80 or 90 boys and brushes made of sheep hair. At first we merely girls, all reading aloud. The teacher, a man of painted in characters that had been outlined for about 50, with a ferocious-looking mustache, was us. In the second stage we traced the characters told by my uncle to enroll me as one of his pupils. on thin paper over the models written by the The red blanket was spread before the teacher, teacher. In the next stage we copied them freeand on it I knelt and kowtowed until he raised hand; finally we learned to imitate different me up. Then the candles were lighted and the famous styles of writing. incense burned before the tablet of Confucious, as I again kowtowed. After the writing period we shouted our lessons again until it was too dark to see. Then the The other children stopped their reading to teacher dismissed us one by one in order to keep watch me. Then suddenly, in the silence, I was us from fighting on the street. With no exercise terrified by the teacher striking the table a re- and no recess all day long of course the boys besounding blow with a heavy wooden ferule. In- came very restless and would pester the teacher stantly all the pupils began shouting out their with excuses to leave the room for a few minutes. lessons again. I was assigned to a table at which there were six students, four of them, unfortu- This Confucian school was not really conducted nately, my cousins! We soon formed a clique and according to Confucius' method. He had six subwere tormenting one of the other pupils. The jects in his curriculum-poetry, literature, cereteacher discovered our mischief and made us monies, music, horsemanship, archery. This was choose between being struck with the teacher's a well-rounded training, not just dull memory heavy ferule or kneeling on our benches until our work from the classics. With the pass-age of time lessons were learned. I chose to kneel, but soon the curriculum was divided into two branches, regretted it. The harder I tried to learn, the more wen and WU, the literary and the military. Those nervous I grew, the longer it took to memorize preparing for official tIOsition took the literary and the sorer my knees became!. course while those interested in national defense took courses that developed physical prowess. From early morning until late afternoon we did only two things-read aloud and learn to write. In the literary course the student spent years The children came to school as early as possible, memorizing the classics before he understood anysome were there at day-break. The teacher was thing of their meaning. If he was bright, in three early too and was pleased to see the first arrivals, or four years he could memorize several books and so eager for an education. While waiting for the be able to recognize more than 5,000 separate new lesson to be assigned the pupils would recite characters. Only then would the teacher begin past memory work-one or two whole books from to explain the meaning. This is still done in some cover to cover. The new lessons were taught indi- Confucian schools. The student listens carefully to the explanation and then studies the passage [71 ]
for himself; returning to the teacher he turns his is sin; and to call your brother man a "fool" is back and recites what he has learned. sin.
I spent five years in this school and, though fre- I found that if we measure our lives by the quently ill, I managed to memorize several books. Sermon on the Mount even the most moral Con- Then my father opened a school. I supposed that fucianist comes short of that high standard. Conthere I could come and go as I pleased. How I fucius teaches that we should return good for rejoiced, for I thought the day of my freedom had good, but Christ says, "Love your enemies, pray come. To relieve the monotony of school hours I for those who persecute you." Confucius warns bought a little bird but my father took it away us to do no wrong but he says nothing about how from me. I expected him to set it free, and had to treat those who wrong us. Christ points the trained it to come back to me! But my father way out when he says that love covers all. anticipated that and dashed the bird to the ground and killed it. I went on a "sit-down When someone asked Confucius about death, he strike" and mother had to come in as peace-maker. replied: "I can't understand life; how then can I found that my father was no longer my father I understand death?" There is nothing for the but my teacher! I had to go back to the same man's soul in Confucianism. We read in the old life! Bible: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after that the judgment." For truth, Confucius What Confucius Teaches uses a word which may be translated "Word" or "Way." He says: "The Word cannot be parted Confucius teaches .us to be good citizens and with; if it can be parted with it is not the Word." good rulers. His teaching is very practical and The Apostle John declares: "In the beginning materialistic and it is difficult to convert a true was the Word, and the Word was with God and disciple of Confucius to any religion. The great the Word was God; the Word was made flesh and scholars attack all religion as heresy and super- dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory – the stition. Confucianism divides society into four glory as of the only begotten of the Father full classes: scholars, farmers, laborers, merchants. of truth and grace." The one defines a principle; Since Buddhist monks belong to none of these the other introduces us to a divine Person, who classes, they contribute nothing to the nation but will give us the experience we seek. are parasites. Hence they are despised. Four occupations are open to the Confucian student: Confucius said, "If this is the Way, enter in; fishing, wood-gathering, farming, study. These if it is not, turn away." His followers have a all aim at material benefits. As the monks do mind for spiritual things but they seek without none of these, they are considered useless non- finding. Jesus Christ says: "I am the Way," and producers. The Confucianist worships Heaven, in Him we find the Way to life and God and our but it is only a formal ceremony. Confucianism problems are solved. ignores the soul or spiritual life of man. Many uninformed Westerners say, "Confucian- Later I discovered, as I learned more, that the ism is good enough for the Chinese; why teach teachings of Confucius are good for this life only. them Christianity?" I will tell you why I forsook I found that Christ promises both "a hundredfold Confucianism to become a Christian. I found that now in this present time – and in the world to Confucianism is only a human philosophy. In come eternal life." Confucianism is negative, Christ I found that which entirely satisfies not Christian teaching is positive. Confucius says, only my spiritual life but also my mind. Con- "Do not to others what you would not have them fucius says, "If it is not right do not look at it, do to you." Christ gives .the command positively. do not listen to it, do not speak of it, do not do it." That sounds very good, but Confucius imparts no As a Confucian scholar I had no use for reli- power to put that teaching into practice. My gion. Then·1 entered the high school of Bethel guilty soul cries out: "Yes, my Teacher, you are Mission in order to learn.English. Since the Bible right; you want me to see no evil, hear no evil, was taught in English I enrolled in that course speak no evil, do no evil. But I have done them and was greatly impressed with the Sermon on all. I have sinned already. I find guilt on my the Mount. Confucius says: "If you want to rule soul. Is there any way out?" His teaching only the nation you must settle your own house; to adds to my despair, for he says: "If one has rule your own house you must set an example in sinned against Heaven no prayer will accomplish your own life; to set a good example you must its end." In the Bible I find great comfort in the keep your heart right." He failed to realize that promise: "If we confess our sins He (God) is the heart of man is deceitful above all things and faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to desperately wicked. The Confucianist is a moral- cleanse us from all unrighteousness!" ist but he never condemns sin in the heart. On the other hand, Christ says that lust in the heart Confucius gives us his conception of God or the spiritual world in these words: "Respect the
FROM CONFUCIUS TO CHRIST
spiritual beings or gods, but keep yourself aloof Yes, Confucius died and his tomb is in Shan- from them; this is wisdom." He knew no for- tung. Costly buildings have been erected on the giveness for sin or no way to draw near to God; site where sacrifices are offered to the great Sage.
Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, revealed Visitors throng the place. His bones lie there, but God as our heavenly Father. Confucius warns us that fact spells doom. He is dead. Can a dead to keep away from God; Jesus Christ tells us to man save a living sinner? Jesus Christ gave His draw near to Him and we may come to know His life on the Cross, a sacrifice for the sin of others.
tender, loving heart. He was buried, but the grave failed to hold Him.
When, as a Confucianist, I started studying the He who raised Lazarus, the widow's son, and Bible, I knew that I came short of obeying the J airus' daughter, Himself rose from the dead on teachings of Christ. Under the teaching of Miss the third day. He who created life, and was not C. F. Tippet, I was convicted that I was a sinner worthy of death, could not be held by death. He needing salvation. I was told that Christ had "brought light and immortality to light through died on the Cross for sinners and that He is the the Gospel."
Lamb of God that "taketh away the sin of the Christ a Living Saviour world." I saw the Saviour on the Cross with out- Jesus Christ rose from the grave over 1,900 stretched hands and His compassionate voice call- years ago. God Himself gave witness to this ing, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are fact; the disciples left reliable testimony; the heavy laden and I will give you rest." whole course of history has been changed by this fact; we can accept the record. Christ was not Confucius did not die as a saviour and substi- merely a historical character like Confucius; He tute for sinners, but I learned that "while we were lives today. I have talked to Him and have re- yet sinners Christ died for us." Then my proud ceived answers from Him. I have fellowship with Confucian heart was softened and I was won to Him and experience His love. He is living today! . God through the wonderful love of Christ. I bowed my knees and for the first time prayed to A Chinese proverb 8ays, "The world can be God who so loved me that He gave His only be- changed but human nature can never be changed." gotten Son and had mercy on me, a sinner. The This is a hopeless philosophy. Confucius could loving Saviour answered my prayer and I was reform, educate, give knowledge, but he despaired received with assuring words: "My son, thy sins of human nature ever being changed. I know that are forgiven thee; go in peace." My burden Christ has changed my heart and has completely rolled away and assurance, peace, the joy of sal- transformed my life. "If any man be in Christ vation, was given me. he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This, as I Confucius says nothing of making lost sinners can testify, is a blessed reality. righteous, but God says that by Christ "all that believe are justified from all things, from which Forty days after His resurrection Jesus Christ ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." In ascended into Heaven, while his disciples stood the court of Confucianism I would be a condemned gazing upward: There is nothing like this in the sinner forever; there was no way out. But when classics of Confucius. We have fairy stories in I came to the bar of God, in the name of Christ, Chinese; but this record is actually true. We I found the Way of pardon. His law demanded, know that it is a fact, because when Christ went "The soul that sinneth it shall die" ;-"the wages into Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to carryon of sin is death." But in love His own Son took His work. Pentecost stands as a witness to the my punishment on the Cross. I entered the court of God a trembling, convicted sinner; I walked ascension of Christ. The Holy Spirit bears witout a free man, justified, righteous, through faith ness with my spirit that my Saviour is glorified.
in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the righteous Before Jesus went to the Cross, He gathered Judge on the bench had become my loving Father. His loved ones about Him and tenderly told them I was no more treated as a condemned sinner, no that He was "going to prepare a place" for them more a foreigner, but was received as a son into and would come again and receive them unto Him- the household of God. I was born again into self, saying, "that where I am, there ye may be God's family. Oh what joy and satisfaction I also." The return of Jesus Christ is the blessed found in the salvation provided by the Lord Jesus hope. When the dead in Christ rise the living Christ! No wonder the Psalmist cried, "0 taste .will be transformed. In the twinkling of an eye and see that the Lord is good." I would urge we shall be in the presence of the Lord Jesus everyone to come and taste the joy of salvation Christ.
offered through Christ. There is nothing of this sort in Confucianism; The practical-minded Confucianist asks: "Is no glorious future, no coming Kingdom. If Chris- Jesus Christ a real Saviour? If we are saved by tian faith misses these great truths it misses the His death, did not Confucius also die?" glorious promise of eternal life. Without these
fundamental truths, Christianity is not much bet- Our Lord's command, "Go ye into all the world ter than a pagan philosophy. and preach the gospel," is still a challenge to Christians, while one-tenth of the world's popula- Christianity has taken deep root in Chinese soil. tion is still unevangelized in China. The Chinese The Gospel seed faithfully sown by ambassadors may not be head-hunters and cannibals, but they of Christ is springing up and bearing fruit. Many need Christ. There is a great field waiting, white Chinese no longer look upon Christianity as a to the harvest, calling young men and women to foreign religion. Christianity is making progress come with the Gospel of Jesus Christ which they among a people with thousands of years of the themselves have found is the power of God unto practical, materialistic teaching of Confucius, be- salvation to everyone who believeth. Will you be cause Christ offers not a new set of rules, anew obedient to the command of our Lord Jesus philosophy, new ethics, a new religion, but Christ Christ: "Go ye into all the world and preach the offers Himself as a Person, a Saviour. Chris- Gospel to every creature"? tianity is Christ. We have religions enough. We have philosophies enough. But we are sinners and Confucius is a human teacher, not a prophet of we need a Saviour. There are, roughly speaking, God. two hundred million Chinese who have never yet heard the Gospel. Oh, give us a gospel; introduce Confucianism is a system of ethics, not a reus to a Saviour who is mighty to deliver and who ligion. saves to the uttermost! Confucianism is a materialistic philosophy, not Many problems are confronting China; we need a spiritual revelation. much help. But Christ is the solution to all these problems. Is it worth while to send missionaries Confucianism offers reformation, not regenerato China? Christ said, "What shall it profit a man tion. if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" If you should think Christianity a failure in China Confucianism recommends a philosophy of livlook at the thousands of young Chinese Christians ing, not the Way to Life. who are going into the streets and into the villages, preaching the Gospel to their own people. Confucianism deals with man's relation to man, That should put a ringing "Hallelujah" inte the not with man's true relation with God. hearts of every Christian. Confucianism is a recipe for the present, not a new life for all time.
What Confucius and his philosophy lacks, Christ and His Way of Life supplies.
INDIAN TRIBUTES TO A CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY The late Dr. William I. Chamberlain made an abiding impression during his service in South India. A memorial service was held in Vellore on October thirty-first and a public meeting of the Indian citizens was held on November fourth under the chairmanship of the Hindu Mayor of VeIlore. The well-deserved tribute was paid, not only to a great Christian missionary, but to the man who during. his residence in VeIlore rendered distinguished public service as Chairman of the Municipal Council, their term for Mayor. The Vellore citizens not only passed appropriate resolutions but they have launched the project to erect a library by public subscription as a tangible memorial to. one whom they highly honored.
The Madras Mail, principal paper of South India, paid eloquent tribute to Dr. Chamber- lain as the "Maker of Modern VeIlore." The paper printed letters from two distinguished Indian citizens – Sir Mahomed HabibuIlah, a Mohammedan high in government serVice, and Sir S. Radhakrishnan, a Hindu, one of the world's most well-known philosophers, now Pro- fessor of Logic at Oxford University. Sir Mahomed Habibullah wrote: "Dr. Chamberlain was almost my first and best friend in Vellore. There was no public movement in the District of North Arcot in general and in VeIlore in particular which he did not either initiate or sponsor. It was my'pdvilege to be associated with him in all his activi- ties, whether social, educational, humanitarian or political. I.t may fitly be said that he was practically the maker of modern Vellore.
"To a magnetic personality he added the charm of winning manners and suavity of temper. His devotion to duty, and the high conception of the conscientious discharge of the responsi- bilitiesappertaining to it, had become an object lesson to those who wished to succeed or had aspirations in life. H:;:vlng bEen his colleague on the Municipal Council (in Vellore) in differ- ent capacities, I can bear personal testimony to the contribution which he made to the civic life of Vellore.
"It was universally felt, when he finally left Vellore, that his departure would create a void which it would be hard to fill; experience proved that this fear was well-founded."
Missionary Appeals
By the REV. CLELAND B. McAFEE, D.D.
Secretary Emeritus of the Board of Foreign Missions, fi.- Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
T wo definite lines of appeal are always needed errand. Then his own part begins. His master at the home end of the missionary enterprise: leaves it to him to rise early or late, take long or for the dedication of life and for the dedica- short cuts in the road, and many other details. tion of resources; both appeals imply an earlier But when he arrives he must give account of his dedication of spiritual force. Experience shows faithfulness. that the money comes harder than the lives. Young people at this present hour seem to see in Just so Christian missionary work a larger opportunity I have God's bidding to perform; but mind than their elders count it to be. And body, all of me, though made and meant For that sole service, must consult, concert But what are the terms of appeal for either or With my own self and nobody beside, both the youth and their elders? What can make How to effect the same: God helps not else. the enterprise look so great and alluring to Christians that both life and money will be forth- It is not strange that from tiIn.e to time we must coming? stop and ask what are the best ways of doing what remains always as our task.
In the recent past the appeal was predominantly After all, missions continue to be a Christian double-the command of Christ and the need of movement and not merely a general humane enmankind throughout the world. Has anything deavor. It is, to be sure, the most humane enhappened to change the force of that double ap- deavor that humanity is now making, but it has peal? Have new elements emerged which weaken its roots in something deeper than kindly impulses the old appeal or that can make a stronger call toward other people. There is no effective plea than these? Can both appeals be reworded so that for missions which can be addressed to those who they may fit better into present-day moods? do not intend to be accounted Christians. If one really does not care greatly for Christ, he will not Certainly nothing has altered the essential pur- greatly care for Christ's call to service. One must pose of the missionary movement. There was no "come" before one will "go." There is not enough date nor any particular description of world con- ditions when the command of Christ was given, "drive" in a mere humanitarian movement to nor when at various periods the work was under- carry one overseas on a mission for Christ, nor taken afresh. Neither the command nor history to keep one there after the first shock of repulse permits evasion nor compromise. by those whom one means to benefit. Nor is there sufficient force in the social impulse to persuade The methods of work must be suited to the con- men in general to maintain persistent and sacriditions under which it is to be done. The New ficial giving. The motives for such a work must Testament gives no details as to what methods be powerful and continuous, not intermittent and should be followed. It brings us merely the clear- impulsive. The appeal has to be made to Chriscut word of our Master in six verbs: Go, preach tians, not to grown-up Boy Scouts who are exthe Gospel, make disciples, teach, baptize into the pected to do "a good deed every day," beautiful as triune Name, bear witness to Christ. To make that purpose is and fine as the habit is. this kind of work effective the continued presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit are The question keeps recurring whether we ought promised. How it is to be done, and what is to be still to continue to emphasize the dire need of the the general outcome, we are not told. Our part is world and of each individual for Christ and the to do the work, with the promise of God's presence life He can bring – spiritual, moral, social, ecoand power. nomic – or to stress instead the reconstructive programs of international peace, interracial un- Recall the illustration of Robert Browning in derstanding and the social justice. Are we his Prince Hohenstiehl Schwangau. The courier seeking only to bring individuals to Christ for is sent by his master on an errand and is given personal redemption or are we trying also to readequate equipment. He is told to go a thousand miles to a certain destination and to do a definite construct the social order under which so many [75 ]
wrongs are done and so much evil exists? Is it world. In some factors those lands merely share eternal life and Heaven we are offering, or are we in these needs with the rest of the world; in some seeking to establish the rule of God on earth? matters, non-Christian lands hold a tragic pre- eminence-in ignorance, in poverty, in social in- It would be a narrowing of our conception of difference, in callous neglect, in attitude toward the Gospel of Christ if we did not answer the women, in superstition, in unworthy and degradquestion with "both-and" rather than "either-or." ing human practices. In such particulars the The Gospel is adequate both for the individual "sending countries" are far beyond the "receiving and for all the world and is needed for both. Yet lands." If need is to be measured in quantity, in it is clear that miSSIonary concern continues to be lives affected, in weakness of corrective measures, primarily with the earlier half of the question. then ,the "receiving lands" must be counted far So many agencies are now at work on general in- more needy than the "sending lands." If it is international and interracial programs that they are sisted that dire needs still exist in all lands, the not in danger of serious neglect by good people, reply is a sad and unqualified admission of the much as they still need to be pressed. Enough fact, along with an earnest reminder that in some ought certainly to be included in the missionary lands many great agencies are at work for the appeal to make it very clear that the temporal correction or alleviation of these evils and that in earthly needs of men are of deep missionary con- other lands such agencies are lacking or feeble. cern. But the basic necessity for a new spirit in individual men and women is not emphasized as Certainly we cannot expect any permanent conmuch as is needed, nor is the need of the indi- cern for Christian missions if we do not look upon vidual considered today so much as it should be. them as a means of supplying some real need. This is a distinctive missionary task. It is sheer intrusion if those to whom we go do not need what we bring. We do not take gif.ts of Missionary advocates must make room in pro- medicine to a family in full health nor offer food gram and appeal for those who are called to carry and clothing to a family fully supplied against forward one phase of Christ's work for men, even the winter. If the religions of other lands are adethough they may feel that the part to which they quate, we need not present Christ to them. The are called is so important as to cover the whole appeal based on need is not invalidated, but it program. They may not welcome the more dis- must be used in humility and love and never in tinctly personal element we would emphasize, but arrogance or contempt. The facts assembled by we may welcome their part because it is truly part Dr. Stephen J. Corey in his "Beyond Statistics," of the whole. One group feels that nothing is are too abundant to leave any serious question of really of permanent value but individual sur- the service of missions to meet existing need, need render to Christ and personal redemption; an- much too real to be dismissed by occasional or other group feels that social reconstruction is frequent instances of culture and advantage found most important and alone can justify the pro- among the people by these other lands. gram. We can welcome both objectives for we can be sure that only spiritually reconstructed in- Today we recognize the newly arisen need in dividuals can properly reconstruct society, and the world for a unifying and mollifying spirit. that when an individual is really reconstructed When nations and races were safely distant from he will be ready to take his place as a rebuilder each other, their underlying defects made little or of the social order. Our Lord once warned His no difference. Today, when nations and races disciples against too narrow views of fellow- are in unavoidable contact, there must be either workers (Mark 9: 38f) , though He recognized conflict or understanding. Some form of world also that there is always danger of affiliations brotherhood mus·t develop, something that will which really vitiate His program (2 Cor. 6: 17, make men everywhere try to understand each 18). The issue is really not between the different other and to work in fellowship. If it is asked parts of the program but as to their order-which whether there can be a world brotherhood, the is primary and which is logical outcome. Too reply is that there is one now – the Christian many social developments and reformations have brotherhood. This is weak and ineffective in resulted from "preaching the simple Gospel" to many places, betrayed over and over again by allow us to count such work unimportant in the those who should be its staunchest supporters, but Christian movement. We must not reverse cause it is always present, checking its own violations, and effect; we must not try to produce the fruits challenging its membership to fuller sympathy, of the Christian life while we neglect its roots. shaming them for their failures. It is no weak The missionary movement is concerned centrally plea for missions that it is the largest single wi~h rootage, with cause, but collaterally it is also agency in forming this world brotherhood, and deeply concerned with fruits and with effect. that every man truly won to Christ automatically becomes a member of it. There is no short cut Much may be said about the downright and to its realization and it cannot be framed by legis- tragic needs which still mark the "non-Christian"
EFFECTIVE MISSIONARY APPEALS TODAY
lation nor by treaties or leagues. It must be the but a messenger of One who claims all men for outcome of the service of those who now follow Christ in seeking men everywhere to join the Himself. ranks of His followers. The process will be just 4. Noblesse oblige-making some decent effort as slow or as rapid as we make it, and its speed is measured by our faithfulness to this principal to share with those who lack them the undeserved method of service. favors of life which we possess. Christ is the great gift of God to us; who are we to let the Here is also the true basis for the much used gift stop with us? idea of "sharing"-the feeling that we go to other lands to "share" our best with them. Of course 5. The present wide ruin of life can be prewe should learn what they can teach us; every vented· by the new and renewing Spirit which missionary learns a vast deal from the land to Christ gives. If anyone doubts the ruin of life, which he goes. But on hiS" main errand for Christ let him look around; if it is ruined here it is he does not go as an inquirer, wondering if per- ruined yonder, equally or more, and ruin hurts haps he may learn something in the other land and brings death wherever it occurs. Certainly which will replace that to which he has given his the ruin is as dire there as here and there are life and for which he has gone out as a messenger few to bring the remedy there. of Good Tidings. If the people to whom he goes know something which he may well learn, much 6. The call to lay our Christian faith down more does he know something which they may alongside of world religions, in assurance that it well learn and that is his principal errand – to will carry its own argument and its conviction of give the knowledge of Christ and to start the truth. The missionary movement does not seek vital influences which flow out from Him. We to attack, as it does not adopt, these religions. have no successful appeal to young people who are The message and power of Christ merely gives not committed to Christ as their Lord and Sav- men of this day what many of their fathers once iour, first and foremost. Their knowledge of Him had-some knowledge of God and of another and and His truth will grow with the years, but its better Way of Life which they may accept if they roots must lie snugly in the life of the missionary will. Vital religions always have traveled, and before he s,tarts on his errand. races of men have accepted and followed new reli- gions many times in history. It is no impertinence The Appeal That Inspires Volunteers to present the Christian faith; if men of today find this faith better than the religion they have Let the effort, then, be made to phrase the ap- had, it is no more than their fathers did in acceptpeal of today in explicit terms. What have we to ing the faith they now have. After hearing an urge that will inspire the unreserved gift of lives address in which the Christian faith was preand possessions? sented, a young Hindu said: "The speaker did not mention our faith, but if what he says about the 1. The call to layout life where many others Christian faith is true, our faith is not true." cannot or do not go to help men. There is need One religion does not reform another; it replaces at home-yes, and thousands of people are here it. concerned for its supply; there is need abroadyes, and only tens of people, or none at all, are 7. The call to advance the whole program of concerned. Where shall the one life be laid out, human unity. The human race needs to have all if one is free to choose? its parts brought into right relationships around the best which any part of the race knows. This 2. The desire of earnest people in "mission lays the chief burden of world unity on the races lands" for help in removing hindrances in the way that know Christ and His vitalizing and unifying of their own people. The first missionaries went power. to foreign lands without being asked, simply because they were needed. Noone now needs to go 8. The call to bring relief to real need in many without being asked to meet needs, for these are lines-spiritual primarily, but intellectual, physikeenly felt in all lands. The "man of Macedonia" cal and social as well. The first relief is generally has come out of the vision and will meet the right brought to individuals, but it often leads to changworkers at the shore, sometimes alone and with- ing a whole social practice and to relieving need out a crowd of supporters, but ready to welcome in a wide circle. It would not be impertinent to men who will "help" him in making Christ known. seek to relieve real need in the next street; why should it be impertinent to relieve the need in an- 3. The opportunity in the name of Christ to other land? assert the value of personality against the contempt or low regard of masses of men and even of All this runs back to the fundamental assurance many rulers. The Christian missionary is the of Christ's desire as expressed in His commission prime believer in the value of men to whom he to His disciples, and to the promise of His abidgoes; he is no superior person going to inferiors, ing presence. There is no successful appeal for life or money for this enterprise to people who do not know Him.
Dynamic of Philippine
I I -~ By the REV. ENRIQUE C. SOBREPENA, D.D., Manila tg.··- FOR four decades the people of the United vide us more adequately with material benefits. States, through their government, have coop- As a result, there is now increased activity in the erated with the Filipinos in building a new cultivation of hitherto .untouched lands and the Filipino nation. The best things of America have development of our great mineral resources. With contributed to this development. The form of increased wealth for the people, there should come government of the Philippines has gradually been better living conditions for all.
builded in the form of that of the United States. During these last forty years sanitation, hy- With it there has come into our life knowledge giene, and medical science have greatly advanced and practice of those her e. Consequently, great principles of de- the Filipinos today are mocracy w h i c h have The Rev. Enrique C. Sobrepena, D.O., is the mod- generally healthier and helped the American sturdier than were those people to grow strong. erator of the United Evangelical Church of the Phil- of a generation ago. ippine Islands. He came to America to represent the Diseases which used to We Filipinos are now new church of his native land at the Centennial cele- send thousands of peoguaranteed in our own pIe to untimely graves Constitution the same bration of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. have now been brought rights of free speech, Dr. Sobrepena has been reelected bie.nnially moderator under control. The epifree press, free assem- of the United Church for five successive terms. He demics of cholera, diphbly, and free worship was also a member of the Constitutional Convention theria, typhoid fever, which we first enjoyed and smallpox-the ravunder the Constitution and he assisted in the drafting of the plan of govern- ages of which were well of the United States. known to the older gen- ment for the Philippine Commonwealth. eration _ are no longer To the United States Born in Caba, La Union, he was baptized and feared as formerly. Acwe owe also our system cording to a report reof popular education. joined the Evangelical Church while still attending centIy made by thePhl'l- In 1901 the American ippines Health Service, grade school. Upon completion of high school and t ran s p 0 r t steamer Thomas brought to the trade school courses, he served as a surveyor under the government. In 1920 he came to the United States and entered Macalester College. For two years he studied at Princeton Theological Seminary and took graduate courses in the University. He was graduated from Drew Theological Seminary in 1926. During his student dayS in Princeton and Drew he served as pastor of the Filipino Church in Brooklyn and was one of the founders and first president of the Filipino Students' Christian Moveme.nt, organized in 1923 dur- ing the Student Volunteer Movement convention in Philippines a thousand Indianapolis. smallpox – which used teacherR recruited from After returing to the Philippine Islands in 1926, to take toll of so many American colleges and Mr. Sobrepena became pastor of the United Church lives, to say nothing of schools 0 f education. in Manila and t<llught in the Union Theological S·em- marring the features of To them and to their inary. When the Union College of Manila was or- large numbers of people successors we owe the ganized, Dr. Sobrepena was called as president. -claimed not one viclarge decrease of illiter- tim last year. As a reacy _ an illiteracy due Dr. Sobrepena is a member of the board of trustees suIt of this scientific to the fact that previ- of Silliman University and the' Union Theological knowledge and other Seminary, has served as executive secretary of the Philippines Council of Religious Education and is editor of the local official organ of the United Evan- gelical Church, The Advance.
ously schools had been factors for the strength- intended almost entirely ening of physical life, for the children of those in power. As education the Filipino is much better prepared to take his and understanding have spread, so we have ad- part as a citizen.
vanced commercially, socially, and religiously. But the most significant contribution to our peo- Upon our educated citizens rests the success, and pIe has been made not by the government or by even the existence of our republican form of gov- commerce or by medicine, but by the evangelical ernment. churches of the United States. We Filipinos, as Our acquaintance with the Americans, who a people, had not been without some knowledge of have husbanded their national resources to afford the Christian religion. Spain, as a colonizing comfortable living conditions, has also inspired us power, brought to her subject peoples the institu- to develop our rich natural resources so as to pro- tions and doctrines of Christianity as she believed [78 ] EVANGELICAL STUDENTS, AS VOLUNTEER TEACHERS, CONDlTCTING A CHRISTIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL IN A VILLAGE' IN THE PHILIPPINES them. But religion, as we knew it before the churches has succeeded in drawing together Filicoming of the American missionaries, did not play pino men and women who believe in the teachings an important part in the transformation of the and the power of Jesus Christ. They are thus individual lives and in the vitalizution of social brought into a virile fellowship fired by a common progress. The presentation of Jesus Christ by purpose – that of making individual and social the messengers of the Gospel as an actual, pur- life thoroughly Christian. poseful reality for the release of men from the bondage of sin and selfishness-preparing them With the continued help of the older and for the life that is to make them veritable assets stronger churches of America, we believe that the in their communities – has made the life and Evangelical Church of the Philippines will grow in teachings of Christ truly vital factors in our na- strength and usefulness, accepting Jesus Christ tional progress. The evangelical missionary work as the dynamic force for the saving of individual carried on by the representatives of the American lives, for sanctifying social institutions, and en- riching all human relationships.
"During my ministry for nearly half a century I have tried to keep abreast of modern developments, and to keep in touch with modern knowledge, but through all the years I have carried on what people call an "evangelical" ministry. I do not see that historical criticism or scientific discovery or the new psychology invalidates in the slightest degree the central and essential Gospel that God was in Christ reconciling the world .to Himself."
J. D. JONES, Bournemouth, England.
a Missionary
By GEOFFREY W. ROYALL, Tientsin, Shantung Missionary of the Church of the Nazarene "KNoWLEDGE, like religion, must be 'ex- in the home lands, the responsibility to ageing perienced' in order to be known," Whipple parents on the 'white side of the world – these reminds us. There are many things that things are, forever greedily sapping the vital only editors know-and they won't tell! Likewise energy of the missionary, generally unconsciously, there are some things known only to' doctors, to for his mind and time are too taken up with his pastors and to mothers. I would tell the saga of immediate tasks to stop and think about them!
things that "only a missionary knows." This Did you ever bury a son or daughter in the knowledge comes from personal experience and jungle of a pagan land? No? Missionaries have.
not from books. Have you ever fought wicked spirits and matched The young missionary knows what it means to your wits with Satan's minions? Missionaries literally bid farewell to father, mother, brothers, have! Did you ever walk into villages where a sisters, and to an ever-increasing host- of friends white man has never stepped and where the name and set his face toward an alien heathen land to of Jesus has never been uttered? No? Well miswhich he has not even been invited. The pros- sionaries have-and are still doing so.
pects of furthering his education, the thoughts of The missionary knows what it means to say becoming successful in business, the possibilities goodbye to his children, to leave them at home for of building towers of friendships (the foundations education while father and mother return to of which have already been laid in youth), the heathen lands to help civilize, help educate and idea of fitting naturally into his place in a modern help save someone's else children! Drop into alcivilization-for all these things to be suddenly most any college and you will find splendid young wiped off the blackboard of life is no easy thing. men and women whose parents are a thousand A missionary knows the sudden jarring impact leagues away on mission fields. Neither parent of a heathen land. No one invited him to come! nor child considers his an unnecessary or unwill- He has been thinking white ever since he first ing sacrifice. This they do for Christ's sake.
looked into the mirror. Now his thinking must be These are among the things known to missionaries in terms of black, yellow or brown, depending -and their children.
upon the land in which he labors. His mother In the business world the basis upon which a tongue must now be painfully switched over to man is paid a salary depends, generally speaking, the staccato of the Kingdom of Kimonos, the sing- upon his ability. The better his education, the song of the Dragon Kingdom, the gutteral lan- more skilled his hand and the richer his experience guage of the pigmies or the mellifiuent rhythm of will mean that he can demand a larger remunerathe Spanish-speaking lands. He must master this tion for his services. The clergy, generally speaknew language, not that his pockets may be soon ing, receive their emolument according to their lined with silver, but that the King's crown may qualifications and experience. An older pastor be provided with adequate gems! will generally command a larger church and in- come than his inexperienced contemporary. On The abrupt change in climate and its inevitable the other hand a gifted young minister may be reaction upon the body, the natural mental strain that comes in the transition from the customs of placed in a better parish than an older man. The one nation to another, the resultant embarrass- remuneration of the missionary does not increase ment that follows his first efforts to speak an with his efficiency and experience and does not de- exotic language-all these are among the less sig- pend on the size of. his parish. The missionary nificant potpourri of expeI1iences that make up who is appointed to the superintendency of a mis- the background of the young missionary's novi- sion field receives larger responsibilities, more tiate. criticism, more sleepless nights and a greater de- mand upon his pocket-but nothing extra in it! Home-sickness is a common ailment among new Yes, the missionary is reimbursed in spiritual missionaries! To be surrounded year after year rewards-not in dollars! by superstition and darkness, the lack of Chris- tian fellowship that you take so much for granted The missionary knows what it means to have [80 ] to combat the unwholesome influence of fellow What should be the attitude of an evangelical countrymen on the mission field. For instance, a missionary in Spain or China today! He knows well-known tobacco company has as its slogan far better than any war correspondent just who here in the Orient: "A cigarette in the mouth of is in the right and who in the wrong. How often every Chinese within three years!" While two, does his righteous indignation clamor for expres- thousand coffins are piled within the vicinity of sion, only for discretion to step in and become the the Temple of Heaven (the execution ground) inevitable better part of valor, lest his tongue be- outside Peking, waiting to house the bodies of un- tray his legitimate disapproval of the powers that fortunate opium addicts and pedlars who may be illegitimately be! How often does the missionary executed this year, our so-called Christian nations sit upon a hypothetical fence and keep his mouth (one of which was originally partly responsible shut, for his garments must never smell of poli- for the introduction of opium into China) thrust tics. His ministry relates to the soul rather than out their minions with a milder form of poison to to the rice bowl. To express himself in favor of take its place! Big self-seeking oil companies either party would be to place himself between force up the price of gasolene and its by-products the Scylla of offending the people that he has come and gain a monopoly over a trade that could other- to help civilize, educate and save and the Charyb- wise sell its goods at thirty per cent below the dis of provoking the powers that be.
present figure and still make a profit. The inroad Disappointments and Ecstasy of unwholesome twentieth century films with the resultant lowering of social and moral standards, A missionary knows the keen disappointment is also among the galaxy of evils which make up of passing through sometimes a whole year withthe missionary's environment. out receiving a letter from those whom he counts Remember, a missionary has to keep the Stars among his dearest friends. "Of course we'll be and Stripes or the Union Jack from being dragged writing to you every month," was their glib promin the dust of international misunderstandings, as well as his primary task of keeping the banner of ise in farewell. They have not forgotten you (oh the Cross flying high and unsoiled. He is, as a no!) but they just don't think to sit down and rule, the first pioneer and the first ambassador to write you a real newsy letter. They prefer to give the pagan lands. Trade, commerce and interna- their nickle to Wriggley Junior inst€ad of to the tional relationships follow, rather than precede, Post Office! To one far from home there is no the footsteps of the missionary. emptiness like that of an empty mail-box. Read that again. How far can the Christian apostle to the heathen lower his standards without compromising? How What are the emotions and impressions of the can he keep a clear conscience and yet permit herald of the Gospel on his return to the Occident? certain heathen customs to continue even after a Only the missionary knows. Perhaps his mother family has embraced Christianity? A new con- or father died while he was on the mission field vert's plurality of wives for instance. These in- and will not be there to greet him. He has been tricate problems and perplexing questions and a royal ambassador of good will (without port- their answers are known only to the missionary. folio!) to the courts of the heathen as well as an Often a missionary knows what it means to evangelical envoy with insignia from his church. Only those vitally interested in his going will be dwell continually in the midst of a bandit-ridden, . on hand to greet him on his return. war-torn, famine-stricken land, where the toil, tears and triumphs of years may be apparently The advance of modern civilization since the swept away in a day. (The writer has just re- World War has been so pronounced and rapid, turned to Tientsin from an enforced 2,OOO-mile that the missionary of today, who returns to the trip to the interior. He went against the wishes homelands after an absence of only five years, will of his Consul and in a period of forty-five days discover more changes than his fellow minister of bumped directly and indirectly into war, floods, twenty years ago who returned after an absence earthquake and plague! The last seventeen days of ten years! Time marches on-the modern miswere spent in quarantine on a British ship off the sionary must keep pace as best he can.
coast of China under the surveillance of the al- For the first few weeks at home he will feel lost.
mond eye of Nippon. Cholera had menaced the His clothes may be out of date. His English vo- ship on its way from Shanghai and it broke out cabulary will in all probability need definite atten- before the boat reached Tientsin. Three passen- tio,n. The threads of civilization must be taken up gers died of the disease.) There are few, if any, where they were dropped. Calloused society is missionaries who have not at some time or other suspicious of him. His body will be weary and been pilloried as "foreign devils" or whose own his mind tired yet, following a few months of re- every-day customs have been mistaken by the na- laxation, it will be his privilege to spend the re- tives as barbarian gaucheries. mainder of his furlough in deputation work.
Then, rested, more or less, he will return to the tide that ebbs and flows or as the moon that regland of his ambassadorship. ularly loses its face once a month!
There is one more thing that is known only to Let a legion of missionaries (modern but not the missionary. It is the unspeakable ecstasy that modernistic) scattered along a score of far-flung fills his heart on seeing the Light of the Gospel battle fronts, and upon whom the sun never sets, break in upon men who were born and who have challenge you to barter your "interest" for a real lived their lives in darkness. To see heathendom genuine "burden." Interest is extrinsic, a genuine light its spiritual candle at his lamp without de- burden is always intrinsic. priving him of any flame-yes, this is the time when dollars are cheapest and spiritual diamonds These, then, are some of the things that "a misare the rarest! sionary knows." Think well upon them, add to them the call and claim of the Christless multi- If you, reader, are one of those who have only tudes and the dynamic commands of our Lordan effervescent, spasmodic interest in Foreign and then be lethargic if you dare! Missions-and they are a plethoric tribe-then go back and look for your cross! Your prayers and Today-send us more "oil for the lamps of your gifts are like your interest-sporadic, incon- China," more spiritual nurture for young Mother sistent and therefore not to be depended upon. India, more doctors and nurses for the "Black Alas, mere interest is like the proverbial railroad Ward in the World's Hospital," and more light time-table, a woman's mind, the weather-subject for the Kingdom of Kimonos. to change without notice! General interest may speak all languages and act all parts but it carries Tomorrow-we will share with you these "diano load. Mere interest has the security though monds in the rough"; polished by the power of not the virtue of principle. It is too much like the the Spirit, with your own hand you may set them into the crown of the King of kings.
Missionary Pioneering Today By KENNETH G. GRUBB, London, England Survey Department, World Dominion Press W HAT is a pioneer? This question, like world has no frontiers except those which he seeks most which raise a problem in definitions, to abolish. He admits no defeats and is satisfied is not easy to answer. There are pioneers with no victories-except the last. The pioneer of trade, as well as pioneers of ideas, of explora- spirit shows a genius for breaking bounds. tion, and of evangelization. When a soul detaches itself from the complex activities of its time, when The missionary pioneer has led the advance of amid the maze of committees, institutions, pre- Christianity into the non-Christian world. This occupations and criticisms of the day, a soul as- has been such a distinctive service that many asserts its freedom and plunges far away from its sociate the word "pioneer" almost exclusively own environment, then the pioneer spirit is born. with the attempt to reach unevangelized fields When that soul has realized the sum of its attain- with the Gospel of Christ. Some missions have ments, when it sinks back into that background been founded almost wholly on a pioneer policy: from which it arose, when the fruit of its initia- they have not wished to undertake the upbuilding tive has been gathered by the institution out of of the Church. It is obvious that, unless the which it was born, a pioneer achievement ends, pioneer has himself failed, his scope is limited. and the second stage begins-that of development Today, there are not many well populated regions where the Gospel has never been preached. The and consolidation. whole world has, in the main, been covered by a Some such conception would probably cover the network of missions, Roman Catholic and Prot- estant, which have created churches and congrevarious uses of the word pioneer. The missionary gations in many thousands of places. Such occuis concerned with evangelization, a living vibrat- pation is gravely inadequate, but the remaining ing process, which is ever claiming new leader- task can hardly be called a pioneer one. ship, new methods, and which ever leads onwards to new horizons. The pioneer is always breaking It is necessary to distinguish between "closed new ground and is working for the future. His lands" and the real pioneer task. If the Gospel has not been carried into certain areas like Af- cases, the best pioneer evangelists come from the ghanistan or Tibet, it is not because the Church Church itself, which, by its intimate ties with the has not borne these lands on its heart, but because life of the land, is better equipped to undertake there are artificial obstacles to evangelization. In the occupation of new areas. The place of the such cases the challenge wears the air of a pioneer missionary will then be behind the front line, task, but is actually of a different order. It is counselling and aiding, giving his time, perhaps, generally useless for a small mission to send out to the training of evangelists, and to that unob- one or two inexperienced men to sit down indefi- served but constant service of love which is the nitely on the borders of these lands; indiscreet essence of fellowship.
action puts the real advance even farther off. In This means that there will not be the same de- these cases there is no open door, but there is a mand in the future for the special type of pioneer call to prayer, which may be as effective in Amer- missionary who has been so useful in the past.
ica as in northwest India. This problem, in any It is notorious that pioneers are often difficult to case, is not one for inexperienced men. It seems live with; they are angular people; they are ac- absurd to put the more poorly equipped men to customed to facing critical situations entirely work on the most difficult task, if we are not to alone and to finding unusual solutions for totally expect failure. The highest wisdom, experience novel problems, and that on the spur of the mo- and devotion are needed when the obstacles are ment. These defects are those of their qualities.
greatest. The present-day situations do not demand less The pioneer task, in the old meaning of the initiative, and do not offer any the less scope for words, is limited. The writer can remember, personality. But they generally call for wisdom, hardly a decade ago, making a journey of nearly for the cooperative spirit, lor patience, sympathy six months without passing through one mission and understanding in an unusual degree. They station, but such areas were very sparsely popu- often suggest a reversal of our sense of what is lated. Does this mean that the greater part of important and unimportant; if rigid organiza- the population of the world is really evangelized? tion, efficiency, and the like represent the ideal of Unfortunately, No; this is far from being the good missionary work, then the sooner the ideal case. The christianization of the world is like an is abandoned the better.
incomplete mosaic. All over the map there are It may be doubted whether a consciousness of scores of small pieces of varying denominational the changed situation has fully penetrated the out- colors; between and among them there are very look of those training institutions which have many gaps where other pieces are needed to com- mainly prepared missionaries of the pioneer, plete the pattern. These gaps cannot be filled up evangelistic type. At the same time it is difficult by a piece of any color, by some new mission to agree with the implication of "Rethinking Mis- planting itself anywhere in cheerful faith. For sions" that only men of exceptional intellectual effective results it is essential that the denom- ability should be sent to the mission field. Such inational pattern, when complete, should at least men, in any vocation or profession, are rare, and present some degree of harmony. It is, therefore, in any event are by no means always the best rep- necessary that the completion of the task should resentatives of a cause which calls for devotion of be carefully considered in its relation to the exist- the heart as much as skill of the mind. The de- ing and adjacent churches. The zeal of those who mand of the present hour is not so much for men diligently pore over the map to see where a new of this type, as for men of simplicity and strength mission can by any means be dropped down may of character who have the courage to refuse popu- be admired but not commended. larity, abjure the temptations which accompany This does not mean that the day of the mission- influence. They will decline to spend time on any ary is over. A great need of recruits is felt by activities except the simplest, which are nearly almost every mission. In such a country as China always the most difficult, being for this reason the hundreds of new missionaries are required. But most neglected. Sympathy, humility, sacrificial the place of the missionary will, in the future, be living and unswerving loyalty are indispensable modified. There is some difference of opinion here, to the modern missionary. Unless he is loyal, how which arises from the different conditions in vari- can he expect to be of any service to a Church ous lands. In many cases the missionary can still which, as in the Far East today, is faced by grave do work, if not of a pioneer nature, then approxi- tests of faith, wisdom and courage?
mating to that. He can take the lead in opening Far from admitting any spiritual laxity, the up new districts, in establishing new congrega- present situation demands an immense increase tions, always in cooperation with the local church of spiritual power. The lonely pioneer is of neces- and in such a way that when the pioneer stages sity cast upon God; he has no other resource, and have been traversed the new congregation can no other hiding-place. The artificial conditions of find fellowship among the existing ones. In other civilization, along with accessibility of friends and
numerous available channels of help and support ground, environment and support through which bring a greater temptation to look elsewhere than alone the pioneer's initiative can be fruitful, and to God alone for inner strength and power of en- without which it will be both as spectacular and durance. It is strange to meet missionaries who as useless as a meteor in the night. To the Church, are unhappy if the wireless is not functioning as such, the majority of the great reforms, the maclearly. The old pioneer conditions did at least jority of the great missionary advances have apthrow a man back upon God; the writer has peared unrealizable. It has required the pioneer found few things so spiritually beneficial as being to break down the barriers, to destroy the vicious lost. The starving find God in a way in which He circles, and "to build above the deep intent the is rarely known by those who have never known deed." want. This sense of the utter indispensability of God, of the impossibility of any real help except The elements of solitude and uniqueness belong from Him, needs to be restored to the whole mis- to all pioneer acts. This solitude is not always sionary enterprise. external, it may be a loneliness of the heart. Alone, the Saviour moved to his appointed doom; Furthermore, every age is constantly offering alone St. Paul heard the Macedonian call; alone its pioneer problems. Every age brings the Luther stood before the Emperor at Worms. Church grave challenges, in the face of which the attitude of the majority is either silent acquies- I hear a voice you cannot hear cence or the voting of resolutions. But a resur- Which says I must not stay; gence of iniquity, under polite modern forms, is not to be met by resolutions but by resolution ex- I see a hand you cannot see, pressing itself in action. Someone must detach Which beckons me away. himself from the main drift of popular opinion, stand out, be made a fool and called a fanatic: he The pioneer's act is also unique: it can never be is a pioneer. In every age some grain of wheat repeated. Some things can only be done once: must fall into the ground and die; someone must Columbus discovered America and no one else can be crucified in order that by death life may ac- do it; Edison invented the phonograph and no quire meaning, and words be convicted of their one else can invent it. It is the privilege of the futility in the face of the deed. pioneer to do the unique act, which cannot be done a second time. In order to relate the work of the pioneer to the progress of the Church we must consider his func- It must be our prayer that the indigenous tions more closely. The pioneer is, in a sense, a churches of Africa and the East will also have solitary representative of an order that is to be. their own pioneers of thought. They must face He enters a new province with the Gospel exem- their own spiritual and intellectual problems, and their own pioneers must emerge in order to solve plifying in his own person the new life that is to them. Oliver Wendell Holmes divides thinkers into three classes: there are the original thinkers; come. In his own life and message he clears away there are the retailers of these men's thoughts, a mass of corruption that has come to be called a who are generally equipped with profound specusocial habit. He therefore stands for a new order lative powers; and there are the re-retailers who at present composed of one individual. He can popularize and illustrate. The first class are the do this because he is constantly compelled by an true pioneers of thought, and we must pray that internal necessity which is nothing less than an the Churches of our day may possess them. identity of life and action. He has to make a movement out of something which, either by ac- It must further be our prayer that the "younger quiescence or definition, has become a halt. He Churches" may have spiritual pioneers, men puts the whole essence of his faith and life into whose very presence in the congregation reveals action in his own field. the restlessness of a spiritual Alexander, ever sighing for new worlds to conquer. They must be But his field is also the field of the Church itself men who can call the fainting back to God, who -the world. The Church, although a divine so- can inspire the Church, and declare the whole purciety, is in its human aspect the medium of pose of God in and through His people, who can intercommunication through which individual freely face and accept responsibility in a constant Christian souls interact with one another. It is assurance of the love of God. Without such con- Christian individuals that make Church history. secrated spiritual pioneers, we may well despair It is the duty of the Church to provide the back- of the outcome of our missionary work.
Foreign Missionary of
By REV. J. LOVELL MURRAY, D.D.
Director of the Canadian School of Missions, Toronto, Canada "MISSIONARIES should be weighed, not the development of their churches rests largely on counted," said Dr. Gustav Warneck over their own nationals. The other is the percolating thirty years ago. That wise and learned into those churches of the intense spirit of na- tionalism which is abroad in their countries and missionary scholar was speaking in a time when which resents the leadership of foreigners. These the Christian missionary force throughout the factors, which have brought some perplexities as world was being widely discussed in terms of its well as much rejoicing to the missionaries on the numerical proportions. The quality of the work- field, have been having their effect too in the ers was not stressed as it is today. The Laymen's "sending countries." One of the reasons for the Missionary Movement was then presenting its sag in the missionary interest and response of challenge for the complete occupation of unevan- church members is undoubtedly the attitude which gelized lands on the basi,s of one missionary to says, "Why continue to harp on the question of every 25,000 of the population. The needs of each missions? The Churches over there are now in a field were presented largely by calculating the position to deal with the situation. And besides number of persons that made up the average they don't welcome our missionaries as once they "parish" of the missionaries working there. A did." similar emphasi,s had already characterized the recruiting appeal of the Student Volunteer Move- Are our missionaries still needed and wanted? ment. This was true especially of the first few When the then Educational Secretary of the Stuyears of its work, when the effort seemed to be dent Volunteers, Dr. Milton T. Stauffer, went to mainly one of mass production. the Jerusalem Meeting of the International Mis- sionary Council in 1928, this question was ringing The last quarter of a century has seen a de- in his ears. He had been hearing it in the colleges cided shift of attention from the quantitative to on all sides. He got what light he could at Jeruthe qualitative element in missionary personnel. salem and on his return wrote to prominent rep- The World Missionary Conference at Edinburgh resentatives of the younger churches, many of in 1910 chose the Preparation of Missionaries as whom had been present at Jerusalem, asking for one of its eight major themes. In line with its their frank opinion on the matter. A summary recommendations the Board of Missionary Prep- of their responses as published in a small volume, aration was established in North America and the "A Call for Colleagues," records all but unani- Board of Missionary Studies in Great Britain; mouslyan affirmative answer, although with qualand the questions of the selection and training of ifications as to the kind of missionaries wanted. missionaries have ever since received a generous The opinions of these eminent churchmen of the amount of attention in these and other "home Orient and Africa not only had weight in thembase" countries. At present, in anticipation of selves, but they also qualified as a cross-section of the Madras meeting, a committee is working the sentiment of their fellow-Christians. under the chairmanship of Professor D. J. Fleming on "The Future Task and Preparation of Has that sentiment changed in the interval? Is Missionaries." A particular evidence of this it generally true that our missionaries are still growing interest is found in the facilities that desired by the younger Churches, and if so, are have multiplied for the specialized training of they wanted in decreasing or increasing numbers? candidates and of missionaries on furlough. This question gives rise to two others. For what tasks are they now needed? And what attitude~ In recent years the questions of quantity and and equipment should they bring to the tasks? quality have both been brought into the front of These questions are obviously of basic importance missionary thinking by reason chiefly of two fac- in our missionary plans for the future and in our tors in the "receiving countries." One is the in- current missionary apologetic and appeal. creased competency and ,self-reliance of the Churches in those lands. They are recognizing in Like others actively engaged in missionary work an impressive and practical way that the responsi- at the home base we have been trying in our bility for the evangelizing of their countrymen and school to gauge the sentiment of the Churches in [85 ]
the field on all of these questions. We have made ness has yet been given, or where there are use of correspondence files, of books and periodi- certain. classes of the population unreached by cals, of field reports, of National Christian Coun- Christian effort, the combined resources of the cil documents, and particularly of the judgments older and younger Churches must be enlisted; and brought by several scores of missionaries each therefore that the missionary force should not year from many parts of the mission world. The only be made up to its pre-depression strength concensus of opinion gathered from these sources but be increased still further-and that without has been abundantly confirmed by three bishops, delay. all of them Orientals, whom we have interrogated within the past fortnight. They were Bishop P. S. Why Are They Needed? Sasaki, of the mid-Japan diocese, Bishop P. Lindel Tsen, of the Honan diocese in China, and Bishop Our second question was: For what special tasks V. S. Azariah, of the diocese of Dornakal, Chair- will missionaries be needed in the years before us? man of the National Christian Council of India. All three are trusted and experienced leaders of This is a subject 0 which much careful thought the indigenous Church, with their fingers on the pulse of Christian sentiment in their respective has been given recently and on which much light countries. may be expected from the Madras meeting. The tasks will of course vary in different fields. How Many Are Needed? Readers of THE REVIEW are familiar with a number of special demands which in general seem Our first question was: In what numbers, if at to be made by the changing conditions in which all, are our missionaries still desired? "Desired? missionary work is done – demands for literary Why by all means," they replied at once, appar- workers, religious education experts, specialists ently surprised by the question. They had no in industrial problems, in social service, in rural yearning for an avalanche of poorly furnished and betterment, in youth movements, in women's ill-adapted workers; but they felt strongly that work, etc. the numbers of suitable missionaries should be increased largely and promptly. Bishop Azariah The bishops quite agreed with these calls for pointed to the mass movements in India and to specialized attention. Doubtless, although the the bewilderment of the Church there as it faces subject was not discussed, they would appreciate the problem of shepherding and instructing the the values to be derived from a limited number of tens of thousands who are coming into its mem- short-term workers and also from brief visits by bership yearly. And back of these, are rank upon outstanding specialists, such as the visit which rank of these same depressed classes moving out Professor Luther A. Weigle recently paid to China of Hinduism, they know not whither. Islam is in the interests of religious education. But they ready to absorb them. Sikhism is ready. But the touched only lightly the matter of "specialists" Christian Church is handicapped because its ca- and talked rather of certain branches of Christian pable personnel already is enlisted almost to the effort to which some concentrated attention should limit. More missionaries are urgently needed to be given in the future. Bishop Sasaki emphasized develop teachers of Christian truth. rural evangelism. Necessary as it is to adjust our programs of education, medicine and literature to Bishop Sasaki said that missionary work hither- the actual life of the country people, he regards to had been mainly for middle-class people in evangelism as needing foremost attention. So also Japan, and he pleaded for a large corps of workers in social welfare work. Japan is giving a large from the West to give special attention to the attention to this problem. The missionary who upper classes and to the rural population. Bishop comes as a specialist may easily be just one more Tsen stated that the Chinese Church "would like social worker. His contribution should be disto have as many new missionaries as the Western tinctive by being thoroughly Christian, a phase of countries will allow." Only rabid nationalists evangelism, and should be in close connection with would discourage their coming. Bishop Azariah the Church. The Bishop pointed out that Japan spoke similarly for his cQuntry. "The Indian is also well equipped with state schools and col- Church has a real knowledge of ~ re(J,l need and leges. The justification for the Christian institusees greater opportunities in the future than it tion hereafter will be its effectiveness in building has ever faced and therefore desires a continuous Christian character and this must be its deterflow of missionaries." All three agreed that the mined effort. The result can be best attained if missionary's effort must always be to make him- a boy or a girl can pass through the whole educaself dispensable in his district by his training of tional process-primary school, middle school, colnationals. But they also agreed that so long as lege–under such an influence. there are unoccupied areas, or so-called occupied areas where in large districts no Christian wit- The Chinese situation, in Bishop Tsen's view, calls for a uniform adaptation in medical, educa- tional, and evangelistic work to the changing times. He mentioned religious education and rural work as calling for missionary specialists, giving instruction in Christian doctrine and in but added that looking ahead he saw in all the regard to the Christian Church. He must be preregular lines of service large opportunities for pared to give his life to the Indian Church. "He any missionary workers who would be sent out by should say a thousand times before coming to the older Churches. India, 'The Church must increase; I must de- -crease.''' And if he is to be the teacher of teach- Bishop Azariah felt that in India all mission- ers in the young Church he must be well prepared. aries should consider that for the immediate fu- Bishop Sasaki, in referring to the same thing, ture their primary task is to strengthen the Indian used the expression "the pastor of pastors." The Church. Nothing will invite their energies more same bishop said that most missionaries of the futhan the training of pastors and lay workers to ture, so far as Japan was concerned, should be care for the great ingatherings of today and to- specially qualified to work either among the upper morrow. He stressed the need for lay workers. classes or among the country people. In his own diocese there are no longer any paid evangelists. Church members are told that if It was Bishop Tsen who had most to say on they are Christians they will be evangelists. But this third question. He mentioned three importhey need training; and here the missionary can tant qualifications: (1) The missionary must be and must help. He referred to the new movement prepared to identify himself with the national inof caste people towards Christianity and pointed terests of the people, insofar as these are not conout that caste women will not learn from men. trary to Christian principles. He must regard Women missionaries are urgently needed to wit- himself not as a foreigner but as a member of the ness to them and to train women to do evangelistic community, and with sympathetic understanding work among them. Be had just appealed to the and naturalness must become one with the people. C. M. S. for more women to meet this need. And (2) He must come wide awake and scientifically he added with emphasis that all the Indian lay minded, as ready to learn as to teach. Instead of workers, and the pastors and teachers also, "are bringing along preconceived notions of Chinese needing the inspiration which the Western culture he must patiently seek to ascertain its Churches can contribute out of their centuries true character. He must be slow to condemn cusof Christian experience." This statement sug- toms, such as ancestor worship. Conversely he gests that the missionary should help the young must beware of representing all things Western Church, while achieving indigeneity, to appreciate as being Christian, for to the Chinese some of and to retain its connection with historical and them may seem to be quite otherwise. (3) He ecumenical Christianity. And again he spoke of must consider himself as a member of the local "the pioneer work to be done in unevangelized church. He must not think that he is there to areas and in the yet untouched communities in superintend, to lead, to "run" something, but evangelized districts"-a work in which the mis- must identify himself fully with the group. "I sionary has a large part to play. notice," said the bishop, "that in their thinking many missionaries put themselves apart from the What Kind Are Needed? indigenous churches. They say, 'You wanted to direct the church's affairs. Go and do it. We The third question was: What manner of men won't be in your way.' This is not healthy. There and women must they be who can effectively dis- is just one inclusive 'we.' We teach each other, charge these various tasks in the near future? we learn from each other.. We share the sorrows The bishops were of one mind in regard to certain and failures and also the joys and achievements basic qualifications. First among the categories of our common Church. We go along and we grow of fitness they placed a deep personal experience along together. The missionary may be short in of Christ that impels to witness, and with that a other points, but this attitude is too vitally imsubstantial knowledge of the Christian Scriptures. They felt that denominational views of doctrine portant to be neglected." and church organization were of quite minor importance as compared with "an unshakable faith This symposium of opinion is far from a comin Jesus Christ." They realized too that mental plete survey of the issues which this article was strength and alertness and adequate preparation were never so greatly needed as now. And each meant to embrace. But it was contributed by of them naturally included among necessary quali- "three wise men from the East" who are wielding fications an equipment for the special tasks of large influence in their respective countries and which he had previously been speaking. For example, Bishop Azariah was insistent that the mis- whose elevation as nationals to the episcopate is sionary of the future should be qualified not only a sign of the changing missionary times. It may for personal and public evangelism but also for therefore be taken as a fair synopsis of present thinking among the younger Churches which our missionaries have the privilege of serving. A NEWSPAPER MAN'S TESTIMONY TO MISSIONARIES IN CHINA The most significant job done by Americans in China is neither the buying nor the selling of goods. It is so great a work that it is altogether misunderstood by small minds and even smaller hearts. That is the tremendously important and valuable services of the American missionary.
. These men and women have gone to town and village, bringing with them not only the many varieties of Christianity, but a new cultural pattern; in my opinion, a nobler cultural pattern than the Chinese retained amid the disintegration of China's indigenous social and intellectual establishments during the last century.
Take, as an example, St. John's University in Shanghai, or the Shanghai College (which used to be the Shanghai Baptist College) or Lingnan University (which used to be called the Canton Christian College), or Yenching in Peking or Soochow University, or Yale-in-China- these and many more have kept the light of modern learning aflame in China during the dark days of civil war and revolution and change of government.
* '. * * These missionaries brought medicine and hospital and nursing and child welfare to China. They brought a new conception of social relationships-not man-for-his-family, but man-for- society – a broadening of viewpoint.
They planted the seeds of a social revolution, which, if it did not quickly make China strong, at any rate produced in China a forward-looking, progressive, non-opium smoking monogamous leadership.
Chiang Kai-shek and the Soongs are Christians. In fact, the Soong family is particularly notable for its Christian affiliations, for on the mother's side they trace themselves back to a famous figure at the end of the Ming dynasty who came under the influence of Ricci and whose daughter, Candida, was the first nun in China, while Charles Soong, the father, actually came to China from the United States to teach English and the Bible.
The present Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Dr. C. T. Wang, was .the first Chinese secretary of the Y. M. C. A. in China, while Dr. H. H. Iung, who was in this country recently and is now Premier of whatever remains of government in China, was secretary of the Chinese Y. M. C. A. in Japan at one time.
*** It is impossible to overemphasize the great value to China of the American missionary, of the American school and hospital situated in that country. And it is something to note in these days of collectivist materialism that there has been no return to the United States for this service. It has cost us more, over a century, than we ever earned out of our trade with China. It was the contribution of a well-off people to those who needed our help and assistance.
And it is to be noted here that, in a measure, we did as well by Japan. It is true that the Japanese, sooner than the Chinese, were ready to take over many schools and hospitals which American good will had established in their country. But for years our missionaries labored there, as in China-not forcing anything down unwilling throats, but offering help and service to those who were willing and eager to receive.
I have known the American missionary in China well. He has been my friend. I have lived at his house. He has dined at my table. I know of no human beings who are more self- sacrificing, more loyal to the people among whom they live, more generous and less materially rewarded for an arduous life than most American missionaries. No matter what happens to China, most of them will remain at their posts valiantly laboring for the simple people who love them.-George E. Sokolsky, in "The New York Herald-Tribune."
INTERRACIAL. INTERDENOMINATIONAL MISSIONARY HOSPITAL AT TRUJILLO CITY, SANTO
Christian Unity in Practice By BARNEY N. MORGAN Superintendent, Board for Christian Work in Santo Domingo ONE notable tendency in the Protestant been encouraging signs of Christian unity in the Church for which the last two decades are merging of different evangelical church groups to be remembered is the growing spirit of and the formation of one body out of diverse deunity, whether this has been expressed in actual nominational elements. It is encouraging to note union or is still in the realm of hope. In no place the similar moves toward unity which have taken has the need for true unity been felt more keenly place on fields where different denominations had than on the mission fields where a vision has been already established work in separate camps. the heritage of Protestantism. There was a day when Christians thought they had fundamental In the island of Santo Domingo a dream has bereasons for dividing into separate camps, each of come real and a new philosophy of missions is at which bore a different name. As one moves fur- work. Seventeen years ago when three major ther out from the center of controversy he often denominations of the United States faced realities moves closer to others in an effort to stand vic- there was born the Board for Christian Work in toriously in the face of common foes. The move Santo Domingo. The result has been a movement from a doctrine-centered, to a life-centered ap- which today is an example of Christian unity in proach to religious reality has brought to great action. It was conceived from the beginning as a groups of Christians a growing sense of oneness program of Christian service to a whole country. which demands definite, practical, outward ex- Four departments of activity were organized-the pression. evangelistic finding its center in the church, the medical, the educational and the social. These In many communities in America there have have operated under the direction of the field [89 ]
<, •
90 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [February superintendent and while each department has its statement, although the church definitely feels own leadership there has been a very decided itself to be heir to the best in the Christian tradiunity both in spirit and action. tion. The ministers have been drawn largely from the constituent denominations having work in The Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., the Meth- Puerto Rico, without regard to balance in numodist Episcopal Church, and the United Brethren ber, but there is being formed a national ministry, in Christ, have from the first acted as a unit in members of which are being ordained by the Genthe promotion of the work; since 1930 the Wes- eral Assembly of the churches. All work, with the leyan Methodist Church of England has also co- exception of that in the Puerto Plata – Samana operated but in 1834 they began to minister to districts-is in Spanish. the English-speaking colored people who a few years before had come to the northern part of the With such an origin the Church has never beisland from the United States and the neighboring come denominationally conscious. In fact even islands. An immigration of Negroes from Penn- the names of different groups have little or no connotation for the Dominican evangelical. This A PATIO SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS IN LA ROMANA has made possible the releasing of spiritual energy for real tasks and not in the building of straw men sylvania, New Jersey and the Carolinas brought to be defended. With a vision of Christian servthe demand for evangelical work. Shortly after ice, whether it be through the channels of the their arrival in 1824 they petitioned their former church proper or through the hospital or schools, churches in the United States for a minister but the evangelical movement has won the respect of no response came to their appeal. In 1832 a group all classes of Dominican society and counts as of twenty-four men signed a petition which was friends many outstanding intellectuals who are sent to the Missionary Society of the Wesleyan helping to shape the future of the Republic. The Methodist Church and in response there was sent relation to the established church – the Roman to Puerto Plata from Turk's Island the Rev. Wm. Catholic – has been one of friendship and the Tindall who established a church there in 1834 critical spirit of former days in many nominally and another in Samana in 1837. The work has Roman Catholic countries has been absent. The been hi-lingual (English-Spanish) with growing superintendent of the Evangelical work and the emphasis on the latter. Now old age and youth, present archbishop, ,an Italian born, naturalized fast growing into manhood, have joined hands American citizen, talk frequently over the common and are marching together down the highway of religious problems which both churches face. Christian unity, for the churches of these districts with a membership of over five hundred have be- Two factors which have aided greatly in the come an integral part of La Iglesia Evangelica approach to the people have been the annual In- Dominicana (The Do min i can Evangelical stitute of Religious Education, an intensive train- Church). The question of vested interests, bar- ing school for workers and young people throughrier to many mergers, scarcely entered into the out the island, and the weekly radio broadcast plan of union. All properties formerly owned by from Ciudad Trujillo. ThQ former has helped in the Wesleyan Methodist Church are being trans- the training of leaders in La Iglesia Evangelica ferred without monetary consideration to the Dominicana and the Free Methodist Church hav": Union Board. La Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana ing work in a separate district in the north of the is a national church and has no ecclesiastical af- island (established before the formation of the filition with any of the constituent denominations Union Board) and also in the preparation of of the Board. It is working out its own form of teachers for the public schools. Several successful government and statement of faith. Up to the teachers received all of their technical training in present no urgent need has been felt for the latter teaching methods in the institutes.
The weekly radio broadcast-a regular feature since August, 1935-has created a wide interest in and understanding of the evangelical program. The weekly program, with music by a trained choir of young people and a short address has given rise to favorable comment by many who are not evangelicals. Reports from all parts of the island and from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela, Columbia, Costa Rica and the United States bear testimony to the high type of program which is being broadcast.
Hospital Internacional- a part of the union program-is one of the outstanding medical insti- tutions of the country and is serving all classes of
CHRISTIAN UNITY IN PRACTICE
people. For the last eleven years it has been the THE EVANGELICAL UNION CHURCH IN TRUJILLO only source of supply for graduate nurses for the Republic and still maintains the only standard training school for nurses in the country. Less than two years ago the Dominican Red Cross established a school for nurses and the onry graduate nurse on the faculty is from Hospital Internacional which has an all-Dominican medical and nursing staff, with the exception of the superintendent of nurses. Unity with the other departments of the program is secured through the administration of the hospital under the direction of the general superintendent.
Three schools, functioning under the direction of an educational committee named by the General Assembly of the churches, are making a definite contribution in the education of Dominican youth for practical citizenship. All schools are inspected by the government and their standing is first class.
The Social department has made a recognized contribution to youth through the promotion of a Boy Scout and athletic program.
This union project is beyond the purely experimental stage and has developed a stability which augurs well for its future. New trails have been blazed and a highway is open toward Christian unity in this land which Columbus loved. The Republic is enj oying an era of peace and order and religious liberty is guaranteed. One hopes that the influence of this practical demonstration of Christian unity in action may spread to other lands so that oneness in Christ, who knows no dividing line of race, color, nationality, or denomination, may become reality.
CHRISTIANITY DOMINANT IN INDIA In his last public address before returning to India by way of England, Bishop Azariah, of Dornakal, said in New York: There are great opportunities for missionary work in India. One-half the people on the globe are trained in religions which were born in India. There is a peculiar sensitiveness to God in the Indian mind. India is permeated with religious feeling. . . .
It was less than 100 years ago that Christian missions were seriously begun in India. Today a great part of the people are stirred and the Christian religion is dominant in India. Many Indians believe that through Christianity India will become what she ought to be. . . . It was 75 years ago that the first outcaste came to learn and to be baptized. Now, there are in India 1,000,000 Christians, the greater part of them out-castes, but not all: in 1936 we baptized 11,428. They represent all castes. At first, the high-caste Indians came to discuss social questions. This is not so today; they come to be baptized.
Christianity grows quickly in India. This is because the Gospel is first preached to the poor. When Christianity is given first to the poor, it rises and permeates the rich. When Christianity is preached first to the rich and powerful, the reverse is true. . . .
All the people who have come within reach of the Christian message are studying Christianity. The hio,-h-castes and the out-castes are baptized together. This is because the Christian religion has transformed all castes.
-The Living Church. Christian Literature for China By FRANK R. MILLICAN, Shanghai Secretary of the Christian Literature Society for China THE missionary enterprise has mainly been of the literature agencies in China. I would not carried forward along evangelistic, educa- belittle the importance of educational work-I am tional and medical lives. When one reads not discussing that problem now. I would only reports of the millions of dollars annually given point out by way of contrast the tremendous sums and used for these three aspects of work, he can- spent for educational institutions and the meagre not fail to be impressed and filled with gratitude provisions made for anyone of our literature to God. But as we examine more carefully these agencies. Our policy has been millions for edumethods of establishing the Kingdom or rule of cation and thousands for supplying the educated God in mission lands one question arises: Have public with wholesome Christian literature. we fallen too easily into the assumption that these types of work are the only strategic ones? Have Educated people will read. For what purpose we overlooked other means which might be used then are we educating all these masses? Are we equally effectively? I have the deep conviction that educating them to be able to read the volumes of we have sadly neglected one of the most fruitful unwholesome, licentuous and atheistic literature methods of missionary promotion and Christian that is flooding the nation? Have we done our expression. Having lived for nearly thirty years duty when we put into their hands this new in China, where the scholar has been honored and weapon for either good or evil? Or are we where literature or the written page has been held morally obligated not only to create the ability to in sacred awe, we are all the more impressed with read but also to supply the type of literature that this omission in our missionary enterprise. will turn this new skill to constructive and en- nobling ends? Ag.ain I say the public in China While there has been a real failure to appreciate will read, and whether it be in the cities, on the the possibilities of literature as a means of evan- trains or in the country, they find literature of gelism, something along this line has been done. some sort at hand for their consumption. Are we There have been prophetic individuals who have content to let them feed their minds and souls on seen the vision and who have found or made ways whatever they can pick up-largely commercialof using Christian literature in evangelism. Some- ized trash or even worse-or do we feel the oblione may reply that literature naturally falls within gation to flood the reading public with constructhe general field of evangelism. This reply would tive and redemptive literature? be quite valid if literature had been given an adequate place under that heading. I would not Now to "sow China down with good Christian quarrel over the question of classification; that literature"-and that should be our motto-is no is, whether literature should have been a distinct small or unworthy task. It requires determined and conscious division in missionary strategy on and sustained effort. It demands a conscious and a par with education, medicine and evangelism or carefully planned program of cultivation, of pro- duction and of distribution. Our imaginations whether it has more properly been included under need a tremendous stretch to visualize properly the general heading of evangelism. What I do the task in the proportions i.t should be carried wish to emphasize in this article is the fact that forward. There are signs that the leaders in the the strategic importance of Christian literature in forward programs of the church are beginning to the missionary program has been very little ap- awaken a little to this obligation and opportunity. preciated in the conscious formulation of our pro- In more recent conferences and missionary programs and budgets. motion groups in the West we find references to this neglected aspect of our work. In China, too, Take for comparison the emphasis placed on this work is being considered more seriously than education in the past of missionary work. Take in the past. The Church of Christ in China, comthe astounding amount of funds expended for prising one-third of the Christians of China, has plant and staff and current budget in anyone of put literature into its program on a larger scale our larger educational institutions, and compare than formerly. A committee has been set up to this with the petty sums appropriated for anyone [92 ] make a study of the problem and to formulate a ment in Western and Christian thought. This has program of proceedure. This program as pre- done much to break down prejudice and open the sented to the recent General Assembly provided way for the acceptance of the Gospel message. At for the agencies to cultivate this new interest as the same time the C. L. S. always has published well as suggestiDns as to methods of cooperating distinctively Christian literature for this wider with the various literature societies now providing group of readers. Now that secular presses are literature for the church. This is a very hopeful adequately supplying the needs for general and sign. Other Chinese church groups are develop- secular literature the C. L. S. is concentrating ing the same interest. This raises the question more especially on books to supply the needs of what literature societies are working in China and the church. This includes both books for Chriswhat they are doing to meet this grDwing need. tians themselves and books for the reading public. Its catalog reveals a wide variety of subjects. Besides several smaller literature agencies in Starting with Bible Dictionaries and general China we have at least five larger agencies offer- wDrks it goes on to the Life and Teachings of Christ, Apologetics, Religious Education, Coming their services tD the churches. * The Religious parative Religion, Devotional Literature, Biog- raphy, and special works fDr women and children. Tract Society and the Christian Literature So- It aims to supply as far as possible all the literaciety are the two major literature agencies offer- ture needs of the Christian movement in China in ing their facilities to the Christian constituency at all aspects of its work, so far as these are not suplarge. All .of the above akencies have made splen- plied by other societies.. did contributions but all, too, have been greatly handicapped in their work by the lack of adequate The C. L. S. offers facilities f.or the publication funds. The cramping effect of limiting budgets of a wide range of literature frDm the best writers and the efforts to do wDrthy pieces of work an- in the Church in China as well as literature pronually withDut going into the red verge on the vided by special groups. Among the special tragic. What would happen in anyone of these groups working with the C. L. S. in this cooperainstitutions if they could have funds and plant tive task may be mentioned the S. P. C. K. (inand staff comparable to anyone of our larger edu- cluding the wDrk of the Literature Committee .of cational institutions? And just as it takes a large the Sheng Kung Huei (Anglican», Cheeloo number of educatiDnal institutions to meet the School of Theology, Nanking Seminary, the Navarious needs of China so it will probably require tional Christian C.ouncil and the NatiDnal C.omseveral strong literature agencies to meet the mittee for Christian Religi.ous Education in China growing and diverse needs .of the Christian move- (N. C. C. R. E.). There is also a cooperative ment in a country the size of China. We desire as working agreement with the Canadian Mission much cooperation and even organic union in our Press of West China. societies as we can bring about but we ought not to allow the difficulties in this line to hDld us back All the literature agencies in China have had in the great task before us. and still have their special friends and supporters in the West. The C. L. S. has had special enc.our- The Religious Tract Society celebrated its Dia- agement from groups in England and America mond Jubilee in 1936 and the Christian Literature recently in the form .of special provision for the Society is now celebrating its Golden Jubilee. support of Chinese members of the Executive and This represents sixty and fifty years of fruitful Administrative side of its w.ork. This is a step service by these well-known societies, respectively. forward from the loyal support to the general With a worthy history behind them they face the budget in the past. But this brings with it the future in this new day of increased .opportunities increased opportunities which can only be met by in the confidence that the Christian Church both decidedly increased amounts to the general budget in the West and in China will make it possible for to make possible the extensive work that the new them to increase their contributions manyfold. situation requires. It is because of this new op- The R. T. S. has always specialized on tracts for portunity and the demands of the Christian movewide distribution. At the same time it has pub- ments in China for a general forward advance in lished many larger "tracts" in the form of bODks its literature program that prompts this appeal to or booklets. Recently it is tending to put greater mission Boards and all other interested agencies emphasis on these more substantial works. The for adequate financial support. Let us prayerfully C. L. S. in the earlier years emphasized literature consider this great need and opportunity and in for the literati and works of general enlighten- loyal .obedience to Christ's command give our- selves more fully to the task of literature evan- • These are the China Baptist Publication Society In Shanghai, gelism in China. the Lutheran Book Concern in Hankow, the Association Press in Shanghai, the Religious Tract Society in Hankow, and the Christian Literature SOCiety in Shanghai. The Luthern and Baptist societies naturally specialize on literature for their own constituencies primarily. The Association Press issues books and booklets for special classes.
Story of Malam
By DR. A. P. STIRRETT, Nigeria, West Africa Missionary of the Sudan Interior Mission W HAT Moslems need is not argumentative gregation, in trembling voice he confessed himself literature in favor of Christianity, but a penitent sinner desiring to follow the Lord Jesus rather the "living and powerful" Word of Christ, and asking for the prayers of God's people. God, and that not in a foreign language but in The Judge attended the Baptismal Class for their mother tongue. some time. On the day Ibrahim was baptized his Some years ago a man named Ibrahim arrived wife ran away, and next day there came a letter in Jos, Nigeria, from one of the districts to the from her father saying that she would not return east where he had spent his childhood. He had until Ibrahim renounced Christ. Ibrahim wrote: been taught in all the traditions and customs of "I shall never renounce Him who loved me and Islam and, being an apt pupil at the Moslem died for me J"
school, he was taken into a Government school As a Christian he found that he was not wanted and taught the Roman alphabet. Until then he as Judge of the town of Jos. They wanted a Mos- had known only Arabic, which is always used in lem. The Government wished to rule according Moslem schools. His qualifications made him use- to ,the wishes of the people and asked Ibrahim ful to the Government, and after he had finished either to renounce his judgeship or to give up school they soon promoted him to the office of ChrrsCo He chose Christ and thus became a poor, Judge of the town of Jos-quite a lucrative posi- lone, wifeless man. ljOC only so, but he had the tion. care of his three children-one an infant in arms.
The Sudan Interior Missicn had opened the Jos Through all this Ibrahim came in triumph. One Bishara Church, and Ibrahim frequently came evening at Bishara Church he sang us a solo, in over from his office and house and would slip in the chorus of which are the following words: during the evening service. He sat in one of the Yesu, mai-kamnata. Ban yarda, Dan yarda. A raba back sea~s, no doubt to escape observation. The ni da Kai. (Jesus, my Beloved, I will not agree, I will preacher spoke of the superiority of Christ and not agree to be separated from Thee.) the Christian religion to every other prophet and Formerly when Judge Ibrahim walked the religion, but Ibrahim went away unsatisfied and streets of Jos, people would bow down to him.
unsaved. His faith in the Koran had been waver- Now he was called on to suffer many indignities.
ing, and he was not satisfied with Islam. He was despised and even cursed.
One day a man called on Judge Ibrahim, and After a time the tables were turned for Ibra- upon his departure handed him a copy of the him. The Government recognized that he was a Hausa New Testament. The mother tongue of good public servant and soon he was offered the Ibrahim is Hausa and, having been taught in the position of Treasurer of the Town of J os, an Government school the use of the Roman alpha- office he holds today. He often preaches in the bet, he was able to read this book. Here he had Bishara Church, and it is a real treat to hear him found what his soul needed! He read and re-read expound the Scriptures. He has married a Chris- the book, pondering and studying it, until he be- tian girl. His influence has been widely felt in came convinced ,that there was something wrong the community. Not long after his conversion he in his life. Promptly and honorably he sent away was used to lead to Christ another Moslem his two superfluous wives, retaining the one whom (Malam Mama, who was formerly the leader of he had first married. He hoped that in a short the Moslem worship in a small town near Jos).
time she too would become a Christian. Later he had the joy of seeing his own younger Then he realized that there was something more brother come out boldly for Jesus Christ. to be done. He must confess Christ. He began Surely it is the business of missionaries to teach to attend the morning Sunday services in the Bi- young men to read the Word of God. The whole shara (Gospel) Church, pow sitting well up to Bible has now been translated into the Hausa Ian- the front and there he heard the sweet Gospel guage, a tongue which reaches over 20,000,000 message. One Sunday morning, after a young people-Moslems and pagans. Let me ask God's man had arisen and expressed his desire to repent people to remember in prayer this great Hausa- and follow the Lord Jesus, Judge Ibrahim arose speaking multitude, praying that God will cause and came forward. Standing in front of the con- His word to run and be glorified among them.
[94 ] Effective Ways of Working 'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home I EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO '~I==-==============================~==========~I~~ More Nationality Nights REVIEW OF THE WORLD, June, dolls sent Japanese children by 1936; words and music, 15 America as the first project of An "Evening in Beautiful J a- cents, Marks Music Co., 225 the Committee on World Friend- West 46th St., New York City; ship among Children. All sang pan" culminated a term's study the Presbyterian Boa r d has words and music on a single Mexican, Italian and other folk of that land. Beside brief talks songs, to keep the foreign dolls sheet, free). One young woman in countenance; and finally we on different phases of Japanese read the words, the pianist sang all the dolls to sleep with played the stirring music and all an Italian lullaby. A girl of life, the girls gave an effective then joined in singing it, rising Italian descent, holding a doll with the Negro guests. During from Rome, gave one verse in tea ceremony, "The Froth of the the social hour, there was oppor- tunity for our congregation, and Italian. Gingerbread dolls and Liquid Jade," in cos tum e s program "scouts" from other tiny chocolate dolls were sold. rented from our Board. Films churches, to meet the visitors. Aside from money profits were a from the same source showed our friendly drawing together of difwork in Japan, and there were Our International Doll Show ferent nationals in the commuthree fine reels, free, from the featured not one but many lands. nity, and a widening of our Japanese Tourist Bureau, 551 Abbut three hundred dolls were thought to include all peoples. Fifth Avenue, N. Y. The exhibit present, and just about as many included "friendship to ken s" men, women and children. Dolls At our Scandinavian Day, demade for us by the girls of were borrowed from the Foreign Sturges Seminary, and hand-col- and Domestic Mission Boards, scribed in a previous issue, we ored woodcuts loaned, free, by from the National Board, Y. W. Shima Art Company, 16 West C. A., three collectors, and count- were asked "What next?" We 57th St., N. Y. As we have no less individuals inside and out- Japanese nationals locally, we side the church. The Swiss peo- hope to "go Armenian," knowing supplemented by visiting the ple knew who had a doll from Saturday Church School of the what canton, and the Scotch lo- a rug-maker who will help and Japanese Christian Institute and cated plaids. The display of attending the notable Christmas dolls from all over the world an Armenian friend who will be program there. made a real League of Nations. There was a Laplander on skis, resource person for costumes, The program for our Negro a South American fruit vendor, Night, culminating the season's Vatican guard, Korean couple; folk songs and native sweetstudy of the Negro, was fur- no color line, and no caste. We nished for us, in the interests of learned incidentally not only of meats. For another program, interracial understanding, by the costumes, sports, occupafriends from the H 0 use of tions, etc., of the various parts we count on the German Club in Friendliness, Negro Y. W. C. A., Jersey City, whose summer day- of the world, but also their ways the High School, which sings camp we had visited. The direc- of thinking. Most doll families tor gave readings from Negro ran to parents, boy and girl, but folk songs in Bavarian costumes, prose and poetry (many are in and a large German population. "Singers in the Dawn," 10 the Chinese gave prominence to We hope an Italian Lutheran cents, Commission on Interracial grandparents. B I u e ribbons Church will help us unlock Cooperation, 703 S tan dar d were formally given to the larg- Italy's rich store of music and Building, Atlanta, Georgia) ; an- est doll, smallest, oldest (150 art, and we have designs also on other told the origin of the spir- years) , best collection, most a Spanish Club in the high ituals, several of which they beautiful, most unusual, and to school, now that the current sang, and one played piano selec- the one from farthest away project of the Committee on tions by Negro composers, Sam- (India) . World Friendship among Chiluel Coleridge-Taylor and Nathan- dren is with Spanish children. ael Dett. They then distributed One girl told of the Japanese You will note that our general copies of the beautiful Negro na- doll festival, and of the 13,000 principle is to use volunteer local tional anthem (words by James aid wherever possible, drawing Weldon Johnson, MISSIONARY [95 ] on other denominations as well as our own, and interesting the general public. We aim to make the base of participation, and therefore interest, as wide as possible. – Florence G 0 r don, Weehawken, N. J.
Field Notes on Rural America has been carried on in villages come in the morning, with rep- and country with great succesrs." resentatives from all the denom- Wishing to find just how sev- Mrs. Belle Tracy Grimes and inations giving live talks and eral average rural communities Miss Merl Davis-both of whom exchanging helpful ideas, in the were endeavoring to improve the have taught extensively in coun- afternoon. religious and educational condi- try schools – write at consider- Both the contributors mention tions of their folk and especially able length of actual experiments that each church has its separate in Lucas County, Iowa. Few if missionary meetings-and that, to gear them for teamwork, the any country churches of their in this day of United Study denomination (Baptist) are sup- courses that are proving so val- Department Editor recently sent porting full-time ministers, two uable in affording cooperative of which they write being only opportunities and a world-wide questionnaires to country or vil- three miles apart, each accepting outlook! It would seem that half-time service, .the evening •mid-month meetings might be lage women of her acquaintance. congregations being practically held separately – or one every the same regardless of which three months – to consider de- Briefs of their replies may be church was taking its turn. nominational plans and specifics Each church has its own Sunday -leaving the regular monthly suggestive, not only to other school in the morning, with gatherings of a union nature. rural residents but to city dwell- good attendance. Both churches One of the villages – with two ers as well, since the latter's are trying to develop their young s t rug g lin g denominational knowledge of rural conditions people, in one case giving over churches only poorly supported and needs is becoming an ideal. to them the devotional services and attended-has a union meet- of the Sunday school. Miss Elizabeth B r y ant – a ing of the ladies' aid societies, country minister's daughter- The teamwork among the de- the services including benevolent writes that from her own ob- nominations in one village cited work, a luncheon, and an inservation and experience, not is excellent. The King's Her- structive missionary or enteronly the radio and the telephone alds, in the Methodist church, is taining program in the afterbut especially the college exten- attended by children from vari- noon. This is popular and very sion clubs have greatly dimin- ous other denominations, its per- well attended. One federated ished the loneliness of the farm- sonnel including members rang- church in the county is proving er's wife and children. The ing from the little folks up to a marked success. bringing of the college to the high-school age. A cap a b 1e farm has resulted in marked im- leader and teachers are chosen In 1914, a Lyceum Association was provement in men and methods. formed under a Presbyterian minis- County agents and other paid and meetings held on Sunday ter's leadership. This prospered for specialists have brought enlight- several years. But due to the fact enment and rendered the farm afternoons once a month. Chilsufficiently attractive to youth to dren take turns in leading the that the men sponsoring it were left induce attendance at agricul- to foot annual deficits caused by their tural colleges and subsequently devotional services. Each spring effort to bring high-grade entertainto attach these young folks to a special program is given at the ment to j;he rural community, a subagricultural life. College extension clubs, 4-H clubs, etc., are church and an offering taken stitute for the plan was sought. An educational in their purpose and which, added to the 25-cent Agricultural Short Course was dealso afford fine social centers for membership fee, goes to the sup- cided upon. Farmers were urged to the life of the entire family. The bring their best stock and products to spreading of knowledge of ar- port of a child on the foreign be exhibited and evaluated, the judges tistic crafts has developed latent and unsuspected possibilities, field. Parents pack the house being sent from the Iowa State Agriopening larger fields of endeavor on this occasion. A picnic later cultural College. The cooperating for young people searching for a affords a fine social opportunity churches furnished a 25-cent dinner worth-while life investment. In at noon and an entertainment for the fact, country life is made so at- and closes the year's work. evening. This prospered and grew tractive in some localities that people not making a success of Vacation Bible school is held into an agricultural fair covering four their work in cities have been led in another of these churches dur- counties. Good buildings have been ing the summer, with teachers erected for all exhibits, which include to do so on farms. The writer displays from schools, 4-H clubs, sewstresses the desirability of de- for the various grades selected ing and canning clubs, assortments of veloping leadership so far as fancy work, quilts and culinary prodpossible from the rural folk from the cooperating denomina- ucts. In a good dining hall, four aid themselves rather than import- tions. A public program and a societies serve meals all through the ing any but the original trainers, display of the handwork rounds term of four days, each society taking because the former have a grasp of the problems and a sympathet- out what has proved a popular one day. Most of the food being doic attitude of mind which no nated. the venture proves profitable outsider can have. "Spiritual in- endeavor. in dollars and cents. The young peofluences have not kept pace with Every summer a Sun day educational facilities,. but union ple patronize this fair eagerly, even mission study of a graded nature school convention draws together the small boys and girls displaying their pets, from ponies to puppies. the entire community, three Bap- Prizes are awarded. tist churches, a Methodist and a Presbyterian participating. The In response to the question as churches take turns in enter- to the means now used to relieve taining the convention. A Sun- the social isolation of country day school session and a sermon life, Mrs. Grimes says: "I don't
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
see how many more devices could a fellowship committed to the doing with a broom, as royalty passed, a be used. With school and college of God's will and to the extension of Finnish nobleman, a Swedish gentleparties, choruses, band practice, God's Kingdom in the home, in the man, an Italian ambassador and his club dances, movies and radio, community, in Canada and through- wife, the Polish president and his wife, most of the young people don't out the world. and others. The costumes were beauget enough sleep or time to tiful and extremely original, as not read." Good old Iowa is a long- Its study theme for the current year one was prepared beforehand. How settled state. Undoubtedly those is, "A New Church Faces a New wonderful such a project as this would things could not be said of nu- World." One of its avowed methods be in the United States, in order to merous communities far ,t her is the use of lantern slides, lectures get acquainted with the elements in west. And in all rural regions and lecturettes, one of the leading our "melting pot," and to put them on there is much room for improve- sets of pictures being "Touring With friendly terms with each other! ment in the selection and grade the United Church." of the activities. Remember the A Reading Course Planned which religious activities and facilities ANew Adventure Program is pro- has unique features is offered by one lag behind the social and educa- vided for the girls in conformity with of the auxiliaries in Alberta. The tional. the general study topic-"The United entire membership was divided into Church around the World." The girls' equal groups, each responsible for and Methods from Our Magazine special book, "Landing Fields," carries preparing one or more monthly pro- the student on imaginative visits to grams, part of the prescribed study Rack rather inaccessible places on Canadian book to be given. These monthly frontier and prairie, in Japanese city, groups were combined into three The "Ways of Working" of a larger groups meeting bi-weekly, for universal character which ap- in Indian and African villages and bookshelf reading, and the major part pear in the columns of the vari- many other places. By stories and of all three groups, with a membership ous denominational missionary letters, by poetry and word picture, ranging from 10 to 15, did their readmagazines sent in to this Depart- we are given sketches of people en- ing aloud at these meetings. A few ment monthly are so many and gaged in truly great adventures. A members chose to read at home; but so excellent that we only regret project leaflet gives two projects in the chief aim was to promote reading our space limitations make it im- outline and each has notes suggesting generally; to create a more lively inpossible to give more than an how it may be adapted for a depart- terest in missions, and strengthen' occasional sample, especially as mental project. A play is entitled, bonds of friendship in this field of enso many are accompanied by "Beyond the Skyline." This play deavor. As a fitting close of the practical demonstrations in the shows how Chinese young people are year's work, the three groups met toway of projects. A selection of gether in a social evening and each outstanding plans will, however, seeking to find what is the most val- woman contributed orally an outstandbe presented for some time to uable pursuit in life. A heart-warm- ing incident from the book read. come, in the conviction that ing project is "A Week at the Church These short talks were an inspiration, neighborly borrowings enrich all at All Nations Camp." In this moth- and aoll participating were most enthe participants. ers and children, together with mis- thusiastic for more reading the fol- sionary workers, comprise the party, lowing year. The United Church of Canada a large number of the mothers and furnishes so noble an endeavor half the children being from the A Dinner Basket towa r d interdenominational Church of All Nations, Toronto. The unity that we are particularly children were divided into groups by A popular means of suppleinterested in all its projects. ages and cared for during the morn- menting the treasury of the The Missionary Monthly, the of- ing by trained leaders. After cabin Queen Esther Standard Bearers ficial organ of its' Woman's So- inspection there was a worship and has been used by the girls' orciety, furnishes the following study period with the mothers, when ganization of the First M. E. items: interesting discussions took place. church, Hutchinson, Kansas. A After a rest period, swimming and basket is passed among the girls Its avowed aim is inspiring, cover- meeting in planned groups occupied and sometimes to auxiliary meming the union of all the women of the bers, friends or relatives outside church for the World Mission of the afternoon and it was not till the the organization. In the basket Christianity; the provision of mis- evening, when the children were in is something the girls have made sionary education for children, teen- bed, that the fun began with the -jelly, preserves, cake, cookies, age girls and young women; encour- mothers. A carefully planned pro- candy, salad, or other good agement of study, prayer and giving gram was given in the playhouse. A things. The one receiving it on behalf of Christian missions at group of the foreign-born mothers en- takes out something she would home and abroad; sharing in sending tertained the guests one evening. An- enjoy, and puts into a container the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every other night they taught some'of their -which is also included in the Canadian and to peoples of other games. Dances, fortune-telling and basket-the amount of money lands; aiding in the development of choral work were most enjoyed by the she thinks represents the worth the Christian Church in Canada and English-speaking group. A fashion of the article. Within three days of the world-wide Church of Jesus show took place. One lady made a she adds something of her own Christ; creating bonds of Christian dress out of six and a half sheets of making and sends the dinner friendship between its members and newspaper, five pins and fifteen tooth- basket on its way to the next peoples of other races and other lands; picks; another wore it, and the judg- person. This plan has unobjeclisting the whole membership in ing began. Two Ukrainian women tionable features not always in united effort for temperance, social took first and second prizes. The high- evidence a m 0 n g commercial welfare and world peace; building up light of the camp was a coronation ball, international in flavor, as the methods for raising money for king was a Yugoslavian young man who was assisting at the camp. church enterprises. – Adapted Thrones were built up on benches and from Woman's H.ome Missions. kindergarten chairs. The royal family preceded the king and queen, who entered dressed in curtains, with rugs for trains. Among those who were presented were an Ukrainian prince and princess, with crowns made of cheese, tinfoil and real wild flowers; a Macedonian peasant, a Bulgarian street cleaner who presented arms The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
OUR CHRISTIAN ERA A religious painting by F. Luis Mora, recently on display at the Grand Central Art Galleries. The work dramatizes the constant failure of Christians throughout the centuries to really put into practice the fundamentals of their reli- gion and challenges the Christianity of so-called Christian nations. In the background of the painting is shown the compassionate Christ still asking. "Forgive them, for they kno'w not what they do," and the entire foreground is filled with generations of armored men and youth amid the banners of many nations, throughout many centuries, all crowding toward war.
[98 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
. They rebelled against the organized a cooperative for irri- Religion became the dynamic words of God, and condemned the gation, another for marketing. in that community; all week counsel of the most High. . . . It introduced the raising of cit- long the church is the center of rus fruit, brought in an im- a life that is vitally related at "Fools because of their transgres- proved variety of hand loom, en- every point to its people. The sion, and because of their iniquities, couraged people to weave their Christian enterprise is busy, are afflicted. . . . Then they cry unto own cloth. As a result of these building such complete and well the Lord in their trouble, and he efforts, the school expanded its rounded communities all over saveth them out of their distresses. function to include adult educa- the world now. I.t is impossible tion, lending its facilities when to overemphasize their impor- "He sent his word, and healed them the church brought in a teacher tance.-World Peace and Chrisand delivered them from their destruc- who held classes for adults, send- tian Missions, by HAROLD E. tions. … ing out its own teacher to visit other communities and introduc- FEY. "Oh that men would praise the Lord ing a library. for his goodness, and for his wonder- Order from your denominational headquarful works to the children of men, and When the school taught the ters, Or from the Council of Women for sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, need for a better diet to over- Home Missions. 35 cents a copy. and declare h7:s work with rejoicing." come beri-'beri, the church or- ganized a campaign to get veg- Hymn PSALM 107. etable gardens planted and their products eaten when raised. The (Tune, SHACKELFORD) "But the fruit of the spirit is love, leading elder of the church soon joy, peace." "He that abideth in me had nine varieties of vegetables Hymns for Creative Living, No. 182. . . . the same bringeth forth much in his fields. Posters on prevafruit." lent diseases appeared on the All beau,tiful the 'l'lWrch of days, walls of both the church and the As seasons come and go; Love that is higher than the love of school. Classes in infant care men, were conducted by the church The hand that shaped the rose hath while the school inculcated high- wrought Reaching above all self, all others, er health standards among the even, children. Regular visits of a doc- The crystal of the snow. tor were arranged. Hath senf the hoary frost of heaven, Lifted upon one impulse that is pure: To glorify the God who is in heaven. An enterprising business man The flowing water sealed, in the neighborhood had secured And laid a silent loveliness Joy thnt is deeper than mere mortals some athletic equipment and was know, renting this out, charging a fee, On hill and wood and field. and collecting a percentage on A joy that flowers in a field of the bets which he encouraged on O'er white expanses sparkling pure sorrow, all contests. The officers of the The radiant morns unfold; church remonstrated with him That sees beyond man's cloud of pres- for fostering gambling, and The solemn splendors of the night ent pain when he refused to change his Burn brighter through the cold; methods, offered to buy his The blessed sunlight of God's bright equipment. When he declined to Life mounts in ev'ry thro,bbing vein, tomorrow. sen his profitable enterprise, Love deepens round the hea,rth, they bought some equipment of Peace that the world can neither give their own and soon, in spite of And clearer sounds the angel hymn, nor take, his angry demands tbat the "Good will to men on earth." church should s tic k to the A peace that passeth all our under- preaching of the Gospel, suc- o Thou, from whose unfathomed law standing. ceeded in putting him out of business by offering the use of The year in beauty flows, Tranquility that finds in every storm their own equipment free to Thyself the vision passing by That quiet born alone of God's com- teams which played without manding. gambling: Although they in- In crystal and in rose, curred his enmity, they put a Day unto day doth utter speech, Beloved, if your lives would bear such stop to the demoralization of fruit, their youth. They continued to And night to night proclaim, maintain socialized recreation In ever-changing words of light, Abide, Ye are the branches; Christ, facilities and gave their youth the root. training not only in athletic The wonder of Thy name. skills but in taking responsibil- HELEN FRAZEE-BoWER. ity for their own community FRANCES W. WILE. recreational life. Digging the Channels of "Cultivators of Earth Make Understanding the Best Citizens"
A description of one commu- The rebuilding of rural Amernity in the Philippines will show ica is of prime spiritual signifiwhat a basically important con- cance, not alone to rural life but tribution the missionary is mak- to the cities and the nation. ing to a world society in minia- Nearly three-quarters of all the ture. At the heart of a valley, churches in the United States a mile from the sea, is the vil- are rural in character. More lage. It contains the three es- church members are engaged in sential institutions of human agriculture than in any other insociety, hom e s, a school, a dustry. church. Surrounding the village are fields. Running through it There is a vital and universal is a stream. bond between the processes of agriculture and religious experi- The church is at the center of ence which we may well note. the life of this community. The Christian religion had its When a blight attacked the rice, beginnings among agricultural the economic welfare committee and pastoral people accustomed of the church brought an expert to grain fields, flocks of sheep, from the agricultural college herds of cattle, vineyards and three hundred miles away. It
sycamore trees. It seems to be mination which entered into the equilibrium of economic, social easier for man to see God in the fields, in the singing of a bird, in very fibre of American life. and religious forces must not be the setting of the sun or the rising of the moon, in the flowers The spread of settlements at the mercy of unruly profitand trees and in wild animal life, from the Atlantic to the Pacific serving forces whose pressure than in the complicated social is the story of the frontiersman's disturbs its balance. The Church and economic mechanism of a religion and Church, the valor of must help to resist these disturbgreat city. Throughout history the devoted men who, as preach- ing forces and their fickle, unfarmers have had their religions, ers of the Gospel, found their reasonable demands. For the their religious practices and way to the remotest hamlets or normal farmer, his home and his the irreligious organizations. actually led the way, as in the place of business are one, and, And if these today are imperiled case of Jason Lee, Marcus Whit- in spite of complaining, he will in America by disintegrating man and others. Nowhere else not desert the farm for the city forces, it is the business of .the has such an amazing spread of unless he is driven away by rural Church to adjust itself to, population carried with it Chris-> forces over which he and the and interpret, the best of the tian concepts, Christian institu- state and government have no new conditions. To those who tions, and Christian interpreta- control. Intimately involved in know the heart of rural America this problem is the rural Church i,t is clear that, even when hidden tions of life. by uncouth exteriors, the coun- But as life became more set- which ministers to his peculiar try people have expressed a gen- tled and society better organized, needs. uine faith in religious realities. so that one part of the country The picture of rural life of No people could have braved the could, in time of crop failure, yesterday, is a thing of "neighdangers and difficulties of the feed another, the sense of divine borships" – a fellow fee lin g American wilderness and con- providence in crop production growing out of common experiverted so much of it into a rich tended to lessen. Methods of ences and common responsibiligarden without feeling that a di- production changed; the farmer ties. How shall these neighborvine being was shaping their gradually lost his intimate con- ships that cluster about and destiny on a great new continent tact with ~he soil, until today support the rural Church, surthat would become the home of many agricultural enterprises vive? The leaders in nearly a virile Christian nation. are conducted like factories. every realm of interest sprang Automatic machinery has re- from the rural social order of Fortunately for those of us duced the number of hours on pioneer agriculture, and the na- the land, and that sense of a tion cannot do without this who believe ,that Jesus is the out- spiritual inship, of mystic precious reservoir of strength. unity, wit the land and the Isolation had its influence, also standing personality of all times, forces of n ture which man has its obstacles and difficulties, but cherished f r ages, has been di- it produced qualities of mind the greatest teacher of religious rectly affec ed. It is hardly to that have played a significant be believed hat the farmer who part in coloring our entire social truth, the revealer of the heart spends his orking hours at the structure. Nature provides an controls Of~'a tractor feels the atmosphere and opportunity in of God himself, and the Saviour same intim cy with the soil as which intellectual speculation from sin and death, America was did the far er who dug his soil and contemplative habits are debuilt by folk who called them- and plant d his crops with veloped. The rural mind is selves Christian. The early set- simple instruments in his own capable of logical reasoning, tlers brought with them the hands. Today the Church must deep thinking and high ideals. Christian Bible. They believed revive that kinship and link it to The rural Church is the focal in the God whom Jesus came to spiritual in1erpretations of rural point of these qualities and charreveal. They respected and ad- problems if religion expects to acteristics. It has made them mired Christian standards of have a place in the new economy. tangible to the farmer, given life, even when they failed to at- them expression and direction. tain them. It is easy to laugh in these days at the rigidity of Farming as a Way of Life It is the role of the rural Church Puritan ecclesiasticism, but it to keep alive in the hearts and contributed something to Amer- Is farming to follow a com- minds of people this sense of the ica which possibly never before mercial standard and be carried place of agriculture in the life of was used as a foundation for on primarily for financial profit, the nation. Above all should the building a new civilization. It or can it be made a wlty of life Church enable farm people to was a Christian way of living satisfying to the souls of a rural see in the daily rounds and comand working. We may change people and yielding to them mon tasks of agriculture a road greatly in the future, but it is to enough of the bounties of nature that may lead them daily nearer be doubted whether we can sever and factory products to make to God. MARK A. DAWBER.t the influences of those early living rich and joyful? If the t "Rebuilding Rural America" may be ordays. Because of the Christian soil must be enriched, so must dered from the Council of Women for Home ethic there was an appreciation the life of the farmer. The farm Missions. Paper, 60 cents; cloth, $1. is not primarily a place to make Prepared by Edna M. Springhorn, Chairof right and wrong, a sense of man of Committee on Conferences and duty and responsibility, a will- money but a place to live. Its Schools of Missions of the Council of Women ingness to endure and a deter- for !Jome Missipns,
World~wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO CHINA AND TIBET presence of these men in the gov- to come. . . . The firm resolution of ernment today that has helped to the missionaries to fulfil the demands A Ch:ristian Ambassador strengthen the moral fiber of the of the Christian movement in China nation. It is not inaccurate to has already won the admiration of the C. T. Wang, Chinese ambas- say that the Church of Christ to- Chinese of all classes, irrespective of sador to the U. S., said in an in- day is touching men and women their personal beliefs. The challenge terview: in all strata of society, from the to Christian loyalty has before never man in the street to the highest been more severe, and happily it is I am trying to be a Christian who authority in the land. being met in a true Christian spiritworks at it. I hgve a pew in my a spirit of which all followers of church at home, and I sit in it reg- Prayers for Japanese Christ may well be proud. ularly. I take time to talk over my political moves and statecraft with Picture, if you can, a clergy- Where Students Go to Church Jesus Christ. I think that needs to be man in any of the Allied coundone in China and in Americf', and in tries during 1914-1918 saying: Hangchow has a church atdiplomatic circles around the world. "Today we will pray especially tendance -problem that differs We all need to listen for the Voice. I for the German soldiers." Yet from that of most places. The have been playing the royal game of prayers for the Japanese soldiers principal of the Baptist Waystatecraft now for a good many years were said at the Cathedral of the land Academy writes: "One of as foreign minister, prime minister, Holy Saviour, Anking, China, the most difficult problems used and minister of this 01' thnt, not one led by the Rev. Robin Chen. to be how to get our students to of which is as important as being a go to church. Now the problem good minister of Jesus Christ. -The Living Church. is how to keep them away. Church members are so crowded I am proud of the fact that Christ Christian Loyalty Recognized out and so overwhelmed by the is gaining the heart and sympathy of increasing student attendance China. Believe me, that is happening. Here are extracts from an edi- that we have had to give formal His footsteps become clear and clearer torial written by a Chinese in permission to students to go to in the good earth of China with every the China Press of Shanghai. church." passing hour. Christian missionaries in China Student attendance figures Once we looked at the handful of have ignored their government's ad- bear out this remarkable state- Christians on the one hand and the vice to seek personal safety. They ment. There has been an avermnssed millions of China on the other have been urged to leave their posts age of 80 at the church midand said, "You better go home and and concentrate in sectors from which week prayer meeting, 200 in the forget it." But the handful stayed. evacuation under the protection of Academy chapel service (now The story of their staying is an epic their national forces may be compara- voluntary), 350 in church Sunwhich makes the defense of modern tively easy; and they have preferred day mornings, 400 in Sunday Madrid a sham battle. to remain in this war-torn country school and 150 in special extra- with their Chinese fellow-Christians, curriculum Bible classes. Today the handful is winning. unafraid and undaunted. The action of the missionaries has doubtless been Help for Sufferers -The Christian Herald. prompted by a sense of duty toward their evangelical cause and toward Chinese in America are mak- Trend Toward Christianity their fellowmen. To God they have ing great sacrifices for relief of pledged to march onward as true suffering. At first, efforts were Rev. Paul H. Bartel, Kwei- soldiers of the Cross, and to their fel- made to raise war funds but, as chow-Szechwan Mission, writes lowmen they have professed to bring the story of what is probably the in the Alliance Weekly that a a divine message of goodwill and spir- greatest suffering in the history definite trend toward Christian- itual comfort. of the world began to reach the ity has become very pronounced. United States, war chests were The encouraging fact is that the Admittedly, the Sino-Japanese war largely forgotten and all efforts Chinese Church itself is being must come to an end sooner or later. put on war relief. Considering vitalized and energized as never While the missionaries must look after the resources of the average Chibefore, with the result that great the present, they cannot ignore the nese in America, gifts are almost numbers are being added to its future. By deserting at the, first sign beyond belief. Reports from membership. Many men of of danger, they might betray the con- some communjties say they aYefpower and influence in the gov- fidence reposed in them by the Chinese ernment have come to know converts; by remaining together with Christ personally, and these men the converts, they would surely earn are filling their positions in the undying goodwill as well as .aifection, Spirit of Christ. Their testi- and lay the foundation for a greater mony and conduct are making a claim to Chinese support in the years tremendous impression u p 0 n Chinese officialdom. It is the [ 101 J
age $200 a person, and $500 a and father, his sister and mem- pastor, spent the last half of Sepfamily. bers of the Martchester C. 1. M. tember in North China as mes- Committee. Mr. Bosshardt held sengers from the Christians of There are 252 Protestant mis- his great audience for fifty min- Japan in carrying out the plan sion hospitals in China. Some utes, while unfolding v e r y as outlined. have been bombed, some have simply his wonderful story of been obliged to move for safety. God's sustaining power. He told Now that the situation is so Most of them are seriously af- modestly, and occasionally with much worse, the Council has exfected by lack of funds, for there humor, a remarkable story of pressed its desire to take part in are practically no pay patients hardship, suffering and endur- a national spiritual mobilization these days and there has been a ance. Mrs. Bosshardt also gave in the spirit of prayer for the tremendous increase in free her side of the story. establishment of good will. work. Literally thousands of sick and wounded are dependent -China's Millions.• -National Christian Counon these American mission hos- cil Bulletin. pitals. In Nanking and Wuhu, JAPAN-CHOSEN according to cabled reports, only Kagawa Suffers the mission hospitals are open. Christian Council Takes Stand Word comes that the great Student Relief The Japanese Government, at apostle of brotherhood and love, the outbreak of the present Kagawa, is bowed down with re- The International Stu den t crisis, sent a statement to all re- morse because of the Japanese Service, with the backing of the ligious groups outlining its atti- aggression in China, yet he con- World Student Christian Fed- tude and urging cooperation. tinues to preach the message of eration and three other large The National Christian Council the Prince of Peace. It is reinternational bodies, is endeav- of Japan sent the following ported that recently at one of his oring to raise sufficient funds to reply: meetings he stood silent for a care for Chinese destitute stu- long time with bowed head and dents. The first money will be Regarding the present incident we when he spoke he said, "This is used to evacuate them from the pledge ourselves to comply with the not Kagawa standing here. It is war area, but the larger portion purport of the Government's state- but his shadow. The real Kaof the funds will be used to ment and to render faithful services gawa is over there in China with undertake a three-point pro- to the state. the suffering mothers and chilgram: (1) to establish four dren mutilated and made hometemporary district universities In this emergency: 1. We recognize less by the war." outside the war zone; (2) to set our great responsibility as Christians up student hostels which will act for bringing about a spiritual awaken- Furthermore, his income is as dormitories; and (3) to cre- ing in our nation and we will redouble practically eliminated because ate a scholarship fund for the our efforts to this end. 2. In order to the war mania has stopped the neediest and worthiest Chinese express our appreciation of the toil of sale of his books, yet he is strugstudents. our Imperial troops we will undertake gling to carryon his far-reach- projects to comfort them. 3. We ear- ing service of evangelism and The reason for this appeal is nestly desire that this difficult crisis regeneration. A group of his the fact that 30,000 Chinese stu- may be solved as speedily as possible friends in America made up a dents are today unable to con- and with a minimum of sacrifice. "Kagawa Christmas Fund" to tinue their studies because of 4. It is our hope that this incident help him carryon. what passes for war in China. may result in the establishment of re- Five large universities have lations of good will definitely and for The shabby six foot square been totally destroyed and ten all time. To this end we ask our fel- shed in which Kagawa lived and others partially ruined. These low Christians throughout the Empire worked for fourteen years in the students want to continue their to pray most earnestly. slums of Kobe was about to be studies, but can only do so if swept away in a program of muaided. -Christian Century. Voted: 1. That the National Chris- nicipal reconstruction, when it tian Council establish a department to was rescued by a group of his The Bosshardts Tell cooperate with all Christian organiza- friends and is now given a per- Their Story tions and institutions in carrying out manent place in the garden of projects for comforting the Imperial the Good Neighbor Kindergarten Fully 2,500 people crowded troops and open a central office for in Kobe, as a memorial to his Albert Hall, Manchester, Eng- this purpose. 2. To send messengers dauntless spirit in "crossing the land, November 6, to hear Mr. and comfort bags. 3. To raise for this deathline." and Mrs. R. A. Bosshardt tell purpose a fund of Y10,000 as an the thrilling story of their cap- initial am:ount. 4. To set up a Com- -Living Church; Christian tivity by Communists. The ad- mission of Thirty to carry out these Century. dress was relayed to 500 more projects; the members of this commiRin the lower Hall, while 800 were sion to be chosen from the different Theory Needs Revision turned away. On the platform communions and Christian organizawere Mr. Bosshardt's mother tions. Kohachiro M i y a z a k i has founded a Christian society The Committee of Thirty was based on the idea that Japan is promptly named, with Dr. Wil- the Kingdom of God. He be- liam Axling a member. Comfort bags were made and distributed, but no religious literature was allowed to be put in. Secretary Akira Ebisawa and the Rev. Y. Manabe, a prominent Methodist
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
lieves that Amenominaka-nushi- wanted to work. Dr. Martin loves the three other workers, are now .on up-kami and the Christian God poor and needy and does not seek to a world tour expected to last six are identical, and that if Jesus gain friends that will do for him. months. After a series of brief had lived in Japan He would campaigns in the U. S., they exhave made annual pilgrimages to Please send our friend back to us pect to sail for Australia early the temple of Ise. He criticizes as soon as he is rested. God does not in February. The work there Christian missionaries and Ka- give us a friend like Dr. Martin but will be under the auspices of the gawa for not basing their mes- once in a lifetime. Please tell him "Campaigners for Christ," ,an sages on the national history and that my people are thinking and pray- Australian movement which is nationalist culture of Japan. ing for ·his return to us. making considerable headway. The United Presbyterian ob- The Team, however, expects to serves that had they done so, Sincerely, cooperate with ministers' counthey would experience difficulties cils and all other Christian orin writing their sermons at -Korean Echoes. ganizations which welcome their present. ministry. They hope to devote Women's Work in Korea some time to all the capital cities Salvation Army Oommended -Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, The Women's Missionary So- Hobart, Canberra, Sydney and Mr. S. Tokutomi, noted his- ciety usually holds its annual Brisbane. -The Christian. torian, journalist and leader of meeting just preceding the Genpublic opinion, recently wrote eral Assembly. Each of the Guns for Books an article in the Tokyo daily presbyterial societies in Chosen Nichi Nichi, in which he said: is entitled to send a delegate. It took 30 years for govern- All of the officers of the general ment and- missions to arouse in If anything is lacking today in society are Korean women, but the Filipino the desire for an Japan, I should say it is religious at- missionaries sometimes serve on mosphere. The Salvation Army has committees. The Korean women education. N ow, on the thresthe religion we need today. It appeals show much ability in carrying hold of the greatest educational to the common people. It teaches the on their work. opportunity that the Philippines duty of mutual love, mutual respect ever had, a policy has been and mutual help, on the basis of uni- At the last meeting delegates adopted that may prove one of versal brotherhood in the love of God. gave reports from the twenty- the greatest blows that civiliza- The Salvation Army, therefore, helps three presbyterial soc i e tie s, tion has suffered in the Islands. the nation. . . . which include a total of 1,023 A military program requires societies. that every school boy of 10 years Another article in the same or over must take military traindaily is by a distinguished states- On the wall in front of the ing. Every young man of 20 man and former Minister of J us- audience was the motto for the years must enter one of the nutice, Viscount Watanabe, who year, "Be thou faithful unto merous camps to take training. says: death." There were also maps Every school, private and public, of the world showing the great elementary, secondary, high or Political force is not almighty. proportion of the population of university, must teach military What politics can achieve is very lim- the world who are not yet Chris- training to its students, at great ited, and what politics fail to achieve tian. One of the officers of the expense to the government whose is limitless. It is religion that can do Society prepared a map of Korea financial resources are limited. limitless work in this limitless field on which was a red cross and a The system has so dug into the … and the Salvation Army, by its grapevine twined arourid it, with finances of the educational dereligion, is rendering limitless service branches and bunches of grapes partment that every school exin this limitless field. reaching to different parts of cept one in the Bontoc district Korea up into Manchuria, across has either been closed or reduced Do Medical Missions Pay? the Yellow Sea to Shantung to the first four grades. The Province in China and across to one that has remained open could A grateful Korean, able to ex- Japan. Each province of Korea not accommodate one-tenth of press himself in English, has was pictured and in each prov- the pupils from these barrios, written a mission secretary re- ince the presbyterial society even if it were possible for them garding the return of an Amer- named. The number of church to find a place to live. ican doctor: societies in each presbyterial was shown in figures. The result is that mission DEAR SIR: schools are pra.ctically swamped. -Women and Missions. The problem is one of taking Are you in peace? I hope you will care of the thousands who have excuse me, but my heart is so full of ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO been converted, and of trying in thanksgiving to God for what he has some way to help the thousands done for me through your servant in Around the World Revival who are eager for an education, Christ, Dr. Martin, who saved my life and a knowledge of the Kingdom and soul, I wanted to know if it were In none of the countries visited of God. -The Living Church. possible for my people to have him by evangelist J. Edwin Orr was back now. He cures our bodies and he more cordially received than loves us so much we find Jesus through in Australia; so marked was the Him. He is so gentle with the Ko- interest shown that he promised reans. I think his voice must be like to return at his earliest opporthat of Jesus. He befriended the tunity. Mr. and Mrs. Orr, with homeless, fed the hungry, cured the sick, found a job for those that
Airplane a Mission Adjunct are a Good Samaritan. You are be impressed anew with the im- a Good Samaritan." At last the portance of preserving these Aviation is proving a definite taxi-driver said: "That's twice rights for themselves." auxiliary of mission activities. you have called me a Good Sa- Not only is it used in locating maritan. What do you mean by Prison Reading tribes hitherto virtually un- that?" The Indian Christian known, but it enables mission- was astounded. "Have you never The American Library Assoaries to bring the Gospel to them heard the story of the Good Sa- ciation would take the affirmaquickly. FUrthermore, the use maritan," he asked the taxi- tive side in the much debated of planes makes such an impres- driver? "No, tell me about it." question: Reformation vs. Punsion on native tribes that they So the Christian gentleman from ishment as a prison objective. are more susceptible to the teach- India told an American taxi- At least, they know that good ings of Christianity. driver the story of the Good books have helped many an Samaritan, and left in his keep-' outlaw to drop his role of "pub- Dr. W. G. Turner, missionary ing a copy of the New Testament lic enemy." of the Seventh Day Adventists that he might learn more of the in the South Seas, has been using teachings of Jesus. Perhaps we Most of the 200,000 inmates a plane in the interior of New are not as Christian as we think of American prisons, according Guinea. The existence of the we are. to prison librarians, are eager to people with whom he has been follow reading courses, and their working, and who number sev- "Let Freedom Ring" unguided tastes are much the eral million, was unknown be- same as those of the average frefore 1931. They were discovered New York World's Fair vis- quenter of a public library. The by white miners in search of itors in 1939 will have their at- difficulty, as might be imagined, gold. The distance from sea- tention called to the importance is the lack of the kind of books ports is so great, the jungles are of liberty in worship by a statue they should have. The Federal so impenetrable and the lack of dedicated to "Freedom of Reli- Government, a few states, and a trails so complete, that aviation gion." This statute, with three city or two have sizeable librais virtually the only means of others symbolizing freedom of ries in their penal institutions, keeping in touch with them. press, freedom of assembly and but these are the exception With their planes, Dr. Turner freedom of speech, will be placed rather than the rule. Many, and his associates have been able in a prominent position. The many books are needed, and lito establish 40 schools among the group will be known as the brarians to offer guidance among natives and have made great "Four Freedoms." the shelves. progress in reducing the language to a written basis. Ap- Freedom of Religion will be -Christian Advocate. parently they have no religion portrayed by a young, modestly of their own. attired girl with her face raised "United Thank Offering" reverently toward the skies and These people are not canni- holding a prayer-book in her "Many a little makes a bals, but tribal warfare is their hands. On the base of the mickle," a Scotch proverb which principal pastime. They do not statue, which will be .thirty feet Episcopal women of the United use poisoned arrows, but the tall, a number of houses of wor- States put into practice, but with shafts are cruelly barbed and ship will be outlined to indicate larger results. The procedure of capable of inflicting death at 200 that freedom of worship in the the "United Thank Offering" is yards. Their. only civilized at- nation is not confined to anyone that whenever any woman of the tribute is that they are fine gar- sect or creed. church feels that she has some deners, and layout large areas special reason to be thankful, planted with sweet potatoes and The idea originated with Ar- she puts money in a box, and other native vegetables. thur H. Sulzberger, president every three months turns it over and publisher of the New York to a local treasurer. Here are NORTH AMERICA Times. The thought behind the some of the occasions for thank- idea, Mr. Sulzberger says, is that fulness: a woman who had lost Is America Christian? "freedom is something that must a pet dog dropped a dollar in the be won by each succeeding gen- box when the dog was returned. A cultured Christian gentle- eration. This has been clearly Another time her husband was man from India was stranded in proved since the war by the rise so late in coming home that she one of our eastern cities. Unable of dictatorships throughout the was seriously alarmed; when he to secure lodgings at any of the world. I feel that the New York showed up, the grateful woman hotels in town because of his World's Fair could do a genu- dropped a dime in the box! dark complexion, he was finally inely patriotic service if statues, befriended by a taxi-driver who symbolizing the four freedoms At the recent Episcopal Contook him to his humble lodgings guaranteed by the first amend- vention in Cincinnati, report and gave him his bed for the ment to the Constitution were was made Of total women's thank night. Several times during placed where the millions of offerings since 1 9 3 4. The their conversation the Indian visitors to the Fair could not fail amount was $861,030.52, $70,000 gentleman, expressing his grati- to see them, and could not fail to more than the total of 1934. All tude, happened to remark: "You of it will be devoted to those
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
mission services at home and noticed that fact." "There you in Mexico to open some Roman abroad conducted by women see it," declared the Eskimo, Catholic church for worship.
alone. "that is a work of the devil. It Sometimes these efforts succeed -The Churchman; Cincin- is he who is setting a snare for and sometimes they fail. In no nati Times-Star. us in order to get us to desecrate case is the whole country stirred the Holy Day. But you may rest by them. President Cardenas is Both Theory and Practice assured he will have no such reported as favoring the reopen- luck." ing of churches. He is compelled Sheldon Jackson School, Sitka, to move slowly because of the Alaska, knows the educational Before the summer ended violent anti-clericalism of some value of a boat, and a Tsimshian these sincere Christians had a of his supporters, and also be- Indian, who came to Sitka with rich, weekday harvest of seals. cause each State has its own Sheldon Jackson in 1888, has, regulations concerning religion. with the help of boys in the LATIN AMERICA Noone expects any modification School, recently built one. They of the religious laws. They will cut the timbers for the keel, keel- A Colporteur's Experiences remain on the statute books to son, deck beams and other parts be invoked against the Roman of the boat frame. They logged Colporteur Ceja of Puebla, Church, whenever the occasion yellow cedar trees and cut the Mexico, receives many insulting may arise. It seems obvious that ribs for the boat from them. letters, some threatening his life, as the Roman Church relaxes its Machin~-shop boys constructed all of them unsigned. As part opposition to the government's the 600-gallon Diesel tanks and of an organized campaign to run program of socialization, there built a sturdy rudder from an him and other workers out of will come a relaxation in the enold safe door, all under the direc- the place, the priest has taught forcement of these laws. tion of the machine-shop in- the children to sing a song which structor. This boat is used not says: President Cardenas has shown only for spreading the Gospel, his concern for the masses In his but for transporting students, Get out! Get out! Protestants, organization of cooperative sovisiting villages, hunting, fish- Get out of our nation. cieties, and by promoting legising, logging, Diesel demonstra- We wish to worship lation to safeguard the rights of tion c I ass e s and navigation The divine heart. labor. In education, special classes. -Monday Morning. stress has been placed upon rural Even in their salutations in schools, w h i c h increased to Eskimos Keep the Sabbath their patios or on the streets, the 10,000 in 1935 and to 11,000 in priests are teaching them to 1936. The present year will One sees what kind of Chris- change the usual Spanish greet- show an increase of approxitians the Eskimos have become ing : "To serve God and thee" mately 1,600. This is a striking when it is observed how they to Ave Maria purissima-"long record when one remembers that keep the Lord's Day. Their food live Christ, my life I am willing 20 years ago Mexico had no consists largely of seal meat, and to give for thee." One hears this rural schools. seals are abundant in Labrador. expression on all sides, spoken A Moravian missionary relates so rapidly the words cannot be Methodist Jubilee, Puerto Rico how, on four Sundays in succes- understood. sion, great schools of seals came This year marks the 2:5th aninto the harbor and played in In another town, Colporteur niversary of the founding of the the water in front of the mis- Ceja's knowledge of gasoline Puerto Rico Methodist Mission sion station; but on the follow- engines and simple mill ma- Conference. It was 37 years ago ing weekdays not a seal was to chinery gave him an entrance. that Charles W. Drees, who came be seen. He installed a mill for grinding there from Argentina, conducted corn, and Mrs. Ceja stayed sev- the first Methodist service on the When the fourth Sun day eral days to help the owners of Island. By the end of the first came, bringing an immense pack the new machine understand its year there were 835 members of seals, the missionary saw sev- manipulation. Now Ceja is help- and probationers, seven Sunday eral Eskimo men sitting on a ing the mayor of the town to schools, five preaching places, large rock on the beach. He build a reservoir and lay a pipe two congregations, $139 collected wondered how long it would be to bring water to the village. for benevolences, and $41 for before the men would leap into Thus serving the people, the ministerial support. In 1913, their kayaks and pounce upon priest has not been able to stir Puerto Rican Methodism was or- up hatred toward him.
-F. L. Meadows.
these seals; so he asked them Religion in Mexico ganized in a Conference. From why they did not go hunting. the original nucleus of thirty Then one E ski m 0 replied: According to Mission,s, the re- persons with which the first "Haven't you noticed that these ligious aspect of the Mexican service was started, a church has seals come in such great schools Revolution is slowly fading into arisen with twenty-four pastoral only on Sundays, and not one the background. The daily press charges with ninety-four con- appears on a weekday?" "Yes," from time to time reports move- gregations, comprising 3,778 replied the missionary, "I have ments in widely separated places m e m b e r san d probationers.
There are eighty-nine Sunday sage was a comparison of his The number of patients coming schools, with 6,343 pupils. own life with that of the same to the Presbyterian Hospital in Although Puerto Rico is a mis- experience through which the Rio Verde is small as yet, but sion field, it has both home and Apostle Paul passed. He realizes each returns home with a new foreign missionary work. The his need of being grounded in the idea of hospitals. This hospital, church has sent missionaries to Protestant faith, and is studying a rented private house, has four the Dominican Republic. day after day in the home of capable girls in training as -Christian Advocate. Don Arturo. When he had fin- nurses. With a population of ished his message, a hymn was 2,000, Rio Verde is the largest sung and an invitation extended town in the state of Goyaz. Education in Cuba -Monday Morning. to others to accept C h r i s t. After being closed almost con- Twenty-five responded, among EUROPE tinuously for six years for politi- them several students. cal reasons, the University of Church and State Havana and the original six pro- Missionary Forces Grow vincial institutes or high schools in Colombia The summer of 1937 will be have not only continued to func- remembered for the interna- tion normally since reopening During the past seven years, tional religious conferences in last January, but 14 new insti- the number of foreign mission- Europe. One of the main themes tutes have opened. Two of these aries in Colombia has increased at Oxford was the relation of are in Sancti Spiritus and from 59 to 160. This is due to church and state; and the series Guines, and one is near Caiba- several causes. 1. The return to of regional Baptist conferences rien. power of the Liberal party has came to grips with this question Cuba as a whole is slowly created great opportunities for in a practical way. Separation awakening to the need of a more preaching the Gospel to receptive of church and state was treated practical education for her peo- audiences. 2. Since the publica- in some form or another at each ple in place of the formal aca- tion of the survey of the North- one of these conferences-somedemic type which has always ern Republics of South America times in the presence of hostile prevailed. The Department of there has been a far better officials. Agriculture is taking the lead by knowledge of actual conditions France is the only country of sending out teams to sponsor existing in Colombia, and many Europe which has no problem tree-planting, agriculture, care missions and individuals have as to church and state relations, of cattle, homemaking classes, given attention to the vast op- while in Germany it is, of course, etc. Four of the Presbyterian portunities that the co u n try a burning question; and it is not Board's schools (at Sancti Spir- presents for the Gospel. 3. Bet- likely that there will ultimately itus, Cabaiguan, Cardenas and ter means of transport for open be any place for a free church Placetas) have used the services parts of the country which were in any totalitarian state. Deleof these teams. In Cardenas and hardly accessible some years ago. gates to these conferences in Sancti Spiritus, for example, 4. Many of the organizations eight countries were convinced boys' clubs for the planting of which have commenced work in it will be a long time before we vegetables have been organized Colombia are Faith Missions, see anything like a "U nit e d and a number of classes in do- which during recent years have States of Europe." mestic science and child care been able to increase their ac- -Missions. tivities considerably. The prohave been given.
-Monday Morning. portion of national workers to Christianity's Last Reserve foreign missionaries is now very Converted in Nicaragua low, and the question of the A Leipzig newspaper recently training of a national ministry, had an article about the Starzi, Jose M. Ruiz, a priest of the both lay and ordained, is one of a people who can be ,traced back Catholic Church for 18 years, considerable importance. to the Bogomilians of the early has been converted in Managua, Russian Middle Age, Evan- Nicaragua. He gave his first -World Dominion Press. gelicals who came up from By- public testimony in a Baptist No Doctors Wanted zantium. (Bogomilian means Church, October 31. The occa- "loved of God.") Their protest, sion is described in the Watch- In some mission areas medical which they felt was God-given, man-Examiner: work is the most successful way was against the secularization of "The school assembly hall was of introducing the Gospel. In the Church, and they often came crowded to overflowing and hun- the interior of Brazil, where liv- into conflict with the clerical ele- dreds were standing. He spoke ing conditions in general are ment. They were at times per- about thirty minutes and al- primitive and unhealthful, how- secuted, and in their testimony though we feared disorder, we ever, one finds a different situa- was often a strong admixture of had the best of attention during tion – people eager to hear the fanaticism.
his message. He gave a message Gospel but live in terror of doc- The Starzi were usually of the with a positive ring, sincere and tors and hospitals. They would lower class, but occasionally men forceful. The basis of his mes- rather die than go to a physician. from the aristocracy j 0 i ned
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
them; their testimony has never of Christian ideas. "We must two observations are pertinent. died out. Again and again one avoid rituals reminiscent of church ceremonies. These cere- (1) Even the best friends of hears of them, now in European monies are dead. Our National Russia, now in the forests of Si- Socialist ideology is not a sub- Russia, and those in sympathy beria. They are considered stitute but a new c rea t ion. saints by the common people but Christmas festivals in Protestant with some of her social objechandled rather gingerly by the parish houses are as divorced clergy. But the interesting thing from our ideology as the singing tives, must question whether of Christmas hymns. A solstice is that today there has been a ceremony must be substituted in communism can succeed if its revival of Starzentum in Soviet such form as to force out the for- Russia. Their purpose is to re- eign spirit through the strength progress depends on t h rea t, store the' Christian faith. They of our own faith." force and wholesale executions. travel on foot in simple peasant Bibles in Yugoslavia dress, staff in hand, with the (2) The relentless c r usa d e Gospel and crucifix in a bag on The National Bible Society of the back, seeking to bring ,back Scotland reports this incident against religion seems to have the Russian people to the naIve from Yugoslavia, told by a col- porteur. resulted in a shortage of spirsimplicity of Russian orthodox belief. They are loved by the Traveling by train, I showed some itual power to motivate the vast people, hated and persecuted by Bibles and Testaments to my fellowthe Soviet authorities. passengers. Sitting next to me was a social program. While commu- man who began to speak very lightly -So S. Times. of the Word of God, frankly confess- nism itself has created an emo- ing that he was an atheist. Wanting to show off, he bought five Testaments, tional energy comparable to that opened the window and threw them out one after another, to show his dis- in religion, it is apparent that respect for the Book. I felt deeply grieved, and wished to return him his the Russian program cannot per- money, but he gave no heed to my words. Some days later, on my way manently succeed until the reli- home, I passed again through this dis- trict, and seeing a gang of trainmen gious impulse in the soul of the standing, I approached them: with a people is again given freedom to friendly greeting. After a few words about the weather, I asked if any of express itself, and to furnish the them possessed a Bible, and if they read it, and took two copies out of my guiding principle of the nation's pocket. Instantly one of the men Needs of French Children shouted, "These look just like the life. -Missions. Books some of our men found on the State education in France line." It was true: the Testaments AFRICA leaves God out entirely, and thrown out by the atheist had been while a small percentage of rescued before rainy weather set in. ltaly in Ethiopia and the trainmen told me of the great French children have some sort joy they had in reading them. It was While the eyes of the world are of religious training at home, the in an exclusively Roman Catholic ter- turned upon the Far East, Musmajority grow up as virtual ritory that the Books were thrown solini is busy Italianizing Ethio- out, where perhaps no one would have pia, and a part of this program, pagans. In many cases adefi- bought the Word of God. as all the world knows, is maknite anti-God influence is seen ing Catholics of the natives. The Twenty Years of Communism Associated Press reports that in the schools. Says one educa- Mussolini's engineers have built, tor: "Leaving God out and It may be that Japan's aggres- or are completing eight Roman funding our moral code on a sion in China is partly due to Catholic churches with dozens purely human basis, we under- signs that all is not well in com.:. of auxiliary schools, dispensaries munist Russia-that she is in no and clinics in Ethiopia. The idea take to produce intelligent and condition to thwart Japanese of Catholic education is being brotherly citizens." Another plans. American tourists return pushed, and it is estimated that says, "We are not called upon to from Russia and report an at- 800 priests and 1,200 nuns will mosphere of tense uncertainty be needed. The Salesian Brothattack or deny the existence of there. erhood-famous for its work in God, but to give an education South Africa-has been authorwhich makes faith in God impos- Nevertheless, celebration of ized to lead in this program. sible." the communist revolution's 20th anniversary was carried out as Coptic churches and Moham- In the McAll Mission settle- in other years. With all due medan mosques are being reno- recognition of Russia's achieve- vated in line with Mussolini's ments in Paris and other towns ments during these 20 years, friendly gestures to Islam. It is not Ethiopian souls, but loyalty of France, Gospel truths are be- to his Roman Empire project that concerns him. ing taught to both children and adults. -The Christian.
No Christmas in Germany In aNew Field Christmas came again, but not As already noted, the expulin Germany so far as the Storm sion of missionaries from Abys- Troopers were concerned. The sinia led to the determination to chief of staff of this Nazi Guard open up fresh territory in the issued "Instructions for Cultural adjacent Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Exercises of Storm Troops." It This project has received unexis of the utmost importance, says pected gifts toward the extra Herr Lutze, to eliminate the financial responsibility entailed. "foreign ideology" of Christianity from the exercises of the Storm Troops, and create new forms and ceremonies which will have not even the faintest flavor 108 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [February Extension in another direction always finds lodgings. He helps Director of the German Baptist is marked by the commencement Missionary Society. of work among the lepers of the in the day's work, and bears Moslem provinces of the north. New Life in Angola Five doctors were needed if the witness for the Lord as opportufacilities provided by the British Methodist missionary E. E. Government were to be fully nity offers. Edling believes that Angola is grasped. Three of these are now seeing the harvest of all the seed at work, another is on his way In his travels he visits places sown there during the past 52 and the fifth is taking a course years. He writes: .of study of tropical diseases. where no missionary has ever "Our native evangelists are On a recent Sunday morning, been, away from all Christian constantly on the road" and still Dr. R. V. Bingham, general di- cannot keep up with the calls for rector of this work, led a service fellowship. He keeps in touch special meetings in outlying stain an area where seven years ago tions. They go to hold the meetthe natives were cannibals. Mo- with Tunis by letters posted ings, and people come pouring toring to another center he in from miles around. The work preached to a congregation of whenever he comes to a post has gone beyond us. 600, and in the evening he conducted a service at which 800- office, and these tell of a coura- "Meetings were being held in 900 people were present, and the a village that seemed to have missionary in charge apologized geous witness in face of many grown cold and indifferent, and for the smallness of ,the gather- too full of family quarrels to ing! The morning congregation difficulties. Many Moslems coh- make any progress. But more usually numbers 1,500, but in than 30 people gave their hearts the afternoon and evening many firm the truth of these accounts. to the Lord for the first time, go out to preach to their unevan- not to mention the old members gelized neighbors in surrounding In one village he was received who had been stirred to new life towns and villages. and warmth. One of the helpers very kindly by a sick old man, in these meetings was needed in A, native chief, who had rev- another place, but begged for one elled in tribal warfare and head who wept when he heard of the more day to help new converts. hunting, heard the Gospel from The trip was delayed for one a member of his own tribe. crucifixion of Christ; and when day, when it was seen that this Gathering that it demanded the was only the beginning. For renunciation of polygamy, lying, a few days later he lay on his four more days the meetings stealing and a variety of other went on, new people coming in sins, he declared that he had no death-bed, he refused to witness each day from all that region, use for it. Later he came into many of them heads of villages contact with the missionary, who to Mohammed, but assented who had stoutly resisted the ,startled him by saying, "Come Gospel for many years. Saturto Christ just as you are." when Medani spoke of Jesus as day night when the services finally came to a close with a Imagining that Christianity the Saviour. After the burial he great testimony meeting, 96 new had capitulated, he decided to at- names had been added to the tend mission services. Sunday was accused of converting the list. after Sunday found him in his place, and eventually the light old man to heresy. The men "This is typical of what has broke upon his heart. Now, he gone in since November. To finds that he no longer takes planned to kill him, but a wom- date the list of new converts pleasure in evil doing. since that time in all the villages an, grateful for healing, helped visited totals just about 1,000. -Life of Faith. A new spirit is abroad in the Medani to escape, supplying him whole field." Witnessing to Moslems with food and money. He had Raising Spiritual Standards A ministry of unmeasured value, involving hardship and to remain hidden for some days, The Lovedale Bible School, often peril, is that of Medani, a South Africa, was founded five converted Mohammedan of Te- and in his letter he asked for years ago to assist in deepening bessa, on the Algerian frontier. spiritual life. Its leaders recog- After helping in the mission for prayer that whether in life or in nize the danger of the growth of some years, he now journeys an African Church which is with caravans of Arabs. The death he might glorify God's satisfied with a low standard of average Tunisian countryman is faith and morals. There has hospitable, and as Medani car- name. -Life of Faith. been in some districts a recruries a stock of simple medicines descence of heathenism, because ,and sweets for the children, he German Mission in Cameroon As most of us know, the Brit- ish Government several years ago permitted the resumption of mission work by Germans in the section of the Cameroons which it holds under mandate. German Baptists, however, encountered serious obstacles in maintaining their work. Rigid regulations regarding the export of currency were among the chief of these, and for a time the continuance of German foreign mission work -not only by Baptists, but equally by members of other churches – d e pen d e d upon friendly assistance from Chris- tians of other lands; and British Baptists raised and sent several hundred pounds. The gravest crisis has passed, and it has re- cently become possible to rein- force the mission staff. Peculiar interest attaches to the departure for Africa of Helmut Simoleit, son of Dr. F. W. Simoleit, the well-known Vice-President of the Baptist World Alliance and converts have remained ignorant glory of Christ. Deeply im- doctors were men – had more of the elements of the faith they pressed, the Moslem said, "These women patients than men. This professed. are good words; I will hear you past year saw 455 babies born in The five-months courses of the again." six mission hospitals, Kerman- school have put nearly 50 evan- This, and other such incidents shah reporting one week with a gelists into the field. Entering convinced the British Syria Mis- baby every day-and triplets to the school with vague ideas sion that the training of native top it off with! An increasing about God, sin and salvation, evangelists must somehow be as- number of nurses are being they have had their whole atti- sured. Accordingly, plans are trained. In 1936, the Governtude transformed. A four-page under way for establishing a ment decided to inaugurate monthly, "Preachers' Help," is Bible School for Syria. The nurses' training as a branch of issued in Xhosa and Suto, and the educational program rapidly has 1,100 subscribers. It finds Mission Secretary has completed expanding under the direction of its way into every Province of its able Minister of Education, the Union, and into Southwest a world tour, chiefly to make this a graduate of Alborz College. project known. Rev. Evan R. Africa and Rhodesia. The Love- Harries is to be the first Prin- The educational impetus is dale Press also publishes a cipal, and Zaki Effendi of Port placing girls in positions as "Guide for Preachers and Bible ,typists, clerks and teachers. A Students" to meet their needs Said has accepted the post of knowledge of Eng 1ish and both in private study and as a tutor. The school will be opened French is considered essenUal textbook for training classes. in the Mission building at to secure the best of such em- Shimlan. -The Christian.
-So S. Times. Turkey's Development p19yment. -Women and Missions. Turkey is now chiefly intent WESTERN ASIA u p 0 n internal developments.
Cyprus Has a Sunday School The State controls the chief in- INDIA-BURMA-CEYLON Last year, an Armenian Sun- dustries, private enterprise ben- The Basis of Evangelization day school worker, with head- efiting by State initiative and quarters in Beirut, Syria, visited financial guarantees. The re- Indian missions need "re- Cyprus and organized the first cently signed Asiatic Pact be- thinking." Evangelical Chris- Sunday schools within the Ar- tween Turkey, Iran, Iraq and tians number at least 4,000,000, menian Church in Cyprus. He Afghanistan is designed to as- and to these approximately 250,- was received with enthusiasm, sure their internal development 000 are being added yearly. and reports that a Council of Re- equally with their territorial in- These believers, have been gathligious Education has been tegrity. Pan-islamism has re- ered chiefly through the witness formed for the Island, Sunday ceived a setback; an influential of changed lives and spontaneous school work in Larnaca has been intelligentsia in these countries testimony of Indian Christians; firmly established, and a series is pressing for religious reform. therefore the completion of the of lectures have been given to The missionary outlook is dis- unfinished task of India's evanteachers and prospective leaders tinctly promising, provided that gelization lies in making the on methods of teaching, and Christianity is presented not witness of her Church more principles of Christian educa- only as a Gospel of personal sal- effective. tion. The Armenian population vation, but of national regeneraon the island is about 4,000; tion and progress. The organization, training there were about 850 children enrolled in the Sunday schools. -World Dominion Press. and equipment, as well as the spiritual and material encour- Bible School for Syria New Day for Iranian Women agement of selected Indian work- ers is the pressing duty of mis- Evangelistic work has felt the sions. Nor is this enough. Vital collaboration between mission- Yusef, a young carpenter of effect of women's emancipation aries and Indian leaders on a Tyre, was converted from the in Iran. Galls may be made in basis of Christian fellowship and Moslem faith. Accompanying a Moslem homes, with less embar- perfect equality, will alone bring missionary on an itinerary to rassment to the hostess. A spirit into play the special contribution villages which it is possible for of open-minded inquiry is en- of each, which together, may the missionary to visit only once gendered with the passing of achieve a success denied to uniin two or three years, he sur- long established usage. lateral mission activity. One ef- prised himself in the discovery Again, medical work reflects fective point of contact is found of a gift for evangelism. One the new feeling. For years in the Ashram Movement. These Moslem asked Yusef why he had Iranian women have been in- brotherhood fellowships can left the fold of Islam. With creasingly willing to consult a serve to bring foreign missionsuperb Christian diplomacy, say- man physician, but never was aries and Indian colleagues into ing nothing derogatory to the there such willingness as today. this helpful relationship and prophet, he read passages from Year before last, two of our hos- generous cooperation.
his Bible which set forth the pitals-and their only American -World Dominion Press.
Madras Meeting of I. M. C. study, action and consultation. Their first move was to select The Hangchow Meeting of the The Meeting of the Council fur- four murderers as household International Missionary Coun- nishes the opportunity for this servants. The rest were set to cil is now to be known as the consultation among the repre- work building three villages. So Madras Meeting of the Interna- sentatives of national groups in ignorant were they of work that tional Missionary Council. On account of the disturbed condi- international conference. This each had to be taught how to use tions in the Far East the Council has decided to accept the invita- program, launched a year ago, a spade. Schools, offices and a will continue as planned. It has medical dispensary were built. tion of the National Christian Council of India and hold its emerged out of the life experi- A hand-weaving industry was meeting at Tambaram, on the campus of the Madras Christian ence of these national groups started, and these ex-criminals College. Tambaram is a suburb of Madras, in the semi-tropical and continues as a guiding in- have made clothes for themsoutheastern section of India. It is near the heart of the Mass fluence for thought, action and selves and for sale to all the Movement area where a strong Christian community is growing prayer around the world. Andaman Penal Settlements. In rapidly, and where visitors from other lands may observe much Student Evangelism in Ceylon' five year,:; the gangsters paid that will be instructive and en- back every penny loaned to them couraging. While the Indian For the past t'Yo year~ !he by the government to start in- Christians eagerly welcome the Jaffna In~er-Colleglate ChrIstIan dustries. They have built a dam coming of the Conference to Fel}o'Yshlp has held. an Evan- and reservoir, planted fruit Tambaram, Bishop A z aria h gehsh~ Week. Meetmg ~enters trees, built a hall for their Gosspoke on their behalf in hoping h~ve mcreased from nme to pel meetings. Men who were that the Conference would be nmeteen, a~d the work. was ex- hardened criminals can now be indeed an ecumenical conference tended to m~lude Jum?t: Sec- seen on Sundays teaching the bringing Christians from all ondary E!1ghsh .a!1d Bllmg~al Bible to the children of the colparts of the world to India. Al- Schools, m addlt.lOn· to HI?,h ony. Boys are now preparing though conditions are uncertain Schools. ¥eth~s mcluded "Wlt- for mission service. in the Far East, it is hoped that ~es.s me~~mgs, and to. keep th.e These two workers recently there will be a strong delegation WItness fr?m becom~ng a ~l- visited England, and said that in both from China and from J apan, as well as from other parts ography, WIthout pomt, Wlt- twenty-five years spent among of Asia, Africa, Latin America nesses we!e aske,~ to speak on criminals they had not lost the and the West. The condiitions such questIo~s a~ What C!0d has smallest of their .possessions.
which the Christians of these meant to me m bmes of dIfficulty However within an hour after two countries of Asia face are of major concern to Christians of ?r doubt, s?r!ow, defeat or joy; arriving' in civilized England, all lands, and make the strength- l~ ha!mO~IZI~~ pe:r:sona.l rela- Mrs. Sheard's umbrella was ening of Christian ties more tIOnshlps, m.glvmg dIrectIOn and stolen. -So S. Times. important than ever. The Chris- purpose to hfe"; and to address tian Church, the Church Univer- meetings, with topics such as Missionaries Help Ex-Patriots sal, must stand in united witness "God in Christ," "Forgiveness to its faith today. This· will not Through C h r i s t," "Me for The secretary of the "Servants be a conference only on prob- Christ." of India" Society made an extenlems in the Far East. It is the sive tour of three years in the regularly called decennial meet- The method usually adopted ,to Far East, America and in Ausing of the International Mission- register decisions is to take the tralia; and wherever Indians ary Council, coming together to senior students out for a quiet were living in these countries he consider fundamental problems retreat, or gather them together made it his business to visit of the Christian mission. It will for a quiet meeting, a week or them, and stay with them some ten days after the evangelistic time. As a result, he gives three be concerned with the world- week, with its emotional stress, general impressions with referwide witness of the universal is over. Students cannot be ence to the condition of Indians Church. The Faith by Which baptized without permission of overseas. First, "If generalizathe Church Lives, the Witness of parents or guardian. tions are permissible at all, it the Church to Its Faith, the may be said that in Trinidad, Inner Life of the Church, the -National Christian Coun- British Guiana and Fiji, where Church and Its Environment, cil Review. Indians were originally introand Closer Cooperation among duced under the indentured sys- Christians; these were the five Among Criminal Tribes tem, they are commendably topics named for world-wide better off than similar classes in Major Sheard and his wife of India." Second, "It is remark- the Salvation Army, after work- able that by their own self-help ing twenty-five years among the and against tremendous odds criminal tribes of India, were these Indians overseas have sent by the government four and made great progress." Third, a half years ago to the Andaman "We cannot be too grateful to the Islands in the Bay of Bengal, Christian missionaries who alone where 600 convicted murderers took interest in the uplift of the and robbers had been segre- Indians." -Dnyanodaya. gated. One hundred and twenty were chained as violent crim- inals. Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Apostle of China. Life of Samuel of God. No man contributed to thrilling facts. To illustrate: Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky. By James Arthur Muller. 275 pp. more than he to making the Often poverty in the mountains $2.50. Morehouse Pub. Co. New York and Milwaukee. 1937. Bible available to the Chinese is associated with high intelli- people. The foundations which gence and profound wisdom; This is a long overdue biog- he laid will endure forever. often Christian p e 0 pie have Professor Muller has done an raphy of one of the most re- shamed the state to action; good amazing piece of work in assem- roads and good schools and the markable missionaries of the bling the adequate material of Wider Parish, the Boy Scouts Nineteenth Century, Sam u e I this biography, when at first it Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky of seemed that all the material had and the 4-H Clubs are helping China. Schereschewsky was a been lost, and he has put it to- Russian Jew born in Lithuania, gether in the most simple and to reveal, and to make usable, May 6, 1831. He became a satisfactory way. The account "the precious things of the Christian through studying the of his researches should lead every missionary board to re- mountains." Mr. White has New Testament in Germany and solve to perfect its archives and given us a book, small in comassociation with Jewish Chris- preserve its irreplaceable treastian friends in America where ures of correspondence. pass, readable, sane, encour- aging. Perhaps we shall rememhe came in 1854. After two R. E. SPEER. ber best his quotation from a years in the Western Theological mountain man, who says: "We Seminary of the Presbyterian had so many churches we couldn't have a church."
Church in Allegheny, Pa., he Highland Heritage. By Edwin E. WM. J. HUTCHINS, transferred to the Protestant White. Friendship Press. Cloth, President, Berea College.
Episcopal Church and was sent $1.00; paper, 60 cents. New York. "It Is Hard to Be a Christian." By as a missionary to China in 1937. Samuel M. Zwemer. 159 pp. 3s. 6d.
1859. There his great work was Mr. White reveals his wide Marshall, Morgan & Scott. London. the founding of St. John's Uni- reading and his deep experience. 1931. versity in Shanghai and Bible He does not live in the realm of This is the full outpouring of .translation, though as bishop he romance inhabited by many a rich and noble experience. It had administrative charge of the writers. His spirit is that of is not testimony which cost nothwork of his mission from 1876 comradeship, rather than of con- ing. It bears "traces of having until his breakdown and paraly- descension. He emphasizes the bled." "Scars" and "loneliness" sis from sunstroke in 1881. For fact, often ignored, that the peo- and "the Cross" are not mere four years he sought to repair ple of the mountains were for a words lightly spoken. They show his health in Europe and then long time "in the thick of the na- forth realities through rents in for nine years, with a shattered tion's life. They played a large the veil. The book is not an body but an indomitable will, he part in the formation of new apologetic for unbelievers or a worked in America on his Bible states" and have always re- piece of impersonal doctrinal translation and revision of trans- sponded when the nation needed statement. It is a soul in Christ, lation, though he could write heroes to fight her battles. The speaking out of the glory and only by punching a typewriter mountains have suffered from tragedy of Christian life to other with a single finger. wanton exploitation; through souls in Christ, drinking of the In 1895 he returned to China ignorance or greed, the resources cup of which Christ drank and for two years and then from of forest, and soil, and minerals, being baptized with the baptism 1897 until his death in 1906 he all have been plundered. The with which He was baptized lived in Tokyo, tirelessly busy in author does not allow us to draw withal. Each chapter begins his colossal books. He was one down the curtains of our minds with an apt quotation from "Pilof the greatest linguists and as we pass abandoned mining grim's Progress" and the true most learned men of his time, a towns, rural slums, schools, the spirit of that Pilgrim breathes man of original and forceful playthings of some rural Tam- from every page. The book is character and a true and devoted many. full of fresh illustrative mate- Christian who rose above pov- As he compels us to face real- rial, and apt and unhackneyed erty and suffering by the grace ity, Mr. White calls our attention words of poetry, and its mes- Any of the books noted in these COllmns will be sent by the REvmw publishers on receipt of price.
[ 111 ] sage is spoken in short, truth- Stand Up and Preach. By Ambrose because the 'war-makers' did not telling sen ten c e s with the Moody Bailey, D.D. Round Table want these supplies damaged or warmth and glory of a true love Press, N. Y. 141 pp. $1.50. destroyed." For children today, of Christ. It deals with Chris- between the ages of 9 and 12 tian discipleship as the New This volume by a pastor of years, footnotes are often sup- Testament deals with it and with wide experience is announced as plied to give sources of inforlife in its tragedy as illumined "a formula for better preach- mation. Such documentation is by the Cross of Christ and com- ing." That an adequate formula valuable to carry conviction. forted with the love and joy of of this nature would be a power- Our boys and girls are far more God and finding its full mean- ful aid in this day of changing alert and mature than in preing beyond the things of time pulpit standards, none will dis- vious generations. and sense. It begins with a pute. The chapters deal with motif from Browning's "Easter such practical questions as the JAMES F. RlOOS. Day" : minister's calling, ideals, mes- sage, intellectual habits, sermon Along an Indian Road. A play by How very h'ard it is to be technique, etc. There is a wealth Mrs. Martin de Wolfe. 5 cents a A Christian! Hard for you and me. of counsel and illustration; in copy. Woman's Board of Foreign fact the book is largely a record Missions, Reformed Church, New And its lesson might be summed of personal experience. There York, or Hilda L. Olson, Marion up in Browning's closing words: are also lists of striking sermon Way, Rockport, Mass. topics which the author has used And so I live you see, with apparent success. The tone "Along an Indian Road," pic- Go through the world, try, prove, re- of the book is evangelical and tures Dr. Ida Scudder's work in while it contains much which is which the author (Ruth Scud- ject, suggestive and valuable, the dis- der) herself formerly had a Prefer, still struggling to effect criminating reader will sense a share. It sets before us the My warfare; happy that I can degree of inadequacy and incom- gathering of the Indian suffer- Be crossed and thwarted as a man, pleteness. There is, for example, ers, some of them lepers, with Not left in God's contempt apart, an inadequate recognition of the their groanings and grumblings With ghastly smooth life, dead at importance of doctrine; there is and jealousies; and then the ar- commendation of certain books rival of Dr. Ida who ministers heart. of questionable value, and some to them so patiently and kindly Tame in earth's paddock as her quotations are either carelessly that they say to one another, made or unfortunate. The book "The name of her God is Love." prize … does not live up to the promise Thank God, no paradise stands barred of its title and purpose. The play was recently given To entry, and I find it hard for the first time before the Fed- To be a Christian, as I said. HUGH R. MONRO. eration of Women's Missionary Societies in Poughkeepsie. Dr. Hard and glorious and alone "Broken Guns." By Eleanor Holston Wm. Bancroft Hill, who has worth while! ROBERT E. SPEER. Brainard. 120 pp. $1.00. Friend- watched Dr. Ida by the roadside, ship Press, New York. 1937. reports, "It is full of the Indian The Romantic Isles – A Sketch of atmosphere, very life-like with the Church in the West Indies. By The author of this wholesome mingled humor and pathos; and John Levo. 88 pp. S. P. G. and junior book knows how to pic- it held the large audience from S. P. C. K. London. ture the peace and war issue start to finish. It can easily be vividly for children and to give presented by a small society as This is more than a sketch of them a good background for well as by a large one; and it missionary work in the West their thinking. makes a very effective mission- ary appeal." Indies. As a handbook for the The story begins with the outstudy of the West Indies it has break of the World War and Accidents Will Happen. By Winifred portrays briefly the experiences M. Pearce. 126 pp. Is. 3d. Pickmuch to commend it. From of soldiers who fought. We see ering and Inglis, London. 1937. Columbus on down through the the part greed plays in the makages explorers, pirates, traders ing of war; what propaganda is A very readable story of the and English settlers are shown and does; who are the true pa- son of an English archreologist triots; finally, how the author who accompanies his father to in a clear-cut background for believes that peace can become Iraq, meets with rather queer the picture. That picture is the a fact, and what boys and girls accidents, learns something of can do to make this possible. the country and more than a West Indian folk of today-their little about things that are worth physical, moral, educational and There are no footnotes or ref- while in life. Several illustra- erences. They are needed to tions add to its value for a boy economical status, as these fac- in his early "teens." There is tors have in many ways deter- substantiate such statements as: plenty of adventure and an added mined their religious develop- "The German and French air- spice of mystery. ment. men did not bomb enemy mu- nition plants by agreement, JAMES CANTINE. The motive of the writer is to show the part in this develop- ment played by English philan- thropy and missionary effort; and what still remains to be done. For the casual visitor to the Islands as well as for the student this little book has a de- cided value. JAMES CANTINE.
to Remember FOR SALE Obituary
February 9-Annual Meeting, Mis- 48 new black poplin pleated choir Bishop Isaac Lane, oldest Bishop sionary Review Publishing Co., New gowns, academic style, $3.76 each. of world Methodism, died December 5 York. All or part. Write at once. in Jackson, Tenn., at the age of 103. Bishop Lane was born in slavery, and March 4-World Day of Prayer. LOUIS J. LINDNER was 29 years old when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. He March 23-24-United Stewardship 426-MRW Seventh Avenue helped to found the Colored Methodist Council, Columbus, Ohio New York City Church, and later established Lane College for Negroes. The Isaac Lane April 28~General Conference, Meth- Dr. H. H. Kung, the prominent Memorial Hospital was organized in odist Episcopal Church, South, Christian Chinese statesman, brother- 1934 by citizens of Jackson to per- Birmingham, Ala. in-law of Madame Chiang Kai-shek, petuate his name and work. has been made the Premier of China. May 12-16-Southern Baptist Conven- Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek has *** tion, Richmond, Va. given up this position in order that he may devote all his time to the defence Dr. Leopold Cohn, founder and May 19-General Assembly, Presby- of his country against the Japanese. former president of the American terian Church in U. S., Meridian, Board of Missions to the Jews, Inc., of Miss. *** Brooklyn, died recently. He was 75 years of age. Af':;er studying in the May 2S-General Assembly, United Miss Huang An-Ii, graduate of Yeshivas of Central Europe, Dr. Cohn Presbyterian Church of Nor t h Yenching University, is the first came to America and shortly after his America, Cleveland, Ohio. woman ever to be appointed by the arrival became a Christian. He went Chinese Government to fill a position to Edinburgh where he studied at the May 26-General Assembly, Presby- in its diplomatic service. She has Free Church College and on his return terian Church in U. S. A., Philadel- been appointed third secretary to the became a Christian missionary to the phia, Pa. Chinese Embassy in London. Jews of the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. June 2-General Synod, Reformed *** Church in America, Asbury Park, *** N. J. Rev. Robert F. Chisholm has been appointed General Secretary of the Rev. David Wendel Carter, for- June lS-22-General Council of Con- National Bible Society of Scotland. merly a missionary of the Methodist gregational and Christian Churches, In his student days, he was an as- Episcopal Church South, died in Texas Beloit, Wisconsin. sistant in the Glasgow Mission to on September 3, 1937. He welit to .Jews, and was the first Scottish mis- Mexico as a missionary in 1882 and June 28-July 3-;-Twentiet):1 .Interna- sionary to the Jews in Transylvania. since his retirement has worked among tional ConventIOn on ChrIstian Edu- He will also assume the editorship of the Mexicans in Texas. He was a cation, Columbus, Ohio. the Quarterly Record. cultured and effective missionary who knew how to deal with all classes of Personal Items *** people.
Prof. Roy Smith, missionary pro- Rev. G. W. Ridout is making his The Presbyterian fessor in Kobe University of Com- third missionary evangelistic trip to merce, has been decorated by the Sout:l America. He will preach and A weekly religious newspaper in Emperor with the Fifth Order of the hold evangelistic meetings in Panama, its lo6th year of continuous pub- Sacred Treasure in recognition of his Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Mon- lication under the same name. meritorious service as an educator. tevideo and Brazil. Dr. Ridout will Professor Smith has been in Japan work mostly with the Methodist It is conservative and evangelsince 1903, and continuously in edu- churches and schools, but will also be cational work as an instructor in associated with missions of the Pres- ical, gets its news by telegraph English. byterians, Baptists, Friends, :til ,zarene and keeps abreast of the times. and Christian Alliance. *** It goes into every state of the PARENTS •.• Rev. Norman J. Smith, of Yonkers, Union, the District of Columbia, N. Y., has been called to be General In the Foreign Mission Field and U. S. possessions. Secretary of the American-European Fellowship 156 Fifth Avenue, New Endorse Calvert: School It goes to Asia and Africa, South York City. This society supports Home St:udy Courses Christian missionaries in Europe. America, Canada and New Zealand Mr. Smith will also be managing for Children and into twelve countries of Eueditor of The EurQ'J)ea.n Har'Vest Field. He will continue to act as Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- rope. General Secretary of the All-Russian tion Department, will give your child a Evangelical Christian Union and edi- superior elementary education ••• by mail, Subscription Price, • • – $2.50 tor of The Gospel in Russia (formerly regardless of where you may live. Mod- Ministerial Rate, • • – $2.00 edited by the late Rev. I. S. Prok- ern, approved courses from this famous hanoff). Previously, Mr. Smith was school are being used by parents allover .50c. ext,a—Canadian postage with the Russia Bible and Evangeliza- the world with outstanding success. $1.00 extra—foreign postage tion Society and formerly he was a district secretary of tl.e American Give your children the advantages of these THE PRESBYTERIAN Sunday School Union, at Richmond, interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, Va. and attractive materials. Instruction is 1217 Market Str••t, Philad.lphia, Pa. under the personal guidance of teachers in *** Calvert's prominent and successful private day school in Baltimore. Rev. and Mrs. Alva Harsh and Miss Mineva Neher, missionaries of the Write today for booklet of complete in- Church of the Brethren, mysteriously formation. Costs are low. disappeared from their station at Show Yang, Shansi, China, on December 2. These three missionaries disappeared on their way home from visiting a French family but up to date no definite information has been received about them.
Resurrection of the Human o.In Unusual 'W,.ew qJoolt on the A History of the Modern and Con-
Body. By Norman H. Camp. 12mo. temporary Far East. P. H. Clyde. 127 pp. Bible Institute Colportage D;st;ncti"e Truth ofChristianity ! 858 pp. $6. Prentice-Hall, New Assn. Chicago. 1937. York. The Resurrect:ion of There is much confusion in The Invasion of China by the Westthe minds of Christians as to the the Human Body ern World. E. R. Hughes. 324 pp. time, form and nature of the 15s. A. & C. Black. London. resurrection. Even Evangelical by Bible students differ in their in- NORMAN H. CAMP Crisis in China: The Story of the terpretation of Bible passages. Author of Thinking With God, etc. Sian Mutiny. J. M. Bertram. Illus. Mr. Camp is an evangelistic 318 pp. lOs. 6d. Macmillan. Bible teacher, sponsored by the I s CHRIST now living in a human London. Moody Bible Institute. He is a body of flesh and bones? Where? clear thinker and firmly believes Will the bodies of all dead men be China at Work. Rudolf P. Hommel. that the only definite information raised from the grave? When? Can 366 pp. $5. John Day. New York. on the resurrectiQn Is found in Christians distinguish between truth the Christian Scriptures. He and error? How? These and other China Through a College Window. here presents clearly the case for vital questions considered in this timely William Sewell. 183 pp. 28. 6d. the physical resurrection of book on the outstanding message of London. Edinburgh House Press. Jesus Christ and of all believers the early Church. in Christ. His argument is based China Faces the Storm. Ronald on both Old and New Testaments Bound in blue cloth, stamped in gold; Rees. 158 pp. 28. Edinburgh bu.t he also appeals to the testi- 127 pages; attractive two-color jacket; House Press. London. monies of godly men and to the 75 cents. Order Your Copy Now! reasonableness of the belief Stone-Gateway and the Flowery found from the study of the The Bible Institute Colportage Association Miao. W. H. Hudspeth. Illus. analogies of nature, the desires 848 North Wells Street, Chicago 87 pp. ls. C&rgate Press. London. of the human heart and the justice of God. Christians will find For the Mountains – An Autobiog- On the Bombay Coast and Deccan: this study rewarding. raphy. William Goodell Frost. 352 The Origin and History of the pp. $3. Revell. New York. Bombay Diocese; W. Ashley-Brown. Medical Missions at Work. H. P. Illus. 280 pp. 8s. 6d. S. P. C. K. Thomson. 82 pp. 18. S. P. G., The Growing Menace of the "Social London. London. 1937. Gospel." J. E. Conant. 72 pp B. I. C. A. Chicago. A Tribe in Transition. D. N. Ma- A compact little book giving jumdar. Illus. 216 pp. lOs. 6d. vivid glimpses of the wide range The House on the Island. Grace Longmans. London. of medical missionary work Pettman. 182 pp. lB. 6el. Pickerfrom African huts to well devel- ing & Inglis. London. History of the Arabs. Philip K. oped medical schools in China. Hitti. Illus. 767 pp. $10.50. Mac- Pioneering, hospital work, nurse Happy Though Poor. Donald Grey millan. London and New York. training, public health and re- Barnhouse. 95 pp. ls. Pickering search all come in for attention. & Inglis. Londc;m. Iraq: A Study in Political Develop- It is primarily a book of descrip- ment. P. W. Ireland. Illus. 509 tions and narratives, us i n g Along an Indian Road. A Play. pp. 15s. Cape. London. plenty of first-hand "Close-ups," Mrs. Martin de Wolfe. 5 cents. rather than a discussion of prob- Woman's Board of Foreign Mis- African Genesis. Leo Frobenius and lem and policies, or of the phi- sions, Reformed Church in America, D. C. Foz. 236 pp. $3.75. Stacklosophy of medical missions. New York; and Hilda L. Olson, pole Sons. New York. However, the last chapter on Rockport, Mass. "The Meaning and the Motive" Black Hamlet: The Mind of an Afbrings out the Christ-like basis Poems of Faith. Edith E. McGee. rican Negro revealed by Psychoand demonstration of medical 39 pp. $1.00. Stratford Press. analysis. Wulf Sachs. 280 pp. missions with special focus. It Boston. lOs. 6d. Bles. London. is a very readable book with many usable stories. The Resurrection of the Human The Republics of South America: Body. Norman H. Camp. 127 pp. A Political, Economic and Cultural E. M. DODD. 75 cents. B. I. C. A. Chicago. Survey. 374 pp. 21s. Oxford Uni- versity Press. London. New Books Twelve Brave Boys Who Became Famous Men. Esther E. Enoch. Religion and Social Organization in Christian Faith and the Science of 95 pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. Central Polynesia. R. W. William- Today. J. H. Morrison. 228 pp. London. son. Edited by Ralph Piddington. $2.00. Cokesbury Press. Nashville. 372 pp. 258. Cambridge University Why Do I Believe the Bible Is God's Press. London. A Christian Layman's Handbook. Word? William Dallmann. 75 Robert M. Kurtz. 72 pp. 50 cents. cents. 138 pp. Concordia Pub. Co., 1938. Course in Bible Prophecy American Tract Society. New York. St. Louis. God's Program for the Future Windows of the World. Life of A Scriptural Study Each Week—52 Lesson,. Alfred H. Burton. F. W. Pitt. What Prophecy Is, How It Can Be Inlerpretf'd, Its 28. 6d. 162 pp. Pickering & Inglis. Belationahip to the Jew, the Gentile, and. the Church. London. Send 15c in stamps for current issue_ A Year of Children's Sermons. Jos- eph A. Schofield, Jr. $1.50. 192 pp. HRISTIAN PUBLICATlON5.IN<: Cokesbury Press. Nashville. 1502 II. Third Street, Harrisburg, Pa. Sidney James Wells Clark: A Vision of Foreign Missions. Roland Allen. 170 pp. 28. 6d. World Dominion Press. New York and London.
Henry T. Hodgkin: A Memoir. H. G. Wood. Illus. 281 pp. 58. Student Christian Movement Press. London.
~(J.NoiMi44 THE MOSLEM
PUBLISHED BY THE HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Editors, SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY SOME ARTICLES IN THE JANUARY NUMBER Editorial••-Vita Nuova Duncan B. Macdonald Vivat, Crescat, Floreat Julius Richter Islam: An Interpretation Edwin E. Calverley The Problem of Central Asia (plate) Ernest E. Grimwood The Conciliatory Tone of Ibn 'Arabi Edward J. Jurji The Story of the Ka'ba Grant Alexander A New Day in Northern Nigeria A. H. Locke Verses Missing from the Qur'an Arthur Jeffery Mullah Sa'eed of Sena Frederick G. Coan Moslems in London. • • • • J. E. Buglry Book Reviews••• Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster ••-.~ SUBSCRIBE NOW ~o(-_.
50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 1% Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & SCOTT, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF INDIA By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the inBuential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character; forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book will be ready early in February.
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. From 1850 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. Ten Years of Independent Work. IV. Life in New York, 1840-1844. XIV. The Bombay Guardian. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. Relations with the American Board. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. Association with the Methodist Church. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. Bowen as a Writer. XVIII. Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. XIX. Closing Testimony. IX. The Voyage to IndIa, 1847. X. Beginning Missionary Work.
This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 186 Fifth Avenue. New York
The Missionary Review of the World — June 1937
JUNE,1937
Rural America Number Challenge of the Rural Community Mark A. Dawber The Forgotten Man of the Back Road Ann Mitchell Neglected Fields in Rural America William R. King Farm Tenants and Sharecroppers Chas. M. McConnell Twenty"Five Years Ago and Now Ross J. Griffeth Keeping the Fountains Clean Henry W. McLaughlin Case Workers in Rural Areas Hilda L. Ives As a Farmer's Wife Sees It Nina B. Hewitt A Rural Pastor's Job Mark Rich One Solution-The Larger Parish Ellsworth M. Smith Cooperation in a Rural Community Edward D. Hamner A Church of the Countryside Coe Hayne Ministry of a Rural Colporter John C. Killian Importance of Pioneer Sunday Schools John M. Somerndike 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
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THE REVIEW SCHOOLS OF MISSIONS A weekly religious newspaper in The annual meeting of The Mission- Council of Women for Home Mis- its lo6th year of continuous pubary Review Publishing Company was sions and Affiliated with the lication under the same name. held at 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, Committee on Women's Work, on February 18, 1937. A financial re- Foreign Missions Conference It is conservative and evangelport for the calendar year, 1936, was ical, gets its news by telegraph presented by the Treasurer, Mr. Wal- June 19-26-Lake Geneva, Wis. Mrs. and keeps abreast of the times. ter McDougall, showing a deficit of T. A. Freeman, 427 Greenwood $1,394.88. The representative of the Blvd.; Evanston, Ill. It goes into every state of the Evangelical Press, Rev. David Fant, Union, the District of Columbia, stated that the renewal of subscrip- June 20-26-Boulder, Colo. President, and U. S. possessions. tions to THE REVIEW are over 80%, Mrs. Henry F. Hoffman, 741 Adams an unusually high proportion. The St., Denver, Colo. It goes to Asia and Africa, South Secretary, Mr. Delavan L. Pierson, America, Canada and New Zealand reported that the special numbers on June 21-27-Winona Lake, Ind. Miss and into twelve countries of Euthe American Negro and Missions in Minnie Rumsey, N. Mayflower Road, rope. Africa, published during the year had Lake Forest, Ill.. had a very gratifying sale and that Subscription Price, • • $2.50 special numbers on Rural America and June 26-July 3-Eagles Mere, Pa. Ministerial Rate, • $2.00 Moslem lands are planned for the Miss Muriel C. Post, 907 Lindlay coming year. Ave., Logan, Philadelphia, Pa~ 50c. extra—Canadian postage $1.00 extra—foreign postage The following members of the July 7-15-Northfield, Mass. Miss Board of Directors were elected to Amy O. Welcher, 796 Prospect Ave., THE PRESBYTERIAN succeed themselves: Hartford, Conn. 1217 Market: St:reet:, Philadelphia, Pa. Robert E. Speer, President; A. L. July 10-17 – Mountain Lake Park, Warnshuis, Vice-President; Walter Md. Chairman, Mrs. J. M. Knight, . . ceeded to his father's title in 1913 and McDougall, Treasurer; Delavan L. 207 Roane St., Charleston, W. Va. Pierson, Secretary; Wm. 1. Chamber- was president of the Friends of Arlain, D. J. Fant, Mrs. Orrin R. Judd, July 17-24-Mt. Hermon, Calif. Mrs. menia Society. Wm. B. Lipphard, Eric M. North, N. J. Forsberg, 1144 Eddy ~t., San Samuel M. Zwemer, Samuel M. Cavert. Francisco, Calif. …
A special committee was appointed, July 19-23 – Bethesda, Ohio. Miss Rev. Charles L. Goodell, D.D., Secwith Dr. John McDowell as chairman, Mary I. Scott, 310 Tomlinson St., retary Emeritus of the Commission to consider and report on the subject Moundsville, W. Va. on Evangelism of the Federal Council of the future of THE REVIEW. of Churches of Christ in America, August 15-22 – Chautauqua, N. Y. died on April 27 in New York City at Respectfully submitted, Chairman, Miss B. Louise W ood- the age of 82. Dr. Goodell was widely DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary. ford, Candor, N. Y. After August known as an evangelist of the air and 1, Chautauqua, N. Y. gave his Sabbath Reveries every Sun- Dates to Remember day morning for eight years. He was August 19-25 – Kerrville, T e x a s. a highly honored minister of the June 3-8 – T r i e n n i a 1 Convention, Chairman, Mrs. T. M. Cunning- Methodist Episcopal Church and World's W. C. T. U., Washington, ham, 618 West Sydamore, Denton, served several successful pastorates D. C. Texas. in New England and New York. He was born in Dudley, Mass., July 31, June 21-25 – Council on Christian Obituary Notes 1854, the son of Warren Goodell. He Evangelism for Our Day. East was graduated from Boston Univer- Northfield, Mass. w. J. W. Roome, the well-known sity in 1877 and came to New York State in 1896. Dr. Goodell was the June 23-30 – Alliance of Reformed African traveler, died in Tangier, author of m4ny devotional books and Churches Throughout the World Morocco, on March 31, in the 72d year Holding the Presbyterian System. of his age. Mr. Roome was for 30 served a nation.-..wi.d.. e p…arish. Montreal, Canada. years an architect in Belfast, Ireland, but retired at the age of 50 to devote Dr. Adolph Deissmann, well-known June 25-28-Conference of Missionary his remaining years to missionary Christian theologian of Germany, died Workers and the Annual Meeting service. He was secretary of the in Berlin on April 5 at seventy years of the National Fellowship of In- British and Foreign Bible Society for of age. He was born in Langenscheid dian Workers. University of Wis- East and Central Africa for 12 years in 1886 and after occupying chairs in consin College of Agriculture. Mad- and during that time crossed the con- several universities became Professor ison, Wis. tinent 13 times by various routes, of New Testament Theology in 1908 traveling more than one hundred thou- and was retired by government order July 5-16-New Jersey Summer sand miles, largely on foot or bicycle. in 1935 after he had signed a protest School of Christian Work, Blairs- He visited many parts of Africa never to Reichsbishop Mueller's policies and town, N. J. Write to the Mission- before visited by a white man, and interference with the Church. Dur- ary Education Movement, 150 Fifth made an ethnographic survey of many ing the World War, Dr. Deissmann Ave., New York. parts of the continent locating about sent some stirring messages to Amer- 3,000 tribal units. Accounts of his ica declaring that "the gangerous July 8-13 – International Christian journeys and impressions received ulcer of hate which poisons interna- Endeavor Convention, Grand Rap- were printed in a number of Yolumes, tional relations must be burned out." ids, Mich. including "Through Central Africa He was the author of several well- for the Bible," "Through the Land of known books, including one in Eng- July 11-16 – Anniversary, First Con- Nyanza," and "Tefaro Tales from lish on "The Religion of Jesus and ference of American Methodism. Africa." In recent years, Mr. Roome the Faith of Paul." Old St. George's Church. Phila- was chairman of the Unevangelized delphia. Fields Mission. He is survived by his (Concluded on ad c01Jer.) July 12-26 – World Conference on wife whom he ..m. a.r..rie..d. last January. Life and Work. Oxford, England. Lord Radstock, well known in mis- July 14-17-Nat.ional Council of Fed- sionary and evangelistic circles, died erated Church Women. Lake Ge- at Mayfield, Wooston, Hampshire, neva, Wis. England, on April 2 at 77 years of age. Grandville George Waldegrave, August 3-18 – World Conference on the eldest son of the third Lord Rad- Faith and Order. Edinburgh, Scot- stock, was born on September 1, 1859. land. He was graduated from Cambridge University and was associated in evan- Sept. 28-30 – Annual Interdenomina- gelistic work with his cousins, Rev. tional Missionary Institute, Wom- Sir Montagu Beaucham, M.P., and an's Interdenominational Union of Sir J. E. Kynaston Studd. He suc- Philadelphia and Vicinity. First Baptist Church, Philadelphia.
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THE MISSIONARY ber all through. The REVIEW looks REVIEW OF THE WORLD well, reads well and is better than DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor ever." DR. A. E. ARMSTRONG, VOL. LX JUNE,1937 No.6 Secretary of the Board of For- Publication and Business Office– Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. eign Missi01l8, The United Editorial and Executive Office– Church of Canada. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-class matter at *** Post Omce, Harrisburg, Pa., under Personal Items Act of March 3, 1879. The Rev. Kenneth W. Moore, of When the good work 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Trenton, N. J., has been elected Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Treasurer of the Board of Foreign calls you East … sail Published monthly, except August. Missions of the Presbyterian Church, All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. U. S. A., to take the place of Mr. p&O British agents – Marshall, Morgan Russell Carter who retired on May 1, and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, having reached the age limit. Mr. This year marks a full century of P & 0 London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Carter has given 27 years to unselfish service to the lands beyond Suez! 10 shillings a year. and effective service. Mr. Moore is a Whenever you are called to the other Princeton Universityand Theological side of the world, choose this tradi- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Seminary graduate. He has been in tional route. Cross to England by LISHING CO., INC. the Statistical and Publication De- Cunard White Star •.. and there partment of the John A. Roebling's embark in a great liner of the P & 0 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sons Company, and President of the and British India fleets, led by the ROBERT E. SPEER, President Kenneth W. Moore Company in the new 22,5oo-ton Strathnaver, Strath- A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-Pre8ident field of pUblicity. aird and Strathmore. Regular service WALTER MCDOUGALL, Trea8urer to Egypt, Sudan, Persian Gulf, India, DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary *** Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, China, Japan, Australia, East and SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT The Rev. Paul Braisted, recently a South Africa, Mauritius. Low rates. missionary of the American Baptist WILLIAM I. CluMBBlILAIN Foreign Mission Society in India and Convenient through bookings can be arranged D. J. FANT Burma, has been elected the new sec- by your local travel agent or any office of retary of the Student Volunteer MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Movement. Mr. Braisfed married CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE Miss Ruth Wilder, daughter of Dr. WM. B. LIPPHARD Robert P. Wilder, and went to India GENERAL AGENTS ten years ago. For the past two ERIC M. NORTH years he has been teacher of Bible at 25 Broadway and638 Fifth Ave., NewYork SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Mt. Hermon School for Young Men. Both in India and America he has had Editorial Chat close contacts with students and is deeply evangelistic and missionary- We take pleasure in presenting our minded. special "Home Mission Study Number" on Christ and Rural America. *** It is an exceedingly rich and important theme. The changes in recent Dr. John R. Mott has recently reyears call for a fresh study of the turned from a six months visit to In- dia and the Near East. He addressed needs and opportunities in neglected the sixth biennial meeting of the Near areas. East Christian Council at Alexandria, Egypt, March 10-17. This council is The subject is so vast and so varied a coordinating agency for thirty-seven that we have not been able to cover missions working in nineteen countries all in one issue of THE REVIEW. Other in the Near East, extending from articles will appear in July and later, Morocco to Iran. including: *** The Murdock Trail, by Alvin E. Magary. Archie T. L. Tsen, President of the Board of Missions of the (Chi- Some Interesting Rural Churches, nese) Chung Hwa Sheng Kung Hwei, by W. H. Thompson. will visit the United States this sum- mer. Mr. Tsen retired from business Student Volunteer Service in Maine, several years ago to devote himself by Louis C. Harnish. entirely to volunteer work for mis- sions. Woman's Work in a C 0 u n try Church, by Mrs. James D. Wyker. *** Frederick Oberlin and His Rural W. E. Doughty, formerly a secre- Parish. tary of the Laymen's Missionary Movement, and later an official of the Problems of the Rural Church in Near East Foundation, has received Canada, J. R. Watt, and others. from King George II of Greece the Order of the Redeemer in recognition Pastors and mission study class of his twenty-five years of service to the Greek people. leaders will be wise to order their copies early, before the edition is ex- *** hausted. Dr. C. T. Wang, the new Chinese *** ambassador to the United States, was formerly secretary of the Y. M. C. A. Also, will you call the attention of in China and later was the Secretary friends to THE REVIEW. Speak of it of State under the Nanking Governto your pastor and in missionary ment. meetings. Here are some comments recently received: [273 ] "For several months I have been getting your magazine from our college library and reading it with great enthusiasm and deriving much inspira- tion. I find that I can hardly get along without subscribing and having the copies to keep and enjoy by re-reading." GRACE ROBINS.
Birmingham, Ala.
FAITH OF GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI-SHEK
An address of the Generalissimo, sent to the Central Conference of Eastern Asia of the Methodist Episcopal Church in session at Wesley Church, Nanking, Good Frida.y Evening, Miarch 26, 1937. Read in Chinese and in English translation to the Conference by Col. J. L. Huang, Director of the New Life Movement.
I have now been a Christian for nearly ten years and during that time I have been a constant reader of the Bible. Never before has this sacred Book been so interesting to me as during my two weeks' captivity in Sian. This unfortunate affair took place all of a sudden and I found myself placed under detention without having a single earthly belonging. From my captors.I asked but one thing, a copy of the Bible. In my solitude I had ample time for reading and meditation. The greatness and the love of Christ burst upon me with new inspiration, increasing my strength to struggle against evil, to overcome temptation and to uphold righteousness.
I am, indeed, grateful for all my fellow-Christians who continually offered prayers on my behalf. I was deeply conscious of a strong spiritual support for which I extend my hearty thanks to all Christians, and to which, before you all today, I testify that the name of God may be glorified.
The many virtues of Christ I cannot possibly enumerate. Today, being Good Friday, I merely wish to explain some of the lessons I have derived from the trials of Christ. His utterances from the Cross are our spiritual inheritance. Entreating forgiveness for His enemies, He cried: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Truly great is the love of Christ! In all my meditations I found these thoughts returning and providing me with rich spiritual sustenance.
To illustrate, I am going to recount some of my experiences in Sian. Before I went to Shansi on my second trip I was alreaqy conscious of perverted thoughts and unusual activities in the army there. I had previously received reports of intrigues and revolutionary rumblings that were threatening to undermine the unity of the State. My immediate associates tried to persuade me to abandon the journey, but I replied: "Now that our country is unified and the foundations of the State established, the commander-in-chief of the armies has responsibilities for direction and enlightenment from which he dare not withdraw. Furthermore, I have dedicated my soul and body to the service of the State, and there can never be any considerations of my personal safety.
According to the record of the New Testament, when Christ entered Jerusalem for the last time, He plainly knew that danger was ahead, but triumphantly, on an ass, rode into the city without anguish, without fears. What greatness! What courage! In comparison, how unimportant my hfe must be. So why should I hesitate?
My fondness for my troops has always been as great as the love between brothers and this love drew me into the heart of the rebellion. Such disregard of duty in the face of danger caused deep concern to the government, worried the people and, for this, numerous prayers were offered by Christian friends. In the mldst of it all my understanding increased and my love mUltiplied.
Following my detention my captors presented me with terms and demands, with tempting words of kindnesses, with threats of violence and torture and with a public trial by the "People's Front." On every hand I was beset by danger out I had no thought of yieldmg to pressure. My faith in Christ increased. In this strange predicament I distinctly recalled the forty days and mghts Christ passed in the wilderness withstanding temptation, His prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the indignities heaped upon Him at His trial. The prayers he offered for His enemles upon the cross were ever in my thoughts. I naturally remembered the prayers offered by Dr. Sun Yat-sen during the imprisonment in London. These scenes passed vividly before me again and again like so many pictures. My strength was redoubled to resist the recalcitrants and with the spirit of Christ on the Cross I was preparing to make the final sacrifice at the trial of the so-called "People's l<'ront." Having determined upon this course of action, 1 was comforted and at rest.
Following the settlement of the Sian affair, the rebels knowing their unwise and treasonable actions, were naturally afraid. Remembering that Christ enjoined us to forgive those who sin against us until seventy times seven, and upon their repentance, I felt that they should be allowed to start life anew! At the same time I was greatly humbled that my own faith had not been of such quality as to influence my followers and to restrain them.
Ever since training the cadets and launching the expedition, 1 have repeated to my followers these two principles: (1) On detecting the slightest selfishness on my part, or discovering plans contrary to the interest of the country and the people, anyone may accuse me of guilt and put me to death; (2) Should my words and actions betray lack of truth and good faith, or indicate departure from the revolution¥y cause and principles, any of my subordinates may take me for an enemy and put me to death. I honestly believe that these two sayings were prompted by sincerity and grew out of my religious faith. They are in line with the spirit of Christ, and the forbearance and magnanimity of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
The life of Christ reveals a long record of affliction and constant persecution. His spirit of forbearance, His love and His benevolence shine through it all. No more valuable lesson has yet come to me out of my Christian experiences.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a Christian, and the greatest thing he received from Christ was love-love for the emancipation of the weaker races, and for the welfare of the oppressed people. This spirit remains with us and reaches to the skies. I am an ardent follower of the revolution, and although my faith in Dr. Sun at the outset did not appear to have any religious significance, it was similar to a religious faith. For this reason I have become a follower of Dr. Sun and his revolution based on San Min ·Chu 1 (The Three Principles of the People).
Today, I find that I have taken a further step and have become a follower of Jesus Christ. This makes me realize more fully that the success of the revolution depends upon men of faith and that men of character, because of their faith, cannot sacrifice their principles for personal safety under circumstances of difficulty and crisis. In other words, a man's life may be sacrificed, his person held in bondage, but his faith and spirit can never be restrained. This is due to confidence brought about by faith. On this Good Friday these reflections are ours. For such is the importance of faith in the revolution, and in religion.
[274 ]
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1937 Topics of the Times RURAL AMERICA FOR CHRIST ers and dairymen, and small town tradespeople, but the mountaineers, the miners, the lumbermen, Those who make the greatest noise often receive and the ranchmen. The races include not only the most attention, but this does not prove that descendents of the Pilgrims, Dutch and other importance is in proportion to commotion. Mark early settlers, but more recent immigrants from Twain used to tell of the Mississippi stern-wheel Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia and other European steamer with a very loud whistle; steam was so countries; also Negroes, Indians, Mexicans and low that every time the whistle blew the steamer's Orientals. Many religious beliefs are involved- engine had to stop. American cities with their Jewish, Protestant, Roman and Greek Catholic, hustle and noise, their rapid transit, their fac- Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Islam and various tories and scare-line newspapers, usually receive philosophical cults, as well as atheism and rank more attention than the quiet rural districts but paganism. These present foreign mission peo- this does not prove that cities are more important pIes and problems at home.
to national life than are the country towns and Third: Rural America is important because the farming communities. farms and country districts form the basis of our For the coming year (1937-8) the Home Mis- material prosperity. From the earth come all sion study topic is to be "Rural America." Until things that sustain life and that are used in manu- recently the farmers and rural villages have been facture – the food, the cotton, the minerals and unorganized and without any powerful mouth- oils for physical needs and for great buildings and piece so that they have received little attention. industrial enterprises. The land is the great God- Today the Secretary of Agriculture, the Farmer's given source of wealth.
Unions and Cooperatives, such men as the late Fourth: Rural America is important because Kenyon L. Butterfield, and the Agricultural Mis- of the character and influence of rural peoples.
sions Foundation, have brought the rural prob- Here are the pioneering spirit of sacrificial toil; lems forcibly to public attention. the prophetic vision looking toward the future; The study of Rural America is of great im- here we find greater independence of thought and portance for many reasons: First, because of its action, rugged individualism and homespun phi- size. One-half of the people of North America losophy. Here too, in the past at least, have been live on farms, in rural districts or in towns and manifested true faith and sterling honesty. The villages of less than 2,500 population. Although rural districts have always been the great feeders the largest amount of taxes do not come from of the cities, not only in food supplies but in pop- rural districts, neither the Government nor the ulation. From the country come the ambitious Church can afford to overlook the importance of and stalwart youth to supply brain and brawn for the 50,000,000 people who live outside of our cities industrial, commercial, political and professional and their residential suburbs. It is estimated that activity. Abraham Lincoln and many other na- 25,000,000 American children and youth live in tional leaders came from the country; so did Sam- the country districts. These are bound to be a uel Colgate and countless other industrial giants.
great factor in the life of the nation. Three hun- D. L. Moody, America's greatest evangelist with dred years ago all American life was rural; there a world-wide influence, was a lad from the small was no truly urban population. town; so were the majority of metropolitan Second: Rural America is important because preachers and famous missionaries. It is not of the variety of its people, languages and prob- wealth and comfort, but character, hard work and lems. The occupations include not only the farm- opportunity that produce great leaders.
[275 ]
Fifth: Rural America is important because the religious liberty, and has refrained from saying future of the country is inseparably linked to that any missionaries have been or will be exrural life, for good or for evil. If the farmers' cluded on the ground of religion or nationality, families, and the small town and roadside popula- many missionaries-Swedish, British, French and tions, are neglected physically, intellectually and American-have already been asked to leave and spiritually they will starve or will poison the city others are being refused permission to return. and national life. Keep the sources pure and The Italian Government is also rendering some virile and the nation will feel the benefit; allow missions homeless by taking over their property. these sources to become corrupt and the nation It is even reported that Ethiopian Christians conwill decay. nected with Protestant societies are being ar- rested and exiled. Already the Vatican is send- Sixth: It is important to study Rural America, ing large numbers of Roman Catholic missionaries because this field has been grossly neglected. Peo- to bring the Coptic Church and the Ethiopians ple in many thinly populated areas have been al- under the sway of Rome. most or wholly without religious privileges – as among the mountains, mining settlements and It seems clear that Italy does not desire the scattered farm lands. In other cases villages and presence of alien and Protestant Christians in towns have been overchurched but undernour- Ethiopia. The reasons given by the Italiansished and have lived religiously at a poor dying charges of espionage, unfriendliness toward rate. There is great need for Christian readjust- Italian occupation and undue sympathy with ment and for cooperation between urban and Ethiopians – are evidently excuses to rid the suburban churches that have wealth in the midst country of non-Catholics and non-Italians. Natof plenty, and the rural parishes that are weak urally the Christian missionaries cannot view with and starving for leadership and material equip- complacency the wholesale killing of Ethiopians, ment. Let city churches assist rural parishes. without trial, but as ministers of Christ they do not engage in political activity. Italy does not Seventh: But the greatest reason for the study give the missionaries the right to defend themof Rural America is in order that the supreme selves against these charges before an impartial need of the rural peoples may be supplied – the tribunal. need for a clear knowledge of Christ and His Way of Life; the need for Christian training for chil- Full and correct information is difficult to obdren and youth; the need for effective leadership; tain on account of rigid government censorship the need for well-directed social life and Christian and because the few missionaries who- are still in activity. Addis Ababa believe that silence is "golden" at present. If any are permitted to remain it seems The careful and prayerful study of the needs that the privilege may be granted to a few of the and opportunities of rural America, and the ap- Protestant missionaries, including some United plication of these studies in practical lines of ac- Presbyterians, Seventh Day Adventists and tivity, should mean great blessing to America in thirty-five of the Sudan Interior Mission. both civic and rural life. Jesus Christ himself was brought up in a small village and spent most The real reasons for the Government's objecof His earthly life ministering to rural people in tion to Protestant missionaries seems to be Galilee. As a rule His parables were drawn from (1) that they are subjects of countries unfriendly the fields. Most of His early disciples were from to Italian occupation; (2) that they are true the country, and when they were scattered by per- friends of the Ethiopians and desire for them edusecution they went forth to preach the Gospel in cation and freedom, rather than exploitation or the towns and villages and by the wayside. extermination; (3) that Italy wishes to have undisputed, autocratic sway of Ethiopia, with It is clearly important that we make an earnest control over all educational and medical work; study of Rural America, with especial reference (4) that the government prefers to have Italian to discovering the ways in which Christ may have subjects as religious and secular teachers. a larger and more controlling influence on the fifty million men and women and children in our The latest authentic letter to come out of rural areas. To this end the mission study books Ethiopia from a reliable missionary source (dated have been prepared, Rural Life Sunday is ob- April 5) reveals some of the hardships and disserved, and for this purpose we offer this special couragements encountered and the Christlike issue of THE REVIEW. spirit with which these are met. This personal letter is, in part, as follows: CLOSING DOORS IN ETHIOPIA These have been most difficult and trying days but God's Conflicting reports come as to the outlook for grace is ever sufficient and He overrules all. On March 8, Protestant missionary work in the new Italian we received word from natives that our station (in the incolony. While the Government officially promises terior) had been plundered, one building burned, others torn down and used for firewood, and that "everything
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
had been stolen, so that not even a scrap of paper was to Nanking. While Generalissimo Chiang could not be pres- be seen on the place." While the losing of some things ent in person, he sent Colonel J. L. Huang, Director of the especially seemed hard we have committed it all to God New Life Movement, with an address to be read both in and praise Him that our lives have been spared. While Chinese and in English translation. Col. Huang was the our earthly possessions have thus been reduced to a mini- first person to fly from Nanking to Generalissimo Chiang mum we know that "all things work together for good to in Sian after his detention. In some ways it is a more those that love God and that are called according to His remarkable document than the speech on leaving Sian, for purpose." in this the Generalissimo bears open testimony to his Christian faith and describes the spiritual experience While we have felt for some time that for us this might which came to him during the crisis. (See page 274.) be the end of the work here, we have had no definite word to that effect. Permission was at first given for workers Things have been happening with bewildering rapidity to return to their stations, where the Italian army was in this ancient land. The "strange interlude" at Sian in occupation, and we looked forward to getting back to tested the mettle of the government and people. It showed — even if only for a short stay, to strengthen the the growing strength of the Central Government and re- Believers, encourage earnest seekers, and commit the work vealed Chiang's great hold upon the loyalty and affections into their hands. But on Easter Sunday we received word of the masses. Both Chinese rebel factions and the Japto come on to Addis as soon as possible. It would have anese military party were surprised at the steadiness of been difficult to go back to our station and say good-bye to the Government through the crisis and at the popular those whom we have learned to love. support evoked for Chiang. The good coming out of the serious trouble is increasingly apparent. There is hope While our work in Ethiopia for the present seems to be that the Central Government will come to some kind of ended, we are as'Sured that God's work is not finished. an agreement with the communist army which will pre- Pray for the little native church in this land, that those vent further war between the people of the same nation. who have been "called out" may be kept by the power of Many civil leaders and some military leaders in Japan God. His Word has been sown and His promise stands seem to have a new respect for China. Much needed resure that it shall not return unto Him void. Although so organization of the central and provincial government many of the Believers are only babes in Christ, God has upon a broader and surer basis is being quietly carried promised the Holy Spirit to make real the things of Christ out. The Generalissimo has the nation behind him as to His own; Please join us in claiming the fulfilment of never before in the great task of hUilding a modern State. these promises for the glory of God. He is facing his great responsibility and opportunity with humble faith in God and with ever-greater appreciation It is distressing to think of the dark days ahead of the life and example of Jesus Christ, and of the meanfor the Evangelical Church in Ethiopia but it is ing of the Cross. Why should not China and America encouraging to hear that even now some of these work together to help build a Christian world, a world of young Christians are undertaking to carryon the justice and peace? evangelistic work. Hardships and suffering and the necessity of depending wholly on God may be Various explanations have been offered for counted on to strengthen faith in the faithful and Chiang Kai-shek's release from his abductors. to develop character in those who have the Word The chief human factor was his Christian wife, of God and have received spiritual life. Mayling Soong Chiang, a graduate of Wellesley College. Mrs. Hugh W. White, a missionary in THE HOPE OF CHINA Yencheng, wrote in the Sunday School Times: All who have read the accounts of the capture Much prayer had been made for him, and many Chinese, and release of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek by not Christians themselves, realize that this [release] was the Chinese rebel forces at Sian last December, an answer to prayer. We hope and pray that the incident have new hope for China and the Chinese. In the may be greatly used to the furtherance of the Gospel. face of foreign invasion and domestic strife, with complications from famine and flood and the usual The North China Daily News gives the followand unusual problems of a great unorganized na- ing interesting sidelight: tion, it is clear that character, courage and intelligent, unselfish patriotism are what Chinese must On Christmas morning, Dr. Kung was praying as on have if China is to be saved. These character- other days. When he opened his Bible he found chapter 16 istics are promoted by Christian faith, such as is of the Acts, which tells of the release of St. Paul, and read evident in the Generalissimo and his devoted wife. verse 35: "And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go." Dr. Kung continued A letter recently received from Rev. Frank W. reading verses 36 to 40. He marvelled at the appropriate- Price, of Nanking, tells the story in part. He ness of these verses and felt strangely comforted at their writes: message. He then told his friends of his conviction that the Generalissimo would be released. The same afternoon news of General Chiang's freedom reached the Finance Minister.
When the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek was released Madame Chiang Kai-shek's own story of the from his captivity in Sian, on last Christmas Day, he gave Generalissimo's capture and release reveals clearly a parting message to General Chang Hsueh-liang and her courage and faith in God. It will be rememother officers which, many think, will go down in Chinese bered that her mother was a highly respected history as the great utterance of a noble and magnani- Christian and her brother, T. V. Soong, and her mous statesman. It is already being printed in many sisters, Madame H. H. Kung and Madame Sun school textbooks.
On Good Friday a special Christian service was held in
Yat-Sen, are also Christians and prominent in toward Christian work in the country remains to government affairs. be seen. Men must find the light their souls crave, and Christ is the answer to Burma's needs. When Madame Chiang reached her husband in his captivity, he said: "Although I urged you not "When a big mining company builds a new road to come to Sian, I felt that I could not prevent it. through the hills to take their tin ores to market," When I opened my Bible this morning my eyes writes Rev. H. T. Marshall of Rangoon, "along lit on the words in J·eremiah 31: 22, "Jehovah will that same new road follows not only the worst of now do a new thing; that is he will make a Western life, with the products of distilleries and woman protect a man" (Chinese rendering). breweries, but Christian messengers in modern autos with the Word of life." Today a fellowship Madame Chiang not only prayed, with assur- with Christ is exemplified by His followers in ance that her prayers to God would be answered, Burma. but she comforted her husband saying: "God is with us. I am here to share your fate and to die Through the new Life that has come to them, with you if God so wills, and if He wills it other- Karens are now taking charge of the work which wise to live and work with you for the sake of the before had been under foreign misilionaries; the nation." people take part in meetings where formerly only the clergy officiated. Jungle women, usually so Madame Chiang also impressed upon the cap- shy that they could not utter a word in public, tor, General Chang Hsueh-liang, that he must re- now stand up without self-consciousness and tell pent of his act and must seek the guidance of in a straightforward way what new life in Christ God on all occasions. means to them. The progress of the work, the spiritual outlook and the effects of the Gospel on China's hope is in the development of strong conduct are very encouraging. National leader- Christian leaders and citizens who put an intel- ship, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, gives ligent desire to know and do the Will of God above these people release from old strangling customs personal ambition, and the good of their country and develops them into forward-looking Christian above self. It will not be forgotten that Chinese workers. "One supposedly Christian village," Christians, without the use of force, were used to says Mr. Marshall, "that six months ago was full bring about the release of the Chinese Generalis- of carousing and superstitious demon worship, simo. now realizes that God wants to use them to help reach neighboring villages; a large delegation re- THE NEW BURMA cently spent a whole forenoon in prayer and then started out to bring the Gospel to those whom six On April first Burma ceased to be counted a months before they would not have tried to part of India and became a separate dominion of reach." the British Empire. This means a new Burmese government with a British Governor General, a Burma needs national leadership that is Godnew Burmese House of Representatives and Sen- controlled and directed; Christian natives must ate, new Burmese stamps and coins-though the be the real evangelists of the country. The rupee will continue to be the medium of exchange. Church must be guided and filled by the Holy It is expected also that these changes will bring a Spirit if Burma is to experience the moving power new spirit of independence and self-expression. of God to make aNew Burma. May there also be a new spirit of progress and a new desire for righteousness and peace. THE GENERALISSIMO'S MORAL LAW There is much, however, that has not changed, These rules, by General Chiang Kai-shek, for with Burma's altered political status. The pre- Chinese soldiers are printed on a little card and vailing religion is still Buddhist with a strong distributed under the auspices of the Officers' mixture of animism, and the priests have a Moral Endeavor Association: strong hold on the populace. There is still poverty and ignorance among the masses. There is 1. Thou shalt not covet riches. great need for education and economic improve- 2. Thou shalt not fear to die. ment, but particularly the Burmese must have 3. Thou shalt not advertise thyself for vain glory. Christian standards of life if they are to become 4. Thou sbalt not be proud. a strong people. 5. Thou shalt not be lazy. 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery nor gamble. In the new government, Christians are taking 7. Thou shalt not smoke. an active part. One of the six cabinet ministers 8. Thou shalt not drink wine. is a Karen, a fine Christian young man. Several 9. Thou shalt not borrow money. other Christians are in the House of Representa- 10. Thou shalt not lie. tives. Thra San Baw of Tharrawaddy and Dr. Ma Saw Sa, the leading Burmese lady doctor, are Christian senators. What attitude the new government, with its Buddhist slant, is going to take
Challenge of the Rural
By the REV. MARK A. DAWBER, Philadelphia, Pa.
_.<t!if Superintendent, Town and Country Work, Methodist Episcopal Jil.- Church; Author of "Rebuilding Rural America"
THE changing conditions of life everywhere lowed to degenerate, industry is itself in peril. It are making new and stern demands upon the would therefore seem wise to realize that the na- institutions of society. Government, busi- tion's economic life is all of the same piece. Our ness, agriculture, education-all are being called civilization has become so interlocked and inter- upon to meet the exigencies of a changed and con- dependent that all parts must work well if any of stantly changing world. Religion and the Chris- it is to work well. Therefore, the reconstruction tian Church are no exception to this rule; rather of agriculture and the stabilizing of the economic it would be a fair statement to say that perhaps life of rural people is of vast importance not only the Church is being tested today as no other in- to rural people, but to city people. Now the stitution. The conditions are widespread and church has much at stake in this consideration.
there is no avenue of life that has not been touched The church is always the first institution to suffer by these forces of change. No group of people or as the result of economic collapse. Much of its community anywhere is so remote that it has support comes out of the surplus and in times like been able to escape the impact of the changing those through which we are passing, the church conditions of our modern life. Rural communities has suffered out of all proportion. But it is not are tremendously involved. In fact, we make bold in the interest of its own selfish life that the to declare that in comparison the changes that church must be concerned, on the contrary. The have taken place during the past decade are such urge and the implication of the Gospel it preaches that rural America is now more seriously affected are the major reasons for its interest and the dy- than are the urban centers. What is the meaning namic for its activity to help obtain economic of this for the church? justice and social security for the farm families'
The changed rural community constitutes an in America. This is a challenge that now comes imperative challenge to the church today. We are out of rural life with the urgency of immediate conc~rned that the rural church shall face this need and with a sense of national importance that challenge. The obligation rests upon it to estab- the Church cannot afford to ignore or avoid.
lish the new rural civilization that is now emerg- The Challenge of the Enlarged Community ing, upon solid foundations of spiritual truth and to instill into it that quality of life, without which Anothli!r vast change that comes out of modern no worthy or enduring civilization can be estab- rural life is that of a new geographical area that lished. now constitutes the working community of rural America. Most of the present church buildings The Challenge of Economic Justice and their parish lines were the product of the old The first important challenge of rural America agricultural community life. The range was that is that of a very drastic change in its economic of horse and buggy on a mud road. Some eight life. The economic dislocation that has befallen to ten miles radius was the extent, and, in many urban America was inevitable. A short-sighted cases, less than that. Some fifty families was a industrial leadership, satisfied with the joyride of good basis of support. The school, the economic a false prosperity had concluded that it could last life, the social organization, and the total institu- forever. This leadership seemed oblivious to the tionallife including the church were the reflex of fact that these so-called values were mere paper a fifty to sixty family community. It was the day values; the moment these values were challenged of the self-sufficing agriculture, the little red they collapsed like a pack of cards. The deflation schoolhouse, a simple satisfying social life that has reacted of course, upon agriculture; but it was developed around the farm home. This has must be remembered that the plight of agricul- all been shattered. The economic range is now ture during the peak of our industrial prosperity unlimited, but at least it can be said, that it has is, in a very important way, the explanation of the been enlarged to include the county. Because of collapse of industry. Agriculture is the founda- the economic changes, farmers are county con- tion of industry, and whenever agriculture is al- scious. The schools for the most part are con- [279 ]
solidated and take in several of the old-time com- new Christian statesmanship if it is ever going munities making them one in educational purpose to arrive. and spirit. The social life is mostly expressed at the county seat town. The movie and the dance But with all our material progress, good roads hall dominate. This changed scale of rural life and rapid transportation, there has come accomis a real challenge to the church in rural Amer- panying problems of poverty and neglect. The ica to reconstruct itself to meet a new and en- automobile and the hard roads have been a boon larged community of interests and sometimes a to millions, but there is a sense in which they have confusion and conflict of purposes; to reorganize also proved a bane to others. They have put milthe parish boundaries so as to include the larger lions of people on the main highway and the geographical unit as a single parish; to find ways beaten track, but corresponding millions have and means among the several differing denomina- been removed from it. There is a new religious tions to adjust their differences and to unite in neglect in rural life. Those who are living on the some constructive forward looking, adventurous dirt road and in the marginal sections of rural program to make a single impact of religion in America are more isolated and neglected than the interests of a larger and more Christian king- ever, so far as religious privileges are concerned. dom building type. In the old days when all the people lived on dirt roads and the means of transportation was a horse In saying this we are not unmindful of the diffi- and buggy, all were in the range of parish visitaculties that this presents. To bring together town tion. The preacher also had his horse and all and country people in some common purpose for homes were almost equally accessible. Now few spiritual advancement is no easy task, but that it preachers have a horse and hence the people livmust be achieved is now clearly evident to all those ing on the side roads, that in the winter are deep who in recent years have been giving time and with mud, are seldom, if ever, reached with a thought to this matter. An intelligent engineered religious ministry. This is also true of the chilalignment is now necessary to any future rural dren and young people where the small schools progress. Good roads, automobiles, radios, tele- are still maintained off the hard roads. They are phones and other instruments that have conquered a most neglected group, and where these conditime and distance, require that some similar prog- tions obtain, there is a religious destitution and a ress shall take place in those forces and agencies growing paganism that should be a matter of deep that govern human relations. Some progress is concern for the church. The situation as here evidenced in the reorganization of the economic stated is not confined to anyone part of the coun- 'and the educational life, but much remains to be try. It is not a condition that is isolated to the done. But the religious life of town and country traditional backwoods' sections, but it exists in for the most part, is a standing rebuke to the the most highly developed eastern states. Maine church and a stern challenge to readjust itself to and Vermont are equally in need with Arkansas a more scientific demand and the enlarged com- and Georgia. This is a condition that calls for a munity that have come in the trail of recent social new missionary passion and a new consecration change in rural America. To revise and reor- on the part of the church and its rural ministry. ganize our systems of society, local government, political, educational and social institutions of The Challenge of the Rural Home rural life is a difficult task indeed; when we come to the institutions of religion the difficulty is in- The rural community is also presenting a new creased many times, and in this realm of read- challenge to the church at the point of the changjusting the church of rural America to these new ing farm home. Drastic changes in the methods demands of community life, will require the in- of agriculture are breaking down the family type sight and courage of a new and greater statesman- farming and hence destroying the farm home type ship than that of yesterday. In this, of course, we of community. The trend toward mass produc- are dealing with human nature, with all its weak- tion and single commodity farming is one of the ness and frailty, and we are fully conscious that danger spots in our present system. Capitalistic a thing is not always going to be achieved because large scale agriculture should be discouraged. It it is logical or right; the temptation is very great does not make for the larger prosperity of all, but to cling to the habits and ideas of yesterday, and it has resulted in the disintegration of the farm to huddle around vested interests the moment family and the destruction of the community there is a suggestion of change. Nowhere is this spirit. As a further result we now have the poor- temptation greater than in the institution of reli- est social order in rural America in those states gion and the rural church has some added diffi- where we have the richest soil. Here we find the culties at this point that are in a class by them- tenant farmer and the sharecropper or transient selves. But the fact remains that rural progress and migrant labor. Here we find our weak in the church and elsewhere must wait upon this churches, our poorest homes, and our most prolific sources of crime. The cure will be found in the 1937] THE CHALLENGE OF THE RURAL COMMUNITY discouragement of the capitalistic competitive man race. We are also slowly but surely learriing , profit-seeking agriculture and the encouragement that a man's life does not consist of the abundance of the family-type of farm ownership and opera- of things, but in seeking the satisfaction of his tion.· Observation would suggest that the best mind and spirit, without which things, in them- social order and the most satisfying rural com- selves, have little or no value. They become a munities are those in which dwell a large per- stumblingblock to the highest progress. Rural centage of family home farmers. Farm owners life is in particular peril at this point just now.
are the most reliable citizens. They support Farmers have been more naturally a religious peo- schools and churches, and elevate the moral and ple. But the emphasis upon material development spiritual standards of the community in which in recent years has gone far to create a materi- they live. Home ownership integrates and sta- alistic conception of life in rural America.
bilizes the moral and spiritual characteristics of We need a culture that will bring to rural life the people. It makes for a more reliable and a worthier sense of its rightful heritage, that will trustworthy citizen and nowhere is this so true create in the minds of rural people an apprecia- as on the farm. tion of those more permanent satisfactions that Other forces also are operating to break down can be achieved by a rural culture. But we :need the home life of rural America. The fact that also to decide as to what are the earmarks of such many rural communities have not organized to a culture. It must be distinctive and characterprotect themselves against the dumping of the istic of rural environment. It must be something road houses and dance halls into the country, that grows out of the soil and the people who have where they would not be permitted in the county their roots in the soil. We must refuse to accept seat towns, is a matter for serious consideration. a culture that is imposed from without. But this Other changes could also be cited that would go rural culture of which we have been writing must to illustrate and explain this tragic condition of also be part of a social and spiritual vitality that the rural home. These all constitute an unprece- will prevent the city from either dominating or dented challenge to the rural church. It must draining the countryside. Any true rural culture stake its life in its defence of the family farm must spring from life in the country. Therefore enterprise. Human values are the primary values. the social and spiritual development of any life The end in view is a satisfying life and not the must be closely related to the common task. Life quantity or even the quality of goods. The farmer in the country is simpler than life in the city is more important than the farm. To restore the and should be kept so as far as possible. It is family farmer to agriculture and to give dignity nearer to nature and to God. Life on the farm, and restore the sacred meaning to the farm home, under the open sky, the changing seasons as they would achieve not only an economic society that is come and go, the growing things, the soil, the now essential to permanent social stability, but trees, the stock, flowers, birds, grass, mountains spiritual gains would result that cannot obtain and running brooks – these surely have the posunder any other system. The rural church would sibilities of a great and worth-while culture that render the Kingdom a great service in giving voice has vast social and spiritual implications. But to this imperative need of reestablishing agricu1- this social expression and spiritual impetus must ture on a family farm basis and in conserving be rooted in the things of rural life. Too much of those home values that are basic to a Christian rural religion has been a thing apart. It has failed civilization. to build itself upon the foundations of these na- tive values in rural life. Now the time has come The Challenge of Spiritual Need when those who believe in rural America, who live There is another important challenge that comes on the farm and appreciate its possibilities for a out of these several considerations of the chang- full and satisfying life, must band themselves to- ing life of rural America. It is that of a vital cul- gether for a courageous forward movement to ture and a new social and spiritual vitality. Much achieve this social and spiritual vitalizing of rural attention has been given to the production side of life. Most of the satisfactions of rural life are rural life. Agriculture has been developed to a still to be achieved by this appreciation and culti- high point of efficiency. Science and invention vation of these simpler worthwhile things. Life have made possible a basis of economic produc- grows rich only in worthwhile friendships and in tion way beyond the wildest dreams of living man. those lasting values that are alone to be found in But science and invention, while able to satisfy human relations and in man's relation to God.
man's wants, offer no help in assisting man in de- The rural community is calling for a leadership ciding what he should want. We have made two that will go forward with such a program. It is blades of grass grow where only one grew before, the outstanding and urgent obligation of Ameri- but we have not found a way to make that extra can statesmanship, but it is above everything else blade of grass serve the best interests of the hu- a clear clarion call to the Christian Church.
Forgotten Man of the Back
-sf I By ANN MITCHELL, a Country Neighbor I Je- ~==========================~ W E HEAR much about "the forgotten will pay tuition for any boys and girls who wish man." I know him! He lives next door to attend the one in the town, nine miles away. to us, here on the back road. His farm It is twelve to the high school from our four was once one of the finest in the county. His corners, and there is no trolley or bus available. grandfather cleared the land, building literally What good is tuition without transportation for miles of neat stone wall, planting a maple grove a boy who cannot afford even a Model T and the and an apple orchard, and putting up buildings of gas to run it? The bright children are through which he could be justly proud. His father car- the grades at twelve or thirteen (the dull ones ried on successfully for a while, but lost his cour- have to go until they are sixteen!). When a boy age when the new "Black Road," instead of pass- has been out of school for four or five years he ing his place, followed the river, four miles to the feels quite like a man of the world and ready to south, and later the lake shore, five miles to the establish a home of his own. The critical years north. Electricity and other "advantages" fol- of adolescence spent in loafing about an idle farm, lowed the improved highway, while his dirt road hanging around lumber camps, spending on movies and dance halls the money earned by do- ing odd jobs here and there-what a poor prep- aration for successful living!
Jim married at nineteen, and Jimmie Junior was born just six months later, on Addie's seven- teenth birthday. Before Jim was thirty there were seven children, and he had seldom had steady work on which he could depend from month to month. He would have liked to bring the old farm back to its former prestige, but how could he? It takes so long to put any farm project on a paying basis, and some capital is absolutely THE CAMP THAT JIM BOUGHT necessary. There was no money for plowing and harrowing, for fertilizer and seed. There was no became more neglected each year. How could he money to buy really good stock, and if Jim had hope to compete with men to whom modern im- been able to secure a horse and cows and chickens, provements were easily available, and whose there was no money with which to buy feed for produce could reach the markets so much more them. So there was. nothing to do but take the quickly and safely? Better to put down the fields odd jobs by which he could earn enough to buy to grass, work his horses on the rapidly spread- bread for the family (often bread without butter, ing network of state roads in the spring, do odd to say nothing of jam!) and let the big barn stand jobs for the summer colony during July and empty and the fields run out. By the time he in- August, hoping to get a job in the woods in the herited the place all the buildings were in bad con- winter. He managed fairly comfortably, but his dition. There was no money for repairs!
son, our friend Jim, is not faring so well. And When we came to the corner six years ago the no one seems to care! Apparently everyone-Road paint was gone from the dignified old house-it Commissioners, Board of Education, Public Utility looked as bad as the abandoned one we had ac- Commissioners and, until recently, even the quired! Sills were rotting, kitchen floor wearing Church Board have forgotten Jim and his prob- through, walls shabby and soiled, furniture lems. broken, and everything dejected looking and down We boast of our "New England traditions"! at the heel. Even the pump had given out, and There are five colleges in our state, and several Addie was drawing water from the well with a fine academys, but Jim was through school when bucket on a worn rope. What wonder that she he was thirteen years old! Our village, like many used it sparingly, and that her clothes were al- another in this section, has no high school, but ways a "tattle-tale gray"! They used kerosene [282 ] lamps and wood fires. The children went to a friends along the back road – people of fine old one-room school with an old air-tight stove-all American stock, everyone. People with kind the (in) conveniences of grandmother's day, in hearts, most of them; men who mean well; New England in nineteen thirty-one! women who carryon bravely and cheerfully under almost unsurmountable difficulties. But they have Jim's home is typical of many in this regionback three or four miles from the state highways. THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT Of course grandmother married young, lived on a dirt road and raised a large family with just such had no educational opportunities, no economic seprimitive equipment, but it does not matter so curity, no social standards (they are unmoral, not much where you are as the direction in which you immoral!) , no proper health care. And the chilare going! Our grandparents were pioneers in dren – many of them so neglected that they are the vanguard of progress, and were helping to growing up to be a menace to society! build a new world. Jim, and the many others like him, are bringing up the rear and are slipping When We Came to the Back Road farther and farther back as time marches on! When my family and I came to the Back Road They are living in old neglected homesteads, in six years ago, we had been driven from a suburban shacks covered with tar paper, in lumber camps. home by the "depression," and for some time were Always and everywhere there are the children! too deeply absorbed in our own problems to ap- preciate our neighbors. We thought that we were There's Jack; he inherited no farm, and lives poor, but when we gathered up the pieces after on waste land at the other end of nowhere with "the crash" we found that we had enough to make his gentle little wife and nine children. (The the old house comfortable and give it something tenth will arrive this summer, and I suppose the of its early charm. We were able to make over town will have to pay the doctor's bill, as usual!) the big barn into a hennery and to stock it with Jack has lost what pride he had and does not hesi- good birds. Going back to grandmother's day tate to "call on the town" – more often than is was for us a real adventure, and we are making a necessary, some folks think! They call him a success of things in spite of poor roads, lack of worthless fellow, but the shack he made out of electricity and other conveniences. When we betwo old henhouses, a pile of weathered, unplaned gan to look about we found ourselves faced as boards and rolls of black paper is somehow attrac- never before with the problem of stewardship. tive! The small rooms are neatly lined with cor- Of course we plunged with enthusiasm into the rugated pasteboard, and he has planted little ever- work of the newly formed Larger Parish which greens in the door yard. The children are bright was seeking to reach the back roads with its proand clean and mannerly, but the two oldest, thir- gram, but-that was not enough! It is one thing teen and fifteen, are "through school" and have to live in a neighborhood where everyone is more gotten in with a pretty rough crowd! than comfortable and to feel that you are truly Christian if, while enjoying your own pet lux- Bob is a clever workman, but "awful easy go- uries, you give (conveniently!) to the work of the ing" and his wife is just plain lazy, so folks say! local church. It is quite another thing to live next Their house, which started to be a nice little place door to a family like Jim's and feel truly Christian on the hill overlooking the lovely lake, is filled to while enjoying even pet comforts, to say nothing overflowing with children – his and hers and of luxuries, and we like to feel that we are doing theirs! Poor Sally! She certainly has had no our share in building a church program here that chance! Married at fifteen~because she had. to is adequate. The personal ways in which we have be! – divorced at seventeen, married again at been able to help are so small and so obvious that eighteen to a widower with three small children; it seems hardly worth while to tell of them, but I now, at twenty_six, she is herself the mother of sometimes wonder if it is not here, after all, that six and has the other three to care for, and abso- we are getting at the real heart of the problem! lutely nothing to do it with! Sharing, cooperating, working and playing to- gether-is not that the way out? Then there are Harry and Laura. They have a new camp of two rooms, each ten by twelve feet. He was seventeen and she sixteen when they were married six years ago; now they have four adorable children. Laura keeps the tiny home as neat as a pin and the children are well cared for, but her face is very sad! Harry likes a good time, and is tired of a wife who is always either carrying or nursing a baby and can never go with him to dance halls; so-he is "running around" with a girl from the Creek!
These are only a few of our neighbors – our
Of course it takes understanding and patience buy grain for Jim's stock-he has some nowand tact, and most of all appreciation and real and he takes care of our cows to pay for it. Addie affection. Addie and her friends initiated me into wanted a small flock of hens, so we let her pick the mysteries of old-fashioned housekeeping. I twenty pullets from among our birds; she is sortdid not know how to cook with a wood fire, to care ing our eggs to pay for them.' One year we gave for kerosene lamps, to rub clothes clean on a washboard, to make good country butter! In return I three of the neighbors seed and fertilizer; in rehave introduced them to the world of literature turn they helped with our garden and haying. and music, and the charm of afternoon tea! At Sara, down the road a piece, needed a bed that we first my cups had to travel up and down the coun- were not using and I needed help with housecleantryside, as no one else had enough to go round! ing. We have been able to keep a small fund in We have now our Woman's Club with four charter the savings bank for emergencies-a fund which members; our neighborhood suppers and parties, would have seemed absurdly inadequate in the our Sunday-night sings. At first standards dif- days before "the crash" but now it gives us a comfered so much that it was hard to find a common fortable feeling of security. Last year we found language; I have to remember always that we do that Ed was going to lose his farm, as a threenot try to reform our friends, we only love them! hundred-dollar mortgage was proving impossible. Sometimes it is hard not to feel discouraged. Two In the "good old days" we would have said that years ago when Jim Junior was only eighteen, it was "just too bad, but what could we do about and without a sign of a job, he married a slip of it?" As Back Road Christians with an emergency a girl of seventeen, and last year his sister, Emma, fund we felt that we had to do something about who is not bright, had a baby without being mar- it! We bought that mortgage and told Ed that ried at all! Though we lived right next door, we he could take his time to pay it. The amazing could not do anything about it, except to keep on part of it is that with the fear of foreclosure reloving and standing by! moved Ed has straightened his shoulders and tightened his belt and has gone to work with new Most of these country people are self-respecting will. This spring he has paid not only the interand proud. Many of them would starve before est but twenty-five dollars on the principal! they would accept "charity" but-they are glad to share. When we came up here we had many more Jim Junior and his Ruthy lived with the old things than we needed! What right had I to two folks, but she was not happy. When he had a coats, when the woman at the corner had none? chance to buy a "camp" for thirty dollars he came Extra curtains-why lay them away for future to talk it over. Such an edifice would not add to use when they would transform Abbie's shabby the beauty of the neighborhood, and the logical parlor? Garden surplus, cracked eggs, skimmed place to put it was almost in our door yard; but milk-it is so easy and happy to say "I find that building lives is certainly much more important I don't need this. Can you make use of it?" Our than architectural style! We advanced the money car-often in the early days-was the only one on and now the young people are making the tiny the hill that could be relied on for the trip to town. place into a real home. They are paying for it This presented more of a problem. But when I little by little, sometimes in cash and sometimes explained that it was God's car and I only had the in labor. privilege of driving it, folks smiled indulgently, but found it easy to accept its favors without Bob has an old car, but had not been able to pay "loss of face." We long ago lost count of the the tax and register it this year. When he had a neighborhood trips it has made-taking people to ch~nce to work in the woods beyond walking dischurch services and farm bureau meetings in the tance we let him have money to put the Ford on village, to clinics in the city thirty miles away, to the road, and he is reducing the debt a bit each and from the hospital, and out for supplies in pay day. emergencies. It is understood that our linen and sick-room equipment are available in time of These are a few of the "emergencies" in which illness. If there is something that we can borrow, our fund has helped out. It has also paid doctor's our friends are just delighted! bills, provided glasses for weak eyes, even bought tires for a Model T, and neighborhood needs have For a while, before a P. W. A. project started been met without injury to anyone's self-respect! near us we were the only family at the Corners who had any steady cash income. During that Understanding, sympathy, affection-only as period we bought groceries for all, and found some work on our place that the others could do to pay we have these, the qualities of true neighborliness, for their share. That was the beginning of a can we appreciate the problems, the handicaps and system of sharing resources which has been in the possibilities of others. When we do really apsuccessful operation for three or four years. We preciate what the other fellow is "up against" we feel that we must share our resources, material and spiritual. When all are willing to share there will be no "forgotten man" on the back roads, but everyone will have a fair chance to make good!
Fields in Rural
By the REV. Wm. R. KING, D.D., New York Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council I T IS difficult to answer directly and specifically building and then rested back comfortably upon inquiries about unchurched communities, neg- the illusion that the field was occupied, Gospel lected groups, and overlooked areas. There is privileges were provided and the field was no a lack of clear understanding as to what is meant longer neglected. That general notion has perby "neglected fields." Shifts and changes are sisted until the present day. Denominational constantly taking place in communities and among executives still claim that a field is not neglected groups, and there is a lack of accurate and up-to- if there is any semblance of church or religious date information, although we have been actively service no matter how occasional or how inadeengaged for the past ten years in making surveys quate the religious program and the church minand accumulating information along these lines. istry may be. This is one of the greatest diffi· A large amount of data has been gathered and culties in the way of comity adjustments today. published in articles, pamphlets, and books, as a Denominations will claim and hold on to a field, result of surveys which include about twenty-five even though there be only an occasional service states. Some studies have been intensive, reach- and no community ministry whatever. ing down into counties, communities and indi- As a matter of fact, any community that has not vidual parishes. an adequate, efficient and effective church min- What is a "neglected field"? There is quite a istry is "a neglected field." A district cannot be difference of opinion among church leaders upon classed as "occupied" without a proper evaluation this point. Some seem to think that if there is a of the character of the religious program that is church building with an occasional service by some being provided. By any adequate evaluation of itinerant missionary or circuit rider, that field is church ministry we must confess that there are not neglected. This is a general opinion among vast numbers of fields in rural America that are some denominational administrators. It is an in- being neglected by the Church. This fact has been herited attitude from the past. When the country abundantly established by the surveys and studies was new and home missions meant church ex- that have been made during the past decade. tension and the planting of churches in new communities, it was generally accepted that a field was It is not too much to say, speaking generally of occupied if it had an occasional ministry and par- the rural church of the present day, that most ticularly if it had a church building. The ques- rural communities in America are neglected by tion of program and efficiency did not enter the Church. By and large in America the rural largely into the consideration; it was a mere church is not functioning adequately and effecmatter of being on the ground. ,It was somewhat tively. It is distressing to ride through the coun- tryon the train, or especially by automobile, and like homesteading in the early days when the observe the little one-room, unpainted, unkept, pioneer went into the new section and drove down neglected churches which give every indication of his stake and entered his claim. He felt that the neglect, inadequacy, and decay. Many are actually farm was his. It mattered not how much or how dead or in a rapid decline. It is estimated that little improvement he had put on it or how well they are passing out at the rate of about 1,000 a he was occupying the land. He had preempted year. The "little church at the cross-roads" is it; he had established his claim; he was able to very largely a thing of the past. In these days say "This is mine." Therefore, it was "occupied" of new highways and automobiles, the rural farmland. In the same way, in the great West churches are, as a rule, no longer at the cross- especially, the churches were established in the roads. They are not on the new routes of traffic early days. Ambitious denominational superin- and are no longer located in strategic places. tendents and pioneer missionaries went into these Many of them are out of the way, inaccessible, new territories and drove down their ecclesiastical and no longer "by the side of the road." The stakes, preempted a corner lot, brought a few pea- very location makes it almost impossible for them pIe together and organized them into a church. to render an effective service. Possibly they erected a little one-room church The new day has brought improvement in rural [285 ]
homes.· It has brought electric lights and many First, there is the United Parish Plan or what other luxuries of our modern life. It has brought is generally called the Larger Parish Plan. The the new consolidated school. It has obliterated concensus of opinion of the best informed and distances and eliminated time but the little, dilap- wisest leaders of country church work is that the idated, country church still stands as a relic of a only hope, and the only possible way to provide past and as an indictment against the present an adequate ministry to these neglected rural statesmanship of the Church. fields, is through some form of interdenomina- Surveys made in recent years in New England, tional cooperation.
for example, show a rapid decline of country These places that are being over-looked and churches throughout the whole of that region, and neglected are not wanted by any denomination.
general inefficiency which is alarming. These They are not looked upon as worth while for they surveys divide the communities into three classes: are liabilities rather than assets. They are too those inadequately churched, the communities ade- expensive and too unprofitable. Even the new quately churched, and those that were over- sects that are springing up so rapidly, and are churched. In New Hampshire, for example, 33 making such remarkable headway in these hectic towns or townships were classified as inadequately days, are overlooking these rural communities and churched. These, for the most part, are towns are centering their efforts upon the towns and with small populations and open country commu- cities, rushing into communities that are already nities. In many of these communities it would not overchurched, watching for every possible oppor- be possible to support a church but, nevertheless, tunity of establishing themselves in the centers of the question of neglect and absence of religious population.
privilege exi&ts. In Maine, 131 towns were classi- If anything is to be done for the neglected rural fied as inadequately churched; in almost all cases fields, it must be done on a much more generous the populations were small. The total population and much more unselfish basis than heretofore.
of 131 towns was only 38,000, in no instance was They must no longer be exploited for denomina- any more than 1,000; the average was around tional interests. They must be served unselfishly 300. In all of these communities the churches in the interests of the neglected people and of the were weak and inadequate, and most of them Kingdom of God. There must be interdenomina- functioned only for part of the year. In the tional planning and strategy if there is to be any- other New England states the same general situa- thing like an equalization· of religious privileges tion obtains. Vermont perhaps presents the most throughout rural America. Everyone in every distressing exhibit of neglected rural churches in community, however small it may be, has a right New England. to the ministries of the Church, but these rights There are many sections in the mountain areas will never be secured so long as rural America is of the South and in the Ozarks and in the inter- regarded as a battlefield for warring Christian mountain region of the West, where rural com- denominations and rival sects. It is a question of munities are either without any church at all or Christian statesmanship and loyalty to Christ and have very weak and inadequate churches. There concern for the establishment of His Kingdom.
are also racial groups of people in the rural areas Will we be big enough and brave enough and un- who are neglected; for whom no ministry is be- selfish enough to build an adequate church in every ing provided. This is perhaps the most difficult rural community in America?
problem of all to meet. They are, as a rule, scat- A second solution 'for the rural church problem tered and few in number in anyone locality, thus is a trained rural church leadership. The greatest making it difficult to gather them into a church weakness of the Church in rural America is the organization, or to absorb them in any existing lamentable lack of an effective program, an edu- body. But they are neglected so far as any reli- cated ministry and a trained Christian leadership. gious privileges are concerned and are presenting This is not a pleasant thing to say. It sounds to the church one of its rural problems. harsh, critical and unappreciative. But it is one The results of these surveys and studies, made of those "stubborn facts" that cannot be ignored over wide areas of the country, present a very in any proper evaluation of the rural church.
discouraging picture of the rural church in Amer- There are, of course, many exceptions. There are ica. This is the biggest problem facing American some educated and successful rural pre3:chers. Christianity today. There are some outstanding, well-functioning Three Possible Solutions country churches. But they are like hens' teeth- not enough to be very 'effective. It must be said What can be done about it? This is not an easy also, in all fairness, that the great majority of question to answer. As I see it, there are three rural preachers are men of fine character and possible solutions of the rural church problem. commendable consecration; many of them have
FARM TENANTS AND SHARECROPPERS
useful natural gifts. This is true of many moun- specially-trained, high-grade pastoral leadership tain preachers in the Southern Highlands. They have a gift of oratory and leadership and enjoy if it is to survive. the respect and confidence of the people. They are devoted and consecrated. They love their The third sQlution Qf the rural church problem Lord and have a passion for souls. But they are uneducated and untrained; many of them cannot in neglected fields is a real-to-goodness interderead and write. Very few of them have ever had a high school course; still fewer have a college nominational comity. Overchurching in small training, and iewer still have ever attended a theological school. communities is a glaring disgrace to American Some of the denominations have tried to help Protestantism. Every denomination wants to these untrained men by means of summer schools, conferences, and short courses. The Home Mis- be in the most. promising communities. No one sions Council has sponsored about a score of summer schools for rural pastors for many years. wants the "byways and hedges." The selfish ag- Home mission boards have used circulating libraries, special scholarships and other devices to gression of denominations in crowding into almake up to their rural pastors what they need in special training. A few theological seminaries ready occupied fields and the willful tenacity with are beginning to give special courses for young men preparing for the rural ministry. But these which they cling to these overchurched communimethods are all inadequate; they do not meet the need. The rural church must have well-educated, ties is the "scandal of Christianity." Unless this can be overcome, I see no hope for the church in these little rural fields. Something has been done in comity and much is now being done to correct the evils of overchurching and competition, but much more must be dQne and done quickly if the neglected rural fields are to be given a worth while church ministry.
I submit these three things as the only possible ways of reaching the neglected fields in Rural America-the United Parish Plan, a trained lead- ership, and an effective comity.
J Farm Tenants and Sharecroppers By CHARLES M. McCONNELL, -.~ Boston, Massachusetts }at– Interseminary Commission for Training for the Rural Ministry FARM tenancy is one of the major issues be- A committee of forty members appointed by the fore the people of the United States. Sociol- President of the United States has just reported ogists refer to it as "our greatest social their findings on farm tenancy. humiliation." Another writer, with a theological bent, has called tenancy "the besetting sin of An issue which is rated with such importance American agriculture." A governor of Arkansas by national leaders cannot go unnoticed by the recently broke into The New York Times with Church. There are some moral issues involved in this statement about tenancy: this system which must not be ignored or allowed to go unchallenged by churchmen. No easy-going I recognize the seriousness of the tenant farmer or tolerance can stand in the way of drawing up an sharecropper problem. For decades it has been developed indictment by the Church against the evils of a and in recent years has grown to such proportions and system which has created widespread poverty, such serious condition that the problem must be settled if oppression and human wreckage. But along with Arkansas is to have peace among its citizenship. The any challenge to the evils of tenancy there must plight of the sharecropper may be exaggerated in some go a positive, constructive and statesmanlike reports but the thing itself-the system-is eating at the church program to solve such moral problems that vitals of the South's economic structure. tenancy creates. In this field the words of the Church must "become flesh and dwell among" the Strong words are these from one whose admin- farm tenants in the uttermost parts of America. istration was marked by bitter struggles between sharecroppers and planters, and who should know The nature and extent of farm tenancy must be "the system" thoroughly. Political leaders have understood before the Church can propose the begun to consider the problem of farm tenancy simplest remedies. A farm tenant is any person and two leaders of Congress have gone on record who hires the farm land which he operates as a by saying, "The tenancy problem is the paramount farm. Two million eight hundred and sixty thouchallenge before the 1937 session of Congress."
sand tenant farmers operate forty-two per cent of ants. Security of tenure is by no means guar- the farms in the United States. These tenants anteed by an uncertain title, for rent is some- are distributed over rich lands and poor lands times easier to raise than interest on a mortgage. with startling unevenness. Contrast the 4.5 % of Furthermore there is no relief from farm tenancy farm tenants in Maine with the 72.20/0 of farm in sight that will catapult the whole mass of farm tenants in Mississippi. Iowa, with the highest tenants into owners. A proposal was recently percentage of its land under cultivation, has 47.3 % made to set up a revolving fund of $50,000,000 by of farm tenants. The 6,288,648 farms of the the United States Government and the Secretary United States with their total population of 32,- of Agriculture quickly pointed out that such a 200,000 are operated by a tenant population fund for the use of tenants in the purchase of land slightly under one-half the total and a land own- would require two hundred and thirty years to ing population somewhat above the one-half mark. eliminate the tenants now on the land.
To get at the real problems of farm tenancy we The Church can recognize tenancy as a present must delve deeper into the system and unearth the necessity and go ahead ministering to tenant and meaning of sharecropping in rural America. The landlord alike without regard to their relation to sharecroppers work the land for a share of the the land. Ministers can well add the words, "both cash crop and need to have furnished for them to tenant and landlord," to St. Paul's list of those farm tools, work animals, fertilizer for the cash to whom he was indebted, found in the first chapcrop and generally the food they consume during ter of Romans. In the most extreme cases of the crop growing season. The South is the home strain between tenant and land owner, the minof this sharecropping system and cotton is the crop which is shared. None of the cotton grow- ister can at least recognize the fact that the sysing states fall below sixty per cent in farm ten- tem is in part responsible for the poverty of each. ancy. The Census Bureau of the United States But the land itself needs an advocate to plead its has defined a tenant plantation as a continuous cause. Tenancy has robbed the soil of its basic tract of land of considerable area under the gen- fertility to such an extent that erosion, impov- erishment and soil destruction have resulted over eral control or supervision of a single individual or one seventh of the once productive crop area of firm, all or a part of such tract being divided into the United States. {(The earth is the Lord's" and at least five smaller tracts which are leased to not the landlord's is an appropriate text for a tenants. This landless, debt-ridden and depend- sermon to farmers. ent tenant, white or Negro, operating a twentyfive or thirty acre plot of cotton land on a tenant Sharecropping in the South is the hot spot in plantation, is in a class of farm tenancy by him- this whole tenancy system. The Church, both self and is the central figure of farm tenancy in local and general, is involved in the system. The the United States. local congregation is in an area where three- fourths of the entire population live upon the The Church and the Sharecroppers land: No other section has such excessive over- Before considering the evils of this sharecrop- churching and at the same time so many comping system and making a wholesale criticism of munities (ten per cent) unchurched by Protestant farm tenancy we must separate the system from bodies. Nearly seventy per cent of the country its evils. Tenancy is often called the agricultural churches have nonresident ministers. Ninety per ladder on which an energetic young man might cent of the white rural Baptist and Methodist ascend from hired man to tenant and to land- churches have once-a-month services. The large tenant class-72.2% in Mississippi, 63 % in Arowner. Census data give ground for this ladder theory for 24 % of all farm owners were formerly kansas, 66.6 % in Louisiana, and so on through tenants, and 20 % had been both farm laborers the cotton belt-are largely not being reach~d by and tenants previous to their status as farm the churches. Although 59.5% of the farm own- owners. There are thousands of farm tenants ers are members of the church only 33.50/0 of the who are living on land which they do not own and tenant class are so counted. Nevertheless the are rendering a good account of their steward- Church is the most important institution in this ship. Tenancy offers the only opportunity for area for the South is greatly devoted to the countless farm families to have access to the land. Church. Much depends upon the leadership in Among the membership of rural churches there this crucial hour and no mission field offers such are many tenants who assume their share of the a challenge to the Christian churches of America.
church's maintenance and live on a high level of We have on our hands a situation which is not life. Nor can all the poverty of farm life be laid sectional nor secular. It strikes at the very roots to tenancy. There are farm owners whose stand- of the economic and social and religious structure ard of living is far below that of some tenants and of America. We will let Erskine Caldwell de- whose income is far less than that of many ten- scribe the poverty of his own people.
FARM TENANTS AND SHARECROPPERS '289
In parts of the South human existence has reached its cotton houses they came seeking refuge and a lowest depths. Children are seen deformed by nature and chance for "life, liberty and the pursuit of hapmalnutrition; women in rags beg for pennies; and men piness." They would have readily waived the last are so hungry that many of them eat snakes, cow dung, of these rights for the bare chance to live. In and clay. These are the unknown people of today, the brief this project, after one year, reports thirtytenant farmer of the South. These are the people who one families of white and Negro sharecroppers hide their nakedness behind trees when a stranger wanders living cooperatively, law abiding under the laws off the road. There is hunger in their eyes as well as in of Mississippi which forbids the teaching of racial their bellies. equality but says nothing about forbidding its practice. The income of the thirty-one families Missionary aid is not a big factor in the has been doubled and an equity in the farm churches of the South for the twelve leading Prot- earned, while the standard of living has been estant denominations in this area put aid into this higher than any of the families have hitherto field in about the same proportion as they extend known. it to the Colonial region. For more will have to be done along this line among people so poor that And the churches have had a part in this enterfood, clothing and shelter are denied them beyond prise which a few courageous and statesmanlike the mere existence line in some sections. The more prosperous areas of the Church should at least help support an adequate ministry. But one rural secretary of a home mission board is on record with this far-sighted policy, "The difficulties in trying to maintain a rural church under such conditions are almost beyond description. That a ministry to such a group is a primary missionary responsibility is evident. The point we would press is that the Church must do more than merely provide a ministry to these depressed, dispossessed and discouraged people. It must find a way to bore into the basic problems of this poverty and to deal with the causes of the conditions which make the abundant life impossible."
The Delta Cooperative Farm Photo by Rothstein A SHARECROPPER'S FAMILY IN TANGIPAHOA In this, as in other fields, an ounce of creative PARISH, LOUISIANA activity is worth pounds of speculation, exhortation, criticism or fervid theorizing. The trial and men have fostered and carried on in the face of error method will once more have to be invoked. odds too heavy for timid souls. Sam Franklin has Fortunately for the South, and for the churches been the spearhead of this advance into the north and south, there is an effort being made in strongholds of a system which is gnawing away Mississippi among the sharecroppers which bids at more than the vitals of the South. Over in fair to turn up something of a solution even after Arkansas, Sam Franklin went onto a plantation only one year of trial. "The Delta Cooperative to talk with the widow of a murdered union man Farm" came into existence in March 1936. It and was accused by the landlord of "interfering was almost forced into existence by the desperate with labor," which is some kind of a crime in needs of the sharecroppers who were being de- Arkansas. When F:ranklin remonstrated at benied not only the necessities of life but their rights ing ordered off under threat of death the landas American citizens guaranteed under the Con- owner ended the conversation with this choice bit stitution. A farm of 2,138 acres along the Mis- of language, "I'd shoot you if you was Jesus Christ sissippi River near Hillhouse was bought by funds himself." Sam Frankljn is a Presbyterian minprovided by Dr. Sherwood Eddy and his friends ister, a former missionary to Japan. As director and was put into the hands of a board of five of the Delta Cooperative Farm he is also the mintrustees for a cooperative farm for sharecroppers. ister of the church on the farm which ministers Evicted sharecroppers, whose only offence was to the sharecroppers. Church boards of home membership and activity in a labor union known missions, local churches, labor unions and a host as the Southern Tenant Farmer's Union, had of others who are concerned about the evils of brought upon them the wrath of landowners and sharecropping have aided and abetted this worthy riding bosses on tenant plantations. These were and most important enterprise. invited to live on the farm and join the cooperative enterprise. From roadside colonies of evicted sharecroppers, from hiding places in woods and
Twenty–Five Years Ago and
By PROFESSOR ROSS J. GRIFFETH, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana Secretary of the National Rural Church Commission, Disciples of Christ T ODAY, in Madison Township, Morgan ways; automobiles; Indianapolis less than thirty County, Indiana, there are three church minutes drive; Public Enemy Number One? buildings, all of brick, well built. Two stand This is the picture of one rural community in idle almost all the time, with only an occasional which are to be found a fairly stable population, feeble effort at holding Sunday school to break the many well educated people, above-the-average eco- silence of one. Sporadic emotional outbursts in nomic prosperity, several aggressive workers in the second are reminiscent ghosts of revival meet- cooperative enterprises, a small group of church ings from the long ago, but now the effects of re- leaders who have become increasingly conscious vival efforts are shadowy, swiftly gone. Two of the plight and the importance of the rural other church buildings which once served the church. Such a picture, with different highlights, countryside are only memories in the minds and is repeated in many hundreds of American rural hearts of the few remaining septuagenarians communities.
whose residence extends so far back. The one How did this condition come to be? Trace the church which has regular services-Sunday morn- broader outlines of American history that, during ing only – is served by a minister who lives in the last twenty-five years, have led to the present Indianapolis, drives out Sunday morning and back situation; then glance at some of the measured to the city in the afternoon. factors that have contributed to the development Madison township is strictly rural. It has no of present-day rural church problems; finally, restore, no industrial enterprise save a canning fac- lieve the gloom by considering the work of two tory that cares for the local tomato crop. One or three rural churches in which important strides blacksmith shop with the ubiquitous gasoline have been made toward solving local problems.
pump, and one other gasoline pump furnish the Rural Progress Since 1912 only strictly nonagricultural pursuits, and even these are operated by farmers. What picture do we have of the church and its Approximately one hundred and thirty families community twenty-five years ago? Turn back the with less than six hundred individuals, make up pages of memory, but do not trust memory too the population. Sunday school attendance aver- much. You may be romancing.
ages fifty-five, and church attendance is about the The last large area of cultivable land within same. The church roll has on it eighty-six resi- the boundaries of the United States had been dent members, about sixteen per cent of the pop- claimed twenty-five' years ago. Some of it was ulation but some one hundred fifty of the people well settled; some only partially. The pioneer are touched by the church in some way. In so far spirit that had driven men out to make new geo- as the other four hundred are concerned, except graphical conquests was beginning to turn them as a landmark, the church is nonexistent. toward subduing the last virgin prairies and for- A consolidated school across the highway from ests. Here and there a voice of warning was the active church provides education through the raised in protest against the careless exploitation first eight grades. Twenty-nine young people at- of loam and woodland, but these voices were gen- tend high school in a near-by town, the home of erally unheeded. What did professors in .agricul- the once Public Enemy Number One, John Dil- tural colleges know? Was not the wealth of the linger. Only one of the twenty-nine high'school continent inexhaustible!
youths attends church regularly; a half dozen Itinerant evangelists at irregular intervals others come at infrequent intervals. brought emotional revivals to hamlet and country- What is the relationship between these factors: side. Now and again greater evangelists sent the the open country; closed churches; a nonresident populace of metropolitan areas to their knees- minister; inadequate religious training for for a time. Preaching was generally doctrinal.
youths; a satisfactory school system; paved high- The Church was seldom conceived of as having a . [290] social program for the community, but worked expanded, overmechanized. Land speculation valiantly to meet, in its own way, the needs of the brought economic disaster to many thousands of people as they were then understood. farmers. Land prices, averaging $108 per acre in 1920, fell to $76 per acre in 1926. Thus the The earlier pioneers had built churches as well equity of many who dreamed of one day calling as homes. No landscape of the prairies was with- rich farms their own, vanished, and these found out its church steeple. "The church in the wild- themselves to be tenants on soil owned by the wood" was an ever-present fact and an inescap- mortgage holder, or else they sought employment able factor in the life of each community. in the great city.
TENANT'S HOUSES IN ARKANSAS (Near Dyess Colony) The church, in both rural and urban areas, faced new problems, new forms of vice, new so- Twenty-five years ago the United States seldom cial and economic problems. Young people went looked beyond its own borders. Weekly news- to college or to industrial centers. The rural papers, and less frequently issued farm papers, church was all but stripped of its maturing leadbrought news of the larger community to the rela- ership. Urban churches could not provide for all tively contented countryside. Woodrow Wilson, who were thus transplanted. On the basis of sevwhose primary interest was in domestic problems, eral local surveys, it has been estimated that in was elected President. The policies, which in 1913 moving into Indianapolis, more Disciples of Christ he characterized under the title, "The New Free- failed to identify themselves with an urban church dom," aimed to bring a larger measure of privi- than there were in all the Disciples churches withlege to the citizens of limited or average means. in that city. They did not take account of Europe, the Far East, or African rubber plantations. Rural Amer- Under these conditions, secularism grew apace. ica had its problems, to be sure, but Wall Street Economic problems in rural areas left the church appeared to many to be only the major expression helpless. The depression came to rural America of Satan; banking reform, antitrust legislation, nearly ten years before October 29, 1929. In and farm loans at four or five per cent interest, 1919, wheat sold at $2.14 per bushel; in 1921 the seemed adequate to meet all needs. price was $1.19. There was no corresponding change in taxes; no lowering of the farmers' ex- Automobiles were few and expensive. Prac- penses. The church shared in the economic distically impassable roads seemed an insurmount- aster. While in 1925 and 1926 the United States, able obstacle to their general use. Telephones, taken as a whole, reached its all""time high in givhowever, had reached out into the back country ing to the church and to missionary enterprises, and had broken down some of the rural isolation. Rural mail delivery was becoming significant. In FARMER'S HOME' IN DYESS COLONY, ARKANSAS many communities the kerosene lamp appeared to be the final achievement in rural lighting. Farm the rural church was, at that time, struggling to machinery operated by other than anImal or man live. Trained ministers had migrated to the city power was beyond the thoughts of most tillers of and few were being trained to meet the needs of the soil. rural fields; and, tragically, few seemed to care.
Then came the World War. Agriculture ex- Then came the industrial depression. Boys and panded to feed hungry armies. Farmer lads were girls who, in the previous decade, would have gone torn from the soil to taste of travel, the devasta- to the cities, remained on farms. But mechanized tion of international strife, vice such as always farming, farm surpluses, ruinous prices (wheat marches with armies seeking to kill, and to rub brought the farmer twenty-five or twenty-six shoulders with sophisticates from bright light dis- cents a bushel in Oklahoma in 1933) made these tricts or crowded slums. young people an economic liability rather than an With the war over, agriculture was over-
asset as in pioneer days. The rural church was million, who took with them youth, vigor, ambition, and almost powerless to help in the crisis. To farm- up to thirty-five billi'On dollars of wealth. ers, ministers seemed to be a luxury. Thousands of churches said, "We shall do without a minister These facts lead to certain conclusions: until times are better." The income of churches fell off, as did that of individuals, only the (1) Cities cannot live without additions to their churches suffered most. Communities that once populations from rural areas; maintained, even though with pitiful inadequacy, two, three, four, or five, church buildings, could (2) The future city church cannot grow unless scarcely keep one going. The church of the open the rural churches prosper; country, in numberless cases, closed up or ceased to do more than give feeble evidences of life. Vil- (3) The cities, which have received vast lage churches fared little better. amounts of wealth from farms, must help, in a financial way, the rural congregations so that they Today the picture begins to brighten. Is it twi. may again be effective; light or dawn? Vigorous Christian leaders are determined to rehabilitate the rural church; they (4) Both rural and urban churches must, in are determined to make it dawn. As we behold the future, cultivate their fields more intensively what seems to be the opening eyelids of the morn- and reap a larger harvest of souls from a stable ing, let us take note of certain facts that must be or declining population, or they must perish. considered in any program of reconstruction. Tenantry and the Rural Church Rural Churches and Changing Life The President's Committee on Farm Tenantry Our survey of the larger American scene has reported on February 16, 1937, that "Tenancy has barely hinted at epoch-making factors that have increased from 25 per cent of all farmers in 1880 dynamited the life of a people and made debris of to 42 per cent in 1935. Because of debt, the aconce well-ordered thoughts. With old thought tual equity of operating owners is far less than patterns shattered, it is necessary to form new these figures indicate" (p. 3). What does this ones. The past must be pondered if we are to mean to the church? erect rock-founded structures for the future. Robert E. Hanson, graduate student in Butler Professor E. C. Cameron, whose invigorating University, College of Religion, who has just compublished articles, inspiring teaching, and dy- pleted a study of rural Churches of Christ in Innamic deeds were arousing numberless Christians diana, found that 69 per cent of rural church to meet the challenge of needy rural fields, and members were farmers. The other 31 per cent whose early death last December brought sorrow was composed of business men, professional men, to all whose hearts beat in sympathy and with and persons in other occupations. Of the farmhope for rural Christians everywhere, has writ- ers, 67 per cent owned their farms, 29 per cent ten: were tenants, four per cent were hired hands. No definite figures are available for comparison, but Until the last few years we had assumed that the people it is certain that the percentage of farm owners of our nation would one day number two hundred million. who are church members is higher than the per- Upon the basis 'Of this continued expansion, our Chambers centage of tenants who belong to church. Furof Commerce envisioned growing cities, new and larger ther, the financial support of the church rests in public buildings, an ever-gr'Owing demand for industrial large measure upon the farmer who owns his products. Educational leaders prepared for larger enroll- land. The tenants, because of insecurity, find it ments in grades and colleges. Churches were built t'O care difficult to feel that any investments they make in for congregations expected to become large as a matter of the local church will be of continuing service to course. Our national life was permeated by.an optimistic them. and invigorating, if a little slap-dash in style, phil'Osophy of expansion. According to figures published in Wallaces' Farmer, on February 13, 1937, 34 per cent of all Since 1932 we have been brought up with a jerk. On Iowa farmers had been on their farms less than the basis of the 1930 census, and other data, Dr. O. E. two years and 25 per cent more had been on their Baker, Senior Agricultural Economist, Department of farms from' two to five years. Thus, 59 per cent Agriculture, figures that our p'Opulation will reach a top of Iowa tenant farmers had been on their Jarms of one hundred thirty-two million in 1945, and then dr'Op five years or less. It is difficult, if not impossible, to one hundred twenty-seven million in 1960, and under to build significant churches or important comone hundred million by 1990.· munity programs with such shifting populations. To bring stability in the church tomorrow, the There is ample evidence that all cities 'Of 2,500 popula- tenant farmers must be helped to purchase their tion and above are not having enough births to keep their farms today. population at present levels. The surplus births which feed our cities and continue our populati'On growth occur Indiana has often been used for surveys of one in rural districts and mainly bel'Ow the Mason-Dixon line. kind and another, especially church surveys. As- suming that Indiana is typical of rural America, Following Dr. Baker again, from 1920 to 1930, nineteen milli'On farm boys and girls went to the cities; thirteen million returned, leaving a net gain to the cities of six
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO AND NOW
and the Disciples of Christ are typical of Indiana, in the community. On June 6, 1937, Mr. Hugh here are miscellaneous facts discovered by Robert T. Miller, of Columbus, Indiana, son of John C. E. Hansen that tell the plight of the rural church Miller, himself a minister until conditions beyond in America. his control kept him from the work, will serve as representative of his family and formally give to Only 30 per cent of the rural churches have full-time the trustees of the Nineveh Church of Christ the ministers. family farm of eighty acres. The house is to serve as the parsonage. The present minister, G. F. Only 53 per cent of the members of rural churches are Powers, will share the rural life of his parishactive. ioners by planting a garden, keeping chickens and a cow, and living close to the soil. He will not do Forty-eight per cent of the rural Sunday schools make extensive farming so as to hinder his ministerial no provision for leadership training. One-third more have work but will further his worK by sharing the life had but a single leadership training course. of his people.
Only 48 per cent of the rural ministers live on the field The congregation at Stilesville, Indiana, decided they serve. that it needed something more than a one-room meeting house. With Albert Reitzel in charge, Eighty-seven per cent of the rural ministers have had seven men, with four teams, dug a basement in little or no training which especially fits them for work two and one-half days. Harvey McClellan arin the rural field. A RURAL CHURCH IN MORGAN CITY, INDIANA The Way Out ranged for the needed sand and gravel. Under Are the rural churches today capable of serv- the direction of Theodore Mullis and Robert Rhea, ing the communities in which they are located in the cement floor and walls of the basement were such a way that the moral and spiritual founda- completed in l~ss than four days. Bernard O'Rear tions of the communities will be made secure? and Chester Gregory, using volunteer groups of The answer, of course, varies from place to place. men and boys, built the structure over the base- Thousands of rural churches have closed their ment. Schuyler Arnold attended to the finishing doors. Economic necessity, loss of leadership, work. In one way or another, every member of population shifts, have all done their share to the church and Sunday school was used. The chilmake the abandoned rural church an all too fa- dren enjoyed sharing in the clean up. miliar sight. Fortunately there is an increasing number of communities where planned movements The formula for making the individual rural toward unity have eliminated wasteful competi" church effective is simple. The main elements tion between rival denominations and have made are: devotion to Christ; a vision; the willingfora finer community spirit. Here are the things ness to see it through. The church does not so some Indiana churches are doing to make the much need expert leaders as devoted leaders who church effective. will act as well as dream.
Rev. Lee Tinsley, fifty years a minister, chair- What will the rural church be twenty-five years man of the Indiana Rural Church Commission, from now? That depends upon what we now Disciples of Christ, has made the church a com- start to make it. munity center. Whenever the farmers think of holding any kind of meeting, they think of the Little Flat Rock church. When Sunday comes, their automobiles know how to stop at the church. Each year a Rural Church Week is observed, and each day of the week some group is stimulated to undertake a larger task within the church.
Nineveh, Indiana, has but one church now. Another passed out of existence many years ago. From this continuing church have gone out two Superintendents of Public Instruction for the State of Indiana, several ministers, missionaries, college professors, and many public school teachers, as well as to other callings. The church was founded in 1832. About thirty-five years ago, a beloved minister, John C. Miller, who lived on a farm a half-mile from the church, went to his eternal reward. The children held the farm and continued to make substantial contributions to the budget of the church although they no longer lived
the Fountains
By the REV. HENRY W. McLAUGHLIN, Richmond, Virginia Director of the Department of Country Church and Sunday School Extension, Presbyterian Church in the United States FROM over the hills of yesterday come the Ills and the Cure memories of a fountain by which stood great oak trees. Near this spring my grandfather There are many things in the world today which selected the location, and erected the two-story log are calculated to give us grave concern. The conhouse in which I was born. Here I used to play flicts between labor and capital, the constant inunder the watchful eye of my grandmother. As crease in the manufacture of implements of war, in Wordsworth's lines- the international jealousies and misunderstand- ings, the enlarging use of intoxicants, the increase We lay beneath a spreading oak, of crime, and the breakdown of family life-all Beside a mossy seat; are indications of modern trends which threaten the peace and happiness of the world. If we And from the turf a fountain broke should permit ourselves to dwell upon these mod- And gurgled at our feet. ern trends, we would all tend to become pessi- mists. Indeed, I would be a weeping Jeremiah if I One of the chores, when I was a lad on my fa- did not believe that there is a remedy for society. ther's farm, was to keep this spring clean. The good health of the family depended upon it. Never In the World War, President Woodrow Wilson was there a case of typhoid fever in our family, called our American youth to arms and across the save one, and that contracted away from home. seas four million strong. He called them with the That spring, the sole source of the family water slogan – "We must make the world safe for desupply was but one of many thousands of sources mocracy." What we need in our new emergency of the Ohio River and its tributaries. in America, where the dangers are from within rather than from without, is a democracy which In Psalm 104, the 10th verse, we read: "He is safe for the world. If we are to have such a sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run democracy, our citizens, the self-sovereigns, must among the hills." be intelligent and trustworthy. We are spending millions of money to make our citizens intelligent. We are beginning to appreciate our great rivers Never has the world seen such another adventure as means of transportation and sources of power. in education as is found in our great public school There is, however, a very vital relationship be- system-from the little one-room school houses to tween the springs that run among the hills and the great universities. We are discovering, howthe rivers. If the springs should dry up, our river ever, that crime grows apace, and that educated beds would become stagnant pools. criminals are a greater menace than those who are illiterate. Education alone will not guarantee A few months ago I visited Habersham and us a democracy which is safe for the world. All Hall Counties in North Georgia. There I saw our citizens might be as highly educated as Aaron those beautiful crystal springs that burst from the mountainside and form the source of the Chattahoochee, and I was reminded of the song of one of our Southern poets, Sidney Lanier- But oh, not the hills of Habersham, Burr, and yet democracy would fail. We might And oh, not the valleys of Hall have miraculous power to transform the machines Avail: I am fain for to water the plain. of war into implements of peace, or alcohol and Downward the voices of Duty call- narcotics into water and harmless drugs as a re- Downward, to toil and be mixed with the main; cent play by H. G. Wells shows, but unless there The dry fields burn, and the mills are to turn, were so-me power to change the charact~rs and And a myriad flowers mortally yearn, motivations of people and to make them trust- And the lorIdly main from beyond the plain worthy, their selfish civilization would prove a Calls o'er the hills of Habersham, failure. Calls through the valleys of Hall.
As the fountains among the hills are the sources We believe that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus of the rivers, so are the country communities to Christ is the one dynamic that can change men society as a whole. and can rightly motivate them. As the Apostle [294 ] Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel: for of today will have six times as many descendants as 1,000 it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone city people. The rural people, like the meek, seem very that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the likely to inherit the earth, or at least to acquire the use Greek." What the Gospel will do for the indi- of it. vidual, it will do for society. Our need in America, where we have so many ills and so many nos- It will be noted (see graph) that in the cities, trums offered as a cure, is that we as a people be- largely of American stock,there are only 225 chilcome Christian not merely in name but in reality. dren under five years of age for every 1,000 But no nation was ever made Christian by at- women 15 to 45 years of age; while in the rural tempting to make it Christian in the cities alone. The crying need of the hour is to make the people NUMBER OF FARMS of America Christian at the sources. We cannot have clear and beautiful rivers from muddy springs. We cannot have a Christian America unless the sources of society are Christian.
The Sources in Rural Life The country communities are the sources of so- nonfarm population, which consists of the dwellciety, because here a large number of children are ers in cotton mills, mining, lumber and other vilborn and reared. According to Kolb and Brunner lages, there are 471; while on the farms there are in their "Study of Rural Society," in the cities 545 children for every 1,000 women of child-bearthere are only four families out of every 100 ing age. In some of our Southern counties there which have four or more children. On our Amer- are almost as many children under five years as ican farms 40 out of every 100 families have four there are women from 15 to 45 years of age. Dr. or more children. Or to put it another way, in Baker calls attention to the fact that it requires our cities there are only 38 people out of every 370 children per 1,000 women to maintain a sta- 100 under 20 years of age. In our villages there are 48 out of every 100 persons under 20 years of ro tionary population. Roughly speaking,there are age; while on our farms there are 52 out of every 100 under 20 years of age. 25 less children born in our cities than are Dr. O. E. Baker, Senior Agricultural Economist ro necessary to keep the population stationary, while of the United States, in a recent address, said: on our American farms there are 50 more than In our large cities today ten adults are having about are necessary to keep the population stationary. seven children. If the birthrate remains stationary, these The rural communities are, therefore, the main sources of society. NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE PER 1.000 WOMEN 15 TO 45 YEARS OF AGE IN"UNITED STATES.APRIL 1.1930 The Rural Work Commission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has issued a report CLASS OF POPULATION NUMBER OF CHILDREN PER 1.000 WOMEN showing that church membership and Sunday 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1 000 school enrollment run very much lower among the o rural people than in the urban districts. From their Report No. I, and other sources of infor- URBAN mation, we gleaned the facts tabulated below. Note that we are giving the urban and rural pop- All CITIES II ulations of the sixteen Southern states and the OVER 100.000 — — – – 293 District of Columbia; we also give the church POPULATION II membership, nonchurch population and the per- centage of church membership both in the urban ALL CITlES ABOUT 310 CHILDREN PER 1.000 WOMEN and rural areas; likewise totals in the sixteen WERE NECESSARY rONA/NTAIN POPULATION Southern states and the District of Columbia. 2.500 TO 100.000 – – – – 341 STATIONARY IN 10&0 Clean Fountains and Pure Rivers POPULATION IIII Our rather extensive studies reveal the fact that RURAL if you answer three questions about the people IIIII who live in the communities that lie within the RURAL NON-FARM (MOSTLY VILLAGE)— 47 t POPULATION LESLIE COUNTY IIIII EASTERN KENTUCKY – 91 5 (95% ON FARMS) • PORTLAND (ORECON). SAN FRANCISCO. LOS ANGELES. KANSAS CITY, ST LOUIS, NASHVILLE. AND ATLANTA seven in turn will have only five, and these five only three and one-half children. In three generations, or a century, these cities would decline to about one-third their present population, unless they received accessions from outside. A century is not a long span in the history of a nation. In the farm population, on the other hand, ten adults are now having thirteen children. If the birthrate remains stationary, these thirteen in turn will have seventeen children, and these seventeen would have twenty-two children. It appears likely that a century hence 1,000 farm people
trade area of a city, you can tell almost exactly the purpose of purifying the water supply alone. what will be the crime record of that city. Should they not be interested even more in purify- ing the fountains from which flow their popula- What proportion of the people dQ not own their homes? tions? Shall the new generation now being reared What proportion of the people are not members of any on our American farms, many of whom must church? inevitably flow to the cities, go there as Christians What proportion of the people are not enrolled in any or as potential criminals? That question must Sunday school? be answered by the churches of America in this generation. Where non-home ownership, and non-church membership, and non-Sunday school enrollment Christ not only shows the way of righteousness, run high, in the communities constituting the but furnishes the power by which men may walk sources of society, the cities which are fed by these in that Way. He offers the only dynamic that sources have a high crime' record. The annual can rightly motivate living and banish selfishness. cost of crime is a tax on our American people of Therefore, the only hope of society in America something like $120.00 per capita. But it is not and in the world is through the power of Christ. the cost of crime that is the worst feature. Crime Only when He has been enthroned in the hearts is but a symptom, as pain is a symptom of cancer. of men, only when we seek first the kingdom of Think of all the sorrow, suffering, wretchedness, God and His righteousness can we settle our diffidegradation, depravity, sin that lies back of this culties, and solve our economic, political and socost of crime. Think of the people who are at the cial problems. Only thus will crime be abolished; very sources of society, with lost souls because only thus will we learn war no more and make they have been neglected by the Church. Our pure and happy the home life of the people. cities are tremendously interested in keeping pure their sources of milk and water supplies. Some Keep the fountains clean! of our cities are spending millions of dollars for URBAN RURAL Percentage Percentage Nonchurch Church Church Population Members Church Nonchurch Church Members States Populations Population Members Population Members Alabama …………. 744,273 345,867 398,406 46.4 1,901,975 871,303 1,030,672 45.8 FAlrokraidnasas…………………….. 282,878 182,672 200,206 47.7 1,471,604 759,778 267,747 492.,031 35.2 438,435 1,033,169 29.7 Georgia ………….. 895,492 427,573 467,919 47.7 708,433 799,026 433,712, 365,314 54.2 2,013,014 260,633 447,800 36.7 ………… Kentucky •• 0 ••••••••• 833,532 1,815,563 974,869 1,268,061 922,611 1,090,413 43.8 Louisiana 338,850 1,859,119 656,657 617,792 1,197,771 34.0 MMMiiassrssyiosluasrinipdpi……………………………… 809,847 1,670,971 821,621 500,636 332,896 60.0 1,770,248 536,372 731,689 42.2 North Carolina ……. 371,080 523,270 451,599 53.6 2,326,429 896,538 1,574,359 235,096 421,561 35.8 OSToeknulanthheossmCeaaero..li..n..a……………………. 2,389,348 1,367,685 TWVeierxsgatisnVi.ai.r.g..i.n…ia………………………. 785,537 170,844 168,006 50.2 1,720,018 629,665 1,041,306 37.6 . District of Columbia . 491,514 967,323 891,796 52.0 3,435,367 486,869 1,636,314 613,955 1,156,293 34.6 1,237,701 392,321 417,526 48.6 1,014,684 1,345,745 42.9 282,264 539,417 34.8 … ….. 221,694 149,386 59.7 298,819 1,275,540 18.9 651,834 715,851 47.7 409,750 486,788 45.7 608,283 1,111,737 35.3 1,060,075 1,329,273 44.3 1,220,291 2,215,076 35.5 418,268 367,269 53.2 754,179 882,135 46.1 227,684 263,820 46.3 304,299 933,402 24.5 . ……. …….. 238,871 247,998 49.0 14,640,161 7,070,571 7,569,650 48.2 26,598,399 9,978,251 16,630,150 37.5 POPULATION, CHURCH MEMBERS AND NON-CHURCH MEMBERS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES Here it will be seen that while about 36% of the population of these states are in urban communities, and 64510 live in rural districts, only 37% of the rural population is included on the church rolls. There are over 16 million people in rural areas who are included in the non-church population, or nearly twice as many as in the cities.
Workers in Rural
By REV. HILDA L. IVES, Newton Center, Massachusetts Executive Secretary of the Associated Commissions for the Development of the Rural Churches in New England EVERYTHING has its good and its bad side. it will not be done in great areas of rural Amer- The sun can scorch and destroy, even as it ica. There is no one else to do it.
can invigorate and call forth life. A Christian ministerishould not prescribe treat- So the rulfal community, near to fields of slum- ment for the syphilitic man, but he should know bering seed, waiting the touch of the sun, close to the early and late symptoms of the disease. A forests vibrant with song, in the midst of flower- minister should not treat the mental case, but he ing and fragrant meadows, also contains homes should know the symptoms of a disordered mind of squalor, of stark unadornment and of menacing -the signals of danger in hypersensitive person- conditions of life. alities. A minister should not set bones but he The slums of a city rend the heart. People should be able to put on a tourniquet in times of underprivileged and poor, through little fault of accident and give first aid in the innumerable their own, are herded together in surroundings emergencies of farm life when no other help is that suggest no handiwork of God. There are at hand. The minister must 'Je the spiritual con- hot pavements, crowded tenements, cluttered tact man: one who will astablish contact between yards, many with no blade of grass! These are the person in his need and tIie social reliefs and man made-both the slums and the setting. Slums the scientific helps of the modern age. He must in a rural community are paradoxical. God and especially be a man who will establish contact with life and beauty abound everywhere; man alone the dynamic resources of the Living God through is degraded, unlovely and not free. Jesus Christ, for the renewal and the regeneration The meadow shack, the home of a rural squat- of body, mind and spirit. ter, the isolated cabin jammed with family life, After one hundred years and more of continued the temporary homes built around sawmills or work the rural church of the United States has logging operations in the woods, are not only an failed to reach four-fifths of its constituency. It insult to the sun, to bracing winds and to ov~r- must dare to face its failure and the reasons for shadowing mountains and hills, but are an insult it. May it not be true that the churches, with to God Himself. their emphasis on preaching and teaching, have As one thinks of "case work" among families opened the hearts of very limited numbers to real in the cities, families that must be rehabilitated religious experience of God? Jesus' approach to and restored, there comes to mind innumerable the hearts of men was constantly through the philanthropic agencies equipped with personnel alleviation of hunger, pain and acute mental and and means to meet human need. Witness the physical distress. He found people and went Community Chests of the cities with budgets that about doing good. The Samaritan woman by the reach into the millions and with concentrated well did not seek Him. He first spoke to her wealth to tap. But as one surveys the villages and as she drew water. He recognized and knew the hamlets, the available philanthropic resources her moral problem of having had five husbands are few and the trained social workers for the and of living with a man who was not her hus- most part are many miles away. band. The man of Gadara out of the tombs did These very facts create an unparalleled oppor- not seek Jesus. Jesus met him "whom no man tunity for the rural ministers of Christ. A King- could bind and who always day and. night was in dom of Service is waiting for them-a service to the mountains crying and cutting himself with rural folk in their deepest need. But this service stones." The multitude at the pool of the sheep is only possible for a ministry that is trained to market did not come to Jesus. He went where detect and understand these needs, with knowl- the blind, the halt and the withered were gathered edge of how to ameliorate existing conditions and and told an impotent man, who for thirty-eight with spiritual power to transform and restore life. years had been waiting for help, to arise and take If the minister of Christ cannot give physical, up his bed and walk.
moral and spiritual first aid, one thing is certain: A fair critic of the rural ministry must realize [297]
how inadequate is the preparation of the average tive hearts-a wedge that opens the heart with- minister for vital case work. Run over the cur- out its conscious knowledge and allows the warmth ricula of the theological seminaries if proof of and glow of friendly understanding and interest such a statement is needed. There is, however, to enter. It is true, probably, that the majority encouragement in an awakening to the need. A of people feel real hesitation in asking a minister bulletin of the Andover Newton Theological for practical and material assistance unless they Scho,ol at Newton Centre, Massachusetts, has this are loyal to the church which he serves. For the heading: "Supervised Clinical Experience for same reason they very often do not reveal to the Students of Pastoral Psychology" under Professor minister in his calls of friendship, their most per- Philip Guiles. The report of the Investigating sonal problems, or their most devastating de- Committee of the American Association of The- spairs, unless he tactfully shows that he knows of ological Schools as regards Clinical Training for their difficulty and desires their happiness and Theological students contains the following para- welfare. A minister who serves in life's emer- graph: gencies, when all human reliances are set aside The Council for Clinical Training and the Earhart by pain or poverty, can gain an entrance into a Foundation are the only two organizations offering a care- man's heart and inner life that can' come in no fully conceived plan of training on an interdenominational other way. He becomes associated with the whole basis. Therefore this study has been confined to them. healing plan that can be worked out in coopera- The Council for Clinical Training has taken as its aim, tion with other experts. It is one thing for a "To provide for students for the ministry opportunities minister to enter the ward of a hospital, and find to obtain clinical experience in dealing with the infirmities of mankind." Training is offered to a limited number of there a parishioner injured or ill and then work qualified students from theological seminaries of recog- out a way to sustain him by friendliness, counsel nized standing irrespective of denomination. It consists and prayer; it is another thing to be called as a of directed case work and study of the social resources of Man of God at the moment of dire need. the community; actual work with patients in the hospitals and clinics; participation in the medical ward rounds and I remember a call that came once from a young conferences with regard to these patients; and, finally, mother on an isolated farm. The message over seminars in which general physician, psychiatrist, psy- the telephone said, "Come at once please, Ma is chologist, and social worker discuss together with the theological students the patients with whom they are awful sick." I hurried to the farm home which working. was set far back on a rough country road. Rural Up to the present, the work has been confined electrification was too expensive for such areas of to patients in hospitals. The scope and influence the country. The little son had walked six miles of this work must be extended to many other types to reach a telephone to call me to his mother's aid. of institutions, and into the parishes of ministers I overtook him, as I drove along the road; he was that are eager for such education and help for a hot, distressed little figure knowing something their people. very bad was happening to his mother. To be a little boy and to have something wrong with one's Thousands and millions of suffering souls in the cities seek the clinics, hospitals, family welfare mother is like pending doom. societies and temporary shelter without the guid- As I entered the home I could see the high color ance or sympathetic friendliness of a minister of God. The deep and deserved loyalties of these of fever on the pallid face, the intense suffering people are given permanently to these social work- from pain. A doctor was on his way, but fifteen ers, these doctors and these nurses. The Church miles could not be covered in a very short time. should realize what its ministry has lost in not Here was my chance as a case worker to give being called upon as the helpful servant in the courage, tenderness, God-to prepare the way for emergencies of human life and the ministering possible hospital treatment; to tell of the friendfriend in time of greatest need. The rural min- liness and goodness of doctors and nurses so that ister need not be so handicapped. If he is worthy they might not seem to be strangers; to assure the of being a trained case worker for Christ, his mother that every care would be taken of her fields are already before him-white unto harvest. home during her absence; and to let her know that I would stand by her through thick and thin. Naturally I put my hand on her hot feverish head Someone may well ask, "Cannot the minister and prayed that the cooling healing touch of the gain the deep loyalties of the people on the spir- Master- might make her whole-that touch which itual plane apart from the other ministries of drew its life from an unswerving faith 'that no relief?" The answer is that a head-on, direct ap- permanent harm could ever come to a child of proach to the religious needs of people who do not God, the Father. .
feel, to any marked degree, the need of God, and There are several qualities that must belong to who do not want anyone's help to find Him, is not a Christian case worker. His parish must know the Christian touch on human hearts. The min- that all confidences are placed in a spiritual safe ister must find the entering wedge into unrecep- which holds them in'violate. The case worker
CASE WORKERS IN RURAL AREAS
must consider as sacred the disclosures of to forgive to the number of seventy times seven. wounded hearts. A Christian case worker has really to love the The Christian case worker must not be afraid unlovely. He must believe that every human soul to face facts frankly with a friend. I remember is precious in the sight of God. So the search to the case of a girl who had lost her position in a reach that soul of man becomes a spiritual advencommercial firm. Word came that she was dis- ture of trust and of love. A soul may be growing couraged so I went to seek her out. As she came by the grace of God; it may be struggling in the to the door to talk with me, I knew almost in- midst of sin; it may be buried deep; but to a stantly the truth about her condition. Her body Christian case worker, the soul of a man must be revealed definite disease in an advanced form. reached. One would never dare believe that a At my request we withdrew to a stone wall some soul could be awakened apart from God. Only distance from the farmhouse where her mother those case workers who by closest communion could not hear the conversation and I spoke sym- with Christ, and in closest contact with human pathetically of her loss of position and of the en- need have opened their lives to the creative life suing worry that had come to her. She gave no of God, can be used to permanently change human sign of telling the truth about herself. The time life. Social workers, uninspired by God, can be had come when I must tell her the truth so I said counted upon to achieve few real transformations quietly, of moral and spiritual life.
"You must be your own fine self. You must be A case worker must use the increasing wealth in the future strong and well. I know you are ill. of valuable publications prepared by national and You have an infection of syphilis. You haven't state social agencies. A pamphlet placed in the known, have you, how to get help? Of course you hands of a person in need can be read and reread. have been afraid. But you can be made well. In this way the quiet study of a problem can be Will you let me help you?" extremely helpful. * She burst into tears and said, "I haven't known what to do. I didn't dare to There is a question when and how prayer should tell anyone the truth." be used in pastoral visits. Only a sensitive case "Have you been close to your little sisters?" I worker can judge. One thing is sure, I believe, that prayers that throb with deep understanding of the asked. human heart, its aspirations, its denials and its "Yes, I have," she said, "I have been sharing the agonies, are life-giving to others. Prayers that share another's joy or ecstacy or pain in naturalsame bed with one of them." ness and sincerity are always welcomed and re- "Well, we'll now be sure that they are safe, too," membered. A Christian case worker should not ask if a person wants a prayer-that creates a I replied. "Have you seen a doctor?" self-conscious situation. He should never pray if "Yes," she answered. "I was better for a time he could easily be prevented from praying. He should only pray when he must. Then God speaks after my visit to him, so I didn't go back to him -not he himself. And when God whispers to man, as he suggested." man never forgets.
"Does the man in the case know of your con- The rural case worker will find that human lives will share dark secrets of sin, hidden fears and dition ?" baffiing problems of conduct if his service has "Yes, he told me that he was -ill and that I had been lowly and sacrificial. He will find that hu- man lives will be unwilling to receive suggestion better look out." of change in life's conduct or surroundings if "Is he standing by?" trust has not been established from heart to heart. "No, he left me some weeks ago, and is paying This analysis of the need of trained case workattention to a school-teacher in another town." ers for rural America applies equally to the rural "We will have to face facts with him too," I world. There are great mission fields in foreign lands whose social, health and religious needs said. "You must help me to help all who may should arouse the whole Christian Church to an have been hurt by your mistake." immediate sacrificial crusade for the alleviation of this human suffering. Out of this experience came a deep and abiding • The materials of such agencies as the Social W()rk Publicity friendship. C()uncil, the Child Welfare League of America, the National Recrea- A Christian social worker must have infinite tion ASSOCiation, the Nat()nal Probation ASSOCiation, the American Public Health ASSOCiation, the American S()cial Hygiene Associati()n, patience in dealing with cases that may need ad- the National Committee f()r Mental Hygiene, the Family Welfare justments and counsel, not only for years, but Association of America, the United States Children's Bureau and the, throughout life. The Apostle Peter's loyalty was Foreign Language Inf()rmati()n Service are heartily recommended,- not developed, even in his early intimate contact H, I. with Jesus, into a dependable, never-failing virtue. Life's strains and stresses often bring to the surface old weaknesses and sins that in hours of strength seem to have been conquered. Jesus Himself showed the need of continual patience and forgiveness when He said that one must be ready
a Farmer's Wife Sees
–tEtI~i ; ; ;v; ; ;e; ; ;fm; ; ;o; ; ;o; ; ;t= ; ; ;!JI ~- ==;;;;;B;;;;;Y;;;;;N=IN=A;;;;;B=.;;;;;HE=W;;;;;I;;;;;TT=,;;;;;R;;;;;i;;;;;ve;;;;;f;;;;;to;;;;;o;;;;;, C OMING from a farm home I have always greet the trees and plants by name, like old been farm-minded. After having lived in friends. Heaven bless the man who allows fruit- small villages, except for about three years bearing bushes and trees to grow that the birds in the capital, my home is now in the midst of may live. A fine sense of these blessings naturally farms with a magnificent Green Mountain view leads to the worship of God.
to west and north. There are few really pros- One little community that we know has "left perous farms in this area, and very few active their low-vaulted past" and has "built new temples Christians. Poverty, debts, privation and attend- nobler than the last" until they have become an ant miseries abound. earnest, organized, active Christian church with Throughout the country we are reaping the re- such an interest in serving others that their gifts for benevolences were higher per capita than any suIt of banishing religion from public schools. We other church in the district. They outgrew the have a crop of young folks whose ignorance of dance hall, remodeled an old store into a comforteverything concerning the Bible or religion is colossal. Social evils abound, such as could not able and commodious church, and' finally, to rid obtain were there a wholesome ~espect for the the place of drunken brawls and other wicked- Mosaic Law. nesses accompanying the dances, the church bought the dance hall and converted it into a par- Nine-year-old brides are not found in this vi- sonage and Community Hall supervised by the cinity, but far too many brides come to the Manse church. There was some grumbling, but the several months too late. One couple came to be community as a whole realizes the benefit. Some married bringing their baby! Incest, sodomy, of the dearest saints we know live there in that fornication, adultery are undisturbed by officers rural hamlet where now they practice cooperative of law. It is rumored that two families living in buying and selling. When Christ is given a a double house have swapped mates but not names. chance, life can be transformed and become "more Nothing is done about it. Would not a general abundant." respect for God's laws make a difference? Think of the lynchings, kidnapings, assaults and murder Farmers are peculiar creatures. They need the of young girls, one of the most recent having been influence of Jesus Christ. There is far too much perpetrated by boys of five and nine years! Why? of "each man for himself"; too little neighborly Why? How can little boys play that way? Why? helpfulness; too, much work; too little play.
Do not parents need to be educated for their re- Recreation is too far away. The whole family sponsibilities? will pile into the old Ford and drive to town to see the movies instead of helping to plan neigh- As though we could not produce enough trouble borhood good times. for ourselves, gangs of city criminals come and rob our banks, steal our chickens, our cars and Too many farm folks never know when Sunday our apples; , yes, and our beans, cucumbers and comes. They never hear a sermon, unless by sweet corn. Forgery frequently comes into our radio. They never accept the challenge of Malachi courts. Even counterfeiting has been discovered. 3: 10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the store- It is hard to catch these thieves, for in a night house, that there may be meat in mine house; and they can go so far in automobiles. Can anyone prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, estimate the moral ruin brought about in cars if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and parked in lonely spots with curtains drawn? pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be When tares are sown what shall the harvest be? room enough to receive it."
There is a pleasanter side of the picture. Some It seems sensible for farmers to provide a house country people see God's handiwork in the for hired help; to allow the "help" to raise a few smallest blade of grass, the tiniest blossom, the calves, pigs or chickens; to furnish land for his majestic mountains, the splashing brooks, fields garden. But comparatively few such homes are of waving grain. We can see the blue sky-more seen. I wonder that the Federal A-Z does not intensely blue beyond an expanse of green field or endeavor to place some of the unemployed this above a spreading elm. It is no small pleasure to way. Government money might well be used [300] among our farmers. Our farm daughters would center where no minister ever calls, each thinking be safer than they are now with the lusty, young, those people are in the other parish. There is a often unprincipled hired man living in the farm- wide field for the Home Department of the Church er's home. Neighbor-ownership of expensive School with a faithful visitor to operate. farm machinery like tractors, harvesters, silo fillers, spraying apparatus, would be a good thing. In one parish an interesting experiment was made last summer. A friendly, energetic, city Some farmers suffer from specializing on one minister wanted a vacation in the country, to live product such as milk or potatoes, or apples. When in the parsonage and preach each week. He and the crop fails or the market is uncertain, the his family went to this little village and had a family suffers real privation. He either borrows good time visiting the people. The sermons money to keep going or skimps along somehow. pleased them. He could lead the singing. The The old-time diversified farming produced a liv- church was lacking young people. A canvass was ing. If crops failed there were the pigs, calves made and nearly two hundred were found within and chickens to help out. This region depends the bounds of that parish! Spiritual life was upon the maple sugar crop for certain income quickened; interest in church affairs was reevery year, though it varies greatly. newed; financial support was promised, even by people who never before would help – all this What the Rural Church Needs during the vacation season of one preacher and his family! If Christ were lived by preachers and It is customary for people to look to the Church laymen, it would not take long to work a treto correct all sorts of errors. But the rural church mendous change in many a rural settlement. is rather helpless. Its members are farm people who have had no training in religious education Many a country church thinks it cannot do and social service. It is hard to find anyone will- things for lack of equipment, while probably right ing to try to teach in the Sunday school-and it is in the dooryard stands a vacant house whose worse to have some teachers than none at all. We owner would gladly allow it to be used for a social need farm girls and boys who can be trained for center or sell for small price. It woud be helpful social and religious work, and who will come back if church activities were reported in local newsto the home town and become leaders. We need papers. A church news reporter or publicity preachers who can live on next to nothing- agent should tell every week what is coming and preachers filled with the Holy Spirit like the early what has been done. A woman in a little village circuit riders, full of zeal and devotion, who can do church near me takes pains to send such items to pioneer work, unhampered by family cares. Many the daily paper. More such news and less of a rural hamlet will never more have preaching crime would tend to make newspapers better unless something of this sort be done. Fine old reading. New England Meeting Houses are going to ruin because the people think they cannot pay a min- Many a community does not realize its reister's salary. sources; does not utilize the talents of its people. We cry for leaders while perhaps people with We need Ambassadors of Christ who have the leadership ability are living near and wishing for skill to present the work of the Church in such a something to do. In these days of musical trainfascinating way that the congregation will know ing in public schools, it is to be regretted that that the larger work was in the mind of Christ rural churches suffer from inadequate choirs. when He said, "Go … preach … teach … heal." We work hard during the week and easily Strong advocates of righteousness and religious doze off to sleep in a church service. The education are found in many rural churches. The message must be vital, searching, deep, command- women's missionary societies, the Christian Teming attention. It need not be marked by flowery perance Unions, the Anti-Saloon League and other oratory, but must be delivered with sincerity that organizations do valiant service. Their meetings, can be felt. The average adult gets more good their study and social gatherings furnish a means from Bible truths when expressed in language a of real growth. Horizons are broadened, interest child can understand than from a dissertation in the less fortunate of the world is awakened. crammed with seven-syllable words. The average They learn the physical, religious, moral, mental rural congregation contains few college graduates. and spiritual needs of others and then do some- thing about it. It is astonishing how the small Rural communities suffer when they are served sums we give in local societies help to roll up by a preacher from a larger town, miles away. the millions that are used "For the love of Christ Things close to home loom larger than the rural and in His name" for His "brethren" all over the parish so far from sight. We need circuit riders to come around to such places in regular routine. world. Do not forget the no-man's-land surrounding Christian citizens often forget their civic reevery organized parish – sections far from the sponsibilities. Many never go to town meeting. The worst example of the result of such laxity is
the present burden of the liquor traffic. Having In towns the nearness of people makes a differrid the country of it once, the Church could have ence, and the constant presence of distracting kept it out if they had not become careless. Why things helps one over the critical period. But we must some terrible calamity occur before right country folks have to receive our comfort (if we action is taken? We have not yet become the have any) from communion with God and medi- Church Triumphant therefore we should continue tation upon His Holy Word. to be the Church Militant. Perhaps if we were more militant the nations would be less militant. Christ told his disciples to preach, teach and "Without vision the people perish." heal the Jews first, that is, among his own people. What a Christ-like thing it would be for young The rural community is handicapped because doctors from our S~ate universities to serve their the people are so far apart, and it is so hard to own first. Older physicians well established in hold meetings, yet telephones could be put to large towns, find it nearly impossible to drive out better use than they sometimes are. We fail to into the coufitry to attend the sick. The price of utilize the advantages we have at hand. The such service is almost prohibitive, quite so to many Grange, the Home Demonstration Groups, the families. This is one of my pet "visions": that Four-H Clubs, and Ladies' Aid ought to be more townships should vote in the next meeting a sum helpful in religious and civic matters than they large enough to secure the residence of a doctor are at present. and a nurse. With these two on call, the health and happiness of our country people would be There are many, many people suffering agony, greatly improved. hopeless and helpless, hidden away on isolated farms. Oh, how country people need Jesus Christ He hath showed thee, 0 man, what is good; and what to sustain and comfort when illness or tragedy doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love enters the home! Many a time my heart has been mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. wrung by the sorrows that rural neighbors have had to bear alone-alone so far as human help is *** concerned. Everybody has all he can do. No time to call on the sick. If death comes, funerals The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the are largely attended, but in the days following lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and while going about the routine of work, there is with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the little to lift the gloom from the mourner's heart. first commandment; and the second is like, namely this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
The Country Pastor's Job By the REV. MARK RICH, Ithaca, New York I Field Representative of the Rural Institute fit- for Religious Workers D URING the past generation the country pas- The rural pastor has a tremendously significant torate has not been looked upon as a field job. His first task is that of a messenger of good for very fruitful service; country pulpits will. This follows the example of our Master as have often been used as a stepping stone to so- He walked in Galilee, teaching humble folk in called positions of wider influence in the cities. country places. The rural pastor is a herald of Neither seminary, training school, nor denomina- brotherhood and unity, not a promoter of divitional administrators have usually considered sions and discord. This needs to be emphasized town and country fields of first importance. City because it is possible that churches and pastors life has been exalted, rural life discounted, and may stir up a spirit of ill-will. Consider two inthe country church thought to be second rate in stances: comparison to the city pulpit. Not long ago two women from a struggling open As a result of this attitude surveys, field studies country church came asking help. Four miles and casual observations point to one appalling fact from their church lay a little village of seven hun- -the rapid decline of the country church. But dred inhabitants cradled in a lovely valley. There the situation is far from hopeless. There are are four churches there, each served by a minmany signs of awakening interest and of a new ister, three of whom are resident. appreciation of the task of the country minister. "Why do you not share pastors with the
THE COUNTRY PASTOR'S JOB
churches in this village?" I asked. "They can help the people of all faiths, especially during the you more than anyone else." terror of the Revolution when he was the only "Why," retorted one woman, "the churches in pastor to remain in the valley, that a new bond the village are so busy quarreling among them- of brotherhood was established. An English vis- selves that they have no time for us." itor noticed that on the communion plate in Ober- An outstanding agricultural leader, a layman lin's church were wafers, leavened and unleavened of staunch Christian character, one day spoke out bread which were taken by Catholics, Lutherans of deep conviction regarding two churches in a or Calvinists according to their conviction. Good- village. will in the enobled valley was one of the finest "It's all a man's reputation is worth," he said, among all the worthy contributions of this man.
"to become affiliated with one of the churches." So it is with every rural pastor, who draws men A cannon which stands on the village green sep- into a common brotherhood in Christ. This is the arating the churches is symbolic of the iII-will unique job of the rural minister.
they stir up in the hearts of some people. Merely to have one church in a village, instead Unfortunately these are not isolated instances. of four, does not insure spiritual vitality and right Such results come from too many competitive relationships among the people. But, it has been country churches. They are so involved in the proved that the active promotion of unity is a way things which keep them apart that they have no to keep right relationships.
time for the main business of reaching people with A country pastor has also the opportunity of the Gospel. That is the malady which is afflicting interpreting spiritual reality to people who live hundreds of American churches. In seeking to on the land. The church is an agency for the ex- save themselves they are not only losing their pression and transmission of spiritual truth. Jesus lives but failing to save the community. A pastor taught truth about God, about the right relation or a church which promotes discord is not of of man to man, and of man to God, in ways that Christ. were understandable to his hearers. Sometimes At its best the Christian church brings God's one wonders how people>ever came to think that message of goodwill and unity. A lover of rural preaching an involved theology is the way to build life and an ardent church worker recently bore a church. Theology ought not be removed from testimony to this fact when she said to a large life, but a large proportion of sermons, both con- gathering of her fellow church members: "This servative and progressive, are far removed from parish has made it possible for us to call one an- the interests and understanding of the hearers.
other friends." The country preacher, following his Master, Not many months ago I visited a saintly aged ought to explain the eternal truths in terms which minister in a tiny hamlet. Once two churches, are comprehensible. For this task, he will find decadent and hopeless, served the farmers of the much material in the everyday life of country narrow valley. His first entrance into the com- people. But to understand these things the min- munity was welcomed by members of one church ister himself must be rooted in the soil. A num- only. The others were indifferent, or hostile. One ber of prominent rural church leaders and mis- woman vowed that no minister of the other de- sionaries are saying that no missionary should go nomination would ever darken the doorstep of to the foreign field and no pastor to a rural church her house. Some would not even attend a funeral without an agricultural college background. How service held in the other church. far much of our preparation has missed the mark!
Later the woman repented and the minister was A rural minister should know something about invited into her home for Sunday dinner. Now the work in which his people are engaged. In a the two congregations are worshipping together dairy region he could at least know the difference in happy fellowship. Why this change? Simply between a Holstein and a Guernsey cow and be because the pastor has the spirit of Christ in his conversant with some of the basic problems facing heart. He would not stoop to littleness, to bicker- the dairy industry. He ought to thrill at the sight ings or ill-will. He represents the attitude and of an elm tree, appreciate flowers, the glories of task of the truly Christian minister. rural life. He must be one who understands.
An Ideal Country Pastor If the rural pastor finds spiritual reality in the country he can help interpret it to the people, and John Frederick Oberlin, perhaps more than any will find receptive hearts. Many a farmer finds a other represents the ideal country pastor. Trained deep abiding joy in his work. Of this he may be to a doctor's degree at the University of Strass- but half conscious and one of the jobs of the pastor burg, he gave himself for nigh 60 years to the is to help him develop this appreciation.
needy people of the Valley of Stone in the isolated Perhaps the least part of a country minister's Vosges mountains. Like his Master he went about task is the pulpit. The ministry of John Fred- doing good. Oberlin had so endeared himself to erick Oberlin did not consist in oracular announce-
ments. After his sermon he might implore his conventions. Some recognition is craved by every people to build a road, to clean up their houses or man, including the rural minister, but he will to plant a tree in the name of God, but he never probably have to do with less than do some others. ended with that. On Monday he took his pick and shovel and set the example in building roads or in But the rewards outnumber the disadvantages. planting trees. To get rid of disease or to build a An alert and consecrated rural minister can have the satisfaction of doing a creative piece of work. YOUNG PEOPLE'S RURAL WEEK-END CONFERENCE IN The rural church is today in a condition of flux. GROTON COMMUNITY PARISH-SIX CHURCHES OF THREE Old forms are being sloughed off and new forms are emerging. He who builds today is setting the DElNOMINATIONS ARE COOPERATING IN THIS patterns for the future and the pioneer does not LARGER PARISH ask for monetary rewards. He is happy to blaze the trail on which future generations will travel. school and provide a consecrated teacher was quite The rural minister can have that satisfaction as much a ministry in the name of Jesus Christ today. as was preaching. Another reward arises out of the fundamental There is much to make a man's heart bleed as importance of work in the country. The 1930 he observes the rural scene in America today. census reveals the fact that the rural population One finds much poverty, underprivileged children, is still the source of population supply for Amerhosts of families untouched by any church and no ica. The farm population is producing fifty per man's lands abandoned by one denomination after cent more children than are necessary to maintain another. And the sturdy farmers, whose families the population level in the country. Today's rural will inherit the prosperous fields, need a faith and minority is tomorrow's overwhelming majority. hope that will make the citizenship of the coun- Boys and girls trained in the country not only tryside spiritually clearsighted. make the country life of the next generation but exert a profound influence on city life for good or Dr. Kagawa of Japan says there are three prin- ill. The country pastor who is farsighted sees ciples to be observed by the farmer: (1) he should that he is moulding national life for good at its love the soil, (2) he should love his neighbor, and very source. Other men must build with the (3) he should love God. In these three principles timber he seasons. lie the secret of good living on the farm. Helping people to practice these things sums up the task The country minister also finds deep satisfacof the rural minister. The farmer who finds these tion in the relationships of rural life. He knows has found the abundant life. members of "his flock" by name. They belong to What can the pastor who gives his life to the him and he to them. When a man remains in a shepherding of his rural flock expect in the way community over a period of years he comes to have of reward? It is certain that he cannot expect a wide influence which compares with that of the large financial returns. A salary of two thousand larger city parishes. The rural minister can find dollars and parsonage is munificent in the coun- deep satisfaction in the rural way of life. The try, but even that is small compared with the head of a great farmer's cooperative recently said emoluments that the larger city churches shower that farming was about the only occupation in upon their ministers. No, the rural pastor cannot which a man can retain his spiritual freedom. If expect luxurious comfort. this be true, the conscientious rural minister is pursuing a calling in which he can find spiritual Nor is the rural pastor likely to win as much values. After all, a man's influence arises out of renown as do some of his urban brethren. He can- what he is rather than what he does. A rural not expect to have his voice speak from the pages pastor, in a particular way, can be a follower of of the metropolitan dailies nor to take prominent Jesus Christ who went about country ways revealpositions on the platform of his denominational ing the love of God by doing good.
Happily, there are some evidences that the tide is turning. Some are saying that if America is to be saved she must be saved through her rural people and if the city church of the future is to be strong she will gain her vigor through the li~e blood flowing from the country. Believing that, the country pastor has the opportunity of mold- ing the spiritual life of the nation.
Solution – The Larger
By ELLSWORTH M. SMITH, New York Field Representative of the Town and Country Department, American Baptist Home Mission Society RURAL churches in America are going out of limited to business, politics and recreation. Here business at a rate estimated by some as high we have most of the causes of death. as one thousand per year. When one real- Usually these churches represent two or more izes the importance of rural Christianity, not only denominations. The lines have been sharply to the people of the countryside but to the nation drawn and, though there is toleration and a cer- as a whole, when one remembers that usually half tain amount of polite gesturing, there is no help- the workers of a city church received their initial ful cooperation.
religious impulse in the church of the crossroads, At this juncture leaders of the denominations this statement of death rate is tragic. involved go to the area and meet their church peo- Of course, some of these dying churches are not ple. They hear their statements of resigned hopeneeded. Some have ministered to racial or na- lessness. The denominational executives have tional groups that have shifted to other localities. been putting into these churches all the money Others have failed to adapt themselves to modern they could afford and no more is available, but needs and have been replaced. Still others have they have a suggestion to offer. Larger Parishes been in competing situations. An illustration of have done seeming miracles elsewhere, so they this last statement is the recent death of two , talk to the people about this new plan and find a churches in a village of three hundred fifty peo- considerable though wary response. The people ple, leaving an active total of five churches still would be willing to have another meeting to concarrying on! sider it, though they do not believe that anything Many churches that die are, however, desper- can be done. ately needed. Of this large group are those in the One of the denominational leaders gets in touch remote open countryside, localities from which with the others involved and together they agree the people will not onen go to the town or village, that for the perpetuation of their various interests for religious privileges. These breakdowns are a Larger Parish is perhaps the only solution. A due to a variety of causes, not the least of which mass meeting of the people of all the churches is are the disappearing of neighborhood conscious- called and at this meeting several things happen. ness in the open country, and the increasing difficulty of carrying the financial burden, particularly People of ,each community meet friends whom they have not seen for a long time. They realize where agriculture is not prosperous. Others of that. they are all in the same difficulty and this these churches have failed to meet needs and have not been replaced, or adapted. Other causes for gives them comfort. They listen to the counsel of their denominational leaders and see real posthe disappearance of needed churches have been inadequate leadership and a spiritual hopelessness sibilities. The descriptions of the things accom- plished in Larger Parishes rekindles enthusiasms. due to lack of vision. And lastly, some have died because of sheer loneliness. , Pamphlets are distributed. Sample constitutions show that denominational connections are main- To each of these needed, but dying churches, the tained intact and that each church has equal Larger Parish offers a partial and often the only representation and fair treatment. The very sight solution. of the leaders of different denominations on the What Is a Larger Parish? same platform, earnestly recommending this bold Consider a situation in which the churches of cooperative venture, creates a new spirit. A date an area of six near-by communities are ready to is set for another meeting to organize and adopt close their doors. Finances are down, the separate a constitution. communities have exhausted themselves in "going it alone"; the last ministers they have had have Discussions are held in each community and in been inadequate to save the situation; the finan- each church. The term "Larger Parish" is on cial resources of the area are not what they have everyone's tongue. Correspondence flows between been; fellowship betwpen the communities is these localities and state offices. In preparation for the organization meeting each church elects [305 ]
two delegates who shall become their representa- isters are their pastors. Regular staff meetings tives on the proposed Larger Parish Council. for reporting and planning are held each week, Finally the great day arrives and the entertain- with regular Council meetings each month. The ing church is crowded by representatives of the Council holds an annual meeting of the Parish several churches besides a number of people who to report to the people. The churches hold an- have not shown any interest in religion. Each nual meetings for their regular business and to church announces that it is ready to go ahead, the elect Council delegates, no one of whom may serve constitution is voted on section by section, and more than two consecutive terms of two years adopted with modifications. The names of the each.
representatives of the churches are announced Each church draws up a budget to cover local and an early date is set for their first meeting in expenses and after all these, budgets have been the home of one of the delegates. accepted by the Council, they are included in the How the Plan Works total Parish budget. This total includes the sal- aries of staff workers, their transportation allow- At the first meeting of the Council there is much ances, office costs, and other general items decided to be done. Delegates-at-Iarge are elected, also a by the Council.
chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and Parish Building a Program treasurer. The amount of money that can reason- ably be expected to be raised is agreed upon and The program of the Larger Parish is detera tentative budget is drawn up. A canvass of mined by the needs and interests of the cooperevery family in the area is placed in charge of a ating churches, of which each has a committee committee and another committee is appointed to made up of Council delegates, and all of the active find a staff of two ministers. leaders in the church and community. This puts Since the churches of the Larger Parish include the church in a position to build itself solidly into all in the area, everyone is asked to contribute, the entire life of the community and demonstrates whether a church member or not. Pledges are a community purpose without which the organiza- paid through local churches. When the returns . tions may find themselves at odds with one an- are in and it is known how much the denomina- other. The general committee meets with the en- tions will contribute, the total working budget is tire staff at frequent intervals to talk of commu- adopted. nity and church needs and to plan a program.
The Council finally votes to call two young men, The genius of the Larger Parish is that it visions and often this action is ratified by all the member a complete program which will serve all the needs of the people. The Council, with the staff, seeks churches, the calls are extended. The new staff workers become ex-officio mem- to coordinate the many projected activities into a bers of the Council and one of them is elected complete Parish program. Director. The program is discussed and a line Individuals subscribe to the total Parish work of action is adopted with schedules for meetings, through the churches in their own communities, including church worship, church school and and these contributions are sent by the local treasyoung people's meetings, on a regular basis in urer to the Parish treasurer, who pays all bills each community, no community having more than on the O. K. of the Council chairman. Even the one set of services. The abilities and interests of missionary funds may be handled this way, keepthe two ministers are taken into consideration and ing all the records in' separate books but in one each minister accepts responsibility for certain office.
types of activities. The Director of the staff may The Larger Parish puts a strong emphasis on be responsible for planning the worship and young people's work to meet the local needs and preaching program, the pastoral calling and men's interests of separate groups. The program of work, while the second man may be director of each society may be distinct, but there is set up a young people's work, recreation and the Christian Young People's Senate which meets at regular in- education program. The Director of the staff is tervals with the director of young people's work.
held directly responsible for the general carrying The entire league of societies holds occasional out of the entire program. The two members of joint socials and inspirational programs.
the staff share in the particular work of each, Each church school has its own organization, though each man plans the program in his de- but the superintendents and active workers meet partment and endeavors to see it through to a together in a Central Committee on Christian satisfactory completion. Education, to discuss the administration of the The staff members live in the same community schools and to direct a program of leadership in order that they may confer daily and may avoid training for the entire parish.
the danger of sections feeling that particular min- The staff Director is the editor of the weekly
ONE SOLUTION – THE LARGER PARISH
Parish Calendar, which lists news of all the special financial arrangements with doctors, the churches and their announcements, and is distrib- hospital and for higher education for promising uted in the services. A monthly Parish news let- young people; a yearly survey of the area with ter is distributed by mail or through young people Christmas calls by the entire staff at every home to every home in the area, regardless of church (this usually requires a month!); AND THROUGH memberships. The young people's league edits ALL OF THIS PROGRAM-IN PREACHING, TEACHING, and publishes a mimeographed booklet at inter- CONVERSATION AND EXPRESSION – A CONSTANT vals to promote fellowship, and finances it through DEMONSTRATION OF THE MEANING OF THE SPIRIT small charges made at joint socials. There are OF CHRIST IN ALL OF LIFE!
contributing' editors from each society and young Now that this Parish has been organized and people serve as mimeograph stencil cutters, crank running for several years, what are the results?
turners, "printer's devils" and delivery boys. Not only has church membership doubled, mis- The program of the Larger Parish develops as sionary giving increased fourfold, church schools fast as local leaders can be found and trained. filled to capacity, nearly every young person a Over a period of years the projects worked out in- clude an amazing variety of things. A list of these activities will prove quite convincing: church worship and preaching, church schools, young people's meetings and week-day religious educa- tion every week; pastoral service reaching every- one in the area and with special attention to the aged, the shut-in, and those who are ill or have special problems; organized church school classes with outside activities for all ages; young peo- ple's socials, community socials, men's clubs, boys'
clubs, girls' clubs, 4-H clubs, Boy Scouts, Friendly Indians; basketball, baseball, volley-ball and bowling teams; banquets for classes, Mothers and Daughters, Fathers and Sons and the young peo- ple's league; book clubs, music clubs, dramatic clubs and many other kinds of hobby and special interest groups; camps, conferences and leader- The Trego Larger Parish-Wisconsin ship training schools; junior choirs singing weekly in their own churches and on special oc- This map, from "The Larger Parish Plan," by Malcolm Dana, casions as a joint junior choir; an adult choir, shows the district inclnded around Trego, Wisconsin. Five weak special musical programs and vespers; pageants churches united to. pool their resources and to join in a program to serve the whole community in the name and spirit of Jesus Ghrist. Kingdom interest took the place of denGminational interests of a religious nature and several plays; commu- nity clubs for the adults and young people; the church member, finances adequate and steady observance of special days, such as Thanksgiving, even during the depression, but the Christian Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, "Religious Edu- religion has become the big thing in the life of cation Days," Rural Life Sunday, etc.; outdoor the community and individual and social redemp- services for the churches and particularly for the tion has become a glowing reality. To bring young people's societies; an Easter Sunrise serv- all of this wholesome activity and spiritual direc- ice; missionary societies and church aid societies; tion in a steady continuing church program out of church suppers; a special Lenten program in- the desperation and hopelessness of the previous cluding a series of evangelistic meetings in each situation has been the accomplishment of a de- church, church membership classes for all ages, voted, courageous and kindly group of average and special calling for church members; Holy Christians working through a type of organiza- Week services; sex education and marriage coun- tion known as The Larger Parish. There are selling; vocational guidance and testing; coop- many variations of the plan, variations in name, eration with the schools, the public health service, in number of churches and in number of staff service clubs, Y. M. C. A., Y. W. C. A., and workers, but the above description is in all essen- Grange; participation in all the denominational tialparticulars, the story of a particular Larger activities, materials and promotional programs; Parish, its life history to date.
A Church of the
By the REV. COE HAYNE, New York –tEl Department of Publicity, Literature and Research, American Baptist Home Mission Society T HE church at M-, New York, is in the open the paneling and the lady of the parsonage was country. Not more than ten houses are head varnisher. The cost totalled a sum far less within half a mile of the knoll upon which than the estimated cost of $600 had the job been stands the beautiful old edifice with its towering done by a contractor. spire and colonial fa~ade. From the hills and valleys beyond come the people to worship. Since Some of the men thought that a quick and effi- 1803 this Baptist church organization has had a cient way to improve the appearance of the woodcontinuous existence. During one hundred and work was to spread thereon a liberal coat of paint. thirty-four years the Gospel has had a witness in Not so thought the women. Beautifully grained this countryside by reason of the Christian loyal- wood, worth a fortune, to be smeared over with ties of successive generations of farmer folk. paint! The men today are glad they had not their way. The lady of the parsonage on scaffold and When Pastor Peterson came to Martindale De- stepladder worked day after day with a small pot ten years ago, one of his first activities was to brush and an oak stain to obliterate the scars on survey the field. He found ninety-one houses the woodwork before the varnish was applied. within the legitimate limits of his parish. In these All are pleased with the job.
houses lived 270 people. The next nearest church The countryside has beauty. Why not promote was located four miles away. An acquaintance beauty in the sanctuary of a church of the counwith every person, whether Jew, Catholic or Prot- tryside. Cleanliness, quiet tastefulness in decoraestant, or nonreligionist, living in these houses, tion, sunshine, good cheer-all these blessings are became the pastor's pleasant duty. His kindly, possible in the house of worship, all are especially neighborly attitude became proverbial in the desirable for people who enter the sanctuary dicountryside. The people looked to him as their rectly from a world of outdoor beauty. pastor and friend. True sympathy was the golden commodity this rural-minded minister had in his Something happened to the people when their possession to dispense to those who sought his church was made beautiful. It had been the fellowship. In their joys or sorrows he loved custom to hold all social activities, such as plays, them. During one year a couple, deprived of a dinners, festivals and sales in the sanctuary. This fourteen-year-old boy who had been killed by a one room was the only place for such gatherings. truck, received many messages from Pastor Peter- The pastor and the lady of the parsonage were son, and interviewed with him to help them recon- glad to find many in .the church who had a feeling struct life anew. that the sanctuary ought to be preserved for wor- There was much to be done to make the old ship services. church attractive. The shabby walls of the sanc- Any record of the doings in this parish during tuary did not at all assist in creating a worshipful attitude. The plaster had been falling from the the past ten years would be incomplete without ceiling and it was evident that the new pastor mention of the help that has been given to the stood in danger literally of being bombarded out pastor by his wife and daughter. During an illof his pUlpit unless something was done about it. ness of her husband she was constant in her visits Estimates for installing a metal ceiling were se- in homes and at the meetings of the women and as a teacher in the Sunday school. The "parish in cured and it was thought that the proposed cost automobile" owned by and maintained by the pas- was within reach of the people. The Ladies' Aid tor and constant use for parish work is driven Society assumed the responsibility of decorating by the lady of the parsonage. The daughter has the walls and revarnishing pews and woodwork, been a leader in the young people's movements in recovering the cushions and putting up new the county.
shades. The women used the scaffolding erected On September 29, 1930, Pastor Peterson felt by the workmen who put on the metal ceiling. impressed to pray as follows: "Dear Lord, I ask The president of the Ladies' Aid Society designed Thee for a building in connection with the church.
[308 ]
COOPERATION IN A RURAL COMMUNITY
equal to the need for such a building to take care telephone freely to send out messages. He has of the social life of this community for which this memorized hundreds of Bible verses which he church is responsible in Thy sight!" The pastor finds are a help at every turn in his work. Four claimed the promise of our Lord as recorded in years ago he expressed his Christian faith in the Mark 11: 24, "Therefore I say unto you, what following: things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall receive them." o Jesus Christ, my precious Lord, By the following spring the people were ready O'er all the earth be Thou adored. to build. The old sheds were taken down and a For Thy great love, so full and free, fine social hall erected at a cost of about $2,400. Is sweeter far than life to me.
All community gatherings of a helpful nature This verse was printed in a county weekly newsmay be held in this commodious building, but the paper and the next week a poem of three verses character of all gatherings is determined by the was accepted for publication. The editor asked church. Among the activities made possible are the pastor to furnish more of these Christian monthly community birthday socials. Those who poems and as a result they have appeared every have had or will have birthdays during any cur- week during the four years. At present eight rent month, sit at a special table. This draws other country newspapers print his poems. This people who are not connected with the church. service, "unto Him," has widened immeasurably his ministry and some of his verses have been set It has been the practice of the pastor to use the to music.
Cooperation in a Rural Community By the REV. EDWARD D. HAMNER, Oakwood, Texas Pastor of Blackfoot, Montalba, Oakwood, Slocum and Tennessee Colony Rural Christian Churches SMALL town boosters like to advertise the is not merely a theory, but a supreme necessity multiplicity of their institutions. Some think for rural America. it an honor to have many churches. Yet in most small towns and country communities, the The average rural community, capable of supfewer the churches the better for the community, porting one church with a vital Christian profor few rural communities are so populous that gram, is keeping up a skeleton existence for two one church would not be far better than two or or more churches, none of which are doing much more competing churches. A vast majority of except through a "weakly" Sunday school and rural churches are in communities where there part-time preaching. The cooperation between are other churches and few are without competi- these churches will depend in part upon their re- spective polities. Little is possible between tion. churches when each insists that it has the only An efficient rural church must operate with two true doctrine "once and for all delivered unto the saints." Between churches with broader views factors in its favor: a limited area, and adequate but loyal to Christ and recognizing their own numbers. The limited area is necessary because limitations and imperfections, a large measure of of the many who, at least under present condi- cooperation and ultimate unity is possible. The tions, have no way to go long distances to the nature of cooperation will depend upon why we church services. The factor of adequate numbers cooperate. is necessary in order that efficiency may be maintained and the program supported. Doctrines differ as to the form of baptism, the use of ritual and instrumental music, the rules of With a divided church – that is, where two or membership and form of government. Many and more denominations attempt to minister in the varied are our differences of faith and practice, same area, the result will be either limited num- yet, fundamentally, bers, when the constituency is divided among the competing groups; or, if sufficient numbers are Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, maintained, the area will have to be so widened Our comforts and our cares. that inefficiency results. And so, Christian unity
It is because of "the tie that binds our hearts in pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not Christian love" that we seek "the fellowship of destroyed. " kindred minds." We cooperate because of common aims, and hopes, and despite those things Though it is because of a careless habit that we which divide. Some have assumed that coopera- often omit the third verse of many hymns, we tion is impossible between people who believe dif- ought to omit the third verse of "Onward Chrisferently; others have shown that even those with tian Soldiers" until the harmony of our efforts extremely different views of the Bible and of some makes it possible for us to sing honestly Christian doctrines may have happy and profitable fellowship. People with different tastes eat We are not divided; at the same table, those with varying ideas of All one body we, style buy from the same shops, and members of the same family like different types of cars – so One in hope and doctrine, there is no need for us to despair because of dif- One in charity. fering ideas and tastes as to worship, organization, and doctrines. Christians may love each What Unity Is Possible? other, and work and have fellowship together despite these differences. If all of life were cut to With this spirit and this goal, what cooperation the same pattern it would be drab indeed. Is not is possible, and what unity is desirable between this true of Christianity? churches in a rural community?
Not merely because of common interests and Some steps must be taken before others are loyalty do we cooperate; but because our ultimate possible. Efforts to unite the churches of a comaim is not mere cooperation, but unity. Our co- munity when no cooperative spirit has been deoperation is the first step toward a closer rela- veloped would be worse than useless. There tionship. It is to our shame that the Church must be simple beginnings-forward steps-first of Christ is so divided. The Apostle Paul wrote: achievements, before real unity is possible. "Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love." But we have made In communities where summer finds many peoarticles of faith so great that they have divided ple away on vacations and evening services slump, us, and have even caused some professed followers churches have found it advantageous to hold union of Christ to hate each other, and to contend one Sunday night services. In one village of less than with another, instead of loving each other. Why 1,000 population the pastors of the six -churches cannot faith, hope, and love operate together? (think of it!) worked out a plan whereby each A vigorous and healthy Christian love need not pastor preached two Sunday nights during the diminish faith. three summer months, each preacher in the pulpit of another church than his own. Attendance was Our Lord prayed ". . . that they all may be better than the combined attendance would have one . . . that the world may believe. . . ." If been if each church had held its own services, and our ultimate aim is to bring about the unity for there was the added advantage of fellowship towhich He prayed; our cooperation should be such gether, and the inspiration of numbers. Union as will contribute to this end. fifth Sunday night meetings, and the exchange of pulpits, have similar values. The rural church is less able to survive denominational competition than the urban church be- Union revival meetings prove helpful if propcause of the two factors-distances and numbers. erly conducted. Especially where money is scarce Moreover, competition is destructive; it breeds a home-force meeting, with the pastors of the coan ugly spirit among neighbors, and like scattered operating churches alternating in the pulpit, has fire it accomplishes far less than united effort. proved satisfactory. . When an outside preacher is brought in, he must be very carefully selected, Cooperation ought not to be the pseudo-friendly as an evidence of even slight sectarian bias will gestures of hostile groups, sparring for advan- react adversely. A charitable spirit shown by all tage, but should be marked by honest efforts to parties is essential to the success of such ventures. come closer together, and to accomplish together For example, in one village union meetings were what we cannot do, or cannot do well, apart. Nor abandoned after a near conflict between two local should we become discouraged if plans go awry, preachers when one of them insisted, perhaps in if others show a less cooperative spirit than we fun, in calling the other's church by a disliked desire, or if plans occasionally back-fire. In the nickname. A spirit of love is essential in Chriswar against the world, the flesh, and the devil, the tian coope_ration. church of Christ may lose some battles, but it is not defeated. "Weare pressed on every side, yet The churches of rural communities often coopnot straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; erate in "singings" and in taking a religious census. In one community three churches are working together on the "Lord's Acre" plan of finance. Each church has a committee of three members to operate for that church, and the three committees together form a community committee
to create wider interest in the plan. This com- churches represented have separate organizations munity, needing a community hall for social gath- which work as circles, and alternate in presenting erings, banquets, boys' and girls' work, and clubs, united programs. Each group supports its own hopes that its Lord's Acre projects will provide denominational work.
such a building. Nearly one hundred years ago, pioneers from Among the most practical Christian work which Tennessee settled in a rural area of Texas and can be done by the churches of a rural community built a school and church building. There have are cooperative efforts to rid the community of been organizations here from time to time of at liquor, campaigns against vice or corrupt govern- least five different denominations, but always the ment, and community-wide go-to-church cam- people have cooperated at least to the extent of paigns. Rural churches may also unite in local having a common church building. At present charity work, the doing of which is, after all, as there is a union church building, with union Sun- much a cardinal Christian virtue as a govern- day school, union young people's society, and fed- mental responsibility. erated woman's missionary society, but with two Benefits of Cooperation church organizations, each maintaining its own part-time pastor. The church property is main- Such cooperation as we have suggested will de- tained by a joint fund consisting of five per cent velop a spirit which will in time make possible of the income of each of the two churches. An- even closer relationship. Opposition to coopera- other union church cares for its building main- tive efforts will often come from people who are strongly sectarian and when actual union takes place there is almost sure to be some disagree- ment. Wisdom, tact, careful planning, and above all the spirit of Christian love under all circum- stances are needed to produce harmony. Opposi- tion should not be ruthlessly brushed aside, or disdainfully ignored, but should be melted with the warmth of Christian love. We "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us."
Union Sunday schools can be maintained in many rural communities. In one community, the union Sunday school died when a narrow-minded minister set out to oust all teachers not of his A CROWDED COMMUNITY CH UR CH , ANDERSON particular sect. After several years another min- CITY, TEXAS ister of the same denomination, but with broader tenance through the treasury of the union Sunday sympathies, made progress by preaching Chris- school; and with special calls for funds for intian unity and inviting people of the other surance, paint, and other additional expenses. churches in the area to share in the teaching work. An agreement may be reached not to argue The ultimate goal of every rural community over points of doctrine on which the churches should be to have one church, adequately serving differ. all the community. Community churches of vari- ous types are proving a success. When any unity Young people, not having sectarian loyalities of seems possible, that type should be chosen which long standing, work well together. The union seems most appropriate for the particular comyoung people's society, whether strictly nonsec- munity such as the federated church, the denomtarian or a denominational society for aU the inational community church, or the nondenominayoung people of the community, has been a pioneer tional community church. Whatever the form of in Christian cooperation and unity. In one com- unity, the success of such united groups will demunity the older young people have a Christian pend much upon the wisdom and the Christian Endeavor Society in one church, while the young- spirit of its leadership. er ones have a B. Y. P. U. in another church. A fine spirit was evinced in the omission of a pro- Christianity is like a wheel. Christ is the hub; gram in the quarterly which the other churches the denominations are the spokes. The closer we did not accept. Another union young people's so- are to Christ, the closer we are to one another, and ciety uses the literature of one denomination for people who have the spirit of Christ can work tosix months, then changes to that of another for gether in harmony, even though many of their an equal period. ideas differ.
A federated woman's missionary society has "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for been organized in one rural community. The two brethren to dwell together in unity."
Ministry of the Rural
By JOHN C. KILLIAN, D.D., Philadelphia -.~ Secretary, Colporter Department, American Baptist Publication Society D URING the last twenty years stupendous filled with Bibles, books, and tracts. The story changes have come to rural life. Millions of Christ was shared with those he met by the of people have moved to the city; thou- roadside, and those he visited in the homes. The sands of farms have been abandoned. The farm Bible was a strong force in recognizing God on enterprise has become dependent upon world the frontier. Many strong Sunday schools and markets which in turn has introduced a new churches today date back to that early visit of the struggle in economic security for rural dwellers. colporter. Following this the Chapel Car was In areas which the colporter-missionary serves, launched, with a church and parsonage combined.
the problems have become greatly intensified. Thus the missionary and his wife were able to There is an austere poverty among many rural reach the people more effectively in the new and people, and because of the long years of independ- growing towns along the railroads.
ence this sturdy stock has greater hesitancy to ap- Horse and wagon were needed to extend the ply for welfare relief even when that is available. services to groups settling in areas far from the Year after year of crop failure and dust storms railroads. With the passing years this equipment have dimmed their hopes and left upon their faces has changed, to Chapel Autos and now to the the seared scars of dreams for better days. They latest model of automobiles, where the mission- have been driven backward in the vain attempt to ary can speed across the barriers of desert and mask a keen sense of inferiority. The barrier of sagebrush to some home or outstation seventy or isolation has been widened between them and the perhaps a hundred and fifty miles away from his people of the distant town with whom they base. This modern car can often be seen parked mingled previously. In these sections, off the by a small cabin, or perhaps in the midst of a beaten highway, one can see the old cars which cluster of homes squatted irregularly upon the have been jacked up and unused for three and dusty sands, or in front of a schoolhouse. The four years, waiting in hope that the next crop will latest venture in equipment is a modern all-steel enable them to secure the needed license. In one trailer.
section I saw seventeen cars owned by farmers, Today colporter work is varied, though it re- but fifteen of them had been upon blocks for sev- tains some of the earlier methods. The great need eral years. now is to give support and encouragement to The change in the rural church is pathetically those organizations and to develop native leader- parallel. The inability of a small, decreasing ship through preaching and Christian education.
rural group to maintain the church as formerly During the years of financial depression, nine- has meant, in many instances, a lower standard of teen churches in areas of need in one state alone leadership or closing the church altogether. The would have been closed, but for the work of these great vast area of western prairie and desert, as colporters. Because of the new comity policy of well as rural sections in some eastern states turn some larger denominations many of these to the mission boards for help. To our shame be churches now serve the entire community and the it said, that when this group of Americans need missionary ministers to all groups. In drought- encouragement, our response is so inadequate. stricken areas where more than two-thirds of the Yet, those who have ministered in these fields have church members are on relief, and they were un- labored heroically and have reaped a hundred fold able to keep a pastor the worker has been a great harvest. blessing. .
In the early days of colportage a hundred years In another field the missionary worked in the ago,* the missionary traveled about on foot carry- areas surrounding the town. Outstations were ing his handbags suspended around the neck, formed and members were lined up with the town church, which could not have kept their own pas- t or WI't ht the al'd f th ese newly 'Interested • The work of the Colporter-Missionary Department of the eAm1HeZr2- groups. OU ican Baptist publication Society was started in 1840. (Sinc 0 this work has been done In cooperation with the American Baptist Home Mission Society.) [312 ] THESE AMERICAN CHILDREN HAVEl NEVER BEEN REACHED BY CHURCH OR SUNDAY SCHOOL In one fine community strong factions had de- ing had dawned when the last of the revelers veloped, weakening the church almost to the point drove away noisily; then a strange stillness preof death. The last group holding the fort were vailed. A few hours later I met with a group of unable to support a pastor and the others were about fifty people who had gathered for worship. quite unwilling to cooperate. The State Secretary Repeatedly they expressed their gratitude for the offered to send a colporter-missionary acceptable missionary that had come to them, for now they to all when they agreed. The result reads like had new courage and felt that they would be able a miracle. Disaffected groups gradually returned, to contend against the forces of evil and to rear and in less than one year the fine church was their children in the fear of God. again self-supporting and reaching out into needy areas. The blessing of a live church is that it Picture another town nestling on the edge of a transforms the community. One of the business drab desert waste of sagebrush and cactus. But men of a town where the missionary served, the town is not drab. It is a blooming oasis. Here writes: the missionary's wife was a great lover of flowers. Her first attack against the unloveliness of the You have made {)ur community a better place in which town was made on an old dump heap on the corner to live, you have helped to make our neighbors and, in near the parsonage. A transformation followed fact, our customers, better people with whom to deal. and it became a veritable old English garden with tall delphinium, fox glove and Canterbury bells. In another town the Superintendent of Schools Then the town began to change. A new day has states: come to the church which has grown steadily in strength and membership. The story is well told I have observed a marked transition ·from the early in aletter: Western-town ideas of drinking, gambling, and unc{)uth society toward intellectual refinement and Christian ideals, How grateful we are to have had your colporter and and an outlawry of the former evils. his wife here these years! Their home and the church are the center of all that is worth while in the village and Recently I stopped on Saturday night in a for many miles around. Each summer when I have rewestern town on the edge of the desert where a turned to the valley and noted the steady change for the new man had been sent to reopen the church. better in people's personal appearance, and in their poor That night the town was all astir. Ranchers had little door-yards, I have been astounded. come miles to attend the opening of another saloon. The town was literally ablaze with gam- These phases of the colporter work give a bling dens and saloons, twenty of which could he glimpse of the well-rounded and effective procounted from the hotel window. Sabbath morn- gram. While the form of missionary service may
have changed through the years, and while the men to any religious approach made his work alservices needed now in a community more often most impossible. His efforts met with continued pertain more to the reviving and reorganization failure to win the men. One day he chanced to of Sunday schools and churches, the work of the enter the cookhouse, and noticed that the cook was colporter-missionary still remains a distinct effort very angry, and stormed out that his assistant had to reach the isolated and to carry the message of deserted. If the men did not have their hot-cakes Jesus Christ into the home through house-to-house they would be angry. The missionary said, "Give visitation. Isolation and poverty have built bar- me a start, plenty of batter, and two griddles, and riers to fellowship with other Christians. It is a I will help you out." When the men heard that great joy to ride over the dreary wastes and then the "Sky Pilot" was going to cook the breakfast, come unexpectedly upon a new cabin home and they chuckled, but they ate until it hurt. He kept discover that some folks are disciples of the Great them supplied and won the hearts of those men Galilean. so that the workwas made easy.
One worker tells of a place where a few homes Another worker, in ministering to the suffering, were clustered among the hills of Wyoming. In changed the front seat of his car so that it could the stillness of the evening he heard the sound of be turned back and made into an ambulance. He an organ, and a voice singing the old familiar writes: "I have carried the sick one hundred miles hymn, "Nearer My God to Thee." He discovered to a hospital, and have taken the dead to a a woman of about seventy years of age, seated at morgue. I have laid back the top, placing the an old organ. Over fifty years ago she had moved casket across the body of the car, and driven A MODE,RN ALL-STEEL TRAILER THAT CARRIES THE GOSHIDL TO OUT-OF-THE-WAY PLACES from Ohio to the far west and for years had driven many, many miles to the cemetery. In these days an old lumber wagon more than ten miles each of drought, depression, and grasshoppers, I have Sunday to play the organ for the Sunday school been able to serve in this way."
in the little log schoolhouse. During the last three In the rural sections the missionary comes to years the services in the schoolhouse had been dis- the people as the voice from the world outside.
continued, except when a visiting preacher passed One writes, "I called at a ranch where the people through, but this woman had kept up the Bible had lived for twenty-six years, but I was the first school. preacher who had ever entered their home. In To become identified with the people one must another ranch, they told me that I was the first truly become "all things to all men." One worker preacher who had called there, and they had lived found it helpful to study osteopathy and medicine, . on this large ranch for 16 years. They appre- so that he might relieve physical suffering. The ciated the visit so much that after dinner all the wide territory which he covered was without a men were called together and a service was held."
physician, and the people were generally too poor All the homes are neither along the back roads to go the long distance for medical aid. It was a nor cabins among the hills. Many ranches have joy to stop at some home where a severe headache dwellings that are models in every way. From had been working its ravages. upon an individual, one of the prosperous families a gift came to, the and with a slight adjustment, bring instant relief. worker with these words: "When we were poor He would often trek over the mountains to isolated and beginning life in the West, you were our cabins in the lone hours of the night when the call friend; now we are able, and we want to remem- came for help. ber your work."
One missionary who was sent to work in a log- In these days the missionaries are redoubling ging camp found that the cold indifference of the their efforts to identify themselves with the young
IMPORTANCE OF PIONEER SUNDAY SCHOOLS
people, great numbers of whom are in these rural stars they talked for another hour of the real areas. Many have missed the opportunity for verities of life, and there they yielded their hearts education. Others have gone off to a denomina- to Christ and resolved to follow His way. tional college for perhaps a year, and have been compelled to leave, with their dreams uncom- In one of my trips west, I visited a settlement pleted. Again, many have graduated from col- of Russian people, and attended a service with the lege, but have found no opportunity for work, and colporter, who mentioned the fact that during the have been compelled to return to the ranch home. last two years he had baptized twenty-one young To these young people, with their ideals in jeop- people. At the close of the service he asked those ardy, the colporter-missionary and his wife are a who had been baptized to come forward and stabilizing influence. twenty young people responded. A splendid group with great potentiality! In one of their homes, in One young missionary and his wife tell of a the absence of the mother, a child of twelve previsit to a home where there were three young peo- pared a most tempting meal for us, one that would ple who had great hopes. After they had dis- have been a credit to an experienced housewife. cussed things of common interest, the afternoon had worn away into evening, and the missionaries As objects on the western prairie are clearly started to leave. The young people followed them silhouetted against the sky, so the colporter-misand stood by the car, as though reluctant to sionary in his life of "ministering" seems to stand part with this voice which had awakened again a out in clear relief as a follower of Jesus Christ. great longing in their hearts. Under the prairie Like a golden thread running through all their work is their passion for the souls of men.
Importance of Pioneer Sunday Schools By JOHN M. SOMERNDIKE, New York Secretary for Sunday School Missions, Board of National Missions, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
THE Sunday school has been characterized as their children should learn religion. More than they crave "the most flexible, adaptable and far-reach- the Gospel for themselves, they believe in it for their little ing institution ever designed for the conver- ones. It is frequently possible to enlist rough men who sion of the world." As an evangelizing agency its know no Scripture and profess no religion in the support effectiveness has been abundantly demonstrated of an active school for the children on Sunday, because of in the results achieved during the past fifty years the universal belief of all serious men in the necessity of by Sunday school missionaries. They have religious training for the young. adapted the Sunday school to the spiritual needs of unchurched rural communities and neighbor- One hundred and forty thousand children in hoods in a manner that has made it one of the nearly three thousand rural unchurched commumost potent factors in establishing Christian nities and villages are receiving Bible instruction standards of community and family life in new and training in Sunday schools which have been rural localities. They have also made the Sunday planted and fostered by Sunday school missionschool the pioneer of the church, and in hundreds aries. In almost every case, they represent the of places have blazed the way for the organized only Christian organization in the community, in church and the settled pastor. localities where churches cannot be maintained. They provide the means of character-training for A few years ago, the ·late Dr. Warren H. Wil- boys and girls who know no Christian minister son, whose leadership in matters pertaining to and who never have an opportunity to attend a rural church work was recognized by all evan- church service. But the great need is only pargelical denominations, paid this tribute to the ef- tially being met. More than four million children fectiveness of the rural Sunday school: of school age living in scattered villages and ham- lets on the western plains, who are receiving their The beginning of the reconstruction of a country place education in the "little red schoolhouse," are yet is often the founding of a Sunday school. The limitations unreached by any Christian teaching. Two and of Sunday school work are well known, and you will find one-half millions of Negro boys and girls living these limitations if you do Sunday school work; but it is on plantations or in sawmill and turpentine camps well to go ahead to the limit before you try another and children of the sharecroppers, poor and negmethod. Country people are religious. They ',believe that
lected, are similarly underprivileged so far as operation. Many community Sunday schools that spiritual advantages are concerned. In the "hol- are organized will never develop into churches, lows" of the southern mountains and in rude but the results of their work in shaping the lives cabins hidden away in the fastnesses of the "Great and characters of boys and girls after the pattern Smokies" tens of thousands of boys and girls are of Christ and preparing them for Christian citigrowing into manhood and womanhood without zenship more than justify the comparatively small any opportunity to come into an appreciation of expenditure of the missionary funds of the Church life at its best through the teaching of the Word for the support of this work. Out of these comof God and the principles of Christian living, munity Sunday schools have come young men and which is their rightful heritage. women who have dedicated their lives to service in the pastorate, in mission fields, and in other While the Christian forces of America are not forms of Christian activity both in our own and wholly to blame for these conditions, neither can in other lands. they disclaim the responsibility for their correction in an age that recognizes the importance and After three days of visiting homesteaders who significance of Christian child nurture. Science, were pioneering a new country in northern New education, and law are busily at work in formu- Mexico, the Sunday school missionary conducted lating ideals and programs, in creating public the first religious service ever held in that region. sentiment, and in promoting legislation for the Nearly one hundred people crowded into the little purpose of developing the children of this gen- log schoolhouse. The cold north wind whistled eration socially, morally, and physically. Shall through the cracks as the building had not been the Christian agencies of our nation be less zeal- "chinked"; neither was there a floor in it. About ous or less progressive than they in providing for half of the congregation sat on the ground as there the soul-culture of that portion of the nation's were not enough benches for all. There was not children who are denied their full heritage of an organized church within a hundred miles. He Christian knowledge and life through no fault of preached the first sermon that had ever been their own? preached in all of that country, At the close of the meeting, the group voted to organize a Sunday Recently a Sunday school missionary, report- schooL The work prospered, and the entire coming the development of a community Sunday munity cooperated in carrying forward its proschool in a pioneer settlement in Wyoming, wrote: gram. Several months later, responding to an in- vitation to conduct an all-day preaching service Someone wrote me recently and asked if this type of in this community, the Sunday school missionary pioneering work was as important now or as necessary as found himself at the close of the morning service it was in the earlier days of the settlement of the western surrounded by an earnest group of leaders in the plains. I answered by telling him the story of. our com- community pleading for the organization of a munity Sunday school at Poison Creek. These people are church. Within a few months they had the joy all homesteaders and most of the men work on the North- of being called together for the formal organizawestern Railroad in the summer but have no winter work. tion of their congregation and for the dedication They have from fifty to sixty in attendance every Sunday. of a little white frame church building which had Some of the children from eleven to thirteen years old had been erected through funds procured from indinever been inside of a Sunday school. The parents had viduals interested in developing this type of no Bibles and were ashamed to have me know it and we pioneer mISSIons. Arrangements were made to ordered ten to be used in the school. The men take part conduct regular preaching services in addition to and are as interested as the women. The women said in the Sunday school. Soon a minister was placed the beginning: "This will not bea school just for women in charge, and a comfortable manse erected beside and children, and if the men don't come there will be no the little frame church. The need of high school Sunday schooL" So the men do their part in teaching, training for the young people having developed, singing, and planning. Very soon I am going to have a the Sunday school missionary's advice was again communicants' class and I believe over half of the group will join our church . . . they wanta real training class a sought and through his influence with the county before they join, and I am glad to be able to give it to them. I am hoping in a year or so to organize a church educational authorities high school teacher was at this place. It will be the only one within seventy-five appointed. The little log school did not provide or one hundred miles and will give the pupils in my other sufficient facilities for high school work and under community schools a church to join. the leadership of the Sunday school missionary the community set to work to build a high school, Poison Creek Sunday School hauling the logs one by one from a distance of ten miles back in the mountains. The story of Poison Creek Sunday school illustrates the conditions of spiritual need that pre- "When I think of this community," writes the vail in thousands of communities and neighbor- Sunday school missionary, "I think of a dream hoods throughout our land and can be remedied realized; of a prayer answered; and a happy most economically and successfully through this type of pioneer missionary service. Its catholicity in not requiring any subscription to a denominational creed or form of government wins local co-
community of Christian people working and wor- work in the Southern states in planning for the shipping together for the building of the Kingdom organization of all our fields on a similar basis. of God." Parishes have already been established in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Creole work The planting of a Sunday school is only the be- has progressed with remarkable success under this ginning upon which a community consciousness missionary parish policy. In the southern mounof the necessity of maintaining and developing tains there are the Leslie County Parish and the Pikeville Parish in Kentucky, the newly estab- GOING TO SUNDAY SCHOOL THROUGH A SNOWSTORM lished parish organization in Rhea County, Ten- IN THE DEiSERT nessee, and the Hughes River Parish in West Vir- ginia. The parish program includes the following: This is one of the difficulties met by missionaries in min- istering to scattered populations Organization of Parish Council. Sunday school held regularly throughout the year. Christian influences is to be built up. It has al- Vacation Bible School. ways been the policy of Sunday school missions to Week Day Bible Instruction in cooperation with public put forth every possible effort to assure the growth of new Sunday schools and to integrate schools. them into the life of their respective communities. Young people's work and other age-group organizations. The churches that have grown from this work and Leadership training. the three thousand community Sunday schools Adult education. that are permanent organizations under the fos- Promotion of family religion. tering care of Sunday school missionaries bear Evangelistic services. impressive witness to the achievement of this pur- Parish institutes and rallies. pose. This effort toward permanency has found Financial cultivation for local support and benevolences. expression in the policy recently inaugurated of combining the community Sunday schools within Enlisting the Women given areas into missionary parishes. Under the leadership and supervision of the Sunday school One of the most significant developments of remissionary an intensive program of religious edu- cent years is the promotion of a movement to cation and evangelism is carried on. Even though enlist Christian young women who are teaching there is no church organization in the area, all the rural public schools in giving Bible instruction to elements that enter into an educational service for their pupils. No elaborate machinery or prothe Christian teaching and training of children cedure has been set up and no salaried officials or and youth, including adult education, are capable offices have been created for the purpose of superof successful adaptation. Practically all of pio- vising it. Growing out of our knowledge of the neer Sunday school missionary work in New Mex- fact that the children in thousands of "little red ico and Arizona is now organized according to schoolhouses" throughout the United States are this plan. In New Mexico the work is represented being taught by young women, many of whom in ten missionary parishes, comprising nearly one have received training in Christian families and hundred community Sunday schools. During the past year two new parish groups were organized A PRAIRIE CHURCH — THE RESULT OF SUNDAY in Arizona and one in Colorado. In each of these SCHOOL WORK parishes, one or more groups have been organized into congregations. Too weak to provide any sub- This church is forty-five miles from the railroad. The pastor stantiallocal support for a pastor, they are served lives fifty miles away. The nearest other church is 4·0' miles by Sunday school missionaries in the same manner as the communities which have a formal churches, it was proposed that wherever pracchurch organization. ticable, and as an expression of their own desire to render a service to Christ, they designate one A forward step has been taken in the Negro hour each week after school sessions during the school term for Bible instruction. To guide them in this work a series of six books under the title
of "Manual of Week-Day Bible Lessons" was pre- of two hundred thousand such children, taught by pared, containing material for Bible instruction more than nine thousand school teachers who used for children through the six years of their ele- these Bible lessons last year, to receive the knowlmentary school attendance. A book for pupil's edge thus imparted to them, in connection with handwork on each lesson for each of the "Man- their public school training? uals" is provided for their use. The Vacation Bible School likewise has been The response of rural school teachers and of adapted to the rural communities of our land as a county and state superintendents of education means of supplementing the instruction provided throughout the United States has encouraged be- by the community Sunday school. 'Upwards of lief in the possibilities of this movement. More two thousand communities were blessed by such than four millions of children are enrolled in rural schools last summer. More than one hundred and district public schools. Many of .these children thirty thousand children were enrolled in them. live in neighborhoods where there is not even a Sunday school. They do not, and many could not, Still there is need for the extension of Sunday attend the Sunday school in the nearest town, be- schools, supplemented by the Vacation Bible cause the I'nearest town" too often is from ten to School and by week-day Bible instruction in all fifty miles distant. Unimproved roads and lack parts of rural America. It is a great and pressing of suitable conveyance makes traveling difficult. need. The Church as well as the nation marches Can we fully realize what it has meant to upwards forward on the feet of the children and youth. They can and must be won for Christ.
The Church in the Heart -_.~.g~f~~B~Y~M~BRy~SM~.~RRS~.U~RT~UH~TCH~.~CM~.U~ML~ULL~'L~,A~AS~shh~llaan~dn~,dK~'a~nKs~aas~n_sa~s~I~JIie~- ~==========================~'
T HIRTY years ago it was a common thing, father said that if I wanted to we would postpone especially in Western Kansas farming dis- starting home until after church on Sunday morn- tricts, for a community to organize a Sunday ing. I've always had my books but I think I school to meet in the neighborhood schoolhouse. missed the music most of all." Some intelligent, Christian woman, usually with a family of children, who had some ability in Sunday school and preaching services in rural drawing together the neighborhood, would start schoolhouses are practically a thing of our pioneer the Sunday school. Occasionally a minister from past. Automobiles have made distance such an a neighboring town would come and preach after unimportant matter that those who can manage the Sunday school. drive into the town churches. But distance is still a problem to our people who live in the ranching A comparatively small number of rural districts and to our wheat farmers who, in passchurches were built in western Kansas outside of ing through the depression and drouth in the the towns. It has been said that Kansas people, "dust bowl" find gasoline money a real item. with their Puritan heritage, do not have the church habit that might have been expected. My husband and I live on a western cattle ranch where our nearest neighbor is four and one- When my grandmother came to a western cattle half miles away, with four gates in between. ranch, comprising some thirty-five sections, the They who refer to the west with its "wide open nearest neighbor was fifteen miles away and was spaces" have never taken into account the barbed reached only over a rough prairie country in a wire gates that a good cow man builds. For the buckboard or on horseback. Once when, as a first year, on Sunday mornings, I prepared breakchild, I was complaining because I couldn't go to fast for from two to five cowboys, attended to my Sunday school, she remarked: house work, drove twenty-two miles to Sunday school and church and returned home in time. to "My dear, you will have to learn to have Sun- prepare a late Sunday dinner for my men. It was day school in your heart. When your grandfather necessary for me to go alone to church for cattle and I first came to Kansas it was almost two years feeding and ranch work go on without considerabefore I was inside of a church. Grandfather and tion of Sunday. I soon felt that in the hurry I I drove to Dodge City, fifty-two miles, in a buck- was losing a measure of serenity. So like my board to buy lumber for a new barn. I felt grandmother I turned to church in my heart. 'home' again after a long absence when grand- II Effective 'Ways of Working 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home s. EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I============================~I~ Building Your Program for Include among your program to-Use pamphlets are provided the Coming Year specifications these pointers, il- for the adult books, while an As stated last month the De- lustrated by such "effective ways abundance of concrete plans and partment Editor finds it impos- of working" as have been con- devices are included in the books sible in the nature of things to tributed lately to this Depart- for young children, which acobtain "Tested Methods" bear- ment: counts for the slightly higher ing on the new themes to include in her copy sent for publication 1. No appetite tickling condi- prices of the latter. A leaflet on ments, no blurbs of coloring, no "Mission Study – Aim sand previous to the appearance of mere entertaining features will Ideals," by Mrs. Charles P. the study books and their pres- build or maintain vitality for Wiles, says: entation at summer conferences; earnest missionary endeavor. One of the striking features of secand as her stated function is not ular education is the way in which to provide raw material but While variety and attractiveness education is being adapted to national in catering greatly increase the needs. Personal hygiene, domestic tried-and-proved-good blueprints effectiveness and are, therefore, science, industrial and agricultural desirable corollaries to solid sub- education and many other civic needs and specifications for its use, ject matter, it is fatal to major are being studied systematically inspecific helps for the home mis- on these or to make them para- stead of being left to the uncertain mount in importance. Using the and spasmodic influence of home and sion topic must be delayed until community. Short courses, part-time the September issue, while those current study books as adapted by qualified educators to the age work, etc., all indicate what the State on the foreign may appear on interests insures this worthful- is willing to do for the sake of effi- riess of subject matter, although ciency. These are a challenge to the schedule in October. You are Church to cultivate her own special invited to send in your own other themes may be substituted. fieId with equal diligence. . . . The plans for handling "Rural Amer- The advantages of falling into reason why many Christians are lukeica" and "The Moslem World," step with other Christian work- warm on the subject of missions is as well as any other subjects you ers simultaneously considering that they have never visualized the may desire to substitute. the same things, and also of world and its stupendous needs. . . . Regardless of the specific For the great work confronting us, availing oneself of leaflet and theme, c e r t a i n fundamentals mag a z i n e literature supple- every Christian needs convictions clear should be adhered to by the pro- mental to the current topics is and deep. Convictions such as these cannot be secured by an occasional gram builder. And while care- not to be disregarded. THE RE- missionary sermon or address or even ful adaptation to the age inter- VIEW and various denomina- a missionary m.eeting once a month. tional missionary pUblications ests of the various groups is im- keep these united study themes Secular education treats no subject perative, is there so much differ- that it takes seriously in this manner. ence between the gray matter, … "Every member of the Church of Christ a student of present-day needs the motivations and the reac- a,nd opportunities" sh01l,ld be our camtions of men and women that sex in the spotlight each year. In paign motto. corrals are necessary? If so, ensuing issues of this Depart- It is not always possible to semissions must be considered as ment fresh plans from outstand- cure formal study on the part of a thing apart in general educa- ing workers will be presented a group. Mrs. Katherine Brention and even in modern busi- for aiding pastors, Sun day ner says in Woman's Home Misness life, where the sex like the school leaders and directors of sions that at one meeting the color line is in process of era- other church groups in their task leader gave out questions on a sure. Of course there are cer- of "making the whole church chapter in the study book at the tain differences of function in missionary minded." beginning, telling the member- field activities that must persist 2. Handling worthful ma- ship to listen closely and they because of dyed in the wool hu- terial in sequential study rather would hear the answers before man physiology; but in local than disconnected programs they were through. The church mission study and endeavor and makes all the difference between bulletin announced that another in the authorship of plans, shall ephemeral and permanent ef- meeting would have a Mail we line up as "boys" and "girls," fect. This is not so difficult as Order Program. At the meet- "men" and "women" when a it seems. New recruits in this ing an improvised post office union of forces would make for endeavor may not know that contained a postmaster who re- greater efficiency? practical supplementary How- ceived from a uniformed mail [319 ] (not male) man a bag of letters National Motion Picture Service, Personal Growth Material included as and post cards, the former con- 723 Seventh Ave., New York, can a constituent in each of the above entaining parts of the chapter furnish a limited range of travel deavors. Every member receiving a under consideration addressed pictures free from rental fee. book is asked to outline for herself a to members who would share Various denominational m iss ion plan for growth by choosing from the them with the membership, the boards have also prepared good given list such things as she is willing postmaster himself adding a films on the current studies and to undertake for her development, touch of humor by stopping his other topics. Send for catalogues keeping tab on her work by marking distribution to read some of the and price lists. points on a "Check Your Progress" postals aloud. Other mail con- schedule. Among the possible choices sisted of copies of Woman's A great variety of visual and in building a plan of life are (1) Sug- Home Missions con t a i n i n g dramatic material is listed in gested Means, such as observance of marked passages, some of which every denominational catalogue. the daily quiet hour, reading books on were to be read at the meeting Next month we shall present religious thought and experience, and the rest taken home for con- this topic in further detail, also serious study of sections of Scripture, sideration. Mrs. Brenner says: deal with act i vat ion sand membership in a prayer group, mem- personalizations of missionary orizing Scripture passages, hymns and The leader had all mail listed and themes. devotional poetry, participation in a called for letters and various items in prayer retreat, etc.; (2) Reading for order. The enigmas and shorter clip- A Plan for Personal and pings were read first so that those Personal Growth, the books listed inreceiving letters had a chance to read Kingdom Growth cluding "Victorious Living," "Ways them over. Clippings were pasted on of Praying," "The Meaning of postcards, also enigmas, answers to In the "teaching mission" Prayer," "The Upper Room," "Pracwhich were to be read. Some of the which inaugurates the three- tising the Presence," "Skyward," mail was left unaddressed till the year campaign leading up to the "Paul's Secret of Power," "Disciplemeeting so that everyone received celebration of the Seventieth An- ship," "Challenge and Power," "The something. A parcel post boy brought niversary of the Woman's For- Transforming Friendship"; A Checka large package by special delivery, eign Mission Society of the ing List of Observed Results, such as which contained doughnuts, sugar and Methodist Episcopal Church, the increase of peace, joy, patience a package of coffee addressed to mem- mentioned last month, an initial with problems, absence of personal bers of the entertainment committee. plan is the issue of a personal resentment, willingness to do hard Special music also came to the ones notebook entitled "My Record," things without recognition, love of who were to sing. We hope that many with a seven-pointed star as a fellow men regardless of color, realnew subscribers will be added as a companion. These are to be ization of answered prayer, consciousresult of the meeting. (It should be placed in the hands of as many ness of God's presence, eagerness to stated that Woman's Home Missions women as possible, both within share His riches, commitment to His features the current study topics.) the organization and among the leadership in missionary endeavor at unenlisted in the church at large. Visualizations, and dramatiza- From the keynote of the Cross home and abroad. tions, if kept in subservience to on the front cover, the book elabthe subject matter, are not mere orates its contents as "Personal Means suggested for Membership trimmings and appetizers but Growth Material," calling upon Education (a choice to be made as adaptations to normal human the world-wide membership of before) include planning and presentneeds. Pastors and mission the Society to unite in a climb to ing a missionary program, reading study leaders who have not yet higher levels of personal reli- the mission study textbook for the learned the superior values of gious living, of understanding current year, regular reading of the moving pictures in presenting and intelligent service, and of in- missionary magazine and of current their messages, are missing a formed and effective leadership. international news, promotion for great opportunity. For the bene- participation in a forum on world fit of those who are not regular The objectives under each one are trends, reading from the membership readers of THE REVIEW, we will outlined as (1) Personal Growth education list of at least one item repeat addresses given once be- through prayer circles, use of spe- each on world peace and alcohol edufore. "Movies" in either 16mm. cific growth material, significant wor- cation, cooperation in the promotion or 33mm. sized films may be ob- ship services, devotional reading and of missionary education in the local tained from: meditation, retreats: (2) Education church. of Members through study of the Beacon Films, Inc., 25 West 45th St., "giving projects"; study of "Valorous "Leadership Development" suggests New York. Ventures"; reading of the mission- ary magazine, group study, etc.: as means: Reading and study of a Holbrook-Smith Production, 33 West (3) Development of Leaders through specific list of materials (which fol- 60th St., New York. ' enrollment in the leadership training lows as. a citation of outstanding courses, in which shall be enrolled books) and of training courses; at- Pilgrim Press, 14 Beacon St., Boston. every junior and young people's lea<!er tendance upon district and branch Division of Visual Aids, Presbyterian in 1937-38, plus at least one from each meetings; coaching conferences, re- woman's society auxiliary; enroll- treats and schools of missions; study Board of Christian Education, ment in Board of Education courses of psychology, public speaking, social Witherspoon Building, Philadel- for those having completed the W. F. trends and world affairs as opportu- phia, Pa. M. S. courses; emphasis on reading nity offers; attendance upon insti- Y. M. C. A. Motion Picture Bureau, for leadership development; attend- tutes for peace and alcohol education; 347 ;Madison Ave., New York, or ance upon training centers inclusive cooperative leadership in local church 19 South La Salle St. (Room 10), of coaching conferences, retreats, dis- Chicago. trict and branch meetings. affairs. The Religious Motion Picture Founda- Following each of the foregoing tion, 140 Nassau St., New York. Following these objectives is the The Japanese Tourist Bureau, 551 lists is a schedule for checking con- Fifth Ave., New York, and The scientiously the person's observed progress, as in the case of the first section on "Personal Growth"-and, a heart-searching list it is! "I am will- ing to follow as well as lead"; "I will accept minor responsibility as gladly as conspicuous leadership"; "I can work harmoniously with others"; "I have surrendered myself, my time, my talents, my means to the work of the Kingdom, subject to the guidance of God"; "I have become a tither";
EFFECTIVE W Ay,s OF WORKING
"I do not drink nor serve alcoholic by "Taro" and "Ume" – two orange and a little red crayola, beverages and I support efforts children dressled in kimonos- adding a suggestion of a foreagainst the liquor traffic"; "I have ground. We prayed for the chilbecome. thoroughly interested in mis- who invited us to a tea where we dren who worship idols because sionary work" -these and other met their mother. She let us go they do not know the true God queries, considered prayerfully in out to her garden and pick iris one's quiet hours, can hardly fail to (some I had made). Then we unless we send missionaries to be used of God in stirring up the learned how to make small paper teach them, and Taro and Ume Christian conscience and bringing out lanterns from the colored bor- taught us to sing "Jesus Loves one's increased endeavor. ders of wall paper, and these we Me" in Japanese just as they sing it in mission schools. The star contains on one side the strung all across the front of the seven points of emphasis for the three room. As we had no sand table we years, and on the other a suggestion worked out a Japanese scene in for membership development. One of We next decided to take a jin- a box standing on its side with the points on the star indicates the at- rickisha and climb Fujiyama, a the front open – grass, cherry tempt being made to tie up all the larger poster of which hung on and evergreen trees, pool, curvunits of work on the field – the or- the wall. Two broomsticks, run ganizations of women closely linked under one of the kindergarten ing bridge, iris" wistaria, sacred with the local auxiliaries in all of chairs simulated the jinrikisha, mountain, houses and people. their endeavors. We dressed the ladies in more of which was manipulated by two the flowered wall paper and Are not there points in this plan of the boys. Only one child could worth "borrowing"? go at once, but the children were made raincoats and hats for the good about taking turns, and we coolies out of fringed tan paper. Missions in Terms of the Child's World learned much about the sacred The jinrikisha was made out of mountain. heavy black paper. Then Taro By ANNYE ALLISON, and Ume taught us some of the Richmond, Vi.rginia Next day we again visited favorite flowers, and trees of Taro and Ume, going by a dif- Japan and explained flower ar- When my primary children, ferent path which led across one from six to nine years of age, of the curved bridges that are rangement. We covered oatwere going to study Japan I meal boxes with marbled wall planned the course in the form StO common in Japan – three of paper and arranged some of the of a trip, collecting pictures, the chairs placed side by side flowers in them. making posters, paper flowers, and their seats covered with models of houses, fans, lanterns, paper. Here we learned how to We made posters of Japanese etc., before the class began. make small folded fans with children under blooming cherry On the first day they were told more wall paper border. These trees and boys sailing kites. to go into an adjoining room and we decided to wear in our hair. Then we drew lanterns on 9×12 buy their tickets, then take their inch cream drawing paper, made seats, in the train for Se'attle, the The day following Taro and three-panel folding screens with seats being their own small Ume told us about the festival chairs arranged car-wise. One of kites and of dolls, showing us frames of heavy black paper and of the boys wearing a cap and a Japanese doll and a fish kite masks of Japanese men and armed with a conductor's punch women. We cut teapots, sugar came out and handled the tickets made to look like a carp–a'spe- -long strips of pink paper. cies having brave qualities which bowls and cream pitchers out of Japanese fathers want their flowered paper and mounted On arriving in Seattle we sons to possess. The children changed to the steamer, Empress them on black so as to have tea of Japan, so the chairs had to be drew pictures of both, then Taro sets to take home. Some of our rearranged as on a deck and and Ume served them with missionary money was sent to a newspapers spread over the chil- sweetened rice custard and worker in our own denomination dren's knees in lieu of rugs. taught them the way Japanese Soon the band, composed of chil- children bow – a pretty little and the rest to a Japanese leper dren, came out on the deck and exercise set to rhyme. mission. Some of the handwork began to playa collection of toy was taken home, soOme sent to instrumentsl I had made, and the We came upon a small Shinto schools and Sunday schools maklittle folks greatly enjoyed this shrine next day, covered with ing a study of Japan, and some "music." little lumps which looked like kept by our own school to use on Chairs placed alongside of rough cement but which Taro missionary occasions. tables gave the effect of upper and Ume explained were the and lower berths, with the news- prayers of Shinto worshipers The foregoing outline of a papers as covers. The trip was who had chewed up the papers surprislingly short and very soon on which they were written and Japanese study for young chilwe arrived in Japan. While the dren may well serve as a pattern children went out for a short re- tried to shoot them into a small of universal application, subject cess, some of the posters" pic- hole in the shrine – successful tures and artificial flowers were prayers being those which en- to such adaptations as any intelarranged to give a Japanese at- tered the mark. Many fell short. ligent leader will be able to mosphere. We were welcomed Then the children cut both make. The visualizations, acti- shrines and temples or pagodas vations and personalizations in from black paper and mounted its elements are so fundamental them against sunset skies drawn in a child's world that they apply on cream paper with yellow, equally well to a study of "Rural America" and "The Moslem World." The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK, ~L~I~~==~~~~~==~~~~=~ emphasis will be upon the South- ern Mountain situation, one phase of the rural problem. Mr. Edwin E. White has written a book which describes vividly the situation which has developed in the Appalachian Mountains since 1930. Mr. White is also pre- paring the leaders' helps for this book.
Another special emphasis in the rural situation will be the Migrant labor problem. A book is being prepared on this sub- ject for the use of study groups; paper, 35 cents. Many will wish to use this in connection with the study, "Rebuilding Rural America."
"FROM WHENCE COMETH MY HELP" – Barbara Green Schools for Rural Leaders The above picture has just been awarded an international medal For fellowship and educa- and Is on exhibit in the Art Ga lleries in Antwerp. Belgium. tional opportunities sum mer schools for rural leaders are to Thy Good Gifts Nation-Wide Study of Rural be held at agricultural colleges; America, 1937-1938 and theological seminaries. "Our Father in Heaven, Lord While great emphasis has been of Field and Forest, Hill and Throughout the country in placed on the importance of Stream, we thank Thee for the 1937-1938 mis~·;ion study groups rural pastors attending these manifestation of Thy power in will be concentrating on the schools the courses which are all growing things. Fruitful Church in rural America. Dr. offered in many instances would soil, quickening sunlight, favor- Mark A. Dawber, outstanding be very· helpful to the pastors' able rains are Thy good gifts to authority on the rural situation, wives and other women who are us. As Thou hast made us to is the author of the study book leaders in the rural community. have dominion over all the work for adults, "Rebuilding Rural of Thy hands, help us, by Thy America"; cloth, $1.00; paper, The cost of attending the spirit, to enter into our heritage, 60 cents. The supplementary schools ranges from $15.00 to esteeming it a high calling to be course which has been prepared $25.00 for the two weeks' ses- Thy husbandmen. Help us to for use in connection with the sion. Certain of the Home Misbe mindful of Thy partnership study of "Rebuilding Rural sion Boards offer a limited numin all the cultivation of our America" has been prepared by ber of scholarships to country gardens and the care of our Dr. Benson Y. Landis, secretary pastors and it is suggested that flocks and herds. And when the of the American Country Life any interested in attending these ground hath brought forth plen- Association. This course is en- schools inquire of their Mission tifully and earth hath yielded titled "The Church and Amer- Boards about the possibility of her increase may we know that ican Rural Life"; paper, 25 attending these sessions: Thou hast given us our daily cents. bread, and give Thee thanks." Wisconsin Rural Leadership Summer In Young People's groups the School, University Qf Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, June 28- [322 ] July 9.
Auburn Summer School of Theology and Religious Education, Auburn
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
Theological Seminary, Auburn, must be attained on the commu- as in sixty-three rural schools, three N. Y., June 28-July 15. nity level. If it fails there it institutions and two parochial schools." fails everywhere. That means Virginia Summer School for Rural that in the community we must From NEW YORK: Ministers, Virginia Polytechnic recognize neither East nor West, Institute, Blacksburg, Va., July North nor South, White nor One of the outstanding pieces of 12-21. Negro, city. nor country, owner civic education for women in New nor tenant. There must be York State is the Legislative Forum. The Ministers' Short Course in Com- rather that equality of opportu- It was started in New York State by munity Leadership, South Dakota nity for which de m 0 c r a c y a woman who had come from Wis- State College, Brookings, S. D., stands." consin where she was interested in a July 12-23. similar organization. This Forum is The reports of the activities of made up of a group of women-repre- Pastor's Summer School, Hollister, the rural women were evidence sentatives of women's organizations Mo., August 3-13. of this "idealism, sympathy and of the State. They met weekI" dur- spiritual insight." ing the session of the Legislature. Rural Leadership School, Purdue Uni- The Governor of the State gives them versity, Lafayette, Ind., June 21- From ILLINOIS: the use of the Assembly Parlor in the July 2. State Capitol for their meetings. Any Rural homemakers in Illinois have group or organization of women in- Seminar on "The Church and Agricul- set some minimum requirements for terested in varied legislation may be- ture," Garrett Biblical Institute, health toward which we are working. long, such as the State Federation of Evanston, Ill., June 14-July 16. . . . Clinics for tuberculosis, for tra- Women's Clubs, the Parent-Teacher choma and for crippled children; hos- Associations, the League of Women The Pastors' Institute, Divinity pitals for rural people for acute med- Voters, the New York State Federa- School, University of Chicago, ical cases; medical attention for the tion of Home Bureaus, and many Chicago Theological Seminary, expectant mother and her baby; for others. Disciples Divinity House, July immunization for smallpox, diphthe- 26-August 1. ria, and for typhoid and scarlet fever Each member of the Forum is at reasonable expense; for a safe appointed to one of five groups, com- The Rural Church Institute, Duke water supply and in this connection parable with Committees in the Legis- University, Durham, N. C., June have had a rural school water survey. lature, Finance, Judiciary, Welfare, 14-25. Weare one hundred per cent free Public Service and Internal Affairs. from tuberculosis among our cattle. North Dakota Summer School for We have been working to destroy flies At weekly meetings, bills introduced Ministers, Jamestown, N. D., July and insects, and to improve the sani- in the Legislature during the past 12-17. tary conditions of toilets in rural week are turned over to the commit- schools and churches which are so tee appointed to consider that par- Summer Institute for Rural Religious often neglected. We can get these ticular subject. The following week Leaders, Washington State Col- things through the cooperation of the committees report unon the bills lege, Pullman, Washington, June groups of women interested in health, assigned to them. No action is taken 28-July 9. and we are getting much help from on any bill. It is purely educational. our Extension Service. . . . In one Each week a report of the meeting is New England Rural Church Workers' year 3,934 individuals reported im- sent out to persons desiring it at a Conference, Ocean Park, Me., proved health habits, 1,334 reported small cost. In this way the informa- June 28-July 2. improved posture, 1,222 adopted im- tion is sent out to every County Home proved health practices and immuniza- Bureau in the State. and used as a Institute of Public Affairs, University tion, while 1,053 homes adopted bet- means of increasing the interest of of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., ter nursing procedure. rural women in legislation and mak- July 4-17. ing them conscious of their civic re- From DELAWARE: sponsibility. Cornell Summer School for Town and Country Ministers, Cornell Uni- It was not until 1927 that county From OHIO: versity, Ithaca, N. Y., July 18-30. lii:Jrary service was given to the rural people of our county. Then, a woman In Ohio alone there are more tha'1 Women in Rural America in Wilmington, Delaware, much inter- 21,000 Grange community meetings, ested in rural boys and girls, felt that in which importance of the Bible and Life on the farm and in rural they should have the same opportunity religious ideals have constant emcommunities is richer today be- that city children had been having, phasis. Without question this incause women in the country had appropriated a certain amount of fluence alone touches thousands of vision and perseverance. In a money, and with that the county li- homes that would not come in contact recent conference of over 300 brary was started. For two years it with direct influence of the church. rural homemakers fro m 24 was carried on entirely through dem- Other community groups are recogstates there was evidence of this. onstrations. After that time, enough nizing the need of religious influence public opinion was aroused so that a and inspiration. A combined and sub- Realizing that "The home is bill was brought up and passed in our stantial program, coupled with indibasic as a factor in family and Legislature appropriating a certain vidual interest and initiative, should national security" the rural amount of money which is handled do more to improve the religious sithomemaker is a very vital per- through the Levy Court of our county uation in our rural Americ:on homes. son in the rural situation. In and thus our county library is addressing these women Dr. Ed- financed. We started off with one From NEW HAM?SHIRE: mund de S. Brunner said, "the librarian but library service has community is but the extension grown by leaps and bounds. Last In most of our rural communities of your home and as such of year's report showed a circulation of we do not have enough money to supyour housekeeping. It needs 194,769 books in such places as wom- port a pastor or church activities. If your attention. It needs the en's clubs, Grange halls, churches, we could increase our religious interidealism, sympathy and spiritual private homes, country stores, as well ests, if we could unite the various facinsight of women if social sta- tions in a community, and have fewer bility is to be maintained as a churches to support, then we could basis for social progress. And get the money. . . . Our boys and this is important for if real de- girls cannot carryon the ideals of a mocracy is to be achieved and Christian nation unless we give them made manifest in our nation it the background of Christian training.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper. of Current Events ~~~=-=-=-=-=-=-=E=D=I=TE=D==BY==M=R=S=.=H=EN==R=IE=T=T=A=H=.==F=ER=G=U=S=ON==,=X=E=N=IA=,=O=H=I=O=========-===-=-~~ NORTH AMERICA ships of life than to the vertical Churches and the Slums relationships; who are more Church in a Suitcase conversant with the world than The Fed era I Council of they are with the Church. Churches is appealing to church When Rev. Dudley S. McNeil, members "to support all sound young Elgin, Ill., Episcopal Thirty-eight District Commit- and effective measures for slum clergyman, went to his field in tees have been organized to push clearance and the re-housing of southwestern W yom i n g, he a three-fold program which will low-income wage-earners." found there were but three require several years to carry churches of his denomination in out. It is believed that two- As for the part the churches an area of 40,0{)0 square miles. thirds of the church members may take in a national movement As he saw it, it was not a prob- never do church work unless it for better housing, the Federal lem of how to get the people to is organized for them, and that Council Bulletin says: church, but how to get the the highly organized present-day church to the ranchers, oil dig- world is drawing many people The churches may not have the gers and miners scattered over away from the church. technical competence to determine the the countryside, or living in methods by which the appalling houshamlets which had no churches. An Investment that Paid ing conditions in our cities can best Accordingly he built an altar be overcome, but there is something that could be carried in a suit- In 1914, windows in South basic which they can do. They can case, a complete church, he calls Philadelphia's Baptist Commu- shake the public out of its callous it, in collapsible form. Mr. Mc- nity House were repeatedly complacency. They can awaken the Neil plans to cover his territory broken by stones and at times imagination to see the wreckage of by automobile. the missionaries were greeted life and personality that present con- with similar objects. Now, the ditions mean. They can arouse a We read, also, of a new trailer district police captain affirms, moral demand that ways of redresscathedral, which will go to the there is less crime there than ing this great social wrong can be people of the diocese of southern elsewhere in his "beat." A mis- found. The greatest need is for a Ohio, instead of waiting for sion worker writes: new conscience on the subject; that them to come to it, planned by conscience the churches by concerted Bishop Hobson of Cincinnati. "Sons and daughters of par- action can supply. It is to be called "St. Paul's ents who could neither read nor Wayside Cathedral," and will write have worked their way Moody Colportage Work enable the Bishop to minister di- through college. In these 23 rectly to all the parishes and years, 2,500 students have at- The Moody Centenary calls atmissions of the diocese with a tended our evening schools; tention to the fact that the Bible program of greater service. In many are now nurses, teachers, Institute Colportage Association addition to an altar, it will con- dentists, druggists and doctors; of Chicago, which the evangelist tain a library and motion pic- four are ministers of the Gospel. founded in 1894 for the publicature outfit. Again, 23 years ago there was tion and dissemination of Chris- so little responsibility assumed tian lit.erature, has had a larger "Unite the Youth" by the few attendants at the output than in any year of its church that 27 cents for current history. The Association's pub- Lutherans are rallying for a expenses and missions was the lications in this and foreign "Unite the Youth Endeavor." total offering taken at the first countries the past year totaled Its purpose is to bring present- Sunday morning service. Now 6,376,259 copies of evangelical day Christian youth face to face there are many tithers. Ten books: booklets, Gospels, Testawith the challenging task of the young people have become either ments, Pocket Treasuries and Church, and to lead them to missionaries or ministers of the salvation tracts. Much of this adopt in word and deed a Chris- gospel. Eight are on the field was sent free to prisons, hospitian philosophy of life. It and two are soon to enter mis- tals, CCC camps, mountain and reaches out especially for those sion work." pioneer schools, fire stations, young people who are on the lodging houses, lumber camps, fringes of the congregations, From this small beginning state institutions, and the peoand who are giving more atten- has grown an Italian Baptist ples of Alaska, Phi lip pin e tion to the horizontal relation- Church, with a Sunday school Islands, India, Mexico, Central of 400 members. -Missions. and South America, Spain and Africa, as well as those in [324 ] French Louisiana, and the flood and drought-stricken areas. Child Marriage in U. S. A. "Moving Pictures Today-Admission of building. As long as we are under One Fish." a roof we judge we are fulfilling the India, in raising the marriage- law of religious assembly. The little able age limit from 14 for girls Bethel's inhabitants, 20 whites and town of Quiche springs into life every and 18 for boys seems to be ap- 200 Eskimos, by this sign knew civ- Saturday morning as the market place proaching the level of the United ilization had reached the Kuskokwim begins to fill with Indian men, women States where newspapers tell of River country. and children bringing in the cattle, a Tennessee bride of nine years wares, vegetables, fruits, etc., to sell. and one of twelve in New York. The admission charge of one fish This led us to tackle the unevangelized The editor of Missions finds, as- leaves it optional with the Eskimo Indian masses that never darken the tonishingly enough, that the movie patrons whether they pay one doors of our institutions. marriage laws of nine states- dried salmon or one dried whitefish. Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Mary- We started innocently enough in a land, Mississippi, New Jersey, -New York Times. back storeroom to keep within the Rhode Island, Tennessee and law, but this storeroom housed the Washington – specify no mini- LATIN AMERICA supplies and the agricultural tools of mum age for either girl or boy. the owner. Fearing that the Indians In the 39 states which specify a The Velorio Deserted might stealthily relieve the owner of minimum age, it varies from 14 these necessities, we moved under the to 18 for girls and from 15 to 20 A velorio is an all-night vigil eaves to still comply with the law and for boys. in honor of a saint who has an- held forth the Word of God with zest. swered a prayer. While one was This type of services has now spread Mormons Lay New Plans being held in Placetas, Cuba, a to adjoining- villages, with heartening cottage prayer meeting was During the first week in April, under way next door, separated results. -Guatemala News. 12,000 delegates to the 108th an- only by a thin partition, full of nual conference of the Mormon holes. The saint's devotees in- A Rural Need in Colombia Church met in Salt Lake City, spected the prayer m e e tin g with one of tne most ambitious through the holes, deserted the "Twenty Thousand R u r a I programs ever undertaken. This velorio, and joined the prayer Schools Needed," "Three Hunincluded $1,350,000 in educa- meeting. Ten became candidates dred Teachers Suspended in tional projects (50 per cent in- for admission to the Presby- State of Antioquia," "Two Huncrease over 1936), purchase of terian Church, and the hostess dred Fed era 1 Scholarships a site in Los Angeles for a $350,- of the velorio offered her home Granted in Normals" : these 000 temple, another at Idaho for another prayer meeting. headlines in Colombia dailies Falls, Idaho, for a $250,000 mirror the changing educational temple, erection of a score or In another district, the inten- scene, and the articles that folmore chapels in the United sity of fervor at such prayer low give details of a country- States and abroad, and intensifi- meetings sent the hitherto un- wide interest in the struggle cation of their worldwide mis- rivaled priest to court with a de- against ignorance and disease. sionary work. The Mormon mand that these meetings cease. It is shown that 10,000 schools hierarchy, to obtain funds, en- "This is not Spain," the court re- are trying to do the work of forces the old-time tithing sys- minded him, and refused to in- 30,000. Many agencies are contem, collects from each member, terfere. Two hundred were in nected with these schools in their in addition, for the relief emer- attendance at each service, effort to raise existing standgency, the cost of two meals per seated on chairs lent by the mov- ards : Protestant missions, the month. ing picture house and two of the Catholic Church, state and fed- social clubs. eral government and individuals. The church borrows no money and mortgages none of its vast This is all part of a general Dr. Herrera, former presiproperties, which include sugar- evangelistic campaign under- dent, began the present educabeet and other factories, mines, taken by the Presbytery of Ha- tional advance, which is taking hotels, newspapers, buildings vana in the months of January, mighty strides despite great oband mercantile establishments. February and March. Each stacles, and mission schools are community was divided into dis- taking an important part in the The Movie in Alaska tricts; church members were as- awakening. They have done signed to visit the families of much to stimulate an interest in Here is an illustration of the each district, giving out tracts education, and to form charspread of picture show influence, and holding prayer meetings. acter in the process. so often a handicap to the mis- Many meetings resulted in cansionary's work. didates for church membership. -Colombian Clippings.
An Eskimo boy paraded the mile- -Monday Morning. Homes for Lepers' Children long two-plank sidewalk of Bethel, Alaska's "Main Street" recently, ring- The Indians of Guatemala A Brazilian woman, wife of ing a cowbell and turning himself Prof. Anderson Weaver, Methproudly so all could read the legend Open-air preaching is forbid- odist missionary to Brazil, is emblazoned on his sandwich boards, den by Guatemala law; religious leading a movement in her coun- services must be held in "tem- try to establish in every state a pIes.'" Rev. William Oughton of "refuge home" ~or the healthy Quiche writes: children of leprous parents, where they may be cared for, Where no Evangelical church build- trained and educated, and grow ing exists we must resort to any kind
up free from ,all taint of lepros~. founded charges of Communism their parish either drift into in- She has already raised large have given rise to terrorism, difference or are absorbed by the sums and homes have been built floggings and even murders, Roman Catholic mass in which in seven of Brazil's 22 states. leading to the removal of mis- they are embedded.
One home has been named in her guided officials. -World DominionPress. -World Dominion Press. honor. Mrs. Weaver, "Dona Eunice," has invitations from EUROPE Bible Distribution in Italy the governments. of ten other states to come and help them Communists' Catechism Circulation of the Bible is not with similar campaigns. easy in Italy; there are power- Dawn is authority for the ful forces to block the way. Re- If her husband were a Bra- statement that there are more cently a decree was issued that zilian he would probably not than 124 communist Sunday copies must bear on the title permit his wife to travel about schools in Great Britain in page the word "Protestant." It and conduct money-raising cam- which the communist faith is was charged that evangelicals paigns. But Prof. Weaver, who taught. Their catechism in- were duping Catholics by cir- cludes such questions as: culating the Bible without tellis superintendent of the People's ing them it was the Protestant Central Institute in Rio de Ja- "What is God?" "God is a word Bible. neiro, knows that this philan- used to designate an imaginary being thropic work is helping to put which people of themesleves have Difficult as the problem was, Protes;tantism on before the peo- devised." the evangelicals did not feel that ple in Brazil in a favorable light. they could print the word "Prot- "Who is Jesus Christ?" "Jesus – World Outlook. Christ is the son of a Jewish girl estant" on the Bible. It is not Protestant Progress in Brazil called Mary." exclusively a Protestant Book. "Is he the Son of God?" "There is It existed before the word "Prot- The latest biennial report of estant" was coined. Things the Evangelical Federation of no God, therefore there can be no were at' a deadlock; and the Brazil marks a definite advance God's Son." Vatican rejoiced at what it reof the churches. Spiritual life garded the success of its astute has been vitalized, literature for "Is Christianity desirable?" "Chris- move. the work of the churches in- tianity is not advantageous to us, but creased, and the training of Sun- harmful, it makes us spiritual crip- The evangelicals continued day school and other workers ples. By its teachings of bliss after quietly in prayer. The decree greatly improved. The Evan- death it deceives the people. Chrisgelical churches in Brazil show tianitv is the greatest obstacle to the could not be revoked without loss a development greater than that progress of mankind, therefore it is of prestige, but those responsible in any other Latin American the duty of every citizen to help wipe were made to see their position country, having a Christian com- out Christianity." was untenable; that it revealed munity of nearly 2,000,000. This an ignorance of history. Evenrecent effort to promote fellow- Church Union in France tually, a way was found for those ship and unity of effort is who had made the decree to fraught with brightest promise. Union of the Reformed modify it without sacrifice of Churches of France will prob- dignity. Would the evangelicals, The churches have a sense of ably be realized during 1937. while letting the words "Bibbia responsibility for the Indian The synods of the v a rio u s Sacra"-"Holy Bible"-stand on tribes in the forest. A union ex- churches are meeting earlier the title page, put clearly underperiment to reach the Cayua In- than usual to set forward the neath the title the name and dians is shared by three denom- proceedings. The Ref 0 r m e d style of the translator? That inations. The Baptist Church has Evangelical Churches prepared they readily agreed to do, and, been forward in this pioneer for the act of union by an appeal to the priests' chagrin, a comwork and for some time has last year for 3,000,000 francs to promise was effected. It is felt maintained a work among one set their finances on a firm basis. that what was intended as a or two tribes as part of its na- Despite hard times they received crippling hindrance has become tional missions' scheme. A 2,800,000 francs. Union will a furtherance. couple of years ago a mission strengthen the churches to face a difficult situation. The sub- -Beyond Alpine Snows. urbs of Paris increase their pop- ulation enormously, but Prot- estant pastors who are trying in working among the Indians pub- many cases to care for 100,000 News Out of Russia lished a paper in Portuguese to to 250,000 persons are hopelessly stir interest in the forest In- overworked. More pastors and Things are going on in Russia dians. It was very well received, evangelists are needed to turn-a which one does not get in the secured subscribers in practi- work of conservation into a cam- daily news. The Quarterly Jour- cally every state of Brazil, and paign of conquest. nal of the United Christian Lit- in 1936 reached a self-support- One of the most difficult tasks erature Society gives a few ing basis. of the French Protestant Church facts of significance.
Communism is rigorously sup- is the care of scattered members. During 1936 Moscow used 86 pressed by the government, but To an alarming extent, individ- different languages on its subin certain rural districts un- uals and groups who move from sidized printing presses. In
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
editions of vary'ing size, it pro- slow death from e con 0 m i c among Moslems in Khartum and duced some 10,000 publications, strangulation. Omdurman is regarded as in- and of these 37,000,000 copies It is reported that the Polish tolerable. There is a general went out. In "tracts" and Government plans the "evacua- opinion current that the Azhar brochures, the total for 1936 tion" of all the 3,150,000 Jews should send a mission to preach came to five thousand millions; in Poland, thereby confronting Islam in the Sudan, and it is refor boys and girls the books is- other nations with a migration ported that the Sudan Governsued totalled thirty-two millions. problem of unprecedented mag- ment would raise no objection. Furthermore, the cinema has nitude. The Society for the Defense of had its special bureau, of which the Moslem Religion is arrang- no figures are available. AFRICA ing public meetings to discuss However, there is actually The New Egypt the preparation of a mission.
talk of religious revival. Though -World Dominion Press.
there is persecution, priests re- Egypt's "New Deal" began on Tripoli Mission Closed main, living like hunted pariahs. August 26, 1936, when a treaty Some, having escaped the massacre in which many thousands was signed in London bringing The work of the North Africa of their brethren fell, furtively to Egypt a new framework Mission in Tripoli City has been celebrate religious rites in the within which her leaders pur- suppressed by Italian authoriconcentration camps, where they pose to work out Egypt's future •ties. This work had been mainendure the horrors of forced destiny as a free country. There tained for a half century as a labor; others wander in beg- can be no doubt that the treaty medical and evangelistic center, gary from place to place, keep- is popular. Plans are on foot to and has been a means of healing ing alive as they go the villagers' better the living conditions of and spiritual blessing to thoufaith; others minister to crowd- the people. It is proposed to ed congregations in the few choose certain villages in differ- sands of Jews and Arabs. churches still allowed to func- ent parts of the country as model tion. Blatant atheism is not so villages, to be improved in every At about the same time, the blatant; the circulation of its Vicar Apostolate, Msgr. Facchief organ has fallen from way and made fit habitations. 37,000 to 14,000; not only the Changes in the educational set- chinetti, consecrated a new old folks, but the young, includ- up are in prospect, and it is church to St. Francis de Assisi, ing young soldiers, are daring hoped that the rights of women in the center of Tripoli City. to attend religious services and may be recognized in a wider sing the old hymns – as only plan of education. Already Near by is a small monastery Russians can-where once stood for the Franciscan missionaries. beautiful churches. there have been proposed laws With this addition, the Catholic in parliament for the regulation It seems clear that when the of women's dress in public, and churches and chapels in the Vigreat revival comes, a new cariate Apostolic of Tripoli now church must emerge; no longer a law for the prohibition of ala caste, indifferent to the peo- coholic and intoxicating. bev- total forty. Thus, from the ple's need and chained to a erages. Italian possessions in Africa, dynasty. What part religion may take evangelical witness is being sys- Jewish Crisis in Five Countries tematically excluded.
Anti-Semitism, raised by Hit- -Alliance Weekly. ler in Germany to the status of a political religion, is rapidly in the new era is a question that Roman Catholic Propaganda spreading throughout Eastern cannot be answered. One looks Europe, and is approaching the in vain for political leadership in the Congo high water mark in Poland, the anywhere in the world today The Southern Presbyterian which is actuated by religious Board reports that their success in the Congo Beige have aroused motives in making decisions. the Catholics, who say that neither men nor money will be -Women's Missionary Magazine. spared in wresting these gains Demonstration Against from the Protestants. They are Missions making no idle boast, for every steamer from Europe is crowded country with the biggest Jewish Excitable El Azhar Univer- with priests and nuns, and the population outside the United sity students are responsible for Belgian Government is spending States, and the highest percent- a violent demonstration against millions in erecting schools, ca- age of Jews in proportion to its missionary work in the Sudan. thedrals, convents and hospitals total population, except for Pal- The Arabic press has espoused for these invading hosts. Last estine. Of the world's entire the cause with zeal. Al Misri, January, out of a total white Jewish population, 30 per cent Al Ahram and Al Mussawar population in Congo of 18,683, are facing the choice of repeat- publish long articles attacking the priests numbered 2,320- ing the Exodus on a bigger scale the Sudan administration for whereas all Protestant workers than that chronicled in the Bible, favoring the Christianization of of all nationalities numbered and somehow crashing through pagan tribes, and making educa- only 734. Whereas the Roman- immigration bars, or of dying a tional grants to missions. Work ists are increasing by scores and
hundreds, the Protestants are hymns. In Mt. Silinda, Rev. and INDIA AND BURMA actually decreasing. Apparently Mrs. John S. Marsh report tak- Another Open Door they have, as they claim, un- ing two Christian A f ric a n limited financial resources. women to a conference under an- Rev. Chandra Das of Benares other mission where 3,000 other cites instances to show that for Their line of attack is through native Christian women lived the Christian message Benares the schools, increased to include three days in conference on reli- offers a fair field. every tiny hamlet. They charge gious matters. They had planno tuition, provide equipment "Benares is famous for palmfree, and are using every legiti- ned and carried through the en- istry and astrology. Not far mate and illegitimate form of tire affair without the help of from our book room is the office propaganda against Protestant- missionaries. of one of these pseudo-scientists, ism. -Presbyterian Survey. in charge of a modern-minded -Overseas News.
Achievement in Central Africa In Tanganyika Outposts young man who has traveled in the West. One morning he A plan to establish a line of A worker for the Church Mis- called me into his house and conmission stations from Mombasa sionary Society in Tanganyika fessed to me a sense of painful to Lake Chad has been completed pays tribute to the work of Af- need. He asked me a direct after forty-two years' work. rican teachers in isolated out- question – 'What has C h r i s t The Africa Inland Mission, in. stations. "Their patience and done for you?' I spent over an association with two other so- love in carrying out their round hour with him and left a copy cieties in French Equatorial of duties week by week, and of St. John's Gospel. Since then Africa, has the chief honor of year by year, could only be main- he has come to our library many the achievement. Missionary in- tained in the power of God." times and bought a Hindi Bible. fluence now permeates some She continues: "A Moslem religious teacher 4,000,000 native peoples. The It always thrills me when I am one day discussed with me the Christian meanings of the Son Society has 230 missionaries asked to interview and examine for of God, perfection of Christ's laboring on 53 s tat ion s in baptism women and girls brought in character, etc., in a very humble Kenya, Tanganyika, West Nile, from the outstations. I hear them read God's Word, and answer ques- and teachable spirit. I was im- Uganda, Bel g ian Congo and tions on the life of our Lord that in French Equatorial Africa. would daunt some of the children at pressed by the absence of ego- home, and I realize that they have tism and argumentative spirit Church schools have been opened learned entirely from the Bible and common in Moslem inquirers. in 1,500 centers and are served from their fellow-Africans. by 2,000 evangelist – teachers. "A Tamil-speaking youth of -C. M. S. Outlook. Madras used his holiday leave in During 1936, 20,000 catechu- mens were under instruction and WESTERN ASIA going about to shrines and holy 6,900 were baptized. In order places in search of peace. 'What to consolidate the churches and Novel Attack on Illiteracy could Christ do for me?' he to plan for developments, the Society has sent its deputation sec- Of Turkey's 40,000 villages, asked. I had an opportunity for retary to confer with the mis- days together of explaining to sionaries. of which many hardly deserve that name, 32,000 have neither him the peace that Christ gives. -World Dominion Press. school nor teacher. It is cal- The case was unique in that young men are rarely troubled Singing African Christians culated that with the help of existing institutions it would re- about spiritual peace. I try to One dark night a missionary quire 96 years to train the neces- follow up these inquirers. Those was traveling on the outskirts of sary teachers. But the govern- who leaye Benares are kept in a territory untouched by Christian influence, so far as he knew, ment dcided to have this done in touch through correspondence although looked upon by the ten years, and devised a plan and literature sent to them by young Chilesso church as its re- which will not only yield the post, and for many of these con- stant prayer is offered in private necessary number of teachers in that short period, but will also and in our common worship."
sponsibility. He heard Christian train a type that psychologically Cow Worship hymn tunes. Investigating he will be much nearer the rural found a young man from one of population than is the ordinary The cow-worshiping cult has the few Christian villages near town-trained man. received new impetus from that section who had carried the Since the Turkish army is the Gandhi. A statement of his Gospel message in song, and a most efficient school in the na.- that the Depressed Classes "are goodly group had caught the tion, it has now been decided worse than cows in understand~ .contagion of the music. The that non-commissioned officers ing" called forth protests on the Chilesso church which now has shall be trained as village teach- part of some of his missionary some 2,600 members maintains ers, and also shall be prepared friends. As a reply to these prooften that it was first led to al- to disseminate elementary no- tests he issued the following legiance to "The Name" through tions of farming and hygiene. statement in The Rarijan of the influence of C h r i s t ian -The Christian Century. January 9:
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
In my conversations with Dr. Mott, New Madras Christian College He must have adult material. at one stage I said, "Would you preach With proper textbooks and the the Gospel to a cow? Well, some of On January 30, Lord Erskine, method of teaching and making the Untouchables are worse than cows in understanding. I mean they Governor of Madras, opened the volunteer teachers, it should be can no more distinguish between the new buildings at Tambaram, the possible to make India literate relative merits cif Islam and Hinduism new home of Madras Christian in 25 years. and Christianity than a cow." Some 9011ege, into which the College missionary friends have taken excep- IS to move in this, its centenary, -Baptist Missionary tion to the analogy. I have no re- Review. morse about the propriety of the year. The first sod had been cut analogy. There could be no offense meant to Harijans because the cow is on January 5, 1932. Five years Anti-Leprosy Work a sacr,ed animal. I worship her as I have passed, and much of what wors~Ip my mother. Both are givers was then a dream has been real- Many new leprosy treatment ?f mIlk. And so far as understanding ized. It has cost £174,000. The centers have been opened in the IS concerned I do maintain that there Government of Madras has do- Punjab, according to the latest are, be it said to the discredit of nated the spacious site of 400' report. With the organization superior class Hindus, thousands of acres and has contributed half of 18 new clinics, the total num- Harijans who can no more understand the cost of the buildings. On ber of treatment centers rose the merits and demerits of different the same condition of pound for from 34 to 52, apart from the religions than a cow. That after a pound, it is prepared to carryon five clinics at leper homes. The long course of training Harijans can and fulfil the dream completely. number of doctors trained in have their intelligence developed in a The College grew out of the anti-leprosy work went from 127 manner a cow's cannot, is irrelevant little school opened by John An- to 178. Besides, there were four to the present discussion. derson, the first missionary of sanitary inspectors and one dis- the Church of Scotland in South trict medical officer of health. -The Indian Witness. India, who arriv-ed in Madras Systematic propaganda w 0 r k April 3, 1837. The London Mis- was widely carried out and the National Christian Council sionary Society now shares in provincial leprosy officer ex- tended his survey work to vari- The seventh biennial meeting the enterprise. of the National Christian Coun- ous districts, thus visiting 664 cil, held in Nagpur from Decem- -L. M. S. Chronicle. villages in all, with a population ber 28, 1936, till January 1 1937, considered some urgent Causes of Illiteracy of 169,879. It is stated that in issues of the present ferment. 124 villages 326 cases were de- Seven practical proposals were Dr. Frank C. Laubach enumade: merates the causes of India's tected in different stages of the appalling illiteracy. One handi- disease.-The Indian Witness. Retreats, conferences and inter-visitation should be arranged cap is that if an illiterate desires The Acid Test in Ceylon for workers; large numbers of voluntary workers should be en- to read he must learn to read in Dr. Russell Maltby tells the listed and trained; readj ustment of available forces should be a foreign language, not in the following story: A high-caste made in some areas; every effort should be made to remove language he speaks, for the clas- Bra h min was converted to illiteracy in the Church; the help of the older churches should sical written vocabularies are so Ch~istianity. On the day on still be sought for enquirers and training young members of the different from the spoken collo- WhICh he was to be baptized he Church; the secretariat of the National C h r is t ian Council quial that they are really differ- came to the table where the misshould be strengthened in order that one member may be free to ent languages. sionary was seated, and pouring further this work; cooperation on the part of all branches of the A~other reason for slow prog- out a glass of water, he offered 9hl!rch sho1;lld be developed, as It IS essentIal for undertaking ress IS that when parents are il- it to the missionary. The l amttae~r the task adequately. hardly knowing what the literate the children are likely to The statement concludes: forget all they learned. If the wanted, took a drink, and The Council would specially ask for prayer on behalf of those who are adults were taught first, the chil- handed the glass back. Wheregroping after the light, sometimes hardly knowing what they seek. dren would never forget. It has upon the Brahmin took the glass Prayer is also asked for the Church in India, called to a work so full of been found that an adult can and drank from it himself! A difficulty and dangel, that, purified and strengthened and filled with wis- learn to read in about one-fifth strict Brahmin would rather dom, it may carry out God's purpose for this land. of the time required to teach a drink poison than do a thing like -I. M. C. Quarterly. child. This important discovery that. It was a severe test for a has tremendous bearing upon Brahmin to take for Christ. India. .
Again, the language of the A Modern Muezzin in Malaya books and newspapers is not the colloquial one of the people so In the great Masjid Sultan that there is nothing they can Mosque in Singapore the Muez- read when they have first zin, who calls Moslems to prayer learned to read. Apathy must is to be aided by loudspeakers: be overcome, and finally, appro- Instead of climbing the stairway priate lesson material must be of the minaret five times a day, provided. An adult does not en- to cup his hands to his lips and joy studying children's books. utter his weird cry, he will step
to a microphone and broadcast. East generally of a conscious- of its students are now at work Singapore Moslems opposed the ness of the world mission of in the villages and rural areas innovation at first, and there are Christianity. The larger meas- of the province. Recently, the some who have not yet become ure of responsibility which has governor of Fukien Province reconciled, but the traffic noises devolved upon the Christian has appropriated almost twentyoffered too great competition to churches in the East is every- two thousand dollars, Chinese the call from the minaret. A where apparent, notably in re- currency, to cover the full cost new machine was therefore spect to the Conference of the of extension of this rural procalled to the aid of an old cus- International Mis'sionary Coun- gram. Under the leadership of tom. -Christian Advocate. cil to be held in Hangchow in Dr. Francis Chen, the Univer- the Spring of 1938. The West- sity is now finding many new CHINA ern sense of world mission is avenues of service to every part broadening into a universal of the province. A New Man ·Christian fellowship, with a conscious world vocation in the Chinese Mission Control Here is a transformation that service of Christ. followed a reading of the prodi- On April 1, the American gal's return. A villager had Soochow University Methodist Episcopal Mis s ion been a lazy, worthless dope blazed a new trail with a profiend, had spent his life mis- President Y. C. Yang, of Soo- posal that mission property be treating his family and spend- chow University, lists some placed under Chinese ownership ing their substance on opium. achievements among the insti- and control. Now the people of the village tution's graduates to show the see him going to the fields every vital part it is taking in helping The sixth quadrennial East day with a hoe, have noticed that to Christianize the intellectual Asia Conference named a board his vocabulary has radically current in China. to study the project under which changed, and that even the tone church m iss ion properties, of his voice is different. He is Many of the University's former widely scattered in China and most thoughtful of his mother. students and graduates are now serv- having an estimated value of His neighbors know he must ing their country in positions of prom- $5,000,000, would be transhave been able to do an almost inence and leadership. In the field of ferred. The proposal is the first impossible thing to break off the law and governmnt, the new Constitu- of its kind advanced in any fordrug habit. tion of China, which is to be submitted eign mission in China. It will to the People's AssemJly for adoption, be submitted to the highest au- When asked how he did it he was drafted by the principal of our thorities of the mission in the says he sings hymns and reads Law School and one of our own grad- United States for final decision. over and over about Jesus. He uates. In the financial world, the says he wants to go to summer managers of the Bank of China in Soldiers Sweep Streets school where he can study the Shanghai, Nanking and Hongkong Bible and be able to explain it to are all former Soochow students. In The Rev. E. H. Forster, of the people of his village. His the field of social religious service, Yangchow, China, writes in The neighbors corroborate every- five of the largest and most important Churchman of some things obthing he says. What started Y. M. C. A. associations-Nanking, served during a visit to the city this revolution in him? He says Shanghai, Soochow, Hangchow and of Paoying, especially among the he heard an evangelist tell the Swatow-are all Soochow graduates. soldiers. The m.ayor was edustory of the father who had two In the field of education, three out of cated in England, representative sons, of how one went off into the eleven men now serving as presi- of the new type of officials with the far country, of how the fa- dents of Christian colleges and uni- which the government is trying ther watched and longed for his versities in China, and the first presi- to supplant the old. The city has return, and bf how finally the son dent of the Central Government Uni- an institution for the cure of saw his great folly and went versity are Soochow alumni. In the drug addicts, where the Chinese back home. -World, Outlook. field of religion, Dr. Z. T. Kaung, pas- physician in charge is a church- tor of our great Moore Memorial man, son of a clergyman in Will Missions Shift Emphasis? Church, Shanghai, and chairman of Ningpo. the Executive Council of the China The editor of the Chinese Re- Conference; Mr. Z. S. Zia, general He was also impressed with corder believes that the mission- secretary of our Board of Christian the bearing and personal appearary enterprise is shifting from Education; Dr. T. C. Chao, dean of ance of the soldiers. They were a world mission with its drive the School of Religion of Yen~Ching a well dressed, well set-up group centered in the West, to one University, and Mr. Z. K. Zia, Chinese of men, who showed in their world-wide in drive as well as editor of the China Christian Litera- manner that they were accusin scope. A corresponding weak- ture Society, are all graduates of Soo- tomed to discipline. "I was even ening in the West of the Chris- chow University. more impressed," he says, "when tian sense of world mission he I saw them sweeping the streets, considers is apparent, but is -World Outlook. leveling and paving roads, and compensated in a measure by the effecting many improvements in emergence in China and in the Rural Reconstruction the appearance of the city. I In response to requests of both people and government, Fukien Christian University is putting increased emphasis on rural reconstruction. This is not a new departure, for many
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
:found that many of the officers port, "to imagine a more pitiable Evangelistic Band during the were Christians, that they took crowd of men. They had only past three decades. This indegood care of their men, that they rags for clothing, supplemented pendent church, exercising all held regular religious services to by straw packing, or anything the functions of an indigenous which the men in the ranks were else, that would give them a society, such as self-support, invited. In view of this experi- modicum of warmth." Of sev- self-government, and self-exten- ence I could not help feeling that enteen admitted to the hospital, sion, will relieve the parent or- this sort of army discipline and seven died within a few days. ganization of the heavy respon- life could not but be a very val- Some of the men professed con- sibilities of caring for estab- uable training for thousands of version. Most of these men lished churches, and permit it men in China, provided they were suffering from typhus or to devote its energies directly to could always be used for con- tuberculosis, in addition to gun- the evangelization of unreached structive instead of destructive shot wounds. communities. service." Work among lepers has repre- A Nation of Readers sented the main activity of the Medicine by Trailer Hospital. At one time they had Japan Today and Tomorrow 76 inmates. The increase last says that of 30,347 books pub- The "trailer" has come to year was made up mainly of Ti- lished the past year in Japan, China! Dr. W. H. Dobson, of those concerned with education Yeungkong, whose 39 years in betans. Fifteen lepers were head the list, followed by books China have not dimmed his abil- baptized last summer, seven be- on politics, economics and the ity to recognize and seize every ing Tibetans. Christian lepers new idea that would aid him in have contributed toward the home. Books on religion are his medical work, is starting out work. -China's MiUions. also increasingly popular; there to spend several months in coun- Siushan Joins the World was an increase of 257 over the try districts with his trailer, previous year. It is not indi- holding clinics in villages where For the first time in history a cated how many dealt with there is still need for spreading motor bus came to the very gates Christianity, but it is probable knowledge of modern medicine. of the hoary city of Siushan, that these increased in propor- Despite many years of Christian Szechuan, West China, a Chris- tion with those on other relimedical missions, and the in- tian Alliance station. The news gions. creasing number of government of this great event spread rap- Magazines are increasingly hospitals, rural dis t ric t s in idly throughout the town, and popular. At the end of 1934, China are still sorely neglected. steady streams of people flowed Japan had 947 magazines; 25 After ancient Chinese medical to and from this curious new were devoted to religion, 102 practice has left them in a hope- object. The car came to the were concerned with education. less condition, too many patients edge of the city wall at the south Magazines having the largest are brought to the mission hos- gate; spectators lined the top of circulation were those on poppital in Yeungkong as a last re- the wall, while others crowded ular recreations, with women's sort. Dr. Dobson is now under- about the car to give it a thor- magazines second and children's taking preventive as well as ough "once over." third.
curative medicine. In a short time cars should be A Language Without -Monday Morning. able to get through to Lungtan Profanity and Yuyang, while within a few Borden Hospital in Kansu months they should get through The Japanese language is the to Pengshui and on to Chung- only language in the world, says Borden Memorial Hospital at king. This motor road heralds the Christian Union Herald, in Lanchow accepts disturbances a new day. In a most providen- which there is not a profane as a matter of course, and finds tial way it touches at three main word. Although thousands of many opportunities interwoven stations and will link us directly with them. The number of with Chungking in the west and expressions and phrases have Tibetan patients has been larger Changsha in the east. Time, been absorbed from other lanthan usual, there being at one money and missionaries' health guages, the native tongue retime an average of fifteen Ti- will be conserved. betans with them. Towards the mains clean and wholesome. To end of the year there were many -The Frontier. be profane is the worst thing hundreds of Communist prison- that any man, over there, can do. ers of war camped in a temple JAPAN-OHOSEN He realizes it, and knows that if not far away. The Chinese Gov- he indulges in profanity picked ernment asked our friends at the New Ohurch Formed hospital to give these men med- up from foreigners, he will be The Japan Church of Jesus ostracized by his friends, his Christ is a new organization, neighbors and his own family.
ical attention. The government formed by the merger of several "On the Air" in Yokohama hospital was filled and others groups of believers which have had refused them. "It would be grown up as a result of the evan- Recently Baptists in Japan difficult," says the Hospital Re- gelizing efforts of the Japan had their first opportunity to
broadcast a Sunday morning laboring under heavy burdens has been a direct result of the church service, and it came to and wish to hear Christ's loving new spiritual life received from the Kanagawa Church in Yoko- call come without hesitation to these times of study and fellowhama. The Sunday morning the Uchinomaki Church." He ship. Two of the girls who at- feature of the radio network is came, deeply convicted of his tended from Ronna returned usually Buddhist. sins, and joyfully accepted with the message: "Today is the The time allotted in this in- Christ as his Saviour. day of salvation." They went stance was 40 minutes, but pas- -The Dawn. from house to house and from tor Kawamata decided to use relative to relative, insisting only 30, in order to leave the Trials in Korea upon the claims of the Gospel final ten minutes for meditation Korea is not escaping certain message. As a result of their before somethins- else went on disruptive effects of material- efforts seven new members have the air. His sermon was on the been won during the past few subject, "Praise Be to God." ism, and the fine edge of spir- months. The plan of follow-up ituality is blunted in places by after the institute to be held in -Missions. politics and factious jealousies. October is to hold other insti- Nevertheless, the whole Prot- tutes in each of the districts, Better Understanding thus keeping up the interest and With China estant Church advanced last the impetus. Never before has year. The "shrine question" this field been so well manned An interesting exchange of with native pastors. amenities has been made be- has hindered the quiet growth of tween the National Christian the Church and continues to be -Philippine Presbyterian. Councils of Japan and China. perturbing. Missionary opinion The Japan Council voted to send Manila Union High School a statement to the Chinese is divided, some accepting the Christian b6dy calling attention Government General's assurance The Union High School of to the testimony of both history Manila has completed seventeen and topography "that the rela- that attendance of scholars at the years as a separate institution. tions of these two nations, each shrines is not a religious but It presents unrivalled opportuniwith the other, ought to be more ties for the development of intimate than with the other simply a patriotic act. The Christian ideals and character powers"; 'and urging "that larger number, however, main- among its students. Each stuthrough mutual conference a tain that the services are reli- dent is considered as a responsuitable place and time may be gious, notwithstanding the offi- sibility given to the school for chosen where we can kneel to- spiritual training. Each soul gether in the presence of our cial statement. The missions affords an opportunity for per- Lord, deepen the fellowship with these represent have decided to sonal interest on the part of the one another and seek for God's withdraw from secular educa- teachers. To meet this great fullest guidance to the end that opportunity three religious edua spiritual reapproachment and tional work, which will affect cation classes and two chapel unity may be brought about be- 25,000 pupils. The Government services are conducted each tween our two peoples." Ac- week. In addition, a week of cording to news dispatches, the educational provision is only for special evangelistic services fol- China Council has received the about twenty per cent of chil- lowed, when many students petition with sympathy and the dren of school age. Much will made new resolutions as to their depend upon the action of the Korean National Churches; but a concerted decision is not easy, as meetings to discuss the ques- tion are not permitted by the authorities.
-World Dominion Press.
Chinese have expressed willing- manner of living and personal ness to meet their Japanese ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC relationship to Christ.
brethren in any such conference On Cebu Island Three Siamese students are of mutual respect. enrolled. One was brought up In the Cebu field, P. I., 242 in the royal palace. Though a -The Christian Century. have been received into the Buddhist by birth, he is no churches on profession of faith Would-be Suicide during the past year, and eleven longer a Buddhist at heart. He places have been opened to the A pickle merchant of Omuta Gospel. This does not mean has said that he wants to worlost heart because of family places where occasional visits ship the true God. Recently, troubles, and decided to plunge are made, but places where reginto the crater of Mount Aso, a ular services have been estab- when told that he had passed in volcano. But face to face with lished, and a group of baptized all his subjects he said it was death he could find no peace. As God who had helped him, as he prayed to Him every day.
he lay on the ground near the believers is carrying on by Chinese Christians in Hawaii crater, he saw written on a post: themselves. Four ten-day Chris- "Come unto me, all ye that labor tian workers' institutes have Bishop Willis, of Hawaii, says and are heavy laden, and I will been conducted, with an average that Chinese Christians stand give you rest." Then the follow- attendance of 69 students. We out in two particulars. One is ing words: "Let any who are believe that much of the advance the friendly Christian fellowship
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
within their own congregation. to July 1, for the study of the understanding, social service, the movies, the radio, personality They are constantly giving so-, subjects: Christianity and the and religion.
cial entertainments, particularly totalitarian State, the conscien- -The Living Church.
Chinese dinners and chop suey tious objector, the League of "Dithering"
meals, which bring their mem- Nations, sanctions and interna- Some one has written an ar- ticle on "Diseases of the Mission bers together when there are tional police. In England, Scot- Field," the most serious being what he calls "dithering." A parish meetings, confirmations land and America cooperation writer in The Chronicle shows how serious this may be. and baptisms. with the Fellowship of Recon- You start o.ut determined to show The other particular is their ciliation in several countries has the carpenter how to set out a window sash. Before you have gone a dozen missionary interest which keeps been secured. The office of the steps you are pounced upon by a man with eggs fo.r sale. You inform him them in close touch with church International Union is at Am- that the cook buys the eggs; he then offers you chickens, and you tell him work in China. They have given merstol, Holland. that the cook buys these too. But an- other man has seen you, and bears largely toward the endowment -International Christian down with a request to. be sent somein the Shensi diocese, for famine Press. where to fetch a load of something. relief and other special needs in You answer him that you don't want a load of anything brought from any- China. When the day school Catholic World Missions where, whereupo.n he says he wants to children heard of the recent buy a Bible. Of course you have to martyrdom of the catechist, The Roman Catholic Church sell him that but you find he has only Huang Han-Tsang, killed by has 340 seminaries in its major half the necessary money. He says bandits near Hankow, they mission fields with 18,541 stu- he will bring the balance in beans, and dents for the priesthood. China so the transaction is temporarily in raised $100 for his family. abeyance. has 4,361; India, 1,801; Indo- -The Churchman. China, 2,237 ; Africa, 4,260 ; Fearing the .:arpenter may have made the window sash according to Missionaries Televised Japan and Korea, 669; the his o.wn ideas, you dash toward the islands of the Pacific, 47l. shop. But a bricklayer, building a The British Weekly recently There are 500 separate Roman cottage for a medical orderly, interhad an interesting account of Catholic missions in the foreign cepts to ask where exactly to put the missionaries on furlough being mission fields, so that the con- window frames. You realize with a televised in London. sickening feeling that you have not tention that this Church presents yet marked the exact position of these frames. They are pro.bably building In an hour's television program one front is not quite accurate, them all in on the windward wall, in last week there were two exceptionally which case the medical orderly will interesting missionary items. One especially as the cooperative never, never open the windows. You councils of Protestant missions dash off and find that your surmise was an interview with Bishop Flem- are banding themselves closer is absolutely correct. Directing labor ing of the Arctic, while on the other and closer together in a world- in Africa is largely a matter of go- ing to. see what So-and-so is doing, the interviewer talked with that amaz- and telling him not to. At last you may (or again you may not) arrive ing trio of women, Miss Mildred Cable wide organization already su- at the shop and find the carpenter' and the two Misses French, of the happily pegging together the window China Inland Mission. They had perior in many ways to the sash-an almost perfect rhombus. Topsy, their little Mongolian deaf and so-called "united front" of the WHAT WILL HELP YOU? dumb friend, with them. They looked Roman Catholic Church. on the experience of being televised Many readers have sent us reports as an adventure not unworthy o.f a -The World Today. of their Metho.ds for promoting mis- sionary interest; others have exparty of women who had recently Girls' Friendly Society pressed their gratitude for the help given in our "Ways of Working" Decrossed the Gobi Desert for the fifth partment. Is there some special way in which we can help you in planning time, and told their hearers very The Girls' Friendly Society is your work for the promotion of missportingly and vividly how they trav- sionary interest in yo.ur church, your society, the Sunday school or home, elled, what they carried with them, one of the most active and vig- or among other groups? What would why they went, and the sort of things orous organizations, of the Epis- you find most useful in the way of program material and suggestions, that happened to them on the way. copal Church. Founded 60 years literature, sermonic and illustrated They themselves were tremendously ago, it now has a membership of material, o.r methods of stimulating interested in all that went o.n in the missionary interest in children? Please forward your questions or requests to studio, and seemed quite unperturbed 29,000, with 900 branches in the Mrs. Estella S. Aitchison, Granville, when a camera, looking more like a United States, the Philippine Ohio. tank and manned by four men, would Islands, Puerto Rico, Panama, suddenly begin to bear down on them for a close up while they talked. The Japan and China. The Society first missionary to be televised was provides a varied and balanced the 83-year-old Archdeacon Batchelo.r of Hokkaido. program of worship, study, rec- reation, social service and serv- Antimilitarist Congress ice to the Church for girls and young women. Its twofold task The Executive Comittee of is the development of character the International Union of Anti- and friendship in loyalty to the militarist Ministers and Clergy- Church, and the arousing of an men, which has branches in Hol- intelligent interest in and underland, Switzerland, Eng I and, standing of the issues of the Scotland, France, Sweden, Nor- world today. Under the general way and Denmark has decided theme of Christian Citizenship, to hold the fourth international study is given to such vital probcongress in Edinburgh, June 29 lems as world peace, interracial Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information GOOD BOOKS ON RURAL AMERICA COMPILED AND ANNOTATED BY DR. BENSON Y. LANDIS, Associate Secretary of Department of Research and Education, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America Rebuilding Rural America. By Mark plan of church work adapted to United Churches. By Elizabeth R. A. Dawber. New York, Missionary that culture. Hooker. New York, Harper & Education Movement. 215 pp. $1.00, Brothers. 1926. 306 pp. $1.75. cloth; paper, 60 cents. Industrial Village Churches. By Edmund deS. Brunner. New York, A most adequate study of A comprehensive discussion Harper & Brothers. 1930. 205 pp. types of community churches in dealing with our c han gin g $1.50. town and country areas. American rural life and the ways and means being used by Studies of representative com- The Rural Church and Cooperative the Church to rebuild rural munities and churches. Extension Work. By H. W. Hoch- America and to give it spiritual baum. Washington,Department of ideals. Religion in the Highlands. By E. R. Agriculture, Circular 57. 1929. Hooker. With a section on Mis- 25 pp. The Christ of the Countryside. By sionary and Philanthropic Schools Malcolm Dana. Nashville, Tenn., by Fannie W. Dunn. New York, Instances of cooperation. Cokesbury Press. $1.00. the Home Missions Council, 105 E. 22d St. 1933. 319 pp. $1.00. The Community Church. By David A popular treatment of well- Piper. Chicago, Willett, Clark & known portions of the Bible re- Native churches and mission- Co. 1928. 158 pp. $1.00. vealing the rural setting and the ary enterprises in the southern rural significance of its themes. Appalachian area. An interpretation of the com- munity church movement by a The Country Church As It Is. By Statesmanship and Religion. By participant. A. J. W. Myers and Edwin E. Sundt. New York, Fleming H. Revell Co. Henry A. Wallace. New York, Community Religion and the Denom- 1930. 189 pp. $1.50. inational Heritage. By J. R. Har- Round Table Press. 1934. 139 pp. greaves and others. New York, A unique book presenting case Harper & Brothers. 1930. 150 pp. histories of fifteen parishes. $2.00. – $1.00.
The Country Church and Public Af- The part of religion in bring- Treatise on the uniqueness of fairs. Edited by Henry W. Mc- ing about a social control that various religious bodies. Laughlin. New York, The Mac- will mean social justice. millan Company. 1930. 260 pp. Y. M. C. A. in Town and Country. $2.00. ****** By Henry Israel. New York, As- sociation Press. 1929. 116 pp. Comprehensive discussions at The Larger Parish-A Movement or $2.00. the Institute of Public Affairs, an Enthusiasm? By Edmund deS. Virginia. Brunner. New York, Harper & Proceedings of a national con- Brothers. 1934. 95 pp. 50 cents. ference on the rural Y. M. C. A. What's Right with the Rural Church. By Ralph A. Felton. Philadelphia, A study of over 100 larger ****** Presbyterian Board of Christian parishes. Education. 1930. 150 pp. Cloth, A Parish Program for Community $1.00; paper, 50 cents. The Larger Parish Plan. By Mal- Service and Family Religion. By Warren H. Wilson. New York, Popular treatment of the as- colm Dana. New York, Congrega- Board of National Missions of the sets of the rural church. tional Church Extension Boards. Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. 1930. 63 pp. 25 cents. 32 pp. 10 cents. The Farmer's Church. By Warren H. Wilson. New York, D. Apple- How Can Local Churches Coine To- A brief guide, especially for ton-Century Co. 1925. 264 pp. gether? By Elizabeth R. Hooker. the pastor. $2.00. New York, Home Missions Council, 105 E. 22d St. 1928. 82 pp. 25 Tested Methods in Town and Coun- A statement of the peculiari- cents. try Churches. By Edmund deS. ties of rural culture and of a Brunner. New York, Harper & A practical han d boo k of Brothers. 1923. 173 pp. $1.00. methods. Summarizes the programs of forty churches of distinction; Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RIlvIIlW publishers on receipt of price.
[334 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
valuable as a text for general Financing the Country Church. By resentment against the Turks. reading. The author truly has a message R. T. Baker. Richmond, Va., The of God's love and of Christian Our Templed Hills. By. Ralph A. Department of Country Church and faith and devotion, which is Felton. New York, MissIOnary Sunday School Extension. P. O. worth reading. Education Movement. 1926. 241 Box 1176. 8 pp. pp. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 25 cents. The chapter on "Yeni Che- A study course in the chang- General Reviews riler" will give many new inforing rural life and in modern Changing Russia. By F. J. Miles, mation about the J anisaries but country church methods. D.S.O. Marshall, Morgan & Scott, should be understood as a his- J tory of the 18th century and does A New Day for the Country Church.. London. Paper. 144 pp. 1s. 1936, not indicate that modern Turks bring up their children as de- By Rolvix Harlan. Nashville, Tenn. The author of this small but scribed on page thirty-four.
The Cokesbury Press. 1925. 166 significant book is International The deep spiritual life of the pp. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 20 cents. Secretary of the Russian Mis- author's father and mother will Brimming with practical sug- sionary Society in England. In be a revelation to many Amergestions; bound to give the connection with the British and ican Christians. This interest- ing bit of history and Christian reader a wide vision of the task Continental Touring Club, he autobiography leaves one with of the local church. has made many visits to Russia, having exceptional opportunities Steeples Among the Hills. By Arthur for observation. Mr. Miles an awed sense of the reality of Wentworth Hewitt. New York, God's present care of His chil- Abingdon Press. 1926. 260 pp. recognizes the good things that $1.50. the Soviet Government has done, dren. CLARENCE D. USSHER.
A narrative of experience by but he confirms the current im- Alaskan Adventures. By Loyal L. one of the best-known country pression that it is making re- Wirt. IlIus. 8vo. 124 pp.. $1.50. ministers. lentless war, not against any Fleming H. Revell Co. New York. particular church, but against 1937.
The Social Work of the Churches. all religion. "A determined at- Here are stirring, and at times Edited by F. Ernest Johnson. New tempt is being made to raise a exciting, tales of pioneer days in Alaska-of daring journeys by York, The Federal Council of nation of atheists." Apparently snowshoe and dogteam over the snow- and ice-covered mountains Churches. 1930. 238 pp. Cloth, he wrote his book before the and down dangerous rapids. $1.25; paper, $1.00. Dr. Wirt made his first trek with promulgation of the new consti- miners over the White Pass in 1899. Then he returned to civ- A handbook of information. tution, but its assurance of ilization to bring food, medicine, lumber and nurses to Anvil City "free-dom of religious worship" (Nome)-only to have the sup- plies lost in a storm at sea. Religious Education in the Rural means nothing, for a pastor can- Again Dr. Wirt started alone as Church. By Henry W. McLaughlin. the first white man to cross New York, Fleming H. Revell Com- not preach outside of his own Alaska by dogteam in the win- pany. 1931. 224 pp. $1.50. pulpit and cannot teach religion ter. This time he was success- to groups of young people under ful in getting help from the A compilation of the papers presented at the Virginia Insti- eighteen years of age. Most of United States Government. tute of Public Affairs. the normal activities of a church Boys will enjoy this tale of ad- are prohibited. School teachers venture, vividly described, and a thrilling story of the faithful The Episcopal Church in Town and are not permitted to attend any dog, "Whiskers." Sandwiched Country. By Goodrich R. .!'enner. church and the Bible cannot be in with the tale of adventure are slices of information about New York, National Council, Prot- printed or circulated. Many wolves, Eskimo dogs,' Eskimo estant Episcopal Church. 1935. churches have been closed and men and women, courtship, home 160 pp. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 life, babies, tribal dances, supercents. those that remain open are be- stitions and gold seekers. Most of the incidents and facts might ing strangled by heavy taxes. have been woven into the story more skilfully but they add to Village Sermons by a Novelist. By Meantime, unrestricted anti- the wealth and interest of the Gustav Frenssen. New York, D. "Alaskan treasurehouse." Dr. Appleton-Century Co., 1924. 162 religious propoganda is openly Wirt makes us realize what pp. $1.50. sponsored by the Government. hardships men will endure for It is a tragic story that moves gold and that followers of Christ A noted Scandinavian novelist the reader to respond to the aupreaches a series of sermons, thor's plea for prayer. using rural materials. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
Services for the Open. By L. 1. Mat- My Beloved Armenia. By Marie S. Banker. 205 pp. $1.25. B.!. C. A. toon and H. D. Bragdon. New York, Chicago. 1936. D. Appleton-Century Co. 1923. 212 pp. $1.50.
Suitable religious services for While this book contains various occasions. stories of "Turkish atrocities," Manual for County and Local Coun- the authenticity of which I would cils of Religious Education. Chi- not dispute, it was refreshing to cago, The International Council of Religious Education, 203 N. Wa- find that the book has been writ- bash Ave. 1932. 64 pp. 25 cents. ten more to give a constructive Gospel message than to arouse
will endure as much or more in the evils from which we suffer, Jungle Friends. By the Bishop of the service of their Master-and not only in Japan but in Amer- Rangoon. 63 pp. 18. S. P. G. with no thought of material re- London. 1937. ward. ica. These thirteen true stories of Morocco in Mufti. By James Hal- North Pacific. By Edward Weber people and incidents in Burmese dane. 8vo. 231 pp. 68. Arthur Allen. 282 pp. Map and sixty-five villages form the second in a H. Stockwell, Ltd. London. 1937. illustrations. Professional and series of character sketches, the Technical Press, New York. 1936. first being "Jungle Folk." These are vivid pen pictures of life in Morocco, that quaint This is an unusually interest- H. H. F. land of mountains and markets, ing book of travel and observafanatical Moslems and strange tion in Alaska, western Canada, The Father and His Sons. By A. B. unconquered tribes. Japan and eastern Siberia, by a L. Karney. 68 pp. 18. S. P. G., man who sees intelligently and London. 1937. "Your European civilization, knows how to tell what he sees. like a pair of shears, is snipping As United States Commissioner The author states that he has away the glory we won by sword and Secretary of the Internaand book," said an intelligent tional Fisheries Commission he found so much help from the Moor of the old school. In this describes a tour from San Fran- descriptive volume we see the cisco to Alaska, the Aleutian story of the Prodigal Son, and old contrasted with the new-in Islands to Kamchatka, south- business, in culture and in reli- ward along the Kurile Islands to has returned to it so often that .gion. Mr. Haldane, a Christian Japan, and back to San Franmissionary, gives. us a brief but cisco – a complete circle of the he believes it worth while to very readable story of Morocco's lands bordering the northern history, with his views of the Pacific Ocean. His experiences share some interpretations found present conditions, Moslem be- were varied and he gives a liefs and strange customs, life wealth of information about in it. There is much to ponder among villagers, mountaineers fisheries, the resources of Alaska and city dwelle~s, and mission- and the numerous people that he over in his discussion of this ary work among them. Mr. met. References to mission- Haldane has used some unusual aries and missionary work are immortal parable as related to opportunities to understand Mos- warmly sympathetic, particulems and conducts an interesting larly in Alaska where he makes many modern problems-home work with Moorish boys. He is special mention of such notable a valuable guide to those who Christian workers as William life, dangers threatening the would visit Morocco and know Duncan, Sheldon Jackson, W. T. the Moors. Lapp, Bishop Peter Trimble church, the State, the lack of Rowe, Archdeacon H u d son Kagawa Pamphlets: Stuck, S. Hall Young, and missionary interest, the situa- others. A bibliography and a Kagawa in Australia and New Zea- tion in Germany, Italy, and other land copious index add to the value of this attractive volume. topics. H. H. F. Kagawa in Lincoln's Land (United States) ARTHUR J. BROWN. Frances Ridley HavergaI. By Esther E. Enock. 95 pp. 18. Pickering Kagawa Calendar (Printed in & Inglis, London. 1936. Japan) The development in the Chris- Kagawa on Christian Brotherhood tian life is traced in this biog- These pamphlets set forth Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa's Christian raphy of one of the world's bestphilosophy and economic plans. He believes that Christ, as the known hymn writers, together Son of God and Saviour of men through His death on the Cross, with incidents of the period in also teaches the way of brotherhood, peace and economic justice which she lived (1836-1879) and that His principles and teachings should be put into and her relationships with other practice in daily life, with Christlike self-sacrifice and love Christian leaders, among them of equal opportunity. Kagawa has himself led the way in what Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. he conceives to be Christ's way. This program, if put into opera- Sankey. H. H. F. tion by truly regenerated men, would doubtless correct many of Awake I An African Calling. 55 pp. Follow Me. By Una Roberts Law- 18. Church Missionary Society. rence. 95 pp. Baptist Home Mis- sion Board, Atlanta, Ga. 1936. London. 1937. This brief analysis of certain Blasio Kigozi, a young Afri- home mission problems in the can evangelist of Uganda, died South, in Cuba and Panama, is last year at the beginning of a a summary of tasks in unevan- promising career. Missionaries gelized areas; and an outline had counted on his help in a re- for the study of the situation in vival in the Church of Uganda the various departments of and Blasio had spent months Southern Baptist Home Mis- in preparing "three points": sions. H. H. F.
(1) The cause of deadness in the Church; (2) Attendance of Through Stormy Seas. By Capt. E. G. Carre. 96 pp. 18. Pickering open sinners at the communion; & Inglis. London. 1937.
(3) How bring a revival? He The personal experiences of a British sea captain have to do wanted to arouse the clergy to with the transforming power of prayer. spend less time in raising funds and more in searching their per- sonallives. H. H. F.
Book. Just Like You Stories. Lucy W. Pea- his 86th year. His father, the
body. 186 pp. Illus. $1.50. M. H. William Ashmore, a missionary in About the Old Faith. Henry W. Leavis. Boston. China for 53 years, died in 1909. To- Frost. 128pp. $1.25. Revell. gether, father and son gave over 100 New York. Mothers Union and S. P. G. Report. years to China. On the son's 75th 2d. 16 pp. S. P. G. London. birthday at Swatow, he finished the Bush Aglow-Life of D. L. Moody. third revision of the entire Bible, Richard E. Day. 331 pp. $2.00. The New Walk. Capt. Reginald translated from their original tongues Judson Press. Philadelphia. Wallis. 40 cents. A. B. C. Assn. into the Swatow colloquial. Philadelphia. Consider Him. Vance Havner. 100 Deaconess E'l"len'" La'"khshmi Goreh, pp. $1.50. American Bible Con- The Road to Victory. C. M. S. Re- ference Assn. Philadelphia. port for 1936-7. 6d. C. M. S. who died January 11 in Cawnpore, London. India, at the age of 83, had a remark- Church Militant. Popular Report, able career. Her father was a con- 170 pp., 6d.; Official Report, 240 The Romance of a Doctor's Visit. vert from Brahminism. Left mother- pp., 18. S. P. G. in F. P. London. Walter Lewis Wilson. ls. Pick- less in infancy, she was cared for by ering & Inglis. London. missionaries and later educated in Except Ye Repent. Harry A. Iron- sides. 191 pp. $1.50. American Unity in Diversity. Report of Friends Tract Society. New York. Service Council 1936. London.
Evangelical Handbook of Latin What Is This Moslem World. Charles England; became active in social America. 120 pp. 4s. World Do- R. Watson. 204 pp. $1.00. M. E. M. work and eventually returned to In- minion Press. London. New York. dia as a Zenana Mission worker. AS author of the poem, "In the Secret of Follow Me. Una Roberts Lawrence. The Young Moslem Looks at Life. His Presence," she was known far 96 pp. Home Mission Board. At- Murray T. Titus. 178 pp. $1.00, beyond India. lanta, Ga. cloth; 60 cents, paper. Friendship Press. New York. The Rev. H'"enr'"y C'" . Ostrom, for The Heart of the Christian Faith. Francis Shunk Downs. 209 pp. A Missionary Looks at His Job. W. twenty-five years a missionary of the $1.50. American Tract Society. J. Culshaw. 144 pp. 2s. Student Presbyterian Church (South) in Ja- New York. Christian Movement Press. London. pan, died in Kobe on January 20. He was a consecrated and gifted mission- Hadramaut – Its Challenge. W. H. Christ's Way and the World's in ary, being acquainted with nine lan- Storm. 8 pp. 2d. World Dominion Church, State and Society. Henry guages. He was born of Lutheran Press. London. Smith Leiper. 144 pp. 65 cents parents at Lockport, Illinois, on De- and 90 cents. Abingdon Press. cember 4, 1876, and after graduating Indians Today. Edited by Marion E. New York. Gridley. 128 pp. $2.50. Indian Council Fire. Chicago. from college at the age of 18 he went to Germany to study music. Later he Living Religion. Hornell Hart. 260 Obituary Not•• attended Princeton Theological Sem- pp. Abingdon Press. New York. (Concluded fro?n 2d cover.) inary and went to Japan as a mission- Missionary Romance in Morocco. ary in 1911. On his first furlough he J ames Haldane. 189 pp. 2s. 6d. Bishop W. F. McDowell, retired, was traveling secretary of the Stu- Pickering & Inglis. London. of the Methodist Episcopal Church, dent Volunteer Movement. died on April 26 at 79 years of a~e. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Missionary Illustrations. Alva C. J!}pmn~ Bowers. 154 pp. $1.50. Revell. He was born in Millersburg, OhIO, New York. February 4, 1858, the son of David A. l.l McDowell; was educated at Ohio 0f tbt None Other Gods. W. A. Visser 't Wesleyan and Boston University, be- Hooft. 185 pp. Harpers Bros. ing ordained to the ministry in 1882. New York. After pastorates in Ohio, he was cvhear,nc1e8l9lo0r-9o9f, stheecreUtnarivyerosfitytheofMDeetnh– .ftr-'brt't'itt'an Poems of a Persian Sufi. Baba Tabis. ~ l.l Translated by Arthur J. Arberry. 7J4f. t'ft W. Heffer & Sons. London. odist Board of Education for five years and in 1904 elected bishop of The Triune God. C. Norman Bart- the Methodist Episcopal Church. lett. 191 pp. $1.50. American eA. Bishop McDowell was widely known Tract Society. New York. BOOK of worship in song, com- as a speaker, lecturer and author but Two Missionary Voyages. Thomas chiefly for his work in behalf of tem- bining a hymnal for general Thompson. 90 pp. lB. S. P. G. in Foreign Parts. London. perance and public morals. church use, and a song book for evan- Unity in Diversity. Report of Friends '" '" '" gelistic purposes. Only songs sound Service Council, 1936. London. in the faith and inspirational in char- The Rev. Dr. James Shepard Kit- With Christ in Africa. D. A. Mc- tell, for the past ten years secretary acter included—emphasizing Evangel- Donald. 158 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, of the Board of Domestic Missions of ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Morgan & Scott. London. $1.00. the Reformed Church in America, died Zondervan Pub. House, Grand in New York at 64 years of age. Dr. Many of the new—the best of the old. Rapids, Mich. Kittell was born at Hamilton, Ont., a 504 Songs Responsive Readings Mecca and Beyond. Edward M. and son of John and Jane Drysdale Kittell, Rose W. Dodd. 220 pp. 50 cents, Topical Index Gold Embossed paper; $1.00, cloth. Central Com- mittee on the United Study of For- and came to the United States when Published in round notes and Roxite cloth eign Missions. Boston. seven years old. He attended Alle- edition only at $65.00 per 100—an especially gheny College and the Western The- low price. Single copy, 85c postpaid. The Cross of Christ. George P. Pier- ological Seminary, was ordained in son. 173 pp. $1.50. American 1903, and after filling several charges Write today for returnable sample copy Tract Society. New York. CRUSADE SONqS in Congregational churches, he became The Christian Evangel. John Mc- Nicol. 91 pp. $1.50. American pastor of the First Reformed Church Tract Society. New York. of Albany, 1907-21. In 1913, Dr. Kit- C/l CHOICE selection of 105 hymns and tell was president of the General The Israel Promises and Their Ful- Synod of the Reformed Church in choruses for Revival Services, Bible Con- filment. Samuel Hinds Wilkinson. America. ferences, and Missionary Conventions. 196 pp. 88. 6d. John Bale, Sons and Danielson. London. '" '" '" Strong manila binding, 15c each; Dr. William Ashmore, for forty- $12.50 per 100. Carriage extra.
eight years a missionary of the Amer- ican Baptist Foreign Society in China, who retired in 1927, passed away on March 11 in Santa Ana, California, in
Partnerships and Hssured
During seventy-five years The American Baptist Home Mission Society has encouraged its friends to have a share in the development of Christian Missions in the United States and Latin America through Annuity Gifts to the Society.
These gifts have amounted to over Three Million Dollars, while in the same period the Society has paid over Two Million Dollars to annuitants and has used for its general work or added to its permanent funds over One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars released by deaths of beneficiaries. In no instance during three quarters of a century has the Society failed to make a payment to an Annuitant according to agreement.
Inquiries concerning ANNmTIES AND LEGACIES may be addressed to SAMUEL BRYANT, Treasurer THE AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY 23 East 26th Street New York City ORDER THE SPECIAL "MOSLEM NUMBER"
OF THE MISSIONARY ~~WORID This October Issue will contain articles on CHRIST AND THE MOSLEM WORLD Why Take Christ to Moslems? Samuel M. Zwemer The Gospel for Mohammedans W. Wilson Cash Present-day Trends in Islam Edward C. Dodd Moslem Reactions to Christ My Experience with Moslems . James Haldane Christ and Moslem Homes . Frank C. Laubach What Christ Has Done for Me Eleanor Calverley A Sermon by a Former Moslem . S. Khoobyar Saee'd Kurdistani and others—with maps and illustrations ORDER COPIES IN ADVANCE FOR YOURSELF AND MISSION STUDY CLASSES 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1937
MARCH,1937
Changing and Unchanging Things in Foreign Missions Robert E. Speer The American Indian and His Religion Elaine Goodale Eastman What Christ Has Done for Untouchable~ v. s. Azariah A Firebrand for Christ in Iran J. Christy Wilson Japanese Shrines and Emperor Worship By a Resident of Japan Modern Missionary Motives w. B. Anderson Christ, the Church and Modern Youth Daniel A. Poling 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember PLAN NOW to Spend Next Summer's Vacation with
ica's Greatest Theological Teachers. March ll-15-Annual Meeting, Wom- an's Missionary Council, Methodist Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana Episcopal Church, South. Colum- bia, S. C. For Ministers. Teachers, Missionaries. Sunday School Workers and Laymen SO May ll-General Conference, United Courses leading to Regular Theological Degrees, Cost Reasonable Free Brethren in Christ, Chambersburg, July 7 to August ll···Two Terms 15 Days Each.•·lnterdenominational Pa. Rooms Evangelical Faith and High Scholarship Combined May 18-21-National Convention of Dr. W. E. Biederwolf. Director (Ask for free Prospectus) Dr. J. A. Huffman. Dean the Evangelical Women's Union, St. Louis, Mo. and of all Christians in order to rid ~!,mn~ the world of leprosy. May 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- vention, Philadelphia, Pa. *** of tbt May 26 – General Assembly, United Miss Laura M. White, a mIsslOn- Presbyterian Church, Oak Park, Ill. ary in China for over forty years, May 27-General Assembly, Presby- died in Germantown, Pennsylvania, ((bri~tian terian Church in U. S. A., Colum- on January 25. She was born in bus, Ohio. Philadelphia, where she was grad- Obituary Notes uated from Temple University and lLift Mrs. Amy Wilkes Zwemer, the went to China in 1892 under the Womwife of Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, of an's Foreign Missionary Society of cA. BOOK of worship in song, com- Princeton Theological Seminary, died suddenly of heart disease in New York the Methodist Episcopal Church. For bining a hymnal for general Citv on January 25. Mrs. Zwemer fifteen years she was editor of The was born 71 years ago in Woolver- Christian Literature Soc i e t y of church use, and a song book for evanhampton, England. After being graduated as a registered nurse she served Shanghai. gelistic purposes. Only songs sound in a hospital in Sydney, Australia and *** volunteered for mission work in Bagh- Mrs. Lillie Campbell Orbison, wife in the faith and inspirational in chardad, Iraq. She and Dr. Zwemer were married in Arabia in 1896 and con- of Rev. John H. Orbison, recently a acter included—emphasizing Evangeltinued their missionary service for member of the Punjab Mission of the Moslems, residing in Arabia and Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., died ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Egypt until 1930 when Dr. Zwemer on February 5th in Hoshiarpur, India. Many of the new-·-the best of the old. became Professor of Missions and Comparative Religions at Princeton Dr. and Mrs. Orbison were honorably 504 Songs Responsive Readings Theological Seminary. One of Dr. retired in 1932, after nearly fifty Topical Index Gold Embossed Zwemer's daughters, Mrs. C. L. Pickens, is the wife of a missionary in years of service in India. Mrs. Orbi- Published in round notes and Roxite cloth Hangkow, China; two other daugh- son was born in Manayunk, Pa., 78 edition only at $65.00 per 100···an especially ters and a son, Dr. Raymond L. years ago. low price. Single copy, S5c postpaid. Zwemer, of New York, also survive *** the mother. Mrs. Zwemer was author Write today for returnable sample copy of "Two Young Arabs," was joint author of "Topsy Turvy Land," "Zig- Mr. Frank Thompson, who died in Zag Journeys in the Camel Country," and was one of the editors of the CRUSADE SONqS London on November 22, in his 84th volume entitled "Moslem Women." year, was known for his long associa- '" Wellesley C. B'a" ile'"y, founder and tion with Spurgeon's Tabernacle and cA CHOICE selection of 105 hymns and retired secretary of the Mission to its allied institutions. He was also choruses for Revival Services, Bible Con- Lepers, which he founded over sixty years ago, died in Edinburgh, Scot- for nearly a quarter of a century a ferences, and Missionary Conventions. land, on January 28th at the age of member of the Baptist Missionary 90. Mr. Bailey was born in Thorn- Society's General Committee. One Strong manila binding, 15c each; bury, Ireland, on April 27, 1846, was son, Stanley, served in the Congo $12.50 per 100. Carriage extra. educated at Kilkenny College and after a brief period in New Zealand until retired because of broken health; CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS,Inc. became a Presbyterian missionary at another son, Cecil, is Secretary of a Ambala, India. There he opened the British Mission Auxiliary. 1502 North Third Street first missionary leper asylum in 1869. Five years later he founded the Mis- '" '" '" Harrisburg, Pa. sion to Lepers, during his furlough in Ireland, and in 1886 became gen- Sir Andrew Wingate, son of Rev. eral secretary to the Mission, a post Wm. Wingate, missionary to the Rev. Robert Tahupotiki Haddon, which he held until 1917, when he be- Jews, died in Switzerland January 1, Maori chief, died November 5. The came Honorary Superintendent. Mr. at the age of 90. Sir Andrew entered Methodist Times says: "Mr. Haddon Bailey emphasized the necessity for a the Indian Civil Service nearly sev- was a chief of high rank who could threefold objective, preaching the enty years ago, becoming widely trace his ancestry back a millennium. Gospel to lepers, supplying their known as Famine Secretary during He stood over six feet in height, erect simple wants, and relieving their suf- the great South India drought of as a spear, with flashing eyes in a ferings through medical care. Since 1877. On his retirement in 1902, he rugged, kindly countenance. He was then the Mission has sought also to gave himself wholeheartedly to volun- ordained to the native ministry in win the cooperation of governments teer missionary work. He was espe- 1904, and for over thirty years he exercised a faithful ministry. Mr. cially interested in the Bible Society's Haddon twice advocated the claims of activities, in Jewish missions, and in his people in New Zealand Parlia- Anglo-Indian Education. ment.
'" '" '" The Rev. Dr.'"Jam* es*S. Gale, author Dr. Thomas J. Porter, Prof. of of "Korean Sketches" and other vol- Church History at Campinas, Brazil, umes and for forty years a mission-' until his retirement in 1932, died sud- ary of the Presbyterian Church, denly in California, December 26. U. S. A., in Korea, died in Bath, Eng- Dr. Porter was a missionary in Persia land, on J.anuary 31 at the age of from 1889 to 1896, and after a period seventy-five. James Gale was born of iII health took up the professorship in Pilkington, Ontario, graduated from Toronto University and went to at Campinas.
'" '" '" Rev. N. Odinzov, President of the Korea in 1888 as a representative of All-Russia Baptist Union, recently the Y. M. C. A. Three years later he died in the Yaroslaw prison. He had joined the Presbyterian Mission and refused every temptation to renounce retired in 1928. to live in England. his Christian convictions. (Concluded on third cover.)
MISSIONARY Personal
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Dr. Julius .Richter, of Berlin, is TBE DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor now in America, lecturing at the ORI.ENT VOL. LX MARCH,1937 No.3 , Biblical Seminary in New York. In Publication and Business Olllce– Record Time! Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. * * … Mr. William M. Danner, for over Go direct fromVancouver and Editorial and Executive Olllce– Victoria in 10 days by Em- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. twenty-six years the General Secre- press of Asia or Empress of Entered as second-class matter at Russia. Only 3 more days via tary of the American Mission to Hawaii by Empress of .lapan Post Olllce, Harrisburg, Pa., under Lepers, has been honorably retired. (fastest ship on the Pacific) Act of March 3, 1879. or Empress of Canada. Con- So far as his health permits, he will nect at Honolulu from Cali- 25 cents a copy–$2.50 a year. continue to serve the cause of the fornia ports. Low round-trip Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. fares include passage from Published monthly, except August. lepers by public addresses and in con- and to Seattle. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan sultation on the affairs of the Mission. ~fI.+ and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, .. * .. For rates and sailings, see 10 shillings a year. YOUR TRAVEL AGENT or Cana- The Rev. Emory Ross has been dian Pacific: New York, Chi- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB~ ca~o, San Francisco, 38 other LISHING CO., INC. elected General, Secretary of the citIes in U. S. and Canada.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS American Mission to Lepers. He was, ROBERT E. SPEER, President A. L. WARNSHUIB, Vice-President for some sixteen years a missionary in WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary the Congo. … …
SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Rev. T. C. Wu, General Secretary WILLIAM I. ClLumlDRLAIN D. J. FANT of the Chinese Mission to Lepers, has MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD WM. B. LIPPHARD resigned after more than ten years'
Emc M. NORTH service. As leader of the Chinese SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Mission to Lepers he has placed that Editorial Chat work on a high level of efficiency.
The annual meeting of the REVIEW * * … was held on February 18th for the Rev. Thomas Alfred Tripp, of consideration of annual reports and the election of directors for the en- Mystic, Connecticut, has become Assuing year. sociate Director of the Town and *** The June issue of the REVIEW will Country Department of the Church be devoted to the Home Mission study subject for the year, "Christ and Extension Boards of the Congrega- Rural America." (See notice on back cover of this issue.) tional churches. * * .. *** Rev. Ernest E. Grimwood has been Will you help acquaint friends with the REVIEW as a means of increasing appointed Director and Chairman of interest and cooperation in Christ's work throughout the world? Send the Central Asian Mission. Prior to names and addresses to the Circulation Department, 3d and Reily Streets, the War, he served the Mission as Harrisburg, Pa., and we will send honorary secretary and editor and free sample copies. later was honorary secretary of the *** Sudan Interior Mission, which posi- Here are the unsolicited estimates of the value of the REVIEW, received tion he resigned… in No… vember. recently from missionary readers: … "The REVIEWS that you are getting out are exceedingly fine. I do not Rev. William Henry Fonger has think that in all its history THE RE- been elected secretary of the Philip- VIEW has done as good work as it is pine agency of the American Bible doing now, and unless I am very Society, where he has served as actgreatly mistaken God is using it and ing agent since March, 1934. other influences with it, to get the missionary enterprise back on its own *** even keel again." Dr. Roy ,B. Guild and Dr. Worth DR. PAUL W. HARRISON. M. Tippy, Executive Secretaries of Muscat, Arabia. the Federal Council, became emeritus *** on January 1 and they will continue to give part time service to the Coun- "We enjoyed the Africa number of cil through 1937, carrying on certain THE REVIEW and hope that it will be important duties and being available possible for you to have a China number before very long. as counselors. … … …
REV. G. W. ROYALL. Dr. W. B. Bagby, Baptist mission- Shangtung, China. ary to Brazil since 1881, lives to see 600 churches with 50,000 members, five colleges, two seminaries, ,a publi- cation society, a home and foreign mission board carrying the gospel to the far interior of Brazil, to Portugal, and from Portu..g. al… to …Africa.
Dugald Campbell, F.R.G.S., who for several years has been in the serv- ice of the National Bible Society of Scotland, circulating the Scriptures through the Sahara, has found it necessary, from repeated heart at- tacks, to relinquish responsibility at Tamanrasset. This is an important development of the Society's work in the Sahara; it will now be under the direction of M. Jules d'Allmen.
(Concluded on third cover.) [113 ]
by Bureau of American
A RELIGIOUS TORTURE RITE OF THE AMERICAN I;lDIANS OF THE PLAINS THE RAIN DANCE OF THE ZUNI INDIANS OF NE.W MEXICO (See article on "The Amerkan Indian and His Religion," pages 128 to 130) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 3 MARCH,1937 Topics of the ·Times YOUTH – THE GREAT AMERICAN jority .of American yQung people are tQday spir- MISSION FIELD itually illiterate. But just because they are in this conditiQn, From all quarters today is heard the cry fQr revival. Religious leaders are joined by men young people constitute a great and fruitful misprominent in business and professiQnal life in de- sion field. For, whether we who had our educaelaring that modern problems have .their roots in tiQn more than fifteen year,s ago like to admit it moral and spiritual ills. One of the recent addi- or not, our schools and colleges are today almost tions to the chorus insistently calling fQr revival completely secularized. Of course, there are still is Mr. John Edgar Hoover, chief of the Federal a few Christian institutions left, but, compared G-Men. Commenting upon the huge crime bill of with the total student population .of the land, their the nation, he says, "We are in dire need .of a number is very small. President James Bryant spiritual awakening. We must place the rejuve- Conant, Dr. Eliot's successor, once remQved, nation of national morality above mundane am- spoke in his first annual report of the aim of the founders of Harvard and that early Puritan herit- bitions. . . ." age .of the university whereby educatiQn and the- There is nothing very remarkable about such a ology were united. And then with perfect candor statement. Mr. Hoover's work brings him face to he continued, "It is hard fQr us to recapture their face with the fruits .of godlessness. In the great [the Puritans'] point .of view; today, learning has army of youthful criminals he sees the logical re- become secular." And so it has. It has become suIt of the fact that vast numbers of American so secular that President Nicholas Butler, .of Co- parents have heedlessly left God and religion out lumbia, protests as follows in one .of his reports: of their lives and out of their homes. In an essay "So far as tax-supPQrted schools are cQncerned, published in The Atlantic Monthly, in 1924, the an odd situation has been permitted toO arise. The late Pres,ident Charles W. Eliot, of Harvard, separation of Church and State is fundamental in pointed toO the forty or fifty milliQns .of Americans our American political order, but as far as relinot connected with any church or religious or- gious instruction is cQncerned, this princip,le has ganization whatever. After remarking that the been so far departed from as to put the whole children .of such parents receive no religious in- force and influence .of the tax..supported school on struction at home .or abroad and are therefore the side of .one clement .of the population-namely, densely ignorant .of fundamental moralities and that which is pagan and believes in no religion even gQod manners, Dr. Eliot wrote these trench- whatever." ant words: "N0 such experiment on SQ vast aYes, the young people of America are a great scale has ever been tried since time began, as this missionary challenge. And this applies to uniconsiderable fraction of the American people is versity students as well as to secQndary and elenow trying-namely, bringing up their children mentary pupils. As the Editor of this REVIEW without any religious instructiQn." The great remarked, after lunching with some leaders at a New England educator published those words recent Student Volunteer C.onventiQn, the delethirteen years ago. Has the experiment paid? gates were a missionary field in that many .of them Every judge, every minister, every spiritual- had never yet really faced the claims of the Gos:- minded educatQr knows that it has not paid. pel .of Christ? If ever the words of our Lord re- Rather has it cost a dreadful price; the great ma- garding "the fields white unto the harvest" ap- [ 115 ]
plied, they apply to. yQung people tQday. But, line-"The hungry sheep look up and are not fed." thank God, it is a fact that Ameriean youth is Let all missionary-minded Believers in Christ resPQnsive to. the Christian message. Black as the pray and wQrk to the end that the dreadful repicture of s,piritual illiteracy amQng our YQuth proach of a younger generatiQn spiritually starvmay be, it has anQther side. The great missiQn ing in a nominally Christian land may no longer field of American yQuth :is responsive to. Christ! rest upon the Church. FRANK E. GAEBELEIN. When He is truly presented, they listen and as they listen many yield themselves to Him. CHIANG, CHANG AND CHINA This is the mQst encQuraging fact in the reli- Oriental diplomacy is largely unintelligible to gious life Qf our cQuntry today-that the stirrings the Occidental mind, even ,to those who have spent of a spiritual awakening are being felt especially a lif~time in the Far East. China and Japan, in amQng the youth. SQme significant facts substan- any given circumstances, seldom s.ay or do what tiate that statement. First, there are the inter- Great Britain or America WQuld have said Qr denQminational ,summer cQnferences for young dQne, and their explanations of processes and repeQple. At a SCQre of centers throughout the land sults rarely meet Western requirements as to great numbers of students, many of them from lucidity Qr adequacy. colleges or universities, assemble for Bible study and spiritual fellowship, usually fQr periods of a One of the most mysterious and apparently irweek. Anyone who has been a leader in such con- rational performances in recent histQry is the ferences must have been struck with the intellec- sudden "kidnapping" and the unexpected release tual and moral calibre of the delegates and, even Qf Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek, the head of more, with their eager response to. the preaching the Nationalist Armies, together with the surof the sovereign claims of the crucified and risen render, trial and treatment of his erstwhile cap- Christ. To see college men and women, to say tor, Chang Hisiieh Liang, a subordinate officer. nothing of the many high school students who. go The Generalissimo had just ,achieved such marvelto. these cQnferences, enter into a personal rela- ous success in uniting all the provinces of China tionship with the Lord gives Qne new hQpe for a under a central gQvernment, after personally leadcoming revival in America. ing National forces in driving the murderous CQmmunist hordes ,to the northwest borders, that There are also Bible study groups in leading the world, in its reawakened hope that China was universities. A few months ago. the writer had winning a new lease of life, was startled and horthe privilege of 'speaking at a great technological rified, early in December, by the report that institute. He was invited by a Bible study club, Chiang Kai Shek had been seized and held prissponsored by a group of students and faculty. oner by Chang Hsueh Liang, his subordinate of- The meeting was not large, but its very existence ficer in Shensi whom he had gone to consult. Many was remarkable. After it was over a professor of Chiang's military escort were slaughtered at said that it was only the second time he had ever the time and Chang was even reported as brQadseen a speaker with a Bible in his hand on a plat- casting to. the world his execution of the Genform at that institution. And many anQther great eralissimo. educational institution has a similar group of earnest Christian students and faculty, seeking The so-called "Marshal" Chang, son of Chang to. give a real witness for our Lord. Tso Lin, the ex-bandit "War-lord" of Manchuria, unable to hold Manchuria and other territory Again, any .pastor who is preaching the Gospel against the Japanese and for some time in retirewith power to a fun church, will say that his mQst ment, was ostensibly engaged in completing the resPQnsive hearers are his young people. So has suppression of the CQmmunists in Shensi and it ever been. The disciples came to Christ as Kansu. He seems, on the contrary, to have made young men. As young men the greatest mission- common cause with those outlaws in demanding aries have gone out to. preach the -GQspel. for the Communist party a share in ,the govern- ment and cooperation with the gQvernment troops The spiritual illiteracy of American YQuth is an ina crusade to drive out the Japanese. The appalling problem. It is heart-breaking to see seizure of General Chiang was for the purpose . millions of them being educated in bQdy and in of cQmpelling the adoption of ,this PQlicy by the mind, but with spirits starved for want of the Nanking government. Bread of Life and the only thirst-quenching Water of Life. What a challenge this mi'ssiQn Profoundly stirred by the rebellion and es,pefield of youth, in yQur city or town and in mine, cially by the threat against the life of the leader in your very neighbQrhood, makes upon us to to. whom all were looking for the safety of China, whom God has entrusted the only Message that the Nanking authorities despatched large fQrces can give our young people the joy and fruitful- fQr Chiang's rescue, but hesitated to. apply force ness of the new life in Chdst Jesus. In his great immediately lest it provoke his murder. Negotiaelegy, "Lycidas," John MiltQn has this poignant
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
tions w1th the rebels were undertaken and Mad- times, as heretofore, but something very near personal ame Chiang, with her brother T. V. Soong, flew concern for the safety of an admired, if not loved, figure. to Sian, the capital of Shensi, to intercede on the Our teacher, who came to Nanking rabidly anti-Chiang Generalissimo's behalf. On Christmas Day came three years ago, was so upset that he could not eat or sle'ep the word that not only had Chiang been freed but and was ready to weep. He said, "If only people knew that he was flying to Nanking with his captor! how much Chiang has done for the country!" Most of On their arrival both professed "penitence": the students were fearfully depressed and then went wild Chang for the rebellion and Chiang for the lax- when the news of Chiang's safety came. There are thouness of discipline which had rendered that rebel- sands who would be only too glad to kill Chang (Hsueh lion possible. Chang was tried, convicted, and Liang). pardoned, but retained in custody, while Chiang retired ;to his old home in Chekiang "for a rest." It is impossible to apportion the measure of Recent reports, like the earlier ones, are sadly tragedy and of melodrama in this whole series of conflicting. On the one hand they visualize a events. We may never know how much blood was concentration and stiffening of the rebellion actually shed or how serious was the actual threat under the leadership of Communist generals and of Chang Hsiieh Liang .against the life of his under the inflammatory radio broadcas,ts of a superior officer; but this much seems evident that woman radical from America. On the other hand not only China but the world has been led to realthey present a picture of the surrounding of rebel ize how much Chiang Kai Shek has already acstrongholds by government troops and the nego- complished toward the rehabilitation of China and tiation, at Sian, of peace ,to be secured by the how indi'spensable is his continued activity for withdrawal of all forces opposing the government. the completion of that enormous task. He has Only time will disclose the actual facts, or per- long been hampered by internal jealous.ies and haps only a small proportion of them. ambitions and by Japan's unwillingness to see China become a strong nation. China and the As to the missionaries of Shensi and Kansu, world shuddered at the reports of Chiang Kaireports have indicated their widespread peril, Shek's capture and execution; China and the with 'some of them held in Sian as hostages, world, in spite of the mystery of the transactions groups of rescuers were proceeding from Peiping at Sian, have exulted in the outcome'with its prosand elsewhere for their relief. By airplane and pect of better days to come. Once more China and the world have been made conscious of the other transportation many have left Shensi.* fact that, not only the Generalissimo and his wife, but also most of the other Chinese, prominent in Letters written at Nanking immediately after the building of the New China, find in Christianthe release of the captive Generalissimo give ity not only their own hope but the supreme hope forceful expression to the universal joy: for the future of the nation.
The word just received of Chiang Kai Shek's safe ar- COURTENAY H. FENN. rival in Loyang (Honan) was the most longed-for and welcomed of all Christmas gifts. The whole city and coun- WHEN DISASTER COMES try has been wild with joy. No one can realize how both he and Madame Chiang have endeared themselves to the Recent floods have devastated large portions of Chinese people. The loyalty and affection which is felt the Ohio Valley by raising the river level over for them is such as no one in China has ever before ex- sixty feet and have also threatened those 500,000 perienced. Just an hour ago the sky above us was filled people who live along the banks of the Mississippi, with airplanes going out to greet General Chiang ashe in the 1,200 miles from Cairo to the Gulf. It is returns to the city. Firecrackers are popping everywhere; reported that there is over $700,000,000 damage the streets are crowded with eager faces and the vicinity to property; nearly 1,000,000 people have temof the airdrome is filled with the joyful crowd waiting to porarily been driven from their homes, business greet the leader of China. has been disrupted, churches and schools inun- dated, and as a result over 500 people have died *** by drowning, accident, exposure or disease.
The situation at Sianfu (Shensi) has cast a pall of It seems incredible that with one hundred and gloom over everyone. So you can imagine our joy at six sixty years of national history, with immense o'clock Christmas Day at hearing that Chiang was safe wealth, great unemployed man-power, most modand in Loyang. The city went wild, with the streets ern powerful machinery, and efficient managers j.ammed with people and a din of firecrackers. It was a 'Of big business, no way has yet been found to perfect Christmas gift for the Government and many of prevent such destruction of life and property and the people. Indeed the most remarkable thing about the such disruption of national life. Some steps have whole affair has been the unprecedented concern of the been taken by certain towns and cities along the man on the street. I've never seen anything like it before Ohio, .as by Dayton, Ohio, and along the Missisin China. It was not fear of looting or financial hard sippi River, and $325,000,000 have recently been • Newspaper reports indicate that in the settlement with Communists and with Yang's and Chang's forces, the Nanking Government has recognized Communist control in North Shensi (where Swedish Baptists have a station), and gives Yang Fu-Cheng control over a central section where the Scandinavian Alliance Mission (C. 1. M.) has several stations. In Kansu, under the control of Chang's ex- Manchurian armies, there are stations of the Scandinavian Alliance, Assemblies of God, Christian and Missionary Alliance, and Tibetan Tribes Mission.-Ep~TOll,
expended by the United States Government in and coordination of all life. Some nations claim flood-control work on the Mississippi. that this ideal can be reached by strong military measures, some by the rule of the proletariat, But while levees and spillways have proved some by human dictatorship and a totalitarian their value, they do not solve the problem. The State. Christians know that the solution is in the floods carry off top-soil, which the raging torrents recognition of the sovereignty of the Almighty, bring down and deposit in such abundance that the all-wise and loving God, as revealed through Jesus bottoms of the riverbeds are continually rising Christ as the Way, the Truth, the Life. The pracand levees must be built higher and higher. Pitts- tice and the making known of this Way of Life burgh, Cincinnati, Cairo and Louisville are among is what constitutes the reason for existence of the the large cities that have suffered and President Christian Church. Is there any doubt that Amer- Roosevelt placed the entire Government on a "war ica and every other country in the world needs basis" to administer relief to the stricken areas true missionaries of Christ? – rushing airplanes, trucks, troops, doctors, nurses and conservation workers to the scene. CHURCH GROWTH IN CHOSEN As in other cases of sickness, sorrow and loss, The growth of Christianity among Koreans is Christians are not exempt. Churches, parsonages, one of the most enheartening evidences of the schools, homes and business, belonging to follow- work of God's spirit in the world. In the Presers of Christ, suffer with the people and property byterian Church alone there has been a growth who do not recognize Him. This causes some of of 75 % in the past six years-compare that with feebler faith to question the love of God or His a 10% growth of members in Presbyterian and power to protect His own. But the situation is Methodist churches of the United States. not new. Followers of God have always suffered with their fellow men who are unbelievers, but the In Chosen there were only 150 "adherents" remoral and spiritual effects on the two classes are corded for Presbyterian missions in 1890, six not the same. Disasters and trouble draw some men to God and turn their thoughts to the great years after the work was started. During the abiding realities, to the things that make earthly life effective and they have the assurance of next ten years the number increased to 13,569 or Eternal Life beyond this. Distress and disaster also develop human sympathy and sacrificial serv- 9000 %. Since 1900 the work has steadily grown ice, as has been shown so often. Sickness and calamity always stimulate human minds to study until now the adherents number 341,700-and the preventive measures, and to apply remedies. New cities and new men rise on the ruins of the old, Church is self-supporting and self-governing with when there is a vision of better and more abiding things. "No affliction (chastening) for the pres- its own Presbyteries and General Assembly. From ent seemeth to be joyous but grievous-nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceful fruit of 1930 to 1936 the church growth, as stated, was righteousness to them that are exercised thereby." seventy-five per cent in the number of Koreans on But if blessing comes through physical disaster Presbyterian church rolls. Adherents include bapwhat shall be said of sorrows, destruction and death that come through human selfishness and tized church members, enrolled catechumens, chilcruelty. In Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia, Japan and elsewhere the self-will of the natural man that dren and regular attendants at church services. is "at enmity with God, and is not subject to the law of God," brings untold suffering and loss. In The roll of baptized communicant members has America the reign of lawlessness in criminals; the selfish disregard of human rights on the part increased from 100 in 1890 to 112,987 in 1936. of many employers and employees; the selfish weakness of many unemployed; the strikers that The net gain for each decade has been from refuse to work, or to allow others to work-all 331;2% to 3600% in membership. The number add to the present nation-wide unrest and suffering. Even the most materialistic thinkers are of churches has grown from three in 1890 to coming to realize that what this nation needs, and every other nation, community and individual, is about 3,600 in 1936, with 3,254 church buildings. an all-wise, benevolent and all powerful Ruler who will insure righteous laws, impartial justice, There are nearly 19,000 unsalaried Korean evanunselfish and wise officials, and effective control gelists and local church leaders and the Sunday school pupils number about 35,000. Christian Endeavor societies report 37,695 members. The church contributions for the year 1936 amounted on the average to ten days' wages per member.
How about America? .
One of the most vital factors in the life of the Church in Chosen is found in the Bible institutes held at various times in the year. These bring together over 182,000 Korean Christians – one- half the church membership-for from one to six weeks for Bible study, prayer and training for Christian work. Is it any wonder that the Church is alive and grows?
and Unchanging Things I•n
Foreign Missions* l By ROBERT E. SPEER, New York -"-If:1~. ,-;;;;_""==A""ut""h""O",,r""0,,,,'"""""C""h""rCi""sht""ri.ai"s"nt""R"t"oe""a"M"li""tei",,e"s"",'"e,,'"t"c".""T""he=M""e""a""nt""'n,,,,g""O""'==-:.I}3e– T ET me begin rather indirectly. Some time ago deeper problem – which is the real one – is our L there appeared in the International Review relationship to history and experience. of Missions a review of a volume entitled There are those who thrust their heads into the "The Finality of Jesus Christ." It was a some- sand and say that there is no such relation, that what severe review and culminated in the criti- the imaginary present is wholly separable from cism that the book represented "the Presbyterian the past. Shortly after the World War a little orthodoxy of fifty years ago." Some time later group of students in one of our eastern univer- the publisher of this volume issued another book sities, feeling greatly bewildered and confused, by the same author which he sought to have ac- went off for a week-end retreat, and invited with cepted by one of the committees recommending them as a senior counsellor the late Dr. James monthly books to the reading public. He told me Harvey Robinson. One of the boys told me after- that the member of the committee of selection wards that in his first talk Dr. Robinson unequiv- whom he had approached remarked in reply that ocally advised them "to cut loose from every idea the writer of the book "was a good fellow but he and institution of the past." Some time after- was a hundred years behind the times." ward I was talking with the president of one of I am rather well acquainted with the author of our largest railway systems with regard to one both these books-somewhat too well acquainted of our best-known American preachers, for whom -and I know that his only complaint with regard my new acquaintance was expressing the greatest to these criticisms is that they make him out en- admiration, on the ground that he had no respect tirely too much of a modernist! His purpose in whatever for the past and, frankly abandoning the first book was not to set forth the orthodoxy its positions, was striking out on wholly new of fifty years ago but to go much farther back and ideas.
to declare what he believed to be the orthodoxy To these two illustrations let me add one more, of the New Testament. And so far from being namely a full-page advertisement of a fortnight only a hundred years behind the times his earnest ago of the Bernarr Macfadden pulp magazines effort had been to get wholly behind them, be- which declared that these magazines were "keyed hind all time, and to set forth the eternal truth to the present and future" and not to the past. which is beneath time and beyond time. Pulp is a material which has no past. It is a sort of mushroom product and is a fitting material on The question here of perennial interest is of which to print magazines which instantly on course the question of the relation between the their publication vanish into the past which they present and the past. In a sense, to be sure, any despise. such issue is purely fictitious, for what we call the present is a vanishing line. It is simply the fu- These illustrations will suffice. What a queer ture flashing by into the past. In reality, the and yet entirely natural reaction they represent! present is nothing but a compound of the imme- A few years ago the dominant formulas of diate past and the proximate future. The ques- thought were "heredity" and "determinism"; tion is how much of each enters into what we call they bound us hand and foot to the past. Now we the present. I suspect that the ratio differs with are swinging to the opposite extreme. But what different people but that in general the present is an utterly impossible view the new view is! Dr. simply a word for the period made up of perhaps Robinson was advising the boys to reject every seventy-five per cent of the immediate past and idea and institution of the past. I suspect that if twenty-five per cent of the proximate future. The they had looked at him carefully they would have • President's address, somewhat abridged, delivered at the Forty- seen a twinkle in his eye and his tongue in his AfomuretrhicaA, n(n.uJaanl uSaeryssiIoi ntoof8,th1e93F7o)r.eign Missions Conference of North cheek. He was giving them this advice through [119 ]
a language which was the supreme embodiment maica and Sierra Leone and then at home had and achievement of the past; and his chief instru- done his work in the destruction of British slavment of action as an author was books produced ery, and who represented in his own mind and and circulated by means of inventions of the past. character the great Christian tradition of his race. "Some, perhaps," said Trevelyan, "will re- The railroad president wanted the past re- gard such motives as old-fashioned and such conjected. What would his board of directors have victions as out of date; but self-abnegation, selfsaid if he had proposed that the capital of the road control, and self-knowledge that do not give to accumulated in the past, its rolling stock manu- self the benefit of any doubt, are virtues that are factured in the past, its right-of-way acquired in not old fashioned, and for which as time goes on the past, should all be discarded and the road be- the world is likely to have as much need as ever." gin anew? The other quotation is from "The Life and Let- Would our friend, the book-recommender, pro- ters of Thomas Hardy." "Conservatism," wrote pose to discard everything more than a hundred Hardy, "is not estimable in itself, nor is change years old-Shakespeare and Milton, Raphael and or radicalism. To conserve the existing good, to Michelangelo, Plato and Phidias and Homer? supplant the existing bad by good, is to act on a What silly talk this is and how utterly stupid in true political principle which is neither conservaits failure to realize that time is not mechanical tive nor radical." but organic; that the present is only the projected and continuing past; and that the past, so All this just as background for the theme on far from being closed and complete, is all open which I wish to speak, namely, "Some of the and contingent, waiting for the full determination Changing and Unchanging Things in Foreign of its character upon the loyalty or disloyalty of Missions." the present and the future. Changing Personnel At Northfield long ago one of the best loved and most original veterans of the Civil War, the late Of the changing things, each one will be think- Chaplain Henry Clay Trumbull, made the Fourth ing first of the changing personnel. In this comof July address on the theme "Our Duty to Make pany there is not one person besides myself who the Past a Success." He took his text from the was present at the first of these conferences forty- Epistle to the Hebrews where, after the great roll four years ago. The conferences began at the inof the heroes and heroines of Israel's history, the stance of the Committee on Foreign Missions of writer declares: "And these, all having obtained the Western Section of the Alliance of the Rea good report through faith, received not the formed Churches holding the Presbyterian syspromise; God having provided some better thing tem. That committee called a conference of the for us, that they without us should not be made representatives of the Foreign Mission Boards of perfect." the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of the Uuited States and Canada to meet on January 11, So! How often during this past football sea- 1893, at the old Presbyterian Mission House on son did we see the ball on the five-yard line, with the corner of Fifth Avenue and Twelfth Street in the whole stadium seething with excitement, with New York City. There were present 38 repreone team seeking to carry the ball the last five sentatives of the eight boards of these Presbyyards and the other team resisting with every terian and Reformed Churches. There are only ounce of its power. How did the ball get there, two survivors of this group- Dr. Avison, who if the past is of no consequence? On that phi- has just retired from his rich service as a medical losophy, why not take it back to the middle of the missionary in Chosen, and myself. The following field where it will stay forever, on the theory that day there met in the same place 78 representathe present is to have no use for the past? All tives of the 23 foreign mission agencies of that the struggle that went before was futile unless day, including almost everyone of our denominanow in this fleeting moment the present does its tional boards and also the China Inland Mission duty to the past and fulfils its own mission in the and the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The discharge of its trust. Lutheran Church was not represented at the first conference but was present at the second and . Noble things the great past promised, thereafter in the person of a grand Christian Holy qreams both strange and true; man, Dr. Scholl. – There are only five survivors of the 78 delegates at this first conference-Dr. Avi- But thE{present shall fulfill them, son, Dr. Mott, Dr. Campbell White, William D. What he promised she shall do. Murray and myself. The names of almost all who were present come back to me now: Dr. N. G. All can be found in two noble quotations from Clark, Dr. A. C. Thompson, Dr. Judson Smith of two books I have just read. The first is from the American Board; Dr. Duncan, and Dr. Henry Trevelyan's "Life of Macaulay," regarded as one of the half-dozen great biographies in the English tongue. Trevelyan is speaking of Zechary Macaulay, Lord Macaulay's father, who in Ja-
CHANGING AND UNCHANGING THINGS IN FOREIGN MISSIONS
C. Mabie of the American Baptist Missionary who came to perpetuate the ministry of Christ Union; Dr. Tucker of the Southern Baptists; Mr. and to make the Christian Church the most tire- Kimber and Dr. Satterlee of the Episcopal Board; less, the most inventive, the most persistent, the Dr. Stephen C. Baldwin, Dr. A. B. Leonard and most persuasive agency of human history.
Dr. Peck and Dr. Walter R. Lambuth from the I have seen so many attitudes change, and so two Methodist Churches; Dr. R. M. Sommerville many issues rise and disappear, that I can view of the Reformed Presbyterian Church; Dr. Henry with a calm mind many of the eddies and drifts N. Cobb of the Reformed Church in America; of the present day. I was a schoolboy in Phillips Dr. Dales and Dr. Barr of the United Presby- Academy at the height of the Andover contro- terian; from Canada came Dr. Sutherland, Dr. versy and the contention in the American Board MacLaren, Dr. R. P. Mackay, John Charlton and over the question of the "second probation." We others. Most of the glorious company whom we have seen the humanism of the last generation met in these conferences across these forty-four rise and begin to pass, and have heard Berdyaev years are gone now. How fast they pass! Soon and many another sing its requiem. Professor the new generation will be taking our places. Julius Richter, on his last visit, described with Not only does the personnel of missionary humorous disdain the burial in Germany of many workers at home change but how fast has changed of the philosophies which had been born and had also the roll of missionaries. We could profitably died there and which were still influencing thought recall tonight the men and women who have gone in America. We have all seen the rise of the out from our churches, served the three genera- Barthian emphasis, which surely is not the whole tions of our foreign mission history by the will of of the Gospel but is an essential recovery of cer- God and who are engaged now in an ampler serv- tain aspects of truth which will not be so easily ice and an immortal liberty. lost again.
One would also recall the great list of national Some of our changes of attitude are not as great leaders; Dr. Schneder and I were speaking today as we sometimes suppose. In the January issue of that company of powerful personalities which of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD I founded the Christian Church in Japan and were quoted the substance of a letter which the late remembering the three survivors who are still Dr. J. P. Jones wrote to The Harvest Field in with us-Ibuka, Kozaki and Ebina. We sorely India in 1903. He was one of the wisest and miss the men who have gone-Goreh and Chat- ablest missionaries of his time. After he had terjee, Arcadio Morales and Alvaro Reis, Eduardo been traveling among the churches on furlough, Pereira and Erasmo Braga, and scores of others he wrote for his friends in India his impressions who were with us and are not with us now, save of the missionary situation in the home church.
in the invisible company. The personnel of our If he were describing the situation today his de- missionary enterprise changes fast, and this scription would not differ greatly from his ac- change alone brings with it the inevitable changes count of what he found a whole generation ago.
due to new times and new duties and the new per- There have been changes of emphasis and of atti- sonalities which rise with them. tude, but the essential issues have not changed so The Changing Methods much as some suppose. The change of attitude has probably been far The methods of the missionary enterprise have greater on many of the mission fields. The non- also changed and are ever changing. Perhaps Christian religions have changed as Christianity these changes have not been as great as we some- has not. Noone can overestimate the radical times suppose, or as we might desire. There are changes they have undergone and are undergoing.
new forms of evangelism, by newspaper adver- I have been reading the issues of the Bombay tising and radio (still in its infancy as a mis- Guardian under the editorship of George Bowen.
sionary method), and some old activities, such as He was one of the most remarkable Christian per- street and chapel preaching, are less practised sonalities of the nineteenth century-remarkable than they were. Many of us feel that the change for his intellectual ability and cultivation, for his has been too great in the diminution of mission- spiritual character, for his personal influence.
ary itineration. But the great basic method of The Bombay Guardian under his editorship was human influence and persuasion cannot change. one of the ablest religious papers in the world.
Preaching, teaching and healing were the meth- It is interesting to read today the articles on reli- ods of our Lord and they are the obvious and per- gious life and thought in India in his day; on manent methods of evangelism. One would like Hinduism and the reform movements, and to note to see still more ingenuity, more fertility of inven- the almost incredible changes which have come tion; not more reliance upon the promotional about in the past half century since Bowen wrote.
methods of modern exploitation but far more re- I do not remember Mazoomdar's visit to the West, sponse to the suggestions of that Living Spirit but I remember the swath cut by Swami Viva-
kananda. Many a Swami has followed in the conditions which the missionary enterprise had path which he blazed, all of them unconsciously to meet seventy-five or a hundred years ago-con- witnessing and contributing to the doom of that ditions of ignorance, of prejudice, or of racial and which they were seeking to preserve. And all religious selfishness. We are lacking today the these changes of past attitude are only predictions tidal wave of interest and sympathy which we had of further changes, not all of which will be for a generation ago in the old Laymen's Missionary good but none of which do we fear. Movement. Those who did not feel the hopeful The Changing Problems joyous surge of that spontaneous movement among the laymen of our churches cannot appre- Problems also have changed and will change; ciate what we have lost. Our new problem is to most of them superficially, but some fundamen- know what can take the place of such movements, tally. The political problem has changed greatly how the missionary enterprise can be so formu- within my memory. Mr. H. V. Morton's book, "In lated and so presented now as to draw forth the the Steps of St. Paul," reveals the change in the resources needed for the new opportunities.
freedom of the missionary movement since Paul's Changing Opportunities day. Paul was able to pass from Jerusalem to Spain without a passport, crossing no interna- Of the many changing things which I might tional boundaries on his way. Mr. Morton speaks mention, I will speak only of the changing oppor- of the contrast in his own experience, in passing tunities and resistances which are upon us and only from Antioch to Rome. ahead of us. Nobody any longer talks of the "im- In the last fifty years there has been a vast movable nations" as they were described in Rob- change for the worse in this matter of the free- ert Barr's book, "The Unchanging East." That dom and trustfulness of human intercourse. was the commonplace idea in regard to Asia fifty When I first visited Asia forty years ago it was years ago. One of the most authentic books of not necessary to get any vises on passports, and that time was "Asia and Europe," by Meredith we were not asked to show our passports more Townsend, who lived for years in India and suc- than two or three times in crossing a dozen or ceeded George Smith, Sir George Adams Smith's more nations. Now at every national boundary father, as editor of The Friend of India. Then he the barriers stand. We have lost the freedom of returned to England to succeed Richard Holt world movement of the Roman Empire, but alas, Hutton as editor of The London Spectator in the we have got back its worst political principle in days when the Spectator was one of the three most the deification of the State. Mr. Michael Williams, influential journals printed in the English lan- editor of The Commonweal, has pointed out the guage. No man was better informed regarding fact that the old concept of the "Cresar-god" is the relationships of the East and the West, and back again, with all its ominous significance as to yet the unchanging and yet constantly varying the relationship of the State to the freedom of the thesis of his book was the unchangeability of Asia.
human spirit. This problem of religious liberty Townsend held that Asiatrc races were sterile; has taken on accordingly a new aspect. I am not they had had their history. They were burnt out referring to the issue of missionary freedom, al- and no movements of living change could be gen- though that is significant enough. I am thinking erated among them. What must Mr. Townsend of those principles of religious liberty which we think as he looks down today upon the peoples of believe to be of universal validity and to enshrine Asia, representing one-half the population of the the basic rights of the human spirit. world, swung completely away from the old moor- It would be well for all of us to read some of ings, which he thought were perpetual, and that the recent books which deal with this issue, such are now adrift before mighty tempests on the vast as Christopher Dawson's "Religion in the Modern waters of time!
State" ; Adolph Keller's "Church and State in These nations have not changed more than Contemporary Europe"; William Adams Brown's some of our Western nations have changed; "Church and State in Contemporary America"; among them no change has been greater than the and Carl Heim's "The Church of Christ and the place of our own among the nations of the world.
Problems of the World Today." We have no time I remember well my first crossing of the boundary to discuss this here but it is a very different prob- between Persia and Mesopotamia, then under the lem today from what it was fifty years ago. Our rule of Turkey, just forty years ago. We were present situation is a throw back to darker days held up in the villages of Khanikin and Kasr-i- from which we had hoped we had escaped forever. Shirin by a Turkish quarantine. It was an in- Weare confronting another set of new prob- teresting place, near the old palaces of the lems in the promotional work of the missionary Khosroes. Mrs. Speer and I sat on those great enterprise at home. In one sense these problems terraces, where the marble pillars had held their are not new; they represent simply the revival of marble roofs, and recalled Browning's "Love
CHANGING AND UNCHANGING THINGS IN FOREIGN MISSIONS
Among the Ruins." When at last the quarantine India now than there were in the entire world in was lifted, for almost the only time on that trip, the year 300. There come to my mind again the we showed our passports to the Turkish officials. names of the leaders of these churches, of whom They gathered around Mr. Hawkes of Hamedan I was speaking a little while ago, men and women who had brought us to the border, and we over- who are the peers of any in our Christian heard in their discussion the words "Yangi churches in the West and with whom we rejoice Dunia." I supposed it was some barbarism for to step forth, brother clasping the hand of "Yankee Doodle" but we learned from Mr. brother, fearless amid the welcome changes of the Hawkes that they were the Turkish words for new days. "New World." The dispute was as to whether there really was any such country as the United Things That Do Not Change States of America and if so where it was and what it was. In those days the sight of the Amer- Now one rej oices to turn from these, and the ican flag was a rarity, and only once or twice in innumerable other changing things representing the waters of Asia did we see it on any American both gain and loss, to the consideration of some ship. As one goes across the world today no of the things that do not change. words can exaggerate the difference, whether it be for good or for ill, in the knowledge and in- First there is God, the same from everlasting fluence of America. to everlasting. I recall most vividly the meeting of the general War-time Commission of the To this plasticity of the fixed nations, and to Churches in Washington, during the World War. this unlimited influence of our country, one adds There were three speakers, Archbishop Soderblom the amazing change represented in the rise of of Sweden, Bishop Gore of England, and Dr. the Christian Church. There is enough to dis- Harry Emerson Fosdick of America. Who that courage us in the problems of self-support, true heard those three notable addresses could ever independence, literacy, and self-propagation, and forget them! Dr. Fosdick had just come back the true spirit of autonomy in these churches. I from France and closed his address by quoting have seen the abandoned parasite churches which the familiar hymn which was the favorite of Engdied when the subsidies failed. But these discour- lish-speaking soldiers from whatever land, "Abide agements are offset tenfold by the miraculous with me, fast falls the eventide." Standing out· growth and progress of these past years. How for the soldier most distinctly were the lines, easy it would be to recite many concrete evidences "Change and decay in all around I see; 0 Thou of the change. I know of hardly anyone more who changest not, abide with me." Thank God, dramatic than the Lushai choir. Half a century He is unchanging. ago the Lushai people lived in terror and suspicion of each other. "Chief rose against chief, village Turn back again and read sometime Bishop against village. Prisoners were taken and car- Brent's address on next to the last evening of the ried back in triumph by the conquerors who used Edinburgh Missionary Conference in 1910 on the them as serfs, or cut off their heads and put them theme "The Sufficiency of God." Time swings by on poles outside the villages. The Lushais were in its ever rolling stream, bringing its unceasing head-hunters. When they died those who had the change; but this work that we are doing, however required number of heads were allowed to enter much its form and conditions may shift from year the Lushai paradise." Today there are 300 Chris- to year, is mortised in One who changes not. tian churches among them with 50,000 members, and the Lushai choir travels all over India singing o God, the rock of ages, Gaul's "Holy City" and Handel's "Messiah" as well as they can be sung by the great choirs of Who evermore hast been, the West. What time the tempest rages, About a year ago we celebrated the jubilee of Our dwelling place serene; missions in Chosen. I was in Korea shortly after the organization of the first church in Pyengyang Before Thy first creations, and could appreciate the feelings of Dr. Samuel Moffatt who founded that church as he watched o Lord, the same as now, the jubilee procession of Christians seven miles long and could reflect that there are more Chris- To endless generations tians in Chosen today than there were in the The everlasting Thou. Roman Empire at the end of the first century. The last news bulletin of the United Lutheran This metaphor of the rock, which the Old Testa- Church called attention to the fact that according ment used with regard to God, is equally relevant to the last census there are more Christians in and came naturally to the thought of the writers of the New Testament, with regard to Jesus Christ. He is "the same yesterday, today and forever." I do not say that He must be the same to us. If He is what the New Testament repre- sents Him to be, and what we believe Him to be -the fullness of the Godhead, in whom are hid all the riches of grace and knowledge-then He cannot merely be to us the same from day to day,
but must every day be something more, as we two of the ablest Greek scholars in England, Sir grow in the knowledge of God in Him, and move Edwin Hoskyns and Noel Davey. There has been "in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of no more thoroughgoing acceptance of the analyt- the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the ical criticism of the synoptic Gospels than this. measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." But its conclusion is that, dissect the Gospels as We want no misunderstanding of our position; you please, you will have, when you come to your whatever the materials or the plans of our build- most destructive end, a Person from whom there ing, there is one unchanged and unchanging foun- is no escape, One who believed Himself to be God dation on which we bUild. Everything else may and whose belief His disciples shared. It is inter- shift and alter but not this. We thank God for esting to note that, in the hands of some, the Grundterg's noble Lutheran hymn: "form criticism" of the Gospels is taking this same reverse turn. It was formerly held that the evan- Built on a Rock the Church doth stand gelists had overdrawn the picture of Jesus, that Even when steeples are falling. love and devotion had read into the story what was not there. But now there are those who hold Crumbled have spires in every land that the evangelists underdrew the picture, and Bells are still pealing and calling. that Jesus, being what He was, it was inevitable that His picture should be underdrawn; th8t do Let the steeples fall if they will, and more surely their best, men could do nothing more than touch still the minarets and the pagodas and the towers, as it were but the hem of His garment. "Jesus but the great Rock Foundation stands is greater than the traditions about him," says Deissmann, and I think that we are on the thresh- Whereon our feet were set by sovereign grace, old of a day when the godlikeness of Jesus will Nor life, nor death, with all their agitation displace, perhaps overmuch, the humanitarian Shall thence remove us if we see His face. interpretations of His person. Let the interpre- tations come and go-He is what He has always One of the greatest services ever rendered by been, and we stand on His unchangeable reality, our friend Dr. William Douglass Mackenzie, who Son of God and Son of Man. belonged by birthright and conviction in this fel- lowship, was the work he did in his latest book, Onr Unchanging Faith "The Christ of the Christian Faith." In the .finality, the absoluteness, the sufficiency, the Our fourth great unchanging inheritance is our uniqueness, of this supreme Personality the mis- common catholic faith. Weare often reproached sionary enterprise believes, and here it unalter- with our divisions and disagreements but as a ably stands. matter of fact these are trivial in comparison with the broad basic unity of our common Christian Unchanging Facts of History mind. Weare often told that we shall never be able to get together in our Christian opinion and The facts of Christian history and the record that we should turn accordingly to cooperation of those facts in the Gospels also stand un- and practical service, where it is assumed that changed. We are not ignorant of, neither are we we can unite as we cannot unite in our underlying disturbed by, the historical and literary criticism convictions. "When there is a great fire," we are of the early Christian documents. What the facts told, "see how men of every opinion unite. Reliabout Jesus Christ were, they were and are. No gious and political differences are forgotten in the criticism of history can alter the facts. It can common effort to deal with the great emergency." alter the interpretation of the facts. It can cor- Nothing of the kind. The opinions that are not rect any misrepresentation of the facts. But what relevant to the emergency are temporarily held in happened happened; and we are absolutely sure abeyance, but there is no cooperation in work that that whatever changes may take place in the form does not rest upon intellectual agreement in that of the New Testament criticism will leave us with work. The fire extinguishers are united in their the fact of Christ, and the facts of Christ more opinions about the fire and the method of its exsure and certain than ever. As Harnack said, in tinguishment. And as a matter of fact the area closing his famous address on "Christianity and of our intellectual agreement in Christianity goes History," "Let the plain Bible reader continue to far beyond the measure of our practical cooperaread his Gospels as he has always read them; for tion. It was a significant thing that at the first in the end the critic cannot read them otherwise. "Faith and Order" Conference at Lausanne the What the one regards as their true gist and mean- only commission's report which could be adopted ing, the other must acknowledge to be such. . . . was the report on the common faith, a report This evangelical faith need fear no test that can which was embodied in the message of the Jerube applied to it. It can bear a strict and me- salem Missionary Council. That Council too could thodical scrutiny of the facts which form its historical foundation."
One of the most significant books of recent months is "The Riddle of the New Testament" by
CHANGING AND UNCHANGING THINGS IN FOREIGN MISSIONS
never have been united in anything except its ac- Two specially great and inspiring books that ceptance of the common Catholic faith and par- I have read recently are "The Autobiography of ticipation in the common Christian experience. Jawaharlal Nehru" and Seaver's life of "Wilson We have seen this very richly in the recent Na- of the Antarctic." Jawaharlal Nehru, now presitional Preaching Mission, where men of many dent of the India National Congress, has been for divergent denominations and dissimilar methods years one of the outstanding younger leaders on found themselves absolutely united in their proc- the Nationalist movement in India. He is the delamation of the essential Christian message. voted friend of Gandhi, though they differ almost What we need is not so much more doctrinal by the width of the world in their ideologies and agreement: it is the implementing of our exist- philosophies. He wrote his book in prison and ing agreement in the instruments of united action. the shadow of his wife's illness lies over the last pages. As a Socialist drawing near to commu- In the world at large today we face the same nism, Jawaharlal frankly repudiates all religion. situation. Whether it likes it or not, the world is It is open to question whether his methods may unified today in its economic life and in its real not frustrate the very ends which he seeks, but political self-interest. Our trouble is that we are there can be no question as to the glorious deseeking to deny facts and that we have not pro- votion of the man, his steadfastness, his patient vided, either in the League of Nations or other- endurance, his self-sacrifice, his disregard of wise, the instrumentalities through which the everything else in his loyalty to his cause. One common life of humanity can express itself and asks himself, as he lays down the book, whether fulfill its functions. Many changes are called for his Christian loyalty can match this Indian's conin the world and in the Christian Church today secration and how soon, in the Church on the misbut underlying all of these the hopeful thing is sion field and the Church at home, leadership can that we have already existent a great body of be raised up that will surpass in the Christian common faith and life extending far beyond our cause young Nehru's leadership in the cause of achieved, united and cooperative action. Indian Nationalism.
The Great Fundamental Aim and Method The other book is more wonderful still. One feels unworthy to read the story of such a life. After all, the great fundamental aim and cen- Wilson was a biologist, an artist, a naturalist, a tral method of the missionary enterprise remain physician. lIe was the doctor and the spiritual unchanged. What is that aim? It is all expressed mainspring of Scott's expedition to the South in our Lord's prayer: "Thy kingdom come, thy Pole, where he died with Scott and two other comwill be done on earth as it is in heaven." This panions as they were returning from the Pole in formula may seem to over-simplify the task. their effort to reach their base of supplies. I have What is the Kingdom of God? The phrase is used never read a life of purer inspiration. When the with half a dozen significances in the New Testa- bodies were found by the expedition that came to ment. What is the will of God? Much of our seek them two letters. were taken from Wilson's philosophy and theology reads the evil of the breast addressed to his wife. Let me read them world into the Divine Will. I do not believe that now: any sanction can be found, or any rationalization either, of sin and unrighteousness in the will of To My BELOVED WIFE: the righteous and holy God, the Father of Jesus Christ. Dishonesty, murder, adultery, rapine and Life has been a struggle for some weeks now on this lust and crime are not the will of God. return journey from the Pole-so much so that I have not been able to keep my diary going. Today may be the last But the difficulties do not touch the central effort. Birdie and I are going to try and reach the Depot simplicity. Our business is to live and work to eleven miles north of us and return to this tent where bring the life and work of the world into con- Captain Scott is lying with a frozen foot. . . . I shall formity with the pure and righteous and loving simply fall and go to sleep in the snow, and I have your will of God, as revealed in the mind of Christ. little book with me in my breast-pocket. . . . And the central motive must be what it has ever been, what it was to St. Paul: "The love of Christ Don't be unhappy-all is for the best. We are playing constraineth me." Does that love adequately con- a good part in a great scheme arranged by God himself, strain us? There was no one in st. Paul's day and all is well. • . . I am only sorry I couldn't have seen whose devotion to any master or any cause shamed your loving letters, and Mother's and Dad's and the the devotion of St. Paul to Christ. Are we sure Smiths', and all the happy news I had hoped to see-but that we should feel no shame as we set our devo- all these things are easily seen later, I expect. . . . God tion to Christ today over against the devotion of be with you-my love is as living for you as ever. men and women around about us to the causes which command their minds and wills and their I would like to have written to Mother and Dad and all utmost sacrifice? at home, but it has been impossible. We Will aU meet after death, and death has no terrors. . . . We have done what we thought was best. My own dear wife, good-bye for the present.. . I do not cease to pray for you-to the very last. . . •
To My MOST BELOVED WIFE: than our predecessors had then. The trouble is, God be with you in your trouble, dear, when I have we do not think enough on the continuity of life gone. I have written another short letter to you. . . . and time. We have too many ephemeral notions -they spring up this morning and will fade to- I leave this life in absolute faith and happy belief that night. We need to do our thinking deeper down if God wishes you to wait long without me it will be to some good purpose. All is for the best to those that love God, and oh, my Ory, we have both loved Him with all in the organic unity of the enterprise. There is our lives. All is well. . . . a bit of verse I came upon recently in a little Eng- We have struggled to the end and we have nothing to lish book, "A Cotswold Year": regret. Our whole journey record is clean, and Scott's God guard me from those thoughts diary gives the account. . . . The Barrier has beaten us Men think in the mind alone. -though we got to the Pole. He that sings a lasting song My beloved wife, these are small things, life itself is a Thinks in a marrowbone. small thing to me now, but my love for you is forever and a part of our love for God. . . . I do not cease to pray for And the moral principles abide. A New York you and to desire that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will. (Later.) God knows I am sorry to be minister in a sermon on the recent tragic experi- the cause of sorrow to anyone in the world, but every ence of the whole English-speaking race depre- one must die and at every death there must be some sor- cated the persistence of the old ethical ideas. The row. . . . All the things I had hoped to do with you after Ten Commandments, he held, were antiquated this Expedition are as nothing now, but there are greater relics of a social life lived in the desert long ago things for us to do in the world to come. . . . My only and were irrelevant in our present time. Let a regret is leaving you to struggle through your life alone, but I may be coming to you by a quicker way. I feel so word spoken by Walter Lippmann at the inauguhappy now in having got time to write to you. One of ration of President King of Amherst answer this my notes will surely reach you. Dad's little compass and poor preacher's folly: "What the world needs Mother's little comb and looking-glass are in my pocket. most of all from the colleges," said Mr. Lippmann, Your little Testament and prayer book will be in my hand or in my breast-pocket when the end comes. All is well-. "is not medicine for its pains but the maintenance So they left him there, covering the little group intact, amidst all the distractions of life, of its with a clean snow monument and setting up over standards of excellence." The mariner's comthem the simple inscription: "To STRIVE, TO pass does not change with the moral caprices of SEEK, TO FIND, AND NOT TO YIELD." For the joy men; and the spiritual principles are equally sethat was set before Him our Lord endured His cure and unshifting. It would be well if we would cross; for the love of such a Master, St. Paul set ourselves individually and collectively, to diswalked the roads of the Roman Empire, crossed cern and draw out these principles. A great deal its seas, and died outside the walls of Rome. Is of our confusion is due to our failure to apprethe unchanged motive dominant within us today, hend them. We are seeking, for example, to furor has our changeableness and vacillation held us nish leadership today for our youth movements back from the pure devotion that has been the and to see what can be done to vivify and maincentral spring of the missionary enterprise tain these movements, including the Student Volthrough the centuries? unteer Movement. Leadership will not be sup- plied to these movements from without-it must I have been reading Thomas Traherne's "Felici- spring up spontaneously from within. We need ties" with their contempt of the "Cursd and to remember, too, that the greatest spiritual lead- Devisd Properties" which robbed his eyes of ership is often the humblest and the least pubsplendor, and kept him from the glory to which licized. The things that have happened in his- God called all obedient life. Are the proprieties, tory, that we do not know about, probably outthe conventions, the accepted respectabilities, the weigh in their eternal significance the things that unbelieving naturalism, the fear of wonder and happened and that we do know about. Some auof miracle, keeping us in grooves from which we thentic unrecorded history is vastly more imporshould. break out, with self-forgetfulness, in striv- tant than some authentic recorded history, and ings and in achievings transcending the sacrifies still more important than the recorded history of nationalism and of exploration? This is the that is not authentic at all. And what is true of unchanging call. history is still more true of personalities.
Unchanging Spiritual Issues Some time ago I sent to one of our able mis- There are great spiritual principles and issues sionaries a little statement of suggested items·of that after all change little if at all. Read the missionary principle and policy, one of which.I resolutions adopted by the early Foreign Missions am afraid slipped into just the error of which I Conferences. The resolutions adopted long ago am speaking. It read, "Perhaps the largest part at tl;Ie meeting of this Conference in the rooms of of our whole problem is to find and prepare men .the Board of the Reformed Church in America and women who know what the Gospel is and who dealt with just the issues that we are facing now. are intellectually and spiritually capable of com- They show that we have no more wisdom today municating it and of doing today the work that
CHANGING AND UNCHANGING THINGS IN FOREIGN M'ISSIONS
needs to be done by great evangelists, apologists automatic self-progression of humanity. As Dr. and theologians, as well as by common men and Adolph Keller wrote recently fr:om Geneva, as he women who simply know how to love and serve." surveyed the European scene: "We are coming back to the first Christian conception of the world. The good and wise man to whom I sent the The world is not plastic material to be easily statement replied: moulded by Christian influence. There is a hos- tile demonic element. The Church has to fight Will you forgive me too if I fail to respond, as I perhaps stubbornly against principalities and powers for should, to the mention of the great names of the past as its faith and liberty, for the conversion of peoples necessarily suggesting more heroism than is evident today, and the spread of the Gospel." under conditions not so difficult in many other ways? I am sorry also to say that the really great names of the This was Paul's view. "For we wrestle," said missionary enterprise, as of any other enterprise, are never he, "not against flesh and blood, but against prinmentioned, and that makes me wince a bit at the last line cipalities, against powers, against the rulers of of your paragraph 11. I am so much of a heretic in the the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickface of present plans and propaganda that I believe that edness in high places." If any of you have lived the strength of the missionary cause is in "the common such placid lives that you do not realize this, if men and women who simply know how to love and serve." you still think that life is a bright and happy un- folding of its: own latent nature and possibilities Unfortunately, too, the solution of our personnel diffi- of good, I hope you may be spared those deep culty does not seem to lie alone, or even predominantly, tragedies through which others of us have had to along the line of preparation. This is not to discount the pass, tragedies which have taught us the truth of importance and necessity of the very finest preparation Paul's interpretation. We do believe, as the hymn available, but there is a real sense in which a preparation in our conference hymnal declares: too intense and technical and American, reaches a point of supersaturation which really unfits a person for the God is working his purpose out main essential in missionary living, which is simple- As year succeeds to year: hearted adaptability to the situation in which he finds himself. The problem of reconciling these two is a very God is working his purpose out, difficult one, and I don't think that we have reached the And the time is drawing near; solution. Nearer and nearer draws the time, The truth that we need to learn and keep ever The time that shall surely be, in mind St. Paul set forth long ago in one of his letters: When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God As the waters cover the sea. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many We believe this. If Paul could believe it and noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things declare it in his letter to the Philippian Christians of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen written from jail, from discouragement, from the weak things of the world to confound the things which loneliness, from the treachery of fellow Chrisare mighty; and base things of the world, and things tians, surely we can believe it and declare it towhich are despised, hath God chosen, yet, and things day. But the purpose will be accomplished only which are not, to bring to nought things that are. as the end of a great struggle: a struggle that cost the life of the Son of God, a struggle that is Here once again is the everlasting paradox. calling today for everything that is within us, that Who was the man who wrote these words? We is demanding of us more than all that Jawaharlal see him now not as weak and foolish but as the Nehru is giving to his Nationalism, all that Edmightiest figure in human history, next to his ward Wilson gave to Antarctic exploration, that Master. David Livingstone gave to those dark journeys which lifted the somber fringes of the night and The Nature of the Christian Life let light in upon Africa, all that Jesus Christ asked and is asking still, "If any man will come Lastly, among the unchanging things of which after me, let him deny himself and take up his I would speak there is the real nature of this life cross and follow me." This is the summons that that we are trying to live and this work that we is unchanged and unchanging. are seeking to do. It is a conflict in which we are engaged-a conflict ever changing and unchanging. We are passing beyond the easy conception of the last generation or two with regard to the We need, not simply education, but Christian education – training that issues in religious conviction and Christian personality. Our strength lies in the intelligent religious convictions of our people. In the more comprehensive sense of the term the whole problem of the church is now more clearly seen to be one of education. We have to bring every available resource to bear to make the home, the pulpit, the Sunday school, the day school, the university, the the- ological seminary, all our educational factors, efficient in carrying out the great task of train- ing men and women in Christian character. R. E. S.
American Indian and His
Native Beliefs and Customs and the Christian Missionary Motive -4£{ By ELAINE GOODALE EASTMAN Author of "Pratt: The Red Man's Moses"
THERE are undoubtedly inherent values in right in assuming that their religious associations many primitive religious beliefs., and there are not likely to alter radically "so long as the is an essential human dignity in black, brown culture pattern holds firm." Among our own and yellow men. But the recognition of these American Indians the opposite condition obtains. values has gone too far in many cases, as for ex- Nearly all of them have been compelled by circumample as regards the relatively small group of stances to turn for a living to agriculture, cattlepartially assimilated American Indians. raising or sheep-herding, modern industry or other civilized employment, and schooling has Recent writers have indulged in what may well been general in most tribes for one or two genbe termed extravagant praise of the original In- erations. dian religion and culture. Ernest Thompson Seton's "Gospel of the Red Man: An Indian The Decline of Primitive Cultures Bible," is a brief summary of the "highest and best" ethical teachings of many tribes. The au- The early missionaries, foreseeing this radical thor quotes nine passages, covering almost every shift of cultures, knew that a decay of faith and point made, from Dr. Charles A. Eastman's "Soul ritual based on war and the buffalo hunt must of the Indian" (published twenty-five years ago), inevitably follow. "So far as this tribe is con- and closes with the words: "We advocate his (the cerned," writes one who passed a lifetime among Indian's) culture as an improvement on our own." the Sioux," there never was any use of force to Having long been keenly sensible of the charm turn an Indian away from any religion or toward of the primitive, I have insisted upon the native any religion." Such men were not unwilling to virtues of the untutored Red Man in a day when admit the merits of a culture they saw as doomed. such an attitude was frowned upon as sentimen- Aware that some loss was unavoidable, they tality. Until well into the nineteen hundreds, the sought to balance the loss by greater gain, usually Indian was looked upon as a "savage" and a with marked success. "heathen"-no less! The time came when I was Although a few literal-minded officials and privileged to assist in the preparation of Dr. East- over-punctilious clergymen did try to root out man's idealization of his ancestral philosophy, as everything "native" just because it was native, filtered through a modern mind-a study of this I think this was never a typical attitude. I know subject which has perhaps never been surpassed. that missionaries made some of the finest collec- Yet the Sioux author would not go so far as to tions of aboriginal art, and in some cases built up claim, as has another college-bred Indian, that his a profitable trade in these articles for the benefit race "has contributed more ideas of freedom, of native craftsmen. The Mohonk Lodge in Oklaequality and brotherly love than Christ ever homa is an example. While encouraging the pro- dreamed of"! Nor did he ever assert with Seton duction of things beautiful and serviceable, they that theirs was "the most spiritual civilization the could not be blind to the existence of objection- world has ever seen!" If these things were true, able habits and demoralizing superstitions. Di- what had we to offer them? In defense of the vi- reet attack upon these is, however, a less effective tality and persistence of the Christian missionary method than the friendly offer of something better motive, let us set beside the misleading half- in their place. Every normal personality instinctruths of the new school of Nature-wors'hippers tively seeks it consistent, well integrated philoso- the other half of the story. phy, and the adoption, even in part, of a modern Frank G. Speck, in his book on the Naskapi, the viewpoint implies the rejection of such naive ex- "savage hunters of the Labrador peninsula," as- planations of natural phenomena as that lightning serts that long-time missionary enterprise among proceeds from the beak of an enormous bird, or this people has basically failed. They are still that disease is the work of a malicious spirit. nomadic hunters, ,and the scientist is probably Sterling traits of character, present in some de- [128 ] gree among all mankind, are by certain extremists Photo by Bureau of American Ethnology labelled typically "Indian." Actually, there is HOPI INDIAN SNAKE DANCE little reason to suppose that the ordinary Indian surpasses the common man of another race in courage, generosity, truthfulness, or any basic virtue. In any group these traits vary widely with the individual. Neither, we may assume, is he in reality more "spiritual." True, a state of chronic warfare develops aggressiveness and continual hardship teaches endurance, while such vices as theft and avarice are hardly to be looked for in a moneyless society, whose few possessions are unprotected save by public opinion. On the other hand, those who live close to the soil are constantly preoccupied with primary needs and desires. The day-by-day talk of a primitive Indian camp deals first of all with food-a material necessity; after that, with a never-ceasing flood of incredibly petty and often spiteful neighborhood gossip.
The acceptance of civilization and Christianity makes life more complicated. Along with new temptations, it presents higher standards and a far wider outlook. I am fully aware of the difficulty of making so fundamental an adaptation. I know, however, from first-hand observation, that it may be and has been achieved, in numerous cases. Doubtless the ancient mores at its best produced some fine characters-an earnest of the strength and richness of those that have been developed under Christian teaching.
Some Harmful Indian Customs munities, some attention to the laws of health and preventive medicine is required by law. Both the literary fashion of lauding pagan cults, and the activity in their behalf so recently 2. The Hopi snake dance, theoretically a prayer undertaken by the Indian Office, have put our for rain, is now a well-advertised tourist attracmissionaries more or less on the defensive. With tion. The question arises: Do religious saturnalia no desire to call in question the existence of good of a sensational character, especially after they in all religions, it may be well to specify a few begin to be exploited for money, tend to exalt huof the old-time Indian customs which the mission- man dignity? A correspondent of The Christian aries hold to be definitely opposed both to moral Century commented, a year or so ago, on a someadvance and civic progress. what similar affair staged by Southern "poor whites." "Teester's performance," he wrote, "has 1. The occult arts and weird incantations of brought on such a widespread orgy of snakethe medicine-men, who are doctors as well as handling in tent and crude tabernacle meetings priests, not only fail to cure the sick-unless to that something will have to be done about it. . . . a limited extent by hypnotic powers – but they Press and sound news reel have made capital of often spread disease among the well. For one ex- the frenzied spectacle." ample out of many, take the Reverend J. C. Morgan's description of the ye-ba-chai, sacred healing 3. Rites involving public torture and mutilation ceremony among the Navajos. Mr. Morgan is a once climaxed the Sun Dance of the Plains people. native missionary. He writes: "In this dance These were banned by the government; but it is many men take part, each wearing a snugly fitting said that in some pueblos there are still ceremonial buckskin mask. One after another wears the whippings. same mask all night long. Some have sore eyes; some have tuberculosis; the masks, become sat- 4. Belief in witchcraft is almost universal urated with breath and perspiration. I believe among primitive Indians. Some tribes execute many are infected with trachoma or tuberculosis persons suspected of being witches. or both." This dance lasts nine days and nights and costs much money. In most enlightened com- 5. Fear of "ghosts," really fear of the dead and their power to harm, is extremely common. It causes a great deal of unhappiness and leads to
lending one's wife to a visitor, will hardly be de- fended as worthy of perpetuation among United States citizens..
11. The tradition of incessant petty warfare against "enemy tribes," usually near neighbors, dominated the society of the leading Indian na- tions. No youth might honorably seek a wife until he had shed the blood of an "enemy," often that of a solitary hunter with his helpless little family. Next to taking the life of a member of another tribe, either man, woman or child, in a kind of private "war," most renown was to be won by "stealing" his horses or other property.
REV. BEN BRAVE – SIOUX INDIAN The Need for the Christian Message practices injurious to the living, such as the de- It will be said in reply that no one has proposed struction of a dwelling in which a death has oc- going to logical extremes, but merely that the curred. Extreme mourning customs, the cutting "best" of the ancestral tradition be perpetuated. of the hair and flesh, burying or giving away all This means that the much eulogized "native culpossessions, add needlessly to the pain of bereave- tures" must first be judged by wholly alien standment. ards. After the process of sifting, only a few selected items remain, and these usually among 6. It has been said in praise of the old-time the least characteristic and important. Customs Indian that "his ambition was not to possess shocking to our moral sense, such as kidnapping, wealth but to give it away." At the same time, slavery, massacre of noncombatants, torture of property must first be accumulated, before pres- prisoners and many others, though sanctioned if tige can be acquired by its distribution. Probably not enjoined by various Indian religions, are supthere was little pure altruism connected with the pressed by Seton in his "Indian Bible" as well as tradition of public giving, which was on the whole by certain spokesmen for the Indian Office. The a form of display. The leading men of some tribes widespread injury to health from the use of collected and destroyed great piles of savage peyote, and the activities of native medicine-men, wealth as the surest :r;oad to personal distinction. are glossed over or ignored. If it were actually possible to reestablish the "integrity of the old 7. The Peyote cult, borrowed from Old Mexico, order," as some enthusiasts have seemed to advocenters about the use of an intoxicating drug for- cate, we should once more have tribal leaders of bidden by the laws of several states. Missionaries the type of Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Kicking and other close observers have invariably con- Bear – high priest of the Messiah craze. This demned it as harmful. It is tolerated, however, would be genuine "Indian leadership," promoted by the present Indian administration. by strange forms of religious excitement and find- ing vent in intertribal feuds, as well as in undying S. Religious taboos against many common hostility to the white man! foods, such as fish, or the totem animal of the individual, cause needless privation and inconven- On the other hand, our present-day Indian leadience. ers have been trained by Christian men and women to lead away from, not back to, the primi- 9. Isolation of the menstruating woman, often tive. Most of them are of mixed ancestry, and with inadequate fire and food, is a common cul- the same is true of an estimated two-thirds of the tural trait based on superstitious fear. It involves Indian population, so-called. Intermarriage, says great discomfort and probable danger to health. the Dutch scientist, Schrieke, in his book, "Alien Americans," is "America's greatest contribution" 10. Polygamy, and especially the claim of a to the solution of the Indian problem. The inman to any or all of his wife's sisters as second- evitable transition is now far advanced. Surely ary wives, regardless of their preferences, to- the future of-these aspiring contemporary Amer.igether with the custom of sexual hospitality, or cans cannot, to any significant extent, lie along aboriginal folkways? If not, the "missionary mo- tive" is still valid, and Christ not only offers an advance upon any and all native religions but a new conception of God and the way of life for man.
Christ Has Done for Untouchables*
By v. s. AZARIAH Bishop of Dornakal, India THE whole of India has been agitated by the They cannot lose government help, simply because declaration made by Dr. Ambedkar that all they change their religion. Some others say that who are known as Depressed Classes should Hindus are reforming themselves, and there is give up Hinduism and seek to join some other re- much change nowadays compared with former ligion that will give them the fullest opportunities times, and that the Depressed Classes must wait of developing themselves. Dr. Ambedkar char- in patience. Dr. Ambedkar says in reply that he acterized Hinduism as a contagion; those who has now waited for many years and nothing is wished to escape the evil effects of this contagion really done; that the nature of Hinduism is such must flee from it. that nothing much can be done within it and the fact that some people have changed does not prove Dr. Ambedkar has been in Europe, England, that his people's lot is going to be very different and America and has spent several years in those from the past. countries for advanced study. Owing to his Depressed Class origin, however, he was put to great It is not for us to say what religion Untouchinconveniences when he began work in the Baroda ables must join; and what religion will give you State and in the Bombay Presidency. He is now what you seek. We place before you what the practicing law in Bombay and is also the principal religion of Jesus Christ has done in the past for of a law college. Thousands of those hitherto your brethren who have become Christians. known as Untouchables in all parts of India have declared their willingness to follow Dr. Ambedkar We have in the Andhra Desa about a million and renounce Hinduism and join some other reli- Christians. Of these nine-tenths must be people gion. who themselves or through their forefathers were in the so-called Depressed Class groups before Hindu leaders naturally are advising the so- they became Christians. What has Christ done called Depressed Classes not to abandon Hindu- for us who are converts and your brethren? ism. Some reformers urge that Hindu temples must be open to Depressed Classes. But "ortho- 1. He has lifted us socially. We have had edudox" Hindus vehemently oppose ,this. Pious Hin- cational facilities given us by missions. Adults dus would no longer visit the temples If they were have learnt to read. Our children live, study, and polluted by Untouchables. It would be reasonable eat alongside of any who may have come into our to ask why the Depressed Classes should now in- religion from any other caste. We have risen in vade Hindu temples where they have never wor- the estimation of other castes because of our edushipped before and hurt the feelings of the devout cation and character. Our original caste and the orthodox people. Many Depressed Class leaders ca11te of our forefathers are thus being forgotten. have publicly said that they do not want this. Some of our men are occupying positions as Deputy Collectors, Tahsildars, Sub-Magistrates, Some Hindu leaders have argued that the De- Municipal Commissioners, Revenue Inspectors, pressed Class people will not gain anything by etc., throughout the Andhra Desa. Most of our giving up Hinduism, because only when they re- pastors and teachers are from our own people; main in the Hindu fold will they be entitled to and these have under their care Christian conenjoy those political privileges and government verts from all castes. There are hundreds of favors which they now get as Depressed Classes. Christian pastors and thousands of schoolmasters But Dr. Ambedkar asks: "What is the use of all over the country. Converts from the Brahmin, privileges when we are to he eternally called 'out- Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra castes are taught castes,' 'untouchables' and have to live under this in Christian schools and are given religious mindisgrace?" And he is right. Moreover, he is con- istrations by converts from the Depressed Classes. vinced that the government is certainly not going These things. are not unknown to you. to do any such injustice to the Depressed Classes simply because they choose to revolt against the 2. He has raised our womanhood. The Chris- ~osition in which Hinduism has placed them. tian women stand higher than Hindus in educa- tion. In English education they stand highest of *N~~t~~~e~i~~~r distributed by the Foreign Missions Conference among Indians. Among them are found many doctors, and B.A.'s who are occupying responsible [131 ]
positions in the Andhra Desa. A few are in gov- ment in the higher things comes to us and these ernment service. These are respected by all who inevitably lead to enlightenment of mind and adknow them. Infant marriages are unknown vance in general culture. The light of Jesus among us; purdah is unknown, and this gives Christ has shone into our hearts and minds, and our women the opportunity of going on to higher is illuminating us. This may be noticed in any education and making themselves useful in public village in the Andhra Desa. life. Our home life is generally known to be pure and happy. Taken as a whole, our women and (e) Christianity has brought us fellowship and our girls enjoy life, full life and happiness, be- brotherhood. It has treated us with respect, and cause of our religious injunction-one man-one it has given us self-respect. It has never despised wife, and both equal before God. us because of our lowly origin, but on the contrary has held us as individuals who are as valuable be- 3. He has removed the customs and habUs that fore God and man as any man of any origin. We have been the causes of our past degradation. believe it has been the working out of the will of God, that probably more than seventy-five per (a) As we have already said Christian mar- cent of all the great efforts Christian missions riage law has given us happy homes. How con- have made in the past two centuries, has been for stantly, among the so-called Depressed Class peo- us, the Depressed Classes, for whom previously ple, men took liberty to give up one wife and take no one had shown any interest or care. All this another without making any provision for the has been in accord with the life and character of first wife? It was possible, too, for a man to take the Lord Jesus, who said, "I am come to seek and more than one wife. The result of this was un- save that which is lost." We, your blood and happy homes, wrecked lives, bitter tears, Quarrels, brethren, can witness to you what a blessing it and sometimes even murders. All this has now has been to be "found" of Him. changed. (f) Best of all, Christianity has given us hap- (b) The Christian religion has combated the piness and joy that can only come by the knowlcurse of drink. There is no doubt that one reason edge that God has forgiven our sins and has made for the poverty of the laboring classes is that half us His children in Christ. We consider this as the the earnings of men is usually wasted on drink. foundation cause of all that we have received Drink has also led to quarrels, riots, and court through this religion. The fact that Jesus Christ cases. Christianity has opposed this; and we can died for us makes us hate sin, and live new lives. point out many whole villages from which drink He lives now and enables us to give up our old, has altogether been driven out. This has in its bad habits and grow in newness of life. "If any turn brought prosperity. We know-we can cite man is in Christ there is a new creation," say onr names-all over the Andhra Desa, of Christians Scriptures. (who were known formerly as Depressed Classes) who have given up drink, and thus after a short All this has not been accomplished through any time have been able to payoff old debts, and a magic, or done in a day. It has been the result of little later have been known to possess bullock- years of service, patiently and with love poured carts, and earn an independent livelihood for out by thousands of consecrated Christian men and themselves. Decent houses have been built, and women, both Indian and foreign who have labored the general level of life raised, after the people to improve our lot. It has been the result of conbecame Christians. stant teaching, care, and instruction. It has been accomplished moreover, because we ourselves, (c) Christianity has made the people cleaner. freed by Christ from chains of ignorance and The Christian religion requires us all to meet in fear, have found within ourselves new courage, our churches every day, and most of all on Sun- new hope, new strength to struggle upward. It is days, together for the public worship of God. still a process going on; we are not a finished This regular worship of God has inculcated in us product (you may no doubt find many faults habits of cleanliness and self-respect. within us) but no man can deny that we are grow- ing, moving toward the goal. If you, like us, (d) Christianity has also improved our intel- should choose Christ in your momentous choice, lectual powers. The Christian religion enj oins on you will find in Him, not empty words, but ~n opall converts a certain amount of knowledge of di- portunity for an abundant life. "I am come that vine things. As soon as we are enrolled as Chris- ye might have life, and that more abundantly." tians regular instruction begins. A teacher and his wife are sent to live in our midst, and they All over India the Depressed Class people are guide us to knowledge in divine things. Our Sun- wistfully looking in every direction for a new reday worship includes instruction in religion. As ligion. The decision must be yours. What we a rule during daytime the teacher conducts a have tested and found that Christ is doing today school for our children. Men and women and for millions of your brethren, He can do for you children are thus lifted to a higher level of life; also. and by daily teaching and daily lessons, enlighten-
A Firebrand for Christ in
By the REV. J. CHRISTY WILSON, D.D.
American Mission, T abriz, Iran "I WANT to enter the school, and especially to study the New Testament, and learn more of Christ."
These were the first words of a Moslem village boy who came to the Mission School at the begin- ning of the fall term. Though he did not show much promise as a student his purpose was un- usual. In his case there was no prejudice against Christianity to break down. Somewhere he had learned to read Syriac, and the story of Jesus had captured his imagination, if not his heart.
Like many another boy in lands around this old world, he explained, "I have no money for tuition, nor even for books, but I am willing to do any kind of work."
Our drinking water was carried from a mission compound a mile or two outside the city so that his first job was to carry water in an earthen jar, like the woman of Samaria. That task led her to the well where she found Christ.
During the few busy days before the opening of school I saw much of this boy. At every meet- ing in the church or school he was present. He even appeared at teachers' meeting! A hunger to hear and learn everything he could made it un- necessary to urge him along "the flowery path of knowledge." At first he had appeared to be a very ordinary village boy but we were soon aware SAMUEL NARY – A MOSLE'M WHO FOUND CHRIST that his was no ordinary zeal for learning. He was sixteen or seventeen years old, but because from Islam, most of them develop gradually into of little previous schooling he was enrolled in the full-fledged Christians, but not so this boy. He third grade. gavehis heart all at once in full and complete sur- His name was "Seif Ali," he said, but he asked render and he was transformed. In an instant, that we enter his name as "SamueL" The reason it seemed, the village Moslem boy had passed he explained, "My name means 'The Sword of away. Before us there stood a new creation.
Ali,' who was the son-in-law of Mohammed the From that moment he became a firebrand for prophet. The name does not suit me, however. Christ.
I prefer to be called Samuel, that was the name Samuel went on with his studies and before of the boy whom God called and who later became long began bringing others to our house to talk of a great prophet." So Samuel it was. Jesus. They were for the most part common men In a Moslem country like ours, Friday is a from the bazaar, but they had been prepared for school holiday and on that morning a class of the interview. If they could read, Samuel had boys, who were interested, came by invitation to given them Christian literature and portions of study of Christ. Samuel drank it all in. Inside the New Testament. Instinctively they had real- of three weeks he was leading us in beautiful and ized that this boy's great and sincere desire was effectual prayer, and before three months he had to share with them the glorious new life he had confessed Christ. I have seen many converts found in Christ.
[133 ]
Following a shorter period of probation than you want me on your account to break a law of usual, Samuel and another boy who had accepted the school?" Christ about the same time were baptized, after being examined and accepted by the elders of the "My dear Sir," the boy responded, "I am not church. He began to wield a great influence under law; I am under grace." among the boys in the school and in the dormitory and the church. His surrender to Christ, his He continued in school through the sixth class Spirit-filled life, and his sincerity were so appar- and soon after was called by the government for ent that his faith could not be doubted. His zeal two years of military service. He went gladly to was contagious, and Christians who had grown serve in the army, saying that he had two great cold were warmed into new fervor by the fire that duties, one to serve God and the other to serve his burned in his heart. There were more than two country. He was anxious, however, to get the hundred boys in the school, many of them born patriotic duty out of the way, so he could devote and reared in Christian homes, but before the end his time more fully to what he conceived to be the of the year this' boy knew his Bible better than greater task. During his army service he conany other in the school. He seemed to have an tinually witnessed for his Master and became answer for every question in the words of Scrip- known as the most willing recruit in all his conture. It may have been that his influence had a tingent. Some years later, when another Chrisgreat deal to do with the fact that before the year tian convert boy went to serve under the same was over more than twenty of the students and hard-boiled drill sergeant and the latter saw how teachers expressed a desire to dedicate themselves gladly he obeyed even the most difficult assignto full-time Christian service. ments, he said, "What do we have here, another Samuel Naby?" At the time of his baptism Samuel asked to be called "Samuel Naby" or Samuel the Prophet. Periodically the boy in uniform came to ask for When he returned to his village his first concern Christian literature and Gospels, which he diswas ,to witness for Christ to his own relatives and tributed widely but with great care. Then no friends. There was some property of which he word would come from him for a time as he would was part owner and the members of the family be off in a distant area of the province. News took legal action to obtain his share of the prop- came from him at times and in various ways. erty on the grounds that he had become a Chris- Once two Jews walked about fifty miles to the city tian. He did not contest the action but remon- to get aNew Testament in Hebrew; they had strated with them for attempting to take away by been interested in Christ and His Way through force what he would have been willing to give the testimony of the boy doing military service them freely. His was the spirit of Him who said, in their mountain outpost. "If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also." One day the officer in command of his compaJjY found Samuel reading. He asked what book it The vacation period passed and the principal of was-and the boy, standing at salute replied, the school, in whose place I had been substituting for the year, returned from furlough. Samuel "The New Testament, Sir." came from the village to enter school again. He "Put that book away, you have enough to study asked if he might skip a class, and tryout in the in your guard manual," was the command. grade ahead, since he was older than the average of his classmates and had been studying in the "Sir," Samuel answered, "it is because of this summer. As reported to me the conversation was Book that I have in my hand that I stand here somewhat as follows: saluting you. Had I not learned from this Book my duty to my king and country, I should have "I shall be glad to have you enter a grade fled like many of my companions across the borahead," said the principal, "but you shall have to der to avoid military service." pass all the examinations of the class you wish to skip before you can enter the advanced grade. The officer did not answer but passed on. This is a positive rule of the school." Some ,time later the company to which Samuel "Please let me go in the higher class and try belonged was ordered to the extreme northwestern out there," Samuel replied. "Inside of a few frontier for a campaign against unruly Kurdish weeks I shall know perfectly well whether I can tribes. The going was hard and many wounded carry the work or not. If I cannot keep up you and sick were brought in to the military hospital will not need to say a word, I shall go back in the in the city where we were living. One day w·e other class of my own accord." heard that Samuel was there. I called on him. and found him as full of zeal as ever, though suf- "I should like to do it that way," the teacher fering from a severe case of pleurisy, contracted answered, "but our rules must be kept. Would from exposure and sleeping on the ground. I had taken him some books, which he began to pass on to others before I left his bedside. When my visit was about to end he shouted to all the sick
A FIREBRAND FOR CHRIST IN IRAN
and wounded men in the big ward, "Now be quiet Naby. His teacher in the training school for a minute, you fellows, this man is going to lead evangelists testified, "I have never received so us in prayer." There was absolute silence as I much spiritual help in my life as from that boy prayed-in the government military hospital. The in the three months he was with me." It will next time I came I was besieged for books and take much in sacrifice, and life itself, to found the tracts. church which God is calling out of Islam in this land, and this young friend would deem it a rare In due time the boy was well enough to return privilege to be one of the foundation stones-beto his home city to complete his military service. neath the ground if need be–in that church. When released from the army he started on a tour of near-by villages, busy at once in evangelism on The Great Teacher of us all has told us that: his own initiative. I was later told that many "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and Christians asked themselves the question, "Must die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth we wait to be shamed by this former Moslem boy forth much fruit." In Samuel Naby I have seen before we begin to witness for Christ?" the absolute living proof that the Spirit of Christ can change, in a moment of time, an ignorant vil- Samuel expressed his desire to become an evan- lage Moslem into a radiant, powerful Christian. gelist and give all his time to that service. He wanted to be free to work anywhere that God WILLIAM CAREY'S COVENANT called him and said, for a time at least, he would like to travel like Mansur Sang, the Christian Weare thinking much of missionary methods dervish. The Mission decided that he should go in these days. Carey and his colleagues, in the histo the distant city of Isfahan to take up training toric Serampore Covenant, expressed convictions in the school for evangelists. He already had the which never grow oldprime requisites, a heart full of love, a yearning to lead people to Christ, a burning zeal, and a 1. To set an infinite value on men's souls. good knowledge of the Bible. He was, however, 2. To acquaint ourselves with the snares which anxious to get the best possible training before he took up his, life work. hold the minds of the people. 3. To abstain from whatever deepens India's On his way to the training school he stopped for a few days in our city where he spoke in prayer prejudice against the Gospel. meeting and made the prayer at the general Sun- 4. To watch for every chance of helping people. day service. Many people caught a spark of his 5. To preach "Christ crucified" as the one great fire and he was mentioned scores' of times after he had gone on his way. means of conversions.
Reaching Isfahan, Samuel plunged into his 6. To esteem and treat Indians always as our training with keen delight. He was hungry for equals. instruction and worked with a will at these lessons under a young English missionary. He still 7. To guard and build up "the hosts that may be had time, however, to work among patients in the gathered." hospital, with men in the street, in the bazaareverywhere he carried on his intensive witness for 8. To cultivate their spiritual gifts, ever press- Christ. No necessity for others to plan "field ex- ing upon them their missionary obligation perience" for him in connection with his course – since Indians only can win India for of study! Christ.
After some three months of this training he 9. To labor· unceasingly in BibHcal translation. had some trouble with his throat and it was suggested that he have his tonsils removed. He ac- 10. To be instant in the nurture of personal recepted ,the proposal gladly, and when the time ligion. came went to the operating room laughing and saying to his friends, "I'll be out in just a few 11. To give ourselves without reserve to the minutes." Chloroform was administered for the Cause of Christ, "not counting even the operation and under the anesthetic Samuel lost clothes we wear as our own." consciousness but never regained it in this life. "Brainerd in America poured out his All efforts to revive him failed. very soul before God for the people. Prayer, secret, fervent, expectant, lies at Why God called him, at what to us seemed the the root of all personal godliness. A combeginning of his wonderful ministry, we do not petent knowledge of the languages current know. From our viewpoint the three years min- where a missionary lives, a mild and winistry of our Lord would have seemed all too short. ning temper, and a heart given up to God One thing we know is that many lives were stirred – these are the attainments, which more into new consecration by the passing of Samuel than all other gifts, will fit us to become God's instruments in the great work of hu- man redemption." It is written of Carey that "his whole desire went out to meet the Will of God."
Shrines and Emperor
–<!IIi By a R",;d,nt of Japan III>– T HE tradition of the descent of the Japanese that shrine w,orship is a secular ceremony, both ruler from the Sun Goddess has seen a strong scholars and the general Japanese and K'Orean r·evival during recent years. Ten or fifteen public look upon such acts as religious. The leadyears ag,o liberal Japanese leaders were inclined ers of the present reactionary movement (the to interpret this traditiDn as meaning only that Fundamentalists of Shinto) have succeeded in the line of EmperDrs, to quote the constituti,on, demonstrating that the act of paying reverence at "is coeval with Heaven and earth," leaving the a national shrine is an act of worship. The leadattendant mythology to fade into the background. ing authorities ,on National Shinto are c'Oming to Others even pr,ofessed to hope that Japan would devel,oP into a constitutional monarchy of the the position that the national cult is a religion. * British type. All 'Of this has a vital relationship to Christian Today, however, no 'One dares to express such education in Japan because the larger percentage opinions 'Openly. The world "Emper,or" and pro- of the students in all ,of the missiDn schools (exnouns applied to Him must be capitalized when cept the theol'Ogical seminaries) are n'On-Chriswritten in Western languages. The Japanese tians, and parents and guardians are consequently SChODl books state, "We Japanese lODk up to our non-Christian and very susceptible to influences Emperor as to a God," and "The Japanese Em- surrounding them. Non-Christian alumni and peror is divine." Last year the word used in offi- parents, s,ometimes instigated by pr,ofessiDnal "pacial documents for "Emper,or" was chang·ed from triDts," have demanded that the schools "clarify kotei (the general term for emperor) to Tenno, the national polity" by speaking 'Out clearly CJnor "Heaven-ruler." The Japanese are quite con- cerning the divine nature ,of the Emperor and the cerned because the Eur,opean word "emperor" is Sun Goddes·s. used with r·eference to the emperor of India and the emperor 'Of the Roman Empire, so that SDme This present-day interpretation of Japanese call their ruler Tenno even when speaking a fDr- nationalism forces several serious pr,oblems ,on eign language, and refer to Japan as a Tennocracy the attention ,of Christian schools in Japan, rather than an empire. It is forbidden to refer to Chosen and Form'Osa. the Emper,oras a man even in praise, and mDst Western j'Ournalists adopt the policy ,of referring 1. The moral basis ,of Japanese education is laid to His Majesty as seldom as possible in order to in the "imperial Rescript" on education, drawn avoid giving ,offense. They dare not ever refer up by the Department ,of Education in 1890 and to the Emperor Meiji as a "truly great man." issued under the name and seal of the Emperor Japanese express amazement that Christians Meiji to offset the flood of Western ideas. The should be S,o fD'Olish as to believe that one person Department of Education ordered that it should (Jesus) might be both human and divine. be read, with appropriate ceremony, 'On stated 'Oc- casions in all the schools. Recently another movement has revealed an unmistakable demand that loyalty to the present Within the past ten years, the Rescript has been Empel'or shall be equal to the loyalty to the Sun exalted n'Ot only as the basis 'Of Japanese educa- Goddess, and that the test 'Of national lDyalty is tion but as the Apostles Creed ,of the Imperial the worship 'Of the "Ancestress 'Of the Imperial Cult. The Rescript itself is held to be without line." Some years ago many scholars interpreted err,or and beyond criticism. Its morality is C,onthe Sun Goddess merely as a personification of fucian but it clearly states the divine ancestry 'Of one 'Of the tribes which invaded Japan in prehis- the Emperor. This element has caused it to be toric times. Today loyal subjects of the Emper'Or esteemed highly by those wh,o wDuld stem the tide· must accept the Sun Goddess myth just as it of present-day _Western doctrines. In recent stands. months all schools have been f'Orced to lay more emphasis upon this liturgy-the method 'Of read- In Korea most 'Of the shrines are dedicated to ing, the white gloves 'Of the reader and the bowing in reverence. In most Christian schools these the Sun Goddess, whereas in Japan most are dedicated to Japanese herDes. Japanese officials say • See article by D. C. Holton in the Japan Ohristian Year Book f~~ ~;i~6 q~Oe~tton~ummary of present-day scholarly opinion concern- [ 136] ceremonies are acc.ompanied by hymns, Scripture tion." Christians never know how the Rescri.pt reading, prayers and a short explanation .of the will be interpreted next. meaning .of the cerem.ony, but it is doubtful whether this can long continue since it is looked A few years ago when the service of a certain upon ,as an opportunity to teach the Christian d.oc- church was being broadcast at Christma's time the trine of God and to inculcate a Christian attitude phrase, "Lord save the Emperor," caused the of l.oyalty to the State. church such difficulty that a revision of the prayer book was necessary. The phr&se "King of kings In N.ovember, 1936, the Department .of Edu- and Lord ,of lords" was indicated as unacceptable cation required all schools to present copies of the for Christian worship. Recently Paul Kanamori's program used at the Rescript ceremony, and to "The W,ay to Faith," was withdrawn from cirexplain the nature,Qf the care taken of the sacred culation because of its monotheistic arguments. d,Qcument. The public press has also criticized the Christian doctrine of the Kingdom of God because its basic 2. In Japan most Christian schools accept the virtue of love is contrary to loyalty, the basic virstatement of the Government that the ceremonies tue of the J.apanese Empire. Hymns used in at the shrines are nonreligious and permit their Christian services (both English and Japanese students to go there to pay respect. These Chris- translations) might be oonstrued as treasonable. tian schools have not adopted the custom of volun- Opponents of Christianity are looking for the tarily, but thr.ough social pressure or demands slightest deviations from the present interpretafl'om patrons. In some Christian schools attend- tion of national loyalty. Christi.ans are concerned ance at the shrines is optional; in others the en- lest they should be forced to ,teach dogmas which tire student b,Qdy is taken under the direction of run counter to fundamental Christian principles. the military officers to pay reverence. In one boy's school the military officer invariably chooses Japanese Christians are concerned about these a Sunday to take the students to the shrine. In problems, but their concern is modified by two or T,Qkyo and vicinity the authorities are more three modifying factors. lenient than in other districts, a proof of the truth of the Japanese proverb that "The foot of the 1. The J,apanese Christians feel that officials lighthouse is in darkness." charged with the enforcement .of the law are friendly. All of the leaders .of the missi.on schools 3. The Japanese consider it a great honor for who have been called to confer with the officials a school to receive a Portrait of the Emperor. of the Department of Educati,Qn have been treated The Portrait must be kept in a fireproof safe with great oonsideration, and the men in charge when not in use; a teacher must sleep each night seek to make everything as easy as possible f.or in the same room ready to protect the sacred the sch.ools and churches to abide within the law Portrait with his life; acts of reverence must be without offense to conscience. The officials themmade when passing the Portrait or the container selves are being pres'sed by the Shinto Fundamen- ,of it, and the Portrait is on display only on the talists into a positi.on which they would not take ceremonial occasi,Qns when the Imperial Rescript if left to themselves. They are willing to make is read. Most Christian schools have avoided re- almost any compr,Qmise to avoid a public scene ceiving the Portrait by pleading that they had no that might involve them in lese majesty. These suitable pJ,ace in which to keep It. In the autumn men who are enforcing the law are not followers of 1936 all Christian higher schools were called of any particular religion. They are atheists or to the Department .of Educati.on to explain if they agnostics. The men .of the Meiji Restoration, who had a copy of the Portrait, and if not why not, devised the present cult of National Shinto, were and .if so, how It was treated. Leaders of the Na- rationalists and ,&theists. The J.apanese Christional Chdstian Education Ass.ociation advised all tians, therefore, conf.orm to many ceremonies Christian schools to apply f.or the best.owal of the without scruples, which would be impossible to a Portrait. Officials of the Department .of Educa- people (such as the Koreans) who do not have tion have recently advised Christian schools that this historical understanding. The men in charge a chapel, having symbols of the w.orship of the .of enf,Qrcing the law realize the necessity of not Christian God, was not an appr.opriate place for violating the constitutions guarantee of freed.om the display ,of the Portrait. .of religi.on, and will not force an issue which will antagonize the strong theistic sects of Buddhism, 5. In recent years the Government has been as well &s the Christian churches. emphasizing the importance of religious education in schools. A distincti'on is made between culti- 2. The Japanese Christians bend but do not vating the spirit .of religion in the pupils and break easily. Historically the cult of Shinto was teaching the doctrines of any ,specified religion. not intended to be religious, and many believe that The Government memorandum stated explicitly when this present tension has passed the .original that "n.o religious teaching will be permitted that purpose of the founders of the constituti.on will runs contmry to the Imperial Rescript on Educa- be maintained. Therefore, if the Government
will consistently maintain that the shrines are gone through controversies with the Government nonreligious and that reverence paid there is an in the past with credit and if they cannot find a act .of I.oy.alty and not .of religi.ous worship, they way out of this present crisis, they are ready to will foll.ow. Meanwhile they insist upon the re- pay the price in persecuti.on. form of Shinto and the removal of religions elements from shrines. Christians in Japan are fear- Finally, Japanese Chdstians are unwilling to ing a new era .of persecution, but d.o n.ot wish to create an issue out of what really seems to many precipitate it. a min.or matter, f.or they realize that far more important issues are in the air. 3. One question involved is, What does the Government mean by the words used for "God" for 1. A definite and well-directed anti-Christian "worship," for "divine"? It was unt:ortunate that m.ovement is .on foot in Japan, the extent of which the word adopted for "God" (kami) in Japan is is being revealed. The Government and the offithe same as that used for the Shinto divinities, cials ,are generally on the side .of the Christians, who are spirits of nature and deceased nati.onal seeking to avoid any overt act that would precipiheroes. The significance of the w.ord is little more tate a crisis. Ina certain city the l.ocal authorithan "eXialted being." Many Protestant Chris- ties recently issued orders that every house should tians refer to God by the term "Heavenly Father," erect a Shinto god-shelf. In another city placards .others ,always qualify the w.ord kami by phrases denouncing Chdstianity as a disl.oyal sect apasserting the uniqueness, the eternity and the fa- peared .on the streets one morning. In these plactherhood .of the Christian God. Although the ards the situation was analyzed so clearly that Shinto FundamentaHsts, ,and many .of the common it made one feel that, if a concerted effort were people, may think .of the Sun Goddess .or of Im- made by the enemies of the Gospel, there would perial Ancestors as possessing attributes of deity, be little difficulty in persuading the nonthinking the Christians know that the ideas differ greatly populace that Christianity is a traitorous religion. from the ideas which ,the Christians hold concern- At least many of its fundamental concepts run ing the Heavenly Father. Unfortunately, owing directly contmry to the stream of nati.onalistic to the hysterical state .of many "patri.otic" leaders, thought current in Japan at present. Certain it is impossible to air the differences involved, but hymns, certain secti.ons from St. Paul's Epistles, the Christians are thinking things through and from the Prophets, from the Book .of Revelati.on, discussing them in small groups. and from the Westminster Gonfes,sion, if pub- lished .on billboards, would precipitate trouble. Worship is paid by people to the spirit of a The situation is, as the Japanese would say, "delifaithful dog, whose statue stands at the railway cate." station where he awaited the return .of his dead master. Buddhi,st mas,ses are regularly held for 2. Another 'element of danger lies in the milithe spirits .of needles broken while sewing, and tary faction which use,s the Shinto reactionaries for ,the spirits of broken dolls. B.owing the head and Loyalists to further its policies of nationalistic is not reserved for what Westerners term "reli- expansion. This is.a subject concerning which it gi.ous" occ'll;sions. The sentiment .of awe at the is not prudent to write. There is clearly a rift center .of the Japanese idea of w.orship enters into between the civil ,authorities and the military. We many social conventions and habits. It is P.ossible are told that soldiers attempted to prevent the f.or Christians therefore to b.oW at shrines, even reentry of Dr. Kagawa, who was forced to appeal though thes~ same shrines may be used by .others to the governor of the prefecture before he could for religious purposes. It means little more to enter Kobe. them than taking off our hats at that same shrine would mean to us. The military authorities today are acting as if another war were imminent, and they look upon But many Japanese Christians will n.ot g.o vol- missionaries as enemies of their country, because untarily to the shrines or, adopt these methods .of they are foreigners; they look upon Japanese showing their loyalty. Well-known Christians are Christians as semitraitors because of their connot afraid to state that they or the'ir children d.o necti.on with the missions and because of the libnot worship at the shrines. If an issue is pressed, eral political and social ideas held by many Chrish.owever, they W.ould conf.orm rather than precipi- tian leaders. These things have had the effect of tate a crisis which might be far-reaching. drawing the Japanese Christians closer to the' missionaries, for in the event of a crisis both When such vague notions are common in Japan would suffer equally. regarding the meaning of "God," "worship," and "spirit," many missionaries feel that it is better The situation in Japan is more serious than that to leave the distinguishing .of the things that involved in the Shrine problem. Japanese Chrisdiffer to Japanese Christians. They are men and tians are seeking to avoid any open break with w.omen of a high .order .of intelligence, they have the authorities which would give additional oc- casion for their enemies to attack them.
Nagao-a Japanese Christian
By the REV. WILLIAM AXLING, Tokyo, Japan American Baptist Foreign Mission Society; Author of the "Life of Kagawa"
HAMPEl NAGAO was one of Japan's front- young Mr. Nagao has forged his way to the front line Christian leaders. While a student in and has become a conspicuous figure in the na- Tokyo he enlisted in the Christian life and tional life of Japan. On the staff of the Colonial this step ushered him into an entirely new world. Administration of Formosa, as Japan's represen- Everything he saw, the sky, the sea, the moun- tative on the International Railway Commission tains, the trees, the flowers, spoke to him about his in Siberia during the World War, as Chief of the new-found God, as revealed in Christ, a God who Southern Division of the Imperial Government is not only great and powerful but his Father, his Railways, as Head of the Municipal Street Car Friend. System of Tokyo and as a member of Parliament With unspeakable eagerness he looked forward he has rendered a significant service.
to the summer vacation when he would return to Through it all he has stood s.taunch as a Chrishis country village and share this new experience tian. Again and again he paid a big price for his with his parents, his brothers and his sisters. Christian conviction. He lost his seat in Parlia- Slow-footed summer ~rrived at last and hurriedly ment because the liquor interests combined he started for home. In his letters he had at- against him. But he lost it with a smile, saying tempted to prepare the way so that his family that his Christian principles were far more knew that he had become a Christian. precious to him than the coveted seat in Parlia- When he reached his village and opened the ment.
door of his home, the family rushed forth to greet Although constantly carrying heavy official re- him. All but his father. He was not to be seen. sponsibilities he was never too busy to respond to This seemed to augur ill. The father sent word a call for Christian service. For over twenty demanding that he must renounce his new-found years he was a trustee of the Tokyo City Y. M.
Christian faith before he would be received. C. A. and for a part of that time served as Chair- Worse still the father refused to allow the son to man. He was one of the organizers and a trustee cross his threshold. This was like a blow in the of Tokyo Woman's Christian College.
face. All the happy anticipations. of his home He was a flaming crusader in the temperance coming were shattered and he stood stunned. cause and a passionate advocate of church union.
The lad's reply was that he would do anything In these two fields his contribution was unique.
within his power to please his father but he could He was one of the prime movers in the movement not give up his faith in Christ. The father in which enabled the Christian Literature Society turn sent word that he was then no longer a son and the American Bible Society to secure their and this was no longer his home. Members of the present quarters. He passed into the life beyond family interceded, but the father's only reply was a few months ago and now that he is gone, the that the son had brought such dark disgrace upon battIe for everything that is Christian and good, him and the home that he was strongly tempted to will be lonelier and more difficult. atone for the son's sins by committing "harakiri" When Mr. Nagao died thousands of people in true traditional Japanese fashion. gathered to pay their respects in one of the With the tears streaming down his face Nagao largest auditoriums in Tokyo. Ministers of state, took his New Testament and, with a prayer, laid ex-ministers .and members of Parliament paid it on the threshold, sending word to his father, high tribute to his life and Christian influence.
asking him to read that book and judge for him- One other word of thanksgiving must be added: self whether Christianity was the evil religion His father read the New Testament which his which he supposed it to be. Then bidding good- sort left on the doorstep that fateful summer eve- bye to the members of the family and sending his ning and too found it to be Good News. He belove to his father, the boy turned away, weary in came an earnest Christian and the whole family body and broken in spirit, to retrace the long, long found their way into the new life in Christ. Even- miles back to Tokyo. tually the son was welcomed back into the home This happened fifty years ago. Since that time from which he had been banished.
[139 ]
Missionary Motives*
By the REV. w. B. ANDERSON, D.D., LL.D., Philadelphia, Pa.
Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the United Presbyterian Church A WIDELY read book on missions, recently or of Robert Hockman of Ethiopia. They do not published, makes an astonishing statement sound familiar to those accustomed to listening of its authors' conception of foreign mis- to the missionary purpose as stated simply and sionary motives. They are attempting to state earnestly in gatherings of students, or from mis- why, in their opinion, men and women have be- sionary platforms, or read in mission offices. This come foreign missionaries. Summed up briefly, analysis of foreign missionary purpose looks their motives are as follows: . somewhat unattractive, and does not promise en- (1) The ardent desire of all religions to com- during energy and vital strength. municate what is spiritually valuable or of su- Fortunately we are not left to speculation at preme importance or unique (found particularly this point, but can determine the actual facts, in the followers of Buddha, Jesus and Moham- since each candidate for missionary appointment is always asked to state clearly his or her motive med). (2) Conviction as to the greater need of those for seeking appointment to foreign missionary service. The reply is personal and confidential. in the Orient. (3) Hopes of a greater return for given evan- Since the beginning of the foreign missionary work of the United Presbyterian Church, 761 misgelistic effort.
(4) The danger that those unevangelized would sionaries have been appointed. We have studied records showing the dominating motive of 308 go to eternal death. men and women in seeking appointment and these (5) The vision of a world-wide Church. include those enlisting over a period of the past (6) The desire for world unity. (7) A subconscious impulse to achieve one's 50 years.
growth through giving to others. The documents of the group were examined, This seems to be their analysis of the foreign and records made, some years ago. In many cases missionary purpose into its contributing personal statements contained more than one motive, but motives. an attempt has been made to select the predom- inant motive. No statement has been omitted be- A high school girl came into the laboratory cause the meaning of a writer was obscure or where the teacher in biology had spread out upon might be misunderstood. The dominant motive a tray the various parts of a flower. When asked that contributed to the missionary purpose of each if she could believe that this was a morning glory, individual is placed in a group, with the number she replied that she did not think that it was a given to those stating the same motive: morning glory, but only the stuff of which a morning glory was made, "For," she said, "life must Obedience to Christ ………………………… 58 bind all this together into a flower; and really the Appeal of the need ………………………… 52 life is the flower, is it not?" To lead others to Christ …………………….. 36 Love for Christ …•………………………… 34 These motives seem to me to lack something Desire to serve ……………………………. 17 that is found in the missionary purpose as I have To preach the Gospel ………………………. 16 To make the best investment of life …………… 15 known it in students and in missionaries. These To serve with her husband ………………….. 1~ motives, and others, may be variously combined To respond to a definite call to serve abroad ……. 12 in certain individuals, but a true Christian mis- Enlisted through -the influence of others ……….. 11 sionary purpose must have something that is not To advance Christ's kingdom ………………… 1 For God's glory …………………………… 1 present here. To promote Christian civilization ……………… 1 These motives in any combination seem to lack something vital found in the purpose of Jesus Not one of these candidates for foreign mis- Christ, or of the Apostle Paul, or of Livingstone, sionary appointment failed to recognize his faith * Condensed from The United Presbyterian (December 3, 1936). in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, and [ 140 ] loyalty to Him as personal Saviour and Lord of groups, moved by the passion of love for Christ his life. Whatever motives may have entered into and loyalty to Him, going out at any cost to lay the decision, it was this vital essence of Chris- down their lives in service for their fellowmen. tianity that bound them together into an indomitable purpose. Without this faith and loyalty, The only true Christian foreign missionary purthere can be no Christian mission any more than pose that can be found outside books, and that is there can be a morning glory composed of its effectively operative in the world today, is the parts without the vital spark of life which is the purpose derived from love for the risen Christ morning glory. and 10Yfl.1 obedience to Him. Because this purpose is inherent in His life, and has been imparted to This study of the subject of foreign missionary His followers, this purpose cannot cease. The motives is confined to the missionaries of one de- only Christian missionary purpose springs from nomination, but for us its conclusions should be motives that are stirred by personal love for, and reassuring as we face new opportunities for ad- loyalty to, Christ who is a living, ever-present, vance, knowing that there is no hope for true ad- ever-ruling Saviour and Lord. When this purvance and permanent results apart from the pose, springing from this love and loyalty, has eternal Gospel of the Son of God, and personal been fixed in the life of every Christian, those loyalty and obedience to Him. who go and those who stay, nothing can stop the accomplishment of the Church's mission in the I have had the opportunity of knowing many world; but merely human "religious" motives missionaries of other churches during my years of and purposes, however powerful, will always conservice abroad and at home. With them I may tinue to fail. have differed in race, nationality, social background, degree of education, creedal statement, Three years ago a group of college students definition of theological terms, form of church were discussing how the students on the campus government, or missionary methods, but with the could be interested in foreign missions. After exception of two or three such missionaries, every several had been heard, one of the leading men of one I have known personally, in his own statement the college arose and said that it was his convicof the creed has been a professing believer in the tion that the only way in which men and women one vital essence of the Christian faith. could be effectively enlisted in the foreign mission- ary enterprise was by causing them so to know The attempt being made today to rationalize Christ that they would in personal devotion to Christianity, by eliminating the miraculous Him submit their lives entirely to Him. Then he through the denial of Jesus Christ as God mani- made a statement of his own experience. This is fest in the flesh, is not some new thing that may not an ancient pronouncement, but it is made by destroy the Church. Agnosticism began this at- .a Christian student leader of today. The modern tempt in the first century, and under some form" missionary motive is devotion and obedience to human pride has ever continued this attempt. God in Christ, incarnate, crucified, risen and pres- Since the beginning of its history, the Church has ent in His people now. We thank God that in the had within it a group, or groups, of those deter", Church throughout the world the trend of convicmined to eliminate the miraculous from its teach:'. tion and faith seems to be strongly back to the ings by discounting the deity of Christ. The con: child-like faith in Him which is the door to the cern of such groups has ever been to secure for Kingdom of God, and to the simple devotion and the Church a place of esteem among human insti- obedience to Him which alone can ever inspire the tutions, and to escape from the "offense of the Church to evangelize the world. cross." But we do not find any record of such One of my classmates in the university was surpJ;'ised that I, whdihad taken an engineering course along with him, should set my face toward the mission field; Many unfamiliar with mission work think it is a far step from studies in electricity and mechanics to carrying the Gospel to the lost ones in Africa; but I would not trade jobs with any man. I have'seen automobiles, bicycles, and all sorts of machines broken, abused, and cast aside as worthless, brought to our shop. Old parts were taken out, new parts put in; and they were again put out on the job for which they were originally intended. With the repair of most of these I have had some responsibility. I have also seen men broken, abused and cast aside as worthless, led to Him who is able to do all these things well. In His hands they have been cleaned up, remade, old things have been cast away, all things had been made new, and they too have been sent out to do the service for which they were originally intended – for the praise of God as witnesses to His great Love. – EDWIN COZZENS, Cameroun, West Africa, in the Drum Call.
for the World We
By the REV. JOSEPH A. VANCE, D.D., . Detroit, Michigan ~..- Pastor 'of the First Presbyterian Church and former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
EVERY reverent and persistent student of the whom the whole modern world has gotten in the New Testament is impressed with its mar- Mosaic Law its moral backbone; in Greek, the velous inexhaustibility. As the late Bishop language of universal culture and philosophical .H. C. G. Moule, of Durham, wrote with his un- conquest; and in Latin, the language of universal .usual spiritual insight and experience, "After rule of the world-conquering Roman. Through fifty years of study, each fresh effort and difficulty the centuries since, Jesus has been turning this lays open to me something that adds to the com- unconscious prophecy of Pilate into history, and pleteness of the apostolic record." fulfilling His own promise, "And I, if I be lifted As one goes digging deeper and deeper for this up, will draw all men unto me." surprising treasure, he is made increasingly aware This amazing universality of Jesus embraces that it comes, in one way or an- four elements: other, from ,the person of Jesus 1. He breaks down all race Christ. He discovers that here barriers. The mother of Jesus is the life story, not of a mere was a Jewish girl. So far as provincial Jew, but of a more we know, he was never outside than cosmopolitan, eve n a the little land of Palestine. All .world citizen, who takes on of his recorded literary quota- himself the title, "Son of tions are from the He or e w Man." In this oompact life Scriptures, but the little village story of Jesus of Nazareth, we of Nazareth, where he grew come on ,the vast reaches of up, was at the crossroads of universality. Born of a Jewish the world, and its people be- mother, here is one Man who came the world-bridge that puts racial prejudices under mediated between the old and his feet, and brothers human- new worlds in civilization, and ity. Cradled in David's little especially in religion. So here town of Bethlehem we see a He had many a vision that pre- .Babe over whose birth :the pared him to brother men of 'angels proclaim a promise of every race and to disciple the universal peace and world-en- world for citizenship in His compassing good will. Kingdom.
In His career as a Teacher, 2. In the second place, Jesus Jesus not only wins a unique bridges the world's soc i a 1 place among his own people, REV. JOSEPH A, VANCE, D.D. chasms. He is no high-caste but sends his followers on a Brahmin or Nordic egotist. He campaign to win .all men of every nation to His is far more ,than an Occidental democrat. He , discipleship. neither denounces a man because he is an aristo- When sharp antagonisms bred a hatred that crat nor cold.,shoulders him because he is a social :,sent Him to the cross, a cynical oflicial nailed over outcast. He asks a cup of water from one and ' the victim's head, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King goes to dine with the other.
of the Jews"; .but even in attempting to pro- Jesus Christ has kept this spirit alive down the . vincialize the victim and ,humiliate those who vic- centuries. The uneducated ,toiler, and even the out- ., timlzed him, the Roman officiill became a prophet caste gone tothe gutter, is as sure of His sympathy : of his victim's world-wide mission, for he wrote and help as is the honest and cultured. He broth- , the inscription in three languages ~ in Hebrew, ers the streetsweeper and the premier of state, : !he tongue of the great religious specialist, from and brings them together in a bedside prayer.
[142 ] 3. The third of these universal qualities is His Thou hast no power, nor mayest conceive of mine, agelessness. Jesus is as much at home in the But love I gave thee with Myself to love, twentieth century as in the first. The world out- And thou must love Me, who hast died for thee. grows Plato and Aristotle, even Mohammed and Confucius, but it is never able to outgrow Jesus. Down the ages his followers have marched, We can picture Him as easily in a dress suit at a thrilling to its music by an unknown monk of the dinner party today as we can see Him dining at Middle Ages, singing: Bethany with Lazarus. His figures of speech are as eloquent in our day of airplanes and stream- Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler. of all nature, lined cars as among the boats and nets of Galilee's fisher-folk. o thou of God and man the Son!
4. His universality even stands the test of sex; Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, and how amazing that is, few fully realize, even Thou my soul's glory, joy and crown. in our day of open doors for women. The ordinary man takes on womanly qualities at the ex- And an Oxford student also turned evangelist pense of his personal force, and the average with his immortalwoman pays with her charm for her approach to masculinity. But Jesus is history's unique blend Jesus, lover of my soul, of virility and tenderness. He blazes with wrath Let me to thy bosom fly. in the face of hypocrisy and injustice, but outwomans a mother in dealing with quarrelsome What place can this Prince of Peace find in this brothers or a wayward girl; His compassion for confused, cynical, warring world of today? the down and outs has sent His followers on a new religious crusade for social justice. Probably now is the greatest chance to redeem it that He has had in all the world's history. What is the secret, from the human side, of this Through sheer disappointment elsewhere, and amazing catholicity of Jesus Christ? Is it not to tragic despair as it slips into the maw of self-debe found in the fact that He ministers to those struction, the hour has sounded for the Galilean. needs of the human race that are essential and universal and ageless? He breaks through the Never perhaps in the world's history has the strange speech and the local color and the ephem- human race been so earnestly seeking peace, and eral external, and meets the needs of men, not as never has the world witnessed the creation of Jews or Gentiles, not as slaves or freemen, not as more orderly and seemingly adequate machinery ancient or modern, not as male or female, but as to create and maintain it. The world is deluged human beings. with unanswerable arguments for peace and for the futility and folly of war. Not only has prac- Every man, for example, is a sinner, and Jesus' tically every type of religious organization, J ew~ great mission is to save people from their sins. ish, Catholic and Protestant, declared war to be wicked and contrary to their essential tenets, but Every man has darkened and unworthy concep- pacifist organizations have multiplied. The signations of God. Jesus is "the express image" of tories of the Kellogg Peace Pact have pledged God's person, and. "the exceeding brightness of themselves not to resort to aggressive war, and the Father's glory." the World Court waits to settle all international disputes amicably. But despite these and the Every man is more or less enslaved to ignorance League of Nations, the nations of the world are and the indulgence of his lower appetites, and racing to out arm for possible war against each comes, sooner or later to face his inadequate other on land and sea and in the air. Italy has equipment for the moral struggle. Jesus brings defied the rest of the world to make military conto both individual and the race, power to win out, quest of Ethiopia, and the whole world seems to and to turn life from tragedy to victory. be slipping into the abyss of war.
Then, as a climax to it all, we come on the uni- Who can exorcise this bloody demon and loosen versality of the language in which Jesus makes his grip on the sons of men? His appeal. By way of His cross He revealed the universal language of love. "And I, if I be lifted Our only hope of universal peace is in men's up, will draw all men unto myself." "This he full allegiance to the universal Christ. said," adds the apostle John, "signifying by what death he should die." Anyone can understand Weare accustomed to find the essential causes that language: "He died for me." No mind is of war in commercial rivalry, class inequalities, too stupid and ignorant to feel the love back of racial antipathies the ambition of political leadthat sacrifice; no genius is so brilliant as to de- ers, the sordid greed that will plot wholesale spise it. murder in order to sell munitions. But underlying all of these is that something in the human soul o heart I made, a heart beats here! that thrills to the call of war and irresistibly rushes to its appeal. Face my hands fashioned, see it in myself! The universal Christ binds His followers in a brotherhood that abolishes racial hatreds and bridges social chasms, that links the men of all ages in ties of love and abolishes even the limita- tions of sex.
But Christ does far more: He enrolls the nat- SIR FREDERICK AND MRS. N I CHOLSON ural fighting spirit on the side of truth and human brotherhood. He furnishes an "equivalent After being graduated from Oxford, Frederick for war" in clothing His followers in the armor of righteousness and rallies them to "fight the good Nicholson went to India as a young, untried offifight of faith." He not only furls the black flags of piracy and the red flags of class hatred, but He cial from a Christian home. He was soon proranges over egotistic nationalism the Cross-emblazoned banner of sacrificial service. moted and became collector of a great district.
Raymond Guthrie confesses that he loves war There he found his wife, a lovely daughter of a because he finds in it all the things that are denied him in peace time; because it offers him missionary of the Church of England. It was my association with a great number of men in a common cause; it gives him a chance to put forth his good fortune to meet them as a young missionary, effort in a cause greater than his own personal concerns; it thrills him with a sense of its eco- escaping from the heat of Madras to the hilltop of nomic equality and its spirit of adventure. Yercaud. Their friendship for a young Amer- Ninety-five thousand people will throng to spend over a million dollars to see two pugilists batter ican girl, far from home, made life different for each other. The average man loves a fight, and if he cannot fight himself, he gets his delight the five following years of missionary service. vicariously from seeing others fight. Many beautiful surprises included frequent visits Life fascinates us only when it has some element of struggle and adventure, some cause for and aid for the mission work in Madras. In sickwhich to suffer, something for which one is willing to die. ness and sorrow Sir Frederick and Lady Nichol- Christ sublimates this fighting spirit, robs it of son were always helpful. He was deeply interits appeal to baser instincts, and sets to martial music the tramp of a holy army marching to uni- ested in developing industries for the Indians and versal philanthropy. Christianity calls to a world war against every evil demon within and without. discovered a very fine grade of clay with which "We wrestle, not against flesh and blood, but he started a pottery. This he gave to the mission against principalities and powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We thrill to the station to use for their Christian people who were call to put on the whole armor of God, and life's greatest adventure comes to us as we "fight the often thrown out of their homes after conversion. good fight of faith." Memories of fifty years of friendship linger to Kellogg pacts will continue to be but scraps of paper, and even World Courts and Leagues of this day. Sir Frederick rose to become a mem- Nations will prove vain attempts to promote world peace until we learn to sit at the feet of ber of the Viceroy's staff, and was knighted by Him who is both Son of Man and Son of God and find the Captain of our salvation in the Prince of the British Government. He was the man who Peace. developed the Agricultural Banks which have been The Son of God goes forth to war A Kingly crown to gain. such a blessing to India-and might offer a sug- His blood-red banner streams afar; gestion to progressive America. He also initiated Who . follows in his train? the plan for fisheries, and after visiting notable CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN CIVIL SERVICE examples in Europe, spent a summer in America In the passing of Sir Frederick Nicholson, the eminent statesman of India, the world has lost and carried back from Gloucester what he con: more than a Knight of the Empire of India. He died last summer at the age of ninety, in the hills sidered the best suited plan for India. If Maof South India, the Coonoor country to which he had given his life. His work for India was no- hatma Gandhi had the spirit of Sir Frederick he . table, even among the many ably British stateslnl;'!l} who have aided the Empire. might do more for men of all classes of India:. At his death the press, people and officers united in highest praise. In all his loyal service for the Empire he never lost sight of the Kingdom of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Lucy W. PEABODY.
Unevangelized Chinese
By H. FRENCH RIDLEY, Urumtsi, Sinkiang Missionary of the China Inland Mission FOR years the spiritual needs of the Moslem as they did after the rebellion of 1894-5. On my people (Chanteos) who occupy that little arrival at Korla the man from the Yamen came known district which lies to the east and south to see me and look at my passport. They asked of the great Takla-Makam Desert has been laid me where I was going. I replied: on my heart. When in Sining Kansuh, I would often gaze westward to that vast region, between "You know our business is to go where there us and Kashgar, without a single messenger of the are people." Gospel. I wondered if it would ever be my privilege to visit those regions. That was away back "Oh, yes, we know you Fuh-ing-Tang, you are in the nineties. On my return from furlough in good people exhorting people to be good." They 1913, I was asked to assist in Lanchow in the troubled me no more, yet still I did not feel per- Middle School for two years. During this time fectly safe until I got to Chaklik. my thoughts again turned to this needy field and in 1926 the way opened to come to Tihua to re- It was necessary to provide food for the whole lieve a fellow worker. During my three years way to Chaklik – sixteen days' journey. We in Tihua my thoughts were continually upon this stored up a lot of bread, the bread being kept soft field and I picked up as much as I could of the by mixing three pounds of mutton fat with ten Turki language. pounds of the flour.
In the year 1931, after the return of Messrs. On November 16th early in the morning, with Hunter and Mather from their visit to the Qazaqs a full moon shining down upon us, we set out on in the mountainl;! and IIi (Kuldja) I was led to our journey. As the books I had with me were take a journey as far as Karashar and Korla at limited, I divided them up so that I could leave a the northeast end of the great Gobi Desert. A Gospel in every place we passed through. We British officer had been refused the request to camped out in the open without tents the whole take the route just previously so I little expected way to Chaklik, with the exception of two places. that I would have much chance even if I tried. Desert, jungle and sand dunes made up the jour- But the Lord was laying it more and more on my ney, interspersed with a small village here and heart that now was the time for me to go. Don- there or scattered farmsteads. Choang Kul had keys could be procured easily and the innkeeper 20 families; UIugh Kul (Kul is lake), 30 famtold me that he would find a reliabie man as don- iIies; Kulslagh Camp, 70 families; Tikkenlik, 150 keyman. A cart road had been made all the way families; Kara Bais, 70 families. The last five to Chaklik to make the transport of food for the stages had not more than 10 families. Beside givtroops at Chaklik easy. The soldiers built a high- ing away Gospels, we left tracts in bushes and on way through the marshes which were impassable trees where by-paths led off to farmsteads. Four without a guide and very trying to the traveler. hundred and fifty soldiers were camped at Tikken- Canals had also been cut so that fresh water was lik. I disposed of quite a few books there and obtainable all the way. As the Roman soldiers, later saw one man sitting at his door reading the before the Christian era, built fine roads in all Gospel with seemingly great interest. We camped parts of their empire, making it easier for the near the river at Arghan. A shepherd came and messengers of the Gospel to carry the glad news, I gave him a Gospel and a Pilgrim's Progress. so once again the soldiers of this great empire Early next morning ere we had broken camp he had gone before, making it easier for another mes- returned for copies for two other shepherds. He senger to carry the glad news to the people of this said they had been reading the greater part of the region who had never heard it before. Mission- night and liked the books very much. Here they aries living in the province have an advantage were in the jungle with their sheep and cows four over travelers and explorers, because we are per- days' journey from Chaklik, days passing without mitted to go where we desire. Nevertheless I was seeing anyone. They were rejoicing over this gift doubtful about being permitted to go as there was of books which will be read again and again in still fear that the Dungan's, in case of being de- their loneliness, with plenty of time to discuss the feated in Kansuh, would fly to this said district, contents. May they, like Bunyan's Christian, find their way to the Cross with their burden of sin.
Nearing Lob Nor there was a terrible gale of wind called a "buran." Fortunately behind us.
[145 ]
The wind whizzed among the trees and just be- River and halted for the night. The following was yond was the open desert. Noone could possibly a lovely winter day. Our path first led through pass over the desert that day. In the evening, the jungle, then among the high reeds and rushes snow fell and from Fort Kuron to where we of Lake Choang to a little hut, the home of a shep- camped at Kashgar forty days' journey, snow lay herd. These huts are made of wattles plastered along our path. Lob was our last encampment ere over with mud, the walls falling two or three feet we reached Chaklik. We had to take fuel for our short of the r.oof, leaving plenty of room for fresh camp fire from Fort Kuron. The trek to Chaklik air. When we entered the hut the shepherd's wife is sheer desert, a long weary journey. and three naked children were sitting around the The First Contact with a Missionary fire on the ground in the middle of the room. No table, chairs or forms. We all squatted round the We arrived at Chaklik, a little town of 140 fam- fire, ten in all, and fared out of the same big ilies with probably some 500 families in the whole cauldron, inviting the family t.o join us at our district, at dusk. Over 700 soldiers were stationed sumptuous feast of mutton broth and bread.
there to check the Dungans. I sold all the books The following day we passed through much I could spare and gave away many tracts. The grassland and saw several flocks of sheep, crossed people were courteous and visited me in the inn. the Charchien River on an ice bridge and at dusk This was their first contact with a missionary. arrived at the village of Tatran where we were When I left on the 9th of December my donkey- informed that there was no inn. I then over- man pr.omised to go as far as Keria (19 days heard s.ome one say there was an officials' Rest further) but changed his mind, so I bought his House called a kong-kuan. Soon a door was donkeys and hired a man to help my servant. We opened and we entered a very cozy room, the floor replenished our store for the next seven days to covered with Khotan carpets. The caretaker and Charchien (Churchend on some maps). A 33-mile his wife and mother were exceedingly obliging, trek over sheer desert, flat as a pancake, we ar- soon had a fire lit and tea ready. All joined in a rived at Gillig, where a man has his hovel by the supper of mutton. The village elder and a few riverside. There are two little caves, without other men came in to see me and I gave them doors .or windows, dug out in the bank of the books.
river. We arrived late so found the caves occu- Good News for the Magistrate pied, but some merchants made room for me and my servant in their cave. They had brought fuel The next day we arrived at Charchien. Our with them, or we should have fared badly. I gave entrance into the town settled a little quarrel that was going on in the street, the advent of a forthem a Gospel. Another 30 miles brought us to the village of eigner being more important. The news caused Vara-shari, with some 120 families. We stayed a stir in the Yamen for no official information in the official Rest House. The young women of had been received of any foreigner coming and the household were keen to have a look at me and I had no escort. We had just gotten settled and made several errands to pass my door. Several I was having a cup of tea when a man came from men came to see me, and by the help of my serv- the Yamen demanding in a bustling and rude ant, I told them why I had come. The crucifixion, manner where I had come from and where I was death and resurrection of our Lord was fresh going. He stood asking for my passport. "Sit news to them. They asked many questions. We down," I said. "What is all your hurry, I am not rested a day to prepare for the heavy cr.ossing of going away again tonight; wait till I have finthe high sand dunes. Towards evening of the ished my tea, then I will give you my card.
following day we reached the foot of the dunes. He replied, "The magistrate is very anxious to There is only one hut and it is occupied by a fam- know who you are, as he has had no n.otice of your ily of five. There is no grazing land for cattle or coming." Finally he sat down and talked. When sheep and all the food has to be brought from I was finished I gave him my card but he wanted Vara-shari. They were glad to have a gift of my passport.
some white bread. In the evening the son and "I will bring it along tomorrow," I said, but he other tr~velers sang songs and played on the would not go without it so I sent my servant to banjo. The women folks were peeping through bring it back.
the wattle petition. I seized the opportunity of The next day r visited the official, an elderly getting in a word for my Master and gave them Chanteo gentleman from Kashgar. He received some books. me very graciously and returned my visit when The following day we crossed the sand dunes, he gave mean unique opportunity of telling him several hundred feet in height – heavy traveling the Glad News, as he opened the subject himself.
for man and beast. "Did Christ really die and rise again?" he Finally we reached the banks of the Charchien asked.
THROUGH UNEVANGELIZED CHINESE TURKESTAN
"If it had not been so I would not be here," I talk about the Gospel, and they all got books to answered. take away with them. In the afternoon the head- There was a big, listening crowd. Several de- man of the oasis, with a few friends, came to see sired books and one man surprised me when he me. He was from Yarkand and asked many ques- told those who stood by that what I had said was tions about the Gospel. Having asked my age, perfectly true. said, At Charchien we replenished our food supply, "Why, at your age, have you come this long des- as well as grain for the animals. Nine days of ert route?"
desert lay before us. Snow was on the ground "To do the will of my Lord and Master," I re- everywhere and the road was heavy with sand plied.
dunes. The first three langars (Rest Houses) "It must be done," he answered. I gave him were in charge of a father and two sons, living Mark's Gospel and a Pilgrim's Progress. Niya alone, thirty to thirty-five miles apart. Some- and Endere are the two places where Sir Aurel times for days no travelers are to be seen, so if Stein unearthed many interesting relics. Forty one of these men were ill and died the other mem- miles direct north from Niya is the shrine of bers of the family would not know for days. Imam J afir Sadik, the most famous shrine in all Around Endere there is a good deal of jungle, Central Asia. As my mission was to bring the therefore many wild sheep, cattle, horses, foxes richest Treasure that this world affords rather and pigs. One touching scene on the way is the than seek for earthly treasures, I had no time to lonely grave here and there marked by a long pole go so far out of my way. There is a small langar stuck in the ground and a yak's tail hanging on at 40 li (13 miles) from Niya. It seemed no top. Sickness had overtaken them far away from bigger than a dog kennel, but it is built in a hol- help. It may have been that they died of thirst. low, the smallest langar we saw and is in charge We passed a little group of four one day. The of two very old women. We had to stoop down to mother had been taken suddenly ill, could no get into the miserable hovel. They had prepared longer ride the donkey, so was lying on the ground a little mutton broth for passers-by. In the sum- with the remainder of the family standing around. mer when there is no snow the water has to be On the sixth evening from Charchien we ar- carried five miles.
rived at the Yak-toghrak Langar to find the inn In a Farmer's Home full of guests, so there was no room for us in the inn this Christmas Eve. After going three miles Next day we journeyed 35 miles, arriving at the we beheld a camp fire about a half mile off the oasis of Oy-Toghrak at dusk. There was no inn, road. It was a cloudy evening and dark. Slowly so the donkeyman took us to the home of a friend we made our way among the shrubbery, snow be- where we had a very hearty welcome. Our host ing quite deep in some places, and at last reached was a well-to~do farmer. To my surprise they in- the camp fire. Our fellow travelers had found a vited me into the women's quarters where there hole under the huge roots of a tree. My men un- was a fire. A wee laddie of five summers took loaded the animals, swept the snow off the ground, hold of my hand without fear. The old mother then went in search of fuel and soon had a roar- and one of the daughters-in-law came and sat be- ing fire. It was Christmas Eve again over nine- side me near the fire. There was a father, mother, teen centuries after that first Christmas Eve. two sons and their wives and two boys. One of Here was I, out in the desert, privileged to be the the sons is a mullah.
messenger of the same Glad News to a people who After supper all except the father gathered had never heard it before. It will be a never-to- round my fire, chatted and asked questions. The be-forgotten night for me. most interesting thing was my teeth. I told them Three days more brought us to the oasis of my errand and they listened very patiently. I Niya, about 20 miles in length sustaining a pop- had only a few tracts left, but had asked for Gos- ulation of 1,000 families. Just before entering pels to be sent from Kashgar to Keria to await the oasis we passed the grave of some holy men. me, so I promised to send some back with the There were two ram's horns on one grave, on an- donkey man. None of the women wore veils in other a ram's head, a third had a sheep skin, on the house. The old lady performed her evening a fourth hung the skin of a fowl, besides hosts of devotions while I was still in her room.
little flags upon which were written prayers, re- New Year's Day we reached Keria, a city of minding one of the Tibetan obos with their hosts 6,000 families and probably 40,000 in the district, of prayer flags hung on branches of trees stuck which includes Niya and Oy-Toghrak. Here was on the top of the obo. In the evening several mer- my first touch with a bit of Western civilization, chants came to the inn where I was staying; all the post office. There is no telegraph office nearer but one could speak Chinese as they had been to than Kashgar. I was invited to stay in the home Kansuh with their merchandise. We had a long of the Aksakal, an Indian Moslem who is the rep-
resentative of the British Consul General in Kash- lars all the way. To be away from the desert gar, appointed to look after the British Indian for a short while was a real treat. subjects. It was bazaar day when we arrived and the streets were packed with people. We first We arrived at Khotan at noon and were enterwent to the inn but were glad to be invited else- tained at the home of the Indian Aksakal. The where, for the room smoked badly and was so journey long prayed about was accomplished. dark that I needed a candle to read. Here is a Khotan had already been visited several years ago good center for a mission station. The city is by that intrepid missionary, Rev. G. W. Hunter, built on a high bank overlooking the river. There who has been traveling 25 years in the province are no gates of importance and only two main and knows it better than any other living person. streets, but lanes galore, running here and there The distance from Korla is 1,140 miles and the in a most tortuous manner that it was difficult to route naturally divides itself into two parts: find one's way around. There is a large popula- Korla to Vara-shari, with headquarters either at tion on the north side of the city. Except on Korla or Karashar. one and a half days further bazaar days the city presented a very quiet ap- north, Tatran to Khotan with headquarters at pearance. When I wanted to buy anything, I was Keria. The Swedish Mission hopes to occupy told to wait till bazaar day otherwise it would be Khotan soon. difficult. The people took little notice of me. In fact, along the whole journey, except in Char- From Khotan I went northwest to Yarkand and chien, the people were not a bit curious. How Kashgar and had the privilege of seeing the work they would receive missionaries it is difficult to of the Swedish Mission at their three stationssay. It would be necessary to visit the place a Yarkand, Yenghi-hissar and Kashgar. Between few times and do a little dispensary work to open Khotan and Yarkand the three cities of Suma, the way. The need is great and that in itself Kargalik and Posgam ought to be occupied. I constitutes a call. This field naturally falls under returned via the north road-Maral-bashi, Aksu, the care of the Swedish Mission who hope to open Kuchae and Karashar thus circumambulating the Khotan in the near future. great desert of the Takla-Makan, probably the first time it has been done in one journey by a After a twelve days' stay in Keria, I sold my white man, a distance of 2,625 miles. From donkeys and bought two horses. It was a long Karashar I returned home to Tihua (Urumtsi). stretch of forty miles of desert to Yar Langar I left Tihua on the 22d day of October and reand thirty-three miles more on the following day turned on the 24th of April, in six months and brought us to the town of Chira with a population two days having covered 3,300 miles, passed of 2,500 families in the oasis. All along the route through 18 cities and towns where there was no people had been saying that it was the coldest Christian mission station. winter in the memory of the oldest inhabitants and at Chira there was a great scarcity of water. The need itself is the appeal. Pray for God's Here are ten thousand people who had never had blessing on the books and tracts sold and given the opportunity of hearing the Glad News. Much away on this virgin soil, that He who blessed and land is yet to be possessed. In the oasis of Lob broke the five loaves and two fishes and satisfied there are supposed to be some 20,000 families. It five thousand men, besides women and children, joins up with Khotan-a vety rich district. From may so break the precious Word that many souls Lob to Khotan is 20 miles along a lovely road for may be fed in this wild desert region. In the day motors about 20 feet in width and lined with pop- when He gathers up His jewels may there be many found among His treasures gathered out of this land of buried cities.
As the sculptor works in wood and stone I would devote myself to the living soul. But I face the solemn thought that the sculptor cannot carve either in wood or in stone anything better than himself. All the lines of my carving Will but reveal my own soul. Gazing at my hand, at my chisel, I shudder. How long will it take for this human sculpture which I can never carve better or finer than my-own soul? How shall I escape! how escape from my pitiable, limited self, and rise to become a carver of God!
Happily there is a guide for me, One Who has opened the door of the sanctuary, One Who in His living flesh Has given us an image of the living God.
-Toyohiko Kagawa.
Eskimos-Old and New*
=B=U=T=Z=IN====!.lII~- –tIi{II.!;;!===B=y=th=e=R=E=V=.=A=RT=H=U=R=F=.
ARE the results of fifty years of continuous their faith and hope as they heartily sing: "We .r.. missionary effort equal to the price paid? shall sleep, but not forever." As they glance at Fifty years of the Moravian Church's the crosses marking the last resting places of northwestern venture has involved thousands of their own, they have in their hearts the assurance dollars. The human effort and sacrifices with the of a glorious dawn when they shall never part.
compensations and losses involved can never be The Old Religion and the New reduced to figures set on a balance-sheet.
But in answering the question let us contrast The medicine man, or shaman, was a conspic- the Eskimo of yesterday with the Eskimo of uous person in the old order. As direct repre- today. sentative of the tunrangaiyak (Devil) he was The ancient religion of the Eskimo was one of powerful. Many of them used this power diabolideception and fear. They summed it all up in the cally. Some were of a kindlier disposition, but words: "I fear." In their language there are all of them could easily become the tyrants of many synonyms for fear, foreboding and horror. foreboding and terror. Fear enslaved the people For this fear they blame one tunrangaiyak and to these men. A young native, dying of the dread his agents. He is "the Ruler out of the Dark- tuberculosis, said to me: "The shaman has bound me. I have begged him, but he will not ness." We call him the Devil. For the Christian Eskimo the ancient fears are unbind me. So I must die. If only he would unof yesterday. They have accepted the Saviour, bind me, then I could live." who has broken the bonds that once enslaved them That the shaman did have terrible power our to fear and horrors. They say with all believers: older Christians know. But they also know that a "This is my Lord, who redeemed me, a lost and stronger and a kinder One has come. A Christian undone human creature, purchased and gained Eskimo, also dying of tuberculosis, was besought me from sin, from death and from the power of by his father, still a heathen, to have the shaman the Devil." Some may still need to say: "I be- in. He would not. They begged him that they lieve; help Thou mine unbelief." But they are might take his parka to the shaman to pow-wow saying it sincerely. Christ has opened a new over. No, he would not. If his Saviour would, world of trust and hope to their hearts. He has he could heal him, but if He saw fit to take him brought them a real salvation from terrible bond- from earth to Himself, that would be best. But age and has also introduced to them the mighty in any case he would not now let his soul be soiled by the touch of the Devil. God as their dear and loving heavenly Father. Under the old regime death came with horror, A heartless religion engendered heartlessness. hatred and hopelessness. The loss of child, Our early missionaries repeatedly met with inmother, father, or other dear one, caused the stances where those enfeebled by age or disease were left behind to starve at the time of the spring usual natural heartache. In addition were the migration. When they realized this, our missionhorrors and terrors of apparitions of the de- aries prepared salt fish ahead and saw to it that parted. There was hatred for the shaman who they had sufficient ammunition to procure the might have caused the death. Added to these was necessary ducks and geese to feed such during the utter hopelessness. Life was gone forever. periods of scarcity of food. This kind forethought Death still brings to them the heartache and made its impression. The modern missionary feeling of loss. I have heard a Christian Eskimo still encounters a sad lack of deference and kindfather sob over his dying son: "Father have liness for the aged and feeble, but they are now mercy upon me." Later this father calmly spoke fed and cared for. There is a growing Christian to his people of the Home with the heavenly Fa- opinion that the aged should be dealt with conther and the Saviour, where he would meet his siderately. Most of our congregations have colown again. Easter has become the glad day for lections especially for such older and needy folks. bereaved Eskimos. At the sunrise service they tell Sometimes Sunday school classes gather gifts for * From 1'he .BIorav1an (Decenlber, 1935). them and sing in their homes.
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The orphan and the "half-orphan" (child of gether easy in that low, flat country of rain, Eskimo companionate marriage) shared the lot of water, slush and mud where dirt is a natural aged feeble folk. However, they could not be element. starved so readily nor was that exactly desirable. The people needed "slaves" to labor for them. And it is true that the persistent influence of Hard work, rough treatment and "garbage" food the Gospel is toward cleanliness. The old superand clothing fell to the lot of these. We have seen stitions thrived in filth and darkness. Jesus is the these "slaves" among well-fed and happy children. Light of the world. Light dispels darkness and They looked on while the others had their fill of destroys filth. This is the experience of the Good the choicest. When all were satisfied, they got News among the Eskimo. Napagiaghak village the crumbs, bones and dregs of the tea that hap- wanted a chapel. They could not build it without pened to be left. These things used to be com- help. In presenting the need of a chapel their mon, for there was no sentiment to forbid it. spokesman advanced as the cogent reason for it that it was not compatible to celebrate the Holy "Let the little children come unto Me," includes Communion in the dark, dirty and soot-covered the orphan. That part of the Gospel is being in- kashige. The younger set are eagerly learning terpreted by the orphanage. Again the Eskimo the truths of sanitation and gradually are formas a whole have responded wonderfully. From ing habits of cleanliness. all corners of our field comes approval. Native congregations give fish. Some have donated fur A Long and Winding Trail boots and other things. Before our eyes we see another advance. It is the Saviour's will that It has been a long, long winding trail from their none of these little ones be offended. primitive superstitions and fears to the devotion, thankfulness, hope and Christian fellowship ex- The Social Change perienced at one of the Communion services to- day. The pioneers met with stolid hostility, with The aboriginal Eskimo considered woman very dense ignorance and utter indifference. The Gosmuch man's inferior. She was man's servant. pel message was too immense for their minds. Her duty was to bear and rear children, and al- The trail through their hearts led to their souls. ways serve the man. She gathered the wood and The patient kindness and service rendered them cured and stored the fish. She removed and dried by the missionaries won their confidence. As one the pelts of the animals trapped by the man and ignorant Eskimo said to one of our missionaries, out of them made garments. Whenever a migra- "You are Christ to us." Any verbal interpretation took place, she helped the dogs haul the bag- tion meant nothing to that man; a Christlike life gage, or if by water, she and the children pro- did. pelled the boat, while the man sat in the stern steering it. She was "too dumb" to appreciate Today they listen gladly to the message and, anything better. Mentally she was considered a furthermore, they themselves have become detervery inferior animal. mined to have a share in presenting the invitation of Christ to fellow Eskimos who have not yet ade- That feeling still persists, but there is in prog- quately heard. Helper Neck is outstanding. His ress an adjustment. Husbands and wives now name is first in the "Eskimo Who's Who." He live together – some of them very peaceably. had come from the uttermost-a shaman of the They bring up their children together. As a fam- shamans, zealous. He had accepted Christ. Thereily we see them coming to church; the husband after his living was of Christ and for Christ. He is even carrying the baby in his arms; though he and a host of others have written the Gospel acwalks on ahead while she follows! The husband cording to the Eskimo. This interpretation of has begun to fetch the wood and water and lend Christ in living epistles is read and understood. a hand in the curing and storing of the food sup- Congregations have been touched by this Spirit. plies. In many of our congregations the woman They help support native preachers in the frontier has been granted the vote. Some of the more villages; when a new chapel is to be built, a coladvanced pray at their meeting and teach Sunday lection may be taken or a hand is lent in its conschool classes. struction.
*** Fifty years in the life of a race is but a day. It would be unreasonable to expect that in so short a Very much has been said and written about the period every vestige of the old superstitions and Eskimo and his foul igloo. The subject may seem fears should have been utterly destroyed. The over-emphasized, but only to such who have never older folk "know" experimentally that evil as imseen, smelt or touched it. Then, if it be true that personated in the shaman was powerful to bless cleanliness to Godliness is kin, some very notice- and curse, That same power stilI exists, though able change should be apparent in the person, held in check by the stronger power of a merciful home, and surrounding of the Christian Eskimo. God. We wilI grant them that cleanliness is not aIto-
the Church and Modern
By J,rnV. DANIEL A. POLING, D.D. I I r~"- Pastor of Baptist Temple, Philadelphia, Pa.
~==============================~, MODERN youth is incurably religious-not may stand between, youth presses toward the goal by the test of any particular human creed, at whatever cost. Youth does not and cannot not in the vernacular of fifty, twenty or escape Jesus Christ when He is released by those even ten years ago, but in deep reality. Modern who too often build about Him barricades of youth is incurably religious even though he may prejudice and petty sectarian difference.
deny the fact for the moment, by deeds as well as What is it that makes Jesus Christ unique as words. the Captain and Leader of youth? "I will follow William Lyon Phelps, who talks a language withersoever thou goest," declared a young lawyer that youth understands, has suggested a reason centuries ago as the Galilean Teacher moved tofor the basic religious..attitude of young men and ward Jerusa·lem and His crucifixion. Those words young women. "Youth responds to the spirit and of dedication were spoken deliberately, in the message of Jesus Christ," says Dr. Phelps, "be- light of known facts, after Jesus, by the test of all cause Jesus knew more about political economy human evidence, had apparently passed from than all the professors in all the colleges in the triumph to decline; they were spoken in the face world and He knew more about the human heart of impending physical disaster. This young scribe than did Shakespeare. Jesus Christ is the great- made his choice knowing full well that by so do- est leader, the most absolutely right Person, the ing he turned his back upon family and ambition, world has ever known. A complet~ change has that he invited tragic risks, that he flung wide his come over the world since the War, especially in arms to defeat and even death.
the emergence of individual leaders in times of Jesus was on the march, and it is life on the peace. StaHn is running Russia alone, Hitler do- march that captures youth. Jesus was moving ing the same thing in Germany, Mussolini in toward a great goal. The young man knew it, Italy. The whole world is in such a turmoil that and he would go along. The psychology of youth men are looking for leadership and saying, 'Who in every generation is the psychology of advance.
is going to get us out of this mess?' People may Progress, and not decline, is the key to the hearts be following some fallible human leaders for the of our sons and daughters; and Jesus Christ for- moment, but the leadership of Jesus Christ in our ever has that key. He has a destination in view, lives ought to be, may be, constant in everything. an immortal destiny. He could not be turned If I should say that the only way in which every aside by opposition and He would not retreat be- person in this world may be saved is by joining a cause of bitter dangers. It is not a Garibaldi particular church, you would rightly think me patriotism that discourages a young man today.
crazy. I am not out of my mind when I say the It is not a loyalty involving danger that dampens only way the world can be saved today is by ac- the ardor of a young woman. But an institution cepting and following Jesus Christ." or a leader that is not going somewhere, that is It is in the very heart of the vital matter that not headed toward some real and alluring destinawe find the great twentieth century issue for the tion, cools the fevered blood of a holy purpose in Christian Church. She cannot win youth by ask- the veins of a rising generation. ing youth to join her divisions but she can win Let the Church, with her allied institutions and youth by asking them to unite their lives to the organized activities, give heed today. Let any person and cause of Jesus Christ. Jesus in the church that does not have young people, and is flesh always attracted young people to' His com- not able to attract them, take account of stock and pany, challenged them with His message, won remember the man of twenty centuries ago who them to' His ministry. He was always going some- cried, "Master, I will follow thee whithersoever where and knew where He was leading them. thou goest."
Danger and defeat did not lose youth's allegiance, Saul of Tarsus was riding hard toward Damas- for always yO'uth is on the march and if the goal cus, but Jesus rO'de faster, overtook him in the is worth reaching, though reverses and disasters way, tumbled him into the dust and then lifted [151 ]
him to sweep him forward faster than horses and to make men and women truly good and powerful farther than the boundaries of Rome's imperial is adequate for this crisis. The editorial concludes world. This same Jesus overtook Rome herself at that this solution is to be found nowhere else than last and moved on ahead of all her legions. in Jesus Christ and the New Testament.
What was the destination of Jesus? Where is The world has a growing sense of need. Her He going? When He was on earth he went to find very terror in the presence of the machine age she the hungry, and He gave them food. He went has created may be matched by her desire to find with healing for the sick, and even the dead lived and travel the road that leads to a new world. It again. He went to reveal the true basis of brother- is as though the leader of this generation said, "I hood to a world filled with hates and fears; He will follow thee, follow thee whithersoever thou went to find the lost and to show them the way goest." But have they counted the cost? back to the Father. He is still on that mighty quest. He goes now to destroy armed conflict and One of the distinguished military leaders of the bring peace; He comes to right wrongs and to Great War declared it to be his reasoned concluoffer new life and youth flocks to His banner sion that "only the Church can save the world wherever it is lifted on high. from another and even more disastrous conflict." He added, "If another great war comes, the Where is Jesus, our Lord, going? He hastens Church will be to blame." Can the Church preto establish the sacredness, the divinity of human vent war? Can the Church destroy poverty? Can personality, when brought into vital relationship the Church secure justice for weaker races, and with God. For him a little child, the humblest classes? Can the Church solve the problem of baby of the poorest house is of greater value than lawlessness and actually Christianize civilization? all the wealth of a great city. No-the Church cannot, al'5 an institution with an institutional program. As an organization in her Jesus Christ travels on with the ever-lengthen- own right, however great and glorious in the light ing stride of eternal truth to free man's body from of sacred history, she cannot. But as the chosen its bondage, and to cure and save the soul of man instrument of this same Jesus Christ, the Lord of so that it will never die. All other leaders are Glory, the Church, united, humbled by the sense little men when compared with the divine Gal- of her human weaknesses, but with the knowledge ilean. They have their moment of acclaim, but of her infinite divine resources, the Church, folseldom more than one. Only when they join His lowing the l~adership of Christ, thus can save the company and are possessed by His Spirit do they world. This is the Church to which modern youth survive their generation – such were Paul and will come, as youth in every generation has Luther, Wesley and Spurgeon and Moody. The flocked to enlist for high adventure. Youth enlists youth of the world can be saved today only' by fol- today for dictators, and youth marches behind lowing Jesus Christ. the banners of Stalin and Hitler and Mussolini, moved by fear and hatred and self-interest. When In a popular magazine an editorial writer, who the lists of Jesus Christ are opened and His would resent being called a preacher, declared that trumpet is blown youth will march under His it is not by a "new thought" that the world can be banner. saved but that the regeneration of society demands new lives, and that only a Power sufficient LET THE CHILDREN BE HEARD You may hush every other voice of national and individual complaint; you may silence every other tongue, even those of mothers of destroyed sons and daughters, of wives of profli- gate husbands; but let the children speak – the little children, the wronged children, the crip- pled children, the abused children, the blind children, the imbecile children, the nameless chil- dren, the starved children, the deserted children, the beaten children, the dead children!
o my God, this army of little children!
Let their weak voices, faint with oppression, cold and hunger, be heard. . . . Let their little faces, pinched by want of gladness, be heeded! Let their challenge – though made by small forms, too mighty for estimate – be reckoned with! Let their writing upon the wall of the nation – although traced by tiny fingers, as stupendous as eternity – be correctly in- terpreted and read, that the awful robbery of the lawful heritage of their little bodies, minds and souls is laid at the brazen gate of ALCOHOL. – EVANGELINE BOOTH, General of the Sal- vation Army.
Christian Students and
–<!III By H. W. PEET, London, England 11"'- T HE student Christian Movement Quadren- The worst policy today is to maintain the status nial of Great Britain was held at Birming- quo; anti-Communist crusaders become too easily ham. This great gathering is held to bring the messengers of the "bad news" that things before each generation of students the needs of must remain as they are. The Church must realthe missionary work of the Church. ize that "The finest realities of the West are not in systems; forms of government are merely tem- The trend of student thought today is reflected porary ways of dealing with human affairs. We in the general title of the conference, "God Speaks must have a sense of proportion-or humor-and to This Generation." As Dr. Leyton Richards, of the idea that behind the facade of affairs are just Carrs Lane Chapel, Birmingham, said: frightened human beings. We must try to look God in the face and realize how ridiculous it is "After the war the emphasis was on social work for us to sit in judgment on one another, like and international matters. These are still press- archangels on the day of judgment. We must ing heavily on the students but they realize that realize that humanity is a band of sinners who they and the world around them have failed to should come to God and then stand side by side put things right, and they are returning to a helping to make a new world." search f.or a sure foundation for their faith in God." Dr. t'Hooft gave a vivid analysis of Great Britain today as an outsider sees her. He put his The early disciples of Christ started with the finger on the weak spots in British national facts of Jesus' advent, life, sacrifice and resur- armor, and quite frankly said that the world is rection. They found that these historical facts irritated with Britain because she seems so easily became for them the basis for a moral fact. As to find great moral reasons for acts of self-interthey tried to explore the moral fact and explained est. Britain must be willing definitely to conit they found that the Person they had known tribute to the peace of the world, apart from any just as a fact of history, and whom later they advantage such an act may bring to herself. recognized as the great factor of moral life, could only be explained as a spiritual fact, as One who An Anglican Father, Rev. W. S. A. Robertson, was the embodiment or incarnation of the very of St. Ives, who is d.oing a magnificent work in being of God. the midlands among tramps, presented an attrac- tive figure in his brown robe and course girdle. The gathering was attended by 2,000 people, Speaking on "The Reality of God," he said that, including many overseas students studying in even though his audience was so different fr.om Great Britain and others who came specially for those among whom he had recently been mixing the meeting from the continent of Europe, Asia yet they had much in common for all .of us must and Africa. come to God as "down and out" men and women.
Dr. Visser t'Hooft, the very capable Dutch sec- Rev. William Paton, Secretary of ,the Internaretary of the World Student Christian Federation, tional Missionary Council, spoke on his recent representing some 200,000 students in 45 coun- visit to the Far East and dealt with the political tries, spoke on "The 'Christian' West." He said: and religious ferments there. In his analysis of "We might as well talk of the 'Christian Jungle,' " the situation in Japan, where the worship of the recalling the tragically unchristian state of af- Emperor, inherent in the Japanese system, is setfairs which prevail today. "Nevertheless," he ting up a superreligion of extreme nati.onalism, added, "Christianity has been the central forma- he really gave a digest of his important book, tive element in all that is good in Western civ- "Christianity in the Eastern Conflicts." One of ilization. It has emphasized the worth of effort the speakers of the World Student Christian Fedand of individuals. Without Christianity the erati.on was Mr. Sen, ,an Indian who has just been West would be historically inconceivable. "What touring the United States. His illustration of the the world lacks today is a common point of ref- five fingers .of our hand representing what should erence. Several groups believe that they alone be the five chief elements in our life. The thumb can save Europe-and are willing to ruin Europe represents strength and courage for with it we in order to prove their thesis. The ideological grip things. The first finger represents leadership enemy is considered the representative of some satanic principle."
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and guidance, for with it we point. The center supplication, but rather with hand stretched ,out finger represents harmony. The third on which in cooperation." In a warm tribute to the misthe wedding ring is placed, stands for love. And sionary movement of the past hundred years, Mr. the little finger when we hold our hands in prayer Sun said, "It would be difficult to discover in hisfaces the aUar and, also, in the Indian meth,od of tory any group ,of men and women who have comsalutation, faces the person we honor. manded greater respect and admirati,on than those ,of the missi,on field. The world owes a greater The Archbishop of Y,ork spoke on "God in debt to these men and women than it sometimes Christ," recalling the first Quadrennial he at- realizes." tended in 1908. "Those who saw God in Christ in the first century," he said, "did not argue ab,out Africa was represented by Mr. J. C. W. Dougit. F1aith is a response of the wh,ole mind, critical all, the new Secretary of the Conference of British and constructive. Yet the essential wonder of Missionary Societies, who has spent s,ome years faith is much more like the feeling for a trusted in East Africa as educational adviser to missi,ons. and admired leader than it was like the Q. E. D. While all the most vital questions of international at the end of a geometrical proposition." relationships may be focussed in Africa at the moment, the most important fact Lor the future is Rev. Paul Rangaramanujam gave a stirring ac- that there is a Christian Church in Africa. count ,of the growth of the Mass Movement in the area in which he works. On the political situa- The urgent need for missionaries at present was tion Mr. Rangaramanujam said that India is emphasized by Miss Ruth Rouse, Educati,on Sec- retary of the Missionary Council of the Church of facing clear issues with high idealism, c,ourage England-who, incidentally, was one of the three and wisdom that are almost Christian. The Na- people present at this conference who were also tional Movement which used to have primarily a at the first Student Christian M,ovement Quadpolitical emphasis is n,ow beginning to embrace rennial in 1896. There are today 400 vacant P,osts social and economic pr,oblems. While earlier it in the Protestant mission field which can be filled wanted self-government because it did not want only by men and women who were now students to be g,overned by others, now it desires inde- -ordained men, teachers, doctors, nurses, women pendence for the noble purpose ,of serving India evangelists, agricultural engineers, builders, weland seeing that her P,oor, depressed and ,outcaste fare workers.· There are fields now where the pe,ople come into their own. Great Britain is average age ,of the missi,onaries is between 50 and called to send Christian men and women to G,oV- 60. New consecrated, well-trained missionaries ernment service, military and other forms of serv- are needed from the present student generation. ice to India, to sh,ow the go,od will there is in the Church of Christ in Britain. Mr. Rangaramanu- There are great possibilities in consecrated jam also emphasized the needs which the Church young life and our prayer is that y,outh may fulin India still has of spiritual and intellectual lead- fill .its pmmise and see its way, having listened ership from Western Churches. to the voice of God, to a path which will lead the world onward. As a leading member of the The Chinese Christian editor, Mr. T. H. Sun, faculty of Birmingham University said of the made a plea for help for the Chinese Church from gathering: "The whole atmosphere is reeking the church of the West. "The younger Churches," with moral gunpowder." he said, "come to you n,ot with the open hand of A HINDU PARABLE There was a donkey which belonged to a dhobi (handy man). The poor donkey had a hard time, for, as everyone knows, donkeys belong to a "depressed class." The owner abused and overworked him shamefully. The rope by which he was tied was very old and had be- come weak in many places, partly because many reformers had tried to cut it and free the donkey. The poor animal longed to be free and himself often chewed it. He CQuid have broken it easily; but whenever he became restless, the dhobi would give him a little green grass and as he was always hungry he would quiet down to eat the grass. Then his ,owner would load him up again' and beat him and curse him. Again he would determine to go free at the first opportunity but as often as he started to break away the dhobi would again give him a little grass. Then, the donkey would think, "After all, if I leave this place where could I go? This is the place where I was born." So he remained in his wretched condition, not because the rope held him, but because he received a little grass and because he really disliked to change.
Moral: The bonds of caste are not strong enough to hold anyone who really wishes to go free.
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I============================~ MEN'S MISSIONARY LEAGUE, 1934 – FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ELYRIA, OHIO An Achievement in Masculine den of responsibility for the gained 50 % in active member- Missions present abnormal situation in which "the whole undertaking ship, 34% in general offerings Under this challenging title, to make Christ known to the The Men's Missionary League world is regarded as a strictly and an increase of 43 % in the of the United Presbyterian feminine affair" (in the local church of Elyria, Ohio, has church aspect) and the entire thank-offering over that of the brought out a leaflet giving "the missionary movement is a wom- preceding year! The entire mishuman interest history" of their an's undertaking and not some- sionary budget offerings of the adventure in leading men to thing to challenge the serious congregation for the church year major in missions. The pioneer- and active devotion of strong ending in March, 1935, were ing pastor, Rev. George A. Christian men. The story of the Brown, told the story of the ven- way in which Mr. Brown set 137 % over those of the year beture in THE REVIEW in Novem- about harnessing the men and ber, 1935. As set forth therein boys in his church for team work fore. the problem of enlisting men for with the sisterhood is a chalmissions is, in its final analysis, lenging one, and the report of We have now to record that a matter of interesting them the effect upon the local wom- the infant organization has not whole-heartedly and enthusias- en's missionary society is star- only survived and grown but tically in Jesus Christ Himself, tling. At the end of the first year that similar leagues have sprung the dynamic of whose life work of the League, that society rewas the missionary motive and ported marked increase in mem- up in a number of other churches the carry-on personnel of whose bership, attendance, offerings, necessitating the issue of the interest and cooperation never leaflet above mentioned as an incampaign, in the early centuries, known before on the part of "the structional manuel with model consisted of the informal mis- brethren." In the language of sionaries we now call laymen. figures, the women's soc i e t y constitution and by-laws. On the evening of Nov. 17, 1936, the Upon the pastors rests the bur- [155 ] League celebrated its t h i r d birthday in a party with all the other missionary organizations of the church as guests and Sam- uel A. Fulton, International Chaplain of the Gideons, as the main speaker. Two special mis-
sionary projects-one home and ets of such material over care- African territory-very picturesque) ; one foreign – have been under- fully and found them highly sug- "African Lights and Shadows" (story taken by the organization as its gestive, the Editor is glad to re- illustrated by shadow piCtures inpractical outlet. In a recent let- deem her promise to cite them volving a series of dramatizationster to the Department Editor, for consideration, especially as full directions given); "An African Mr. Brown says: the African study period is not Village Trial"; "Harum Scarum finished yet; and the bulk of the Harems"; "Enlarge Your World" We have been going now for over material is of a timeless, univer- (folder illustration); "Mimeographed three years and the interest not only sal character and the "program Patterns"; "Greetings-Congo Style" abides but grows with the passing molds" of such a type that they (full directions for picturesque ceremonths and meetings. Our men here will suit a variety of topical con- monial) . are enthusiastic about it and the work tents. The denominational brand is extending throughout our church. is also negligible. Any evan- An outstanding feature of We have had wide and favorable pub- gelical group can utilize most of these packets is the number of licity, not only in this land but in the programs, devices and sub- references made to plans and Canada. The hand of the Lord is ject matter to good advantage. articles in the October issue of most manifestly in our work and we THE REVIEW. Much of its mawant it to grow for His sake and to The three packets are adapted terial is recommended for spe- His glory. for use among women's societies, cific use. older and younger young peo- With whole-hearted assent we ple's groups and Sunday school Follow the Line of Most echo the closing words of the classes or departments. They Resistancecampaign leaflet: may be obtained at The United Christian Missionary Society, but that's only one way Let each pastor preach to his men Missions Building, 222 Downey of saying it. at the earliest possible date, and more Ave., Indianapolis, Ind., at 50 earnestly and plainly and directly cents each. State for which The blue waters of Eagles than ever before, to show them that group the material is desired. Mere Lake moved and shim- Missions is a man's job. Then call a mered under a golden June sun. meeting for the organization of a Each packet contains an out- The foliage circling the lake like Men's Missionary League: pray, plan line of the course and materials, a wreath provided a restful and proceed as the Holy Spirit Him- instructions for leaders and pro- change for the eyes and at least self may lead. In the words of our gram builders, ready-to-use les- two city-dwellers sitting on the rallying song: son subject matter, dramatic beach appreciated the scene. sketches, folk lore tales, complete A wake, ye Christian men; devotional, consecration and in- The girl in the bathing suit Behold the world today; stallation services, question and dropped her beach coat so that discussion mat e ria 1, mimeo- the sun could reach her shoul- Great multitudes like scattered sheep graphed patterns, African games ders. They were conspicuously From God still go astray. for the recreational periods, etc. white compared with those of Sample questions and discussion other bathers about her. Come with a spirit stirred; topics are: Obey your Lord's command; "Dotty," she spoke to the girl Is it right to impose denominational- in blue gingham beside her, Pray Him to send forth laborers ism and white civilization upon "why have I never done this be- Into each waiting land. other countries? fore? A vacation at a mission- ary conference didn't sound Present your gifts to Him, Is the African not happy as he is? thrilling to me, but I don't know Your silver and your gold; Why interfere with his beliefs? when I've enjoyed a week more, and I'm going home with my But first of all, yourself He asks, What conditions growing out of the head simply crammed with That He your life may mold. conquest of Africa jeopardize the ideas." She took a small note- peace of the world todav? book from the pocket of her coat Go forth, ye Christian men, and began turning its pages. Proclaim His name abroad; There is so much to be done at home. Why support foreign missions "You know, Sarah," Dotty re- That sinners far and near may come until we have Christianized our plied, "when I asked you to come To know the Son of God. own country? with me last year, you said you were taking your vacation later. He gave His life for you; The process of securing products from Most of the conferences like this His precious blood He shed. Africa is changing the lives of were over. But I knew you Africans. As a user of these would like it." Serve Him who saves you by His products do I not have a moral grace, responsibility toward Africa? "Well, I certainly do. Thete's plenty of time for outdoor exer- The Church's living Head. How does my consecration compare cise and the things I'm learning with that of African Christians? come in such an easy, interest- (Copies M the organizational leaflet may ing way – everything combines be had at 4 cents per C(}py. 40' cents per Is my life a recommendation for to make me feel a real satisfacdozen, $3.00 per hundred, from The Board Christ? tion." of Administration, United Presbyterian Church, 705 Publication Building, Pitts- Dramatics, dialogues, visual- "Just before I came," the burgh, Pa.) izations, etc., include the follow- other went on, "I agreed to be ing as samples: "Allo, Congo!" "Upriver on the Oregon" (travel As mentioned in the October impersonations); "White Gobblers in issue of this Department, the Africa" (illustrated representation of foreign mission programs. and foreign rapacity in "gobbling up" study material of the United Christian Missionary Society could not be listed until after the first of the year, as they would not come out before January. Having looked the several pack-
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
president of our mIsSIOnary sort of thing. Of course, we'll like to have an evening with circle next winter. My notebook have a play or a talk by a mis- Polly Brown and Helen Frazier sionary so as to keep the party talking about their trip to the is a sort of outsize one and it's Orient. They didn't visit all the going to be a lot of help to me. from being all amusement and mission stations but they did nothing to show for it after- meet a few of the missionaries I can make use of so many of wards." and if they would show the the things we get here. You things they brought home and "That sounds fine," praised tell about the ones they met, and weren't here the first night when Dotty, "and how about making describe our work as they can the literature lady told that little invitations like those we saw in read it up in the missionary story made up of the titles of the the shape of an African hut. magazine, I'm sure the girls books on Africa. That was They are made of wrapping would learn something from clever and it's a stunt that might paper with the thatched roof that, too." be done with titles of books crayoned a darker brown. You about any country. She had a catch a glimpse of the wording "A good thing about the methglobe in front of her on a table on the inside fold through a ods we've had here," remarked Dotty, "is that they could be and she repeated the words of little cut-out door in the hut. We adapted to suit the study of al- 'This is my Father's world,' the must pique the imagination with most any country. Now, my the wording of the invitation, as cousin says they will study first verse, while someone played Miss Applegarth said. Didn't Japan this year because the misit softly on the piano. Then she you love her asking, 'Has the dic- sionary their own church sup- tionary joined your church?' ports is making their town her said, 'My Father's world! I re- It's true that we keep on using headquarters while she's at peat the words often thinking the same old hackneyed terms home. That series Miss Appleonly of the part I can see with garth suggested on Hands, for my eyes' or words to that effect. in our meeting announcements. instance, could be used for any We just don't take the trouble other land as well as Africa. She went on to talk about Af- to think up more alluring ones." Remember, she had the titles rica, bringing in the titles of the listed, Hands across the Sea, different books and magazine The sun was slanting lower Hands that Rock the Cradle, articles and holding each one up Hand – Me – Down, Behindhand and the lake breeze was cool. or Beforehand, Han d i c r aft, as she mentioned it. Then she Sarah pulled her coat about her Hand-in-Hand. Can't you just closed with the last verse of the shoulders again as she scribbled picture how those topics could hymn, after saying something a few words in her tiny book. be worked out. It does take "Yes, and we mustn't use stilted imagination, though. I must about our obligation to help Af- phrases either. They put peo- say, I feel as though I never rica's people to see the Father's ple to sleep-people at a meeting again will be satisfied to follow 'the line of least resistance' in world and be able to thank Him need to be electrified. Even the presenting the cause of missions for it, too. I thought at our first furniture should be placed dif- -there I go again using set meeting we could give the girls ferently now and then, and the phrases! How would you say minister's wife mustn't always that, Sarah? Follow the line of a glimpse of the study plans that lead the devotions. In our case least resistance in broadcasting same way." it's the minister's daughter, but the fact that our missionaries I'm going to ask Flo this time to are heroes in the midst of a Sarah was still fingering her get two other girls to read with thrilling adventure-up against notebook, nodding her head to her the story of Philip and the all sorts of odds, yet they see reshow that she was listening. sults that make them realize they "One thing sure," she declared, Ethiopian eunuch. One can read are truly workers together with "I never would have promised to the narrative part, one will take charge of the party for new speak for Philip and the other God and must win in the long members if I'd not been getting run. When the girls really get some of those things they call for the eunuch. It will make the 'methods' from Margaret Apple- story more real." that view, they are sure to want garth. Now I know just what to help. By the way, Miss Ap- I'm going to suggest to the com- "Another thing to think about in devotions is hymns. Alice plegarth and some of the other mittee. Remember the game we leaders are going to be here played on Saturday afternoon, told me she simply hadn't the with the name of a famous per- heart to sing '0 Zion Haste' ever again next summer." son on every girl's back. We'll again. She says we always sing use people connected with Af- it. I told her that if she'd come "Well, I'm telling you right rica, missionaries like Living- and lead us in some really new stone and Jean Mackenzie, and hymns, or even some old ones now, so am 11" a few like Cecil Rhodes and that we don't sing so often, we'd Haile Selassie. For refresh- JANE GILBERT, give the stand-bys a rest for a ments we had a whole bunch of year. And with just a little Vice-Chairman, Eagles Mere, Pa., bananas, and cookies cut in the originality, there are ways of Conference, June 26 to July 3. varying the use of even an old shape of the map of Africa, hymn to advantage."
spread with a mixture of peanut "If I wasn't so full of this Af- rican party," said Sarah, "I'd butter and chile sauce-weren't they good? And the peanuts we had to hunt for all around the room. The girls will love that
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BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTlVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~'~I~–==~~~~~~~~~===—-I~ LET US REMEMBER JESUS INTERLUDE OF MUSIC: BENEDICTION: A Lenten Service of Worship* Vocal solo–"My Task"-Ashford. (Remain standing after benedic- tion.) INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: PERIOD OF MEDITATION. LEADER: "The Palms"-Faure. LEADER: (Continue to play softly as ac- ("Into the Woods My Master Went" companiment during the reading Let us remember Jesus: Who loved to be played softly during reading of the poem.) men, yet retired from them to pray, of poem.) rose a great while before day, LEADER: watched through a night, stayed in o Master of the Galilean Way, the wilderness, went up into a Judean hills are holy, Judean hills mountain, sought a garden. Who, Forgive us for the vows we fail are fair, when he would help a tempted dis- to keep: ciple, prayed for him, and for the For one can find the footprints of perfecting of those who received Forgive us that we so neglect thy Jesus everywhere. sheep, him. One finds them in the twilight be- So idly waste this shining harvest neath the singing sky, INTERLUDE OF MUSIC: day!
Where shepherds watch in wonder Vocal solo-"Into the Woods My What matter if we cannot under- white planets wheeling by. Master Went" – Lanier. (F irs t stand stanza.) His trails are on the hillsides and The mystery of Love that is Di- down the dales and deeps; PERIOD OF MEDITATION. vine, He walks the high horizons where LEADER: Nor pierce the veil! Dear Lord, vesper silence sleeps. our faith increase Let us remember Jesus: Who be- He haunts the lowly highways lieved in men to the last and never To know that, since our hands where human hopes have trod despaired of them. Who through may reach thy hand, all disappointment never lost heart. The Via Dolorosa up to the heart Who disregarded his own comfort Our lives are made all-powerful, of God. and convenience and thought first through thine, of others' needs, and though he suf- He looms,·a lonely figure, along the fered long was always kind. Who, To heal a wounded world and fringe of night, when he was reviled, reviled not bring it peace! again, and when he suffered, threat- -Molly Anderson Haley. As lonely as a cedar against the ened not. Who humbled himself lonely night. and carried obedience to the point Poems from "Quotable Poems," Vol. I of death, even death on the cross, Judean hills are holy, Judean hills and endured faithfully to the end. Clark-Gillespie, Willett, Clark &anCdo.p, ra1y9e3r1~' are fair, New York. Music, meditation INTERLUDE OF MUSIC: from HNew Hymnal of American Youth" For one can find the footprints of Jesus everywhere. Vocal solo – "Into the Woods My H. Augustine Smith, Appleton D. Century, -William L. Stidger. Master Went." (Last stanza.) New York.
PERIOD OF MEDITATION. UNISON PRAYER AND CONSECRATION Officers, 1937 LEADER: (Standing) : President – Mrs. Millard Robinson (Methodist Episcopal). As we worship together- o Christ, our only Saviour, so come Let us remember Jesus: Who, First Vice-President-Mrs. Orrin R. though he was rich, yet for our to dwell in us that we may go forth Judd (N. Baptist). sakes became poor and dwelt among with the light of thy hope in our us. Who was content to be subject eyes, and thy faith and love in our Second Vice-President–Mrs. Augus- to his parents, the child of a poor man's home. Who lived for thirty hearts. tus Trowbridge (Protestant Epis- years the common life, earning his To the preaching of good tidings copal). living with his own hands and de- of salvation we consecrate Third Vice-President- Mrs. J. W. clining no humble tasks. Whom the our powers; Downs (Methodist Episcopal common people heard gladly, for he To the healing of broken bodies South) . understood their ways. and the relief of distress we Recording Secretary – Miss Dorothy consecrate our gifts; A. Stevens (N. Baptist). INTERLUDE OF MUSIC: To the leading of every soul to the knowledge and love of Treasurer-Mrs. Norman V. Peale Vocal solo-"When the Lord of Love Christ we consecrate our in- (Reformed in Am.). Was Here"-Brooke. (First three fluence; stanzas.) To the Christianization of the Chairmen of Committees world, PERIOD OF MEDITATION. To the building of the Kingdom of Annual Meeting: Miss Laura H. Parker (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). LEADER: God: Chautauqua: Miss Amelia D. Kemp We consecrate our money, our ef- (Un. Lutheran). . Let us remember Jesus: Who was Conferences and Schools of Missions: mighty in deed, healing the sick and forts and our lives. Amen. Miss Carrie M. Kerschner (Evan- the disordered, using for others the powers he would not invoke for RESPONSE: gelical Reformed). himself. Who refused to force Editorial and Publicity: Mrs. J. men's allegiance. Who was master "Hear Our Prayer, 0 Lord." (Vo- and Lord to his disciples, yet was cal or instrumental.) Henry Callister (Friends). among them as their companion and as one who served. HYMN: Eva Clark Waid Memorial for World • Prepared by Charlotte Mary Burnham. "0 Master, Let Me Walk with Peace: Miss Emma Jessie Ogg Thee." (Four stanzas.) (Presbyterian, U. S. A.).
[158 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
Finance: Mrs. Mary D. White (Con- one another and to demonstrate the Western Hemisphere and to ex- gregational-Christian) . the inclusiveness of the home tend this policy of good neighborliness mission program. In reporting to all nations, regardless of geograph- International Relations: Miss Elinor the year's activities at the busi- ical propinquity. ness session novel methods were K. Purves (Presbyterian, U. s. employed – panel discussions, 2. To exercise moderation with re- round tables and skits, thereby spect to our military establishments, A.). making the presentation of re- to the end that the influence of the ports interesting and stimu- United States may be on the side of Legislative: Mrs. Bessie H. Payne lating. peace and not on the side of war. (NatI. Baptist). Important actions were taken, 3. To accept membership in the Migrant: Mrs. Kenneth D. MiIIer a few of which are reported in World Court and through such action (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). V. this Bulletin. The Liquor Com- relate our nation in a helpful way to Chairman: Mrs. D. C. Turner mission appointed at the 1936 the development of a world commu- (Congregational-Christian) . Annual Meeting, to study the re- nity of law and of justice. lation of the Council of Women Nominating: Miss Edna M. Spring- for Home Missions to the Liquor 4. To extend the existing neutrality horn (Un. Lutheran). Problem presented a very com- legislation to include an embargo on prehensive report including the basic war materials to nations resort- Office Administration: Miss Ann follow i n g recommendations ing to war, in order to keep the Elizabeth Taylor (Presbyterian, adopted by the Federal Council United States from being drawn into U. S. A.). Biennial Meeting last December war, while at the same time it coop- and which were adopted by this erates with other nations for the Pension Plan: Mrs. Edmund B. Chaf- meeting. preservation of peace. fee (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). 1. That temperance education be 5. To work to secure national and Programs for Local Interdenomina- strongly reenforced in church and international control of the arms tional Groups: Mrs. Fred S. Ben- community and that denominational traffic. nett (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). and interdenominational boards and agencies charged with this responsi- 6. To extend stilI further the ad- Race Relations: Miss May Huston bility seek to cooperate in the publi- ministration's program of trade agree- (N. Baptist). cation of study courses for youth and ments and to facilitate through such of temperance literature; action the easing of economic tensions Study Courses: Miss Margaret Mars- throughout the world. ton (Protestant Episcopal). Vice- 2. That exploration be made as to Chairman: Miss Mabel M. Shei:o- the possibility of taking the profit out 7. To make clear the fact, by Presi- ley (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). of the manufacture and sale of liquor dential proclamation or otherwise, and the Research Department of the that the armed forces of our country World Day of Prayer: Mrs. Daniel Federal Council investigate and re- are not, under any circumstances, to A. Poling (N. Baptist). Vice- port on this aspect of the liquor be employed for the protection of the Chairman: Mrs. E. E. Cooley problem; economic or other material interests (Presoyterian, U. S. A.). of American nationals in other lands. 3. The securing and furnishing of Young People's Work: Rev. Frederick data which may be used by educa- 8. To take such steps as may be ad- R. Thorne, D.D., Chairman (Pres- tional agencies in presenting the sub- visable to insure the improvements of byterian, U. S. A.). V. Chair- ject; American-Japanese relations and, in man: Miss PrisciIIa Chase (Con- cooperation with other interested na- gregational-Christian) . 4. That the press of the country be tions, to labor for the restoration of urged to consider the harm done to a treaty structure for the Pacific. Joint Indian: Rev. Mark A. Dawber, themselves and their readers by liquor D.D., Chairman (Methodist Epis- advertising and, together with the 9. To place upon a strictly volun- copal). Vice-Chairman: Miss radio and the screen, be urged to elim- tary basis all military training in Helen M. Brickman (~ef'd in inate the emphasis on drinking habits; civil colleges and universities and to Am.). provide for the elimination of all mili- 5. That the Council of Women for tary training in high schools. ANNUAL MEETING Home Missions, in the interest of na- tional safety and welfare, most sol- That it make known this endorse- The Council of Women for emnly calI upon the people of this ment in a letter to the President of Home Missions and the Home land to arouse themselves to the men- the United States. Missions Council held their An- ace of this growing evil and by pernual Meeting January 11-14, sonal influence, by coIlective and polit- That it commend to the women of 1937, in Asbury Park, New Jer- ical action strive for such practical the Church through the denominasey. The first two days were measures of restraint and control as tional Boards the statement on peace given to the business sessions of are necessary for the protection of adopted by the Federal Council of the two Councils and the last society. Churches at its meeting on December two to the National Conference 11, 1936, asking them to study the on the City Church. The Fel- The above recommendations nine point program, included therein, lowship Supper which officially had been adopted at the Biennial to make known their attitude to the opened the Annual Meeting of Meeting of the Federal Council government of the United States the Council of Women for Home of Churches on December 11, and to the people of their communi- Missions was in every sense a ties, and to develop in their own and fellowship. Mrs. Millard Rob- 1936. other people's minds the will to peace. inson, President, presided. The program, informal in nature in- International Relations YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK cluded greetings from fraternal delegates and then three-minute The Committee on Interna- It was reported that at the accounts given by a representa- tional Relations recommended: Conference of United Christian tive named by each constituent Youth Movement at Lakeside, Board describing the outstand- 1. To implement stilI further its Ohio, in the fall of 1936, it ing achievement in the home Good Neighbor policy with regard to had been decided to include mismission work of each board in sionary emphasis in the promo- 1936. Seldom has any feature tion of Christian Youth Building on an Annual Meeting program a New World, and material is done more to acquaint us with being prepared for this by the Youth Committee of the Mis- sionary Education Movement.
~i'==O=u=r=w=o=rl=d=–W=i=d=e=o==ut=lo=o=k==~ir
J1t A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events "
~. EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO .~~ LATIN AMERIOA Preaching Restricted quainted with us, told of what we were doing, .of the impor- Ouba's Oooperative School Rev. C. S. Detweiler, of the tance of Christianity for the American Baptist Board, made world. He ended with a cordial The c.ooperative idea in rural a recent visit tQ Central Amer- invitation for all to attend Chriseducation has been highly suc- ica, and reports that it is prac- tian services." cessful in San Miguel de los tically impossible for any m.ore Banos, Cuba, where a Presbyte- new missioOnaries to enter Costa Bibles, Testaments and tracts rian Mission has an experi- Rica and Guatemala. With SoOme in Chinese have been sent for to mental rural proj ect. For three difficulty the Protestant missioOns help follow up this important months ,the idea grew upon the in these countries have been able opening. community, and 25 adults and to secure replacements f.orthQse 22 children were found who whQ have left, but are not al- A More Liberal Order needed and wanted the school. l.owed to increase the staff. Evangelical missi.onaries have New thinking is observed in A thatch-:mofed house was been affected by new restrictions Colombia. Youth is impatient put up; the next move was to upon their work in town and with the old order and is workprovide a teacher. She will country. The g.overnment is re- ing for liberal principles in edumaintain her own home, and the quiring all pas,t.ors t.o secure a cation, and a relaxation of the young women of the community license, and .only thus are they inhibitions of the Roman Cathwill take turns living with her, permitted to hold services. olic Church. This attitude has in order to learn home making been reflected in a 71 per cent from her.-Monday Morning. -Watchman-Examiner. increase in the enrolment of Protestant Sunday schools since Ohristian Literature for The Ohinese in Guatemala 1932. Mexico Dr. E. M. Haymaker, editor Legislation recently passed by F.or the first time in the his- of Guatemala News, describes a the Colombian Par I i am en t tory .of evangelical wQrk in Mex- new work which the newly ap- marks the great changes now in ico, Sunday School Association pointed Chinese consul helped tQ progress. Three articles .of the publicati.ons are being sold in inaugurate. He is a Christian Constitution have been deleted: books,tores .other than their own. Chinese, while his wife is the Works by Kagawa, Compton, C. daughter of a Chinese pastor Article 38. The Roman Catholic F. Andrews and others are in and granddaughter of a former religion is the religion of the nation, prQcess of translatiQn. The first one. Both are deeply interested protected by the public authorities, reof a series of booklets intended in their Christian faith. spected as an essential element of sofor student evangelism appea,red cial order. early this year. There are about 742 Chinese in Guatemala at present. Article 41. Public instruction shall Prof. G. Baez Camargo be- be organized and directed in agreelieves that this literature pro- Dr. Haymaker felt that some- ment and harmony with the Catholic gram that is being carried .on thing ought to be done for them, religion. modestly, but effectively, will and talked over the matter with prove to be .one of the greatest Mr. LeQ, the consul, with the re- Article 55. Buildings destined for spiritual adventures in the his- sult that some .of the mission- worship, seminaries, and episcopal tory of the evangelizati.on of aries were invited tQ tea at the houses shall not be subject to taxa- Latin America. consulate to meet a group of tion, nor taken for any other service. Chinese. This gave the oppor- Personally, and through the tunity of meeting no less than -Indian Witness. SUPP.ort .of friends in England thirty of the principal Chinese and America, Prof. Camargo of the capital where there are Beginnings in New Field has launched a literature project some 200 located. "There was .of another type: a Christian no beating about the bush as to E. K. Pinn and D. Michell, quarterly especially dev.oted t.o the object of the tea," writes w.orkers f.or the Evangelical the intrQduction .of the GQspel Dr. Haymaker. "Mr. Leo, in UniQn of South America, have to students, professors., social explaining whQ we were and changed their field from Chinleaders and educated persons. why he wanted them to be ac- chellos to Talavera, Peru. Work at the £Qrmer place is being c.on- -W. S. S. A. News. [160 ] tinued by two young Peruvian Christians.
These missionaries find in Talavera a mQre .open-minded, liberal spirit, "but," they say, EUROPE Outlook in Spain "while it is a pleasant change Toward Church Unity Dr. Juan Orts Gonzalez benot to be called 'devil,' 'Or 'athe- lieves that now, more than ever ist' or to have people surrepti- In St. Paul's, London, a contio'usly looking f'Or our tails, in- ference was held last October, before, the Gospel of Jesus differenc·e and materialism can attended by delegates represent- Christ can be made known in prove as great enemies as fa- ing most of the church b'Odies 'Of Spain even to devout Catholics, naticism. Many people are glad the W'Orld. Plans, are being de- if appropriate efforts are made. to have us here to visit the P'O'Or vised f'Or the cl'Oser drawing toand sick, but do not want to be gether 'Of all denominations. A He writes: disturbed in their life 'Of im- great pageant is to be held in m'Orality, 0 r m'Oney – making, London at a date to be fixed, the "A few months before the revdrink or other besetting sin." background to which will be a olution began, the Bible Society choir 'Of 1,500 voices. Preceding succeeded in publishing adver- Encouraging aspects in the this dem'Onstration, which will .tisements in the two great prochange are improved health, be broadcast 'Over a world-wide letarian papers of Madrid, El friendliness of the majority, network by the British Br'Oad- Socialista and Claridad, with more level c'Ountry so that they casting Corporation, two world very satisfactory respons,e in the can walk farther, and the coop- conferences will be held, one in eration 'Of teachers in all'Owing Oxford,and the other in Edin- way of sales. Shortly afterthe children ,to attend prayers. burgh, the object of which will wards, Claridad published an These children have mem'Orized be the removal 'Of all barriers article undoubtedly written by many hymns and passages of which prevent unity. an evangelical, in which it was Scripture. Lantern meetings, ;stated ,that ,the Gospel of Jesus with slides 'Of the Life 'Of Christ, -Alliance Weekly. prove helpful. Christ is the greatest basis for Church Union in France formulating the just claims of -South America. the worker; and the editor, a leading Marxist, in presenting the article said: 'This is a vital topic; and we invite all 'Our Unity in the Reformed Church readers who can write to take Religion in Argentina's of France seems about to be part in the discussion of it.'
Schools achieved. The Synods of the Scarcely a day passes in which Reformed Evangelical, and of the leading papers, in criticising The law in Argentina provides the Reformed Church have for the hierarchy and the fascists that, in respect to religi'On, some time been working toward who claim to interpret Chrisschools are neutral ground, so union; the acceptance of a com- tianity better than anyone else, that "religious teaching may mon confession of faith had, do not quote the example and the only be given in the public however, yet to be achieved. words of Christ in refutation of schools by authorized ministers Last June, this was accepted by their claim. of the various cults to children both synods. It is probable that of their own c'Ommunions before the regional synods will accept "The greatest proof which I, or after school hours." This has the new statutes in the spring personally, have experienced of hitherto saUsfied Christians, of 1937 and that a Synod consti- the receptiveness 'On the part of Jews, Moslems, Buddhists and tuted by the first united church the Spanish people to religion 'Other religi'Ous bodies who con- will take place in 1937 or 1938. has been affol'ded by ,the results The question will arise as to of my newspaper evangelism. tribute their share 'Of taxes f'Or whether the two faculties of the- With the generous help of the the upkeep 'Of the schools. The ology of Paris and Montpellier United Society for Christian Litpresident of the National Coun- should be united. erature (London) and of the cil on Education recently de- Methodist Board of F'Oreign Misclared that as a religious back- During 1935 the Societe Cen- sions (U. S. A.), I have already ground for moral teaching was trale Evangelique worked in 40 been able to publish more than necessary in the schoo~s, the law thirty articles of this type in El should be altered so that Roman departments of France; in 13 Popular of Ma.laga. Several Catholic clergy might give in- of these it was the only Prot- thousand persons have read struction during school hours in estant body represented. The those articles, and a great many Sunday schools showed prog- of the readers have seen Christ all public schools. Non-Catholic ress, instructing 1,600 scholars, and His Gospel in a different children would have the alterna- and of these 419 were confirmed Cay, evidenced by the personal tive of receiving any instruction and received as members of the testim'Onies I have received." in morals and civics. The pro- Reformed Church. In different posal is regarded as an attempt churches 370 new members were Must Not Pray for Hitler received. The difficult task of to reintroduce 'sedarian instruc- keeping spiritual contact with A very curious thing has haption in public schools, and the scattered French Protestants Argentine press is critical, hold- was vigorously maintained, and pened in Germany. The Scriping that the existing law is the this Society is now maintaining tures enjoin prayer for those least discriminating towards all 70 evangelization centers. classes 'Of the community. who rule over us, but no one is -The World Today. allowed to pray for Hitler. Re-
cently a pastor was censured for church and state are separate the sweet potatoes must be uprooted praying that this ruler might be and in which Freethought is ac- or all would die of hunger! Meangranted "guidance to his spirit tive. Affirmative answers are while Gure Christians were praying so he may submit humbly." This said to have come from Mexico for rain; they also prayed for the was interpreted by the Minister and the Spanish Loyalist Gov- witch-doctor's soul. of Culture as an implied criti- ernment. It is also reported that cism of Hitler's policies! a Russian :£actory has received That night the Lord bountifully an- large orders for life-size statues swered the prayers and sent an -The Presbyterian. of Christ, Moses, Mohammed, abundance of rain! No more has been the Pope, Luther and others to said about our potatoes. Protestantism in Austria be used ,as targets at shooting contests. Lagos Cathedral Evangelical Christi1anity continues to increase in Aus,tria, AFRICA After a brief furlough in but more slowly than in 1934 Great Britain, Dr. F. Melville when the movement was partly To Educate the Blind Jones, Bishop of Lagos, Nigeria, due to a new law obliging every has returned to continue buildcitizen to join ,some church. The The first steps to assist the ing the cathedral, which he new members are eager to learn; blind in Egypt, of whom there undentook on his appointment and as the Pr'Otestant churches are a great many, were taken in 1919. Dr. Jones and his wife in Austria insist ,that candidates by the missionaries. Their suc- have between them spent ninety for membership shall receive a cess has apparently stirred the years in Nigeria, and it is their course of Bible instruction, the Moslems to similar efforts. Al earnest desire to see the catheknowledge of the Word of God Ahramannounces that the dral finished before they retire. made a great impression on their Sheikh of the Azhar proposes The chancel, transepts, lantern hearts. Many have been soundly the instruction of blind students tower, and one hay 'Of the nave converted, and their testimony in the elements of mathematics, are completed. Of the £18,000 has brought in 'Others. reading and writing. A scheme which it has cost, all but £1,000 has emerged to form an i<Az_ has been contributed by the Af- -Alliance Weekly. haric-Institute of the Blind." rican people of the diocese. To The Braille method will be used complete the building, £4,000 ad- Conference in Athens and the necessary educational ditional are required. appliances will be ordered from Twenty..,six Greek Orthodox abroad. -Tke World Today. -Life of Faith. theologians recently held a conference in Athens. Three were Rain and Potatoes Active German Mission from Jugoslavia, three fr'Om Bul~ria, seven from Roumania, Miss H. Griffin, of the Sudan Bethel Mission was founded six from Greece, four from the Interior Mission, writes: in Berlin 50 years ago when Ger- Russian Theological Academy man colonies were acquired in in Paris and two from the The millet was ready for trans- Africa. Since 1891, the Mission Polish Orthodox Church. The planting but there was no rain, and has worked in the hinterland, <:Ecumenical Patriarch was rep- if rain did not come soon, the grain and in the Usambara mountains, resented. would die. Several sacrifices were Tanganyika, and ,after 1907 in made and chickens killed but no rain Ruanda. After the war the Papers were read on church fell. The witch doctor was called and Mandate for the latter region and state, the possibility of an- after much talk and noise, water was was given to Belgium and the other <:Ecumenic Council, social taken out of a hole in a rock which Belgian Protestant Missionary work and missions, biblical criti- is believed to control the rain. They Society is at work there today. cism, ,and church culture. These threw the water in the air, calling, papers will be published by the "Send more rain!" Beer was then The Bethel Mission has 18 Athens faculty. The Bucharest poured into the hole, but still no rain chief-stations and 169 ou.t-sta- Orthodox theological faculty will came. tions, 10 native pastors, 339 men lay plans for the next conference and 59 women helpers, and 17,- to be held in 1939. In the in- Finally five chickens were brought 945 Christians. In the 174 vilterim an effort will be made to out, and with them rested the fate of lage schools and two intermeestablish a joint magazine for our sweet potatoes! Gure people eat, diate schools for boys and two the promotion of theological but never plant sweet potatoes because for girls there are 8,501 p"l~pils. scholarship throughout the Or- of evil spirits. When we planted ours In the Bukoba field the mission thodox Church. on the compound, we were told they is experiencing a remarkable re- would bring :floods and spoil the vival among the heathen. .New Antireligious Treaties harvest. Until now the rains had been groups constantly offer them- normal and nothing had been said, selves for bapUsm and the' ca- The Soviet Government is pro- but with the scarcity of moisture pacities of the few missionaries posing to draw up antireligious things were different! The – five are strained to the u.tmos.t. There treaties with other governments, chickens were to be the deciding fac- are two medical centers. It has according to press reports from tor in revealing the cause of the also the only nerve hospital con- Leipzig. This pact is to be of- drought. ducted by a mission, with a cafered to all countries where pacity for 100 patients, as well As each chicken was beheaded the as a mental depar:tment. Alto- witch-doctor said, "If the sweet pota- toes are not the cause, rise up in the air, if they are the cause, lie quietly on the ground." The chickens re- mained quiet, conclusive proof that
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
gether the mission, including Bantu S. S. Convention Scho'0ls. Plans have been made doctors, teachers and other mis- The first Bantu S. S. CQnven- to extend this in 1937. sionaries, has 92 German work- tion was held at Port Elizabeth, The publicatiQn '0f an Arabic ers. December 14-16. The meetings bQok of f'0lk songs has helped tQ Spain and the Cameroun were in the nature of a workers' introduce grQUp singing, as conference and schQQl of meth- Arabic music is almost whQlly Civil war in Spain has reached ods. Bible ,teaching through the a S'0lo perfQrmance. A Syrian medium of the Sunday schoQl w'0rker was able last year to con- West Africa. The colony of adapted to Bantu life and cQndi- duct a school which did not re- tions, was discussed. Lectures, quire any '0utside financial help. Spanish Guinea, which lies just She used discarded dress ma- demonstrations and discussiQns terial to make aprQns and cutsouth tofofthWe eFsrtenAcfhricCaamPreersobuyn~ dealing with Bantu child nature, tings of bolts of strong muslin is par preparation of the lessQn, class tQ make sacks fQr carrying books teaching and Sunday s c h 0 01 tQ the school. She used worn terian Mission. In Ootober, the out tQwels tQ make baby bibs management were given; also and had the boys dOl carpentry seapQrt town of Rata was shelled practical demonstratiQns, with repair for schQol benches, mak- ing use 'Of wood already on hand. by gunboat fire. Refugees, from Bantu children, of methQds of All Hterature is furnished by the worship, instruction and expres- Central Committee. the coast fled across the border sion work. The meetings were open to Natives of all denQmina- Newman School of Missions intQ French territory. For three tions.
days truck loads of Spaniards -South African Outlook.
came to Elat and to the near-by government station of EbQlowa.
MOIst 'Of them had fled without having time tQ collect any per- sQnal belQngings, and American and French residents had tQ sup- ply ,them with clothing, fQod and Imagine This! A writer in the Near East sleeping accQmmQdations until Bulletin remarks that "if Palessome place could be prepared for Zulu peQple sang and ap- tine has the deepest valley and them. Christian mission work plauded at a meeting where has gone on without interrup- mQney was solicited fQr missiQn- the saltest sea, she has added to tiQn. -Presbyterian Banner. ary work! Rev. H. A. Stick had this distinction by having the been instructed by the Zulu An- Leprosy in Nigeria nual Conference tQ stir up inter- longest strike on record," adding est amQng Zulu churches in mis- that this gives Christian forces .A r~cent report on leprosy in sionary work among the Batswa, opportunity for prQmoting rec- NIgeria recommended that leper the Shangaans and the Chopes colonies should be the care of in Inhambande, East Africa. onciliation. Despite the strike, missions as far as possible. The SubscriptiQns were made rang- Administration of the Northern ing frQm 10 cents to $30. Many Newman School of Missions in Provinces has, therefore, ap- gave $5, which is the equivalent proved a scheme for the exten- in an American wa,ge earner's Jerusalem has not lessened its sion of the work of missions in mQney tQ $25 'Or $30. Even a enrolment; the total was 8l. this direction. The Sudan In- "heathen"-with three wivesterior Mission will undertake gave $5.50 and promised $2.50 Among the students last year the chief responsibility fQr lep- more for his trio of spouses. was a Japanese, Rev. Y. H. rosy work in the north; other There are just two ordained Af- SacQn, whQ is preparing to sucsocieties accepting increased rican ministers in a field 200 ceed tQ his father's Old Testaparticipation are the Church miles long by 50 wide, trying to Missionary Society, American serve 90 churches. The rest 'Of ment chair in the Japanese Baptist Mission and the Sudan the work has tQ be dQne by un- MethQdist TheolQgical Seminary United Mission. educ,ated laymen. near TokYQ. In Southern Nigeria, a new -Overseas News. The student grQUp also inleper colony has been opened to accommodate 1,000 patients. cludes tWQ German missionaries from Egypt, two from the Dan- ish Mislsion in Aden; others from India and Mor'0cco. Fif- teen missionaries in all took ex- aminations in person, and one by corresPQndence.
The Government of Nigeria, Na- WESTERN ASIA INDIA-BURMA-SIAM tive Administrations, the British Empire Leprosy Relief As- Schools in Syria sociation, the Mission to Lepers, The Near East Bulletin lists World Y. W. C. A. Conference all have shared the cost. The encQuraging signs in educational When it is remembered that Church Missionary Society has WQrk in Syria. One factQr in the first organization of women, provided the doctor. The Sul- promoting efficiency was the "The Female Sense Society,"
tan of Sokoto, spiritual head of mimeogmphed material sen t formed in 1807, had to have a Islam in West Africa, has agreed frQm America tQ help the teach- man to count their mQney and to the opening of a dispensary ers. The second factor was the offer their prayers, it is clear at Chafe, in the province of So- great improvement in Teacher that the Y. W. C. A. Regional koto, by two young Christian Training Schools ; and a third C'0nference in Ceylon was a Africans.-The World Today. has been the VacatiQn Bible milestone. In 'Order tQ ensure
more Far East participation, Hindu Temples Opening Generous Hill Women this conference was held in Cey- The doors of Hindu temples The Hill women in Assam, lon instead of in Europe, as are gradually being 'Opened to who have very little money, usual. The subjects discussed Depr,essed Classes, and the re- through their donations of rice, were: cent proclamation of the Ma- saved a handful at a time from 1. My country as a background to the haraja of Travancore, already the daily meal, are able to sup- work of the Y. W. C. A. referred to in these columns, port not only an evangelist, but which gives to all Hindus the to start little village schools. 2. The place and contribution of These are often taken up by the women. right to enter and worship in all mission and raised to a higher state-eontrolled tem,ples', is the 3. The message of the Y. W. C. A. in latest evidence of the growth of status. asiatic countries. sentiment supporting the de- Women in the Telugu field, 4. The problem of international rela- tions.
5. Leadership. mand of the Depressed Classes. after hearing of the cut which Among other helpful lectures Gandhi insists that it is for caste the Home Board had to make, were those of Miss Anna Rice, Hindus to right this wrong, and how their mission was try- National Secretary for U. S. A. whether the Depressed Classes ing to meet the situation, met to- She said: make the demand or not. gether for a half hour prayer "We are faced with two spe- The action of the Travancore service. Then one woman said cial dangers: (1) That we be- state will make it difficult for it wasn't enough to pray, and come an instrument for agita- other Hindu states to refuse to tors, and drift with the tide make similar proclamation. If gave a jewel worth Rs. 75. away from our purpose. (2) temples in South India, strong- Others followed till they had That we retreat from the prob- hold of untouchability and Hindu lems of our environment and fail orthodoxy, are opened, the strug- raised in cash and pledges nearly to make our spiritual inspiration gle is as good as won. Rs. 200, and voted to make it productive." Rs. 500, to send to the Home -Indian Witness. Board as an expression of ap- In the session on "Findings" preciation. In the News -Baptist Missionary Reit was agreed that: Any reputable citizen of Bom- view of India.
We must feel individual responsi- bay would read the average Sheep Without a Shepherd bility for humanity's victims. American daily with horror, and would probably be filled with In the little town of Jampur, Religion to be effective must develop pride that in India, papers do evil was so rampant that the a practical program of work that not flaunt tales of gangdom, little group of Christians were truly reflects present-day needs. robberies, murders and kidnap- sorely beset. There had been no ping. ordained minis·ter there for We need to rid ourselves of violent three years, not even a village emotions and hateful impulses and However, one may read in a reader for a year and a half. fear; we need to have tolerance and Bombay paper such items as Dr. Noel Fletcher writes: Some respect sincere experiment; we must this: of the group had been won by strive for racial amity and the pres- their Moslem neighbors into the ervation and creation of beauty. "Mr. S. K., a prominent young citi- fold of Islam. "Dr. Miss Sa- zen of M., was found on Tuesday, We need an affirmation of individ- drowned in a well near his home. His ual Christian faith. We must not only believe but allow truth to function in our lives. Personalities are more important oldest son was very ill with a fever hiba," said the faithful old than programs or methods. which seemed hopeless. So the father sweeper at the rest house where -Malaysia Message. had gone to visit a famous holy man we stayed, "please will you write and ask what might be done to save Thirty-Year Service Pins his son. The holy man told him that the name of my padre on a slip if there should be some other death of paper for me? Sometimes a The U nit e d Presbyterian in his family the god would be ap- sahib comes here, and when he Board rec'Ognizes the service of peased and spare the life of his boy. knows I am a Christian he asks So the father decided to give his own me who is my padre. For three missionaries who have served 30 life for that of his son." years since Padre Chambers years 'Or more by a service pin, Sahib left, I have not known, consisting of a cross and crown Or another like this: and I feel ashamed." .
of dull gold, set with amethysts "L. B. was sentenced to be hanged -C. M. S. Outlook. and pearls, surrounded by a in Poona on Wednesday for the murwreath of laurel leaves. At the der of his son. It seems he had been Burmese Buddhism annual meeting of the Sialkot told that there was a treasure buried in his land. He was in desperate need Mission, Misses Nancy Hadley, of money, so he went to a holy man to Mary Kyle and Flora Jameson ask how he might find the treasure. Burma is the most .actively 'If you will sacrifice your child to the were each presented with this goddess you will find the gold.' So, Buddhist country in the world; thirty-year service pin. Thirty- during the night while the mother was one might say Burma and Bud- asleep the father stole the child and dhismare synonymous, and one such pins have now been killed him." there is no sign of weakening in awarded. What was done about the holy this religion. Every day one -Women's Missionary men? Nothing. may see monks on their journey- Magazine. -Western India Notes. ings. The proportion of monks
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
to the population is said to be 1 language of those who are study- "Materia medica," he says, in 30. A boy is known as a ing. During the rainy months "as practiced in ancient Chinese "little animal" till he has been of July to October, I spent every fashion, is a thing to behold. to the monastery school for a spare moment translating med- Only three major possessions while; then he is called "a little ical literature. Ten men began were needed by an enterprising man." That happens in the life the course in November, 1935; fellow in order to set himself up of every boy. Village boys come nine of these finished the last of in the profession of Chinese daily to Buddhist schools to be March. The course is so ar- quackery; a bland and scholarly taught reading, writing and re- ranged that those who spend countenance, a collection of alligion, and in consequence lit- only one year will have a good leged drugs, and a lot of nerve. eracy is higher in Burma than practical knowledge with which Add to these a mortar and pesin any other province of India, they can go to their villages and tle, a cutting board, several and religion is stronger. begin the long tedious process of sharp knives, a bottle of river teaching the ignorant villagers water and place to hawk his -The Layman. the value of modern medicine. wares, and the quack was ready Three more years of study will for business. Training Kachin Leaders be offered to those who really desire to take up medicine for a The modest ethics of the mod- A triennial Leadership Train- life work." ern medical profession were ing Institute for Kachins was unknown to him. He advertised held near Bhamo, one of the -Moody Institute Monthly. that he could cure anything, and Kachin mission stations in upper to his credit it must be stated Burma, last year. Over 5,000 Literacy in Siam that he at least tried. He was Kachins assembled for the meet- all things unto all men, that is, ings, some traveling for twenty The government has under- to all afflicted men, and to his days, many on foot. Kachins taken to create a literate nation shop flocked the sick, the lame, are giving liberally in their sup- within ten years, and teachers the halt and the blind. The maport of this leadership training are at a premium. Training jority of his patients survived, institute. Eleven young people classes at Wattana Wittaya, and those not too seriously affinished the two years' course Presbyterian Academy for Girls, fected got well, as they would and have gone out into the work. cannot begin to supply the de- have under any circumstances. Many of the young peo,ple of the mand. Refusing to send out school go into the villages round half-trained teachers, they have Church "Comes of Age" about each week-end and the started a practice s c h 001, many changes taking place tes- attended by 60 youngsters from In a letter to the Board, a tify to their earnestness and ef- neighborhood families, teaching Presbyterian missionary tells fectiveness. them the regular government how a church in Nanking "came curriculum of studies, and do- of age." -Watchman-Examiner. mestic science as well. "For some time, we have been Doctor Multiplies His Talent Wattana Wittaya is located on working on a policy whereby, the Sam Sap canal, the "canal beginning with April, 1936, any Dr. Richard S. Buker has, been of 10,000 mosquito smarts." The church which could not take full pioneering in North Burma long name means Academy of Pro- responsibility for its pastor's enough to get his bearings in gressive Knowledge. The stu- salary was going to have to give the matter of making his life dents take the Red Cross exam- him up for such part of his time count. He tells how he plans to inations, Girl Scout tests, and as they did not pay for. So the mUltiply his ministry: the temperance pledge. Two mission was preparing to use Christian Endeavor societies, part of the time of Pastor Dju, "The tremendous call of thou- one f:or seniors, one for juniors, of the Second Presbyterian sands of villages about me, which meet regularly. Church of Nanking, but we have not the slightest chance of reckoned without the church receiving even simple medical On Sundays groups of stu- people. The elders and deacons care during sickness, continually dents visit the homes of the peo- had a meeting and decided that bears upon my mind. I am the ple living along the canal, for the church could not afford to only doctor with a medical de- whose children the academy let any part of Pastor Dju's time gree who can possibly go to these maintains a day school of 40 go into other work, and they villages. My great desire is to pupils. -Monday Morning. went out among the church spread myself so as to be of members to raise his entire salmore value. The only way for CHINA-TIBET ary. In a short time they anme to do this is to teach others nounced to the Presbytery and what I know. The Passing of the Quack the mission that the church was prepared to call Pastor Dju as "A building for the teaching is Dr. W. H. Dobson, South its full-time pastor, completely practically completed; now there China Presbyterian missionary, supported by the church." must be funds to feed the stu- thinks that with the passing of dents, and provide them with the cure-all quacks, one of the books and incidentals. There most colorful institutions of old must be medical literature in the China will become history.
Taking the Gospel to Prisoners meating Chinese life, and cites hope that it may contribute to- a number of them. Here are wards a larger understanding of A Scandinavian missionary three: the problem, and help all those at Changan, Shensi, writes in serving in the rural church to China's Millions of opportuni- A well-to-do young Chinese couple, plan more intelligently and acties for prison preaching. so wealthy that they did not know tively for the future. In Kiangsi what else to seek in life, decided to the provincial government has In answer to a long time of prayer commit suicide together. They hired adopted a three-year plan to and waiting, a new door finally opened a room in one of the large new hotels carryon work along four linesfor Gospel work among the men pris- in Shanghai, and turned on the radio to stimulate village self-governoners in the provincial prison. As to drown the noise of their suicide. A ment, to organize the farmers mentioned in earlier letters, the work Gospel appeal happened to ring forth, for self-protection; to develop among the women prisoners started and both were soundly converted. rural education; and to raise long ago. There are not very many people's economic level, for the women, and the matron is an earnest Many missionaries have stopped at realization of the self-govern- Christian, which made an opening Wing On's large department store in ment, self -dependence, selfeasier. The situation is different with Shanghai. Among other goods ex- supply and self-protection of the the men, for there are over three hun- ported from that shop are hundreds of rural population. dred in number, which makes gath- tons of soda crackers. Under the lid ering for meetings more risky. 'I'heir of each tin is a slip of paper, neatly -Chinese Recorder. officials are non-Christians and, though printed in red characters, which very friendly, could not be expected reads: "Jesus said, I am the bread of For Neglected Seamen to show any hearty interest in Gospel life: he that cometh to me shall never work. But a visit to the prison by hunger; and he that believeth on me Although a great deal has been members of our Field CommitteE: was shall never thirst." done for seamen in other nawell received, resulting in an official tions, Chinese seamen had been permission to hold meetings for men A little outpost was too poor to neglected until Mr. B. J. Tan, every Saturday. Brother Swenson, raise a regular preacher's salary. An who worked among seamen in the Bible-school teacher, and others excellent evangelist and teacher, England for 20 years, organized take part in these meetings. Several known among us as Nathanael, of- a Seamen's Mis,sion in Hongof the prisoners have already decided fered to go and help that little com- kong three years ago. Mr. H. for Christ. munity last winter, without any stip- R. Wells describes this work in ulation as to salary. Just inside the the Chinese Recorder. New Ways for Old door of the little mud chapel two large barrels were placed. Into one of The mission is making good prog- Here is a story told in the these, contributions of grain were ress since the opening of the new United Church Record of Can- poured; and into the other, cabbages, headquarters last May. The men are ada. onions or turnips were dropped-and glad to have a place to rest, read one day a new gown was dropped for books, newspapers and magazines, Canton's old execution ground is Nathanael! write letters and play games while being used for better purposes in these they are waiting on land for situadays. Its most frequent use is for Christianity or Communism? tions. athletic meets; but Easter Sunday saw it serving another purpose still The problem of livelihood is Sunday evening service is well atmore remote from its original use. receiving increased attention. tended since the opening: some of the Soon after sunrise people oegan to The New Life Movement was men join us in our daily prayer meetstream from all parts of the city- quickly followed by the People's ings, morning and evening. We visit some in buses, some in cars, some in Economic Reconstruction Move- the boarding houses once a week, and rickshas, and some on foot-towards ment, which is devoted largely ships alongside the wharves, carrying the East Parade ground, and by half to the welfare of farmers, since The Word of Life, cheer and comfort, past eight the scene which in former 80 per cent of China's popula- and distrii:>ute cards with "Golden days witnessed many a criminal pass tion belongs to that class. There Texts." Not merely the men themon without a ray of hope, was re- has been a striking increase in selves, but their wives and children sounding to the voices of five thousand the number of cooperatives; the are helped when the men are inpeople singing "Jesus Christ is rben Government and several banks structed in the principles of Christian today, Alleluia." The singing was led are trying to help the farmer morality. by three bands from the Pooi Ying, by extending loans, and there is Pooi Ching and Ling Naan schools, a national bureau for the im- Tibet to Modernize and by a choir of five hundred young provement of rice and wheat and men and women gathered together a central bureau for the im- Gordon Enders, son of a Presfrom the various churches. The provement of cotton. The prob- byterian missionary to India, as hymns were well known and suitable lem is how to translate plans advisor to the grand lama of to the occasion, so that the huge con- into action, because of wide- Tibet will have an important gregation was able to follow whole- spread illiteracy and the peas- role in the modernizing program heartedly the lead given by the choir ant's suspicion of new methods. planned for that country, schedand bands. Dr. T. Z. Koo's message The alternative, "Christianity or uled to start this spring. was short and to the point, empha- Communism," is stirring Chr-issizing the radical change in the lives tian forces to pay more attention Century-old stores of gold will of Christ's disciples as unimpeach- to community welfare. be removed from mountain monable evidence of the resurrection. By asteries and used to build highthe help of a loud speaker, the whole A start in this direction has ways, railroads, and establish assembly, accommodated on tiers of been made by Nanking Theolog- air lines and modern communiseats arranged in a large quadrangle, ical Seminary which has begun cation systems, according to Mr. was able to hear every word. a study of 100 representative rural churches in Ghina, in the The Gospel Spreading Life China's Millions says that many instances may be quoted to prove that the Gospel is per-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Enders. The grand lama does integrate it into the life of the and rural evangelism in pubnot plan to modernize Tibet in- nation. lishing a weekly magazine called dustrially, although power plants Severance Medical School in The Christian Herald. will be estahlished on mountain Seoul, Korea, was the first misstreams. He wishes to give his sionary hospital to be thus in- Social Gospel in Korea people certain advantages of the corporated. -Living Church. An article in a recent Chris- tian Advocate shows how new modern world, without import- Church Union in Japan ideals are influencing an ancient ing the industrial world's prob- country. A popular type of lems. The lama will try to es- The National Christian Coun- town work is the Well Babies' tablish a spiritual nation intent cil was instructed by the All- Clinic which not only looks after on keeping peace. Japan Christian Conference held last November to lend its good the baby but also influences the -Dayton News.
JAPAN-CHOSEN offices in furthering the work of mother and ultimately the whole the Commission on C h u r c h home. It also acts as a link be- tween the sick mother and the Population Increase Union appointed by that body. hospital. The provision of clean, Japan's population increased That Commission has been at standardized food for babies has 1,100,000 in 1935, according to a work during the year on the resulted in a revolutionary report from Tokyo. The aver- change in child nurture and age rate of increase has been questions of the form of or- gives prospects of lessening the from 800,000 to 900,000. The ganization for a United Church, notoriously high child mortality. birth rate for 1935 was 31 for The soy bean may be the means 1,000, while the death rate was a creedal statement and pro- of providing a cheap, nutritious, 16 for 1,000. The number of cedure. It has drawn up a premarriages was 556,730, showing liminary report, to be presented clean, milk substitute. an increase of 44,076 over the to the Council's Annual Meeting, It was once believed that Koprevious year. The number of expressing the following concludivorces was 48,528, or 0.70 per rean women could not study, 1,000, showing a decrease of 82 sions: That the United Church sing or play. Now one of the in actual number and of 0.01 in in i.ts organization does not the rate from 1934. necessarily require the realiza- departments of the women's col- tion of organic union, but the lege in Seoul trains Korean -China Weekly Review. adoption of a system of govern- women to be music teachers. Another early belief was that ment whieh will respect the Korean girls could not and autonomy of the various com- munions. That it is advisable to adopt the creed in the proposed would not take part in games. Faculty All Christian draft for Church Union – pre- Now the girls' college has a Wilmina School for Girls in sented last year – but incor- physical director, and the new porating the Apostles' Creed. plant includes a well-equipped Osaka is rejoicing because the That headquarters should be set gymnasium. This same girls' principal and everyone of the up in the center of the Empire; faculty of more than 60 J ap- college has a department of home that steps. should be taken to co- economics where an attempt is anese teachers are Christians. ordinate and unify the husiness being made to apply the benefits The number of students in- offices of .the various denomina- of science to the household econcreased from 450 in 1930 to tions and then advance by coop- omy of Korean homes. 1,060 in 1936. Each year about 100 girls from this school are erating on a nation-wide scale to In short, it has been proved baptized, with the full consent of bring about gradually a walking in many ways that Korean wom- and working together; that any en can do everything that women their families. -Monday Morning. new evangelistic campaigns, do anywhere. either within or outside Japan, Charter for Medical Center should be planned on a coopera- Carrying On in Korea tive basis through the above- Permission has been granted mentioned central headquarters; A letter from Mr. and Mrs. by the Minister of Home Affairs and that in order to nourish the Harry J. Hill, of Pyengyang, to incorporate St. Luke's Inter- faith of absentee church mem- says that in spite of the fact that national Medical Center under bers facilities should be made never in their 19 years of serv- Japanese law. The college of for the passing of church mem- ice have the forces of darkness nursing had previously been in- bers from one communion to an- been so determined as now, corporated, but the medical other. center as a whole had, from its doors are wide open to evanearly history, continued to exist C. E. in Chosen as a private mission enterprise. gelism ; and never a finer group The institution had grown to Nearly 1,300 Christian En- of volunteer workers. In Ocsuch proportions that those in deavor Societies, with 35,500 tober, 117 girlsoome for the members, are inactive operation Junior Bible Institute, one from Manchuria.
charge of the work felt that this in Chosen. The national C. E. The name of the all-year Bible step was necessary to safeguard Union is joining with the de- School for Women has been its future, and more thoroughly partments of religious education changed to Women's Biblical
Seminary. Calls for its grad- tion and wider knowledge, to under the transforming influence uates come from all over Korea, better material living and more of the one Bible saved from the 'and from J apanand Manchuria. widespread commercial activi- "Bounty," as it was taught to the These young women are leading ties, and best of all to better women and children by Young many to Christ in factories, hos- moral and spiritual progress. and Adams, after all the rest pitals, street chapels, homes and had been murdered and killed. government schools. The Evangelical Church in the Today we thank God for His Philippine Islands has helped Word, which was ,the means of The Institute for Blind and the people on their way by en- saving us from heathenism, and Deaf Boys now admits little deaf lightening their minds and com- doubtless cannibalism. . . . girls, as there is no other place forting their souls through the in Korea where they may learn Gospel of the Christ who said, "In your letter you ask to read and write, and use the "I am the way, the truth and the whether the National Bible Sosign language. This work is not life; no man cometh to the Fa- ciety of Scotland might have the under the Mission, but under the ther, but by me." privilege of s.ending a further Korean General Assembly. Fif- supply, if there was need. That teen blind and 20 deaf and dumb Rhine Mission Jubilee offer is unsurpassingly kind, for are taught by four part-time which we would return grateful blind teachers, one deaf and The Rhine Mission last year thanks. . . . Many of the older dumb and four part..,time sighted commemorated the 75th anniver- folk need large-print Bibles. teachers; with a blind evan- sary of its work in the Batak Our popUlation now numbers gelist calling regularly in homes country, Dutch Indies. The 215, including children who canof the blind. climax of the occasion was the not yet read. I leave it to you unveiling, in the Church square to send as many copies as you ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC at Siporok, of a monument 20 think advisable. I would be very feet high, a four-sided, trun- grateful also for a Teacher's "On Their Way" cated pyramid, which bears the Bible in large size, also one for inscription in Batakian on a my nephew, Richard Christian, Rev. Charles N. Magill, D.D., marble plate; "The Lord hath who is in need of one." was recently asked what he done great things for us, therethought was the most marked fore are we rejoiced." The New Britain's Village Schools material change that had taken monument stands on the spot place in the Philippines since where the first meeting of the In "Man in the Making," the his arrival in 1905, and he Rhine Mission was held. The author, R. R. Marett, defines replied: "Improvement in trans- Batak church is now numbered savagery as "intellectual confuportation." Facilities for trans- among the greatest and most im- sion combined with physical disportation have increased perhaps portant native churches of the comfort." Pioneer missionaries one thousand per cent. The world. to New Britain some 60 years rough mountain trails and the ago, Dr. George Brown and his dusty quasi roads of the dry sea- Bibles for Pitcairn Island band of Fijians, found people son and the mudholes, called who fitted ,this definition, but it roads, of the wet season, have The story of "The Mutiny on can no longer be truthfully apbecome first class highways over the Bounty" is well known. By plied to the majority in these w h i c h speeding automobiles, the reading of a Bible, which islands. busses and trucks carry multi- had been carried ashore from the tudes of people and the products ship, the whole of the island was The first aim of the mission of the country. Thirty years ago changed, and became a moral has been to assist the natives to travel was on foot, or on ponies, community in which the Gospel a right relationship to God; secor in two-wheeled rigs. This created an atmosphere of love ondly, to develop character and was slow, uncomfortable and ex- and peace. In 1848, when the citizenship; and thirdly, to enpensive. People did not travel news came to Britain of this re- able them to acquire those skills much as compared with the markable tllansformation, the which will assist them to protravel of today. Now there are Edinburgh Bible Society sent vide for their material welfare. thousands of miles of splendid out fifty Bibles for the benefit of New ethical standards and new roads and tens of thousands of the colonists. motives have been supplied as motor-vehicles in operation. old ones disintegrated. Village Every year millions of pas- In 1935, the Secretary of the schools have also worked toward sengers are "on their way." National Bible Society of Scot- raising standards of health. land, sent a letter ,to the descend- This includes such training in Within three decades there ants of the mutineers. Extracts practical gaI'dening as will enhave been introduced and put from the reply sent by Mrs. sure a more consistent and varinto effective operation "ways Edgar Christian, wife of a fifth ied supply of food. Often a naand means" to help the people generation descendant of Flether tive community is sick largely not only in traveling over high- Christian of the "Bounty," will because of improper diet. ways, but in progress to better be of interest: "We raIl know government, to better laws and how the scenes of vileness, The future of these mission quicker justice, to fuller educa- cruelty, and murder gave way schools is uncertain. Either the Administration will gradually
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
establish its own elementary study and to aid Sunday school from pastors to whom a quesschools, in which case the mis- teachers and officers in their tionnaire had been sent. sion system will no longer be re- church work, by making five quired; or the Administration tours. Five teams, visiting 72 In response to the first queswill assist in maintaining schools high schools and 58 churches, tion: "Have you had or do you of greater efficiency than is pos- reached more than 5,000 church plan some evangelistic effort sible with limited financial re- members and 6,000 high school during the present c h u r c h sources. students. -Monday Morning. year?" In response to this ques- tion, 655 ministers answered -Missionary Review of For Better Movies yes; fifty-five answered no; and Australia. eleven did not answer. The "Legion of Decency" sug- NORTH AMERICA gests some restrictions to insure In response to the question as proper motion pictures. Here to whether or not they felt there What Makes Criminals? are a few: was a growing spirit of evan- gelism among the pople, the an- Dr. Amos O. Squire, for many No picture shall be produced in swers were as follows: Yes, 398 ; years head physician at Sing which evil is made to appear attrac- No, 196; no answer, 127. Sing Penitentiary, in an address tive, and good unattractive; in which on "Youth and Crime in Modern the sympathy of the audience is In answer to the question as America," revealed some star- thrown on the side of wrongdoing, to whether or not the spirit of tling facts. He said: evil and sin, or against goodness, evangelism was growing among honor, innocence, purity, or honesty; Sunday school teachers, 443 of "In 1900 the average age of in which law-human or divine-shall the 721 pastors answered yes; criminals in America was forty; be ridiculed, or sympathy be created 148 answered no, and 130 did today it is. twenty.,three. Forty for its violation; in which the treat- not answer. The ministers were per cent of the atrocious crimes ment of crime makes heroes of crim- asked to give the number of adcommitted in America are by inals and seems to justify their ditions they had had during the youths still in their teens. One actions. first six months of the church hundred and seventeen thousand year. A total of 5,521 additions are now imprisoned in Federal -Alliance Weekly. on confession of faith was reand State prisons, while 200,000 ported by six hundred ministers. more are confined in county jails An Atheist Converted The other 121 ministers either and reformatories." reported that they had had no Martin S. Charles was a additions or did not fin out that His explanation of this, in a young preacher whose Christian part of the report. word, is the breakdown of Amer- faith was undermined by false ican home life. He said: teaching that he became an Twenty colleges of the denom- atheist. He founded The God- ination indicate that they have The breakdown of religious author- less World magazine, conducted some definite plans for keeping ity has left character seriously un- twenty-two public de bat e s the claims of Christ before the founded. A boy whose character has against Christian ministers, and students under their direction. no deep religious foundation experi- held offices in the Association for ences a serious shock if his home is the Advancement of Atheism. -Christian Observer. broken up. Perhaps his parents be- Then, after twelve years, he was come divorced, or they separate, or supernaturally stopped in this Elyria, Ohio, Men's League they live together, but in perpetual career, being convinced of the strife and unpleasantness. The effect reauty of the existence of the The men of Elyria, Ohio, on the boy is to unhinge him, and he One whom he had denied. He United Presbyterian Church drifts into crime. Forty-five per cent has recently been conducting a who formed a local Men's Misof the boys who are coming to Sing "Back to the Bible Mission" in sionary League in November, ~ing, having previously served a term Fort Wayne, Indiana. 1933, have no thought of quit- In the Reformatory, are children of ting, for since the last anniverbroken homes. Conceit, if pursued -So S. Times. sary a new project has develintensely enough and long enough, oped, in addition to their foreign tends to produce a definite mental Presbyterian Diamond Jubilee mission obligation of supportunbalance. Character, religiously ing a native missionary in India. founded, will stand up under serious The Diamond Jubilee of the When the pastor, Rev. George shock. Southern Presbyterian Church, A. Brown, visited Colorado last was celebrated last December. summer he found a small mining -Christian Advocate. One of the chief objects was the town, Tellurite, without a resi- promotion of a renewed spirit of dent minister for many years. Christian Education Tours e van gel ism throughout the Getting in touch with church of- Chur.ch; and in particular to ficials, Mr. Brown has been the Seven denominations – Pres- win 25,000 new members on con- instigator of placing a missionbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, fession of faith in the home ary there, and the Men's League Baptist, Congregational, Chris- Church and 10,000 in the for- will contribute to this project. tian and Moravian-Jamestown eign field. College, and the State Council of With a foreign and home proj- Christian Education worked to- Dr. B. K. Tenney, secretary ect now a definite part of their gether from October 19 to No- of the Jubilee Committee, re- activities, the local league begins vember 8 in an effort to acquaint ports on replies so far received high school students with the North Dakota plan of Bible
the fourth year with renewed Keystone School of the Bible have carried on daily advertise- ment about Christianity for vigor and a determination to A new international training some months, and a number of keep growing. Since last year enquiries have been received. In several new men's missionary school has been opened in Pitts- India, a weekly article inserted leagues have been formed. burgh at 535 Penn Ave. The in a Karachi paper has brought school has a directorate of nine enquiries from people of all -Elyria Daily. ministers and thirteen laymen. classes and faiths. An experi- It is conservative in theology. ment in Christian journalism is Stewardship at Asheville also being carried on in Moham- The President is Rev. A. Gordon medan countries; while in Spain Ike and Mike were two pigs MacLennan, D.D., pastor of the the editor of El Popular, a raised for the Lord by several Shadyside United Presbyterian widely read paper, has agreed to Asheville Farm School boys. Church of Pittsburgh, Pa. The publish a Christian article of Daily the owners cared for their Dean is Wm. S. Hawks, B.A., 1,000 words every Sunday for a charges and watched them grow. year. Following the corn harvest the from the Davis Memorial Bible boys gleaned several bushels of School of Binghamton, N. Y. Leper Statistics corn from the field for their pigs. The school is supported entirely Finally, having grown round and by voluntary contributions and is one of the 66 cooperating in- fat, the pigs were sold. After all stitutions throughout the coun- Medical returns from fiftyexpenses were paid the proceeds try which includes the Standard four leper homes and hospitals went as a contribution to the Training Course of the Evan- in India, China, Korea and young people's missionary budg- gelical Teacher Training Asso- Africa where work is mainet in the presbytery. ciation. Eight men compose the tained by the Mission to Lepers, The Lord's Acre Club at Ashe- faculty. afford some indication of prog- ville Normal School, organized ress made during the year: two years ago, has twenty-three Negroes in Detroit Eleven thousand, nin~ hundred and members who annually clear a twenty-two patients had been under plot of ground of brush and The Negro population in De- treatment for not less than three troit has risen from 40,838 in months. Of theseweeds, and plow, plant and hoe 1920, to about 135,000 in 1936, it. One member stays during the larger portion of this in- One thousand and fifty-four had bethe summer to cultivate the crease coming from villages and come disease arrested cases without crops. From the sale price all rural sections of the South. deformity (i.e., symptom free). Housing conditions are reported expenses are met. The net pro- as bad; health conditions, as Five hundred and twenty-seven had ceeds the first year were fifteen might be expected under these become disease arrested cases with dollars and the second year sev- housing conditions, are also bad. deformity. enteen dollars. Six hundred and ten churches Three thousand, nine hundred and -Presbyterian Banner. eighteen had much improved.
Two thousand, eight hundred and fifty-three had slightly improved.
One thousand, two hundred and two minister to the Negro popula- were apparently stationary. Awards for Missionary tion. Forty-five per cent of Of the remaining cases some had Sermons these are "store-front or house become worse and a considerable num- Awards for the best sermons churches." Numerous cuI t s ber had left or died. Seven hundred on foreign missions are offered flourish among the Negroes and and seventy-six of the cases arrested without deformity had been discharged by the Centennial Council of the constitute a serious problem. and 168 of those arrested with de- Presbyterian Board of Foreign The report warns that the Negro formity. In addition, upwards of Missions, in connection with is fast drifting away from the 7,500 lepers had been treated as outtheir centennial this year. For patients. Where the attendances had faith of our fathers into some- been regular the results had been enthe best sermon which has been thing else. Thousands of them couraging; 142 outpatients were repreached to an actual congrega- have become communists asking ported to have become arrested or tion, $150 will be awarded, with "Who is God?" "What good is symptom-free cases. the church?" They have been $75 for second place, $25 for told that it is the mother of race The chief problem in the conthird, $10 for fourth and, for hatred, prejudice, war, capital- ism, lynching, injustice and trol of leprosy is to prevent the each of the six next best ser- slavery. mons, there will be awarded a infection of children. Where copy of "One Hundred Years," -Presbyterian Banner. the centennial history by Dr. this can be accomplished the dis- Arthur J. Brown. MISOELLANEOUS ease should become negligible Each sermon should be typed, within one generation. .
-Without the Camp.
on one side of the paper and New Newspaper Evangelism Lutheran World Front should be accompanied, on a sep- arate sheet, by the name and ad- Newspaper evangelism, first A "Lutheran Front," massing dress of the writer, and the ser- tried out in Japan, is steadily the more than 80,000 members mon's text and theme. It must reaching into other countries. of this body behind a very defireach Room 913, 156 Fifth Ave., In China, the movement is still nite evangelical program for New York, before April 1, 1937. new, but two Hankow papers world betterment, will take vig-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
orous form within the next four day schools. Remarkable growth ment is organized to inaugurate years. Headquarters for this is reported from the former and maintain in the educational program will be established in German colonies; Tanganyika work of the church such definite increased over 40,000, the Cam- programs of teaching and wor- Berlin. For the achievement of Luth- erouns 10,000, and Southwest ship, based upon the Word of eran Solidarity a series of spe- Africa 8,000. The Union of God, and interpreting the life cific tasks has been mapped out. South Africa increased over and teaching of Jesus Christ as There will be gathered "an en- 100,000 since 1932. Brazil in- shall lead to interracial undercyclopaedic file of information creased 43 %; Argentina, 34'fa. standing, international concord concerning a II L u the ran The situation in the larger and the ab-owlit.ioSn. of war. Churches of the world." There Sunday school constituencies in S. A. News.
will be prepared for publication Burma, Ceylon, India, China and Christian Humanitarian in 1940, a revised edition of Japan has not changed materi- League "Lutheran Churches of the ally, though Japan reports an in- World," first published in 1930. crease of eight thousand. The A Christian Humanitarian Periodical bulletins will be is- loss reported in China is more League has been established and sued to the Lutheran Church apparent than real, as the figures held its first meeting at The Press of the world. A "Central for Manchuria and Mongolia Hague at the close of last year. Bureau of Relief" will be estab- have been deducted. India con- This League has set up as its lished. The executive secretary tinues to have the largest Sun- general principle: "The only will be the official representative day school enrolment in Asia, of the Lutheran Churches of the with Korea holding second place. just basis for the construction world. There is to be built up of a new social life is the Chrisan international Lutheran pulpit North America, Sunday school tian doctrine, which sets us the stronghold of the world, shows task of being human; that is to and lecture exchange. a falling off, though it should be say, in all respects and under all The Executive Committee, noted that other youth move- circumstances to do our Chris- ments and religious education tian duty in the spirit of truth, recognizing that the present day projects have increased. Eu- justice and love. For the buildis one "of enlarging relation- rope, as a continent, shows a net ing up of a new social life, emoships," a day when "religious loss, but gains are reported in tion and reason must be healthily Poland, Greece, and even har- and normally developed and bodies that have always laid assed Spain. Russia is out of work together in harmony. Reclaim to ecumenical character the picture entirely. ligion, truth and justice are the are pressing those claims with most important foundations of new vigor," have issued a dec- Peace Resolution this new social life." laration as to Lutheran participation in general world-wide re- Perhaps the most important The urgent necessi.ty for a ligious movements, saying: and far-reaching action taken concerted effort against atheism by the Oslo World's Sunday was emphasized at this meeting. "The Lutheran Churches of School Convention was the Peace the world should proceed with Resolution. Every Convention Forward – Day by Day united front on their relations since 1904 has adopted a peace with ecumenical Christian move- resolution, but this Convention The Protestant Episcopal ments, general cooperative or- realized that better than a reso- Church has issued a booklet ganizations, or C h r i s t ian lution is the development of containing daily Bible readings Churches claiming universality. Christian men and women who with comments, practical sug- They should agree among them- can reach across national bound- gestions for Christian living, selves as to their united partici- aries and extend the hand of fel- and prayers called "Forwardpation or nonparticipation." lowship to those of all races and Day by Day." This booklet has been widely distributed; alto- -International Christian Press.
Achievements in Religious nationalities, with a desire for gether 3,625,000 copies have Education mutual understanding and com- been bought and paid for. In mon endeavor in behalf of the addition to regular congrega- There are nearly a million welfare of all. There can un- tions from coast to coast, this more Sunday school pupils in doubtedly be no lasting basis for manual goes into prisons, re- the world today than there were peace that is not built upon a formatories, hospitals, sanatofour years ago. Africa is cred- more vital Christianity, without riums, camps, schools, and to ited with more than half this which peace pacts and interna- the employees in bus i n e s s gain, or 581,721. Notable gains tional treaties will continue to be houses.
were made in Belgian Congo, mere scraps of paper. The Peace Translated into Japanese it Angola, Rhodesia and French Resolution adopted by the Oslo has been distributed to 271 con- Equatorial A f ric a. Uganda Convention differs from those of gregations in Japan. It goes to made its first report showing an former Conventions in that it everyone of the Church's for- enrolment of 2,000 in the Sun- calls upon all constituent units eign mission fields. In Canada day schools and over 100,000 re- of the Association in every field and the United States it goes ceiving religious instruction in where the Sunday school move- into homes of scattered settlers.
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Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information I Iril~==~~=======-=~~ An Advancing Church in Latin The third chapter, "The Hun- writes and whom he describes. America. By Kenneth G. Grubb. 256 pp. 38. 6d. Marshall, Morgan dredth Milestone," gives an out- The description of scenes in the & Scott. London. 1936. line of the history of the Evan- various countries is true to life, Mr. Grubb is a past master in the art of condensation. The gelical Movement in L a tin and the value of the text is enlittle book whose title is given America, since its founding, now hanced by a number of wellabove and which has less than 80 pages is multum in parvo. more than a century ago; the chosen illustrations, unusually Rarely does a reader find so much information condensed fourth, "God and Cresar," deals clear and attractive. Throughinto so few pages, and in such with the rising tide of national- out the book, but particularly in short space, and the information given is unusually correct and ism as it impinges on the prog- the chapter on Peru, there is up-to-date, inasmuch as the author has recently made a close ress of the Evangelical churches, frequent and sympathetic refer- and personal study of the coun- and the fifth and closing chapter ence to the Indian population, tries and the problems of which he writes. The seventeen re- deals with "The Significance of and a moving presentation of publics of Hispanic America, as the Indian," that submerged the physical, spiritual, and ecoalso the three Caribbean republics, Cuba, Santo Domingo and portion of the population that nomic needs of this portion, Haiti, plus the island of Puerto Rico, are brought under review might well call out with the which, in some cases, is the main this small volume, and he who reads its chapters carefully will Psalmist, "No man cared for my jority of the entire population. be much more knowing in regard soul." W. E. B. No doubt some of his readers to our friends, the other Americans, and the problems with will not agree with what the auwhich they contend. Why South America? By A. Stuart thor believes to be the best meth- The first chapter, "From Mex- McNairn. 145 pp. 28. 6d. Marico to Cape Horn," is, in a sense, shall, Morgan & Scott. London. ods of organization and carry- 1936. an introduction to those that fol- ing on the work of the churches low, since it gives much of the This is a book by an author physical and historical setting who is thoroughly familiar with and groups of believers. But all his subject. He was for a numof the various republics and ber of years a missionary in intelligent students of missions their peoples. In the second South America, and, in more rechapter, the author comes to cent years, has served as a mis- will applaud his insistence on grips with what is evidently the sionary secretary, in which posi- tion his long experience on the the necessity of the missionary main problem of the book, in his field has no doubt been of great treatment of "The Necessary service to his board. By fre- to give his time to the raising up Evangelical Church." T his quent and extended visits to all church will be, in essence, we are parts of the continent, Mr. Mc- of "faithful men who will be told, "a Fellowship of the Burn- Nairn has become thoroughly ing Heart," a band of brothers familiar with this field. able to teach others also," thus whose hearts God has touched. While the book, very natu- making it possible, in time, for It will be a band, not necessarily rally, gives more attention to the of intellectuals, but of all re- work that is being carried on by the missionary himself to pass deemed sinners, a true expres- the Evangelical Union of South sion of the communion of saints America, the missionary board on to other fields that are as yet and of their reunion in the Body with which the author has been of which Christ is the living long identified, it will neverthe- unreached. W. E. B. Head. less interest and instruct a much larger community of readers. Pastor and People. By O. C. S. Wal- The references to history and lace, D.D., Litt.D. 128 pp. $1.25. other developments of the differ- Broadman Press. Nashville, Tenn. ent sections of the continent are 1936. reliable and informing, and the reader will correctly gather the In twenty-five brief and inti- impression that Mr. McNairn mate chapters, Dr. Wallace dis- not only knows, but loves the cusses many of the problems land and the people of which he which face the modern minister and his congregation: pulpit poses and voices, understand- able speech, postsermonic "let- downs," songs and singers,. offi- cers and officiousness, meddle;. some men and flattering women, ushers and their larger calling, the minister as a steward and a man of God, the sacraments, and a host of other important ques- tions. He writes with sympathy, clarity and insight, and with a Any of the hooks noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[172 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
wealth of fresh illustrative de- thought does not concern itself many influences are promoting tail. with obsolete theories regarding it, especially in Turkey, Egypt, the death of our Saviour. Nor and Persia. Hugh Walpole once wrote, "If can it accept belief in the actual an author is to survive a year or resurrection '(page 231). Even With the new economic role two after his death he had bet- the Synoptic Gospels must be in which women are playing ter cultivate the spirit of kind- stripped of supernaturalism be- their part and crossing the liness in his work." In this fore they are trustworthy. threshold of professional life, short volume the vet era n there is, of course, the danger preacher and teacher – he was Aside from this viewpoint, the of liberty becoming license. The eighty November last – demon- book contains many excellences. author points out the effects of strates the ministerial embodi- The weakest chapter, next to old social customs on health and ment of that essential virtue. that on Christianity, is that on the higher standards that are Islam, where the author or the now advocated. The two later R. 1. LINDQUIST. proof reader is responsible for chapters deal with the widening many curious blunders. sphere of women's interests and Living Religions and Mod ern the pressure of change on Islam Thought. By Alban G. Widgery. S. M. ZWEMER. itself by the new womanhood. 306 pp. $2.50. Round Table Press. New York. 1936. Moslem Women Enter a New World. The illustrations are remark- By Ruth Frances Woodsmall. 431 ably fine, and the author's style The title of this book and the pp. $3.00. Round Table Press. is attractive. The book gives author's qualifications as Profes- New York. 1936. very few references to authorisor of Philosophy at Duke Uni- ties and no statistics; the latter versity lead one to expect great In many respects, this is the is understandable. As the authings. Throughout the book is best book we have had in Eng- thor remarks, scholarly and thought-provok- lish on womanhood in the world ing, and presents a comprehen- of Islam. Miss Woodsmall is Statistics today are half-truths tosive and ethical view of the General Secretary of the World's morrow. The subtle nuances of world's living religions. The ar- Y. W. C. A., and spent nine years change are of real significance. To rangement is logical, and the in the Near East. Later, through see one woman from a high-class author has a concise style with a traveling fellowship, she jour- family of Mecca today unveiled would facility for factual classification. neyed beyond the Near East into be a more surprising symptom of Persia and India. Long-time change than the thousands now un- To the Christian, however, residence might give a more in- veiled in Istanbul. I have tried, therewho accepts the ecumenical timate portrayal of the present fore, primarily to understand the creeds and the historicity of the conditions, but none could do it trends of Eastern life, the currents Gospels, this book is a dis- with greater sympathy and a already visible on the surface and the appointment. Christianity is bolder sweep of the pen. undercurrents which determine the placed with the other living re- main movement, using statistics, ligions only as the climax of hu- The rising tide of social where available, only as subsidiary man effort to understand God change is flooding the Near East indications of change. It is evident and the universe. The author and obliterating many Islamic that the very essence of change makes begins that chapter by saying: customs. On its crest it carries it impossible accurately to portray it, a new freedom for womanhood. for while you have stopped to record Founded by a Jew, in its funda- But the undertow is still very trends of change, life has moved on. mental spirit Christianity is essen- strong, and it is here that one Today a new book each month could tially a continuance of prophetic would like the important state- scarcely keep up with the changing Judaism. With allowance for the ef- ment, made by the author her- status of Moslem women; whereas fects of differences of individual char- self, underscored in the preface, formerly one every century would acter and environment, Jesus and and as a footnote on nearly every have given a fair picture, for there Paul may be considered in the line of page of the volume: "Ninety was no change. Hebrew prophets. per cent of the people in the Near East are still untouched by We have two criticisms, how- Religion is even now in proc- the film, but the remaining ten ever. The first is that the causes ess of development. There are per cent represent the important for all thi,s social upheaval and many pathways which lead to progressive minority who s e the dawn of a better day are not God. thought today is in a large meas- sufficiently indicated. One would ure determined by the film" (p. expect an appreciation of the The religious wealth of mankind 27). fact that the whole educational will most probably be increased by program for womanhood in Mosscholarly adherents of particular re- What is true of the film is lem lands is due to the initiative ligions remaining faithful to their re- true of all the other social and of Christian missions. A second ligions and striving to realize the intellectual changes so admirably omission, which is less excusable, elements of value in them. The way sketched as milestones in prog- is that the author gives so little to comprehensive truth and unity is ress. The trend is undoubtedly attention to Islam and its teachnot likely to be found in the present away from polygamy and the ing regarding womanhood, as universal adoption of anyone existing old freedom of divorce. The the background for her picture. religion. marriage age is rlsmg. There The appendix of three pages, in is an educational awakening, and which some badly translated The living religions, treated verses of the Koran are quoted, by the author, are all measured is scarcely adequate. by such a twenty-inch yardstick. According to the writer, modern
Previous writers on the sub- two religions. It may lead many proper Christian home, or it will ject (Robertson Smith, Perron, to a fuller knowledge of the not be done at all. Mansur-Fahmi, and 0 the r s) Christ of whom Isaiah testified. seem to agree that the position Each church must be domof womanhood in Arabia before The Church and the Churches. By inated by Christ, the Christ of Islam was better than it became Karl Barth. 92 pp. 75 cents. Wm. the Scriptures. through the legislation of the B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. Grand Prophet. No less an authority Rapids, Mich. 1936. FRANCIS SHUNK DOWNS. than Professor Duncan B. Macdonald states: "I do not think The World Conference on With Christ Into Tomorrow. By that there can be any question Faith and Order to be held in Hunter B. Blakely. 8vo. 160 pp. that the position of women in Edinburgh, Scotland, in August, 50 cents, paper; cloth, 75 cents. Islam is practically due to the 1937, has doubtle,ss been the oc- 1936. Presbyterian Committee of attitude of Mohammed himself. casion for the writing of this Publication, Richmond, Va. 1936. Monogamy would be the rule in book. Professor Barth is such Islam, while the veil would a fearless and forceful thinker, This mission study book, writnever have existed except for with a flair for fairness and yet ten by the pastor of the First the insane jealousy of Moham- with such a forthrightness of Presbyterian Church, Staunton, med." It is not true, as we read style, that anything coming from Virginia, signalizes the concluon page 376, that "customs, his pen is eagerly read, whether sion of seventy-five years' hisrather than the actual teaching or not we agree with all of his tory of the Presbyterian Church of the Koran, resulted later in positions. in the U. S. The six chapters the veiling and seclusion of are as follows: women" ; nor that "by incor- The four chapters are sugporating the various social re- gestive in their headings: The Our Groping World forms such as the restriction of Unity of the Church, The Mul- Our Adequate Christ polygamy and inheritance rights tiplicity of the Churches, The Our Compelling Mission directly into hi,s religious teach- Union of the Churches, a Task; His Universal Church ings, Mohammed proved himself and The Church in the Churches. His Abiding Method to be a practical idealist." Ex- Professor Barth maintains that His Ultimate Victory actly the opposite is the fact. because the one and only Word Mansur Fahmi, an Egyptian of God has once for all been The author says: "My hope in Moslem, states: "The ancient uttered in the fact of the Incar- Arab woman was happy in her nation, the Church is one in the sending this little book on its home. She lived. Soon Islam, task to proclaim this coming of with its diverse institutions, its God to earth and "to summon way is that the reader may be theocratic laws, and the conse- men to believe in its reality." If quences that followed, changed we are to realize the unity of stimulated to think creatively the Church we must first accept the customs and the activity of Jesus Christ as the Head and concerning the Christian duty of women was paralyzed." This is Lord of the Church. "Jesus Christ as the one Mediator be- world evangelism, and to face very different from the idealized tween God and man is the one- Islam of Miss Woodsmall's book. ness of the Church, is that unity squarely the personal obligation within which there may be a S. M. ZWEMER. multiplicity of communities, of for giving Christ to a needy gifts, of persons within one The Shepherd Prince. A Historical Church, while through it a mul- world." Romance of the Times of the tiplicity of churches are ex- Prophet Isaiah. Translated from cluded." Therefore he concludes, Dr. Blakely is one of the lead- the Hebrew masterpiece of Abra- if we listen to Christ, it is "un- ham Mapu by B. A. M. Schapiro. thinkable that great e n t ire ing young ministers of his de- Introduction by the late Robert groups of communities should Dick Wilson. 400 pp. $2.75. stand over against each other in nomination. His book is sim- Brookside Pub. Co. New York. such a way that their doctrines 1936. and confessions of faith are mu- ilar in purpose and plan to the tually contradictory." In this classic the translator larger book, "Missions Tomorhas preserved the fire, pathos Dr. Barth concludes his book with a statement of the essential row," by Latourette, and forms and intensity of the author's ro- conditions under which it would mance interwoven with drama be possible to share in such a an excellent companion piece to and tragedy. Both Christians genuine effort of union towards a living Church. Real unity is that volume. It is ideally adaptand faithful Jews will find a advanced as we listen to Christ fresh concept of the God of in our own Church. Union work ed to mission study classes and must be done wit h i n the Abraham. The novel helps one churches, he believes, as its reading groups not only in the to understand the Jewish race and reading it should help to Southern Presbyterian Church cement the bonds of friendship but for a wider circle. Approxibetween the followers of these mately ten thousand copies have already been used in mission study circles during November.
Mrs. W. W. Draper's "Helps for Leaders," in teaching "With Christ Into Tomorrow" (price 15 cents) is issued by the same publishers. H. KERR TAYLOR.
Tangled Waters. By Florence Cran- nell Means. $2.00. Houghton, Mifflin Co. New York. 1936.
Too many American Indian stories are told from the white man's point of view. Once this meant contemptuous ignorance of native traditions; today, on the other hand, we often find a
forced and artificial enthusiasm the blanket secretly woven by of more than seventy years, which takes no account of their the young girl in defiance of which has carried the Gospel to hopeless incompatibility with tribal taboos, copying a sacred every province of Inland China modern life. Such new juveniles sand-painting for a collector who and to its almost inaccessible deas "Singing Sands" by Grace pays liberally; the search for pendencies, begins with the over- Moon, and "Indians Today," by hidden treasure; the desper- whelming sense of God's Love Mario and Mabel Scacheri, are ately sick child carried out of and the desire to be given some really part of the current super- the hogan by a superstitious fa- self-denying service for Him ficial propaganda for Indian cul- ther and left to die alone and un- which filled the heart of young tures as something to be pre- tended, till happily rescued by Hudson Taylor shortly after his served, or revived, among con- the indignant white doctor; the conversion. This longing for an temporary young Americans of plans for a forced wedding "Outlet for Love" pointed him Indian descent. broken up at the last moment by to China's measureless need and For these reasons, "Tangled Altolie's school friend and a led to the founding of the Waters," is the more welcome to plucky little missionary woman C. 1. M., though he first served thinking people. This story will -all these are woven into a for four years under a Society not only please the young girls strong plot. whose running into debt trou- for whom it is primarily in- "Tangled Waters" is recom- bled him. He "could not think tended, but will interest and in- mended, not only as a story but that God was poor or unwilling form their elders. It combines as giving the right clue to a very to supply any need of whatever a vivid and sympathetic picture human and troublesome prob- work was His." The history of of present-day Navajo life with lem. It has passed the scrutiny the Mission is one long record the frank and intelligent treat- of several specialists in Navajo of answers to the prayer of life, and is especially advised for faith. Love always found a ment of a typical situation. Mrs. Means, who has spent missionary societies and school way, often an adventurous one many weeks in Arizona during libraries. which taught the missionary to nine years past, introduces us to "I think it is the difference laugh at rough places, to suffer a family of native sheep-herders, between their beliefs and ours," extreme perils undauntedly, and characteristically dominated by says Altolie, speaking of her to be "strong as death" through the fiercely conservative old white friends, who do not trem- the terrors of 1900. Love found grandmother. The N a va j 0 ble before malicious spirits in its reward in the great awakenwomen, as is usual, do most of air and water or fear to touch ing of China which followed, the' work. The native "singer" the dead and dying, even when seized its opportunity and, or "Medicine-Man" must be their nearest and dearest. "I, through all testings and discalled when there is illness and too, would like to live without tresses, with undismayed courhe is well paid for his mum- fear!" ELAINE GOODALE EASTMAN. age and unfeigned fidelity, though pressed on every side mery. Altolie's stepfather is a By Love Compelled. The Call of the and meeting financial ordeals in confirmed gambler. The old lady, his mother, is planning to China Inland Mission. By Marshall forced evacuations, ever made Broomhall. 126 pp. 35 cents, the same reply, that it would trimarry our heroine as soon as paper. London, Hodder & Stough- umph "at all costs," even cap- possible to the ne'er-do-well son ton, 1936. Marshall Broomhall, chief aide tivity and the loss of life itself. of a richer family.
The fifteen-year-old girl has for many years of Hudson Tay- If anyone has been deceived wholly natural and spontaneous lor, founder of the China Inland by the specious claims of theaspirations toward the marvel- Mission, years ago gave to the oretic Communism, one chapter ous new opportunities presented world a detailed history of that of this book, with its ghastly picby school and mission. Presently unique missionary enterprise. ture of Red massacres and deva bad fall opens the way, and at He has now rendered an equal astations, should prove an adethe mission hospital she is put service to the many who would quate antidote. into a bed "like a warmed snow- lose the benefit of that volumi- The last chapter describes the drift." Here· she meets with nous work through its very size, close fellowship of the organizaterror, soon merged in joy and by presenting the gist of it, tion, under wise leadership, with confidence, the white doctor with brought down to date, in this equal provision for all members bright blue eyes "of a keen kind- modest and cheap form, stress- from funds never directly apliness." Since more time is ing the heart and sinew of this pealed for but always supplied needed to heal a torn tendon, greatly blessed enterprise in the for every emergency. Altolie is placed in a near-by "faith which worketh by love." school for regular treatments, Previous publications of the C. H. FENN.
and there by an attractive boy a Mission have laid the greater Mexico Today. Col. Irving Speed little further along the new road stress on Faith: in this book, Wallace. 364 pp. $2.00. Meador she is encouraged to forget "Love rings out from every Pub. Co. Boston. 1936. homesickness and press on to page with a marvelously clear Of the making of books on better things. note." Latin America, or on this or that The cloud-burst in the canyon; This brief "sketch" of a work country of the 20 which form
that geographical entity, there as .more or less of equal im- j ects. It is interesting to note seems to be no end; and very portance. Some fault is found that Dr. Lane refers to THE with both Church and State, in MISSIONARY REVIEW more freoften the reading of them has their somewhat confused rela- quently than to any other magabeen a weariness to the flesh. tions, but the author gives credit zine except the North American Many have been written after a to each. Review-which has been in exhurried trip around the con- istance 30 years longer. Many writers on Latin Amertinent, in a comfortable steamer, ica reveal an evident dislike for Frank Mason North, 1850-1935. A and after having seen the sights the people, and approach their Biographical Sketch and Appreciaof some important cities from a subject with a fully developed tion. Published by his friends. modern hotel as a base. Such superiority complex. Colonel 1936. books may be interesting, but Wallace shows that he likes Mexico and the Mexicans, and A Christian is known by his such information as they give is he envisages the time when there friends and his achievements. will be a closer cultural under- Frank Mason North was a man not likely to be true to the facts. standing between the United greatly beloved and highly hon- States, Canada, and Mexico, ored by many and the influence In "Mexico Today," Colonel even to the point that, should the of his life and work extends occasion arise, their flags may around the world. He was born Irving Speed Wallace gives us a be "unfurled in one united de- in New York, was graduated book of a different type. He has fence." from Wesleyan University and in 1873 became a minister of the not been content with the usual Anyone who reads "Mexico Methodist Episcopal Church. trip around or across the con- Today" with care and attention, For twenty years he was a pastinent. His writing is limited to will be much more intelligent in tor; for another twenty years the republic of Mexico, and he regard to our neighbor republic, he was corresponding secretary wrote only after years of travel much more sympathetic with the of the New York City Church government in its attempt to Extension and Missionary Soand adventure, not only in the raise the moral and cultural ciety and for twelve years was larg cities, but also after per- level of the people, and will corresponding secretary of the sonal experience with mountain understand more fully the strug- Board of Foreign Missions. His gles which that people has other activities, offices and contrails and life in the most re- undergone in its attempt to free nections were too many to. remote hamlets. He went among itself from the shackles of feud- cord. As a poet and hymn alism and the bondage of an ec- writer he was well known and an untutored and semicivilized clesiastical system which sought some of his songs are widely population, as well as making no advantage save its own. used in many churches. They contacts with representatives of will live even where the author W. E. BROWNING. is unknown. A son, Dr. Eric the cultured classes. Therefore, M. North, is secretary of the the reading of his book is not Missions in Magazines. By Ortha American Bible Society. only interesting; it is also illu- May Lane. Pamphlet. Tientsin minating. In twenty chapters, Press Ltd. Tientsin. 1936. Gordon. A Drama in Three Acts. By E. J. Richter. Pamphlet. 50 he gives us a great deal of infor- Here is an interesting study cents. Capano Press. New York. of the treatment of Protestant mation in regard to methods of foreign missions in American "Chinese Gordon" is ever a Transportation, the Six – Year magazines from 1810 to 1935. heroic Christian figure, a martyr Plan, the New School System, It is a treatise in preparation for to the cause of British rule in the the degree of Ph.D. in the Grad- Sudan. This drama presents Home Life, the National Sport uate College of Iowa State Uni- briefly and accurately the events -which is bull fighting-makes versity. The aim of the study CUlminating in the fall of Khar- is to show how much and what tum in 1885. Twenty-five chara very sympathetic reference to kind of Protestant missionary acters appear besides sheikhs, the present able and energetic information American maga- dervishes and tribesmen. The President of the Republic, and zines will print; also the scenes take place in London, adds attractive references to changes in this respect in the Cairo, Khartunl, and the camp past 125 years. Most modern of the Mahdi. It is not a misquaint old Spanish customs of editors of secular magazines are sionary drama, and may be a the people. not interested in the religious little difficult to stage, but it has aspects of missions but will a stirring appeal for those who There is no chapter specially print articles dealing chiefly believe in the necessity of prodedicated to the relations of with political, sociological and moting peace and human wel- human interest values. This fare by the use of British armies State and Church, but there are study will be of especial value to and the sacrifice of men and several references to the reli- editors, mission board officials money. gious situation, written from an and writers on missionary sub- unbiased standpoint. His description of a conversation with an innkeeper in one of the smaller towns, whom he asked why the bull ring is always near to the church, comes very close to the real heart of the question. The innkeeper, after due reflec- tion, said that he supposed they were "put close together so that the folks could go to the bull fight from the church and lose no time." Both were classed together in the life of the people
Lights in the Near East. By of "A History of Korea," "The Van- Rev. Andrew Gih, the evangelist
Abdul-Fady (Arthur T. Upson). guard," and "Korea in Transition." the Bethel Mission, Shanghai, who re- 128 pp. Illus. 2s. 6d. Marshall, Dr. Gale is survived by his second cently visited America, was born as Morgan and Scott, London. 1936. wife, Ada Louise Sale Gale, a son, a the son of a Buddhist scholar. In daughter and two stepdaughters. his youth he was antagonistic to the The author was, until re- Christian message, and vowed that he cently, Director of the Nile Mis- *** would never become a Christian. sion Press in Cairo. He is one of the few foreigners ever in Dr. Thomas N. Chalmers, a clergy- The Presbyl:erian Egypt who could, unaided, write man of the United Presbyterian articles in Arabic which needed Church and head of a Christian Mis- A weekly religious newspaper in no correction before publishing. sion to the Jews in New York, died its lo6th year of continuous pub- This book is made up of reminis- in Tampa, Florida, on January 29, Iication under the same name. cences of his busy life; of strik- at the age of 78. Dr. Chalmers was ing examples of divine guidance, born in Riverside, Illinois, and at- It is conservative and evangelwhich were to him "High tended Monmouth College and the ical, gets its news by telegraph Lights." United Presbyterian Seminary in and keeps abreast of the times. Xenia, Ohio. After pastorates and a During the author's ,thirty- lectureship, he served as a missionary It goes into every state of the three years of active service, he to the Jews in Chicago and Pitts- Union, the District of Columbia, has issued over 700 publications burgh, in 1908 founded the New York and U. S. possessions. through the Nile Mission Press, Jewish Evangelization Society, and many of which he had written. was editor of the Jewish Missionary It goes to Asia and AFrica, South Magazine. America, Canada and New Zealand New Book. and into twelve countries of Eu- *** rope. Ethel Ambrose – Pioneer Medical Missionary. Compiled by Mrs. W. Miss Annie Van Sommer, the Subscription Price, – H. Hinton. 256 pp. 3s. 6d. Mar- founder of the Egypt Mission Band, Ministerial Rate, – shall, Morgan and Scott. London. died at the age of 83, at her home in England on January 9th. During the 50c. extra—Canadian postage Changing Russia. F. J. Miles. 144 past forty years Miss Van Sommer $1.00 extra—foreign postage pp. Is. Marshall, Morgan and spent much of her time in Egypt and Scott. London. was a valued member of both Field THE PRESBYTERIAN and Home Councils of the Egypt Mis- Missionary Romance in Morocco. sion Band. She founded the beautiful 1217 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. By James Haldane. Illus. 190 pp. Rest Home for missionaries at Fair- 2s. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. London. haven, near Alexandria. She was II If you use greatly interested in the distribution The Church Through Half a Cen- of Christian literature through the PRINTING tury. Edited by Henry P. Van Nile Mission Press and in promoting Dusen and Samuel McCrea Cavert. prayer through the Fellowship of Y OU will profit from an ac- 426 pp. $3. Scribners. London. Faith for Moslems. quaintanceship with us. We do the job complete in our own Agnes Dickinson-Missionary to the *** plant, whether it be large or Chinese. Margaret Ness. 80 pp. small. 45 cents. Woman's Missionary So- The Rev. John MacNeill, D.D., of ciety, Presbyterian Church of Can- MacMaster University, Hamilton, On- While our specialty is Books, ada. Toronto. tario, died at his home in Hamilton Magatines and Pamphlets, yet on February 11th at 63 years of age. we have a variety of modern Definite Experience-Convention Aid Dr. MacNeill was President of the equipment to meet all the re- and Deterrents. A. S. Wilson. 128 Baptist World Alliance from 1928 to quirements of your particular pp. Marshall, Morgan and Scott. 1934 and of the Canadian Baptist job. You will find our service London. Foreign Mission Boards. prompt, careful and courteous.
The Father and His Sons. Arthur *** Will you allow us to estimate B. L. Karney. 68 pp. Is. S. P. G. on your next printing? We be- London. The Rev. Herbert C. Withey, pio- lieve you will be delighted with neer Methodist Episcopal missionary our product, price and service. The History of Jewish Christianity. in Angola, Portuguese West Mrica, Hugh J. Schonfield. 7s. 6d. 255 died in Malange, Angola, on February The EVANGELICAL PRESS pp. Duckworth. London. 11th at 64 years of age. Mr. Withey was born in Lynn, Mass., and went to Print…. of Heritage of Beauty. Daniel Johnson Africa with his parents in 1885 under The Mi••iona,., Review of the World Fleming. 94 pp. Illus. $1.50. the leadership of Bishop William Friendship Press. New York. Taylor. M.r. Withey became an au- PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE thority on the Kimbundu language Third and Rally SIr••1s Hettlsbur., P.. Immensity-God's Greatness Seen in which he reduced to writing and into Creation. Clarence H. Benson. 140 which he translated the New Testa- pp. $1.50. Scripture Press. Chi- ment and a part of the Old. He also cago. translated "Pilgrim's Progress" into Kimbundu and Portuguese. For many Jesus According to Mark. Albert years he was editor of the Angola Hughes. 188 pp. 60 cents, paper; News, a Sunday school monthly and $1.00, cloth. American Bible Con- the only periodical in Kimbundu. ference Assn. Philadelphia. *** Obituary Notes Personallteml (Concluded from second c(1)er.) (Concluded from page 113.) He was a master of the Korean language, edited an Korean-English dic- Rev. George Freeman Bragg, D.D., tionary of more than 80,000 words, colored clergyman, celebrated in Jantranslated several volumes from uary the 50th anniversary of his ordi- Korean into English and from Eng- nation, and the 45th as rector of one lish into Korean. In addition to of the pioneer Negro parishes of the "Korean Sketches," he was the author St. James Episcopal church, Balti- more. Dr. Bragg has a notable record for the fostering of mutual under- standing and good will between the White and Colored races.
THESE SPECIAL
The Missionary Review ti.~World The June Number will contain special articles on Christ and Rural America Christian Achievements in Rural Churches The Challenge of the Rural Community Trends in Rural Life in Twenty-five Years Cooperation in Rural Parishes The Church in the Country Community Evangelizing Our Rural Foreign Born The Larger Parish Project Leaves from a Colporteur's Notebook Solving Some Rural Problems The Youth and the Country Parish Rural Life in the Southern States A Rural Pastor's Job Some Unchurched Rural Districts Rural Responsibility of the City Church Woman's Work in a Country Parish Special October Number CHRIST AND THE MOSLEM WORLD A Survey of Islam Today Why Preach Christ to Moslems? Results of Missions to Moslems Women and Children in Moslem Lands The Bible and the Koran Some Great Missionaries to Moslems The Influence of Christian Literature Islam in India Today Some Evangelized Moslem Fields Notable Christian Converts from Islam Articles by Christian Moslems Order These Copies Now for Yourself and for Mission Study Classes 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year The Missionary Review of t:he World Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Edito:r
The Missionary Review of the World — November 1936
1936
White Men and Missionaries Oscar Emil Emanuelson Pioneer Mission Work in Africa Herbert Smith A Church That Gives and Likes It George C. Southwell Hindrances to Mission Work in Africa c. S. Jenkins Islam and Christianity in Africa Today Samuel M. Zwemer More Africans on the Witness Stand Various Authors A Converted Priest in Venezuela By a Correspondent 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yea1'
to Remember Obituary Note. of Asia several times and gave
November 15 – Men and Missions Mrs. O. R. Avison, a retired Pres- to the work of Christ both at home Sunday. byterian missionary to Korea, who and abroad. had served with her husband, Dr. November 23-24 – Stewardship Con- Avison, for forty-two years, died *** ference under the auspices of the September 15, in Cape Cod, Mass. United Stewardship Council, Day- Dr. and Mrs. Avison recently cele- Dr. Edmund B. Chaffee, Director ton, Ohio. brated their Golden Wedding. They of the Labor Temple of New York went to Korea in 1893, arriving nine City, died suddenly while making an November 23-25 – National Confer- years after Dr. Horace N. Allen, the address on September 15 at the Min- ence on the Rural Church, Ames, first Protestant missionary to enter nesota State Conference of Social Iowa. the "Hermit Kingdom." Dr. Avison Work in St. Paul, Minn. Dr. Chaffee became physician to the Korean Court was 49 years of age. He was born in December 9-11- Biennial meeting, and president of Severence Union Rose Center, Michigan, was graduated Federal Council of Churches, As- Medical College and was founder and from the University of Michigan in bury Park, N. J. president of Chosen Christian Col- 1909 and from Union Theological lege. Mrs. Avison visited hospitals, Seminary in 1916. Fifteen years ago January 11-14, 1937 – Annual Meet- trained women in Bible study, and he became director of the Labor ings, Home Missions Council and performed other missionary work. Temple which is conducted under the The Council of Women for Home auspices of the Presbytery of. New Missions. Asbury Park, N. J. Mrs. J. Livin*gsto*ne*Taylor (Sophia York. He has been a very active, liberal social reformer advocating free February S-13-International Council Strong Taylor), a very warm friend speech and taking the part of labor- of Religious Education, Executive of missions and one of the original ers and foreign-born Americans, many Committee and Associated Meetings. stockholders of THE REVIEW, died at of whom resided in his parish. He Chicago, Ill. her home in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sep- was editor of the newly established tember 25, at the age of 75 years. Presbyterian Tribune. NATIONAL PREACHING Mrs. Taylor has been very active in MISSION the business world, being the presi- **• dent of the department store of Wil- Nov. 1-4-Vancouver. liam Taylor Son & Co., of Cleveland, Dr. Jonathan Goforth, for forty- Nov. s-S-Portland. since the death of her husband in eight years a missionary in China and Nov. S-ll-San Francisco, Oakland. 1892. Mrs. Taylor took a very active recently retired, died on October 8 in Nov. 12-1S-Los Angeles. interest in the Y. W. C. A., standing Wallaceburg, Ontario, at the home of Nov. IS-IS-Dallas. strongly for the maintenance of a defi- his son, Rev. J. F. Goforth. He was Nov. 19-22-Chicago. nite Evangelical purpose and mes- 77 years of age, and went out to China Nov. 22-2s-Washington, D. C. sage. She visited the mission fields under the Presbyterian Church of Nov. 26-29-Raleigh. Canada in 1888. Mrs. Goforth, who Nov. 29-Dec. 2-Philadelphia. went to China with him, survives. Dec. 3-6-Boston. They accomplished a remarkably spir- Dec. 6-9-New York City. itual work in China and Manchuria.
DO NOT MISS THE MOSLEM WORLD SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Edil:or SOME ARTICLES IN THE OCTOBER NUMBER: SURAT AL·IKHLAS …………………………….. .Samuel M. Zwemer JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD ……………………….• .5. A. Morrison THE CRISIS IN ISLAM ………………………….. D. Van der Meulen TEMPORARY MARRIAGE IN IRAN ……………. Dwight M. Donaldson BLESSINGS ON THE PROPHET ………………………. James Robson WHY COPTS BECOME MOSLEMS ………………….. .Qummus Sergius CONTRASTS IN IRAN …………………………… .Herrick B. Young MOSLEM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ………………….. Murray T. Titus PRE·ISLAMIC USE OF THE NAME MUHAMMAD …….. .Edward J. Jurii SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK IN THE NEAR EAST ……. .Ralph McLaughlin THE ADVANCE OF ISLAM IN NIGERIA …………………..L. Hickin CURRENT TOPICS-BOOK REVIEWS SURVEY OF PERIODICALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue Molleson Foster INDEX FOR THE YEAR _.-~) SUBSCRIBE NOW ~o(-_.
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Jackson Blvd.; San ceeded Dr. Anne Seesholtz as Execu- Francisco, 152 Geary St.; and 38 SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT tive Secretary of the Council. Miss other cities in U. S. and Canada. WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN Charlotte Mary Burnham, who has long experience in religious education ~@a4<: D. J. FANT and Christian social service, becomes Miss Lowry's associate. TO THB MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD *** OBIINT WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH Dr. Frank A. Smith has retired from his position as Secretary of the SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Department of Missions and Educa- tion of the American Baptist Home Editorial Chat Mission Society. In view'of his long experience in the interests of Negro Already a thousand extra copies of education, the Board has asked him to our October special number on Africa be its special representative in this have been sold and the demand still field. continues. It may soon be out of print as is the case with our June number. *** Better order now. Several articles on Africa appear in this issue and others Bi[hop Frederick Rogers Graves, may be expected in December. senior bishop of the Episcopal Church in China, has retired from active serv- *** ice. He has been one of the outstand- ing figures in the modern missionary Weare already planning the special movement. numbers of THE REVIEW for 1937. The Home Mission topic will be *** "Christ and Rural Life in America." It is a fruitful theme on a long-neg- Edward Hunter, M. D., of Wesley lected field which has recently been Hospital, Nigeria, has been made a receiving much attention from the native chief, the highest honor the Christian leaders in America. King of Ilesha, Nigeria, could confer. His title is "Oluawo, chief of native The Foreign Mission topic will be doctors." He is the only missionary "Christ and the Moslem Wodd To- to Nigeria, except Mary Slessor, to day." Great changes are taking place receive this honor. among the followers of Mohammed and the lands where Islam has long *** held sway are already yielding to the impact of Christianity and modern Dr. John R. Matt, Chairman of the civilization. This will be a very im- International Christian Council, has portant study which should attract the sailed for India to attend the Interattention of Christians everywhere. national Conference of the Y. M. C. A. Do you know where Islam is yielding This is the first meeting of this ormost to Christian influence and what ganization that has been held in the is the attitude of present-day Mos- Far East. It is expected that some lems of the younger generation to important decisions will be reached. Dr. Mott will later visit the Near Christ? East.
*** [513 ] It is time to think of Christmas and of Christmas gifts to missionaries and to friends at home. Note our special Christmas offer on the back cover of THE REVIEW. Make your Christmas remembrance of the birth of Christ one that is worthy of Him.
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A BIBLE STORY TO A GROUP OF WEST AFRICAN
Photograph by C. E. Whittier EVANGELISTS' CLASS, DUGER BIBLICAL SE'MINARY, CAMEROUN, WEST AFRICA PROGRESS IN TRAINING AFRICAN CHRISTIANS REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 11 NOVEMBER, 1936 Topics of the Times TURMOIL IN SPAIN through some desertions from the Loyalists.
War for mastery of other men's property and Observers declare that the contest for the control a desire to rule brings out the most cruel and of the country is likely to be prolonged. In the beastly elements in human nature. This has been meantime lives are being taken ruthlessly, valuevident in the World War, in Russia, and the Far able property is destroyed and normal life is dis- East, and now in Spain. It requires an almost rupted. The coming generations will pay a heavy superhuman leader and an unusually worthy price in taxes, poverty and moral degeneration. cause and noble spirit for combatants to resist the It is reported that already, after four months of temptations to lust and heartless murder and pil- fighting, 60,000 Loyalists and 80,000 Revolutionlage when the passion for conquest is unleashed. ists have been slain-many combatants and non- How slow ,men are to learn from past experience! combatants being cruelly slaughtered. Loyalists The more deadly the weapons of warfare the more are said to kill all "cowards" and plotters, and one inhuman is the conflict. rebel leader has declared: "My men take no pris- oners and leave behind no living men among the The news from Spain, where the fratricidal wounded." The effect on women is degrading. strife for mastery continues, brings a blush of They take their places with the men and are shame to every Christian. Both sides seem to be among the most fiendish fighters; on the Loyalist equally ferocious and heartless. The Spanish side many are bitter opponents of God and the Government forces – called Loyalists – include Church. Hundreds of priests and nuns have been Socialists, Communists and anarchists. They seek massacred and much church property pillaged and to maintain a government which will control cap- destroyed. ital and industry and will give the workers a better opportunity. They are opposed to the power Evangelical Christian work in Spain is natof the Roman Catholic Church and some are urally hindered by the conflict. The Life of Faith against all religion, therefore their cause is fa- (London) says in a recent issue: vored by Soviet Russia, by Mexico and by the ,From most of the stations of the Spanish Gospel M.ission Communists and Socialists in France. still under control of the Government all foreign workers have been ev~cuated. Meanwhile the work of the mission, The Revolutionists-or rebels as they are called so far as CIrcumstances permit, is being continued by -are fighting to establish a Fascist government Spanish evangelists and colporteurs. Where the Governwhich will be dictatorial and nationalistic. They m~n~ is in control Pro~estants have complete liberty for are friendly to the Catholic Church and have in Splr1tu~1 work. In SeVIlle, however, which is in the hands their ranks many Royalists who favor the return o~ t~e msurgents, one ~f the most promising of the misof the Spanish king. If the Revolutionists are vic- SIOn s younger evangelIsts was shot down with others torious a dictatorship is likely to be established. while standing in a bread line. This side is favored by Italy, Germany and Portugal, all of which are accused of supplying war Mr. Lawrence Elder, a representative of the mission materials to the Revolutionists. The rebel forces known as "Helpers Together" for Spain, was in Badajos seem to have the advantage in the conflict and of at the outbreak of t~e Civil War, and left the besieged forty-nine provinces only eighteen are counted town the day before It fell. He states: "Circumstances loyal to the present central government. The have changed since we left. The occupation of Badajos creirbcellisngocMcuapdyrids.eveTnhteeiern rapnrokvsinacrees baenindg asrweeIeIend- by the rebels was accompanied by fearful bloodshed. As the rebel movement is a militarist-clerical movement it is' probable that Protestants will suffer all over Spain."
estIannpt aprltasceosf othf ewcoorusnh~irpy,halvoeyaslutfofetrheed Gbuotvesrlingmhetlnyt., Prot- [ 515]
Evangelical forces are facing, on the Govern- teen hundred years they and the Turks have ment side, the communistic element that would do almost continuously controlled the land which God away with all religion, and on the rebel side, they gave to Abraham and his seed "forever." face the clerical party opposed to all Protestant religious activity. Since the close of the WorId War Palestine, while under a British Mandate, has been disturbed Spain, the home of the Moorish "Alhambra" by frequent conflicts between Jews and Moslems. and other historic buildings, is a land with a The latter have never shown ability to develop checkered history, beautiful scenery, and rich re- the land agriculturally or economically or to train sources. Most of its 23,000,000 inhabitants are their people educationally and socially and are still poor and illiterate but the past half-century now aroused because of the rapid influx of Jews, has been marked by an encouraging struggle for who dispute with them the right to develop the liberty and learning. The religious life and much land which is theirs by right of possession. On of the wealth, the political power and education the other hand the Hebrews claim that Palestine have been controlled by the Roman Catholic was given to their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Church. As in Mexico and other Latin American Jacob and their descendents by Divine Mandate. countries this control has not brought liberty and The Jews are being evicted from Germany and prosperity to the masses so that there has been a are unwelcome in many other lands. The Balfour revolt against the Papacy. Declaration promised them a home in Palestine and over three hundred thousand Jews have The Evangelical mission work today is carried settled there in the past eighteen years. They on by twenty-five missions, five of them American have bought property and have shown their pro- -the Congregational Board, the Methodist Epis- gressive spirit by building cities, developing copal Church, the Assemblies of God, the Southern farms, establishing schools and colleges and carry- Baptists and the Seventh-Day Adventists. Other ing on trade. Their increasing numbers and insocieties are British, German, Swedish, Dutch and fluence alarms their Moslem neighbors so that Spanish. The results of the work reported show the Palestinian Arabs have dynamited railroad an Evangelical community of only about 22,000 bridges and trains, bombed busses, destroyed or one in a thousand of the population. The Prot- farms and attacked Jewish residents, creating a estant Sunday schools enroll 7,000 and their day reign of terror. Italy is charged with helping to schools 7,500. The total number of Evangelical stir up strife in order to create trouble for the missionaries from outside of Spain is only 123, British who are determined to maintain order, reof whom eleven are American; most of these so- cently declaring marshall law. Many Moslems, cieties help only to support the Spanish Evan- Jews and some British soldiers have been killed. gelical Church. A National Committee for the Fortunately the Moslem "strike" has been called Propagation of the Gospel, representing the lead- off and conditions are becoming more normal. ing Evangelical forces, was formed in Madrid five years ago and has promoted Evangelism by many The sympathy of most travelers is with the public meetings. When peace is once more estab- Moslems who see their land occupied and business lished this Committee may be expected to take captured by Jews who are still coming at the rate steps to proclaim the Gospel more freely and vig- of 1,000 a month. On the other hand, the symorously. Spain needs the rule of Christ to bring pathy of most Bible students is with the Jews who peace and to establish liberty and justice, right- are not only driven out of Europe but who show eousness and prosperity. themselves better able than the Arabs to develop their ancient ancestral home. They are willing THE OUTLOOK IN PALESTINE to live at peace with their neighbors.
At the crossroads between Asia and Africa, and A recent visitor to Palestine, Rev. Walser H. next door to Europe, lies Palestine (the "Land of Allen of the Moravian Church in America, has Wanderers"), the birthplace of three great reli- this to say of the situation: gions and the theater for many religious, racial and political conflicts. Until the time of Joshua, About 750,000 Arabs live in Palestine (which is about about 1,400 years before Christ, the land was di- the size of the State Qf Vermont and much less fertile). vided between many pagan tribes, some of whom Three British Royal Commissions that have been sent out had reached a considerable degree of civilization. to study the situation have reported that Palestine is un- Then for a thousand years it was possessed and able to support more than the present population. It is peopled by the Hebrews. For the next thousand also claimed that tb.e late Colonel T. E. Lawrence promyears it was under Assyrian, Persian, Greek, ised the Arabs, as a reward for helping the British in the Roman or other foreign governments, but still World War, that an all-Arab Federation would be formed, was mostly peopled by Jews. Then came the including Palestine. As a result of the Balfour Declara- Moslem conquests and settlement, so that for thir- tion the Arabs are exceedingly bitter against both Jews and British. The Arabs admit that the Jews are smarter than they and have more wealth but they believe that if Jewish immigration continues the country will be com- pletely dominated by them.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
It is true that the Arabs have, for the most part, lived have become wearied of prospectuses and plans in old ruts for centuries, while Jewish colonists have, in and pleas. But now and then one comes into a few years, made the desert to blossom as a rose. Some existence because it is definitely needed. Remindof their accomplishments have been tremendous. The ers of the large percentage of unchurched chilgreat Hebrew university in Jerusalem is one of the finest dren in America have been common, but a movein the world. The problem is very complex. ment with a comprehensive plan for reaching them is still sufficiently new to attract attention The Moslems, in a recent conference of 350 and sufficiently important to demand the considerleaders, adopted seven resolutions with a view to ation of the whole Christian Church. If the maintaining their prestige: Church cannot evangelize the children and young people, on whom is it going to depend for its mem- 1. Boycott foreign materials and use homemade goods. bership in another generation? This question alone is enough to awaken a concern which the 2. Establish more Moslem schools to combat mission figures involved must greatly deepen. schools. The movement to meet the spiritual needs of 3. Prevent Jews from buying land and encourage Moslems America's unreached millions of children, from to cultivate their own holdings. whom our armies of atheists, criminals and dan- gerous radicals are chiefly recruited, has already 4. Establish a fighting fund, with contributions from enlisted at least six denominations, which have every Moslem. officially endorsed it. The International Council of Religious Education has also done so, giving it 5. Increase Moslem preachers and teachers in towns and the indirect endorsement of some forty other de- villages. nominations. The special committee on the Christ for Youth Movement, of the General Assembly of 6. Insist on only Moslem teachers for Moslem youth. the United Presbyterian Church of North Amer- ica, in its report presented last May went into the 7. Discourage all modern non-Moslem customs. subject very thoroughly. Its opening paragraphs furnish these sentences of value and interest, and They also demand of Great Britain, as a price show the genesis of this definitely organized effort, of peace: (1) that all Jewish immigration must which at once began to be taken up by other stop; (2) that sales of land to Jews must be churches: restricted; (3) that a national Palestinian government must be established. The past two years have witnessed the most significant movement among Protestant churches in America that has From a Christian viewpoint the present out- ever taken place, looking toward universal Christian teachlook in Palestine is not bright. A recent com- ing for children and youth. The startling fact is that mission, sent out by the Church of England, visited schools and hospitals and agricultural col- twenty million boys and girls are growing up in this counonies, with a view to promoting evangelism among try as practical agnostics. They are ignorant of God and the Jews, most of whom are materialistic and irreligious. The Commission reported great difficul- His laws and His help, because no one has taught them. ties facing Christian work and said that the most Crime is costing sixteen million dollars every day, or six effective way to solve the problem is to work billions annually. Ninety-five per cent of the crime is comthrough Christian friendliness, extending help to mitted by those who have not had Christian instruction. those in need. Christian communities should be The financial cost of crime is only a fraction of the real established, with homes and institutions that will offer an opportunity for all to earn an honorable cost. livelihood. Experience proves that these unchurched children are Christian missionaries and travelers agree that accessible. All that is needed is an awakened concern and Palestine today is, perhaps, the most difficult place purpose on the part of our Christian churches. Christian on earth for the Gospel of Christ to make real instruction can be given to the whole twenty millions not headway. Even Christian Arabs are alienated by receiving it for one per cent of what crime is costing in their feeling that a Christian government is giving their country to aliens and enemies. cash. It costs less than $3.00 a pupil per year to give such instruction to three hundred thousand children in four It is our conviction that the one hope for peace and prosperity in Palestine, as in other lands, is hundred communities that have undertaken it. for all classes to recognize in Christ the Son of God, the potential Saviour of all men, and the Back of the action of our General Assembly one year giver of peace on the basis of righteousness and ago in appointing this special committee on unchurched love. The return of the Jews to Palestine is children, lies a historical setting which helps to interpret stirring up Moslem opposition but the fulfilment of prophecy will ultimately establish the reign of its importance, and our Church's Providential relation to Christ. the whole national movement. On August 14, 1934, the FOR OUR UNEVANGELIZED YOUTH one who has been since appointed chairman of this special There are movements and movements, and there committee sent out an appeal for prayer for a nationare organizations and organizations, until we wide movement in behalf of the millions of unchurched children in America. So far as we can discover, this was the first definite proposal of this nature that has been made. R. M. K.
~1ll0 MANYAPPEALS~ and the sinister ministrations of the witch doctor. The missionary's message was life-changing, 'BLED WHITE!/ revolutionary. Life has been made worth living. ''CAN'T GIVE The loving Father God has been made the per- ANOTHER sonal friend of legions of His African children (thirty-four per cent of the native people in South CENT" Africa are members of Christian churches to- day). Individuals have been freed from slavery (Courtesy oj tb. Golden Rule FOllndatlOn) to enervating tradition and an ancestor-controlled social order, and have already risen high in vari- FACTS vs. FEELINGS ous vocations and professions. For all this the new African is gra1teful. If I could control my feelings I never would But he is frankly puzzled today at what is takhave any bad feelings, I would always have good ing place before his eyes. The white missionary and the church have followed him to the highly feelings. Satan may change our feelings fifty industrialized urban area. He had felt that he was joining a great body of people which repretimes a day, but he cannot change the Word of sented that brotherhood of men and women under a common Father God about which the Apostle God; and what we want is to build our hopes of Paul said so much.
Heaven upon the Word of God. When a sinner is "The Church refuses to face or is slow to try to meet the problems of the people. It preaches coming up out of the pit, and is just ready to get impractical maxims and does not seek to prove Christianity in the Monday struggles of the peohis feet upon the Rock of Ages, the devil sticks ple," says the principal of a school.
out a plank of feeling, and says, "Get on that," In South Africa there is an element of urgency about the problems facing the Christian Church and when the sinner puts his feet on that, down arising from the very large number of African youth who are being exposed to disturbing condihe goes again. Take one saying of Jesus, "Verily, tions. In no country in the world are so many individuals of a backward race meeting face to I say unto you, he that heareth my word and be- face with so many individuals of the white race and having personal dealings with them. lieveth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, In no country in the world are so many native and shall not come into condemnation, but is Christians being put to quite so severe a test of their newly found faith. And in no country with passed from death unto life." That rock is more which the writer is familiar is there such a de- mand as in South Africa, and by native Chrisstable than my feeling. D. L. MOODY. tians, for a program of social action on the part of a united Christian Church. LOOKING AHEAD IN AFRICA In the next decade it will be a race between The new African, the product of missionary such action and such unity of endeavor by the schools and colleges, looks back and recalls the Christian Church and the relegation of the Church fearsome, deadening, spirit-controlled world of to the sidelines of interest-at least on the part his fathers, and he is grateful for the early work of educated African men and women who are of the missionary pioneers who liberated the peo- making the cities and towns their homes. ple from bondage to tribal and ancestral spirits RAY EDMUND PHILLIPS.
WHAT MISSIONARIES ARE SENT TO PREACH Not human experience, but divine redemption. Not economic de!!.ls, but the Gospel of Christ. Not culture, but conversion. Not personal reforms, but liberation from sin. Not laws of progress, but forgiveness for sin. Not social reform, but spiritual salvation. Not a new organization, but a new creation. Not the benefits of civilization, but the blessings of Christ. Weare ambassadors, not diplomats.
R. P. RICHARDSON, North Kiangsu, China.
Mission Work in
By HERBERT SMITH, D.D., Bolenge, Coquilhatville, Congo BeIge, Africa I F YOU are sent to do pioneer work at a new One learns that in Africa today most colonial missionary station, the very best thing that governments have a real concern for the village can happen to you is that you should forget people. Most missions have made a name for that you are in so elementary and yet so impor- themselves. They come not only to build a, church tant work. If you should begin to think that you where the Gospel will be preached, but they will were sent there because you were important, the have a school where the people will learn to read future will be much in doubt. The natives with and write and where other things will be taught. whom you must work would soon sense that you They will have a hospital and also some plan for regarded yourself as being of more consideration vocational work, in either agriculture or industry. than they, and such an attitude would be fatal. The colonial government usually welcomes a mis- These native people are good judges of character. sion that can look forward to a fully developed They can read the motives of many a man even work. The one-man mission is not now very popthough he and they speak different languages. ular with them because one man is unable to This does not mean that the native will not re- preach and do well all the work mentioned. Most spect you. They respect their elders and rulers, mission stations need several missionaries who but every newcomer is just a person to them, and have varied talents and can render different types you have to win them. When you have done so of servicp. in the Name of the Master. the way is open for the very best kind of future work. The Daily Problems Begin Obtaining a Mission Site The steamer landed us at the new station in the late afternoon. The natives gathered hur- Occasionally we hear of the missionary who riedly on the beach when the steamer whistled. goes among a people, settles in their village and What a strange group! They wore little clothing; almost forces his Gospel down their throats. In there was not a shirt among them; their bodies reality such a thing is impossible. In most Afri- were smeared with red powdered wood used as a can colonies, before a missionary can begin to live paint; their hair was matted, and had not been in any village, or even near one, he must obtain combed for months. Every man had some weapon permission twice over. He visits the place where in his hand, either a bow and arrows or spear he would like to settle. He asks the chief and the or large fighting knife. The women had babies on elders of the village if they will permit him to re- their hips and the bodies of the little children side near them. If they will, he then proceeds to were covered with yaw sores. Yet we learned to the administrative authority of the colony and love quite a few of that first crowd. Many have makes the same request. If the native people said become Christians, and we have seen them they did not want a missionary to live near them, clothed, have heard them pray, and have seen the matter is ended; he will not be allowed to them do deeds of kindness because of the Good force himself upon an unwilling people. But if News that comes with the Christian missionary. the villagers have agreed that he should come a In that village it would be almost impossible now government officer goes to see the site and holds to find a baby with yaws. a council meeting with the chiefs and elders to see if they understand what they have. done. If the Morning seemed to come too soon. The goats matter seems to be in accordance with the policy we took with us were tied outside the hut because of the government, permission may be given to there was no other place. The first male of the take certain portions of ground. This permission flock was dead. The steamer was getting ready for temporary residence can be confirmed later or to leave. Some of the natives, especially the old may be withdrawn. It must also be remembered chief and the women, had now got right near to that the government may not give permission, the steamer and were talking to the crew. They even though the native people have offered a site were quite interested in all they saw. The captain for residence. suddenly saw a chance to have some fun. Up went his arm and he blew a blast on the whistle. The [ 519 ]
women fled for their lives and the old chief just would say, "Where is the owner?" Then she about outran them. He explained later that he would have to admit that he was working in the was getting out of the way of the women. But forest or garden and that he might not be back the crowd was not going home and they were not for an hour or two, but that she would be glad to going to allow anything to keep them from satis- receive any gift they might want to give. To this fying their curiosity. the man would say, "You are a woman, what do you know about such things?" We took an American stove, which was set up in the open. The cook had an appreciative audi- The lady was always equal to such an occasion ence. He lighted the fire, having told them what and always said, "Thank you. Won't you sit would happen, so that all eyes were on the end of down and wait until the owner comes?" Then the stove pipe. Suddenly the smo.ke appeared and she would try to get the women to talk. Up until away went the women again, laughing and shout- now they had never said a word. Now they giging, half in fear and half in ridicule that the white gled and answered questions by shaking their man had to have a contraption like that to cook heads, wiggling their bare toes and putting their his food. The chief did not run that time. He hands over their mouths, but not a word would was getting wiser, making game of his wives and they say. Perhaps this lady with great guile would asking if they were babies that run at the sight entice these women into the house and let them of smoke. stand so they could see themselves in a large mir- ror. One would not recognize her own picture Ground had to be· cleared for a temporary at first but she would that of another wife. Then house. We opened a box of long knives known as there would be a roar. They would beat their matchets and used for clearing underbrush and breasts and slap one another on the back and from cutting smaller trees. The chief had never seen now on they would talk a streak. The old chief a boxful of knives before. He promptly put out who had been left out of this would stand it no his hand, expecting one as a present. Gifts that longer. He would want to come in and see what early in the morning were out of order, so he had it was all about. They would show him a picture to wait until later. We had taken a number of of himself in the looking glass and ask him if he workmen with us from one of our other stations. knew himself. After awhile he would realize he Like us, they were housed in huts of the village. was looking at himself and consent to smile, but We built our temporary houses as fast as we could. he would refuse to make the fuss the women did. In a week we had a roof over our heads. This After looking awhile he would say, "I wonder roof was made from palm leaves and was fine dur- where that road goes to?" With that he tried to ing quiet sunshine, but when a storm raged these get into the bedroom to find out. He thought the leaves would stand up on end, allowing the tropi- mirror was a path into some other house. These cal rain to pour into our bedroom. You then chiefs and their wives gave us many moments of pushed your bed over in the other corner, and humor as well as serious thought. It was neces~ hoped the sun would shine next day. It usually sary for them to know us as well as for our does do that most of the time. Such weather was tongues to begin to stammer out some of their very hard on books, clothes and the little furniture language. we had. When Christmas Came Native Hospitality Christmas came, and we invited a number of The natives soon wanted to show their hospital- chiefs and others to a service under the great tall ity. This consisted in bringing presents and mak- trees. Things went all right while we sang and ing speeches of welcome. Unfortunately we could told the Christmas story of the birth of Christ, not, at first, understand the speeches. The chiefs but when we tried to close the meeting with from miles around came to bring these gifts and prayer that was another matter. The native evanto make speeches. The chiefs always wanted the gelist said, "Now let everybody close his eyes man of the house to receive these gifts. In fact while we pray." The oldest chief, who was decked they refused to give them to his wife. They would out in a hat of feathers, refused to close his eyes ask her, "Where is the male?" She would look but he put his hand over his face and looked out of the door, and there standing was a man through his fingers. That would have been all with a spear in his hand, a loin cloth for clothing, right if some women had not seen him and begun and a monkey skin for a hat. Behind him were to giggle. Thinking to maintain his dignity he three or four women. Each of these women had called out in a loud voice, "You women, can't you a basket on her back which was filled with plan- stop laughing for just a short time? Aren't you tains and dried meat of the forest. Always five ashamed at spoiling the meeting of the white or six chickens dangled head downward from one man ?" The damage was done. Everybody knew of their hands. If the lady missionary greeted that he was afraid to shut his eyes in a public them without answering the question the man
PIONEER MISSION WORK IN AFRICA
meeting. He looked all around him to see that no was his own affair." "No it wasn't. If you had one was going to work a charm on him, and the not taken him to your house and if Mamma had whole crowd began to laugh. It was impossible not cooked for him we would have had to furnish to pray, so we said "Amen" and ended the meet- paddlers, and they would have been gone for days. ing. We would learn, however, how to handle a You helped us then." Because of this and similar crowd that could laugh and be serious at the most events almost all the villages there received the simple things, all inside of a couple of minutes. Gospel in due season. They tried hard to under- As soon as the meeting had broken up the head stand our broken language and when we failed to chief and others followed us to our mud hut and make things clear the native evangelist who was said, "White man, we have corne a long way to with us, in many eloquent speeches and sermons this meeting of yours. Now what is our pay for brought the beauty and salvation of the Gospel. coming?" We would learn things the longer we lived among these forest people. We did not pay The wives of the local chief received the Gospel them for coming to church. Years afterwards we one by one, with the permission arid consent of learned that our every action was noticed and their husband. He seemed to welcome the idea talked about in the village. The man missionary of having them become Christians. We then made the garden, and his wife did not. According found out that he thought there was hope for him to native custom the woman is the gardener. The in the faith of his wives. It was a shock to him missionary husband and wife ate together at when the matter was fully explained. He carne every meal; in fact, the wife was served first. If many times to talk it over with us, and all his they walked down a path they walked side by side wives carne too. He was most sincere in his quesand not as the native, with the man in front and tions regarding his obligation to these women and the woman behind. We did so many things in a how he should become a Christian. He was told way that was quite contrary to their customs. there was but one way. A chief, or any man or woman must receive the gracious salvation in just Meeting the State Officer the same way. One day he asked, "If I become a Christian which one of these women is to be my Steamers and canoes passed our village horne wife? I love all of them, and they all love me. very seldom in those days. One morning the drum What am I to do?" of a canoe was heard, and soon it was announced that a State officer was coming. He landed at This was a hard question, and I did not want the native village near by. We went to meet him, to decide for him. After many days of thought but before we reached the beach he had ordered he said, "My first wife has a child, and the others that the village furnish a number of paddlers to have no children. I will take that woman as my take him further on his journey. We invited him Christian wife, and the others can marry whom to our new home, which was not very much to they will in my family who are Christians, or relook at, but he seemed glad to accept the invita- turn to their own families, just as they wish." tion. He accepted also an invitation to dinner and That settled the matter. It was the happiest day stayed with us several hours. We asked him about in that man's life when he was baptized in the his journey and how the paddlers he had ordered water of the great Congo River. Other chiefs from the near by village would get back horne came to witness the service and marveled at his again. It was really none of our business, but he joy, but they shook their heads and said, "He is replied as best he could. We then accompanied quite happy, but he is a fool. Why, he gave up him to his canoe, and he announced to the sur- his wives to become a Christian." prise of the villagers that he would take no paddlers from that village, and in a moment was The Help of Palavers gone. We returned to our work and forgot the incident, but the natives did not and this is how they I spent many hours in palavers about their brought it up years afterwards. quarrels, and I did it by request. The main reason was to get to know the people. Usually it was "White man, we decided you were our friend a dispute about wives or debts or inheritances or long ago. Don't you remember the day the State hunting and fishing rights, and also adultery and officer came and asked for paddlers from our vil- thefts. The word palaver seems to belong to lage and you took him home to your house. You Africa. It usually means disputes and almost and Mamma were living in a mud house then. every man, woman and child has some kind of Mamma cooked some dinner for him and when he palaver, so one has plenty of practice trying to returned to our village he said he did not want straighten things out. During those early days, our paddlers." "Yes," I said, "I remember, but when people asked me to do this, I said, "Why do I never had anything to do with the State officer you come to me. I have no authority to carry out changing his mind about your paddlers. That a decision. If both parties will agree to the ar- bitration in advance I will see what I can do." I
have often wondered since how my recommenda- News, and you share it with no one. Here we live tions sounded to those native ears. I knew very in villages all around here, and none of you come little about native customs or native unwritten to visit and teach us. If we die as we are you law, but I tried to be fair in what I suggested. will be to blame." The listeners were quite stirred They usually attempted to follow out the decisions up and they excused themselves by saying, "The I made. Often one had to read between the white man has not sent us to you. If he will send speeches to get at what they intended you to know us we will come willingly. We will ask him about and what they intended to hide. Nor must you it at the next weekly meeting." suppose that these palavers were conducted without heat. Half a dozen wanted to talk at once, The next meeting found this subject the first and they would get to calling each other liars, topic. The blame for these other villagers being offering at the same time to fight it out right without Gospel teachers was now placed on the there. The rule was that no palaver should be missionary. They asked him, "Why do you refuse held until all weapons had been put aside, so most to allow these people the privilege of Gospel of the boasting was to get rid of steam. After teachers ?" awhile the facts of the case would emerge and a decision could be given that seemed fairly satis- "Now," we said, "wait a bit. We may share factory. this responsibility somewhat. But it seems to be your own affair before it is ours. These villagers After we got a permanent house built, with are your friends, are they not? Perhaps they are steps leading up to the porch, the old men had to your very own relatives, maybe mothers and falearn how to climb those steps. They came up the thers and brothers and sisters. If anyone should first time on their hands and knees, and we had be anxious for them to have the Gospel it surely to help them down. They liked to get up there, should be you yourselves." however, and to be given an old porch chair to sit on. One old man in particular came often. He "Do you mean to. say," they asked, "that if we brought little gifts of sugar cane, or perhaps an find someone to go you will send them?" "That egg or two. He wanted salt and tin spoons or tin is what I mean," I replied. "If there is someone forks in return. One day he said he was going to worthy and capable and can have the approval of church with me. He had often refused our in- both Christians and missionaries we will be glad vitation, but this time he was willing to go and to see that work start." asked if he could take the chair he was sitting on to church. He seemed to pay attention to the The work began in the near by villages inside of service and after the meeting I expected to see a week. As a ~esult of that weekly meeting hunhim return the chair, but he had other intentions. dreds have been sent out, and great numbers have A small boy came running saying the old man been won for Christ through that kind of cowas taking the chair home and telling everybody operation. I gave it to him. We asked him to return the chair to our porch, and explained to him that if he car- The missionary force was augmented through ried off that chair we would have great shame the the years by the educator, who taught the people next time he came to see us because we.would have to read the Holy Scriptures and gave them much no chair to offer him to sit on. He returned the general knowledge. When the doctor and nurse chair and came often, but in spite of our hope arrived a new day was surely at hand. Now there that he would one day understand the Gospel mes- were health studies and help to those in pain and sage he never did. He was held fast with his distress. Little children no longer suffered the heathenism. long painful scourge of yaws, but were healed in a couple of weeks. Helping to Carry the Message One of the finest things that has come to these It was one of the pleasures of the work that Christians is to discover that there are many other newly made converts were anxious to go out to people in Africa who are Christians too. Forvillages, both near and far, to tell the Gospel story. merly there was no means of travel. It was dan- It began in this way. We had a weekly custom of gerous to go very far from home; hence it was meeting with Christians to learn about their not possible to have friends very far away from growth in their new faith and also how the new the village in which you were born. Now these leaven was working in other places. Visitors con- newborn Christians read about other people who tinued to come to the village, some of them to are really of another tribe in the flesh, but who call on the missionaries, but many of them to see are of the same tribe in the Lord. This is a very the new Christian village that was slowly grow- great gain to the African. ing. One day some of these visitors said to the Christians: "This is not fair. You have this Good Native Christians are not yet ready to stand alone. They have come a long way in the brief time they have had a chance to hear the Gospel, but they will need more guidance and fellowship for a long time to come.
A Church that Gives and Likes
By REV. GEORGE C. SOUTHWELL, Cleveland, Ohio, Secretary of the Cleveland Office of the American Mission to Lepers W HEN the Rev. Herbert Mackenzie had Dr. McConaughy asked him what the church been pastor of the Gospel Church of spent on its local expenses, and he found that, Cleveland, Ohio, only six weeks, the church generous as the missionary gifts had been, the organist, a beautiful Christian girl, died suddenly. amount was much smaller than that contributed The young people's society, the Bible School, the for local expenses. Mr. Mackenzie felt a real jolt, church trustees, and several groups started funds when Dr. McConaughy said: "I don't believe you to purchase beautiful floral remembrances for the ought to boast about your missionary giving until funeral, but the pastor felt that a living gift you spend more on 'others' than upon yourselves.'?
would be better than flowers that perish. A short time after this Dr. Henry W. Frost, of With the consent of the family the announce- the China Inland Mission, remarked to Pastor Mackenzie that "a spiritual interpretation of ,the ment was made that "flowers should be omitted" Scriptures would make a church missionary conand, at the pastor's suggestion "The Hazel Cain scious more quickly than the telling of thrilling Fund" for the support of a Bible woman in China, was soon subscribed. missionary stories."
That was the first missionary project of the Gospel Church, and it has been maintained for many years.
The pastor's first missionary vision came to him in London, Ontario, ' where he was a mission church pastor, serving without stated salary. The first week he received $2.00, and the first year, $225.00; but when clothes were needed, or food, they came unsolicited, just as they were needed and not before. Pastor Mackenzie was reminded of Job, who said: "Have (I) eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless have not eaten thereof." He desired to share his spiritual bread with the multitudes who were famishing. A missionary day was appointed, with a goal of $50.00 for missions. This seemed a large amount for his small and poor mission church. Prayer days were appointed and the gifts amounted to $296. In twelve months they raised $1,200.00 for missions, and the pastor's support was adequate for his needs. Next the mission moved out of the old building, and purchased a fine abandoned church structure.
From this fruitful Canadian pastorate Mr. Mac- kenzie was called to the Gospel (undenomina- tional) Church in Cleveland, Ohio. There, too, mission days and goals were set, preceded by days of prayer – not incidental prayers at a crowded midweek meeting, but all-day prayer meetings with men and women attending. Gifts to missions REV. HEmBERT MACKENZIE increased to such an extent that the pastor, being human, expressed his satisfaction to Dr. David McConaughy, one time as they walked together.
[523 ]
From the Lord's great commission: "Go ye money to open five stations at $1,000.00 each in into all the world and preach the gospel to every the last seven years. creature," and Solomon's proverb: "Where there is no vision, the people perish," the pastor found The Bible School has its own missionary with the texts which, with many others, became the in- whom it keeps in touch by regular correspondence. spiration for his famous expository sermons. The missionary cause is always before the people, These were the forerunners of the winter and for prominently displayed in the front of the summer Erieside Bible Conferences, and mission- church is a world map with little burning electric ary conventions, which have brought to Cleveland lights, each representing a missionary and his or some of the greatest Bible teachers of America. her field of service. Here is a literal version of the words: "Let your light so shine before men Sam Higginbottom, the well-known missionary that they may see your good works, and glorify of Allahabad, India, came to the Gospel Church, your Father which is in heaven." married a daughter of "Elder" Cody and they became the first missionaries of the church. Soon Some one of the many missionaries of this church is always at home on furlough, and is THE GOSPEL CHURCH, CLEVELAND invited into the homes of the members, so that the children grow up in a missionary atmosphere. other young people in the congregation volunteered for missionary service, and one by one, The church holds a missionary conference each were accepted by missionary boards and sent year, in addition to cooperating in the Erieside abroad. Bible Conferences, founded by the pastor. A four- page folder, containing pictures of its mission- The funds for transportation, outfits, and sup- aries and interesting facts about their work, is port came from the members and some outside published by the church. friends. Nigeria, Africa, called seven members; Argentina, South America, called two others; On invitation of the mission boards, Pastor Abyssinia called two; Rhodesia, one; and the Mackenzie has made visits to missions in Africa Chicago Hebrew Mission, another. Some mem- and South America and his personal reminiscences bers have assumed full support of certain mis- add to the missionary flame. sionaries. One supply teacher in the Sunday school, herself a school teacher, has provided the The Gospel Church has continued to grow and is occupying its third building in thirty years. Two other churches in, or near Cleveland, have also grown out of it.
Dr. Mackenzie has never had a stated salary, but depends on the free will offerings of his peo- ple. There are only 200 members but the pastor believes that for every ten members there should be one missionary on the foreign field and the church is now supporting eighteen. Four other young people are in training for mission work. Gifts to missions have increased from $200.00 to $10,000.00 per year. During the past twenty- six years these people, none of whom are rich, have contributed $200,000.00 for missionary work.
When Dr. Mackenzie was asked for the secret of the missionary achievements of this church he replied: "Consecration, vision, prayer, and faith." The Scriptures are the lamp that lights his leader- ship. In a recent issue of the Church Bulletin we read: "If ye shall ask … I will do" (John 14). Man, in his own strength, can do nothing constructive -"Power belongeth unto God." Our part is to ask. How? In faith (James t; 6). In great faith? No. Faith is more precious than gold that perisheth, and Christ said, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove" (Mat. 17: 21). Let us ask daily.
to Mission Work in
By REV. C. s. JENKINS, Manjacaze, Gaza, Portuguese East Africa .r-. AFRICA, with its 11,412,320 square miles of On the other hand we know that no living soul is territory, and its 170,000,000 people! Each really satisfied without communion with his Cre- section presents its peculiar difficulties. I ator. We know that he is not satisfied, but he think that, in pointing out the following hin- doesn't. He has to be made to see that Jesus is drances which I present for your consideration, I his need. The time required to do this varies, ac- am stating, more or less, the condition in Africa cording to the missionary and the section in which as a whole. he labors.
It has been my joy to give the past sixteen years Lack of appreciation: The religion of Jesus to service in this so-called Dark Continent. Per- causes His people to "do good unto all men." The haps I cannot speak with absolute authority, but missionary tries through ministering to the body I bring to you in this article the results of careful to reach the soul. These efforts have met varying and prayerful observation after these years of degrees of success. Many times, to our surprise, labor for the salvation of the African. After all, they have not been rewarded by the appreciation there is but one real hindrance, and that is the which we would expect. Not that the missionary presence in the world of the archenemy of God expects rewards in this life, but he is pained and all righteousness. In this article I am en- many times by this lack of response. And what deavoring to state, as I see them, a few of the missionary has not awakened to the fact that he many specific difficulties. It is not practical to is now expected to care for the bodily needs of try to give them in the order of their significance the people? Has not God sent him for this pur- as many are of much the same importance. pose, that is, as a convenience? It is a shock at I. Natural Propensities of the African first, but after prayer and commitment it does not become a check. I do not mean to imply that His superstitions: He is the personification of as a result of' cases of lack of appreciation the superstition. He was born in it as were his an- missionary ceases to minister to the body. No, cestors. It is in the fiber of his being. He is but he becomes much wiser in the administration taught that everything ill comes from evil spirits of temporal things. I would not leave the impres- which are always trying to do him harm. Crop sion that the African is not appreciative. We failures, sickness, death, all come through witch- have seen hundreds of evidences of appreciation craft. He is a fatalist in every sense of the word. and gratefulness among them. We find, however, If it were possible we could make a long article that this is when grace has touched their hearts on this point alone. and the eyes of their understanding have been The African is naturally suspicious: He is sus- opened.
picious of the missionary when he first makes his II. Missionaries appearance. The founder of our work in Swazi- land labored three years before the first convert You will no doubt be surprised at my stating was made. He had to break down this suspicion. that missionaries themselves can be a hindrance As a drawing card to get the children to come to to the work of evangelization in Africa. When I the mission station he gave out picture cards. say "missionaries" I mean some missionaries-a Upon seeing them the parents immediately burned very few missionaries. I hesitate to say this, but them, saying that the missionary was trying to I am sure that many of my fellow missionaries bewitch them. In some sections there isn't a doubt will agree.
that the native's suspicions of the white man are Missionaries who do not enter into native life: well grounded. To the shame of the white race There are missionaries in Africa, a few whom I this is true in some sections where the white man have met personally, who do not learn the lan- preceded the missionary. guage of the people with whom they labor. This Self-satisfaction: Sometimes it is stated that means that they cannot know the African. It is the African is waiting with outstretched hands impossible to enter into the native life without a for the Gospel. Most of us have not found this knowledge of his language. This acquisition to be fully true. He is generally quite satisfied makes the missionary one with his people as noth- with his condition; that is, he takes it for granted. ing else could. A native will seldom bring his [525 ]
private difficulties, doubts and fears to a mission- the work by himself. I am sure that I am safe ary with whom he must speak through an inter- in saying that scores of missionaries in Africa preter. As a rule when one unburdens his heart started missionary work in the wrong way. We he doesn't wish for a third person to be present. preached the Gospel and many believed. God Interpreters have sometimes not interpreted cor- called some as preachers, and we trained them rectly. We know of such a case. Often when the and sent them out. This was good, but where we missionary was preaching and touched upon made our mistake was that these preachers were things of which the interpreter was guilty he gave supported entirely from overseas. The preachers an interpretation to suit himself. A missionary did not ask whence came this support, and some may live in the midst of his people, but still live seemed to think that the supply was exhaustless. a long distance from them. That is, he shuts him- The depression came and cuts were made. It was self away from them either consciously or uncon- a shock, and in some instances the workers did sciously. not take too kindly to it. Some missionaries, the writer included, felt that this was the time to do Low standards of teaching and living: I am not what we had wanted to do for years, but had not speaking of immorality and other outright sins. known how, and in some instances had feared to I am referring to standards which are not Gospel do. The task of correcting mistakes at this point standards. Church forms may be followed very has not been easy, either for the missionary or the carefully, while very little change is wrought in native worker, but the results are gratifying. I the heart. This is a hindrance to the spread of am certain that if our founders (may God bless the Gospel. We have seen Africans educated to their memory) had started with the indigenous a very high degree-and we believe in education church in view we never would have had some of -but with a very little knowledge of the Lord. our present difficulties. The end of all missionary endeavor should be the changing of men's hearts. Anything short of this The free-lance missionary (so-called): I hesiis building with wood, hay, stubble. Was it not tate to discuss this subject for fear of being mis- Jerry McAuley who said, when referring to edu- understood. Will you allow me to make it clear cation without God, "An uneducated man will that I do not necessarily mean the so-called indesteal your watch, but an educated one will steal pendent missionary. The missionary to whom I your daughter." refer may either be independent or belong to a denomination. He is "independent" whether con- Pressing Western ways upon an Eastern peo- nected with a denominational mission, an interdeple: I doubt the wisdom of this policy. None of nominational mission, an undenominational misus would say that everything Western was so near sion or carrying on a work of his own. What I perfect that it would be desirable for an Eastern, want to say is, that this missionary will not work primitive people. Along some lines, no doubt, together with anyone. He will go in with his par- Eastern peoples can teach us some valuable les- ticular church where the field is already well ocsons. Naturally the native will adopt the customs cupied and sometimes overcrowded. In some which come from the land of the missionary, such cases he builds up this new church with those who as dress. He not only takes on the ways of the have been disciplined in other churches. This missionary, but unhappily he takes on too many kind of work makes it very difficult to administer of the ways of the white man whom he meets. He the discipline which will build up a strong body has to learn that there is a difference between the of believers. Only missionaries working on the missionary and many of the white settlers. We field know just what this means. are thankful to say that there are some godly settlers, but they are far too few. More especially III. Godless European Civilization would I emphasize the danger of the missionary trying to Westernize the native beyond what is It will be agreed by all missionaries that it is good for him. We are not called to Africa to make far easier to reach the African who is entirely unwhite folks out of the natives, but to make Chris- touch by so-called civilization than those whom it tians. A Christian African is a beautiful char- has reached. This is a shame and disgrace upon acter. How our Lord must rejoice over him! us as a white race. Some years ago as I was trek- king through a certain district, I greeted an old We come not to establish a Western church, be woman who was plowing in her garden. She an- . it ever so fine, but to Christianize the African and swered my greeting by saying, "Shewane, muthen let a church develop along African lines. lungu" (greetings, white man). I had a native Should it not be our purpose to build up an Afri- young man traveling with me, and upon hearing can church which will eventually be a self-govern- her greeting he said, "He is not a white man; he ing, self-supporting, self-propagating church? We is a missionary!" What he meant by this was should not build in such a way as practically to that there was too great a difference between the make it impossible for the African to carryon
HINDRANCES TO MISSION WORK IN AFRICA
missionary and the white man. This ought not not allow freedom of conscience. She will take to be so, but, sad to say, it is. We call ourselves any and every means to hinder the work of the a superior race, but in some cases the white man Gospel. In the section where the writer is workwill sink to lower levels than the native. The word ing we are now feeling this opposition. Children "ka/fir" comes from the Dutch and means dog. are forced in many instances to attend Roman Missionaries never use the word, speaking of the Catholic schools. When they do so they are no natives. Imagine the depths to which one white longer allowed to attend church services in any man had gone when he received from the natives other church, even though their parents are Protthe name of white "ka/fir!" It is not pleasant to estants. Even in sections of Africa where the dwell on this point, but in considering hindrances government is nominally Protestant the Roman it must be mentioned. Catholics are a hindrance to Protestant work. They readily accept the freedom which they re- IV. Native Movements fuse others.
The aim of all missionary work should be ulti- VI. Nationalism mately to establish an African church. To this we all agree. There are times when some native This may be expressed in various ways. For leaders, having more in their heads than in their instance, if mission work is being carried on in a hearts, break away from the Church governed by self-governing territory this may work as it does the white missionary and start a native move- in Mexico; that is, only nationals are allowed to ment. I am not referring to the African branches carryon the work. If the people are a subordiof the Church which have been set apart by sev- nate people this spirit may be manifested in aneral of the larger denominations working in this other way. Sometimes this nationalism means land. I am referring to the independent native Catholicism. In the territory where the writer churches which have been started by disgruntled labors the Roman Catholics are nationals and the native leaders. Very often they are simply racial Protestants are foreigners. One can easily see and political, with the slogan, "Africa for the the problems this presents. Church and State African." They go about spreading dissatisfac- have always been one; they are supposed to be tion among the believers and gather unto them- separated now, but the union is still apparent in selves kindred spirits. spirit. Therefore, it is believed, Protestants who are foreigners must of necessity represent a for- We have at least one notable case in Portuguese eign government. One can see that this line of East Africa. An ordained native minister of one reasoning is not conducive to missionary progress of the Church's great denominations, a denomina- in such countries. Then we have seen this nationtion which pioneered the work in a part of this alistic spirit manifested among the Africans colony, became dissatisfied and separated himself themselves. The slogan, "Mrica for the Afrifrom that church. He started a native movement cans," is no mere byword. In the religious realm and headed it as a self-appointed bishop. The these movements have manifested real hatred tonatives were told that this was God's way of de- ward the missionaries themselves, who were the liverance for them from the thralldom of the means in other years of bringing to them the glowhite supervision, and he promised them that this rious Gospel of emancipation. movement would sweep the country. The only sweeping it did was to sweep from some churches I realize that I have drawn rather a dark piccertain undesirable members. After a while the ture. The nature of my subject has rather neces- "bishop" was accused of immoral conduct. He sitated this. Thank the Lord, there is a brighter was brought to trial by the church which he had side. How mighty have been the triumphs of the started, when it was found that no provision had Gospel in Africa! Were it within the bounds of been made in the church rulings for the trial of a this article how my soul would revel in the privibishop! He had carefully seen to that. Then lege of recounting a few of these wonderful viccame a separation. And so it goes on. This sort tories wrought through the preaching of the Gosof thing is a serious hindrance. pel of the Son of God! I will have to forego this joy. Handicaps? Yes. Opposition? Yes. Vic- V. Roman Catholicism tories? Multitudes! Perhaps these very things which we have numbered as hindrances to the To those laboring in Roman Catholic countries progress of the Gospel have in reality been step- I need to say nothing more. Just to state the case ping stones to greater attainments than would would be sufficient. If the people are self-govern- otherwise have been possible. ing and are Roman Catholics the difficulties are of a certain character. If they are a subordinate God loves Africa; Jesus died for Africa; the people and ruled over by Roman Catholics then Holy Spirit works in Africa. Therefore, there is, the problem is different. If possible, Rome will and must be victory!
Men and
By OSCAR EMIL EMANUELSON,* New Haven, Conn.
I T WAS an old Zulu who once said: "There are day. The writer is restricting his remarks to the two kinds of foreigners in our country-white Union of South Africa, the area with which he is men and missionaries." This statement is sig- most familiar; but what follows would probably nificant for it points to the distinction which apply to Southern Rhodesia, Kenya, or any other every Mrican has sooner or later to discover, part of Africa where white settlement is permanamely, that the missionary does try to govern his nent. whole life by the teachings of Christ, while the average Christian layman is too often content to To the average native living near a mission stapractice his religion only on Sundays. tion in a rural area, the missionary is a person to go to in time of trouble, whatever the nature of The difficulty is a real one; for, to the Afri- that trouble. It may be that a loan is needed for cans, as to most so-called primitive peoples, re- the payment of overdue taxes, or for the purchase ligion is something that permeates the whole of of food at the stores where further credit is no life. For example, in the case of the Zulus, re- longer obtainable; it may be that a serious misligion plays an important part in tribal warfare, understanding has arisen between the native and in tribal first-fruit ceremonies, and in every crisis his white employer, or between the native and the in the life of the individual. The ancestral spirits government officials in connection with regulaare constantly looked to for help and guidance, tions for the control of epidemic animal diseases; and are propitiated with offerings. The ordinary or it may be that a child or a valuable ox or cow European in Africa, on the other hand, may open- is ill and in need of immediate attention. Of ly claim to have no time for religion; or he may course, the native in trouble often goes to his discuss Christian brotherhood in a very emotional white employer or an official and obtains both manner on Sundays and still use very questionable advice and assistance; but, as a general rule, it methods in dealing with his "brothers," particu- is still the missionary who is called on for help; larly his colored African brothers, in business and this is usually forthcoming, unless the mishours on week days. sionary's slender resources are quite unable to bear the strain placed upon them. Even non- The first permanent settlers came to the Cape Christian natives are frequently helped by misof Good Hope in 1652, more than one hundred and sionaries in circumstances like those just outfifty years after the Cape had been discovered; lined. Such is the position in the rural areas, to Natal the early settlers came in 1823, some where the so-called "raw" natives do definitely three hundred years after its discovery by the believe that missionary white men are different Portuguese; while the Transvaal and the Orange from, and superior to, ordinary white men. What Free State were settled by dissatisfied Dutch of the urban areas? farmers who started leaving the Cape as late as 1835. Missionaries were early on the scene in What the Africans Say each of these four territories, and they came in The distinction just outlined between "white the interests of the natives, to whom they wanted men" and "missionaries" seems perfectly natural to bring the Gospel of Christ; whereas the set- to some people; but beliefs are not held by everytlers entered these areas in their own interests. body for all time, and what seems axiomatic to This initial difference between settlers and mis- one person in one generation may stimulate doubt sionaries persists to a remarkable degree, even to- • Mr. Oscar Emil Emanuelson, the son of Swedish missionaries to and inquiry in another. It was in a spirit of in- qUI'ry that a qu-estl'onnal're was prepared and sent . the natives of Natal and Zululand, Is a district inspector of native out to representative natives in the largest urban schools in the service of the Natal Government Education Depart- area in South Africa. Among the questions asked were the following: "Are you a member of a ment. He secured the B.A. degree in 1919, and the M.En. degree in ChrI•s•tian church?. WhoICh one.? Are the ChrI'S- 1927, from the University of South Africa. Through the generosity tian churches losing or gaining influence among of the International Institute of African Languages and Cultures, urban native residents today? Why is this? he was enabled to spend the academic year 1934-35 in studying anthropology under Professor Malinowski at the University of London; and by the award of a Carnegie fellowship In Race Relations he was enabled to spend the academic year 1935-36 at Yale Univer- ~7. i~aa~::I~~~c~~o1b~~tt~~ ~f~i~YH°,;w~'au~~~o1:~~nRg;~e~~~a~l~~~ s~~~~t~~ri~~~ race relations In those countries before returning to [528 ]
WHITE MEN AND MISSIONARIES
Please let us have your honest opinion (perhaps enough already and should withdraw from mison a separate sheet of paper) of the work of the sion work among the natives; four thought that churches at the present time: their leadership, the missionaries were losing their influence bemethods, and value to the community." Three cause of the bad example set by the whites who of those who replied were sure that the churches did not attend church and who showed their inwere gaining influence, twelve were uncertain as difference to religion in other ways; four attribto what answer to give about the value of the uted the decrease in the influence of the missionmissionaries to the natives, and forty-two were aries to the counter attractions of liquor, dance sure that the missionaries were either useless or halls, and theaters; two explained matters by harmful to the native community. In other words, saying that the "educated" natives, especially of the missionaries of today in the urban areas do the younger generation, were indifferent to renot rank nearly so high in the opinion of the na- ligion; two thought that much could be accounted tives as did the early missionaries in the pioneer for by the presence of "formalism" in the mission days, before the building of large towns and cities. churches; while two complained of the absence of love from all churches and of bad treatment of From those who spoke definitely in favor of the natives by Christian whites. missionaries and their work, came the following comments: That the missionaries are on the Some Bantu Grievances whole good friends to the Africans, that the Christian mode of life is far superior to the heathen In connection with these adverse comments way of living, that the missionaries interest them- upon the missionaries and their influence, the conselves in both church and social questions, that sidered opinion of D. D. T. Jabavu is worthy of the missionaries do not keep all the best posts in close attention, for he is an Mrican author of sevthe church for themselves, that Christianity re- eral important books on a variety of native matduces the fears of the Africans, that the mission- ters. In his chapter on Bantu Grievances in a aries still do much more for native education than recent book, "Western Civilization and the Nathe government does, and that the churches are tives of South Africa" (edited by 1. Schapera; gaining more in influence than they are losing in Routledge, 1934), Jabavu says: "In religious numerical strength. circles, too, the color obsession is not wanting. In combined social functions, the Nordic races Twenty-six considered the missionaries to be fall far behind those of Southern Europe in soseekers of wealth, either for themselves or for ciability. Promotions to positions of responsibiltheir own denominational funds; sixteen believed ity due to our more advanced pastors are often that the churches were losing their influence, be- withheld because 'they are not yet fit for responsicause of the poor training which many of the mis- bility'; and it is odd to see our elderly ministers sionaries and other church workers had received; with ripe experience serving as underlings to very ten thought of the missionaries as plain hypo- young white ministers fresh from their theologicrites; ten felt that the missionaries were losing cal college. We see no progress made to enable their power, on account of their acquiescence in our men to qualify for this fitness, the determinacolor bars within the churches and the schools tion of which is left to the judgment of their under church control; ten maintained that em- white brethren." phasis on spiritual matters and neglect of social welfare work were reducing the efficiency of the Broadly speaking, the missionaries have been, churches; six believed that the missionaries could and still are, opposed to what are termed "repulnot become a power in the land until they were sive" heathen customs and beliefs; and in this prepared to sink denominational differences and the missionaries have the general white public abandon interdenominational strife to the point with them. To this extent, then, there is simiof amalgamating the churches; five could not see larity rather than difference; but the efforts of how the missionaries could have any influence the missionaries are also directed along another over the natives, when the churches followed pub- line, the replacement of faith in ancestral spirits lic opinion, instead of leading it and having a real by faith in Christ, and the general white public effect upon government legislation on native mat- is doing practically nothing to give direct help in ters; four accounted for the decreasing influence this task. For example, white farmers will ridiof the missionaries by the increasing unwilling- cule native belief in magic in the field of agriculness of the missionaries to trust and consult na- ture, but few of them will take any real interest tives in matters of church finance; four felt that in the adoption of Christianity by their servants; the missionaries had confused Christianity with yet the government and the general white public European culture, and had done their own cause are compelled to give support to the missions, harm by unnecessary interference with native especially when the lives of missionaries are in customs and the power of the native chiefs; four danger in periods of unrest. argued that the missionaries had stayed long
Criticism of this general tendency to condemn should be forthcoming locally if the natives are to native customs and beliefs comes from students be won for Christ. But that happy state of affairs of functional anthropology, who insist that these will not be realized in the near future, and the matters should be most carefully studied before mission societies will therefore continue to be dethey are interfered with in any way, lest the re- pendent upon support from overseas for some sults of such interference be far different from time to come. Local support will never become those anticipated. Missionaries have actively op- adequate without supervision and control of misposed the whole system of "bride price payments" sionary activity by the whites in Africa; and and the general practice of polygamy, even to the these will give neither the money for mission exextent of demanding that a native man should penses nor the time for mission supervision until keep only one of his wives and send the others they are persuaded, not forced, to follow the giveaway; while the anthropologists point out that and-take principle by giving a little more and takthe "bride price" is really a public seal to a con- ing a little less. It certainly seems futile to extract between the two families to which the bride pect the whites to follow in their daily lives a and bridegroom belong, and very similar to the philosophy which they do not whole-heartedly "dowry" so well known in some European coun- accept. Yet it might be objected that this is tries. The "bride price" usually takes the form exactly what the ruling whites expect the ruled of a small herd of cattle. natives to do.
As the natives of South Africa do believe in a In their attempts to do this persuading the mis- Supreme Being they do not oppose and resent the sionaries may be accused of "pussyfooting." In teaching of the missionaries concerning God. fact, they are being accused of that very practice. What they resent is interference with the old so- Witness the comments by natives quoted at the becial organization and the traditional practices and ginning of this paper. This matter calls for comcustoms; hence many of the Christian natives ment on the history of mission policy in South bring into their new religion the lack of sincerity Africa. At one time a certain group of missionand the stress on formalism which characterized aries, those who believed in the "noble savage" their old religion. At the same time, the mission- and stressed the struggle for political rights, aries have in a way become tribal officials who gained ascendancy over another group, those who worship "the unknown god" on behalf of the tribe. believed in the motto of ora et labora, and sought In other words, the missionaries get quite a great to secure spiritual and material development deal of recognition from the heathen members of rather than political and social status. This asthe tribe and even more recognition from the cendancy of the one group over the other is the Christian members, with the result that the aver- basis of much of the present unwillingness of the age missionary is an honored guest in the ordi- whites to "give" in matters affecting the natives. nary tribe. For this reason it might be argued that the mis- sionary "victory" of those early days is the cause Although many of the natives of South Africa of missionary "defeat" today-if the missionaries are still heathens, there can be very few natives are suffering defeat today, and that time alone who are absolutely unfamiliar with the main can show whether "pussyfooting" to secure willteachings of Christianity and also, unfortunately, ing and friendly consideration of native claims with the great difference between these and their will not prove more effective than direct attacks. general application in the daily life of the average white Christian. The natives realize only too well Even the worst enemies of the missionaries, that Christian pririciples apply better among the past and present, will agree that, however great Europeans themselves than they do between race may be the mistakes which have occurred, the and race, that Christianity as practiced by the missionaries have made valuable scientific conwhites does not help the weak of the land-the tributions to knowledge in the realms of ethnology native peoples, and that missionary effort is tol- and ethnography, and that, in spite of the apparerated by the whites in Africa so long as most of ently disruptive effects of missionary enterprise the money and the missionaries come from over- on native social organization, the work done by seas. missionaries to foster and preserve native lan- guages, reduced to written form by the mission- White Churches and Missions aries, is today -having an undoubted integrating. effect upon native society quite unlike anything In fact, the dualism between the white churches being done directly or indirectly by the general in South Africa and the mission societies there is white public. And the impartial observer would so glaringly apparent that it cannot be overlooked go further and say that the missionaries are still by even the most unobservant native. The white serving essential needs of the natives in the field churches should practice what the mission so- of religion itself. With this view the writer of cieties preach; the necessary sympathy and mis- this paper whole-heartedly agrees. sion workers and daily justice and mission funds
Christ Has Done for My
By BERNARD MOLABA, 1)1- Bantu Presbyterian Theological Student at the South African I Native College, Fort Hare, South Africa I T IS not easy within the compass of a brief ity and of the scientific treatment of disease will article to do justice to a wide subject like this completely disappear. -What Christ Has Done for My People-the Bantu of South Africa, and Africa's greatest need In a word, we can assuredly say that the Good of Him. It is indeed an attempt to reduce a News of the Man of Galilee is becoming effective whole book to a short article. But as I am limited among the Bantu. As He said, He came to preach, to this space I shall in passing only mention what teach, heal and free. Christ has already done, and I shall mention only The preaching of the Good News is being car- ried on every day and nearly everywhere among those needs which are of paramount importance. The state of affairs among the Bantu prior to the advent of Christianity is well known. True, the Bantu had religious ceremonies and observances, but these were accompanied by superstition and mystification, and were attempts to propitiate angry and fearful spirits. When Christianity with its cornerstone of love came, many of these mystical rites disappeared.
Three main things which have been definitely removed by Christ can be mentioned at the outset.
First, there were the intertribal wars, often accompanied by much bloodshed and misery.
Christ has now united these tribes which were at variance one with the other, and although they retain their separate totemistic clans they nevertheless feel that they belong to a wider racial circle which includes all the different little circles, BERNARD M'OLABA and that they are all one in spirit and purpose and need not destroy one another. The old destructive days have passed away.
Second, there were the tribal hatreds, spite, contempt, and disunion. All these destructive ele- ments have vanished. There was a time when a the Bantu. From the large cities to the remotest member of an alien tribe was your rightful foe, rural areas faithful worshipers of Christ gather but now we feel we are joined, not by those tan- to praise His Name for the salvation which is gible bonds of blood and flesh, but by eternal and theirs. They are called to worship by tower bells spiritual bonds of love and peace and good will in the cities, and in the villages by hand bells or and common purpose. We feel We are one in an old ploughshare struck by a hammer. They Christ. listen eagerly to the message, and thank the mis- sionaries who dared so much to bring Christianity Third, there were cruel and repugnant customs, like the slaying of twins, the sacrifice of children to them. It is true that we still have heathens, for the propitiation of angry spirits, and the but their numbers diminish with time. I am sure smelling out of witches. Through Christ these that even in old countries unbelievers are still have been removed, and where formerly was found. cruelty and bloodshed is now love, peace, and good Teaching has likewise been making progress.
will. Throughout South Africa, from the towns to the True it is that superstition still lingers in many lonely rural places, you find mission schools; and a village, but this with the progress of Christian- here secular education is based upon a solid foun- [531 ]
dation in Christ. Many heathens send their chil- is shown in various aspects of their lives. In agdren to mission schools, and these children in most riculture, education, literature, music and induscases refuse to go back to the old life. Generally try new ventures are being made. Some men say speaking every Bantu man realizes the benefits that the belief in witchcraft is still unshaken, but of education, and hence many children from hea- this is not entirely true. Young people now scorn then homes attend schools and ultimately become and ridicule this absurd belief, and it is no doubt followers of Christ. vanishing.
Within a short time education has made won- What Is Needed to Win Africa derful strides. Through missionary enterprise village schools have been founded, later institutes In the first place, some Africans cry out that and finally colleges. when the white man came to Africa he had the Bible and we had the land; now we have the Bible I am writing this article in the South African and he has the land. Weare crammed in a small Native College, at Fort Hare, which has a mar- piece of ground, here to perish with our cattle, velous history. Within the twenty-one years of but one European owns twice as much land as a its existence it has produced about sixty Bachelors whole village. They say that Christianity is a of Art and two Bachelors of Science, apart from drug to keep us silent and in hope of compensation eighty fully qualified doctors who completed their in the future world, that Europeans preach what courses overseas. No man who had not the Spirit they do not practice, and that they say, "Do as I of Christ could have convinced the government tell you and not as I do." These and many other that a native youth, given the opportunity, could complaints are voiced by discontented agitators, do any mental work which a European youth and, unless the Church wakes up definitely to face could do. We thank missionaries for dispelling them, Christianity may lose even the ground it by practical examples the idea of an inferior men- has. tality in the native. The idea that the native must be treated dif- The writer remembers well the time he spent ferently from the European is wrong. What is as a lad in the "cattle-posts." To have seen a good for the native is good for the European, and European then was a topic for weeks, to have vice versa. Christ treated all men alike, and spoken to him was a boast unbearable by other talked with the despised Samaritans. Our govfellows, and to have shaken hands with him was ernments are called Christian. One reads, for ina great honor; but within such a short time, stance, that the Union Government follows the through Christ, we do not only speak with them lead of the Almighty in all that it does. Can the and shake hands with them, but we have realized repressive legislation and color bars originate that black and white are brothers in Christ, and from God? These destructive measures are prothat there is a purpose for each here in South ducing a bitter attitude in the minds of Africans. Africa. White preservation and domination seem to be the main policy of our government, and these meas- We write the examinations in the same lan- ures are creating a new outlook in the minds of guages, and experience the same difficulties. All the Africans. This year, 1936, in South Africa a this has been done through Christ, in whom there most un-Christian act, which deprives the Bantu is "neither Greek nor Jew, bond nor free." of the rights of full citizenship, has been passed by a majority of 169 votes against 11. The Afri- Healing too is being fulfilled. Missionaries cans do not ask for social equality or indiscrimihave established hospitals, such as Lovedale, St. nate mixture; in all matters purely social we Matthew's, Lemana, Fraser Memorial, Jean would be as separate as fingers on the hand, yet Furse, and others. These are doing wonderful in principle united and with one purpose in view work to relieve pain and suffering among the -for Christ, for humanity, and for peace. Bantu. For long the government has left this work in the hands of the missionaries, and it is We see how memories of history are forgotten only now that it is waking up to its responsibility as far as white and white are concerned, but they and is providing clinics and hospitals. This has are ever green as far as the native is concerned. been wrought through the agitation of the Until the Spirit of the Master leads our legis- Church. lators, Africa will not be won for Him. His was' a method of love, of peace and of prayer, not of Christ came also to set free those who were in force, domination and punishment. bonds. Before He came among the Bantu, superstition was rife. This hindered progress in that The second need is union among the churches. men feared to make new ventures; it also hin- The African often wonders why, if we worship dered initiative because anything out of the ordi- one God, we should have different methods. And, nary and not traditional was viewed with fear and moreover, this denominational spirit is at times suspicion. But through Christ the Bantu are now breaking new and hitherto unknown ground. This
MORE AFRICANS ON THE WITNESS STAND
un-Christian. It is accompanied by rivalry, ha- the Abyssinians, and prayed on their behalf. They tred, spite and resentment. "Why," says an watched the events and marked how the League African, "these Christians are no better than our- of Nations kept on delaying and disagreeing in selves; they preach love, but they hate each other the application of sanctions which they had like fighting dogs." We pray for the time when agreed to apply to an aggressor. They read about union among the churches will be achieved. At the slaughter of women and children including present the Church is a divided house, and we all the sick in hospitals. No wonder some Africans know the fate of such a house. said that it was a war between black and white.
One cannot ignore the effect of the Italo- Africans, even the most illiterate, in the remot- Abyssinian war on the African mind. The war est corners of the African colonies, discussed has created a new outlook in him. From the be- these matters; no doubt these things have creginning of the war the Africans identified them- ated a new problem in seeking to win them to selves with the Abyssinians. They prayed with Christ.
More Africans on the Witness Stand THE Editor of THE REVIEW sent to several missionaries a request for articles by natives to show their views of the greatest needs of Africa and the value of missionary work, and to give their own reactions to the Gospel. The answers were translated by the missionaires, and from them we select for this number those below. The missionaries who so kindly secured this very original material are: Dr. James Dexter Taylor, Superintendent of Transvaal and Inhambane Districts of the American Board Mission in South Africa; Rev. R. H. W. Shepherd, Lovedale Institution Church, of the Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa; Rev. R. S. Roseberry, Chairman, French West Africa Mission of the Christian and Missionary Alliance; Rev. John T. Tucker, Missao de Dondi, Angola. These testimonies come from members of the Theological and Biblical class at Dondi Institute, Dondi, Angola.
1. How Christ has helped the Ovimbundu: We there are many districts where they have never recognize well that Christ has helped the Ovim- yet heard the word of the Gospel. Workers are bundu because in olden days our fathers knew needed. If you travel over all of Africa you will God only as they recognized Him through the find many countries where the people are like things He created, but they lacked the true knowl- sheep without a shepherd. They need the help of edge of His power. Now, however, we recognize the Word. The Umbundu Church is not strong Him because the Lord Jesus has shown Him to enough yet; it is still a child. us and has made us recognize by the Spirit all the good that God has done for us. Not only that, ANTONIO CHICO NUNDA. but He has raised us from the dust and shown us a true Way and has drawn together all the tribes 1. The Word of Christ has helped us in this of the Ovimbundu by His blood. Even though way, that we are now no longer as we were bethat union is not yet quite complete, still there is fore we believed. Of old we had no love for one much love and we expect that it will abound another, no joy or peace, between the tribes toamong the black peoples. ward the Coast and the Biheans upcountry. In those days we were always fighting, but when 2. What we expect that Christ will do for us: the missionaries brought us the word of Jesus Now that we are already on the path of salvation, there came love and peace, so that the tribes of what is now lacking is love among all the races the Ovimbundu became as one tribe, as we are toof the earth, so that white and black races may day here in Dondi. There are students from have one brotherhood. (John 15: 17.) And so if Bailundo, from Camundongo, from Chissamba all races have love one for another, they will be and Chilesso, from Chiyaka, from Galangue, from able to cooperate in things of the heart, because Hualondo Chilonda and other places, and we have our Leader, Jesus Chris~, goes before us and we all become brothers in Christ. shall all follow Him together in faith and will enter with Him into glory. (John 14: 1.) 2. Our hope is this, that God may help us now to enthrone Christ supreme in our Umbundu 3. What is lacking in Africa: The Word of God tribe. And that we who have already recognized is here, and there are some parts of the country Christ as the Living One who gives life, may which have believed, but they lack understanding carry to our comrades His word of salvation and of the Word of God and true faith in it. But grace.
3. There now remains to be done this, that with
one heart we pray to God, that even though we 1. In ancient days our forefathers knew indeed that there is a God, but they did not know what Ovimbundu have not yet made great progress, He was like. However, they named Him in all their big things. God's mercy is especially maniwe may yet be able to help together with our mis- fest in that He sent His own Son to bring us into His family. He has shown us God. He has desionaries to plan a way in which all of Africa livered us freely.
may be reached with the Gospel of Jesus and that 2. Our great hope is that God will enthrone Christ here. We ourselves cannot do this, but we may say, Lord, I am Thy servant; wherever our hope, set on God, is that Christ will reign supreme here. If He doesn't reign, we are as dead you send me, I will go. JOAO BATISTA. men. All true Christians look for Christ, that He will redeem His people from slavery. He alone 1. How Christ has helped the Umbundu tribe: is our hope. We can say that, even though other tribes have reason to give thanks for the help that Christ has 3. The things lacking in Africa are many: given them, our Umbundu tribe has greater reason for thankfulness. a. Those who have already believed should save others who are afar off and have not heard. a. Ever since ancient times we have been backward in everything; today because of Christ we b. All, missionaires and believers here, should have become able to come forward. be of one heart and mind to push forward the Word. b. Even our chiefs in olden times did not have knowledge of the best; today we have begun to c. We pray that God will send many more misknow the truth. sionaries to work among us. Many lands are quite untouched. All should be brought into the c. In olden times only the great and important fold of life; they are His sheep. people had joy and peace; today the Lord Jesus has brought joy to us all. JOAO KAPUKA CHITENDE.
2. What Christ can do for us in these days: 1. Christ has greatly helped our race. His sal- We pray this prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy vation has come to us, hence the fear of death will be done in our country, in our hearts." We greatly desire that Christ may be made known, has been taken from us, even as He said, "He may be trusted, mllY be held in reverence and truly loved, and that we may no longer do our who believes on me shall not die any more." From own wills. ancient days the fear of death has been a night- 3. What yet remains to be done: a. That the missionaries and the Church should mare to our Umbundu family; today that fear work together, helping one another with one heart has gone. Christ has helped us too in that He and one mind. has brought us the blessing of being able to read b. We need love in order to spread abroad the Word of God to the many countries that lack the the Bible, and to write and to go ahead in things Gospel message. that help the body too. Our ancient chiefs, Katia- ALBERTO CANHANGA CATEMA.
1. The Word of Christ has greatly helped the vala and Ekongo, saw nothing of these things; Ovimbundu for originally we lacked cooperation. Now Christ has brought us the word of love with- we, their children, see them because of Christ. out stint. That love has bound us to Him and has taught us to help one another. Even those 2. Our hope is that our family will awake and who belong to another tribe we see are our brethren. will go ahead like other races. We know that 2. We trust Christ that He will stir up amongst Christ will do this for us because He has begun it. us Ovimbundu the desire to urge one another to go ahead and spread abroad His word among Looking back on what He has done gives us conthose who have never heard it. We trust that He will make us true workers for Him, helping, and fidence that He will continue to do it for us albeing helped by, our teachers from the foreign country. ways.
3. Here in Africa there is a lack of teachers 3. The greatest need of our country is that from abroad, as many lands have not the Gospel. Here in Angola untouched tribes are: Esele, the Word of God should be preached in all parts, Nyemba, Kuanyama, Luimbi, Gonzelo, Chilenge, Humbi, Luseke and many others. Let us work for there are many who as yet have never heard while there is light. it. Our prayer is that God will bless the churches RAUL KAMBISA MUKINDA. in the foreign country so that none will even think of reducing the number of missionaries who come here, but rather increase their numbers so that.
they and we may work together. Africa needs badly many teachers of the Word, also doctors.
The work is going forward rapidly now, but much remains to be done. We trust that God will put this thought into the hearts of the people in the foreign lands. ISRAEL C. CASSOMA.
A Converted Priest in Venezuela*
Transformed by the Power of God ELIECER FERNANDEZ was born and raised made director of the Sucre College and chaplain in the city of Cumana, the capital of the State of the town of Los Dos Caminos. He also held of Sucre, on the northern coast of Venezuela. conferences for the purpose of denouncing the This city has good federal schools and boasts of Protestants, edited two papers and a "Parish society and night life, and is quite a manufactur- Sheet," all dedicated to the destruction of the work ing town, as well as a busy seaport. His parents of the Gospel in Venezuela.
were Roman Catholics by birth, but as is generally Contending Against "Heretics" the case now in South America, neither went to church except on the great feast days. Being On the island of Margarita, just off the northern fairly well off financially, the parents sent Eliecer coast of Venezuela, Mr. and Mrs. Van V. Eddings, to the federal schools where he received a good the first resident Protestant missionaries had laid education. He studied also the Bible and philoso- the foundations and made plans for a chapel. In Puerto Fermin, a small fishing town on nthaetivceoabset~ phy and was altar boy in the Roman Church. this Gospel chapel had been built by the When he was fourteen years old, the Bishop lievers themselves, a native worker was in charge from Ciudad Bolivar visited Cumana and persuaded his parents to give Eliecer to the Church. and the work was spreading throughout the island. Thus, in blind faith he put on the black robes and became a "familiar" of the Bishop of Ciudad To this island came the young priest Fernandez, Bolivar. For two and a half years he was chaplain of the Cathedral Choir, where his work was then twenty-seven years old. Evidently news of so meritorious that he was then sent to Caracas and placed in the seminary by the Archbishop. He the Gospel work being done had reached the ears soon became head of the students and at twentyone years was ordained subdeacon. A year later of the bishops of Venezuela, for, after a conference the Nuncio (the Pope's personal representative) ordained him Deacon, and he showed such zeal at the capital, they made inquiry of Fernandez that when only twenty-three the Archbishop secured special permission from the Pope to ordain concerning the spread of Protestantism on the him as a priest. (The rule of the Roman Church does not permit ordination to the priesthood until island. As a result of his report they purchased the age of twenty-five.) for him, at the cost of some $720, the title of "Spe- At Caracas Fernandez won a scholarship in the Seminary at Rome, but he refused to go, because cial Missionary of the Holy See of Rome in Marhe could see no good resulting to other priests who had gone. His next office was that of Secretary garita against Protestantism." This title gave of the "Curia Arzobispal" (the Tribunal of the Church) which deals with the personal character him the privilege of speaking in any church on and reputation of the priests in all Venezuela, and thus he came to know personally all the priests of Margarita at any time and the priest made use of Rome in that country. He built the Church of Santa Rosa in Caracas and a chapel, "Capilla del ~t ze~lously, holding special services every night Carmen," and as a result was given a special two .years' course of lectures by the Archbishop and III dIfferent towns, warning against the deadly Nuncio, entirely devoted to opposition to Protestantism. The zealous priest began a vigorous min- heresy of Protestantism. Fernandez fired the peoistry against the Protestants, going first to Puerto Piritu, where he held conferences and built a ple with such hatred against the huneraentnicos~ntcheadt the chapel. Next in Miranda he founded a new par- Gospel services had to be held beish and was made Vicar of Ocumare del Tuy where he finished the church building and hind closed doors. With some one hundred and preached with such zeal that the Brethren missionaries from Caracas had to leave the town. fifty followers, he attacked the home of one of the The next year he was again called to Caracas and believers during a service, pelting the house with mud and stones. Being urged to more drastic steps by letters from his bishop, he decided to do away with everything Protestant in Margarita.
He had the Christians put in jail, forced them to work on the roads, carry his organ, bells, etc., in- cluding the images, as he went from place tkoepptlahcie~' taught the children to insult them and followers watching their every little act in order to find some cause for an attack.
Before the Protestants built their chapel in Puerto Fermin, the Roman priests had scarcely come to the town, but now Fernandez began to bu~ld a church there near the Gospel· Chape1.
PrIest Vasquez, vicar of the island and priest of "The Virgin of the Valley of the Holy Spirit"
(probably the best paying position in Venezuela) was made treasurer of the enterprise. One week the priest sent to the treasurer for money to pay • An article sent by a correspondent in Carupano. the men but the vicar claimed he had no money [535 ]
left in the treasury. Fernandez knew this could he immediately called together the eight men who not be true, so gave each workman an order on were his voluntary fellow-prisoners and swore be- the vicar for the amount due him. .These orders fore them that when he got out of jail he would were not honored and after much correspondence leave the Church of Rome, because she had failed between the priests and the bishop, the matter was to support him at this time. The remainder of his dropped, Fernandez deciding that it was simply a six weeks in jail were spent in reading the Bible personal grudge of the vicar. After the receipt of to the other men and writing twelve articles another letter from the bishop telling Fernandez against the infallibility of the pope and other Ro- that it was "now time to do away with Protestant- man doctrines.
ism on Margarita," the priest made plans to carry When taken ill, he was allowed to rent a house out his instructions literally if possible. Conse- in the town and stay there under guard. His fa- quently, on the fourth of July, 1921, aided by a ther came from Cumana to care for him and he company of people who had come from the adjoin- received many visitors, but absolutely refused to ing country to hear more about the errors of the see any priest or bishop. The bishop who had Gospel, he literally wrecked the little Gospel written him urging that the Protestants on the chapel, with clubs, picks, bars, etc., then set fire island be done away with, came to see him, but in to it, using every hymn book and Bible on the spite of his father's pleas, the priest refused to place. The little company of Christians fled to the see him. Soon after this he was at liberty and ac- hills where they spent the night. The next morn- cepted an invitation to spend a few weeks in a ing when Fernandez went to view the wreckage private home near Carupano, on the mainland.
he found a woman with the large pulpit Bible One year before the burning of the chapel on Mar- which had escaped the flames because of its heavy garita, the Orinoco River Mission had been estab- covers. She was just starting to burn it, but he lished, with headquarters in Carupano. Fernan- stopped her, saying that he wished to keep it as a dez was expecting to rest while in San Jose and remembrance of the occasion, and took it home, to consider the steps necessary for leaving the carelessly throwing it on the table where he kept priesthood. He was urged to serve the people as his writing materials. priest and did so, though he continued reading the Much to the surprise and chagrin of the young Bible and renounced alI" his titles. He visited his fanatic, about ten o'clock that morning special parents, informing them that he was going to take police came down from Asuncion to take him to off his robes and three times visited Rev. Van V.
jail. The people protested and would have mobbed Eddings, Director of the Orinoco River Mission, the police for taking the "padrecito" to j ail, but at Carupano. One afternoon Mr. Fernandez Fernandez quieted them with a word and accom- walked out of his house without his robes. Soon panied by eight men who volunteered to share his this was known all over the country. After this bonds started on the long, hot walk to Asuncion. he visited the mission at Carupano more fre- When they were quartered in the jail, Fernandez quently, even testifying in the Protestant pulpit realized that his stay might be prolonged so sent that he had left the Church of Rome because of its for the books on his table with the paper and ink. corruptness and was looking for the Way of sal- When the books came, with them was the pulpit vation. God was speaking to him but the priest Bible from the little Gospel chapel. He threw it was not yet truly converted.
into the corner and there it lay for two days. He Excommunicated called two lawyers to work on his case, but had no funds to pay them, so sent them to the Vicar Vas- Then followed a year of unrest, sorrow and sin- quez, who again refused him any funds. That fulliving. Upon refusing to return to the priest- afternoon, Fernandez sighted the Bible and began hood, he was excommunicated from the Church of out of curiosity to read it. Inside was a tract with Rome and banished from the State of Sucre for a list of Roman customs and practices, opposite one year. He went to a distant town, rented a each the Bible reference refuting it. After read- little house, furnished with three empty boxes, a'
ing and studying these for a few hours, he again native hammock and a Bible. He began to prac- threw the Bible down, but was rather frightened, tice law, living meanwhile illegally with a young for he now had his first doubts of the infallibility girl whom he could not marry because of the law of his Church. The lawyers returned with the forbidding a priest to marry. The girl died there report that the vicar had again refused to help and soon afterward Fernandez was allowed to re~ him but that the people of Fernandez' parish had turn home where he stayed for some months. Ac- paid the $120 necessary to start his defense. This cepting an opportunity to go to Trinidad, he found did not make the priest feel any too grateful to- employment in a department store, living mean- wards Rome. In this frame of mind he again read while a very worldly life. Some months later he the Bible, this time about the conversion of Saul was legally married to the sister-in-law of one of of Tarsus. Such was the effect upon his mind that the partners of the firm, a well educated woman
A CONVERTED PRIEST IN VENEZUELA
of much finer type than most Venezuelan women, of those listening went to the "society" with a rewhose father is an Englishman and mother a Ven- port that he had insulted them and had told what ezuelan. The young couple became constant read- they had confessed to him while a priest. The City ers of the Bible and soon gave evidence of changed Council took up the question and some wanted to arrest him but the Lord raised up two friends, lives. lawyers, who told the Council that they did not Later Mr. Eddings received a letter from Mr. believe he had told anything personal. Finally a committee went to the capital of the state and Fernandez, stating that he was assured of the tried to influence the governor with the help of the truth of the Gospel and wanted to return to those bishop. The governor would not listen to them. whom he once persecuted and reviled, in order Almighty God intervened in answer to prayer, or that he might preach the truth to them. Of his Satan would have caused serious trouble. own accord the expriest had given up drink, smoking, theater-going and spent all his spare time In due time both Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez were studying the Word of God. Broken by God's love, baptized. He began to preach in some of the they were truly saved by His grace, through faith small towns around Carupano. One night he in Jesus Christ. For months they studied dili- spoke in Playa Grande and some of the more fagently and through every testing time, proved natical men formed a committee and came to their real change of life and heart. Carupano, lodging a formal complaint against Fernandez. This resulted in two opportunities to Finally, without any promise of support or help, give the Gospel to those in high places. Mr. Fergiving up a good position, leaving friends and nandez demanded that his accusers meet him face relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez went to Caru- to face and again he was cleared of guilt and gave pano, to take up more definite study in order to be a powerful testimony. He knew the law better prepared for Christian service. They are living than those who were against him, and parted comin part of the mission home at Carupano, helping pany with them having made friends. in the daily work of the mission, and proving to all their changed hearts and lives. Mr. Fernandez Mr. Fernandez had continued his studies and is took charge of the day school and is making good a very energetic Christian, able to enthuse Chrisprogress with his young pupils, who otherwise tians to greater efforts for the Master. He has would have nQ opportunity for education. given many proofs of his desire to do the Lord's will and has been used for the spread of the King- The people of the town soon knew that Mr. dom. In September, 1927, they went to Piritu, in Fernandez was there at the mission and the next the State of Anzoategui, for a month's vacation. evening the chapel was crowded and the doorways While there he held several services, in one of packed with people. The midweek services were them there were 42 of his relatives present. Upon also well attended. He spoke to a respectful audi- their return they were stationed at Margarita, on ence and told in very simple language the story of the Gulf of Cariaco, to take up the work and build how God had touched his heart and of his deter- up a church. mination to follow Christ. Dangers lurk on every side, ready to attack this The following week he spoke of the evil pre- fearless follower of our Lord and Saviour Jesus vailing in society. He told how some of the "best" Christ. This man is a challenge to every praying people of Carupano used to come to him in the Christian. We must surround him and his faithconfessional, invited him to their banquets, and ful wife with a wall of prayer that nothing and no considered him almost a demigod, while all the one may hinder his public testimony and ministry time his priestly robes covered a multitude of sins. when the time is ripe for him to go forth with the Now that he had taken off the gown, and with it blessed Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus had discarded the old life of hypocrisy, lying, evil Christ, throughout Venezuela, where he once deeds, many of those same people were calling helped to keep the people blinded and ignorant. him sin verguenza (without shame), almost the worst name that can be applied in Spanish. Some AN AFRICAN MESSAGE TO AMERICAN YOUTH An African woman in the Congo-BeIge sent this message to the youth of America: "Tell the young people of America that they came in the past and awakened our sleeping souls. Tell them we have peace but we also have unrest – unrest because multitudes of our people are lost. Tell the young people of America to come, not cringing and hopeless. Tell them to come without clouds in their eyes. Tell them to come looking at the light that is on the face of Jesus Christ and knowing how to laugh at impossibilities in His name."-Dawn.
and Christianity in Africa
By the REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D., Professor of Missions and the History of Religion t~o.- in Princeton Theological Seminary SOUTH AFRICA is the land of an established one dating from 622.A. D. and one from the birth Christian Church; Central Africa of an in- of our Saviour. Outside of Khartum, in the vast digenous church won from paganism; North Sudan, Islam still seems to be chiefly a veneer, and Africa has well been called the "land of the van- the Negro blood carries with it a characteristic ished church." Here is where Islam devastated jovial friendship and responsiveness to approach; the heritage of Christ and swept like a sirocco blast from the Nile to the Atlantic, wiping out churches-whose memory lingers in the names of Augustine, Cyprian and Tertullian.
Our Saviour found refuge in Egypt in his early childhood, and at the last an African from Cyrene bore His cross to Golgotha. But the work of the early Church is now only a memory. That Church disappeared for three reasons: The Scriptures were never given to the great Berber nation in their own tongue; the missionary spirit grad- RlLIGlOl,:S Cor-:Qlf….. r ually faded away; and the Church itself ceased to be truly indigenous and became dominated by _ l.ont" IJr ' I"N1mm.:tbn Con1)Oltd;uiun Greek and Latin theologians. Therefore it declined; at last the Moslem invasion of the seventh _ _ l.onl of ~I()hammedan Ad".lnc.: _ ' ….n" o{ ChrbtLlII AJv;mn."
_ "..II(":(,'Chri)t~lnt:lJo",,lIJ.tn..,"
century destroyed it. The Coptic Church of Egypt AFRICA which gave the people the Bible survives to this day. For twelve long centuries three religions .~h J<IC ~prno:nI' ~ !''''''UU1lI have struggled for the mastery in the Dark Con- oll"""n ""film h;i'm~ In ~…dtlh.r … :tl 1._10: .lno,' .omcriQn. Europr•• n.
.w_" ." "h".. Sc''l"h .-fri.,.", 1 • tinent. Three types of culture have striven for its inhabitants. THE RELIGIOU.S ADVANCE IN AFRICA The great Sudan is an example. Islam, Chris- North Africa-Moslem Consolidation; North Central-Moslem Ad- vance; South Central-Christian Advance ; South Africa-Christian tianity, and Paganism, and three races – the Consolidation. Dots represent Protestant missionary residences. Egypto-Arabian, the Sudanese, and the British- here have to live in harmony. Addressing a meet- but in Khartum and Omdurman Islam is stiffening of Arab notables in Omdurman at a tea-party ing and deepening its grip on the people. in the American Mission garden in 1926, I quoted Al Mutannabi's well-known lines: What is true of Northern Africa is, alas, true also south of the Sahara. Islam is everywhere I am known to the night and the wind and the steed, active. In Dahomey, on the West Coast, there are To the sword and the guest, to the paper and reed, no less than one hundred and fifty-four Koran schools, and Islam is rapidly winning its way and and added that these lines summarize the recent strengthening its grip. In Ethiopia the Gallas history of the Sudan: the night of pagan igno- and some other tribes have become Moslem and rance, the coming of the swift cavalry of the the inferior strata of the population seem more Arabian conquerors, the fire and sword of the and more ready to adopt the cult of the prophet.
Mahdi and his Khalifa, and finally the British Concerning the -province of Jimma Abagifar in "guests" with their new administration. Khartum Southern Ethiopia, Dr. T. A. Lambie wrote a few offers, as many another center in Africa, the con- years ago: "I saw something there that I never trast of two religions, that of the mosque and of heard of, namely, the Mohammedans sending out the church, of the Crescent and of the Cross, the actual mission colonies to the heathen Gallas."
standards of the prophet of Mecca and of our The conquest of Ethiopia by Italy has worked Saviour Jesus Christ. The city has two calendars, ill for the cause of Christian missions, for the new [538 ] rulers have given special legal privileges to Islam wholeheartedly by us. In compliance with this Declaraeverywhere. Arabic has been declared the official tion we solemnly sacrifice all our properties, real and perlanguage in Harar Province and schools and sonal, of whatever nature, even to the last penny in the mosques are being built in the chief centers, and cause of Ahmadiyyat. We further offer all our earthly special treaty rights given. connections, i. e., our dear wives, parents, children, male and female, our body and its life-blood, our honor and From Zanzibar, on the East Coast, the mission- above all our very souls, in the same holy cause. aries report a revival of active Moslem propaganda, enforced by many newcomers from Cairo From Southern Nigeria the Rev. L. C. Hickin writes (March, 1935) : AFRICANS READING THE MOSLEM OUTLOOK It comes as a real shock to hear that after eighty years of missionary effort Islam is still making headway in the south. It is to a certain extent accounted for by the activity of the Ahmadiya movement. They have copied our institutions and adopted much of our terminology.
The central mosque as Lagos is known as the "Cathe- dral" mosque (an indication of the way in which the building of our Cathedral has struck the African imagina- tion); it has a choir and "choir practices" take place on certain nights of the week just as at the Cathedral. A good example of this imitation of our methods is furnished uy the following notice taken from the Nigerian Daily Times of November 3, 1934: "In commemoration of the Lailatul-Israi-wal-Miraj, the Zumratul-Islamiyyah will hold a watchnight service at the Wasinmi Mosque tomorrow, Sunday, when Brother Abdul Ganiyi LawaI will deliver a lecture on the occasion, under the chairmanship of Mr. Alimi Baruwa, supported by notable Muslim savants and gentlemen. In continuation of the celebration, the Society will hold Revival Meetings . . . and The Clarion-Call of Islam will be the subject of the lecture at each centre."
who are trying to rouse the somewhat lethargic According to Dr. Julius Richter, Islam is pene- Mohammedans of Zanzibar into greater activity. trating with blighting influence through Tangan- In Liberia, on the West, the Government reports yika into the heart of Africa. Two millions of the that the Mohammedan Negroes are steadily pene- population are already nominally Moslems, "they trating into the hinterland. They cut down the represent an advancing host intent on occupying forests and take possession little by little, driving all the main roads and the main areas of the Terthe forest dwellers toward the interior. But espe- ritory." cially in the vast Anglo-Egyptian and the French Sudan, in Northern Nigeria and in West Africa, North Africa is now a highway to the Sudan Islam is the great problem. and motor traffic crosses the Sahara. The Niger valley, like that of the Nile and of the Shari, is We must turn to statistics to realize the serious- already an open road for the advance of Islam. ness of the situation. A recent study made by Only in Uganda and in Nyasaland are there ef- Monsieur A. Corman for the Bulletin de l'Union fective barriers for the continued spread of Islam Missionaire du Clerge Belge (July, 1936) gives in central Africa. There native Christian schools the total Moslem population of all Africa as fifty- have blocked its penetration. three millions, of which twenty-three millions belong to the Bantu races of what is generally con- The actual statistical situation can be studied in the accompanying table. But it is more imporsidered pagan Africa. That is, 34 % of the total tant to arouse the Church to the dynamic situa- tion. There are three factors that require empopulation of Africa is Mohammedan. In French phasis: West Africa alone, according to recent reports (June, 1936), there are 7,583 Koran schools w.ith 1. Islam has a carefully prepared program for the religious education of all Africa that has m59~v3e7m8epnutpsilusp. poOrntedthbeyGIonlddiaCnoMasotstlheme sAihsmalaadrlmya- never been investigated by a Phelps-St.okes Com- mission. At the important Le Zoute Conference ingly active. A remarkable letter appeared in only Pagan Africa had the right of way on the The Sunrise (August, 1936) written by a group program. In the popular mission study of Negroof new converts from Ashanti: Africa the textbooks generally ignore this factor. Yet to one who visits Khartum, Omdurman, Kano, We the undermentioned members of the Ahmadiyya Timbucktu, Capetown, or Johannesburg, it is clear community of Kumasi (Ashanti) do faithfully promise as the day that Islam is on trek into the Bantuand declare on our own accord that the great message speaking world. The Arabic-speaking area of the brought to us at Kumasi today from our Master, Hazrat Khalifatulmasih in India, through his accredited representative Alhaj Maulvi Nazir Ahmad, has been accepted
continent is expanding from the northeast toward always includes the Arabic speech and letters, the southwest. One is startled to learn that the which are spreading today in Africa. In Cape- base of this movement includes twelve countries town the Arabic character is used to print a Dutch where over ninety per cent of the population is (Afrikaans) commentary on the Koran!
Moslem: Morocco, Tunisia, Rio de Oro, Egypt, Islam's Advantages Libya, Tripoli, Mauritania, Zanzibar and British, French and Italian Somaliland. In these lands III. Islam has advantages because it offers the Islamic culture is dominant. Islamic ideals in- African entmnce into an exclusive cosmopolitan spire youth. The Koran has its way in primary brotherhood. education. In seven other countries fifty per cent The cosmopolitan character of the Islamic of the people are Moslem, namely, Algeria,Sene- brotherhood in Africa is emphasized by the use gal, Guinea, the Niger province, Northern Ni- of the same character in writing and the same geria, the Chad-district and Eritrea; while four speech in prayer and public worship. The wooden countries count over thirty-three per cent Moslem. slates in the hands of children at Fez, Timbuctu, The total Christian population of Africa both Mponda, Zanzibar,. Lagos, and Capetown, have Catholic and Protestant including Europeans, is the same copy and the same script: "Bismillahi- not over eleven million.* From these statistics ar-rahman-ar-rahim."
one can see that Moslem religious education, which Religious pride is the strength of Islam in begins with early childhood, has numerical advan- Africa, while racial pride is the peculiar weakness tage over the mission school. of Christianity in Africa. On these two state- II. The Arabic alphabet and language are still ments one could hang all the chapters of recent the vehicles of Islam in Africa. Louis Massignon religious unrest in the Dark Continent.
of the College de France points out that the so- The Mohammedan who witnesses for Islam has called close connection between "arabization and certain apparent advantages over the messenger islamization" is a false inference. The centers of of the Cross. He is in most cases a native of propaganda today in the world of Islam are in Africa and understands the language and habits non-Arabic-speaking lands. The Arab world is of its peoples. The ethnical gulf is not wide; and not exclusively Moslem, nor is the Moslem world the ethical gulf not deep. A government official specifically Arabic. Nevertheless, he admits that in Nigeria points out how the social ideals of in Africa, Arab influence is predominantly Mos- Islam help in winning native races to the accept- lem. And Cairo remains the center of this reli- ance of this new faith: gious propaganda. A letter just received states Polygamy has always been a rock, the wrecking rock, in that "eight of the best Arabic books published last the path of Christianity's advance amongst the native year were biographies of Mohammed and that the races in Africa. The pagans are polygamous, the Mohambroadcasting station of Cairo gives Koran selec- medans are polygamous, everybody accepts polygamy, entions twice a day and thrice on Sunday. Two dorses polygamy, practices polygamy-everybody, that is, thousand nominal Christians embraced Islam last except the Christians. year." The Moslem press was never more active and virulent toward Christianity in spite of its There are certain respects, indeed, in which own dissensions and disputes. Islam is a far better creed than Animism. Those who embrace its teaching make one great bound Tourists in Cairo seldom wander to what may forward and upward fr·om idolatry and its dark be called "Paternoster Row," the booksellers' degradation into the light of Islamic theism. In quarters. Here, near the Azhar University, piled some parts of Africa Islam has suppressed canhigh, you may see huge parcels of Arabic books nibalism and human sacrifice; it has removed addressed to Kordofan, Timbuctu, Capetown, some of the coarser features of priestcraft and Zanzibar, Sierra Leone, Mombasa, Madagascar. witchcraft. It has professed to enforce abstinence Islam pours out literature and extends the area of from strong drink and has generally succeeded. Arabic-literates every year! It has taught the sinfulness of gambling. It has inculcated the three positive duties of formal While at Zomba in Nyasaland, in 1925, I walked prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. some miles through the jungle to a Moslem village where I was expected to make an address through But on the negative side it produces a religious a Christian interpreter who spoke Yao. On ar- pride and arrogance that is characteristic of this rival, the courtyard before the mosque was faith everywhere. It has tolerated and encour.: crowded. I received a warm welcome, but never aged human slavery and worst of all by its theory used my Christian interpreter. The Imam and his and practice it has degraded womanhood. It also son had been to Mecca, spoke perfect Arabic, and gives a distorted view of Jesus and of Christianinterpreted for me into Yao. Islamic civilization ity. There is no hope for Africa in Islam; which is always a barrier and not a stepping stone to the • For detail see Zwemer's Across the World of Islam, pp. 188, 189. . Gospel message.
ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA TODAY
But today Christianity is gaining strength in A MOSLE"M MOSQUE" IN CAPE"TOWN every part of Africa. Islam is losing its former prestige and power; it no longer has the support Country Total Percentof Colonial governments it once had. Moreover Population Moslems age Islam only spreads but Christianity penetrates. French Guinea ……. . It creates new life and a new literature. Ivory Coast ………. . 2,095,988 1,600,000 70 Dahomey …………. . 1,724,545 The question is how can we develop a strong Haute Volta ………. . 189,699 11 Christian church on the border-marches of Islam? French Nigeria ……. . 979,609 Such a Church, indigenous to the soil, independent Liberia ………….. . 3,018,191 70,000 7 in its soul and awake to the call for immediate Gold Coast ……….. . 1,220,000 evangelism, would be irresistible. The Christian Togo ……………. . 1,700,000 444,000 15 Church of African birth already numbers nearly North Nigeria …….. . 1,500,000 four million and has peculiar qualities adapted to South Nigeria …….. . 1,032,000 952,000 78 this great task. What it needs is leadership. This Camerun …………. . 9,000,000 is especially true of the Coptic Christians. Oubangi-Chari …….. . 7,858,689 200,000 11 Among the special endowments of the Negro race Chad ……………. . 2,530,000 are a lively sense of God's personality and the ob- Nyasaland ……….. . 75,000 5 jective character of His manifestations; strong Union of South Africa 606,644 emotional experience; musical talent and the ex- Mozambique ………. . 1,271,371 30,000 3 pression of religion in song; social capacity and Madagascar ………. . • 1,218,238 sympathy; and an appreciation of authority. Reunion Island ……. . 5,973,394 Mauritius ………… . 3,120,000 If the Christian Church in Africa could be ZanziiJar …………. . 3,545,575 aroused to use these gifts in its present opportu- Tanganyika ………. . nity; be healed of its needless divisions (e. g., in Uganda ………….. . 173,000 South Africa); present a united front and pro- Kenya .. .. …. … …. . 385,000 claim a living Saviour, she would carry victory Italian Somaliland …. . 199,462 everywhere. Already ninety per cent of the edu- British Somaliland …. . 4,000,000 cational program for Africa south of the Sahara French Somaliland …. . 3,318,271 Eritrea ………….. . 2,500,000 IS in missionary hands. Every school produces Abyssinia ………… . 350,000 300,000 new readers; and they are all taught to read in 210,000 their own tongues the Book which is "as a hammer 406,000 and as a fire" to break down superstition and 8,000,000 kindle the flame of a new and purer life. The missionaries in Africa, and not Moslem dervishes, are laying the foundations of a literary education for the Negro races. In the schools of the Protestant missions in Africa there are nearly a million pupils – Christian, Pagan, Moslem children.
We must bring this glory and honor of all Africa into the New Jerusalem – the City of God.
5,855,000 64 Islam in Africa* 1,940,000 25 500,000 25 Total 25,000 5 Population country Percent- 920,000 72 6,063,496 Moslems age Algeria ………….. . 2,159,708 160,000 10 Tunisia …. . ……… . 4,750,000 5,174,872 82 Morocco ………….. . 1,932,184 93 45,842 1 Rio de Oro … …….. . 50,000 4,607,500 97 Egypt …………… . 14,186,898 60,000 2 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan . 50,000 100 Tripoli ………….. . 6,469,041 11,658,148 91 669,200 18 Barqa …………… . 569,093 Senussi Emirat ……. . 255,000 2,800,000 40 3,000 2 Mauritania ……….. . 20,000 553,081 91 Senegal ………….. . 261,000 252,450 99 44,955 11 French Sudan …….. . 20,000 100 1,318,287 254,000 99 199,462 100 2,737,119 915,000 68 684,280 25 400,000 10 600,000 20 1,000,000 40 350,000 100 300,000 . 100 210,000 100 • The following statistical summary is based on the best avail- 261,000 64 able sources. E"specially the Statesman's Year-Book and the "Anllualre du Monde Musulman" by Louis Ma88ignon, 1925 (E"rnest 3,000,000 37 Leroux, Paris) . The natural Increase of the population during the past ten years would make the total for all Africa over fifty-two 106,075,574 49,005,673 45 millions.
Ways of
'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home s. EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~,=,=============I~ AUTUMN GLEANINGS mated conversation about their ex- asking them to pick out all that per- periences on the field. Upon leaving tains to Africa – jewelry, automobile A tiny methods suggestion the train at Vacationland, strips of tires, dyes, ivory toilet articles and will often set your mind to work- items to be guessed are tacked on innumerable other items. ing to better purpose than a well rounded plan could do. Glance trees and shrubs, those guessing the Hold a combination home and forthrough these gleanings from greatest number aright being privi- eign meeting in which you consider many sources and find some- leged to sit in the Pullman section on "Africa in Africa and in America," thing which meets your mission the way oack. A variety of other feagroup's needs: showing how if you take "me" out of tures may be added. "America for Christ" you have "Af- List the new people in the autumn congregation. Invite them to your During the social period of a meet- rica for Christ" left. home for a "hobby party." After each tells what her pet avocation is, state ing, use African sayings as proverbs Sell "A Cure for the Blues" in pill that you have a friend whose hobby (see "Congo Crosses" for suitable or powder boxes, pricing them at $1.00 is missions and that you have asked quotations), shaking them out of a each and vending the wares either her to speak on the theme for a few among extension members (shut-ins minutes. Then reap a little harvest round box. of members for a missionary organization. One worker who tried this Have we any superstitions like those for various reasons) or at a public organized a young woman's mission- benighted Africans? Ask your audi- meeting. If the latter, have boxes ary society at the close. ence and hear their bombardment- opened simultaneously, but for the black cats, Friday, the thirteenth of former advise that they be not opened A unique birthday celebration is the month, throwing salt in the fire until an attack comes on. Sample furnished by having each member of after a "spill," seeing the new moon powder: "When you find yourself the missionary society bring in a new over the right shoulder, sitting 13 at getting blue, something for somebody member on her own birthday. As a else go do." In the open meeting, the wind-up, hold a birthday festival at table, etc., etc. leader announces after the opening, which such old members bring their new recruits and sit with them during Ask your librarian to let you consult "Now you are all cured of your 'blues.' an appropriate celebration. the National Geographic Magazine Here is a project list to choose your Don't allow offioes to become heredi- for June and July, 1935, when pre- work from." One organization netted tary. The speaker thus admonishing paring this year's foreign programs. $24.00 this way and doubtless hartold of a missionary society in which vested a goodly amount of fresh enan annual function was held wherein The numbers are full of maps and deavor besides. each officer had a candle lighted for pictures of Africa. everyone of her years of incumbency. (All the foregoing suggestions were One officer proudly stood in the glow Play the game of Who's Who, using of 35 candles! There was nothing in the names of Livingstone, Schweitzer, taken from methods .talks by Mrs. H. this organization for the younger etc., as found in current study books. M. Le Sourd at the Lakeside, Ohio, members to do. Death finally removed "Where's Where" may utilize geo- conference of Methodist Episcopal forthe president, but nothing ~uld re- graphical queries as, for instance, eign mission women of the Cincinnati move the others! "Lord, teach us to where is the only piece of African district.) resign !" land not held under a protectorate? The Men's Council of the Mondamin The late Mrs. Katherine Cronk said she had learned not to pray for more (Liberia.) "What's What" may deal Christian church, Des Moines, Iowa, is strength but for the ability to put 10 other people to work. with a 1936 model of something. A now three years old and has a mem- For a July meeting hold a train man and a woman may give a skit in bership of 60 men. It is divided into party for those who did not go away for a vacation. Arrange chairs with which the former says he is "not in- three sections, each of which holds a an aisle through the middle as in a railroad coach. Have missionary terested in missions." She may reply chapter meeting monthly. These men questions written on baggage or wrap checks. A fruit boy goes through the ruling out of his life all that comes cooperate with the Women's Council train, also a newsboy handling missionary magazines and other litera- from Africa, as material or finished in sponsoring an annual school of misture. Impersonators of missionaries sit as passengers and engage in ani- product-and he thus loses his tooth- sions. The men support home mis- brush, the piano keys, his auto which sion projects and have a budget for cannot run without rubber tires, his general missions. A similar Men's ring which containR hoth gold and a Council exists in the Osceola Christian diamond, his much-loved breakfast church at Osceola, Iowa. It holds cocoa and a hundred other items. monthly missionary meetings and sup- This is sure to affect the future mis- ports its definite piece of work on a sionary outlook. "How's How" may mission field. It was organized less deal with material on page 89 in "How than a year ago and has 20 members.
to Use" (booklet giving teaching- Thus are "the brethren" invading points for "Congo Crosses") – how some of the last territory formerly would you travel? etc. allocated to women!
"The Finding-Out Box," by Kath- "Sphinx" is the new game being erine Cronk, while written especially featured this year by northern Bap- for children, will give valuable ma- terial for the suggested skit. tists to combine missionary informa- tion and interest with entertainment Have a Newspaper Party, distrib- around the fireside, for Sunday after- uting newspapers to the members and noons at home, for Sunday school [542 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
classes, young people's groups, schools brought from the lawn of each signed their responsibilities and of missions, ch arch socials, men's classes, women's circles-yes, and pas- home represented among the 25 spent several weeks in study for tors' conferences! Someone chosen as their parts. Two girls in costhe Reader first reads aloud very children and five teachers, to tume met the guests as they ar- these being added soil contribu- slowly a list of 52 questions so that all tions from Sugar Loaf-a prom- rived: two others told stories to others – known as Listeners – will know beforehand what they are ex- inent hill often used in cere- show customs of the land and pected to remember. Next the Reader monials and local gatherings, the help Christianity has brought gives a booklet, "Developing Africa's from several of the Denison to them: a demonstration Chi- Riches in Christ" clearly and delib- University fraternity houses and nese school was conducted to the erately, this requiring 21 minutes. Sheets of the questions are then dis- from the grade school attended amusement of all present: Chitributed among the Listeners and they by the children. There were fill out all the answers they can in 10 further imbedded with the roots nese games were supervised by another pair of girls, while the minutes, each working independently. a clam shell from Rhode Island, remainder of the group served On the check-up, each one making 50 bits of granite from Massachu- the "tea" (chocolate milk in tea points is counted a Good Listener. A score ranging from 50 to 75 points is setts, a Texas centenary stamp, cups) and puffed rice balls. This marked "A Very Good Listener." shell money and a stamp from work has thrilled the girls and Over 75 points is counted "An Excep- the Belgian Congo, Africa, a bit I am sure their interest in the tional Listener." Figures in paran- of writing from India, a letter rest of the world is more pertheses after each question indicate the from Burma, stones from East sonal than it would have been in number of points to be awarded for and West China and tiny pieces a more formal method of study. correct answers. The questions cover of pottery from Mexico. Then the continent, the region in which the planting was consummated. MRS. H. E. BLOUGH. Baptists are working, the specific Though others will call it a for- Clear Lake, Iowa. missions, evangelism, education, med- sythia bush, the children will alical work, personnel and general in- FROM OUR LIBRARY formation. Booklet, question and an- ways refer to it as "Our World swer sheets may be obtained from The TABLE Woman's American Baptist Foreign Friendship Tree." See America First (Home Mission Mission Society or the American Bap- MRS. HELEN LEACH, tist Foreign Mission Society, 152 Madison Ave., New York City, for 5 Junior Superintendent. study): Sketch or cut out picture of cents to cover mailing. young woman seated in comfortable Lesson outlines on "Consider Af- A PLAN FOR INTER- chair reading a book. Print: "Travrica," as taught by their author at a MEDIATES eling via Arm-Chair De luxe at (time, Leadership Training Class at the date, place)." Draw map of states Winona Summer School of Missions A group of intermediate girls included in territory under consideramay be obtained from Mrs. Garret have been studying world fellow- tion. Print: "Come, Clasp Hands Hondelink, 417 Alexander St., Roch- ship indirectly. Meeting twice a with Some of Our Home Missionester, N. Y. Price, 10 cents plus 6 month they prepare handwork aries," adding place and date, this to cents for postage. These outlines for the primary classes, have be under large sketch of hands cover appropriate Scripture, clear demonstration lessons of meth- clasped across the map. analyses of the text, devices such as ods in primary teaching and do "check tests," "opinion tests," "true individual research w 0 r k in In the program, aim to get across and false tests," etc., and assignments world fellowship. The latter the spirit of the theme as well as the such as: Who has gained the most consists of projects, individually subject matter. Put over to those who from Africo-Western relations – the and as a group. During vaca- are to take part that they are taking black or the white man? Prove your tion Bible school a map of our a trip "staying at home." '" Make point. missionary fields was placed on seven books any size out of paste- the bulletin board with "The board. Paste between covers extra Do the happiness and well being of Hope of the World" mounted pages for pictures of scenes and mis- Africa mean anything to the rest of sionaries. U sing black ink, print the world? "See America First" on all of them in as large type as the size will allow. What can we do to help solve the Have girls prepare to give biographindustrial problem in Africa? ical sketches in their own words.
What effect if any will our dealings The setting is simple. A large slipwith Africa have on the attitude of above it. As the girls told stories covered chair from home or a big one Asia toward Christianity? from the church platform, covered Is education a blessing or a curse of the various fields they placed with a sheet or any gay, cool material representative pictures around will do. On a small table by the chair to the African. the map. It now stands to keep have pitcher of ice' water or lemonade. What kind of education does he the children interested in the A foot stool completes the furnishings. world children they met in the You may have enough chairs to go need? stories. around and let the girls stay in com- fort instead of leaving them when AN ADVENTURE IN A Chinese party was the through talking. Use large map and HORTICULTURE largest group project. The invi- point out places as they are men- tations were written on a piece tioned. Have enough reserve lemonade A "Friendship Tree" was to go around after the program.
planted last spring on the parish of paper folded and cut to repre- Devotional may be on "Christ the house lawn at the Baptist church sent a Chinese tea cup. The Missionary," as follows: in Granville, Ohio, this being the outside cover was decorated with First girl says "Christ was a misclimax of a year's mission study Chinese characters and the in- sionary to the poor when he opened the eyes of the blind beggar." Second by the juniors of the Sunday side contained the invitation in girl reads John 9: 1-7. First girl: school. A bag of dirt was jingle form. The girls were as- "Christ was a city missionary when
he taught in Samaria." Second girl the salvation of our countrymen-yes, the Burlington District in the Iowareads John 4: 39-42. First girl: "Christ was a missionary to the rich for the whole world. Des Moines conference. Its topics when he opened the spiritual eyes of Zaccheus." Second girl reads Luke Tonight we resume our journey were developed under the heads of "A 19: 1-10. First girl: "Christ was a through Home Mission fields by way Look at Ourselves," "Our Work," missionary on the cross to the robber of the arm chair, knowing that intiand his last commission was the Mis- mate stories of the missionarv friends "Our Purse," "Our Youth," "A Look sionary Commission." Second girl can be found on the page of a book Together," and "A Backward Look reads Mat. 28: 19, 20. Prayer for when to unearth them on a hurried missionary zeal. visit would be impossible. We shall for Forward Thinking." A pene- meet three of these friends and trating "Look at Our Embarrassing Leader introduces topic by remarks glimpse their fields. on interest of Americans in travel; Heritage" was taken by the local pasthe large number of Christian tourists Girls enter as before, one bearing girdling the world for and with God, tor. The session closed with the disstill others having been equally zeal- trict superintendent's message, "Look ous in their globe trotting; a majority, however, resorting to the very to the Light." pleasant method of arm-chair traveling. Advantages of this method- book on "Cuba, Island Queen," in simple, easy dress, a footstool, accessibility to cooling lemonade simply by orange ink, another with "OF Man MOTIVES OUTRANK raising one's arm to a tall pitcher River and the Chinese," in yellow ink. METHODS (pours sip of lemonade), ease with which mind can embellish details and the third with the name of a noted where fancy wishes, etc. Therefore we shall visit some of our Home Mis- itinerant missionary preacher and or- There are many missionary sion fields from inviting depths of the ganizer of Sunday schools. methods and many minor moslip-covered arm chair. tives, but there is only one su- Leader sums up the high lights of First speaker enters here carrying the journey and asks girls to pray for cardboard book with subtitle, "Indian the work and the workers to which the preme and compelling mission- Reservations" (or any desired desig- journeys have introduced them. nation) printed in red ink. Settles ary motive-the dynamic wantherself in chair, opens book and -Adapted from "The Window speaks, turning its pages as she pro- of Y. W. A.," August issue. ing which all else is vain. The gresses, as if actually reading. Gives thing that has most impressed colorful, informal sketch in tourist terms (as in a diary or travel note- Through Eye-Gate. It is note- me in the widespread discussion book) of journey through fields in worthy how much of the plat- of the future and predicted fate which her denomination has mission form work is now being done by of foreign missions is the failure work. Seems to see illustrations as means of demonstrations, vis- to mention the basic missionary the "reading" progresses. "Now if I ualizations and picturesque, motive upon which the whole were traveling in the West in any imaginative imagery. The fol- enterprise depends. We have other manner than Arm-Chair De luxe lowing glimpses taken from the been told repeatedly that the pro- I should not have had this detailed gram and policies of foreign misstory about so-and-so." summer and September numbers of "Woman's Home Missions" sions must be radically recon- Second speaker comes in with book will enable others still devoted structed if the enterprise is to whose subtitle is "Leading Sights in to the "call- a – spade – a – spade" French Louisiana," in purple ink. method to shape up their presen- survive and succeed. The mass Similarly sips lemonade and tells her tations more attractively: of critical opinion, much of it story. pessimistic in tone, has caused At a North Carolina meeting the de- no little disturbance of mind and In like manner as many "books." partment secretaries presented all reeach titled in appropriate color of ink, ports in demonstration form, closing loss of confidence on the part of are introduced by their readers as the with a play, "More Than a Name." many who do not know what to program is designed to cover. think. . . . By far the most im- The theme, "A Year of Vision," portant part, to my mind, is the Leader closes with remarks on the was carried through the program of call for a new emphasis on the delight of this method of travel and anticipation of another meeting of the a convention at Cozad, the devotions too often neglected and obscured same character. being under the title "Looking Up," missionary motive. Jesus Christ implanted this in the Great Traveling Home Mission Trails, for the financial report featuring "Look- Commission, and it is equally the ensuing meeting, follows a like ing at Our Business," the organizaform. Its devotional is on "Jesus Sets Forth His Life Principle"-Luke 4: tional describing "Looking at Our De- 17-19. This was to give life to the partments," others being "Looking at imperishable – one changeless poor, hope to the broken hearted, free- Our District," "Looking at the World dom to the enslaved classes, sight to of Our Auxiliaries," "Looking at God's thing in a changing world. . . .. the blind, a rich, full life to all, here Little Ones," etc. The round table He (the missionary) makes and hereafter. (In each case apply discussion was on "Looking at Our known a Saviour such as no the objectives to modern conditions, Problems." The closing address was other religion can offer. For such as folk crushed by our economic on the main theme. system, slavery to machinery, blind- Christianity alone offers in Jesus ness to one's own moral state, etc.) Another picturesque annual meet- For all our progress, world in much ing was conducted in Brooklyn (N. Y.) Christ the one Redeemer and the same condition as to its needs as South District with the topics center- personal Friend who not only rewhen Christ came-selfishness, wars, veals the Way of Life but who immorality, worldliness. Do we be- ing upon "Building" – "P I a n sand gives His disciples power to lieve there is still sin? Then we Specifications," "Foundation," "First should adopt the proclamation of the good tidings as a life principle for Floor," "Second Floor," "Roof," "Cu- walk in it. . . . While I have pola," "Weather Vane," "Pillars," "Garden," "Tools" and "Prospective thus purposely centered atten- Building." tion upon a single point, I am "Through the Looking Glass" fea- _not unmindful of the many ques- tured various actual kinds of glasses tions raised concerning neces- with which to view past, present and sary changes to meet new mis- future. sionary conditions. But when "Kaleidoscopic Views" was the title under which a district president gave all has been said the pivotal our annual address. thing is the motive.
"Through the Window" was the HOWARD B. GROSE, in subject used at the annual meeting of "Missions" Magazine. The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~~I~~~~~~========================~ "Thou Art the Christ, use throughout the year but -Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii especially preceding February the Son of the 12, 1937. Around the world creased by the number of Chris- there is now a fellowship of tians who anticipate the Day Living God" prayer among Christians who and by flexibility in plans. The have agreed to pray on each local World Day of Prayer Com- In 1920 the first Fri- Monday throughout the year for mittees should plan and secure day in Lent was se- the World Day of Prayer and material several months before lected for the "Day of the brotherhood of man. Will February 12. They should se- Prayer for Missions" you join through prayer either cure the participation of men when man y church as an individual or with a group, and women, young and old, and women of many de- which you may form? should not forget the children, nominations in Canada for "of such is the Kingdom of and the United States The picture on the program Heaven." A poster in every joined in com m 0 n and the poster for February 12, church, and every church open prayer. The Call to 1937, is a photograph of "the for meditation throughout the Prayer was sent out Easter Morning Cross," on top Day! A program for everyone by the national wom- of Punchbowl, the extinct crater participating would make pos- in the heart of Honolulu where sible extension of the influence en's missionary organ- hundreds of nationalities gather of the prayers for more than a izations, hom e and for worship early Easter morn- day. foreign. The theme ing. The World Day of Prayer prowas "The World to The program this year is pre- gram is secured and published Christ We Bring," and pared both for young people and each year by the Foreign Mis- adults. The program is to be sions Conference of Nor t h the Call was for meet- adapted to the community and America, 156 Fifth Avenue, ings to be held "in the persons attending the inter- New York City, and the Council cities, towns and vil- church meetings. The effective- of Women for Home Missions, lages, morning, noon, or in the ness of the observance is in- 105 East 22d Street, New York, evening, to ask God's mercy N.Y. upon the troubled and confused [545 ] nations." The thought of a day of prayer spread until at the request of far-away friends, the World Day of Prayer was first observed in 1927.
For the observance of the World Day of Prayer on the first Friday in Lent, February 12, 1937, the program was written by Miss Mabel Shaw, founder of the Livingstone Memorial Girls' Boarding School at Mbereshi, Kawamba, Northern Rhodesia, Africa. Miss Shaw went to Central Africa in 1915. She is the author of "God's Candlelights" (1935).
The program, "Thou Art the Christ, the Son of the Living God" is being used on the same Day in various forms in more than fifty countries.
Of the Call to Prayer over 500,000 will be distributed in the United States. These are for "Neither Lost Nor Stayed" Inner Strength fulfillment here and beyond our The National Kagawa Coordi- In a recent editorial of The ken. nating Advisory Committee with New York Times, "I nne r "Now we see in a riddle, but present headquarters at 285 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, Strength" was the heading of an then, face to face: now I know New York, has issued Discovery, article beginning wit h the in part; but then shall I know A Manual of Prayer for the fully even as also I was fully Kingdom of God. "That cause words, "In a jittery world." The can neither be lost nor stayed" content was a report of the "Sec- known. is a Danish hymn, included in the manual, which emphasizes retary of State, Mr. Hull's re- "Trinity in Midsummer" the truth that "each noble service that men have wrought was strained and thoughtful address Please turn to The New first conceived as a fruitful before the Good N e i g h b 0 r Yorker of August 29 and read thought" ; and "each worthy League." The purpose of this for yourself the eight-column recause with a future glorious, by statement is to indicate the sig- port of the Sunday morning quietly growing becomes vic- nificance to the country of "inner services on a midsummer day in torious." Hence no storm can strength" which was defined as old Trinity, Wall Street. You dismay one's faith in the harv- requisite in a people if their gov- will find that St. Clair McKelest, and the scattering of thou- ernment is to have a satisfactory way did not just go "look-see," sands of seeds, nor is any cause foreign policy. The qualities re- but he stayed through the servlost "which takes the course of quired are "patience, sympa- ices and describes the members what God has made." thetic understanding, s tea d y of congregation and reports the poise, and ass u red inner hymns and sermon and lingers Dr. Kagawa's vision of world- strength" which the editor said later to secure accurate inforwide economic reconstruction are demonstrated in Mr. Hulls mation, so that what he wrote through Christian brotherhood, own personality. or economic cooperatives rein- might be true. Though only forced by religious spirit, won the continuing interest and serv- eighty – five worshipers we r e ice of many Americans. The manual, Discovery, uses an ad- The Fellowship of Action present and not any "whom you dress of Dr. Kagawa which deals would call young," he makes with the way to put this plan Who are these that go about clear that "the services at Trininto action beginning with directed prayer. the streets of the city and upon ity Church are continued with- As a part of the follow-up pro- the paths of the world? The out interruption throughout all gram to conserve and further develop the impress of Kagawa Word of God is in their mouths, the months of the year, the only in this country, C h r i s t ian s should study courses, as Carl the bread in their hand, they change in the summer being the Hutchinson's Seeking a New World through Cooperatives. It share, they bind up the wounded omission of the sermon on Suncosts but twenty-five cents and is available at the Methodist and comfort them that mourn. day afternoons. There are five Book Concern, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York. Who are these? services every Sunday and four Literature and bibliographies These are the stewards of the every week-day, at all of which should be selected and placed at the disposal of church leaders. loving-kindness of God, and the everyone is welcome and the The best introductory pamphlet costs but ten cents; it is A day laborers in his Kingdom. pews are free. This church is Prayer for Consumers by Dr. B. Y. Landis, Association Pre s s. They are the harvesters of here to serve all those who have The Cooperative League, 167 children, the saviors of the sick, need of it." West 12th Street, New York City, has excellent material and theconsolers of the desperate, One of the mission children information concerning cooperatives. the friends of the prisoner and was baptized after the services.
Here is a call to Christian peo- the family of the poor. The curate knew the name of the ple everywhere to come alive to the possibilities at hand for a They are of every race and child, who was "from a family new world order, and a new interpretation of the Lor d's every tongue, and they are un- of the parish." The phrase, "a Prayer. destructibly one. mission for the people of the They are the pioneers of peace parish," catches the imagination.
and the fellows of Christ in ac- Surely that seems to be missions, tion. – Jean Kenyon Mackenzie, beginning at home. You may in "Women and Missions" (Pres- not enjoy all that you find in the byterian, U. S. A.), October, article but the moral of the tale 1930. is clear, if one wishes to find it.
Jean Kenyon Mackenzie, Ed- And the old couple who knelt mund B. Chaffee, Fred B. Smith, all during the service, the vestry- S. Parkes Cadman, and others of man with the large white mus- our fellowship, leaders in real- tache who attends almost every izing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Sunday, the colored clergyman have recently joined the host of – pleased with his interview with God's children active in other the curate, the gentle-looking realms of the Kingdom of God. man dressed "g r a vel y – for Like the ascension of Jesus, our church," the boy sopranos, the Lord and Master, their going Japanese observer-all these in- from our midst leaves us griev- cluding the reporter himself ing and yet, wondering over the make a good company, for whom Glory of the Light shown in life's the Church exists.
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OU£M!~r~~:!~:cu~~!~Ok I EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO ==================================~~~ WESTERN ASIA curing that native Christian that the "untouchable" exodus leadership which is the out- .from Hinduism has not "been Leper Home in Jerusalem standing need of every mission worked up but has grown out, The enmity between Jew and Arab in Palestine has not af- field. inspired by God. It is the outfected the Leper Home. But both nurses and patients keep as growth of Christian missions." much as possible within the boundaries of the home, on ac- INDIA, SIAM AND And a writer in the Indian Witcount of the danger of riots. CAMBODIA ness says: "God is in it. Let us Extensive building in suburban Jerusalem has led to an Plea for Unity be careful lest we thwart God's offer being made for the site of will and God's way of bringing the home, with the suggestion of a new site on the road from One of the strongest pleas for India to Himself by our fears, Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The union which has yet been voiced our hesitations, our delays." matter has not yet been decided. is the appeal of 163 missions in One significant outcome is a -Moravian Missions. India for some form of church "Youth Movement" among un- unity. Missionaries on the field touchables. In certain places, Changing Thought in Iran declare that only a united youth have collected and burned The Bishop of Iran writes in Church can hope to win India sacred books to show their con- The Life of Faith of radical for Christ. The appeal points to tempt of Hinduism. changes that had taken place during his year's absence. Most the slow progress which Chris- Without any knowledge that striking of all he found, upon tianity has made in India, where, this secession from Hinduism his return, women sharing in after two centuries of mission- was coming, Miss Clementina the family and social life of the ary effort less than two per cent Butler, a former Methodist miscountry almost as if it had been their normal habit from the be- of the population is Christian. sionary, had 18,000 prints of ginning. Husbands and wives "The Good Shepherd" ready for come together when invited to a The denominational differences distribution among these shephome. herdless people. Through her which may have significance to initiative a committee has been "Corresponding with these the Western churches are not changes one is conscious of a even understood by native Chris- formed in America to produce change of thought and attitude. tians, and serve only to confuse It is hard to define exactly what them. The presence of mission- the inexpensive chromo picture it is, but it is perhaps a sense of aries of the different denomina- -dear to the Indian heart-porfreedom and of satisfaction at tions raises the question in the traying scenes from the Gospels; accomplishment of what many mind of Indian Christians why evidence, as one of the workers of the more advanced and these groups worship the same said, that God has His own calthoughtful have for some time God, yet remain apart from each endar. felt to be a necessary reform. . . . I am full of admiration other. The break-up of Indian at the way in which these great religions and the mass movement Christian "Mela" Sets a Goal social reforms have been introduced." among the depressed classes who The annual Christian mela of are turning toward Christian In Teheran, the bishop sees missions for social and spiritual Belgaum District brought tosigns of a movement among the emancipation, the impatience of gether representatives from 21 more thoughtful, educated men Christian youth in India at what Christian villages of the district, to study Christianity. If this they consider narrow restricmovement spreads to other tions of official Christianity are who came filled with zeal to towns and is fostered and deep- make the mela a success. Reened it may prove a means of se- other arguments offered by the vival meetings were conducted missionaries who plead for per- by a young Christian sadhu, mission to form a union among with the result that many were themselves, without separating greatly strengthened. A magic from their various mot her churches in the West. lantern lecture was given on the Life of Christ, and pictures of -Christian Observer. prominent I n d ian Christian leaders and of village improve- Reaching the Untouchables ment schemes were shown. The following aims were set Dr. Murray Titus, a Methodist for next year: village Christians missionary in North India, says and the workers to become per- [ 5471
sonal soul-winJ?-ers; to sell.more uncanonical interpolations or er- mixed European and Singhalese or Indian parentage. His son, G.ospels; to buIld churches III the, roneous transcription, as in the Arnold Paynter, is continuing vIlI~ges, to see th~t regular o~- case of suttee. Meanwhile, as this task and now has about 80 gcoanmdzuecd~,edsyasttemevaetrIcy worshIp IS the legal approach is at best young people in the orphanage place with uncertain, Christian preaching and homes at Nuwara Eliya, solemmty and rev~renc~. Ceylon. Here the boys were and teaching on this evil must taught the building trade, while -Ind7an Wttness. continue. the . girls learned gardening, cookmg and domestic duties. Christian College Jubilee In the Kond Hills Such work cuts across a 200- year-old tradition, for hitherto Isabella Thoburn College, the A hundred years ago nothing it was an unheard-of thing for first college for women in all was known about the people in E.urasians to labor with their the Kond Hills, although they hands. Later, the problem arose Asia, is celebrating its fiftieth" as to the future of these young year. The enrolment this year were on the map, some 400 miles people and it was decided to is the largest in its history, but southwest of Calcutta. It was form a colony on the slopes of the fact that it is only 188 is in- only when the ruler of a small the Himalayas. Accordingly in dicative that only a small per native state, having refused to 1~32 Mr. Paynter set out, with cent of India's girlhood have as pay his taxes, took refuge among SIX young people between the yet the opportunities, or the the Konds, that these people ages of sixteen and eighteen, on a 2,000-mile journey to the expreparation for college. In fact came into notice. While seeking treme north of India, where they only 2% of India's women ove; the offending rajah, government have established themselves in a twenty can read or write. As six-roomed house, built by their yet it is difficult, however, to find officials learned the terrible con- own inexperienced hands. At ditions a~ong the Konds,-hu- first they subsisted on fish, game openings for the graduates aside man saCrIfice of the most ghast- and wild fruit. As more colofrom the teaching and medical ly sort, infanticide and degraded nists arrived the government professions. Some have mar- heathenism. The British Gov- granted additional land. Two ried men of wide influence. One ernment at once took steps to weddings have taken place, and of last year's graduates is Y. W. stop these inhuman customs thus the young people are set- and after some years succeeded tling down in their new homes, C. A. secretary in Calcutta. Sev- in doing so. But except in so far removed from their former eral graduates are full members far as they have come under the temptations and handicaps. All of the Lucknow Conference. influence of missionaries, these were won to Christ before going to the Himalayan colony. Fam- Child Marriage people are today much the same ily prayer is held morning and as they were a century ago. evening, and there is also a serv- ice on Sunday mornings. Spir- It is more than sixty years They are still animists, and ituality is a marked feature of therefore live in constant fear the life of the colony. The work since Malabari, Parsee reform- of evil spirits. has received the highest com- mendation from Government ofer, introduced a bill to deal with The British Missionary Soci- ficials, and from leaders of the ety is the only organization at chief missionary societies. The child marriages. When nearly work among them. In the very Secretary for Ceylon believes it grove where human sacrifices to be the solution to the problem accepted it had to be withdrawn were formerly offered there now of Eurasians in Ceylon, and stands a Christian church. There many Anglo-Indians in India. to placate Hindu opposition. A is the beginning of a Christian literature, including a hymn -The Christian. Miss Sorabji in a letter to the book. There are eleven schools Is Tibet Going Modern? London Times, sets forth some wit h twenty-nine Christian Even in Tibet conditions are of the grave difficulties that teachers, and over 700 scholars looking up. The town of Lhasa in attendance. G 0 v ern men t is now lig~ted by electricity, inwould arise even if amending gives grants-in-aid while at the stalled entIrely by Tibetan elec-" same time allowing absolute tricians. A not her recent legislation to make the 1929 Act freedom in regard to religious achievement is the completion teaching. A number of young of the whole Bible in the Tibetan effective were placed on the language, a task of thirty years' men trained in the mission are duration. It is the work of a statute book. The difficulties teaching in government schools. succession of missionary schol- At present there is a Christian embrace such points as these: community of over 2,000.
how could such legislation be en- -The Christian.
forced by police methods? How could reliable evidence of age be secured? How could evidence of intended marriages be ob- tained. Miss Sorabji considers that the only possible sound re- form must come hferocomopewriatthiion~ and that without t of the Hindu priests little can be done. She suggests that San- Eurasians in Ceylon skrit scholars should be set to work upon textual examination A few years after his arrival of the Hindu religious books in in India in 1882, a young Eng- the expectation that the doctri- lishman, Arthur Pay n t e r, nal sanction of child-marriage founded the India Christian Mis- can be found to be based upon sion on behalf of children of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ars, with the invaluable aid of a and helps with the Bible teach- missionary careers in China was Tibetan Christian pastor of the ing in the schools. He has also that of Dr. Rosewell H. Graves, Moravian Church. made eighteen tours to more dis- of Baltimore, who reached Can- tant places with gratifying re- ton in 1856, and stayed by his Open Hearts in Cambodia sults. Trips to nearby places post for fifty-six years. He was out of the city are made regu- a physician by t r a i n i n g, a Though the doors are still larly with members of the VOl- preacher of note, a litterateur closed in Cambodia, the Holy unteers. They go out somewhere and translator of outstanding Spirit is at work. Last summer every week, and always have a ability, and laid the broad an elderly Cambodian came to good hearing. During the year foundations of the work in and the home of Rev. F. C. Peterson 5,553 Scripture portions have around Canton, w her e the in Kompong Trach, to learn been sold, the income being some Graves Theological Seminary about the Gospel. From his lit- seventy-five ticals. The "market and the Graves Memorial Church tle hut in the rice field he had chapel" is kept open as a read- are named in his honor. walked about four miles in the ing room, and attracts many hot sun, seeking peace of heart. young people. The Southern Baptist Board As a Buddhist priest, he had has extended its efforts into gone through all the rites of Work in the two schools has Shantung, Anhui and Honan, Buddhism, and now after nearly gone on most favorably. There and the Northern Baptist work seventy years spent in that reli- has been no trouble with the has reached out into far away gion, he still lacked what he new government regulations Szechuan. Baptist C h u r c h sought. A few years ago, he said, and the standard of work has members in more than half the his son had bought a "heart improved, as well as the attend- eighteen provinces of China, tract" in Takeo, and after read- ance. number not less than 70,000. ing this, he concluded it con- Two institutions have been fostained the message for which his Dr. Boon Itt was asked to tered jointly by the Northern heart was longing. It was no teach in an Institute for Doc- and Southern boards – the Unieasy matter to give up Buddhism tors which was held for fifteen versity of Shanghai and the as error, and turn to a new mas- days in Pitsanuloke. All the China Baptist Publication Soter. Finally the Holy Spirit won government doctors in the coun- ciety. The English Baptist Misthe victory. It was a joy to kneel try gathered for instruction. sion cooperates in the work of with him and point him to Christ Two high government medical Shantung Christian University, who takes away the sins of the officers have visited the hospital and the Northern Society in the world. and expressed satisfaction at West China Christian Univer- the work being done. Regular sity in Szechuan. It has been a joy to watch this days for visitors have been arman grow in the knowledge of ranged, and many have taken ARTHUR R. GALLIMORE. God. He sits down with his New advantage of this and given Testament and reads many chap- money to help in the work. The Government Asks for ters at a time. He witnesses hospital is full to overflowing, Missionaries faithfully in his village and ex- and the table of statistics for the pects many others there to turn medical work indicates an in- The National Christian Counto the Lord ere long. He is faith- crease along almost every line of cil of China asks for a hundred ful in walking the long distance treatment. -Siam Outlook. missionaries to work with boys to our home for prayer meeting and girls of the Government and Bible instruction. We were CHINA AND MANCHURIA schools. They are promised unhappily surprised the other day bounded opportunities outside of to hear him quote from memory Century of Baptist Missions school hours for guiding youth many verses from the Bible. Re- in their recreation, their adjustcently some Buddhist priests Baptists are this year com- ments and life. came to visit us while he was memorating the hundredth annihere; it did our hearts good to versary of the beginning of their Rural reconstruction has passhear him preach the Gospel to mission in Macao. It was in ed the experimental stage and them with no uncertain sound. reality an outgrowth of William has become a national movement. Carey's mission to India in The Christian Far mer has -Alliance Weekly. 1792, in the support of which 40,000 readers and 2,000,000 Baptists in America found an people come under its influence Work in Siam Goes Forward outlet for their missionary zeal. and mass education movement is Carey had felt, when his son preparing thousands to read. The Home Mission Committee went to Rangoon, Burma, that of the National Church of Siam this might be the precursor of an This Year's Famine now has the oversight of all entrance into China. Macao, in work done in Pitsanuloke sta- 1836, was a flourishing Portu- There is famine every year in tion. Aside from his regular guese Colony. Later, in 1843, some part of China. This year duties as pastor of the church, medical work under the Baptist it is affecting 30,000,000 people Rev. Seng Saa Chairatana does Board began in Ningpo. in Szechuan and Honan provreligious work in the hospital inces. Repeated floods and un- One of the most remarkable usually dry summers, and at-
tacks of Chinese Communist walls bare, so things suggestive JAPAN-CHOSEN soldiers bring about this condi- of the Christian life are substi- Nation-Wide Evangelism tion. Starving parents in some tuted. It is important that a cases have sold their children to Christian atmosphere be cre- A Commission on nation-wide buy food. Dogs and cats have ated in the home. After these evangelism has completed its orlong since been eaten, and it is preliminaries, an altar is set up ganization, and is asking Chrisreported that some of the na,tives in the guest room and a service tians throughout the empire to have resorted to cannibalism. is conducted, with an appropri- remember this movement in This section of China in previous ate talk to the family and their morning devotions, and years has had plentiful crops. friends who have assembled for also to organize groups which In some sections more than 70 the occasion. Bible women visit will undergird this evangelistic per cent of the towns and vil- in these homes as often as pos- effort with a volume of united lages have been destroyed by the sible and try to carryon a defi- prayer. A budget of 5,000 yen Chinese Communist soldiers, nite program of instruction for has been adopted for the present who are, themselves, starving the women. Families are urged year. It is hoped that during the since no government is back of to attend the short term schools, first year of the movement spethem. -Watchman-Examiner. to become familiar with Bible cial campaigns may be conducted ideals. -The Living Church. in the empire's six major cities "Normal Contagious" – Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Changsha reports an analysis Inspection Trip in Manchuria Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe-and in six of church membership wherein near-by cities. members are classified as "in- Rev. Charles Leonard of the active," "active but ineffective" Southern Baptist Mission, sta- -World Outlook. and "normal contagious." The tioned at Harbin, after a tour of church officials are working def- mISSIOns located at Mishan, Christianity on the Increase initely to bring a larger propor- Tungning, Suifenho, Lishuchen, tion into the "normal conta- and other points in the large Dr. Kagawa declares that gious" group. Inactive members area east of Harbin, reported Christianity is on the increase are sought out and followed up. that said area has suffered more in Japan. As proof he cites the For the "active but ineffective," than any other during these past doubling of the Christian comdirect challenge is made for few years from bandi.try. For munity in the last ten years, the deeper personal Christian liv- three hundred miles it is moun- phenomenal growth of the deing, with more time taken for tainous, wild country, in much mand for Christian literature, prayer and Bible study. Mean- of which roving bands of robbers the conversion of leading govwhile the "contagious" Chris- have held sway for many years. ernment officials, including memtians, perhaps simple country Following the change of govern- bers of the nobility, and the fact women, perhaps highly educated ment numerous trains we r e that the indigenous religions are university men, continue about wrecked and looted; villages increasingly influenced by Christheir Father's business of mak- burned, homes destroyed; thou- tianity. Buddhists have adopted ing Christ known to all with sands killed; garrisons, groups Christian hymns, frequently use whom they come in contact. and individuals kidnapped and the Bible and are introducing tortured. At present, however, the cross into their temples. -Monday Morning. conditions are improving. As re- gards Lishuchen, Rev. Leonard – Watchman-Examiner. "Cleansing Services" states that this coal-mining town Open Door Clubs Sixteen groups of students "When a family becomes in- has its own railway line, over have organized "Open Door terested in Christianity and which many have come these Clubs," each with its own offiwi she s to affiliate with the past several years to push their cers and staff. The regular pro- Church," writes an Episcopal way as settlers into the farthest gram includes a study of various missionary at Changshu-Ku, "we steppes of northeast Manchuria. phases of religion, prayer, Bible, go to the home and hold what During past years two Russian worship. Nearly every group we call a cleansing service. All Baptist families connected with meets once a week. Out of these the idols, superstitious pictures, the mines had assisted in raising meetings have come some sigetc., are carried out and burned, funds for purchase of a place for nificant and hopeful things. even the ancestral tablets are Chinese and Russian evangelistic Members spread the news and removed. In place of all these meetings at the coal-mine town. recently a new g r 0 U P was are installed things of a Chris- But as these Russians have left, formed. Twenty-six young men tian nature; a picture of Christ one family migrating to Brazil- came at once asking to be led in . occupies the most important with other Russian Protestant Bible study. Only two of the position on the wall; then there families, and the town proper, group had ever seen a Bible beare pictures illustrating family Lishuchen, having grown, it has fore, but all were eager to know unity, and attractive scrolls been decided to move the meet- its contents. Students and fac- with Scripture passages written ing place into the heart of said ulty members of the Imperial on them. We must not leave the town. -China Weekly. University are being reached
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
and are becoming interested. men, unmarried, banded to- the other hand, if the bride is One recently came asking for help and saying that unless he gether in Francis of Assisi fash- lazy, or in other ways unsatiscould find the thing he needed in Christ, he would have to com- ion, supported by a peach factory, she may be sent back to mit suicide. He found what he sought and left with courage orchard, and preaching the Gos- her people; and the purchase great enough to face his problems. pel. A furniture factory was price must be refunded. Since, -The Presbyterian Banner. found unprofitable but they are however, the money has prob- Suicide "Specialist" now tearing away the earth ably been divided among many, Japan has a "Suicide Preven- from the side of a sheer preci- some ill-feeling is engendered tion Society," with a suicide clinic, under the direction of a pice and filling in a barren salt and the girl falls into disfavor. man known as "the suicide specialist." This new society seeks field, in the hope that when their' Responsible relatives train both the establishment of proper institutions for the prevention of arduous task is finished they youths and girls in the obligaself-destruction, to sponsor investigations, to publish litera- may raise rice, settle down and tions of marriage. ture on the subject, and show motion pictures. A memorial marry and preach the Gospel to -The Australian Missionservice for the young men and women who have committed that area of the Inland Sea as- ary R.eview. shiniu or love suicide together was held in July. It is estimated signed to Baptists. These men that 20,000 persons commit suicide annually in Japan. are not yet bapti~ed, but they are Sunday Schools in Fiji -Alliance Weekly. ready to enter the church at any Rev. H. Chambers, of Davui- time, and have been doing mis- levu, Fiji, says that this field has United Children's Service sionary work for a long time. the largest Missionary Training Christ Church, Yokohama, re- Anglican World Conference Institution in the South Pacific. cently held a united service for It comprises five institutions, Sunday school children. In addition to the children from this The first world conference of namely, the Theological Instituchurch, there were present more Anglican churchmen in Asia is tion, the Village Pastor Trainthan 200 children from Yoko- to be held in Tokyo in May, ing Institute, the Teacher-Trainhama Union Church, St. An- 1940. The date has been set to ing Institute, the District 'Boys' drew's Japanese Church, Yoko- coincide with the international Technical School, and the Prihama Chinese Church and the exposition now announced by mary School. Sunday school Kawasaki Anglican Church. At Japan to commemorate the must be written in the plural, one point in the service a Jap- 2,600th anniversary of the for- for the Sunday schools at Davuianese girl, a Chinese boy and an mation of the empire and to per- levu are as numerous as its insti- American girl read Gospel pas- mit attendance of about 200 tutions, with one in additionsages. The address by Bishop bishops of North and South the Kindergarten. A Prepara- Heaslett was given in alternate America who will be going to tion Class is held on Friday Japanese and English. London to attend the Lambeth nights, when the lesson is given Conference, called every ten verbally, after which the full The collection went toward years by the Archbishop of Can- notes which have been put up providing a place for Christian terbury. Plans are being made on the blackboards earlier in the worship in Sanjo. to accommodate 1,000 church- day, are copied by the teachers. men. -The Living Church. -The Australian Mission- Self-Supporting Evangelists ary Review. Rev. H. O. Sisson, writing for the Watchman-Examiner, gives ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC Bible Study in the Philippines a striking example of self-sacrificing leadership in Japan's In- Defense of a Native Custom Two or three years ago about land Sea where the barren hill- 210 high school students enrolled sides are so valuable that they Students of social customs in a six months' course Bible are terraced all the way to the among primitive peoples find study and 120 received the Suntop to produce what slim crops that some ideas, repellant to the day School Union diploma. This are possible. Here he found ten casual observer have a useful year three new features have purpose. For example, when a been introduced: the study is man buys his wife the "pur- made intensive by meeting from chase" is the very thing which three to five times a week; prevents his abusing her. The teachers went to the pupils' price is a guarantee of good homes, instead of asking them faith since, after marriage, if to come to the school, and gen- the young man is cruel to his eral courses have been offered in wife, she returns to her people; addition to technical stu d y. but the youth's relatives cannot, There were 300 students en- under the circumstances, de- rolled. About 225 completed mand the return of the payment. their studies and took the exam- Since economic sanctions make ination; 190 passed. Next year remarriage difficult for the di- it is planned to have four or five vorcee, the bridegroom is en- three-week periods of Bible couraged to behave with consid- study. eration towards his wife. On
Oannibals Learn Gospel Songs Interracial Relations; W 0 rId There are in the United States Relationships; the Church; and 8,676,000 Catholic youth under twenty- A group of cannibals heard the Church's Adult Program. five years of age, and of this number the Gospel for the first time on only 1,870,000 are enrolled in any a recent Sunday afternoon when The conference was called by parochial or other religious school three canoes arrived at the "Unevangelized Fields Mission" sta- the committee on religious edu- under the auspices of the Catholic tion in Papua, containing nearly cation of adults of the Interna- Church. So 78.4 per cent of the youth forty of these men, who ex- tional Council of Religious Edu- of the Catholic Church are not being plained by interpretation that cation. they had come to sell sago, and reached by the Church. There are in not to fight. They then told the -The Presbyterian Banner. missionary that they wanted a the United States 1,630,000 Jewish teacher, and were willing to children under twenty-five years of build a house if one would come. They remained one night, and age, of which number 1,543,000, or the opportunity was taken to 95.2 per cent, are not enrolled in any teach them some choruses, "Yes, Mobilizing Spiritual Forces Jewish synagogue or other educational Jesus loves me," and "All the way to Calvary, He went for The National Committee for agency under the auspices of the me." This tribe, living 200 miles Religion and Welfare Recovery Jewish Church. There are in the from the mission station, fre- United States 42,891,825 children who quently raids other villages for consists of more than four hun- are Protestant, or nominally Protheads and food. estant, under twenty-five years of age, dred leaders from the major re- and of this number 28,529,950, or 66.5 -The Christian. per cent, are not enrolled in any Sun- ligious faiths, and includes 61 day school. Netherlands Mission bishops, Catholic and non-Cath- olic, 65 pastors, priests and In twelve separate fields Gos- rabbis, 25 college presidents or Put this alongside the statepel work is being carried on by other educators and 143 national ment of Supreme Court Justice the Netherlands East Indies officers of church and benevolent Lewis L. Fawcett, of Brooklyn, Mission. Mr. R. A. J affray re- boards, in addition to a consider- with eighteen years of experiports great blessing in the four ence on the bench, that "Of 5,000 fields in Borneo, where no fewer able number of laymen. than 8,000 Dyaks have come to The program is educational boys less than twenty-one years Christ. Nearly 100 students and cooperative but not adminis- old who have been arraigned behave recently entered the Bible trative. Emphasis is placed fore me, only three were mem- School, and many are already upon the efficiency of existing bers of Sunday school at the occupied winning souls. The re- church and welfare agencies, time of committing their crime. maining eight fields of the mis- without any attempt to create a Of 1,092 boys who were sension present a more. difficult superorganization or federation. tenced to go to Sunday school problem, for Mohammedanism The Committee calls all church and bring a written attendance is strongly entrenched in them members and sympathetic citi- report from the minister, only all, and there are millions of peo- :?ens to rededicate both life and ninety-two of them ever apple in the islands to whom no substance to the service of God peared in court again; out of missionary has yet been sent. and their fellowmen, and to 1,092, 1,000 were cured by the recognize that the recovery of Sunday school treatment. -The Christian. material prosperity will avail Pioneers of Today NORTH AMERIOA little without sound foundations United Adult Movement of religious faith and unselfish A newly appointed worker in Over two hundred leaders in moral purpose. Idaho describes the situation he special fields of adult activity, pastors, religious education spe- A Ohallenge to Every found: cialists, and delegated lay work- Oommunity ers, assembled recently at Lake In the presbytery the population is Geneva, Wisconsin, to confer so scattered and so transient that in upon a proposed plan of work through nine commissions cov- "If you were to make a house- many large sections there are no minering: Personal ReI i g i 0 u s isters, no Sunday schools, and no re- Growth; Christian Home and to-house canvass of your com- ligious teaching of any kind. There Family Life; Education, Character and Community Life; Eco- munity," says a writer in the is only one resident minister in the nomic Life; Leisure Time and Christian Observer, "you would Cultural Life; Inter-Group and perhaps discover that the great large county of Owyhee, a Congrega- majority of the children of your tional minister with a small church. Every school in this county is a one- teacher school. In the county of own community were not in Sun- Boise there is but one resident min- day school." ister, and he is blind. There is no minister in the county seat. In the There is a challenge in the county of Elmore there are many towns with no Sunday school. statement that nineteen out of every twenty Jewish children under twenty-five years of age It is difficult to organize Sun- are not enrolled in any Jewish- day schools because the adults.
school; that three out of every have not had religious training, four Roman Catholics of the and are not prepared to fill places same age are not in any Catholic of leadership. Through leader- school; and two out of every ship-training co u r s e s in the three Protestants of the same points he can reach, this mis- age are not in any Sunday sionary hopes to develop leaders school. To go more into detail: who will become interested in
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Sunday school organization, and period of four years will be position to the ecclesiastical auhungry for a knowledge of the 1,000,000 such donors or a total Bible. -Presbyterian Banner. of $12,000,000 a year. thorities is unquestioned, do not Bible Society's New Home Methodists will seek to relate hesitate to deplore a system of the life of their church to social After occupying the old Bible and economic problems besetting education which ignores the res- House on Astor Place, New York modern civilization. They will City, for eighty-three years the also seek to deepen the personal thetic and spiritual needs of American Bible Society is now piety of Methodists. located in a new home at the humanity. corner of Park Avenue and -Presbyterian Tribune. Fifty-seventh Street. The six- A sign that the Government is story building, purchased in Staff Increased at Sage 1935, has been altered to pro- Hospital feeling secure in its position is vide for the Society's activities in supplying Scriptures through- Sage Memorial Hospital at the fact that President Cardenas out the world. It gives accom- Ganado, N. M., is the only Indian modations to the retail store of hospital in the Southwest fully has recently authorized the rethe Eastern Agency, as well as accredited this year by the offices and storage space. There American College of Surgeons. opening of certain Cat hoI i c is on exhibition a large illumi- The recent addition of two docnated world map showing the tors to the staff has made it pos- Churches which were closed by location of all the Society's home sible to add a regular full time and foreign agencies, a twenty- program to the pioneering field order of President Calles in one foot chart containing the work reported for the first time names of the 972 languages and a year ago. Each doctor in ro- 1934. -World Survey. dialects into which the Scrip- tation has spent his entire time tures have been translated, and for a month in field visitation, Christian Literature in Mexico electrically lighted dioramas pre- clinics and examination and senting the work of translation treatment of children in the In Mexico, crisis means, as the and distribution in for e i g n eight Government day schools Chinese say, "both danger and lands. The building will be for- within a twenty-five mile radius opportunity." Political movemally dedicated in November. of Ganado. This service is ex- ments are producing a wholly ceedingly important from the unexpected interest in the Chris- For the past eighty-three point of view of remedial and tian message in its bearing on years the output of Scriptures preventive health work. It gives social and economic problems. from the old Bible House has the mission contact with many In 1931, the Christian literature been enormous. The volumes families not reached through publishing interests were "at the printed, purchased or imported any other activities. Another bottom." Now the union pubthat passed through the Bible new service this year is a per- lishing agency under Baez Cam- House in the past eighty-three manent dental clinic. The School years to December 31, 1935, the of Nursing, the only training argo is meeting with remarkable grand total was 134,179,512, or school for Indian nurses in the success. The v 0 I u m e "Has at a rate of about three every country, continues to grow in Science Discovered God?" has minute, night and day. popularity and range of influ- been avidly read. Atheistic and ence. Started in 1930, and now communistic literature has flood- Methodists Seek $12,000,000 fully accredited by the American ed this and other Latin Amer- Medical Association and the Na- ican countries, but minds are Methodist leaders met in Evan- tional League of Nursing Edu- open, and there is a demand for ston, Ill., July 8th, for "The cation, it enrolled this year nine- such books as "Christ and Hu- WorId Is My Parish" movement, teen students from twelve dif- man Service," the "Life of Kaa special effort to continue ferent Indian tribes scattered gawa," "Science and the Invisible through four years for the ex- from Alaska to Arizona. World." Missions have been retension of the missionary and -P1"esbyterian Board News. stricted in some types of work, benevolence enterprises of the but are putting greater effort denomination. One part of the LATIN AMERICA into literature and social service. plan is the enrolment during the The people are eager for the first year of 500,000 persons, Wider Tolerance in Mexico Gospel. groups and organizations in local churches who will subscribe There are unmistakable evi- Youth in the Caribbean one dollar a month or twelve dences that there is a reaction dollars a year to the missionary among thinking Mexicans from The Church in the West Indies and benevolence program. The the extreme materialism so much is well on the way to being a goal sought for the first year is, in evidence during recent stages young people's church. The thus, $6,000,000. The goal for a of the Church and State con- young people's conferences, first flict. Educational writers of held in the three islands only a recognized standing, whose op- few years ago, have grown in- creasingly popular. The results of these summer conferences are making themselves felt in the communities to which the dele- gates return. A group of Cuban young people, for ins tan c e, wanting to put into practice some of the ideals inspired at the conference, organized for the purpose of serving their communities along material and
spiritual lines. Puerto Rican the Presbyterian Church in Misplaced Reverence pastors also reported that the Colombia, has formed a group Charles W. Clay, in World conferences inspired a higher of young men in his church into Outlook, tells some things he saw standard of work and a new will- a Bible school, and is training here and there. A shop selling ingness on the part of the young them to preach from notes he cheap perfume does business people to assume responsibility took in the Costa Rican school. under the sign, "Good Jesus." for church activities. Domingo Fernandez, class of In Para there is a restaurant, 1934, is evangelizing in Spanish called the "C a f e Baptista," -The Presbyterian Banner. villages. which displays a large sign showing John the Baptist, in Sunday Schools in West Indies A man and wife, both trained heaven surrounded by angels, in this Institute, started a little telephoning to the "Cafe Bap- The progress of Christian edu- school and have not only sup- tista" to send up one hundred cation in the sixteen islands and ported themselves, but gathered pounds of their coffee, for it is island groups of the West Indies together a group of people into the brand which has entrance to is shown by a net increase of 49 a thriving evangelical congrega- heaven! A further illustration per cent in Sunday school enrol- tion. Two young women grad- of gross irreverence in advertisment since 1932. The Bahamas, uates, working in different coun- ing is the following doggerel nowhich should benefit by direct tries, maintain themselves by ticed in a street car: and invigorating influences from taking children whose parents the United States, show, how- desire that they be taught the "Are you sad my dear? ever, a decrease of 7 per cent Bible. Have you a cough or bronchitis? over the same period. There are Institute students evangelize It's a law of our Saviour some troublesome impediments while studying. They carry The only cure is 'Contratosse.' "
to a general advance of the West packs with necessary belongings -World Outlook. Indian peoples which may only and Scripture portions. In one be removed by an indoctrination place the priest told the people of their youth with new think- that it would be no more sin to EUROPE ing. The lack of sensitiveness in the social conscience with re- kill them than to kill a dog. Evangelism in Spain and gard to an astounding ratio of Throughout the country are iso- Portugal illegitimacy in many of the lated believers, twos and threes, won by this itinerant method. Mr. H. Martyn Gooch, Generislands is an example to the al Secretary of the World's point. Youth, with an enthu- -So S. Times. Evangelical Alliance, has made siasm for doing the right thing an extended visit to Spain and Needy Colombia Portugal. He believes that poand a will to break from custom litical conditions in both councan alone change a discreditable Leaders of the missionary en- tries are helpful rather than a situation. terprise have not been as active The Islands have a Protestant in Colombia as are commercial hindrance to evangelical work, community of 1,873,216, a body interests. Colombia has vast and in reply to the question "Can which if united in purpose could potential wealth and produces Spain and Portugal Be Evangelachieve anything needing to be everything that is grown in tem- ized 7" says that the answer condone. They send only 277,680 perate and cold climates as well cerns the spiritual equipment of children to the Sunday schools, as all tropical fruits; Protestant forces, rather than although they have 468,400 of But there is as yet little effort Roman Catholic opposition. Althem under 14 years-a leakage to give the Gospel to the millions so, a united front is of supreme of nearly 200,000. Problems in Colombia who have no oppor- importance. Mr. Gooch adwhich are the despair of the tunity of hearing it. There are dressed many gatherings, and churches will only begin to show only about 90 Protestant mis- met with clergy, ministers and a solution when the importance sionaries in the whole country, other representatives of Protesof youth and the child is more with a mere handful of native tant organizations. His visit to clearly understood. workers. One missionary to one Madrid coincided with the visit of Professor Baez Camargo of -World Survey. hundred thousand p e 0 pIe is about the proportion but one- Mexico, and they shared in a One School's Work fourth of the total missionary warm welcome on the part of force is on furlough, and a fair the Committee of the Spanish The Latin American Bible In- proportion are new people stilt Evangelical Alliance at special stitute in Costa Rica has put struggling with the language. gatherings arranged in the two, seventy workers in the field. Four-fifths of the missionaries largest Evangelical churches. Alfredo Cardona, now preaching in Colombia, has raised up The Portuguese Evangelical Alseveral congregations of be- are along the Pacific Coast, leav- liance, the British and Foreign ing much of the country without Bible Society, the World Domin- any Gospel teacher. ion Movement and the United lievers i n t 0 self – supporting -Latin American Evan- Society for Christian Literature churches. Hernan Bautista, of gelist. all are at work on a cooperative
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
basis. Six evangelical churches steenberghe is known as an greatest historical importance- in the north of Spain are threat- eloquent speaker, and is hoping "A question whether the Chris- ened with extinction through the to visit America for deputation tian faith shall continue to have withdrawal of financial support work. The buildings owne.d by rights in Germany." Attacks hitherto available from Ameri- the Mission, covering among upon Evangelical beliefs and ca, and the help of the World's other places Brussels, Bruges, practices were exposed and de- Evangelical Alliance has been G hen t, Antwerp, Charleroi, nounced. The declaration af- sought in an endeavor to enable Tournai, are all free of debt. firms that "in the country of these churches to continue. Ro-· Workers, including wives, num- Martin L u the r, Evangelical man Catholic forces would re- ber 130. The two Bible Train- Christians are prevented from joice in their demise. ing Schools are guided by com- bearing witness to the Gospel in -The Christian. petent leaders and the various public meetings." A spiritual administrative posts are in the demand is made that "the inces- Paris Student Union hands of approved workers. sant interference" by the State While a student at the Sor- -The Christian. shall cease, and that liberty shall bonne, Miss Agnes D. Stoneham be granted to the people to atwho was formerly a North Afri- Beatenberg Conference tend Gospel services, and to the ca missionary, realized the need pastors to proclaim the truth as for an Evangelical Union to In one of the most beautiful it is in Christ Jesus. work among the students. Un- spots in Switzerland, at Beatenable to return to North Africa, berg, 150 people of about twenty The protest was made with she felt the call of God to estab- nationalities recently gathered full realization of what the cost lish such a work. In a little over to pray for world revival. The might be, for it concludes: "We two years young people from conference was divided into four call upon the servants of the twenty-three nationalities have groups, two speaking German, Church to bear witness to the been helped in their spiritual the others French and English. Gospel of Jesus Christ without life. It was urged that all Christians compromise and without fear of must know in their own experi- men. Many have been sent to The student population of ence victory over indwelling sin, prison and concentration camps, Paris numbers 50,000, of whom and fully understand the minis- have had to suffer expulsion and 8,000 are from overseas. The try of God the Holy Spirit. other trials. We do not know vice-president of the union is a what may still be in store for us. Japanese student. The story of Immediately following the But whatever this may be, we one member, an Armenian doc- Convention, a students' confer- are bound to be obedient to our tor, is stirring. A nominal ence was arranged under the heavenly Father." Christian, he was brought into auspices of the Intervarsity Felblessing through the Union. He lowship of Evangelical Unions, -The Life .of Faith. is now a keen soul-winner, and to consider how best to bring a looks forward to his return deep spiritual revival in Euro- Anatolia College Jubilee home to engage in evangelistic pean universities. There were work in his hospital and univer- representatives there from Brit- The Golden Jubilee of Anasity. Until recently, various dis- ish, French, German, S w iss, tolia College, Salonika, Greece, cussion groups and meetings Dutch and Hungarian univer- was celebrated on June 20th. were held in drawing rooms sities. Reports from Hungary An address was given by Dr. kindly lent by friends, but re- and other countries of Europe Wright, the new president of cently the Union has rented its indicate that this is a day of Robert College, Istanbul. The own ,room, admirably suitable great opportunities for reaching procession was led by Pastor for the work. students with the Gospel. This George Anastasiades of the first Beatenberg Conference did much Anatolia College Class, of 1887. -The Life of Faith. toward helping to unite Chris- Doctors, lawyers, teachers and tians throughout Europe. business men, graduates of the Belgian Gospel Mission college, gathered to pay tribute -The Christian. to their Alma Mater. King Future direction of the Bel- German Evangelical Manifesto George II of Greece was also gian Gospel Mission, since the present at the celebration and death of Mrs. Ralph C. Norton on July 19, devolves upon two The most courageous protest showed deep interest. The presable and experienced workers, yet heard in Germany against ident of the college is Rev. Er- Mr. John C. Winton and M. O. the repressive Nazi policy to- nest Riggs, a grandson of the Vansteenberghe. The former is ward the Evangelical Church famous Elias Riggs, for many a man of gracious personality was made in a manifesto which years an American Board misand unique administrative gifts, was read in every Evangelical s ion a r y at Constantinople. and M. Vansteenberghe is equal- Church acknowledging the Con- Among the pressing needs of the ly qualified to maintain the high fessional movement. This stated college are a boy's home, an standard of executive ability dis- that the German people are con- Alumni Hall, and a retirement played by Mr. Norton. M. Van- fronted with a decision of the fund for the college staff.
Christian Heroism entering Russia on the ground mIssIOn is that of the United that they are considered by the Presbyterian Church. In Soviet Russia 47 pastors Soviet authorities as enemies of have been suffering for years in B 0 Ish e vis m. Pastors and A large increase in Roman concentration camps, on the churches in Russia, in addition Catholic converts is anticipated White Sea, or in Siberia. Two to persecution and extinction, under Italian domination. In were recently condemned to are heavily taxed. This tax fact, the Catholic population death; others have been forced seems already to have gained by to stop their work. Probably money is furnished by free-will less than 20 evangelical pastors gifts. Recently two old men, 400,000, for Mussolini has anare still at work in Russia out of more than seventy years of age, the 300 who formerly preached nounced that 400,000 Italian solthe Gospel there. Two Christian were given a sentence of three diers and laborers would remain colporteurs not long ago were years in the penitentiary for preaching in a village. Suddenly having given money to the permanently to colonize Ethioone fell, shot through by a bul~ pia. let. His comrade immediately took the Bible from the mar~ church and not to the state. The Catholics Propose Conquest tyred man, and continued Soviet has issued a handbook en- of Ethiopia preaching to the frightened lis~ titled: "What Shall I Do in Case teners. His heroism made such My Parents Try to Force Me to The Vatican, which placed no an impression that a revival be~ Go to Church?" The advice giv- obstacle in the way of Mussogan in the village, and spread en includes the following: Re- lini's conquest of Ethiopia, is far beyond. port the case to the authorities; now pushing a religious con- -Church Missionary Gleaner. call the police, bring action be- quest there. Bands of Salesians fore the courts. The punishment and Capuchins, already known Russia and Religion is loss of work, starvation and in Ethiopia, are following close death. behind the Italian columns, as The dechristianizing of Rus- they proceed with the difficult sian school children goes stead- AFRIOA business of mopping up. These ily on, though still is far from being completed. At Saratov it Religious Outlook in Ethiopia missionaries are provided with is reported that 49 per cent of all the means they need to carry the children still live "in the old World-wide interest in Ethi- their message to the most disreligious superstition." Fifty opia draws attention to religious tant and primitive peoples. They per cent still pray at home. conditions there. The Indian Witness states that among the have the funds to open schools An order was issued on De- estimated Ethiopian population and hospitals. Other missioncember 1, 1 9 3 5, t hat all of slightly more than 10,000,000, aries are being trained by the churches, chapels and prayer there are 5,000,000 Coptic Chris- Sacred Congregation for the houses must report to the civil tians, 150,000 Jews, 3,000,000 propagation of the faith. But authorities or be closed. No new Mohammedans, 2,000,000 pa- anything that would suggest the buildings may be erected to gans, 16,000 Roman Catholics serve as churches, synagogues and 12,000 Evangelical Chris- imposition of Catholicism on the or mosques. An exception is tians. During the 300 years that Ethiopians by force is to be made for foreigners who speak followed the meeting of Philip English. They may have their with the eunuch a large part of avoided, in accordance with own churches and worship as Ethiopia b e cam e Christian. Mussolini's promise that there they please. Thus, an American Then came the long theological would be genuine religious free- Roman Catholic church is now being built in Moscow by Father dom under Italian rule. Brown. A Protestant church is -The Christian Advocate. also to be erected there for Eng- 1ish-speaking people. The work controversy over the question Medical Missions in Morocco of closing the churches is going steadily on. The Reformed whether Jesus had a single or Church at Odessa has been made a theater. The chapel at Pris- dual nature. For nearly 1,000 Morocco has always been one chib has been torn down. St. Michael's Cloister at Kiev is years the church in Ethiopia of the most difficult of Mohamabout to be sacrificed. Another cloister in that city has become was isolated from the rest of medan mission fields. F. J. a factory building. Christendom. About the year Scrimgeour writes of a visit he According to a new ruling, pastors from foreign lands from 1500 Catholic missionaries again has made to southern Morocco, now on will be prohibited from entered the country. In 1830 now a protectorate of France.
the Church Missionary Society Eight stations were visited, un- of England sent two mission- der the South Morocco Mission, aries. From that year may be established about fifty years ago, dated the modern work of mis- and the Bible Church Mission- sions. The Bible has been trans~ ary Society, which has opened lated and is now available in 20 – work in some of the larger vil- .
languages. Until the war com- lages during the last ten years.
pelled the evacuation of some Although motor roads cover the stations, Protestant missionaries country and educational train- totalled 184 at 35 stations, while ing is available, fanatical Moroc- Roman Catholics had a force of co continues much the same. 45 foreign priests and 30 native Legal restrictions and prohi~ priests. The largest American bitions of action imposed by the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
French authorities have ham- The Message Refused leaders in the fight, and one of pered efforts at direct evangel- the Methodist black men adization, stopped all school work Mr. Jenkinson, of the Unevan- dressed the House of Assembly except classes of very elemen- for nearly an hour in executive tary teaching, and no~ t~reat~n gelized Fields Mission, at a re- session. to close all medical mISSIOn dISpensaries as they are at present cent meeting in London told how -Christian Ad'vocate. conducted. Under French administration an official medi~al he arrived in an African village Christian Council for service is being developed WhICh extends into all the cities, towns one afternoon and realized that South Africa and larger villages. R.egulatio~s have been issued whIch forbId much good might be accom- The first steps toward formmedical practice to those who ing a Christian Council in South are not legally qualified to prac- plished there. "The chief was Africa were taken in May, 1934. tice in their own country, be After two years, negotiations they British or of any other na- not sober, but came and sat are nearing completion. On tionality. This applies equally June 24, over sixty representato nurses, midwives and chem- down on the veranda of the rest- tives of churches and missionists, and the terms of the law are ary societies met at Bloemfonso worded that doctors may not house where I was staying. I tein to consider the proposed supply or dispense their. own constitution, which was finally prescriptions unle~s ~here IS .no talked to him for two or three adopted. The functions of the chemist's shop wlthm a mIle. new Council are: But H. M. Consul-General inter- hours, and by that time he ~as vened, and a concession ,,:as. ar- (a) To bring together for periodiranged whereby those mISSIOn- practically sober. Then he saId: cal conference and counsel representaaries who were actively engaged tives of the churches, mission sociein giving medical treatment to a"Wll eylOl~ white man, I have heard ties and other Christian agencies of the Moors in the year 1913 are have to say. I will have South Africa, particularly for consulpermitted to continue to do so tation upon matters bearing upon the until they retire. Dispensaries the drums beaten tonight to tell spiritual and general welfare of the more recently established-as non-European races. those of the B.C.M.S.-may also all my headmen to come and give medical relief with simple, (b) To promote, through commitnonpoisonous remedies; but. the hear this message, and they can tees, commissions or otherwise, study Consul-General deprecates the and investigation of the problem of extension of such work. decide whether they want to evangelizing and Christianizing the people of South Africa. -E. M. M. S. Quarterly. hear further, or whether they (c) To take joint action on any Seek to Evangelize Moslems would rather you go away." matters within the scope of the au- thority that may be given to the A recent development in the The drums were beaten, and Council by its constituent bodies. field of missions is the lively interest in the evangelization of early next morning the people (d) To promote cooperation in mis- Moslems in their North African sionary work, especially in evangelisterritories, shown by the Protes- began to arrive. The headmen tic, educational, medical and social tant youth of France. The work, and in the production of ver- Young Men's Christian Associa- came carrying their spears, nacular literature. tion, the Student Christian Federation, Association of Scouts their' wives walking behind. (e) To promote such fellowship and Guides and missionary among the churches as will create an groups have since 1932 been They talked for some time, but atmosphere of respect and confidence united in the "North African and will lead to united thinking, inter- Sheaf." A missionary camp is in the end their decision was: ceding, planning and action on the held in September at Constan- part of the Christian forces of the tine, Algiers, or Oran. There "We do not want you; we do not country. are also fifteen groups of the Young Women's Christian Asso- want your message." It seemed (f) To represent the Christian ciation in large centers like forces of South Africa in their rela- Tunis, Constantine, Algiers, as if the powers of evil were tions with the International Mission- Oran and Rabat, doing splendid ary Council and with national Chrismissionary and social work. loosed in that village. Mr. J en- tian organizations in other lands.
-World Survey Service. kinson continued: "I would ha,:,e -South African Outlook.
done anything to reverse theIr MISCELLANEOUS N decision but it could not be Promoting Race Harmony done. ext morning I went The History Society recently sadly away, and so far as.I know sponsored a contest on the sub- ject "How can youth develop co- the Gospel has never agam been operative and harmonious rela- tions among the races of the preached there. It is only earth ?" open to those under thirty living in Africa, Austra- prayer that can overcome these lia, Canada and New Zealand. The winner, Mr. Tsotsi, a twen- things." -The Life of Faith.
Race Question in Cape Colony In the Union of South Africa the race question is a burning issue. The Government has P!O- posed to abolis~ the Cap.e natIve franchise. ThIS met WIth s~ch opposition that the. premle.r withdrew the bill. HIS substI- tute measure does not recognize the right of the native to att.ain full citizenship. The Methodls~s of South Africa have made theIr influence felt in this controversy. The Conference declared, "The African people form an integral part of the Union, and they are entitled to the opportunities of attaining citizenship." Natives flocked to Capetown during the discussion. Methodists were
ty-one-year-old South African in Denmark, Norway, Rumania Too many times missionaries try to Negro, suggested the denuncia- reproduce their own parish life as they and Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, tion of all statements that inten- Tunisia has sent in 9,500 signa- knew it at home. Thus, we do not sify race feeling, the boycotting tures and in Ceylon the Wom- produce a native church but a trans- planted one. Under the circumstances of all books and films that preach en's Political Union has voted its we should not wonder why our conracial domination and the encouraging of all that demon- endorsement. verts show so little initiative and sense strate the advantages of cooper- -The Churchman. of responsibility for self-support and World Statistics self-propagation. The unity we main- The Statistical Institute of the tain is one of Western customs and League of Nations estimated the ative action. As if with one world population at approxi- practice. By maintaining this kind of voice, all the papers called for a mately two billion. The popula- uniformity we have avoided heresy fair system of government un- tion is increasing. annually at a and schism, but thereby we have also der which everyone would have little more than eighteen mil- prevented the creation of a native thean equal opportunity to learn lions or about 50,000 a day. Fig- ology. Because there has been so little and to serve. gures for the continents are as creative thought on the part of the follows: Asia, Russia not in- mission church, there has been little Mr. Tsotsi is of the Xhosa cluded, 1,710,000,000; Europe, missionary zeal and little sense of retribe and is a teacher at Blyths- fifth in size, 382,000,000; Rus- sponsibility for self-support…. wood Institution in Butterworth, sia, alone, 164,000,000; Africa, a town of 575 inhabitants. He both white and black, 143,000,- The early church was a Koinonia, traced many of the causes for 000; North America, 135,000,- a fellowship, before it was an ecclesiu, racial antagonism to the fact 000; United States, alone, 127,- an organized body. We must restore that in Asia, Africa and Ameri- 000,000; South America, 85,- to the <::hurch its primary duty of ca there was "the anomaly of 000,000; Central America, 35,- evangelization. Our task is one of white capital and colored labor." 000,000; Australia and Oceania, inspiration, not institutionalism. We He will receive $300 as his prize. 10,000,000. Population in Rus- need to rely more on the Holy Spirit. sia is increasing faster than any -New York Times. Faith Missions Mandates Against War A recently published pamphlet summarizes the service of pop- People's mandates against ularly called Faith Missions. war is an international move- The Interdenominational For- eign Mission Association of North America was formed in ment. In Hungary seven large place else on earth, 4,000,000 a 1917 by a group of foreign misassociations are collaborating. year or at the rate of 2 per cent. sionary societies that were not In Holland the text of the Man- denominationally related, but date was reprinted in 600 news- New Newspaper Evangelism which held identical doctrinal papers. In Sweden 100,000 peo- Newspaper evangelism, first convictions and adhered to simple signed the Mandate at 200 tried out in Japan, is steadily ilar missionary principles and reaching into other countries. practices. Prayer fellowship, peace meetings. In China, the movement is still conferences concerning mission- In Czechoslovakia 30 impor- new, although two Hankow ary policy, and united appeal for papers have carried daily adver- world evangelization are aims tant organizations are enlisted tisements about Christianity for of the organization. in this cause, while in Finland months, and a number of en- 16 groups are at work. Syria quiries have been received. In Listed in the order of their reports 18 groups with 30,000 India, a weekly article inserted inception, the sixteen societies in a Karachi paper has brought that are now members of the signers. enquiries from people of all Association are: The Woman's In Australia the text of the classes and faiths. An experi- Union Missionary Society of ment in Christian journalism is America, the China Inland Mismandate has been spread on also being carried on in Moham- sion, the India Christian Mispostal cards and in Greece six medan countries; while in Spain women's organizations are col- the editor of El Popular, a wide- sion, the South African General laborating. Work has also be- ly read paper, has agreed to P!lb- Mission, the Central American gun in Egypt and in Spain. lish a Christian article of 1,000 words every Sunday for a year. Mission, the Sudan Interior Mis- In France more than 30 organizations representing 600,- -Report. sion, the Ceylon and India Gen- 000 members, as well as 60,000 Missionary Institutionalism eral Mission, the Africa Inland other individuals, have voted for Mission, the Bible House of Los the Man d ate. Conspicuous In a most able and persuasiveamong the signers here are ex- address Bishop Ludlow, of the Angeles, the Inland South Amer- Protestant Episcopal Church, service men. made some far-reaching state- ica Missionary Union, the Bo- In Great Britain 28 societies ments concerning the conduct of livian Indian Mission, the North the church's missionary endeavand 1,027 meetings had signed or. He said in part: East India General Mission, the· up to last March. These meet- Evangelical Union of South ings were arranged by women's America, the American Euroassociations, the Labor Party, pean Fellowship, the Orinoco religious groups, the Society of River Mission, and the Latin Friends and by the Liberal America Evangelization Cam- Party. paign. The campaign has also begun Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information I ~,===========-=–,~ Puritans in the South Seas. By Louis and tireless-not the foolish and the daily life of the fellahin, the B. Wright and Mary Isabel Fray. selfish, uneducated and selfish Illustrated. 8 vo. 347 pp. $3.00. zealots here depicted. downward drag of Moslem en- Henry Holt & Co. New York. 1936. Some critics of missions fur- vironment and the trials of new The authors of this story of nish interesting and useful read- Christian missions in Tahiti, ing, for they write facts and de- converts. The book is very read- Raratonga and Hawaii cannot scribe scenes dramatically and hide their antipathy to the Puri- with a sense of humor. These able and will awaken interest tans, their disapproval of mis- authors are dry and give pracsions and their lack of sympathy tically no information of value and intercession. S. M. Z. with Christian standards and in regard to the islands and the ideals. While they claim to have people. They repeat the same The Story of the American Negro. written without prejudice, their cynical criticisms over and over By Corinne Brown. The Friendship whole attitude and the words again ad nausium-missionaries Press, New York. 208 pp. $1.00. they use reveal their lack of 'uneducated; seeking to create knowledge and their antagonism markets for European goods; Perhaps no better textbook to the whole enterprise: "Zeal- tempted by the easy morality of for the study of the racial prob- the South Sea women; super- lem in America has appeared ots" impose their religious and ficial in their work, etc., etc. from the press for a decade. It social points of view on a primi- is based on authoritative sources, tive people; "popish supplies to It is unfortunate that "Puri- it traces the story to its sources keep away scurvy"; "mission- tans in the South Seas" could and is unpartisan. It is brief aries had come to T,ahiti in the not have been written judicially but not scrappy and holds the expectation of turning an honest to reveal the mistakes and the reader's attention. The writer is penny"; "the work of the Lord achievements of the early mis- a recognized leader in the pres- sionaries and to show some of ent younger generation and by proceeded on a solid foundation the lessons learned and put into birth, training, wide travel and of real estate." These are some practice in later years – in the real sympathy is qualified for of the phrases that occur in the way of dress, education, the ap- her task. The ten chapters tell first few pages and similar ones preciation of native character us how and why the Negro came recur many times throughout and customs and the develop- to our shores, and what were the the book. In fact, the evident ment of Christian life and conditions in his ancestral home; aim of the authors is to hold mis- service. what the colonial pattern of sions in the South Seas up to slavery meant for master and ridicule. While they quote from The Soul of Egypt. By Allison slave; how it was modified by missionary letters and reports, it Douglas Boutros. Marshall, Morgan the industrial era followed by is to give unfavorable views of and Scott, London. Zondervan Pub- the breakdown of slavery and a lishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich- civil war which did not emancithe work and workers. When igan. 126 pp. 40 cents. pate in the tragic era of reconthey quote other authors, they struction. We learn of the never quote friendly and sym- A vivid portraiture of the land struggle for freedom, the Black of the Nile as a field for evan- Man's burden and the emergence pathetic reports like that of gelism by an independent mis- of "Brown America" with its Robert Louis Stevenson. sionary who through marriage chief problem – how to live to- and close contact with the gether or apart and to love each Honest, constructive criticism Egyptian people writes with other. A full bibliography, notes, of missions is welcomed. Mis- knowledge and sympathy. The references and a good index comtakes have been made in men note of personal experience is plete this unique study. and women sent out, in methods dominant and there is little used, and in aims held in view. about the work of other missions S. M. ZWEMER. The way missions were con- carried on for many decades, ducted a hundred years ago were nor much breadth of outlook on A Preface to Racial Understanding. different from the way they are the strategy of missionary occu- By Charles S. Johnson. Friendship pation and administration. Press, New York. 206 pp. $1.00. conducted today. The Puritans were strong but uncompromising There are telling chapters on The author is director of the and at times were without sym- Department of Social Science at pathetic understanding, but as a Fisk University. He has served rule they were brave and true as Director of Research and In- vestigation under the Carnegie Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[559 ] Foundation and is editor of the the development of personality. among the natives, but after all magazine Opportunity. This, . . . Only as men are regenerate it is only as men are delivered his most recent work on the can they build a regenerate so- from the "Power of Darkness, American Negro, bears a modest ciety." The author has never al- that Old Serpent, the Devil,"
title and covers an enormous lowed mere "story-telling" to ob- that we can hope to see the "new field of investigation. A recent scure the great spiritual burden order of life" which is "Christ in bibliography of the Negro in on his heart. He says also: you, the Hope of Glory."
Africa and America contains "The spiritual enters profoundly Second, the author might have 17,000 titles. The bibliography into the complex reactions of made more prominent, especially here selected suggests less than human life, in sickness as well in the appeal of his last chapter, threescore books, of which the as in health, and the physician that the missionary's endeavor gist can be found in these eight (the author is a physician) first, last, and always is to save chapters. They relate the story whose ministry is merely to the souls unto eternal glory. True, of the Negro, his social life, edu- body is rendering only a defec- eternal issues are being decided cation, contribution to American tive service." here and now, but this present civilization, and give examples Anyone not familiar with na- life is not The Life, that eternal of Negroes who attained in tive life in West Africa will find life. There should be not less church and state. The last chap- her e picturesque descriptions stress on cooperation, councils, ter is practical on the Conquest and information which gives a schools, etc., but more stress on of Racial Prejudice. The lit- clear understanding of the situa- the experience of the new birth; erary contributions of the Negro tion, together with folk tales and for thousands of natives who to American life and especially stories that relieve the common- have accepted Christ nominally, to music are described at some place. as yet know little or nothing of length. The author holds that It has been interesting, as a the "power of His resurrection." the greatest contribution of the fellow missionary, to observe dif- Dr. Lerrigo has addressed church to the Negro has been ferences in methods of work in. himself to a great problem, and the work of pioneer missionaries the Congo Mission and in the has tried to make other people since the days of reconstruction. Cameroun stations of another see what he has seen in his re- The Negro church today has a society but such details in no cent tour. He says, "The Chrismembership of over five million wise disturb the general sim- tian cannot assume that he is the and expended in one year for its ilarity of mission work. The only single-hearted person in the upkeep more than forty-three author shows himself intimately world. Other great idealistic million dollars. It is unfortunate acquainted with the main cur- movements have arisen in comthat even today less than twenty rents of life in the Congo, and petition, and the genuine comper cent of the Negro clergy hold its problems, government policies munist or even the socialist is academic or theological degrees. and projects, and the present de- likely to laugh at the mild ideal- The church of America is the termined effort of the Church of ism of the traditional Christian testing ground for the great Rome. Says he, "A few white who has taken his conviction moral issue of racial understand- folks coming with a great spir- second-handed, and whose reliing and the conquest of racial itual me s sag e have found gious habits are copies of a pre- S. M. ZWEMER. response, comradeship and af-. vailing type. This sort of Chrisprejudice. iection among these folks of tian experience does not get one Omwa? Are You Awake? By P. H. another race, and t h r 0 ugh very far." Dr. Lerrigo sees J. Lerrigo. self-effacing toil have released clearly that a time may come This book should accomplish springs of initiative and power when "for Thy sake we are killed its purpose to awaken the mis- which have already carried the all the day long" (Romans 8: sion-minded constituency of great Negro community far 36). Continuing, he says, "But churches in America to a new realization of what the mission- along the road to self-under- if it ever does come, I believe soary enterprise is about, and how standing, self-control and a new called Christian people will imperative it is to maintain the order of life and growth." quickly separate into three al- Christian message among the most equal classes: Those who unevangelized "while it is yet On two points I could wish promptly and cheerfully abanday." that the author had placed more don their religious profession to stress: First, the chapter on go with the tide; those who halt The reviewer, as a mission- "Worship : Outdoors and In" between two opinions and suffer ary for thirteen years in West should have included some de- profoundly in the process; and Africa, I can testify that the au- scription of the "principalities finally those whose Christian thor's descriptions are true to faith is steadied and quickened the original settings and the in- and powers" of the demon hosts until they are ready to die for ferences have been clearly de- against whom the missionary it" (page 170). All in the homeduced. must contend. All the accessory land, who name the name of enterprises of mission work, Christ as their veritable Master, such as schools, hospitals, agri- cultural institutes, etc., are Dr. Lerrigo says: "The mis- necessary to bring about "self- are urged to be "stripped and sionary contribution to Congo's understanding, self-control, and equipped for Christ's service." life has to do preeminently with a new order of life and growth" L. PAUL MOORE, JR.
Book. House. Press and Publications CALVERT'
Board. London. Valorous Adventures: A Record of "The School That Comes Sixty and Six Years of the Wom- Shaping the Future: A Study in To You" an's Foreign Missionary Society, World Revolution. Basil Mathews. Methodist Episcopal Church. Mary 160 pp. 2s. 6d. S. C. M. Press. No matter where you live, you can Isham. 446 pp. $1.25. Woman's London. give your child a superior education Foreign Missionary Society. Bos- from kindergarten to high school with ton. With Christ Into Tomorrow. Hun- Calvert school home study courses. ter B. Blakely. 160 pp. 50 cents. First, the Kingdom I The Story of Presbyterian Committee on Publica- Recommended by Mission Boards, Robert Fletcher Moorshead, Phy- tion. Richmond, Va. Educators, State Department and SICIan. H. V. Larcombe. Illus. Army and Navy Officials. 184 pp. 3s. 6d. Carey Press. Lon- The Dawn of Religion. Eric S. don. Waterhouse. (Great Religions of Daily lessons, selected books, station- the East.) 134 pp. 2s. 6d. Ep- ery, special materials and personal India. Part I, to 1837; Part II, worth Press. London. guidance . . • by mail . . • from our 1858-1936. H. H. Dodwell. (Mod- prominent and successful private day ern States Series Nos. 9 and 10.) Christianity and the Malays. Lawr- school in Baltimore. 131 and 274 pp. Each 3s. 6d. Ar- ence E. Browne. 78 pp. Is. S. P. rowsmith. London. G. in Foreign Parts. London. Write today for illustrated catalog.
Ten Africans. Edited with introduc- Children of Sunny Syria. Myrta H. Mrs. G. S. Rhoad•• tion by Margery Perham. Map. Dodds. 147 pp. $1.50. Crowell. Director of Home Instruction 356 pp. 15s. Faber and Faber. New York. London. CALVERT SCHOOL East Is East. Lessons on the Church Alien Americans: A Story of Race in Korea. Ruth Henrich and Elsie 1811 Tuscany Road Baltimore, Md. Relations. B. Schrieke. 208 pp. Fox. 60 pp. Is. S. P. G. in For- eign Parts. London. . $2.50. Viking Press. New York. Indian Thought and Its Develop- Okumeinscher Verlag. Stettin. The World Quest, 1936-1937: The ment. Albert Schweitzer. 265 pp. Germany. Fourth Unified Statement of the $2.50. Holt & Co. New York. Work of the Church Overseas, its The Story of the Bible. Edgar J. present position, opoprtunities and The Land of the Morning Calm. Goodspeed. $1.50. 150 pp. Univer- needs, in those areas which receive Ruth Henrich. 80 pp. Is. S. P. sity of Chicago Press. Chicago. help from the Church of England G. in Foreign Parts. London. and its Sister Churches in the Brit- Twelve Negro Americans. Mary Jen- ish Isles, together with a survey of The Medieval Missionary (World ness. 180 np. $1.00 cloth, 60 cents the response of the Church at home. Mission of Christianity Series) . paper. Friendship Press. New Illus. Maps. 131 pp. Is. Church James Thayer Addison. 175 pp. York. Cloth, $2.00; paper, $1.25. I. M. C., If you use New York.
PRINTING Stories of Korea: Lessons for Little JUST OFF THE PRESS! Children. K. O. Brightman. 28 pp. YOU will profit from an ac- quaintanceship with us. We S. P. G. in Foreign Parts. London. ~!,mn~ do the job complete in our own plant, whether it be large or Secrets at Sidleigh. Margaret P. small. Neill. 252 pp. 2s. Pickering & While our specialty is Books, Inglis. London. of tbt Mag~inu and Pamphlets, yet "I Am Jesus." And Other Evangel- we have a variety of modern istic Sermons. J. C. Massee. 117 equipment to meet all the re- pp. $1.00 cloth, 65 cents paper. ((bri~tian quirements of your particular Zondervan. Grand Rapids. job. You will find our service prompt, careful and courteous. The Living Christ. Will H. Hough- 1.ift ton. 133 pp. 75 cents. B. I. C. WU! you allow U8 to estimate Assn. Chicago. elf BOOK of worship in song, com- on your next printing? We be- bining a hymnal for general lieve you will be delighted with Preaching Christ in Corinth. Klaas church use, and a song book for evan- our product, price and service. Jacob Stratemeier. 114 pp. $1.00. ~tic purposes. Otily songs sound Zondervan. Grand Rapids. m the Faith and inspirational- in char- The EVANGELICAL PRESS Portraits of Christ in the Gospel of acter included—emphasizing Evangel- PrinteT. of John. Harold S. Laird. 126 pp. The Missionar,y ReOli…, of rile World 75 cents. B. I. C. Assn. Chicago. ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life.
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The Missionary Review of the World — April 1936
APRIL,1936
'THE Mass Movements in India 1. Waskom Pickett Recent Progress in Mexico G. Baez Camargo The Final Motive for Missions .s. H. Gapp Undergirding the Christian Home Clementina Butler The Emancipation of Indian Outcastes L. O.Hartman The Awakening of Egypt Anna P. White Congo Crosses 1ulia Lake Kellersberger 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year April 29-May 5–National Conven- Annuities In Operation Over tion, Y. W. C. A., Colorado Springs. Colo. Seventy-five Years May 1—General Conference, Meth- The American Baptist Home Mission Society has heen odist Episcopal Church, Columbus, receiving girts on the annuity plan since 1861. In the more Ohio. than seventy-five years that the plan has been in operation, these gifts have amounted to over Three Million Dollars, May 6-20–General Conference, Afri- while in the same period the Society has paid over Two Million can Methodist Episcopal Zion Dollars and has used for its general work or added to its per- Church, Greensboro, N. C. manent funds over One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dol- lars released by the deaths of donors. In no instance during May 6-21-General Conference, Afri- three quarters of a century has the Society failed to make its can Methodist Episcopal Church, payment to Annuitants according to agreement. New York. Inquiries concerning ANNUITIES AND LEGACIES May 12-15-National Council of Fed- may be addressed to erated Church Women. Dayton, Ohio. Samuel Bryant, Treasurer May 20-24-Northern Baptist Con- vention. St. Louis, Mo.
May 24-29-Confel'ence of Soc i a 1 Work. Atlantic City, N. J.
May 27-General Assembly, United Presbyterian Church of North America. Pittsburg, Kansas.
May 28-General Assemhly, Presby- The American Baptist Home Mission Society terian Church in U. S.A. Syra- cuse, N. Y. 23 East 26th Street, New York City June 4-9-General Synod of the Rt·- formed Church in Am e l' i e a.
Rochester, N. Y.
June 10-17 — Ann u a I Conference, Personal Items by the number of qualified men and Church of the Brethren. Her;;h('~', ,vomen '''ho can be sent into the field. Pa. Gipsy (Rodney) Smith, this year. compll'tef' his 60th y{>ar as preacher- "There remains a wide field of pio- June 16-24-General Council of Con- enmgelist. He ha~ made 32 visits to neer work '''hieh for generations to gregational and Christian Chul'che~. America. Many people find it diffi- come must l'emain the responsibility Mt. HolyokP Colll'ge. South Hadlc>y. cult to believe that he is the same of the churches in the "'c;.:t." Mas,;. Gip><y of whom their fathers and mllthel's talked many year" ago, <;0 re- Charles H. Tuttle, former Federal June 23-28—Chl'ist.ianYouth Council markable is his vitality. In his mis- attorney. has been elected President of :-J ortb America. Lakeside, Ohio. sions, the Gipsy now concentrates on of the Greater New York Federation church members and officials, rather of Churches, to succeed Rev. Eugene June 27-July 4–Geneva Summer than on "outsiders." He says that he C. Carder, D.D. School fo1' Missions. Lake Geneya, haR come to see that the outsider will Wisconsin. never be influen(~ed until the insider * * *' is really "born a!,(uin." July 6-12–Twelfth 'orld's Sunday Rev. Lionel Fletcher, British evan· School Convention. Oslo, NOl'way. Rev. Wayne L. Hunter, first Prot- gelist, and Dr. F. W. Norwood, pas- estant prison chaplain appointed by tor of London City Temple, have been July 9-August 12 – Winona La k e the Federal Council of Churches. has asked by the Free Chureh Council to School of Theology. Winona Lake, been assigned to the United State-s In- give all their time to evangelism. Ind. dustrial Reformatory of Chillicothe. Ohio. '" '" >I< Dr. John H. Furbay, of the Pres- Dr. Alice Appenzeller, President of .byterian College in Emporia, Kansas, Ewha College, Seoul, the first Amer- has been appointed educational coun- ican child born in Korea, is the first woman to he decorated with the Blue selor to the Republic of Liberia, at the Ribbon Medal "for meritorious service request of the Lt'ague of Nations. in education." Miss Appenzeller's father was Rev. Henry G. Appen- 1936 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE Dr. Lewis B. Franklin, Vice-Presi- zeller, pioneer Methodist missionary.
Four Parts-52 Lessons. Part 1. The Bible-The dent and Treasu"er of the Episcopal * * *' God of the Bible. Part II, The Christ of the Bible National CounciL who made a busi- _ The Holy Spirit. Part III, Man-Sin and Redemp· ness trip to the Orient. reports that Mr. George C. Stebbins, ttlP fation. Part IV. The Church-Future Events. never before have the opportunities mous and much beloved singing evan- gelist, vas 90 years of age and still Send 15c in stamps for current issue for thl' pl'eachin.:; of the Christian in good health on February 26th. Gospel in the Ori'mt been gJ'(~ater than Mr. Stebbins was for many years as- HRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS. INC; today. The extf nt of the growth of sociated in Gospel evangelism with the Christian Church is limited only Dwight L. Moody, Ira D. Sankey, P. 1502 N. Third St., Harrisburg, Pa. P. Bliss and D. W. Whittle. He still writes music for Gospel hymns al- though he is almost totally deaf.
MISSIONARY USED IN OVER ONE MILLION CHRISTIAN
REVIEW OF THE WORLD HURLBUT'S STORY OF THE BIBLE DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor By.JESSE LYMAN HURLBUT. D.D. Recommended by all denominations for its freshness and accuracy. VOL. LIX APRIL, 1936 No.4 for its simplicity of language, for Its freedom from doctrinal discussion.
Publication and Business Office- THE BEST GIFT FOR YOUNG AND OLD Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. FOR TEACHERS-STUDENTS-FOR THE HOME AND SCHOOL Editorial and Executive Office– Ooe hundred and sixty-eightstories, each complete in itself. yetform- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ing a conUnuous narrative of the Biblefrom Gene.i. to Revelation. Entered as second-class matter at Each oithe world-old stories is told by the noted author in a manner thatis vitally interesting and instructive to young and old alike. Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Biggest and Best Wnstrated Book Ever SOld for the PrIce Beautifully illustrated wit!> 281 pict",re~ in colors and in blaC:Jand 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. white; over 100 famous Lemweber pamtmgs. 759 pages. PrIce..$2.00 Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. At all boolutore. or from the publi.her. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. British agents – Marshall, Morgan . .__ THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Philadelphia and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, the missionary forces. God grant that ruary 20, 1936, at 3 P. M. Dr. Robert 10 shillings a year. in the coming half century it may go E. Speer presided and gave an ad- from strength to strength." dress. There were 287 stockholders MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- and other friends present in person LISHING CO., INC. JOHN R. MOTT, LL.D., or by proxy. Chairman of the InternaUonal BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Minutes of the last annual ROBERT E. SPEER, President Missionary Council. meeting of February 15, 1935, were A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President approved as published in THE REVIEW W ALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer *** for March, 1935. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary "I would like to express my very The Treasurer, Mr. Walter Mc- SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT great appreciation of the value of Dougall, presented his annual report THE REVIEW. In my judgment, it which has been audited by Mr. Daniel WILLIAM 1. CHAMBERLAIN never was more worthy of its name, Pattison and found correct. This re- D. J. F'ANT more needed or more deserving of port showed a deficit of $1,007.81, with support than today. Never was there contributions of $975 to the Main- MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD such need of clear and clean thinking tenance Fund for the past year. The WM. B. LIPPHARD in the light of Christian truth as president appointed Mr. A. Y. Meeker there is today when anarchy is run- and Dr. Hugh R. Monro as an audit- Emc M. NORTH ning wild and running red over: much ing committee to examine securities of the earth. THE REVIEW from the in the safe deposit box. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER very beginning has been one of the primary factors in keeping alive in The Secretary, Mr. Delavan L. Pier- Editorial Chat terms of facts and truths the world's son, gave a report of the year s)1ow- need of a living and divine Saviour." ing the progress made and outlined The Florida Chain of Missionary plans for the coming year. Assemblies brought together as usual DR. JOHN McDOWELL, a notable list of missionary speakers, Associate Secretary, Board of Mr. D. J. Fant, representative of including Americans and those of the Evangelical Press, stated that the other races. Their topics covered the National Missions, Presby- past year had been the most encourwork of many denominations, both at terian Church, U. S. A.' aging since they undertook the rehome and abroad. These addresses sponsibility for the manufacture and are always enthusiastically received *** promotion of the magazine. The by Rotary clubs and high school whole publication expense might be audiences, as well as at luncheons and ANNUAL MEETING OF solved through increased circulation mass meetings. "THE REVIEW" and larger advertising income.
We have arranged to print in THE The Missionary Review Publishing The Nominating Committee, Miss REVIEW the addresses by many of Company held its annual meeting at J. H. Righter and Mr. Arthur Y. these outstanding speakers. Papers 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, on Feb- Meeker, nominated directors for the by Mrs. Induk Pak, Prof. Baez Cam- coming year, and the following were argo and Dr. Frank Laubach have THAT TEACH unanimously elected: already appeared. Others by M'rs. Kellersberger and Mrs. John P. White THE· BIBLE Robert E. Speer, William I. Chamare printed in this number of THE Used in thousands of Sunday berlain, Walter McDougall, D. L. REVIEW. Others are promised for Schools where the leadersbelieve Pierson, Samuel McCrea Cavert, Mrs. later issues. Watch for them and in the inspirationofGod's Word. Orrin R. Judd, William B. Lipphard, pass the word along. Eric M. North, A. L. Warnshuis, FREE PROSPECTUS Samuel M. Zwemer, D. J. Fant. *** of department in which you are inter- Brief remarks were made by the At the annual meeting of THE RE- ested mailed on request. Desk MR-4. Rev. J. S. Stowell, of Philadelphia, VIEW, a report of which is printed and by Dr. John McDowell, of New here, many encouraging messages York. were received, by voice and letter, showing the high esteem in which the The meeting was closed with prayer REVIEW is held by many. Here are a by the Rev. Mr. Martin, formerly a few extracts from recent letters. missionary in India. Will you pass the word along? Respectfully submitted, *** DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary. "For fifty years I have been a constant reader of THE MISSIONARY RE- *** VIEW OF THE WORLD, that is from 1886, the year of the memorable At a subsequent meeting of the Mount Hermon Conference. In my Board of Directors (March 9th), Dr. judgment no other periodical during Robert E. Speer was reelected Presithat half century can be bracketed dent; Dr. A. L. Warnshuis, Vicewith this one in comprehensiveness of President; Mr. Walter McDougall, view, in consistent emphasis on the Treasurer, and Delavan L. Pierson, pronouncedly evangelistic purpose of Secretary. Christian missions, and in influence in the direction of drawing together [161 ]
A GROUP OF CONGO BURDEN
MATERIAL E'VIDENCES OF IDOLATRY AND FETISHISM IN CENTRAL AFRICA SIDE LIGHTS ON SOME CONGO CROSSES (See page 173)
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 4 APRIL, 1936 Topics of the Times CRISIS AMONG THE OUTCASTES OF INDIA While Dr. Ambedkar is apparently not a man of strong religious convictions, and thinks mainly in The congress of representatives. of Depressed terms of political, social and economic betterment, Classes (Outcastes) in India, to consider a move- he has showed himself alive to the meaning of the ment away from Hinduism, was postponed from Christian faith and is mindful of what Christ has February to Easter, so that no definite action has done for his people. He has shown appreciation as yet been taken. Some months ago Dr. Ambed- of the difficulties that may arise if a large body of kar, an outstanding leader of the Depressed Outcastes accept the Christian faith without ade- Classes, who represented them at the Round Table quate preparation. He has suggested that some Conference in London, publicly renounced Hindu- key men among his followers should receive trainism in the presence of 10,000 of his people of the ing in order that they may teach others. Mahar community. He urged them to do the same and his action was unanimously ratified by The one thing that will impress the Depressed the conference. His reason for this step is that Class leaders is evidence of the power of Christ the Hindu religious system, by virtue of its many in the present Christian community. The great inhibitions, had completely failed to satisfy the need of all men is· the "abundant life" that comes aspirations of his people. They must, therefore, from God through Christ. The Church in India seek a new religion that will give them an oppor- must put her own house in order and must present tunity to worship and to advance. Dr. Ambedkar Christianity in terms of new life and a liberating said: fellowship.
The Depressed Classes have been unsuccessful in their It is evident that Dr. Ambedkar's action has efforts to bring about a change of heart among caste sent a thrill through the Depressed Classes as a Hindus and it is futile to waste energies and money in whole, who number roughly sixty or seventy milfurther trying to get redress and to work in harmonious lions and there are already indications of a growcooperation. I have come to the conclusion that the best ing resolve to follow his lead. When a repre- sentative conference of the Depressed Classes is way is complete severance from the Hindu fold. Because we have the misfortune to call ourselves Hindus, we are held in Lucknow at Easter time it is expected treated thus. If we were members of another faith none that important action will be taken. There seems would dare treat us so. I had the misfortune of being to be no doubt that there will be a great renunciaborn a Hindu with the stigma of an "untouchable." It is tion of Hinduism, whatever the next step may be.
not my fault, but I will not die a Hindu.
Reformed Hindus,· Moslems, Buddhists and An outstanding Indian Christian leader may be Sikhs at once openly invited Ambedkar and his appointed to attend the Lucknow Conference for people to join them, holding out promises of sub- the purpose of stating the Christian position, but stantial support. The Christian Church, whose without any desire to offer any wholesale recep- ranks have been largely recruited from these tion to the revolting Depressed Classes.
Depressed Classes, has rightly refrained from Christians in America, England and elsewhere entering into competition with other faiths for are earnestly asked to pray for the guidance of an influx of these people. After much thought the Holy Spirit in this crisis. These people must and prayer, various conferences have been held be taught first of all what the Christian Gospel between Christian leaders and Dr. Ambedkar really is, what are the terms of admission to the which have paved the way for further action. Christian fold~ and what l;I.re the thinJ{s that iIlc- ( 163~
sure and accompany salvation through Christ. a Christian, on the contrary real persecution. Suitable literature is being prepared to provide What have the twenty thousand of caste Hindus simple instructions for pastors and teachers. The in the Nizam's Dominions (Hyderabad, Deccan) Ambedkar situation should be related intimately had to gain by accepting Christ? Over against to the Forward Movement in Evangelism which Gandhi's dogmatic assertion is to be placed a is now being promoted in India. statement written by the Rev. Charles W. Posnett explaining why those twenty thousand began to Mahatma Gandhi has pronounced Dr. Ambed- come to Jesus Christ. Dr. Azariah, the Bishop of kar's speech as "unbelievable" and adds: "A Dornakal, and others tell the same story of the change of faith will not serve the cause the un- work among the outcaste people in Dornakal diotouchables have at heart." Millions of Indian cese being so successful that the caste people, who Christians testify to the contrary, for their whole of their own accord have been coming into the outlook on life and their characters have been Christian fold, say: "Weare astounded at the transformed through their acceptance of Christ. intellectual, social and spiritual miracles per- formed in these outcastes since they have accepted In agitation resulting from Dr. Ambedkar's Christ as their Saviour." In view of the facts of speech and Gandhi's comment, the word "con- Christian heroism, Gandhi should cease making version" has sometimes been used as if it meant a such aspersions on his fellow-countrymen. Mr. mere change of fellowship. Every Christian Posnett writes: should help to restore this word to its only correct meaning of a "change of heart"-a change of For twenty-five years the Christian harvest in Hyderarelationship to God and a new life from Him. As bad State was entirely among Untouchables; but grad- Jesus said: "Except ye be converted and become ually the young people who had been through our schools as little children ye cannot enter into the Kingdom had gone back to their villages, and by their lives and of God." Without such an inward change, character compelled the respect of those chiefs who had wrought by the Spirit of God, no change of out- always trodden them underfoot as slaves. At last a depuward circumstance will satisfy. "Except a man tation of caste people came to me to ask for a young be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God." teacher. They said, "We know he is an Untouchable, but he is pure as gold, and he has become our friend; we GANDHI AND INDIAN CHRISTIANITY* want him to come to teach us." This was only the begin- ning. That year, six hundred caste Hindus from all over In the Indian Christian Messenger, Allahabad, the country came to Medak, and Jor three days they the Rev. A. RaIla Ram, Joint Secretary of the listened and learned, and asked questions. Before they Student Movement of India, gives an interesting left they asked for baptism, but our watchword in Hyderaaccount of an interview with Gandhi. In the con- bad has always been "Thorough." We will baptize no one versation, Mr. RaIla Ram said to Gandhi: "Vari- unless we are sure they are prepared to stick to their new ous reports regarding your attitude to conversion Master, whatever befalls, and so we put them off for six have reached me. Could I hear from you first- months. When they got home, they had to go through the hand as to what exactly is your position?" Gand- furnace. Their land was stolen, their water supply cut hi's reply was: off; they were dragged to the courts on false charges; there was one continued, ceaseless effort to make them cry I must frankly say that today communalism is using out for peace at any cost. The devil seemed to have conversion to gain its ends. Various communities are out entered into the hearts of their enemies, who were deterto gain more numbers. Arya Somajists, many Moham- mined to do everything to stop the rising tide. Yet it was medan propagandists and Christian missionaries have of no avail. given me ample proof of this conviction of mine. Preaching pure and simple I cannot possibly oppose. I am a The Rev. A. RaIla Ram's last question was as to preacher myself. But religion is such a sacred matter what message Gandhi had for the Christian comthat, when it is preached, the motives should be unsullied munity in India, to which Gandhi replied: "Tell and pure. Besides, religious preaching should in the first them to let their love of Christ and love of the instance be practiced and lived, and unless word is backed land go hand in hand. You don't need one only, by life I am suspicious of it. I could prove it to you that or the other only, but both at the same time. Your a great deal of Christian medical and educational work is community has various advantages over other not for its own sake but with a view to add people to the communities; let it therefore all the more serve Christian community. . . . If a person wanted to be out the country." and out a follower of Christ and was at the same time devoted to his country and all the good in it, I would be the UNREST IN ITALY last one to oppose his <;onversion. But I maintain that such conversions are rare. The newspaper dispatches from Italy report only what Premier Mussolini and his censors per- Gandhi's last sentence (italicized) is much too mit the public to see in print. From these pubsweeping in face of present-day facts. Take one lished dispatches one might think that all Italians area only, and that a State of non-British India are united and contented under Fascism. This is where there is nothing to be gained by becoming far from true according to such intelligent, well- informed observers, as Professor Paul H. Douglas • Condensed editorial from Dnyanodaya, Poona, India.
TOPICS OF THE TIM,ES
of the University of Chicago, who recently spent has established, based on force, selfishness, fear some months in Italy. There is no doubt that "II and unrighteous aggression, cannot long prevail. Duce" has "put Italy on the map," has strength- Such regimes failed to produce strong abiding ened the government in temporal affairs, has nations under Alexander of Macedonia, Napoleon made many material improvements in the country of France, the Czars of Russia and Wilhelm of and has given Italians great confidence in their Prussia. Absolute dictatorship in human hands own strength. But there are many discontented does not create friends or rest on foundations of critics and some ominous rumblings beneath the righteousness, fear of God, and love for man. The surface; these show that fear holds sway in Italy, Kingdom of God-which is the only abiding King~ rather than love and loyalty. One purpose of the dom-is based on the dominance of Christ, who Ethiopian war was, no doubt, to divert the atten- is the expression of the sacrificial love of God. tion of Italians from the domestic situation and This Kingdom is manifested by "righteousness, to put before them an ambitious plan of foreign peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." conquest, promising large benefits to the nation. But the masses in Italy are not eager for war- STUDENT EVANGELISM IN CHOSEN which to them means hard military service with sickness, danger and death in a foreign land, The way most students spend their Christmas while at home it means privation and sorrow with vacation in America-skating, dancing, theater, unwelcome military restrictions. Apparent en- parties, sleeping and visiting-is in sharp conthusiasm for Mussolini and his program is stirred trast to the way some of the Chosen Christian up in public by artificial means; it is not spon- College students in Seoul spend theirs. Urgent taneous; but the people are afraid to express their pleas for help from about twenty churches were real thoughts or even to mention the name of the laid before the officers of the College Y. M. C. A. dictator lest they be arrested. "Send us young men who can tell the young people of our town of Christ," they said. "Send someone The Protestant Christians of Italy do not ap- who can sing as well as preach." From various prove the militaristic, materialistic, dictatorial places, couched in various terms, came the invitapolicy of the government; its disregard for rights tions, but burdened with the same need for help. of individuals and of weaker nations is anti-Christian. The Roman Catholic Church is merely ob- Maps were studied and the all too scanty budget serving an armed' truce, with the Pope ruling a item labeled "Student Preaching." "It was finalkingdom within a kingdom and disapproving ly decided," writes Dr. H. H. Underwood, Presimany of Mussolini's policies. dent of the college, "to make special effort in be- half of a little church close at hand where the col- One cause of the unrest in Italy, as elsewhere, lege students had carried on work all fall. Here is great economic suffering. While millions of was an opportunity which might yield much fruit lire are being spent on airplanes, battleships, mu- and which could not be abandoned for more thrillnitions and aggressive militarism, the average ing calls from far-away places. employed worker receives only $5.50 a week for himself and his family; meanwhile food prices "Four little struggling groups of Christians, are from two to five times the scale of prices for two in the south and two in the north, were also sethe same articles in other countries of Europe. lected for work during the Christmas vacation. At least one seventh of the Italian wage workers Two teams, with three boys in each team this are unemployed. Young men are inclined to be time, one a musician, were chosen to give four or aggressively militaristic but those past thirty, five days to each group. One of the finest violinwith family and business responsibilities, desire ists in Korea (a junior in the arts course), consepeace, liberty and a voice in the government. crated his violin to spreading the Gospel music Thinking classes do not relish the fact that an and message. indiscreet remark may result in five years imprisonment; nor do they see justice in the fact "When these teams came back for the opening that there is no appeal from the decisions of the of college in January each boy had a lot to tell. military authorities and the dictatorial courts. Cold, misunderstanding, persecution and heck- The Italian newspapers are all under Mussolini's ling; welcomes, conversions, joy of service, joy control, while posters, pamphlets and every de- of giving. The total attendance at these meetings vice of propaganda are used to bolster Fascism. was almost 7,000. About 200 young men met them But people are weary of being told that "II Duce" in earnest inquiry and joined in the study of the is infallible and divinely inspired; few believe life of Christ and the meaning of the message. that he is invincible. Premier Mussolini does not Between 700 and 1,000 little children were taught encourage the study of history for history teaches to know His Name, to sing His praise, and to say that the government, such as Premier Mussolini 'Our Father,' with a new meaning. Daybreak prayer meetings, morning classes with young peo-
pIe, afternoon Bible story hour for children, and Dr. Speer, in his address, called attention to five evening preaching service made the days full- main reasons for cooperative Christian evangelism seventy-eight such days of service in all. At the in the Southern republics. port of Yohsoo the building would not hold the crowds and twice they moved to larger quarters. (1) Admiration for the excellent qualities At one place the eyes of the Christians were found in Latin Americans and love for the people opened to their responsibility to give non-Chris- as we come to know them. tians a new conception of what real Christianity should mean. (2) The real need for Evangelical work as a protest against the errors and weaknesses of Ro- "We cannot estimate spiritual values in money man Catholicism as seen in Latin America. The terms, but, for purposes of comparison, it is in- very presence of Protestant workers is a stimulus teresting to note that these students-at a total to higher standards of doctrine and life. cost of $27.00-were able to reach 6,600 people; there were over fifty conversions; five churches (3) As a witness to pure New Testament were served, four to eight days, at $5.40 each; standards of faith and practice under the guidseventy-eight days of service at a cost of less ance and power of the Holy Spirit. than $.35 per day! More precious things were expended-much love, much faith, much enthusi- (4) To bring into Latin American life the inasm for the Master, and many other precious fluence of strong Christian personalities such as gifts. The results only God knows." have given their lives to Latin America in mis- sionary service; and to give to North Americans Did Christmas vacation mean as much to us in the benefit of contact with such great Christian America? Did it mean as much to others of God's personalities as Erasmo Braga of Brazil. children, and to Christ, as the vacation meant to these Korean college students? (5) But the dominant and essential purpose of Protestant work is to make Christ known to the COOPERATION IN LATIN AMERICA people of those lands – not merely the infant Christ of the manger, or the child in his mother's One hundred years ago the first permanent arms, or the dead Christ upon the Cross, but the Protestant mission was established in· South Christ who is the eternal Son of God, the cruci- America by the Methodist Episcopal Church. fied, risen and glorified Christ, who is the living Twenty years ago, in February, 1916, the first general missionary conference of Evangelical Saviour. Missions to Latin America was held in Panama. South America has been called a continent As a result the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America was formed. Its object was to within a continent. Not much more than the outbring together for united planning and effort the ward fringe is touched by Evangelical Christian- Evangelical forces engaged in promoting the Gos- ity-vast areas of the interior are still unreached. pel of Christ in those other American republics. Here is the call to advance. The doors are open Dr. Robert E. Speer presided at the Panama Con- wide and there is complete religious liberty in all gress and was elected cha;irman of the committee but three of the Latin American republics. The -a position in which he has served for the past response to the Gospel is encouraging, especially twenty years. At the same time, Dr. S. G. Inman in Brazil where success has been greater than in was elected general secretary and has probably all the other republics. Here is a call of God to done more than any other one man to promote advance and we are under obligation to enter North American interest in the peoples south of these doors while they are open and to strengthen the Rio Grande and to strengthen sympathetic the ties that bind us together in Christ. cooperation between the northern and southern republics. Evangelical mission work has not been Dr. George P. Howard, of Chile, who is known easy because of racial, religious, political and eco- as "the evangelist to the unchurched intelligentzia nomic differences. Real progress has been made, of Latin America," reported on the remarkable as the interest in the mission study topic of the responsiveness of the students, professors, mempresent year clearly indicates. bers of Rotary clubs and other thinking people to the message of the Gospel. They will not go to At a twentieth anniversary meeting of the Com- church but they will come in crowds to halls and mittee on Cooperation, held in New York on theaters to listen to Evangelical Christian ad:- March 5th, over two hundred attended the dinner dresses on moral and religious topics. In one year to honor Dr. Speer, who was presented with a Dr. Howard was privileged to speak on these gift of over $2,000 to be used as he may designate themes to 28,000 of the educated classes, the mato promote Evangelical work in Latin America. jority of whom are entirely out of touch with the churches. The radio is also offering wonderful opportunities to reach men and women in their homes. Thousands are becoming intelligently in- terested in personal religion and hundreds are enrolling in Bible classes.
Mass Movements in India~'
By BISHOP J. WASKOM PICKETT, D.D.
Author of "Christian Mass Movements in India"
MASS movements have long characterized another of these mass movements. Some records Indian mission work, but failure to deal contained as many as 350 entries . . . with them properly has often led to their The spiritual validity of mass movements was extinction. During the last thirty years they have abundantly proved by the data assembled, and the been the main feature of successful district work. conclusion was reached that for vast numbers of Over ninety per cent of the members of the Indian India's people mass movements offer the most Church have beEm won from the outcaste and natural way of approach to Christ. Weaknesses primitive peoples, amongst whom these mass were discovered and reasons for some of them movements hav~ taken place. They are commu- were clearly revealed. Neglect of personal reli- nal rather than mass movements. The practical gion, the bringing into the church of caste bar- lessons which our recent study reveals mark a riers, and the arrest or retardation of growth definite step forward in the missionary approach after being recognized as Christians, appear to be to the evangelization of India. the chief dangers attending mass movements, and When the project to study the mass movements everyone of these has been overcome in one or in India was proposed by the National Christian more of the areas studied. Of the causes of weak- Council in January, 1929, it was known that these ness in the churches that have grown out of mass movements had brought millions of India's people movements, the following are prominent: to a profession of Christian faith and discipleship, 1. Underestimation by missions of their responsibilities.
but there were, in the ranks of Christian mission- 2. Inadequate adaptation of methods of work to the pe- aries and Indian Church leaders, sharp differ- culiar needs of these communities. 3. Low standards of expectation and inefficient adminences of opinion about the measure of their istration. achievement, their value, their possibilities and even their spiritual validity. While many re- If the work of missions aiding these movements spected leaders of the churches were encouraging were everywhere brought up to the standards of mass movements, others equally respected were the best, and the lessons learned were applied to discouraging them in their own areas and depre- the work in every area, very great improvements would be made and the achievements through cating their growth elsewhere.
Objections were based chiefly on the depressed mass movements would be vastly increased . . . social, economic and moral state of the groups A number of missionaries and Indian Church participating in the movements, the supposedly poor material these groups constitute for building leaders have accepted the findings in the report the Indian Church, the obstacles which their con- as a sufficient explanation of their lack of success version was believed to put in the way of winning and have begun to work on new lines with early the higher castes to Christ, and the belief that promise of good results. One missionary, after the religious needs of the individual are obscured learning of what God had done through mass and his development as a Christian retarded by movements in different parts of India, prayerhis inclusion in a "mass movement." These ob- fully considered what class of people in his disj ections represented a conflict of experience as trict were most likely to respond in large numbers well as of opinion . . . to an invitation to come to Christ, and he went to them at once with a new definiteness and faith. The study of these mass movements was in- Almost immediately he discovered such responsaugurated in July, 1929. Representative areas iveness as he had not met with before in the whole were selected and intensively studied with the aid of his ministry. Within three months of his first of a carefully selected staff. Economists, sociol- approach to these people, a large group of them ogists, psychologists and church administrators was asking for admission to the church on prowere included among the investigators. Records fession of faith, and telling their relatives and were made about more than 4,000 households of fellow caste men of their new joy in Christ. A people who had come to Christian faith in one or movement of ~uch promise has begun, and five village groups, totalling more than 400 people, * Condensed from Wo..ld Dominiun, January, 1936. have been baptized.
[167 ]
Another missionary, who had been afraid to bile so that they can be employed where there is the best accept a large group of aborigines because he did. prospect of achieving results. not understand the operation of group action in religion, found in the report of what had been 4. That. converts should be urged to win their relatives achieved through mass movements of the same and those with whom they have been associated in caste tribe in another district the encouragement and or tribe, and that the resources of missions should be used to reinforce their witness to Christ; in other words, that evangelism shou;d be directed along natural social lines.
understanding he needed. He therefore received Evangelists have often been employed in one them, with the result that they have made an district, trying in vain to persuade people to hear excellent beginning in the Christian life and he the Gospel, while in an adjoining district people feels that the hopes and purposes with which he have been asking in vain for instruction. Recame to India are being realized. sponsibility for this has not been due to denom- inationalism alone, for it has often happened Yet another missionary had refused to allow a within the same mission. Because missions have group of sweepers to come into the church because developed property in certain places, evangelists he feared that their admission would keep out have been kept there when the people of that higher caste people whom he was eager to win. vicinity were unresponsive to the message and Through the report he was led to see the wrong people of neighboring territory were clamoring that he was doing and at once changed his atti- for it. Many Mid-India missionaries now see the tude toward the sweepers, with the result that al- need of mobility of evangelistic forces so clearly most one hundred of them have been converted that they are offering to send help from their and he is having happy fellowship with them.
These responses of individual Christian work- areas into the regions where movements are de- ers to new light, however, mean less than certain veloping, even though that means the disregard- developments affecting entire missions and groups ing of mission boundaries and the sacrifice of of missions. When the report of the study was denominational interests for the good of the larg- presented to the Mid-India Christian Council, one er church.
question seemed to take hold of the minds of all The tendency has often been to try to protect present, namely, why have similar results not been the convert from influences that are regarded as achieved in Mid-India? Few areas in India have a menace, by separating him from his relatives been so well provided with missionaries and other and all old associates. Many of the greatest in- agents of missionary work as has this area. The gatherings of the church in India have been population in Mid-India also includes an unusual- brought about by the refusal of new converts to ly large proportion of the sort of people who have accede to the demands made upon them to come been won to Christ through mass movements, yet out from among their people in a social sense.
the area has been among the least fruitful. Mis- They have insisted on going among their people sion work has been directed very largely to insti- to tell the glad tidings, and, instead of suffering tutions and rural evangelism has grown less and from the influence of their non-Christian environ- less fruitful. ment, they have won their fellows to Christ. Spir- Considering these facts, the council appointed a itual life does not seem to thrive when it is "pro- Mass Movement Committee with instructions to tected" by isolation, but when it is promoted by study the records and opportunities in the area witness-bearing.
and see what could be done to effect a radical Now we come to a brief report of the chief supchange. This committee has arranged for a two- plementary study of this period, namely, that of months' study of six sections of its territory, the unprecedented revival developing in the Telu- where it believes signs of potential mass move- gu field. Here we are concerned with mass movements exist, planned a redistribution of forces to ments in no fewer than forty-five different castes take better advantage of the openings which God and tribes, all following upon highly successful has made for evangelistic advance, andreached a movements in two depressed castes.* We have number of definite convictions concerning the interviewed almost a thousand converts of the program which God would have the church and middle and higher castes in this area, and their missions in Mid-India to follow. testimony indicates clearly that they have been Among these convictions are the following: profoundJy influenced by the transformation in 1. That cooperation in evangelism is an urgent need. the character and the enrichment in the personal- 2. That the resources with which God has entrusted the ity of the Christian converts from the depressed churches and missions are for the building of the Church classes in their own and near-by villages. The as a whole and should be used regardless of separate de- centers of the revival among the caste people are nominational considerations.
3. That the occupation of territory is of secondary im- • The results of this study will be recorded in a oook to be pubportance and that evangelistic forces should be kept mo- lished early in 1936, the title of which may be Christ's Way to In- dia's Heart.
CHRISTIAN MASS MOVEMENTS IN INDIA
the places in which the most thoroughgoing grain from wild animals, when he became hungry changes have been wrought in the character, out- and ordered the servant to steal some fruit from look and mode of living of the earlier converts. a neighbor's garden. The servant boy refused, "What influenced you to become a Christian?" saying that he would not steal even when ordered we asked a middle-aged physician who had been to do so. The Brahman threatened, then en- baptized a few weeks earlier. treated, but the lad persisted in refusing to steal.
"I was first led to investigate Christianity by Then he remembered that this boy's caste-fellows meeting an Indian minister on a cross-country had been notorious thieves until they were con- journey in a motor lorry," he replied. "We talked verted to Christianity several years before, and for two hours and I was surprised at his rich cul- began to wonder how this had been brought about.
ture and charm. I asked him about his caste be- Within a few weeks he began to attend church in fore becoming a Christian and was amazed when the outcaste quarter of his village and when his he told me that he came from one of the lowest caste-fellows protested he contrasted their false castes in the country. That puzzled me and I said claims in religion with the reality he found among that I would try to find out the secret of how a the Christians, and sought and found that reality despised outcaste could be remade into such a man for himself.
as this minister. I bought a Bible and read the These are typical of scores of experiences that Gospels of Mark and John, the Acts of the Apos- were told to us during this part of the study.
tles and several of the Epistles of Paul, and felt These conversions are bringing to the church that I understood the secret. Then I began to in- many new problems. When high-caste, egotistical vestigate the Christian converts in my own vil- employers join the church of their long-despised lage and found that the same transforming proc- servants, problems of relationship inevitably ess was going on in them. This led to my con- arise. The masters have to resist a strong natural version and I am hoping that all my relatives and disposition to assert their control of the church; friends will be converted. None of them can af- the servants to resist a no less strong disposition ford to get on without this power of Christ in to take advantage of their opportunity to rule in their lives." the one sphere where they meet their masters on A young Brahman told us that he was converted equal or better terms. In these conditions it is through the influence brought to bear on him by not surprising to discover a tendency on the part a servant from one of the outcaste communities of high-caste converts to seek baptism as a sign of his village. This servant was with him in his of their recognition as Christians, but to refrain father's field at night, protecting the ripening from any active association with the church. The study was undertaken chiefly for the purpose of discovering MASS MOVEMENT AREAS how the numerous problems (shaded) are being handled and with -In- what results. It is hoped other IKDlA '" BURMA lessons will be .learned which nln will result in greatly improved work.
By Courtesy of World Dominion, London For Whom Did Christ Die?
Twelve shipwrecked men were la- boring in heavy seas in an over- loaded boat, when one of the seamen, in order to lighten the boat, deliber- ately sprang overboard. The rest were saved.
For which of the eleven did the sailor give His life?
If Christ died for all, He died for each; for no one more than another, and no one omitted. The sun shines for nineteen hundred millions of mankind; but I know that it shines for me, and would tomorrow morn- ing if not another soul survived on the globe. So Christ loved me and gave Himself for 1ne.-ATthur T. PieTson.
Emancipator of Indian Outcastes*
By 1. o. HARTMAN, Boston, Mass. Jit– Editor of Zion's Herald I N FAR-AWAY India there has arisen a leader At a conference in Nasik last October, Ambed- whose ancestral background, like that of kar threw what The Times of Lucknow called his Abraham Lincoln, is summed up in the phrase "bomb-shell." "We shall cease our fight for equal- "the short and simple annals of the poor." He ity where we are denied it," he declared in an im- bids fair to become the emancipator of sixty mil- passioned address before ten thousand Harijans lions of miserable outcastes. Bhimaro R. Ambed- at the Bombay Presidency Depressed Classes'
kar is principal of the Government Law College Conference.
of Bombay and leader of a movement that is shak- Everywhere in India the movement is spreading the Indian Empire from the Himalayas to ing like wildfire. Following the conference, eight Cape Comorin; from the Indus to the Bay of hundred young men of the depressed classes per- Bengal. formed the obsequies of Hinduism at Nasik by This strange man, to whom the masses of India burning "Manusmriti" and other sacred Hindu are now rallying with pathetic hopefulness, was books which uphold untouchability. At Lucknow born of outcaste parents, apparently doomed to a another group sought to organize a band of vollife of hideous Hindu slavery. But he broke unteers to force temple entry, which from time through the iron bars of caste and finally was immemorial has been denied the Harijans. At graduated from college with honors. He attracted Barabanki twenty-eight thousand outcastes asthe attention of the Gaekwar of Baroda, India's sembled and, after hearing speakers, urged supmost progressive native prince, who gave young port of Dr. Ambedkar and called for an "All- Ambedkar a generous scholarship that made pos- Indian Harijan Conference." sible years of study in Great Britain, the United States, and Germany. From Columbia Univer- Great processions of outcastes from many sity the future barrister received the degrees of towns and villages marched on foot to a great master of arts and doctor of philosophy; from rally held at Egmore on November 24th. One the University of London the doctorate in science, speaker told of the wide-spread denial of educaand from the University of Bonn another doctor- tional opportunity to the outcastes. ate in philosophy. He visited the Pope and talked to him of the misery of the outcastes and of the Millions of multicolored leaflets have been isinjustice practised against members of the de- sued bearing Dr. Ambedkar'.s message to the outpressed classes in the Roman Catholic Church of castes, tracing the history of his people and their South India. struggle during the last six years "to obtain bare rights and recognition by caste Hindus as human Upon his arrival home Ambedkar experienced beings." But in spite of their efforts the outcastes again the far-reaching and sinister power of have been treated more inhumanly than before. Brahmanism. He could not rent a house in which They have therefore become hardened and have to live; he could not secure even an office room; decided "after mature deliberation and in a calm he was still an .outcaste; with all his education atmosphere to abjure Hindu religion for some he was only an "untouchable." After a struggle other religion which can give them equal treathe decided to go up or down with his people. To- ment, status, and clean living inside the faith." day the great struggle is on, one of the greatest struggles in human history, with sixty million Astounded at the mass uprising of Harijans, five progressive Hindu leaders recently held a low-caste slaves fighting for justice and freedom conference with Dr. Ambedkar and outlined. cerunder the leadership of one of their own number. tain reforms, including the abolition of untouch- Dr. Ambedkar has become the acknowledged lead- ability. The committee tried in vain to persuade er of the "Depressed Classes" and was their rep- the outcaste leader to retract his public statement resentative at the famous Round Table Confer- that he had definitely "decided to renounce Hindu- ism." ence in London.
The Mohammedans, seeing in the great revolt r • Condensed from an article in Zion'8 Herald, Boston, Mass.Dr.a Moslem opportunity, are making flattering of- Hartman has recently returned from Indla.-EDlTOR. 170] fers to the Harijans, and are hoping to captur~ have no scruples about taking it from their Mosthese millions for the Prophet. On January 6th, lem fellow workers. at Calcutta, there was held a great Khilafat Conference of Moslems. The president, the Nawab Dr. Ambedkar pointed out the inherent moral of Deccan, outlined a "fifty-year plan" to be car- and spiritual qualities of the Harijans. "How ried forward under an organization to be known amazing it is," he said, "that, notwithstanding as the Moslem Mission for the Emancipation of the injustices and cruelties they have suffered, the Depressed· Classes, and called for 100,000 they still keep a certain simple dignity and nobilmembers and a fund of 1,000,000 rupees. He also ity of soul, a kindly courtesy, and an undying urged the recruiting of 1000 Moslem evangelists, hope !" They will "make good" if given a chance. each of whom would pledge himself to give twenty years of his life to work among the outcastes. At present Mahatma Gandhi is defending the caste system in order to hold Hinduism together. Dr. Ambedkar is friendly toward Christianity Dr. Ambedkar said" "If Gandhi thinks from the and is familiar with Christ's teaching, though he standpoint of strategy the time is not yet ripe for is noncommittal regarding the future relation- a clear-cut pronouncement on this question, but ship of himself and his group to the church. In is really on the side of the depressed millions, New York and in London he sat under the preach- I can keep my respect for him, but if he is playing ing of some of that city's most distinguished min- politics I am through with him." isters. Recently he has conferred with Bishop J. W. Pickett and is deeply interested in the On the constructive side the outcaste leader bishop's book "Christian Mass Movements in In- sees clearly the economic issue. He declared: dia." He has also come into personal contact "We must develop cooperative banks among the with the Bishop of Dornakal, with Dr. Stanley outcastes, give them opportunity to save and to J ones and several other missionaries. acquire property. . .. The Harijans must be given a chance to own land, for only so can they The outcastes have apparently definitely decid- overcome the slave mentality that has been develed that they are forever through with Hinduism. oped through long centuries. I want the outcaste Some may accept the proffered compromises of to stand up and achieve all the dignity of a the Brahmans, but the great majority will prob- man . . . Education is essential." ably become either Moslems or Christians. Dr. Ambedkar, who is at heart a deeply spir- When in India I visited Dr. Ambedkar's home itual man, said that outcastes must be offered at Dadar, a suburb of Bombay. His study, in- more than simply individualistic "spirituality," cluding the balcony on three sides, is filled with important as that is. "Any religion that is to volumes arranged in stacks after the manner of command the respect of the outcastes and help a public library. Now in the vigor of early man- them to the more abundant life must also deal hood, this leader of the Harijans is a forceful with the application of Christ's teachings to the personality, rather quick in his movements and problems that they have to face. . . How can the with the keen eye that goes with penetrative in- Harijans develop strong characters and become telligence. He gives the impression of cautious useful men and women in the midst of a degradcourage. As soon as we were seated Dr. Ambed- ing and debasing environment?" kar took the initiative and the interview began. He dealt first of all with the evils of Hinduism and Dr. Ambedkar realizes that at bottom the whole traced the history of Brahman cruelty and in- problem is religious, and he knows that he is fightjustice to the outcastes. ing hoary traditions that have been entrenched not for hundreds but for thousands of years. Now He feels that the religious leaders of other he sees that the outcastes are "through for ever countries, in their effort to be tolerant of all re- with Hinduism. Weare going somewhere, but ligions, have been too lenient with Hinduism. He are not ready yet to say in what direction." If declares that the older missionaries were nearer they compromise with the Hindus, all is lost; if right in their estimates of the faith than are the they choose Mohammedanism, the Hindus will younger leaders who attempt to find "much good" crush them; if they accept Christianity, both the in it. He spoke of the cotton mills of Bombay Hindus and the Moslems will be on their back. where outcastes are employed as spinners at 27 rupees (about $9) a month but can never become Since the time when Moses led the Children of weavers at 100 rupees a month ($33) since in Israel out of the bondage of Egypt history has this department a bamboo tube is used to suck kept repeating itself. In the Reformation, in the in the broken ends of thread in the process of Enlightenment, in the English, French, Amerrepairing it. The high castes would never con- ican, and Russian revolutions, men have fought sent to insert the tube in their mouths after it for larger rights and liberties. And now Ambedhad been used by a low caste, although they ~ar of India seeks to lead another vast group of human beings out of the terrible slavery of caste into j usrtice and freedom.
Crosses
By JULIA LAKE KELLERSBERGER* Missiontlry of the Presbyteritln Church in the United Sttltes The Cross in the Sky watershed between the present territory of Rho- D URING the World War a company of young desia and the Belgian Congo, perhaps two small American soldiers were impatient to enter streams, only a few yards apart, would not have the fray. There were not transport ships issued from its center, one flowing south into the enough for all. The Captain, to be entirely just, Zambesi over Victoria while the other flowed drew a red cross on every third slip of paper, north into – what? Livingstone thought this leaving the other two blank. Those who drew the must be the source of the Nile but he laid down cross were to sail for France the next day. The his life with the secret which he longed to ferret others were to wait further orders. One sixteen- out still locked within the waters of the stream. year-old American lad wrote home to his mother, Had Stanley not been a worthy pupil of so illus- "I'm praying that I might draw a cross." He did trious a teacher, he would never have returned to the unknown to solve the unfinished riddle. For and his body rests in Flander's field. one thousand days save one, he stuck to the river It is a costly thing to draw a cross. Most of us which flowed north for hundreds of miles and would prefer the crowns but we must carry the first before we can be coronated with the second. then suddenly turned west. He found enough Those who have chosen the Belgian Congo as adventures to satisfy even a knight of the round a mission field have drawn a land of crosses, as- table, as is ably proven by his own history of that tronomically, geographically and spiritually. illustrious voyage. Reaching the cataracts, near There is a Cross in the Sky which looks down the end of his journey, he fought his way along upon this territory of approximately one million the shore and finally landed at Boma on the Atsquare miles, eighty times the size of the country lantic Ocean. The shadows which, for four centhat governs it. "The Southern Cross" shines turies, had surrounded the "Dark Continent," upon the second largest river in the world, drain- were now chased away by the limelight of sciening more territory than all the rivers of Europe tific discovery. The silence of the continent was broken. From forests and plains, from mountains combined. This river spells "life" to countless and valleys, from river banks and ocean coasts hidden hamlets, supplying food and water and that had hitherto been dumb came a murmur of transportation to an otherwise poverty-stricken desire. "The Continent of God's Adventure" was and secluded people. The Cross is reflected in the ready for God's adventurers; the continent of placid waters of Stanley Pool, not far from the Moses was now ready for leaders to bring a bondmouth of the Congo River, where begins the series aged people to the Promised Land; the continent of famous cataracts that impeded the progress of to which Mary and Joseph fled with the young a continent for four hundred years. We dare not child, Jesus, was waiting to give Him a place in probe too curiously into the might-have-beens, but her bosom. gazing down on fishing nets caught in the swirl The Cross on the Land of these innocent-looking rapids, one's imagina- tion is caught in the net of speculation. Had the Had young Prince Henry the Navigator not mighty Congo run a smooth course, the energies crossed over from Spain to northern Africa in of intrepid explorers who entered her mouth be- 1415 he would never have learned from the Mos- fo;e Columbus dreamed of his westward voyage lems there of the vast riches along the unexplored mIght, perchance, have been directed toward the Western Coast. He would never have issued his opening up of this old, old continent instead of royal edi-ct to Diogo Cam to "Plant the Cross on discovering the new. If so, then might not Chris- some new headland." Because of this command tian Africa be sending missionaries to pagan there was carved in 1486 upon solid rock along America? Who can say? Great doors often the bank of the Congo River a cross, the sacred swing upon small hinges! Had there not been a symbol of the Rock of Ages upon enduring stone.
* A~ address delivered at The Florida Chain of Missionary As- A well-known picture of the Christ Child portrays semblIes, 1936. Him with arms outstretched, running towards His [172 ] waiting mother. Noon shadows cause the warn- ulated country, whose people were known, until a ing form of a cross to appear behind His boyish few decades ago, as a dying race because of the figure. Central Africa, too, has her arms up- crosses which still hung upon the land – sorcery raised, but sinister shadows make weird crosses and witchcraft, cannibalism and the poison cup, upon her weary land. To those who have had the epidemic diseases, sin, ignorance and superstitkm. privilege of gazing upon the "Mount of the Holy Cross" in Colorado, whose seared sides are filled The Cross Upon the Back with spotless snow, and upon whose heights a great white cross is visible, can never forget the There is a cross upon the back of the women sacred symbolism. Congo hills, too, are scarred and girls of Africa. They are modern Gibeonites, hewers of wood and drawers of water. They are the builders of roads, cultivators of fields, and the bearers of babies. They are the centers of controversy, the barter goods of trade, and the cause of jealousy. They are the hub of the wheel around which turns the African ma- chinery of life. No army can advance any faster than its sick or wounded. African women are carrying heavy crosses, therefore African advance has been slow and painful. Congo maidens have already beheld, their young minds have already comprehended, and their girl bodies have already endured enough of life's stern realities to make of them old women in experience, long before they have even en- tered womanhood. Eight hundred girl wives were found near one mission station in recent years, married to aged polygamous husbands. Upon tiny bodies falls all too soon that sinister shadow of the cross of sickness, suffering and death. Figures range from 50 to 75 % infant mortality, but even at the lowest estimate there is an appalling death rate due to heathen cus- toms and superstitions centering around the new-born child.
A CONGO CHRISTIAN MOTHER WITH TWINS The Cross Within the Heart (If she were not a Christian the twins would have been allowed to die.) Within a trunk of curios from Africa there with the rush of tropic waters and the forms of is a tiny copper cross, of more historic value crude crosses sprawl here and there upon her than all of the other contents put together. rugged breast. Two great transportation routes, This cross was found buried in the grave of an traversing the length and breadth of the land, ancient chief hundreds of years ago and had meet in the Belgian Congo. They form a mas- been used as a part of the "bride-price" for one sive, man-made Crucifix, hung, as it were, upon of his many wives. Very much larger 'and the surface of the whole continent. The torrents heavier ones are still in use for the purpose of of civilization, with their mighty onrush, have securing a wife. It is natural that copper, left crosses not only seared upon the soil ;but tat- which is ' so plentiful in the Congo region should tooed upon the hearts of those who still wear the be used as a medium of exchange, but was it only scars of slavery and political despotism, of greed chance that caused them to smelt the ore to form for gain instead of desire for God. There· are so sacred a design? ·@ver four hundred yeats ago only ten people to the square mile in this depop- Portuguese Catholics claimed the West Coast for Christ, and many crucifixes have been unearthed in ancient villages. They were later used as fetishes to bring good luck in the hunt. Who knows but that they might have been thought of as bringing ."good luck" in the marital relations as well ? We shall· take .the cross, as they have done, as a symbol of marriage. Strange that where sin abides unchecked, the most sacred
things in life become the most degraded. Instead you are blind, you can hold on to a stick, but after of a crown of orange blossoms in her hair, the you receive your sight, you don't need the stick Congo maiden has a cross to bear upon her heart. any longer." Rejoice that there are many in the Congo today who once were blind but now can Another cross is seared upon the hearts of see; who once were holding to crutches, but now Congo women and they can never forget the awful can walk by faith; who once were seeking self, scars until the knowledge of the Cross of Christ but now are drawing crosses. There are now at takes the scars away. More than anywhere else, work in the Belgian Congo forty-four Protestant African superstitions center around the mother missionary societies with 893 missionaries, of 12 and child. Woman must not only bear the pain of nationalities. There are two hundred Christian physical birth but she must bear the blame for mission stations and a total of 527,800 natives in the illness and death of her offspring. Ngoya was such a case. Her four children grew up about her. An epidemic of dysentery swept the village and under the ministrations of the witchdoctor all four of them died. She was judged guilty of witch-craft and was made to drink the poison cup. She survived, but hundreds of others have died under similar trials. She now sits before the door of her delapidated hut, a few twigs burning before her, her wrinkled old face devoid of expression. "One, two, three, four," a Christian heard her murmur. He followed the direction of her finger and saw-four little mounds of earth. She was patiently taught of the resurrection hope, but there are thousands of other Ngoyas whose little twig fires furnish their only light.
The Cross Along the Road WIFE OF A CONGO CHIEF (She is burdened with copper bracelets and jewelry.) The Congo woman has traveled a long, long trail. She is standing at the crossroads of the active touch with Christian missions, not counting future and her choice of direction will deter- the children in 10,116 Christian schools. Denommine what she will be tomorrow, economically, inationalism is never stressed. Each convert is a industrially, educationally, politically and reli- member, not of a particular denomination, but of giously. The crossroads of an African trail, "The Church of Christ in the Congo." by which they believe that the spirits may come in either direction, is a very serious affair. The Nineteen hundred years ago a black man drew spirits of the future, both good and evil, are a Cross. How strangely significant it was that he, calling the African woman, as she stands hesi- among the howling mob, was chosen to lift the tant where two ways meet. A signpost is there burden_from the back of One who was carrying and it is in the form of a cross. The Guide the sins of the whole world. Today Christians Himself has placed it and has printed upon it have an opportunity to lift the black man's lesser in flaming letters, directions concerning the Way. crosses. The Crucified and Crowned Chr,ist is the Can she read it? Has she strength to follow? It only solution for "Congo Crosses."t is the privilege of Christian missionaries to take her by the hand and to lead her gently along the t "Congo Crosses," the Mission Study Book for 1936-37, published New Trail which has so many absorbing bypaths, by the Central Committee for the United Study of Forei&'ll Missions, "the upward, winding, daring trail" . . . to God. covers; 50 cents, paper covers. Author, Mrs. Julia Lake Kelles- berger. The Cross of Calvary "The arms of the Cross are still strong enough to hang the destinies of nations upon." Were it not for the power of the Cross of Calvary, there would be no hope for Congo's crosses. "Social service without Christ is like giving a dead man a stick to make him walk." When urged to leave her church and join in many counteractivities, an educated Christian Congo woman replied: "When
Awakening of Egypt*
__ I By MRS. JOHN P. WHITE, Pittsburgh, Pa. I Editor of The Women's Missionary Magazine of the United Presbyterian Chur~h O UT on the edge of the desert, west of Cairo, But I soon became aware of a new Egypt. stands the Sphinx. Cut from the solid Cairo had fine new buildings, wider streets, lovely stone, this monument has been standing boulevards. The smaller cities, which formerly for thousands of years. The conquerors of many were lighted by kerosene lanterns or candles, now nations have swept by; dynasties have risen and have their great white ways and there are wide fallen; generations have come and gone and still roads between towns and paved highways between the Sphinx has remained unchanged. the great cities. Many material evidences indi- In the Railway Station Square in Cairo is an- cate a new Egypt.
other Sphinx. Beside it is the figure of a young An Intellectual Awakening woman, with one hand on the head, as if to awaken the sleeping sphinx; with the other hand she Egypt, which has been one of the most backis throwing back a veil from her face. This statue ward of nations in literacy, is at long last visibly is called "The Awakening of Egypt." moved. In 1917, after thirty-five years of British occupation and sixty-three of missionary educa- "You will not know Egypt," my friends said tion, Egypt was gaining. Yet the census of that to me when I recently returned to Egypt after an year revealed that less than ten per cent of Mosabsence of years. "Everything is changed; there lem men could read and only half of one per cent is a new Egypt." of Moslem women could read. That means that only five Mohammedan women out of a thousand But I did know Egypt. At first my thoughts were literate. The percentage in the Coptic comall seemed to turn backward. I went into the old munity was higher, and in the Protestant commusections of Cairo and Assiut with their narrow, nity it was very much higher, but Egypt is almost malodorous streets and swarming population; solidly Mohammedan, having thirteen million out they seemed exactly the same. I visited the vil- of the total population of fourteen million. The lages, with the one-room houses of sun-dried census of 1927 showed seventeen and one-half per brick, where often the family, the donkey, and the cent of men and two per cent of women to be chickens all sleep under the same roof. Were literate. This means that twenty out of a thouthese the same houses I had seen years before? sand Mohammedan women could read. But do The crumbling walls, the old thatch of corn-stalks not forget that 980 out of a thousand Mohammedand cotton-stalks answered "yes." an women are still illiterate. The next census will show another encouraging increase, and we And the people? All sense of time seemed to all rejoice, for every new reader is a potential be lost as I looked at the farmer with his camel Bible reader. It is not too much to claim that the and donkey hitched together, drawing a primitive American missionaries who opened little schools plow; or at. the small boy riding his buffalo cow for Egypt's children eighty-one years ago, and in down into the water to give her a drink. They the course of years built up a system from kinwere people I knew. As I looked at the black- dergarten to college, and who trained an army of veiled women, I felt I knew them. When one teachers, started the idea of education for the sons .rushed up to me with a sign of recognition my of the common people, and introduced the wholly heart said "Oh, that is Sitt Gameela," but the new idea of educating girls. calendar said "Perhaps she is Sitt Gameela's daughter."
Egypt at times seemed unchanged. The land, Today Egypt has a national school system. the crops, the trees, the flowers, the old monu- King Fuad, several years ago, told one of the misments-all are the same; the river still sionaries of his ambitions to make Egypt literate.
. . . Flows through old hushed Egypt and its sands He realized the difficulties-the opposition of the Like some grave mighty thought threading a dream. old conservatives, the necessary extra taxation, the lack of trained teachers, the poverty of the sem• bPllaerst, o1f9a3n6. address given at the Florida Chain of Missionary As- people, who need the help of every child to earn a [175 ]
few millemes, but he said, "I am determined to go but through education. Both men and women forward with my program." And he has gone have come to see a new dignity in womanhood, forward with the help of forward looking men. and to place a new value upon childhood. Here Primary schools, covering a four-year course, are again Christian women from the West showed a springing up throughout the villages, high schools new way. are available for many in the cities; and a university established in 1925 is as modern as the Egyptian women have recently organized nu- American University in Cairo. merous societies for the help of their own people. The "20," with their new privileges, are reaching This new education is producing a real revolu- out a helping hand to the "980." These women tion. EI Azhar, the great Mohammedan Univer- have created public opinion that demanded many sity, older than Oxford or Cambridge, has been out new laws. They asked for schools, equal educaof sympathy with the new methods, but the inrush tional privileges for girls, hospitals, eye clinics, of news from the outside world through the press, orphanages, reforms in marriage customs, new Western literature and the radio, is making a pro- rights in divorce courts, raising the marriage age found impression on the younger generation. to 16, and other reforms relating to public hy- They have demanded that some of the sciences be giene, immorality, evil customs and superstitaught, that the curriculum be changed to a more tions. modern type. Such proposals always meet strong opposition but some changes have been made. Professor Cleland of the Cairo University, through the Extension Department, is making a It has taken brave souls to speak against the fine contribution to this awakening among both old order. Prof. Fahmy Monsour, writing on men and women, through moving pictures, and by "The Condition of Women in Moslem Lands" cre- having outstanding speakers discuss among other ated a furore; Judge Ali Abd el Razek, writing subjects the social problems of Egypt. A similar on "Islam and the Principles of Government" and contribution is being made by the Egyptian disclaiming the need of a Caliph to govern Islamic Branch of the Young Men's Christian Association people, was removed from office; Dr. Taha Has- through lectures to men, and through discussion sein who brought to light "Pre-Islamic Poetry," groups among young Egyptians. which had passed as Moslem poetry, had his book confiscated, and he was dismissed from his post in A Spiritual Awakening the university, though he was reinstated when there was a change in Parliament. Best of all there is a spiritual awakening. Eighty-one years of Gospel teaching and eighty- The Egyptian press is spreading the news of one years of the demonstration of Christian love the world throughout the land. In spite of the have brought forth glorious fruits. There has fact that the reading public is so limited~ yet there never been any Christian mass movement in are thirty-nine dailies and two hundred and fifty- Egypt; never has there been a time when great seven journals published in Egypt. From this numbers were swept into the church, but there intellectual .center of Islam the presses are send- has been a steady growth year after year. ing forth the currents of thought of modern Egypt. There is an Evangelical church built up of men and women and youth who have found Christ as The Annual Almanac 'reports that of the 188,- the only One who can give them new life, joy and 000 volumes in the Royal Library in Cairo, 88,000 peace and help in all their problems. It is not a are in the Arabic language. There is a new book perfected church, but it is one exhibiting devotion coming off the press every day. When you under- to God's Word, faithfulness to His ordinances, stand the custom of the land you will know that generosity to His work, and a willingness to serve. one paper or book can enlighten a whole village. One man sitting in front of his shop will read in Watch the students in the Cairo College for strident tones so that even he who runneth can Girls going home to conduct Vacation Bible hear. It is a system that lends itself to Bible read- Schools; or follow the students of the Training ing also. And the Bible is one of the "best sellers" College and the Pressly Memorial Institute in in the Nile Valley. Assiut as they go out to give this same service in the small villages in Upper Egypt. Or listen to A Social Awakening the little bands of college boys conducting street Sunday Schools, and the girls holding little serv- The release of new ideas, as well as the in- ices with groups in homes in the city or Assiut. creased literacy, has produced a social awakening. Mohammedan women, if permitted to go out Hundreds of our trained Christian teachers at all, have for centuries been veiled women. add to their schedule in school a period of Bible Today the veil is being cast off, particularly in study daily. cities, not by a government firman as in Turkey, Many of the church members give voluntary service during "Witness Week" as they go among
THE AWAKENING OF EGYPT
their neighbors selling Scriptures or giving por- How has the Moslem life been touched? To tions to those too poor to buy. quote Prebendary Wilson Cash, "The Christian Time would fail to even mention the service!' of faith is a life to be lived and the reason why Mos- the ministers and elders and Sunday school teach- lems are so often repelled is becausQ it has never ers and Bible women; of the Christian doctors, been adequately tried by any large body of people nurses, and child welfare helpers; of the thou- or nation . . . We cannot attack the faults of sands who cooperate with this self-supporting, others when we are so conscious of our own fail- self-governing church. ures, but we can seek to show by love and service For thirty years the only Protestant church what Jesus Christ taught and what His ideals, if carrying on work in Egypt was the United Pres- applied, would mean in world regeneration."
byterian Church of America. Later the Church This is what missionaries have done. Hospi- Missionary Society of England undertook a spe- tals, clinics, orphanages, and child welfare cen- cial work for Moslems in Old Cairo where this ters have been established to minister to' thou- society conducts one of the largest missionary sands; and how often a poor suffering woman, hospitals in the world. feeling the gentle touch of physician or nurse, has The Egypt General Mission, an independent exclaimed, "Our religion never does this for a British group, labors in the Delta, cooperating fellaha." Thousands of children have received with the Evangelical Church, and other small their education in Christian schools and they grow groups are sharing in the service for Egypt. Sta- up as friends to the Christian missionary.
tistics alone may seem to show the investment of Dr. Sadek, a professor in the Egyptian State eighty-one years has produced small profits, but University, delivered a commencement address in there are many secondary results. June, 1935, at the College for Girls in Cairo, The Coptic Church for years conducted its wor- where more than half of the students are Moham- ship in a dead language so that its people were medans. Among many other fine things, he said: not fed on the Word of God. Living in the midst "I consider that this college stands high of the overwhelming. Moslem population, they amongst all other schools by virtue of the char- were not far removed in life and practice from acteristic stamp which it imprints on all its stu- their neighbors. When the late Theodore Roose- dents."
velt was in Egypt twenty-five years ago, he was One of the graduates of the class of 1935 took entertained by a bishop who is now the Patriarch as a subject for her commencement essay, "The of the Coptic Church. When the bishop was prais- Cries of Egypt." She pointed out the evils and ing the Americans, Mr. Roosevelt asked: "What sorrows of her land and in a passionate appeal have they done?" summoned her hearers to help. "I have done "Many, many good things" was the reply. this," she concluded, "only with the hope of find- Mr. Roosevelt in his characteristic way, said, ing an immediate response, especially from both "Tell me one outstanding thing they have done." graduates and students of our College where we "They have given us the Bible," replied the learn the true meaning of help and self-sacrifice."
bishop. He did not mean that they had translated From among all these influences and achieve- it into the language of the people, for that had ments of the Christian Church, an increasing been done years before by Americans in Syria; number of Mohammedans are coming and saying, he meant that the Evangelical Church had proven "Sir, we would see Jesus."
that if Christianity is to have power in the lives Yes, Egypt is awake after a sleep of centuries.
of'men and women, they must be taught to read It is significant that an Egyptian artist should and understand the Bible. Today the Coptic have conceived the idea of a woman as the agency Church uses the Bible in the Arabic language and through whom this awakening should come. The in an increasing number of churches, the priests true spiritual awakening must come through the preach Gospel sermons. Sunday Schools have also woman who has been touched by the power of J e- been organized for children, and among the men sus Christ. Those who share their service, their have been organized "Friends of the Bible" gifts and their prayers with the Evangelical classes. The Coptic Church now joins the Evan- Church of Egypt will go forward with joy, believ- gelical Church in some centers in annual Sunday ing that they are helping to fulfill the prophecy School Conventions, where they confer together made centuries ago that "the Egyptians shall and plan for better methods of building up the know the Lord" and "the Lord of hosts shall bless Kingdom of God. her saying, Blessed be Egypt my people."
Progress in Mexico*
By GONZALO BAEZ CAMARGO Writer, Lecturer and Secretary of the National Coulzcil of Evangelical Churches of Mexico BECAUSE of the unreliable press reports up- assigned for public health is also gradually in- on which the mind of the average newspaper creasing every year. Within the next four years reader is being fed, Mexico is commonly as- a total of fifty million Mexican dollars will be sociated with strange and often ludicrous ideas of granted for agricultural credits and the same disturbance and backwardness. There is another amount for irrigation works. Physical culture side of the picture, however, of which the Ameri- and the campaign against alcoholism are being can people probably seldom hear and to which I strongly encouraged.
want to refer briefly. The truth is that Mexico is In the midst of the present profound changes steadily moving forward, carrying on its remark- that Mexico is undergoing, two facts belonging to able program of social reconstruction, which is the spiritual realm ought to be mentioned. In the being entrusted more and more to educational and first place, strange as it may seem, in view of the peaceful methods. press reports that reach the American public, The shifting of the political power from one there is an unprecedented interest in religion, not group to another had been hitherto practically only among the common people but also among always a bloody affair in Mexico. But the fact the educated classes. Contrary to the Latin Amerthat the country has been able, in the last few ican tradition, according to which truly educated weeks, to pass through a very serious political people are not supposed to take any real interest crisis of that type, without resorting to civil war in religious questions, apart from the routine comand bloodshed, is in itself a very hopeful and pliance with the established rites of the churches, encouraging sign. a new and deep concern for religious problems Among other signs of progress, the following may now be detected in these circles. Religion is should be especially mentioned: the effort to build becoming a burning question for everybody; up a strong national economy, opening new roads books which deal with it are increasingly in deand developing the material resources of the coun- mand, and the idea of free discussion of religious try; a new appreciation of the creative capacities subjects is spreading.
of the Indian, who for many centuries was held In the second place, from certain influential back as an inferior being, in a desperate condition quarters comes an open challenge as to the place of ignorance and poverty; and, what is best of and function of religion in the life of the indiall, an educational awakening which has no prec- vidual and of society. As a result, some of the edents in the whole history of Latin America. In fundamental truths of the Christian religion are referring to this educational movement, Frank being seriously questioned in the minds of many. Tannenbaum writes, "It is the most modern, yet The real truth and power of the Christian religion the most delicate and sensitive, large-scale move- has not been known to the great majority of the ment of cultural stimulus and social awakening Mexican people, and a good number of them feel that can be recorded in America, and perhaps in inclined, of course, to interpret Christianity in the world." terms of a very imperfect realization of its real content and meaning. Upon these unsound Special attention has been given, in this educa- grounds, there are many who feel justified in retional program, to the rural communities and par- jecting what they think is the Christian religion ticularly to the Indians. Thousands of rural because they find in it many elements wh,ich they schools are now functioning all over the country. believe to be opposed to the enlightenment and During 1935 over 2,400 new rural schools were social progress of the people. established. The educational program provides for 2,000 new schools each year. The budget for The Mexican nation is deciding, at this very the army has been reduced and the budget for hour, whether the religion of Jesus will become a education considerably increased. The amount fundamental and dynamic element in the remak- ing of the country, or whether it will have to be 193• 6A. n address given at the Florida Chain of Missionary Assemblies, [178 ] left out as a useless tradition of a dying past. It the home and a book on principles and methods is a most solemn hour of decision, not only for of Christian education. The Union Publishing Mexico but also for the rest of the Latin American House, an interdenominational concern, is devel- oping an intensive literature program. Books on world. Christianity and Communism, science and reli- Out of these two outstanding facts, there grows gion and other subjects have been published. One of them deserved three columns of editorial comthe pressing need of presenting to the Mexican ment in a leading daily of Mexico City. people an objective interpretation of true Christianity, in terms of individual and social behav- By means of prayer circles, organized in the ior. To demonstrate Christianity, factually and local churches, and by special emphasis on perdistinctly, as a supreme and incomparable force sonal evangelism, the work is being spiritually in regenerating the individual and shaping society nourished and strengthened. according to the principles of Love, Justice and Fraternity, is coming to be, therefore, the great- The training of workers for Christian service est task of all those who bear the name of Christ is entering into a new stage. The Union Theolog- ical Seminary, which had been concentrating its in Mexico. work upon the training of ministers, with head- Benito J wirez, the great Indian president of quarters in Mexico City, is now developing an intensive training program for lay workers all Mexico, once expressed his hope that Protestant- over the country, by means of a chain of sixism should become an active force in liberating weeks' training schools, with an itinerant faculty, the Mexican Indians from the state of ignorance, functioning in the denominational fields and rensuperstition and vice in which they lie. And more dering valuable services to the local churches. recently, ex-president Portes Gil, now the head of More than a dozen of these new training schools the National Revolutionary Party which controls were held during the last year. the Government of Mexico, said: "If our children are to become Christians, let that be by seeking There are many elements in the Mexican situathe original fountain, the words of the Master tion which have been an acid test of the steadiness which are in the gospels." Antonio Caso, the lead- and quality of the Protestant work. It has been ing Mexican philosopher, has sounded this ener- a time of trial. But it has finally turned out to be getic proclamation: "The arms of the Cross are a real time of splendid and unprecedented opporstill sufficiently strong to permit us to hang our tunity. As a whole, it may be said that the Protdestinies upon them." estant churches in Mexico are not so much con- cerned about a theoretical recognition of religious The Protestant forces in Mexico are ready to do liberties as to the much more practical issue of their part, in spite of their numerical inferiority, how to make the best use of the present opporin answering these ringing calls to Christian con- tunities, for the spiritual upbuilding of the nation, structive action. They are awakening to a new for the benefit of the people and for the extension sense of responsibility, out of which a creative of the true Kingdom of God in Mexico. and expanding program has gradually emerged. THE AWAKENING IN BRAZIL Six denominations have organized a National Council of Evangelical Churches, under which a In few mission fields of the world, perhaps in strong cooperative forward drive is being con- none, is Evangelical Christianity making such ducted. Its General Department of Christian Ed- rapid and amazing progress as in the great Braucation is very active, promoting the improve- zilian republic. The latest news refers to a great ment of the church agencies and mainly Christian evangelistic campaign in the City of Sao Paulo, education in the home. In 1933 Mexico occupied during December. This campaign was conceived the second place in Latin America in the work of and initiated entirely by Evangelical Christians in Daily Vacation Bible Schools. During the last Brazil and took the form of simultaneous meetyear seventeen different camps for young people ings held in forty centers in the great City of Sao were held. A committee appointed by the Evan- Paulo. Ninety Brazilian preachers, representing gelical National Convention has begun to organ- all the Evangelical denominations and including ize discussion groups among the students. A na- Southern Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and tive evangelical scout program is being developed Episcopalians, cooperated in the effort, breaking and experimented in Mexico City. The circulation across the denominational lines. Three hundred of the Bible has had an increase of almost a hun- prayer groups met regularly in this one city bedred per cent since 1931. Special attention has fore and during the evangelistic campaign. The been given to the preparation and publication of effort originated in the Brazilian Committee of Christian literature. The Regional Committee on Evangelical YQuth of Sao Paulo. Curriculum has published a series of monographs on methods of religious education work, material fQr VacatiQn and Sunday schQols, literature fQr
Final Motive for Foreign
By the REV. S. H. GAPP, D.D., Bethlehem, Pa.
_•..g( President of the Society of the United Brethren for Propagating the Gospel Among the Heathen W HAT may there be in missions which moral and spiritual. The second motive is based makes their prosecution the duty of the on internal experience, springing from a consid- Church until their great purpose has been eration of Jesus Christ and our relation to Him, accomplished? What is their final objective? loyalty, gratitude and love. What the impelling motive? There are the minor motives. There is a final and compelling motive. Dr. Cleland B. McAfee notes five fundamental missionary motives, all historic. 1. The Commis- Warneck's definition of purpose is this: "Pfian- sion of Christ. 2. The need of the world for all zung und Organization der christlichen Kirche that Christ brings. 3. The nature of the Chrisunter nicht-Christen." Unless you read a great tian faith, its universal truth and its value for deal into the statement it makes the prime object all men. 4. The need of the home church to fulfil of missions to be the propagation and organization life by the evident expression of its spirit. 5. The of an institution-the Christian Church-among work already done and now in progress in all non-Christians. lands.
Dr. Robert H. Glover, in his "Progress of Permit me to treat the motives less technically, World-Wide Missions" says: "The aim of mis- more practically with illustrative material drawn sions is to make Jesus Christ known to all men as from the history of missions and from the mission the only Saviour from sin." field at the present time.
The Lutheran Pietists of Germany and Count The Boom of Christian Missions Zinzendorf, the Moravian, said the purpose of missions was "Seelen fur das Lamm zu werben"- Dr. Arthur J. Brown wrote his book "The Forto win souls for the Lamb. eign Missionary" in 1907, near the beginning of the century. He says: "The foreign missionary Dr. Arthur J. Brown says: "The aim is to pre- enterprise is the vastest enterprise of the Chrissent Christ so intelligently that they will accept tian Church. There are now 28,000 Protestant Him as their personal Saviour." foreign missionaries in non-Christian lands; 2,408,900 adult communicants are enrolled in a Take these and other definitions together and no one can raise serious objections. This is not only the purpose of foreign missions but of home Christian army of 5,145,236; 140,000 native minmissions also, it is the purpose of the Christian isters, evangelists and teachers, 36,616 Sunday Church. It is the purpose of the Incarnation. It schools with 2,000,000 pupils. Then he lists all the is the reason for the work of God among men. charitable, educational and Biblical institutions in Or as Glover puts it: "Christian missions is the the heathen world and ends with the sentence proclamation of the Gospel to the unconverted "The Christian people of Europe and America everywhere according to the command of Christ." gave last year for the maintenance of these varied activities $44,448,000." This purpose is so exalted, so extensive, so costly, so humanly impossible for Christians to ac- When E. W. Smith issued his "The Desire of complish (who after all are only a fractional mi- All Nations" he could honestly and enthusiastical- nority of the earth's population and few of them ly write: "It took a hundred years to win the first are spiritual giants) that we may well ask what million converts from heathenism, twelve years to motives inspire men to dedicate themselves to so win the second million, less than six years the heroic a task. Of course the power must be divine; third, and the number is mounting now with a there is no other sufficient motivation for the swift acceleration. In all but two or three of the Church's continuing self-dedication to this heroic, great strategic centers of the world, Gospel staworld engirdling task. tions are firmly planted."
Glover says that essentially there are only two Such optimism! Such enthusiasm! And surely motives, both biblical. The first is based on ex- all who know the marvellous expansion of misternal facts-springing from the consideration of sions in the last seventy-five years would justify the material condition of the heathen, temporal, the optimism. Japan opened to missionary in- [180 ] fluence in 1859, the larger efforts in China since is born irrevocably with his tiny personal life at 1860, Livingstone's travels in Africa till his death some definite point."
in 1873 and the enormous development of missions If all that is true, then missions never did and there since his death, the great work in Korea do not now have a worth-while raison d'etre. As since 1884, the wild colonization period which Karl Heim says, missions could then be considered gave unparalleled opportunity to missionary only as a means of culture, propaganda or "reliforces in England, France, Belgium, Italy and gious imperialism," as a part of the conflict of the Germany. whites with the colored races. "We could then This was paralleled in America and English- view missions from a strategic, political and na- speaking countries generally by the missionary tional viewpoint, and ponder the question whether excitement engendered by great movements and it would not be better for the present to give up slogans, "The Evangelization of the World in this all ecclesiastical propaganda in pagan countries, Generation." The generation that coined the especially as the success of missions is seriously phrase is dead-the world is not yet converted. threatened just now in China by Bolshevism, in Alexander McLeish last year wrote a book "Jesus India by religious and political nationalism and in Christ and World Evangelization" to prove that Africa by the ever-increasing secularization of the world can be evangelized in this generation, civilization."
that indeed any generation could have done it. Well, the missionary authorities do not at this Professor Kenneth S. Latourette of Yale recently point stop and hire a blackfaced "crooner" to sing called for a revival of this watchword. Other fa- "Is I Blue?" They are convinced that what is mous battle cries were: self-supporting, self-gov- wrong with the world and missions is not caused erning and self..,propagating churches, the church- by the relentless power of elemental forces. The council system of Anglican missions, (congrega- present mission situation has not always existed. It did not exist at the end of the last century. It tions taking care of their own needs while the is an emergency. The causes of that emergency episcopacy was responsible for leadership in mis- are well known; so are the details of the present sionary extension); indigenous churches-fos- crisis; almost anybody can guess what consetered by the World Dominion Movement; Volk- quences might result if the dangerous tendencies skirchen-the pet theory of the German churches, are not counteracted by definite, resolute, faith- (Gustav Warneck's five-volume "Theory of Mis- filled energy. Elemental forces are entirely irrevosions" is based on this idea); National Churches, cable. Pills for earthquakes are always fake. But the latest and at present the most ambitious human emergencies are not irrevocable. The best scheme-that of uniting all denominations at work definition of the word emergency is; "A sudden in each of the great pagan nations into one church condition calling for immediate action." truly national; Student Volunteer Movement and Missionary Education Movement, the Laymen's The missionary leaders consider the present Missionary Movement. mission situation "a sudden condition" and they loudly call for appropriate action. Dr. John R. None of these ambitious and enthusiastic move- Mott says: "It is my conviction that the past ments has been an unqualified success, but back of twenty years witnessed incomparably greater them all is this one great fact: the past history of changes in the world than any other period of like missions proves that God has manifested His extent." In 1931 he said: "Without doubt the power in the preaching of the Gospel. We are not Christian cause all over the world is either losing facing a foolish or impossible task. Christianity ground or failing to make triumphant advance, in is far from perfect, but the marvellous transfor- consequence of failure to press the present unprecmation of individuals and nations demonstrates edented advantage." In 1935, in his book "Cothat the power of God is in the Gospel. Past tri- operation and the World Mission," Dr. Mott umphs guarantee the final and complete triumph. writes: The Threatened Collapse Never was there a more critical moment. The ma- terialistic philosophy of the day, the violence of the de- The optimistic note was still dominant at the structive communistic activity, the power of paganism and Edinburgh Conference in 1910. Since then things of faiths and systems contrary to the teachings of Christ, have happened. At the Jerusalem Conference, the reactionary attitude of so many governments with 1928, there were dark clouds on the sky. Today reference to religious liberty, the perilous subordination Christianity is definitely on the defensive. Spen- of religion to serve the political ends of totalitarian congler says there is nothing in the world but "the ceptions of the State, and the necessity of recasting the inexorable course of events, senseless chance, the prevailing industrial and commercial system so that it will actuality of history with its unpitying march not negative the principles of Christian love and brotherthrough the centuries, into which the individual hood nor conduce to international war, all present a chal- lenge to Christ's followers which has never been surpassed
in gravity and urgency. In truth we are facing stupen- ignorant and idle talkers, not worth wasting time dous changes in the whole makeup of the world, changes over. Yet E. Stanley Jones, in the Foreign Mis- as revolutionary as any in the history of mankind. sions Conference Report, 1934, in connection with a tour of all America says he found very little hos- Dr. Charles R. Watson says "that the prevailing tility to missions. atmosphere is unfavorable to foreign missions goes without saying." But Dr. Mott in his book, "The Present Day Summons to the World Mission of Christianity," Before outlining the causes of the mission col- pleads earnestly for multiplying the number of lapse, it is best to let Dr. Julius Richter tell us apologetic voices and pens in the mission cause. "that our era is a period of low ebb in religion the Perhaps we need more witnessing than apologetic world over. The Russion Orthodox Church has voices. collapsed; Pan Islam also, and is disestablished in Turkey; so with Confucianism in China. The Many criticisms are mere shadow-boxing, animistic religion of primitive peoples the world smoke screens, behind which hide selfishness and over is disintegrating irresistibly. The spiritual sheer indifference. Such are the statements: wasting away of the churches of Christendom is an open fact-its forms changing into spiritualism "It takes a dollar to send a dollar." and superstition or into secularism, agnosticism "The mission secretaries line their pockets with or atheism." the money given for heathen." "British missionaries must put sound Manches- Dr. Richter in his last book lists the following ter pants on the heathen as a holy duty." causes of collapse, the first five of which are the "Whenever a German missionary sails for heath- most important: en countries you can always see some man near waving a roth, weiss and schwarz flag and yelling, (1) The financial stringency; (2) the wide recrudes- 'Hoch der Kaiser,' till his face is red." cence of nationalism; (3) alienation of the younger gen- "The American trader says that trade follows eration from the Christian background and missionary the flag-the flag he means is the church flag of impulse; (4) the new intimacies of the world-wide con- the missionary." tact; (5) transformation of the social structure of the We are advised in Proverbs 26: 4-"Answer nations; (6) fatal loss of presti2'e of Christianity due to not a fool according to his folly lest thou also be the brutality of the war psychosis; (7) the un-Christian like unto him." character of science and technology; (8) the effort of But there are honest critics. Give them an hon- pagan nations to obtain the valuable fruits of Western est answer. Almost all missionary books print civilization without the Christian background; (9) com- long lists of criticisms and refute the attack, as petitive friction between Protestantism and Roman Ca- Dr. McAfee's books; Dr. Brown's "The Foreign tholicism; (10) the renewed advance of Islam as a dan- Missionary," (chapter 16); E. W. Smith's "The gerous antagonist of Christian missions, especially in Desire of All Nations," (chapter 7); Henry A. Equatorial Africa and the Dutch East Indies; (11) the Perkins, "The Case for Foreign Missions"; "Are gigantic propaganda of Bolshevistic Communists; (12) Foreign Missions Done For?" by R. E. Speer; endeavors of one nation after another to restrict the scope "Meeting Current Objections to Missions," by E. of its missionary agencies, especially educational and med- Stanley Jones, (Foreign Missions Conference Re- ical; (13) the immoral life of many representatives of the port, 1929), and there is an almost endless list of white ruling class; (14) the tendency of our institutional- other books. Apologetic voices will not accom- ism, by which so many men and so much m~:mey are ab- plish much, unless the final motive is present. sorbed by colleges and hospitals, and active evangelistic advance is made more difficult. Missionary Strategy and Policy Every pastor might well speak of these great Some say that we are afflicted with too many world tendencies hostile to Christianity and mis- missionary statesmen: with too much policy and sions and appeal to the spirit of the heroic in them administration. The horde of executive secre- to come to the help of the Lord against the mighty. taries and specialists of all kinds and description It is nevertheless a fact that this motive lacks in the Church and in missions not only cost a great power-unless the final motive is present. deal of money; they keep the poor missionary's head awhirl with programs, reports, percentages, The Critic of Missions graphs, plans and what not; he cannot get down to the real work for which he was sent out.. The general atmosphere, miasmatic for mis- sions, undoubtedly is a very real thing. Dr. Mc- And yet-while first of all the Christian Church Afee asserts the interest in missions was steadily must be the bearer of the Evangel to the utmost declining for a decade before the great depres- parts of the earth, it is none the less a fact that sion, because the validity of missions was ques- the Church is also the best representative on earth tioned. It is a fact, nevertheless, that the atmos- -imperfect as she is-of the Kingdom of God on pheric conditions and the antagonistic forces can . accomplish their nefarious purpose on only one condition-they must become incarnate in the vo- cal critic. His name is legion. Most of them are
THE FINAL MOTIVE FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS
earth. Jesus spoke much of the Kingdom of God ary preaching – unless the impelling motive is and of heaven. Certainly the first purpose of mis- present. sions is to win souls to the Lord Jesus, but when large numbers are won the Church cannot hon- The Model of Missionary Method estly shun the task of organizing them into a Kingdom for the Lord Jesus. That duty creates great St. Paul has been the model for many generatasks in the mission fields. Great tasks require tions. He claims to have been commissioned to great leaders-missionary statesmen. Who better preach-to preach the Gospel. The best book on than these know the enormous difficulties created his method is "Missionary Methods, St. Paul's or in the mission fields by extreme nationalism, the Ours," by Roland Allen. Paul's methods agree totalitarian state, secularism, dictatorship, by in- with the commands of Jesus: "Ye shall be witternational misunderstandings, by business de- nesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, pression, unemployment and financial stringency, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of by feminism, education, secular, materialistic, the earth." The Great Commission says "teach scientific and technical, and the general religious all nations" and contains no reference to humandisintegration at home and in heathen lands? ism and charity.
In the International Review of Missions, July, "The foolishness of preaching," and the power 1934, Dr. Richter declares four gigantic problems of the Holy Ghost in "witnesses" (Acts 1: 8) has of mission strategy are: (1) Among primitive indeed been a supernatural force that produced people, especially Africa, the Indies and Oceanica, the missionary success of the past. What an alprimitive beliefs are disintegrating; (2) China- most magical power witnessing may exert! For the cultural structure of centuries is completely an artistic representation of it, study Schuesselle's broken down; (3) Russian Bolshevism-in Russia "Power of the Gospel" in the Archives Building and its world-wide propaganda; (4) Islam-dis- of Moravian Theological Seminary, but please do established in Turkey, its propaganda is on with not forget the equally magical power the same witzeal and success in Equatorial Africa and the nessing exerted in the social, economic and moral Dutch East Indies. life of converts. The material benefits of a spir- itual religion-what a wonderful thing that is. How maya pastor get the information to preach And how little the modern world thinks of it! with intelligence and convincingly on such mat- The fact is that all the enormous progress of the ters? Read the books of the missionary states- present civilized nations has been made under the men. It is a serious task. Get ,the reports of the preaching of the Gospel. Sociology, economics, missionary conferences. Many great sermons can charity as quasi-sciences are not old enough to be preached on such themes-sermons that will claim the credit. Admit all that is good in them make sleepy parishioners sit up and take notice. -the truth is they will have to travel an enormous distance before they will overtake the humanistic But missionary statesmanship deals not only effects of the preaching of the Gospel, probably with the adversaries. There are problems of de- never will overtake it. velopment and organization of great importance, even if of less preaching value. For instance: Dr. Albert Schweitzer is the ideal and model of the main objective of the World Conference of the many moderns and liberals. He is only a very International Missionary Conference to be held prominent representative of a widespread idea. at Kowloon, China, 1938, is to be "The upbuilding And then Albert Schweitzer himself refused to and maintenance of younger churches as a part preach; he said that he wished to practice. He of the historic world-wide communion." I do not is a liberal-the liberals sent him to Africa. He expect to preach a sermon on that theme. wished to give the world at least one instance of liberals doing what Evangelicals have been doing In the meantime the missionary statesmen have for centuries. He believed that humanism dea great task at home in the great idea of coopera- rives its sanction from our human nature, not tion in every phase of mission work-even in the from our connection with God. He says: "It was matter of administration. A plea for such uni- and still is my conviction, that the humanitarian fied control of the world's far-flung mission work work to be done in the world should for its acis a choice part of "Rethinking Missions." But complishment call upon us as men, not as memthere surely is nothing new in that idea. Dr. Mott bers of a particular nation or religious body. We has recently issued a book on "Cooperation and are not free to confer benefactions on the Negroes the World Mission"-but it is not the first time or not, as we please: it is our duty. Anything he has written on that theme. we give them is not benevolence, but atonement."
A pastor may well keep in touch with ,these "Pity the poor heathen" is a materialistic plea. great movements and preach about some of them, St. Paul says: "My heart's desire is that they but he will not accomplish much by such mission- might be saved." … "That I might by all means
save some." "I could wish that myself were a two hundred year record of encouraging agri- culture, industry and trade in its fields among accursed from Christ for my prethren." That primitive people. Undoubtedly much good has been done, but if you wish to run the risk of maknote has largely died out today. The Grenfell ing Dr. deSchweinitz weep, ask him about rein- deer in Alaska and rice culture in Nicaragua. Mission to the Labrador has captured the imagina- The story is making the rounds that the priest tion of the entire English-speaking world. Doc- and the Levite passed by on the other side because they were in a great hurry to get to Jericho to the tors and nurses by the score fight for the privilege convention which had for its major topic of dis- cussion: What can best be done for the world? of working a year or two with him. Whether im- There evidently are people who think it is time for humanitarians to do something besides talk. pelled by the love of adventure or the love of souls In Karl Mueller's "Gotteswirklichkeit und Re- -who can tell? Only one thing is certain: there ligion," he quotes this startling sentence from Zinzendorf: "The christianization of unconverted is not enough money in the possession of the heathen is a work of the devil and leaves them more unhappy and unholy." Christian world to carryon all foreign missions Humanism is a legitimate mission appeal-but in the world at the same rate of expense as it will largely fail of its purpose, unless the final motive is present. his Labrador mission which reaches only 12,000 The Reality of God people. Missionary zeal has in every case been the out- Certainly the humanitarian appeal for missions growth of and a result from the indwelling of God in human hearts by His Spirit. Cold hearts is legitimate. Humanism is always good. John have never responded to the Great Commission. Mere orthodoxy never started fires burning in for- Wesley said: "Do all the good you can, in all the eign parts. The intellectualism of culture has never set the world on fire. Scepticism, however ways you can and to all the people that you can." honest and genteel, has never carried the banner of the Cross into the far away and hard corners of Charity is always sweet. He who spoke the Par- the earth. The ancient Moravian Unity had no foreign missions. Bishop Comenius recognized able of the Good Samaritan always puts His bless- the duty, but the violent persecutions of the J es- uits made it impossible for them to undertake it. ing on it. Schiller once said: "Rousseau con- Dr. Glover, in the "Progress of World-wide Mis- sions," writes: "The Reformation was not misverted Christians into human beings." Nay, ver- sionary in character. Luther, Melanchthon, Cal- vin, Zwingli and Knox seemed to have had no ily, Christ did, long before Rousseau was born. serious sense of the responsibility for direct mis- sionary efforts in behalf of heathen or Moslem, But this is not the final motive for missions. though the Jesuits were carrying on extensive missions in the Orient." Humanism without evangelization has lost its For at least a century the Reformation Church proper motivation. Man needs God as much as he and its leaders were almost completely devoid of missionary spirit and effort-of course one might needs bread and more than clothes. And alone, ask what more one has a right to expect from those great men-giants indeed but yet human behumanism always fails as a missionary motive, ings, with human limitations.
for make your appeal solely on that and the next Julius Richter in his "Das Buch der Deutschen Weltm'ission" (pages 6 and 7) lists a number of thing you hear will be: "charity is mostly pallia- arguments against the legitimacy of foreign mis- sions dating from the period of the "benumbed"- tive, not curative. Sweet charity relieves the dis- he does not call it "dead"-orthodoxy, as: For missions, glossology and the power of miracles are tress of a few; it does not end the poverty and required; as long as God does not bestow these, missions are merely an impertinent interference misery of the many." You can answer: "But humanism is the expression of the inmost spirit of a real Christian and is also a means of exerting a good influence upon the recipient, possibly even of winning him for God." And then comes the reply: "Fine, but till you have exhausted your charity on the needy at home, you should not bother with the heathen." It is hard to answer this-so long as the discussion is based on human- ism only, exclusive of consideration of the spark of divinity in man.
The criticism of humanism for home lands and for missions is steadily gaining in volume. In "Thinking Missions with Christ," Dr. Zwemer says: "What we need today in missions is less comparative religion and more positive religion."
Toyohiko Kagawa of Japan opposes Lenin's fa- mous phrase, "Religion is the opiate of the people,"
by setting up the contrary standard: "Economics and religion are one. Without God there is no economics and no life." Kagawa is a Christian; he is also a leader of a social movement. He estab- lished a toothbrush factory, for instance, for the social welfare of his people. Yet he declares very positively that welfare work is not an effective remedy for pauperism. The Moravian Church has
with the plans of God. The Gospel was preached necessity is laid upon them-to give loyal, loving to the heathen by the Apostles; they refused it; obedience to the Saviour's last command – the hence neither God nor the Church need offer it the Great Commission. second time. The business of the Church is to preach the Word of God in the ordered congrega- If it will not be misinterpreted, I would like to tions; if the Bible is to be brought to the heathen, add a brief statement of the characteristically let that be the duty of the governments, etc. Moravian view of missionary zeal and power. As is well known, missionary zeal is Zinzendorf's con- There is a school of German Evangelical tribution to Moravianism. Credit must up to a thought about missions which explains the differ- certain point be given to the Lutheran Pietistic ence between the missionary and non-missionary influence upon him at Halle, where as a school boy Christians by one big word: Gotteswirklichkeit- he heard letters read from the Danish-Halle mis- "The reality of God." Persons who merely be- sionaries in India and met several of them perlieve in God may be good people, but only those sonally. But he owes them nothing with referwho have a sense of the reality of God are likely ence to the method and power of missions. Reto assume the responsibility and sacrifice for for- member that Zinzendorf, as a four-year-old boy, eign missions. Spinoza was not a Christian; the deeply loved the Saviour; he was then already Jews excommunicated him, but his amor intellec- overwhelmed with the reality of God in Christtualis Dei was so intense that he has been called that is only one part of the real Zinzendorf. For the God-intoxicated man. But he surely never the other part you must go to the famous picture dreamed of taking his kind of love of God to the gallery in Duesseldorf. See the rich, elegant, heathen. Most of us would probably join in the high-minded, marvelously gifted nobleman of prayer: "From philosophical love of God, deliver nineteen years stand before Domenico Feti's picus gracious Lord and God." The poet, the scien- ture of the thorn-crowned head of Christ. Beneath tist, the materialist and the humanist, all have is the text: "This have I suffered for thee; what their definition of God in his ineffable power and hast thou done for me?" glory – as "First Cause," "Bright Essence Incarnate," "Mobile Cosmic Ether," "Omnipotent In that dramatic moment, Zinzendorf fully real- Matter," "Man's Giant Shadow Skyward Thrown," ized the price paid by the Saviour for his salva- "Kindly Light," "the active relation between the tion; only by the Saviour's passion could Zinzenideal and the actual"-but no such faith in such a dorf be saved-or anybody else. From then on, God has ever been known to produce a loving sur- Jesus and His Cross were the only theme of Zinrender and dedication of life to Him. zendorf's thought and activity. The missionaries. however degraded the people to whom they went, All in all, while fully admitting the greatness were told to preach the passion of Christ for the and power of Gotteswirklichkeit, it seems that saving of souls. something more than this is necessary as the primal motive for foreign missions. Robert Speer, in his "The Finality of Christ" (page 148), says of the Moravians: "The doc- Wilhelm Bettermann finds the secret of Zinzen- trine of Christ's expiatory death and all-sufficient dorf's spiritual nature and his missionary enthu- merit has been, and must ever remain, the grand siasm at once in this: "He was simply over- means of conversion. The Moravian missionaries whelmed with the reality of God in Christ." "In at the present day make the atonement of Christ Christ" is his contribution to the search for the their continued theme. They attribute all their final missionary motive. But this is not Zinzen- success to their preaching of the death of our dorfianism or Moravianism only or primarily-it Saviour." Every word of that is true. Zinzenis the essence of all Christianity. Christ is Chris- dorf's personal experience of his personal salvatianity; "the Word was God"; the Word made tion in the passion of the Saviour (which for him flesh was Jesus Christ; Christ is God manifested was in entire agreement with Luther's and Paul's in human form; He came to reconcile the world justification by faith) so fired his heart with zeal unto Himself, to save the lost, to bring us unto for the conversion of souls that he risked his life God. The personal experience of this blessed truth to win souls for Jesus and inspired scores of -a profound conviction of its reality – that al- others to do the same. Listen to Zinzendorf draways was and ever will be the essence of Chris- matically cry out in the extreme of holy passion: tianity-it has always been the final motive for "More human beings must be saved. Bring missions. For such a salvation, in such a Saviour, heathen! Bring Christians! Bring men to the must be proclaimed at home and abroad. There is Saviour! If that is not possible in Christendom, a marvelous expansive power in such an experi- I will go to the heathen. We cannot help it, we ence. People with that experience have always cannot tie the Gospel to a chain." What a combeen missionaries and missionary supporters. For pelling force! Souls must be brought to the that experience produces a passion – an inward Saviour.
Fatimah Learned to Love'~
I I –eEf By MRS. PAUL W. HARRISON, Matrah, Arabia Jit– ~==========================~ C AN it be that I have learned to love this she poured her tale of bitterness and woe. The land? The dark mountains of Oman are doctor looked at her calmly and said, "Yes, you heartless and cruel. Death lurks in their have a heavy burden to carry; it is very heavy.
desolate valleys and rock strewn paths. The burn- And what you have said is true-your head is hot ing hills glare back at the everlasting sun and tell and you cannot bear this thing any longer. There man that he is futile and doomed. is only one thing I can tell you to do and that is to The days are busy ones. In the morning clinics give this all to Christ and let Him carry it for you. on the hospital veranda I meet many old friends. He will take out of your heart all this hate for One day Miriam slips in with the crowd and the other one and make you able to pity and love stands by my table. She is not carrying her babe, her." The doctor asked her to pray with him. So and my heart is seized with a sudden fear. I can- she repeated words after him and asked Christ not ask where is her little Zuwaan for I do not to take away her burden and give her love instead. want to hear the answer. The neighbor women "And from that moment the hate did leave me, volunteer the news. One day there had been a Khatune," said Fatimah. "Since then I have been quarrel among some women in the street near able to be patient and quiet, for my heart is light. Miriam's house, and Miriam was with her baby up I do not know how, but it is different now."
on the little roof. Wanting to see what the quarrel A few days later Fatimah's husband was taken was about, she left her little Zuwaan and went very ill. I went to call. At the door of the little down to look on. While she was gone the baby had room I stopped in surprise. For there, sitting gone too near the edge and had fallen to the against the pillows was Fatimah and with her ground. was the other wife. Little Moosa was toddling Miriam lifts her hands in a gesture of helpless- back and forth between them. I looked into Fatiness but says no word. "It was written over her," mah's eyes and she smiled back at me. She had kept her promise to God that she would show love comforts one woman. to the one she had always hated. How great was Fatimah comes for her lesson. Her face has a her victory only God can know. look of contentment it has never known before. And I am not surprised when she says she wants The winter months bring showers of life-giving to tell me of something that has made a change rain to Arabia. In Oman most of the water rushes in her. One day she heard that her husband's down the hard, dry hills and through the stony other wife was to come into her neighborhood to beds to the sea, but some of it sinks into the little call. In fact, some friend had been so thoughtless hollows and sloping ground. Then a miracle is as to invite them both at the same time. This was given to us that we may see and believe. Where more than Fatimah could stand. All her pent-up all was bare and brown there are now soft shades hatred burst its bounds. A terrible rage seized of green and tiny blossoms look up to the hills. her. Like one mad she screamed and cursed and Through all the months of heat and drought the threatened. Her husband beat her and then fled. seeds waited. Life was there though it could not Determined to make a complaint before someone develop and grow. It needed only the nourishment she strode out of her house. of heavenly rain to let that life become beautiful and strong. "No judge will hear me rightly," she thought. "Why do I try to get help in this place? I am a In all this barren land, strewn as it is with stranger and I have no friends." rocks of evil and unbelief, there are seeds of Life. We cannot see them and it would do no good to Without knowing why, she turned in to the search for them. But when the gentle rain of hospital gate. "I shall tell this to the Hakeem. God's knowledge and mercy is given them they He will hear me." spring up and blossom. God has created seed to grow and hearts to love and nothing can with- Coming from a sick call the doctor found Fati- stand the purposes of His grace. Even the desert mah sitting on the sand by the gate. Into his ears * Condensed from Neglected A.'abia. shall rej oice and blossom.
[186 ]
THE GOOD SHEPHERD GANESH, THE' HINDU GOD OF
Undergirding the Christian Home By MISS CLEMENTINA BUTLER, Boston, Massachusetts ~- Chairman of the Committee on Christian Literature for Womm and Children in Mission Fields, Inc.
THE Phylactery which the Orthodox Jew binds the sacred name of Jehovah appears under a glass upon his forehead and on his arm in Sabbath in a little case nailed on the door post. Orthodox worship contains a parchment on which is Jews touched their lips to this as they passed in the summary law of God as given in Deuteronomy. and out of the door. The divine command is that this law shall be upon their hearts; shall be bound as a sign upon their The child in an Orthodox Jewish home is still hands and for frontlets between their eyes. (Deu- taught the law of the Lord found in the Old Testateronomy 6: 4-9.) The third part of the command ment which is the law of the household. This is less familiar to us and yet to the Orthodox Jew foundation laying may have much to do with the it is just as binding: "And thou shalt write them persistence of the race in spite of the age-long upon the door posts of thine house and upon thy persecutions. What might be the result if in gates." The literal obedience to this command every Christian home there were a faithful teachmay be seen by anyone admitted to intimacy in ing of the law and the Gospel? There might be an Orthodox Jewish home. The parchment with less of modern self~expression and more respect for "Thus saith the Lord." Is there any doubt [187 ]
but that this would result in greater happiness the English edition which may later help to adorn for our children and for the higher development a vernacular edition. of their Christian characters? A new form of service came to the attention of The task of the parents to instill the right ideas this Literature Committee when one of its memof God and obedience to His law into the minds bers stood in a muhalla where ten or twelve famof children is,.a heroic endeavor anywhere. In a ilies live in one compound. The missionary non-Christian community, where false ideas are escorting the visitor said: "These are all Chriscommon, the task is doubly difficult. Public opin- tians and all the children attend Sunday school. ion outside must be combated by careful teaching These humble folk come from low castes but now at home, if the truths of the Christian faith which belong to the Christian fold which acknowledges the parents have accepted is to command the no caste." Later, going into the one-room hut loyalty of the children. When this is not done the which served as the home for one of these famresult is apt to be like that reported by a mission- ilies, we were surprised to see on the mud walls ary from CeYlon who found the grandchildren of pictures of the gods of Hinduism-Ganesh with Christian converts from Hinduism slipping back his elephant head, Kali with her necklace of skulls, to the harmful beliefs and practices of ancient the five-headed cobra god and the sacred monkeys. faiths by which they were surrounded. This was indeed a startling revelation-to find the gods of Hinduism in a Christian home! In an- The Committee on Christian literature for swer to our exclamation of surprise the father of Women and Children in Mission Fields, Inc. has the family replied that they did not believe in been studying this problem. How can a Christian those gods any longer, but that they were "pretty home be made so attractive that the children will decorations." Looking around on the mud walls, not be tempted to leave it to attend idolatrous thatched roofs, the bare compound, one realized Hindu festivals and processions? It seems to be that there was nowhere any spot of beauty to well authenticated that one-third of all the chil- meet the color-loving eye of the Oriental. What dren who learn to read in the primary schools of could two hours of training in Sunday school do India, lapse into illiteracy within five years after to overcome the effect of seeing for the whole leaving school. Here is a need to be met. Whole- week long cheap chromos of these idols in the some literature has been issued by Christian brilliant colors? On his wages of ten or fifteen agencies for adults, for stUdents, for educated cents a day the father could not afford much in folk and some excellent magazines have been pro- the way of gifts for his children. One of these vided for little children, but for the 'teen-age "pretty" idolatrous pictures could be bought for youngsters, in that most difficult period when one anna (about two and a half cents). No Christheir awakening minds need mental food, little tian pictures could be found at any such low price. had been attempted, until this Committee began the publication of a magazine for youth. It con- To overcome this difficulty, the Committee has tains simple scientific articles; histories of the solicited gifts in America to pay for lithograph great men of India and other lands; clean whole- stories of the lovely Christian pictures so familsome stories, puzzles and contests that help iar in our homes. The initial expense having mothers to keep their children contented in the been met, these Christian pictures can be sold Christian home. So great was the success in India at the one anna price, with something of the English edition that there was a demand left for a "turnover." for vernacular issues. A missionary is set apart for editing the English edition of the Treasure God clearly led our Committee in India to issue Chest. With comparatively small expenditure of for the first of the series the picture of Christ as time and effort busy missionaries in other lan- the Good Shepherd. This 'appears just when the guage areas, with a small grant of money from startling announcement is made that the reprethis Committee, are able to issue vernacular edi- sentatives of the sixty million Untouchables have tions, translating from the English Treasure openly declared their intention to abandon the Chest what is suitable for their people and adding Hinduism which so debased them, has denied them local color. The magazine is now published in entrance into their temples and has left them Urdu, Marathi, Tamil, Kanarese, Gujarathi, without hope. These Untouchables are now ad- Hindi, Bengali, and Telegu. It has even crossed vised to seek a new religion which will give them the Bay of Bengal where a Burmese edition is greater liberty and greater hope. Christian workissued from Rangoon. The economy of this plan ers who go to the seeking millions with their inby which suitable reading matter is provided for vitation to enter the Christian fold will find a these 'teen-aged children is not only in the stories strong appeal in this picture of Christ who, inand articles which may be adapted, but in the ex- stead of the terrifying form of an elephantchange of cuts and fancy covers which appear in headed god, is presented as the friend of little children and as the good Shepherd who goes out
INDIAN HILL STATES IN NEED
to look for His lost sheep. These people know and distribution of seven thousand free copies of that they are weak and this picture shows the the Good Shepherd picture to workers among tenderness of the Saviour as he carries the frail these, His other sheep, so helping them, through little lamb in his arms. Above all the children the eyegate as well as the eargate, to understand hear His loving recognition of their right to come His loving invitation to follow Him. to Him who says: "Other sheep have I which are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and The need for such help for our Christian homes there shall be one fold and one shepherd." is proven already by the sales of this picture. Without much advertising or any agents to push There is today an unprecedented opportunity the sales, the number bought in the first five presented to missionaries of Christ in this start- .months since it was issued amounts to the astonling action of the leaders of the Untouchables. ishing figure of thirteen thousand copies. Two The Literature Committee therefore felt that in- other pictures are being prepared for the Easter stant action was necessary and has already sent season, one of the Crucifixion and the other of the word to India authorizing the immediate printing Resurrection.
Indian Hill States in Need* By GEORGE HART Home Secretary of India-Northwest Mission THERE are 500 Indian States (usually called a hearing. We saw two of the "almost persuaded" Native States) which are without the Gos- yesterday. One asked for prayer that Christ pel. Those which we shall mention are Hill might become as real to him as He is to us. This States in the Panjab. To show general conditions, individual work has great possibilities, and was let us say something first about a residential the chief method of the early Christians.
station around which evangelization is being car- And now a contrast. Last Sunday, as we started ried on. out, we saw some men making idols of clay. We Around this station little groups of houses are asked if these things were really for worship.
found here and there, something like a village. It While we were speaking, a voice hailed us from takes some tramping to visit thoroughly, but the the road above, for an Indian does not stand on people have to be reached. Every means is de- 'ceremony if he wants to know something.· The vised for convincing and converting. As we go man enquired why we should wish to keep anyone out in the morning we pass the local temple and from any object of worship, but, after being an- hear sounds like children rattling tin cans. "They swered, he scrambled down the bank, saying, "I are wakening their gods," says an evangelist. We should like to know anyone who can lead me to who know the living God whose ear is ever open God."
to our cry feel constrained anew to get the knowl- He was a Sikh who had newly come to the dis- edge of Him spread abroad. In an open space, trict. It was plain that what impressed him most amid some farm houses, after a few calls by the was our clear testimony that this Jesus, who is missionary, which carry far in the clear air, men called Christ, had brought peace to our souls, and begin to appear. The women come too, for these assurance which no "religion" brings. We insist hill women are not so retiring as those· of the that we are not merely bringing to them "another plains. As the message proceeds we notice a late- religion," but the one and only salvation. This comer hurrying to hear it. Sounds had reached cannot be too clearly stated,or too often, for the him, and he knew we had come again with the effect on them is noticed over and over again. We Word of Life. had some notable decisions' in this place.
Truly this is a religious people, but it will take "I would not like to climb that mountain to pour something very persistent to break them from milk on it," said a friend, as he walked with me.
their age-long superstitions. "Nothing shall be He had climbed it on a previous occasion to visit impossible"-it never has been impossible, any- Indians at one of their religious gatherings, doing where. And the people here listen. One wonders his best to bring them to Christ. But what was if our forefathers in pagan Britain gave so good on his mind when he remarked about going up to
"pour milk on it"? On a previous day we were came to the last State on our list and found our out among the villagers round the base of the busy evangelist, himself an ex-Mohammedan.
mountain, and heard that a trial was to be held The postmaster of a chief village, a few mile~ in the open before an idol. A man had lost three from our starting point, tells me he has "a great sons in one month, and the gathering was for the respect for Jesus Christ." He is typical of many purpose of finding out why the god was angry, of the better educated Indians, who, for one rea- and what was to be done. We shall never forget son or another, have dipped into the Bible and the scene. The bereaved man sat among the crowd seen a Person who strangely attracts them. It of leading men from the villages. The priest of may be that they have read to see why we wor- the little temple containing the idol worked him- ship Him. A Hindu Sadhu with plastered brow, self into the state of a spiritist medium, though "searching for salvation," has never heard of not losing consciousness. Shaking violently, he Christ. He cannot read but is hoping for some- began in a shrill voice to speak from the "god." thing in the next transmigration-that blight on (Very plainly it was from the devil.) First, the the mind of India. They believe that their souls bereaved man was told that he must bestow two must go through innumerable other bodies and goats and some money to ward off further evil. then go out they know not where, when they have (Eventually this was brought down to one goat thus purged their lives of sin. To shorten the proc- and a rupee-and-a-quarter. Perhaps the god knew ess, or to have better rebirths, is their one hope.
what he could pay!) Amid the babblings of the We do the best we can for the poor man.
medium-in which the chopping and changing of We enter one Native State, and find the offi- his commands made it plain that the "father of cials more than friendly. Not only is every fa- lies" was at work-one thing seemed clear and cility given for the preaching of the Gospel, the that was that the god was angry with the district head-men all attending, but the missionaries are because the people had departed from the custom made welcome to come and stay at any time, and of their forefathers who used to climb the moun- as long as possible, in free premises. The ripe- tain and pour milk on the top of it every time a ness of this place, from which many villages can calf was born. This would have to be resumed. be reached, is very striking, and we ask most The whole episode was a spur to us to do every- earnest prayer for it.
thing possible to rescue these benighted people, Trekking in India bears its own reward, taking though it is shameful that people in our own en- one to places where there are no roads, revealing lightened land have begun to consult mediums the need, and giving opportunities of witness too. which may reach far and wide. For instance, at The people were suspicious of us at first, and a village at the entrance to the State, where an wanted none of our Gospel. Now we can go any- audience of fifty quickly gathered, we found on where with acceptance, save among such a gath- enquiry that there were men present from places ering as we have described. When we were seen as far apart as Rampur and Baltistan (a distance approaching, men came and barred our way. One of nearly 500 miles) for the Indians are great said, "If this were a marriage, you might come trekkers too. Who can tell where the seed of the very happily and preach, but this is a special Gospels sold and the earnest preaching may take affair." root? The priest of the village took one of our Across the road from the mission hall sits a Gospels.
fakir under an arbor-a "holy man." Our evan- Another scene: two ash-smeared and almost gelist found him the other evening drunk and naked Sadhus (holy men) are lying by the road- cursing. This evangelist is the son of a Bible- side. What a sight they make! Our hearts are woman and is a tireless itinerator with the Gos- moved with pity at the delusion of these men, pel. He is now sought out by men, notably Sikhs, making for far away Hardwar, and hoping by in the mission hall. A gentle, quiet man in private, their very discomfort to please some kind of god.
his liberty of speech on the Great Theme is very Now comes a contrast. It is worth a few miles of fine. walking at the other side of the State to visit a A recent tour showed the needy condition in promising Sikh household. We are struck by its other parts of these Hill States. Two of our mis- cleanliness and by our kindly reception by its in- sionaries and the writer did a round of 150 miles mates. There is a reason, the man is regularly through various States. Our mode of travel was reading a Hindi Bible supplied by the workers, on foot, our baggage on mules. Nowhere did we and is not far from the Kingdom. The evangelist find any open enmity to the Message. Many a sells Gospel after Gospel on the way back. This time there was an intense hearing, everywhere sowing of the seed will not be in vain. God says need, but nowhere any settled witness until we it will not.
Experiences in
Extracts from Letters of Mr. and Mrs. Merle Anderson Missionaries of the Africa Inland Mission, Bulke, Gofa Ethiopia is so much in our minds and on our hearts sion chore boys, but all the neighbors come who are free at that hour. Then clinic patients arrive, these days that an intimate view of missionary life there ahead of office hours, and vendors of chickens, eggs and wood, drop in to hear God's Book read. as told in home letters of Rev. and Mrs. Merle Anderson, Among the greatest obstacles to the Gospel are a young couple at Bulke, the capital of Gofa Province, devil worship and belief in demon possession. One lad of about twenty, whom the natives called will be of interest. E. B. D. P. "possessed," came one day to the family prayer hour. He had been wandering about in a dazed ETHIOPIA is composed of a number of tribes condition, crawling in the tall grass like a hunted or "nations," each with its own native king animal, and slipping out at nights into the jungle or chief over whom reigns His Imperial Maj- where wild animals prowl. The missionaries esty, Hailie Selassie, King of Kings. The actual joined in the hunts for him, and finally a contact control in each of these provinces rests in the hands of a man appointed by the Emperor. He IF ETHIOPIA WERE PART OF THE UNITED STATES may be called a Governor, a Rass, a Dejaz Match or a Fiterarie as the Emperor may decree, titles representing different degrees of authority.
About half a century ago the independent tribe or nation of Gofa Province, with its boy king, by conquest became a part of the empire of Ethiopia.
The little king was educated at Addis Ababa, and now is as much of a world citizen as his surround- ings admit. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, of the Sudan Interior Mission, say that on their first visit the young king pumped them nearly dry, seeking in- formation regarding the outside world of politics.
When a second visit followed the missionaries had an opportunity to speak of spiritual matters of deepest interest to them, and presented the ruler with a copy of the Gospel of Mark in Gofa and a pamphlet of Scripture quotations called "God Hath Spoken." The king is a reader and grate- Ethiopia superimposed on a map of the United States; shaded fully accepted the gifts which the Andersons are portions represent early Italian inroads, showing the relation of praying may plant seeds of truth that will take occupied territory to whole of country, In size and terrain root quickly, for the king is in failing health. Ethiopia resembles the States of California, Nevada and Utah.
Summer in America comes at the winter or was made that resulted in the boy attending mornrainy season in Ethiopia. It is marked by no zero ing prayer gatherings regularly. He asked other weather or frozen lakes but by cold rains, when boys to call him if he was not present when the the sun fails to pierce the clouds and fog for days Bible reading began. Soon a noticeable change at a time. The thatched roof houses are seldom came over him. There were no more hideous and waterproof and unheated homes 8,600 feet up in terrifying facial expressions; even the usual listthe air stay chilly and damp for weeks. When the less and sullen looks disappeared. One morning dry season comes, the missionaries take the op- he testified that a great joy had come into his portunity to make sundried bricks to mend their heart and that he had been healed of his malady.
walls and enlarge their living quarters. The proc- With a beaming face he. said, using the native ess of brick-making is primitive. Barefooted na- form of speech, "I have taken hold of God's Book."
tives tramp around in wet holes ten foot square, He gave God all the glory. The kalecha or devil making mud puddles as smooth as custard. Then doctor who had been impoverishing the boy's fa- they work in chopped straw and set the mixture ther at last lost his power over him.
in molds to dry in the sun. The native religion is animistic, consisting of As soon as the new missionaries begin to learn sacrifices offered to certain trees, reading por- the language, family morning prayers on the hill- tents from the entrails of slaughtered animals and top become a community affair. Not only the mis- the contours of broken stones. Sickness is treated [191 ]
in Ethiopia by burning the body with hot coals or the stations located in the various provinces to irons, and the devilmen are the only doctors work first of all among the native provincials. called to cure disease and various perplexities. The Amharas are mostly Coptic Christians and as such are faithful in their various rituals, keep- The fondness of the Ethiopians for wild ani- ing of fast days, giving alms, etc., "a form of mals as pets and the custom of giving them the godliness but denying the power thereof." In the run of the house is not an exaggeration of sensa- various provinces among the pagans you find varitional writers. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson tell of a ous forms of devil worship, offering sacrifices to visit to the Governor of Gofa, in response to an sacred trees, killing of animals and reading their invitation to dinner. The parents rode horseback intestines, breaking of stones and reading them, and took along their year-old baby, carried by na- fearing and so worshiping various animals, feartive boys in his "perambulator" slung on bamboo ing the rain god or the sun god and so paying poles. The Governor's home seemed like a small money to have rain or sun; also devil men, bezoo, with lion cubs, a leopard, monkeys and witchers and such like. strange birds wandering at will. It "was almost too much to expect the missionaries to be atten- We find ourselves in the midst of altogether tive and responsive table conversationalists while about twenty native hunts, the people consisting lion cubs only two weeks out of the jungle were of a strange combination of native Gofas and showing interest in their excited little baby. When "would-be" Amharas. These people, while Gofas the meat course was brought on, the animals and descendants of true Gofas, have a desire to poked their noses into the ribs of those at table, be Amharas and so claim they are Amharas; in and growled! The baby was fascinated, and cried some cases they base their claims on an Amharic when the servant switched the cubs for getting mother, or perhaps father, and in other instances too friendly and drove them out. He would not just simply because they have learned to speak be comforted, so that the Governor ordered them Amharic and keep the fasts and feasts, which to be brought back. Later, when a large lion was every true Amhara must do. Of course this means brought in, two guards with clubs took their posi- that they have been baptized by the Coptic priest. tions by the baby's "pram." The beast sprawled So among these people we find the strange mixon the floor, while the cubs jumped and rolled on ture of observing fasts and feasts as well as folhim to the accompaniment of the baby's delighted lowing the ancient pagan forms of devil worship. gurgles. The parents thought that surely this lion had been brought up in the bosom of the Our larger work is all through this language family from cubhood; but no, it was a recent cap- speaking area. The people are scattered about in ture! The visit was not prolonged beyond the small villages, a village of one hundred houses requirements of courtesy, and they were relieved being rare, so that the bulk of the work must be to find when they left for home that the leopard done by itinerating. This is done by choosing a at the gate was tied. good settlement; then we pick up tent and pro- visions and settle in such places for a week or Emperor Hailie Selassie is doing everything ten days, visiting among the people and holding possible to put an end to slave trading. Punish- daily meetings. ment is swift for any slave raiders who are caught, but this type of banditry is difficult to We experienced a very happy occasion when eradicate in a mountainous country, sparsely set- the first Gofa converts made public confession of tled. The Emperor eagerly desires the best for his their faith in Christ and were baptized. Two people, and welcomes missionaries with their Gos- brothers, Sonkura and Sucka, sons of a slave, and pel and their medical help. the other, Simberu, himself a slave, were the first to seek baptism and after being thoroughly ex- On the day when Ethiopia's cry for help was amined by Mr. Ohman, were publicly baptized to be considered by the League of Nations, all the after the Sunday morning service with some thirmissionaries in Addis Ababa, and their groups of ty or more witnesses. Sucka and Simberu have Christians and adherents in their several stations, been active in going out to various places where were asked to join with the Emperor and his the true Light has never gone and telling God's household and loyal subjects in fasting and prayer. Word. One Sunday recently we were out in a new section, and having stopped at a house where *** a small crowd had gathereJ, we told some of the old, old story; we then asked if they had ever We are located in the midst of a small hilltop heard it before, wondering if perhaps the Ohmans settlement, the only suitable location available might have been there, when the man of the house at the time the mission came here. We were replied, "Yes, two black boys were here one Sunoffered a location in Bulke but this was very unde- day not long ago." sirable because the capitals are always filled with Amharas, the ruling class. It is the purpose of Remember this work in your prayers.
Ngombi-A Black Man With a White Soul*
–tEl I By CASA COLLIER, M.D., Nashville, Tennessee I)at- ~===!.I NGOMBI was my gun bearer on hunts in the them knew Jesus. There were thirteen boys in Cameroun. I walked beside him for nearly this group and twelve of them had never heard of two months in that grass country and even Christ. One boy thought he had heard of him, but now at times, in that dreamy state that comes be- did not know who he was nor from whom he had tween sleep and consciousness, it seems as if I heard of him. With the assistance of Ngombi, I can see 'mid the shimmering heat waves his round, told these boys the story of Christ. Some of them kinky head and broad black back, shining and wet scampered away for their parents or for other from the sweat of the terrible heat. boys, and before long we had most of the village At the end of my hunting trip I asked Ngombi attending this little service. if there was any message that I could take my One Sunday morning at the church in Bafia, the missionary in charge, Mr. Anderson, asked me to people. He lifted me in his great black arms and talk to these people about Palestine. I went into then as he stood me again upon my feet he gave the great thatched church and with his aid as me the message, which is the same that has rung interpreter told them of Bethlehem and Nazareth down through the ages, "Come over and help us." and Galilee which I had visited. Two years before Ngombi's message to you is this, "My people need this time these people of Bafia were almost unyour help very much-without i.t we sit in sin touched by Christianity-yet I saw more than a and darkness; with it we will be free." thousand of these "savages" gathered to worship on Sunday morning. I heard them as they sang: When we left the Bulu country and went into the grass country, this black man went along with a song and a shout, and a smile upon his broad A never-dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky.
black face. He was happy; I was happy too, A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify.
because I was realizing the dream of a lifetime- I turned to Mr. Anderson and said, "If I had hunting in Africa-and I thought that Ngombi not seen it, I could not have believed that these was happy for the same reason. I did not find people could so quickly have been brought under out until several weeks later that he was com- an influence that would make them know that they bining his hunting trip with a missionary trip. had a never-dying soul to save." His answer was, When we went into the little villages, after "Doctor, only one thing could do it, and that is Ngombi had seen to it that we were properly quar- Christ." This truth impressed me greatly on all tered, he would always be gone for a while. I sides while in that mission field. saw him with his little gatherings on the edge of I wish you could see the offering taken in an numerous villages and I thought that he was tell- African mission church. I have tried to be liberal ing stories or merely visiting sociably. When I in my financial support of the Church and for asked him why he was so happy, he told me of his years have been a tither, but I admit that I never long desire to bring this Christian message to saw the plate passed while in Africa that I did not these people and now he was realizing his long- blush for shame when I thought of how little I wished-for opportunity. He was not merely chat- and the average member of my church had conting with his friends as he sat with them at the tributed. In Cameroun everybody contributes. edge of the village, he was telling them the story Even if they have no money, what they have goes of Jesus. into the collection-peanuts, palm kernels, sugar One afternoon while I was sitting in a little cane, eggs, pineapples, bananas, occasionally a dusty village watching some boys scrape some chicken or a duck; an~ once in a while a goat is skins of animals just killed-Mbiam had brought tied to a tree near by waiting to be taken after me a cup of orange juice-Ngombi came and stood the service.
by, and with him as interpreter I talked with the One of the servants of a missionary had seen boys. After asking them numerous questions and the missionary wear some green-striped pajamas answering many of theirs, I asked how many of and had secretly longed for them. In the due course of time he fell heir to them and the follow- Mi•ssFiornosm, Ua. Sle.aAfl.et printed by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign ing Sunday he proudly marched down the center [193 ]
aisle of the church wearing them. After service used the adz, the lever and the saw, their artisans he carefully wrapped them in a banana leaf and were making jewelry and glassware, some of stored them away in the eaves of his little thatched which are marvels today, but Egypt is gone. Conhut. Every day he unwrapped them and sat in fucius could. not maintain a civilization, Mothe sun by his hut admiring them. The following hammed could not do it, but Christ can. Sunday the pajama pants were put in the collection plate. Upon being questioned as to why these These people in Africa are just as much entitled pants were so disposed of, his reply was, "I loved to Christianity as are our people. The fact that them so much that I knew it would be a sin for they are black did not in the least lessen the sufme to keep them, so I gave them to the Church." fering of Christ on the cross-his pain and agony I am quite sure that I have never made such a were as much for them as for us. I wish you coufd sacrificial gift, but when our giving begins to be see the difference that Christianity makes in these made upon such a basis the financial problems of people. I visited in towns that had been under our Church and mission field are solved. the influence of Christianity and then I visited in others where the Christian influence had not yet Ze Tonga, who works for the Beanlands, is one come. What would you mothers think of selling of the finest Christian characters I have ever met. your ten- or twelve-year-old daughters into a slave On one occasion, while the missionaries were on marriage? This is a common custom in Africa. furlough, he went back to his native town to What would you wives think of being sold if you preach. When the Beanlands returned, Ze Tonga did not altogether please your husband? For went back to Metet to resume his duties there. He twelve or fifteen dollars' worth of trade goods, one told Mr. Beanland of the need for a native can buy a girl in Africa and thirty dollars' worth preacher in his town, but no native preacher could of trade goods will buy a very good wife. Women be sent, as there was no money. Ze Tonga said, are bought and sold just as are dogs or goats. "How much are you paying me?" "Thirty-five Christ puts an end to this and to the unspeakable francs per month," was the answer. Ze Tonga's things that accompany such traffic. Other things reply was, "Pay me fifteen francs and we will get too numerous and too horrible to mention cannot a preacher to go for the balance." Now there is be abolished by anything except Christianity; just a preacher in that town and Ze Tonga has the joy as sin cannot be cured by legislation, but only by of knowing that his townspeople are Christians the Spirit of Christ. and are having the same joy in it that he has. One of the most pitiful things that I saw in Membership in the Church on the mission field Africa was a great strong man dying with fever, means a great deal more than in America. When clutching his spear in his hand, raving in his dea native becomes a candidate for membership, he lirium, fearful that the evil spirits would take must live on probation for a year or two and him before he was dead. His three wives were demonstrate his ability to be a Christian. At the disfiguring their bodies with clay and ashes, makend of the probationary period, if satisfactory, he ing all kinds of incantations to their gods, screamis admitted. If membership in my church was ing in the agony of fear at the approach of death gauged by the same requirements as exist there, -what a horrible, unspeakably sad thing for this the roll in my church would be nearer one hun- man to go out into the darkness with no hope dred than three thousand. other than his spear clutched frantically in his dying hand! How different was the death of Ngo I wonder how many of you have any idea of Ntoto! This man had been a native pastor for what a leper colony is like? his own people. His life was an inspiration to hundreds of others, both black and white, and Those who are a little cool in their belief re- when his time came to reap the reward of his garding foreign missions should visit a mission labors he gathered his family about him for field. After such a visit they would entirely change prayers, and then asked them to sing. His wife their views regarding the necessity of foreign stood holding one hand, and on the other side of missions. Many say, "This black man has his own his little bamboo bed stood his stalwart son holdform of worship-let him stick to it; it will suffice ing the other. They sang "Nearer My God to for him." I defy you to name a single country Thee" and as the song was nearing the end, he where Christianity is not known and generally ac- closed his eyes and was heard to say, "M'bolo cepted that has not already decayed or that is not Jesus, Zambe, M'bolo," which is the Bulu salutain the process of deterioration. While Abraham's tion saying, "Good morning, Jesus, Master, good forefathers were living in goatskin tents in the morning." desert, the Egyptians were living in palaces. They
Bedouin Women in North
-e( I By the late ARTHUR v. LILEY of Tunis I)a- ~==========================~ I N THE Mohammedan world none has a harder the work in the tent. They are sent to the wells for life of cruelty and drudgery than the Bedouin water and to the forest for wood, a small goat- woman, "the daughter of the tent." No cries skin bottle of water or a load of wood being placed of joy are heard, neither is a profusion of com- upon her back, according to her size and strength. pliments paid to the father when an unwelcome These are occasions of great joy for they mean little stranger, a girl, comes into the world. When getting away from the restraint of the tent and the little one is able to amuse her father with her the severity of the father. While the girls wander childish prattle, some notice may be taken of her, into the woods and fields, the old women sit tobut soon he becomes tired of his new toy and the gether and talk over the news and scandal of the child takes her despised place among the women. camp or tribe. The fathers of families are charged to teach Later the girls learn to weave the tent covering, their children the duty of the creature towards plait the palm leaf, or haIfa grass baskets, make God and the rules that they should follow in liv- the rough pottery, milk the cows and goats, saddle ing among their fellowmen. But being themselves the beasts of burden, and to put up and take too brutal and corrupt to worthily fulfil the diffi- down the tent. The tent is made up of a number cult part of examples to their children, the fathers of feloudj sown together. These consist of camel hasten to send the girl to the work of the tent, and goat's hair spun with the fiber that surrounds abandoning her at a tender age to her natural in- the palm root, and are woven into long strips stincts and the evil effects of bad influences. about two and a half feet wide and eight or ten Often the little girl is struck in a revolting and yards long. They are not unlike cocoa-nut matbrutal manner in order that the father may obtain ting of a dark color, without pattern or design. absolute silence, passive obedience and respect. A pole eight or nine feet long holds up the middle All through life she is exposed to all kinds of in- of the tent while a number of cords, attached to justice from her father, brother or husband. pegs, keep it fixed to the ground. Shorter sticks At a tender age children are left to themselves, are used to prop up the tent in order to give more half naked, spending whole days without any space and allow the inhabitants to move about guardian in the fields or woods to mind the flocks without continually bending. All the tents of the and herds. It is then that they learn those de- camp are the same and only vary in size and state plorable habits of lying, thieving, cruelty and the of preservation. disdain for all things respectable and refined. In the center of the tent and at the base of the Without religious or moral education and with supporting pole are placed two or three large nothing in their minds or hearts but vain forms sacks, called telles, which contain provisions of of prayer and empty politeness, they are aban- wheat, barley or dates for the family for a fortdoned to their natural instincts, and know no re- night or so. In the same place is a large trunk in straint or governing power. Conscience being al- which are kept the family clothing and jewelry. most dead, they have little idea of right and The furniture of the tent is very primitive, conwrong, good and evil. Lying is such a familiar sisting of a few haIfa grass mats spread on the habit among the Bedouin Arabs that everything ground, two or three woolen coverings, some becomes doubtful, even their duty. earthenware pots and pans, a few wooden spoons and the sieves for sifting the coarse wheat flour Most of these young people live far away from which forms their staple food. Everything in the all refining or Christian influences. In the cities tent must roll up or be such that it can easily be some of these young Arabs are being reached by means of mission classes and schools; and natives, packed and placed on the backs of the beasts of seeing the difference in the girls who have come burden to be carried to the new camping ground. under the influence of Christian teaching, have sought some of them for wives, rather than take When evening arrives, the children and old women lie down to sleep side by side. The master those who have been brought up in ignorance. of the tent lets down the feloudj which forms the From a very early age the girls among the coun- door of the tent; then he seeks his mat and try Arabs are accustomed to take their share of woolen covering on which to rest. For him the [195 ]
night is one long watch. With his head turned five times of prayer daily, the fast month of Ratowards the flocks, his pistol under his pillow and madian, the tithes and gifts demanded from his gun by his side, he is ready to rush out at the hardly earned harvest. After all this has been least noise-it may be a thief, a jackal or some faithfully observed he has no "sure and certain other enemy. The wolfish looking dogs with sharp hope" but looks forward with fear and trembling teeth help the Arab in his watch for by the man- to the day of judgment, faintly hoping "the merciner of their barking or the inflexion of their ful, the compassionate" will deal lightly with his voices, he is able to tell whether the intruder is many misdeeds and admit him into Paradise after an animal, a distant passing stranger or one or the intercession of Mohammed. more thieves. It is only when twilight begins to appear, that the master of the tent is able to fall To these people we gladly carry the message of asleep. blessed hope in Christ. It has not always been casting the seed by the wayside, and yet how sad It is a hard life, hard in every sense of the it is to hear some women say, "we have no minds, word. The Bedouin child is born on the hard we are no better than the cows." But we go on ground, in a tent exposed to all varieties of preaching the Gospel of Christ, for it is "the weather and lives on food often coarse and scanty. power of God unto salvation to everyone that be- The life is hard, for the Arab is in continual fear lieveth." Pray that God will thrust forth more from all kinds of enemies, difficulties and dangers. laborers into the harvest field and that all things Evan Islam, his religion, gives little or no consola- needful may be supplied "according to His riches tion, for it also deals hardly with him, with its in Glory by Christ Jesus."
A MOSLEM LEARNS THAT GOD IS LOVE I am a Mohammedan, as were my fathers before me. My cr~ed is: "There is no god but God, and Mohammed is the prophet of God." I scorn idolators, I pray five times a day, I fast one month in the year, I have made the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Further, I am an Arab; I fear nothing. I am ready to kill unbelievers, as my fathers did.
The other day I was sitting in a coffee shop when a foreigner passed by. I had never met him but people told me that he was a missionary. I cursed him under my breath. But he must have heard me for he turned around, stopped, came back, and sat down on the bench be- side me.
"Peace be upon you," he said, and I had to reply in kind.
"I have been looking for you," he said.
"Do you know me?" I replied.
"No," he said, "but my Master told me this morning to go and find some one who was cursing me."
"And what did He tell you to do then?" I said.
"Why," said he, "He told me to bless you. And so I want to assure you that I hope that Allah will give you all health and happiness."
"But who is this Master of yours?" I said. "Jesus Christ," he answered. "But are you a Christian?" I asked again.
"Well," he said, "my Master said that by this we are known as His disciples, if we have love one for another. . . . for God is Love."
He went away; but his words have been ringing in my ears. I am afraid of such a Christian.
Prayer: Oh, Allah, I have prayed to Thee thousands of timeS, but I have not heard Thy voice till this morning. Art Thou really Love? And -dost Thou l()ve me? Then I have. been all wrong in my thoughts of Thee. Teach me what Thou truly art.,' Amen. .
ABDULLAH BIN HUSSEIN.
Pioneering A
A Sketch of George Grenfell and Sir Wilfred Grenfell -~~I!~~_B_Y~L_._S_._H_O_G_E=N_B_O_O~M_,_p_r_in_ce_t_on_'_N~._J.~~~(I~- THE name Grenfell today, to ninety-nine mis- not swept away by the madness of these frantic sionary-minded people out of a hundred, years but who has carried on his work of healing means Sir Wilfred Grenfell of Labrador. His in an obscure field, unmoved by the materialism name calls up visions of a rocky, ice-bound coast, of our day~ of bleak, wind-swept wastes, and of a beloved physician ministering to poor, hard-working, fish- These two men differ widely in background. erfolk-such is the efficacy of the printed word! George's parents moved to Birmingham when he was three years of age and his youth was spent in But in England fifty years ago the name Gren- a dirty factory town in the midst of the abuses of fell would bring up far different visions. Instead the industrial system. Wilfred's father was a of the bitter cold of the Nor,th Atlantic the mind schoolmaster and his boyhood was spent in carewould have pictured the steaming jungle of the free sport on the "Sands of Dee." Congo valley. Instead of frost-bitten fishing villages the name would have suggested grass huts, The most significant event in George Grenfell's baked by an equatorial sun. Instead of a minis- early life was his transfer from the Church of tering doctor in fur coat driving a dog team, the England to the Baptist communion. The cause name Grenfell meant a stocky, bearded man at the was trivial- a bully who plagued him and his wheel of a small steamer pushing his way up un- brother-but the result was thirty years of work charted ,tropical rivers. Grenfell in those days under the Baptist Missionary Society. meant George Grenfell, pioneer missionary and explorer of the Congo River basin. The calls of these men to missionary service were far different. A.t the age of ten George de- Both of these men sprang from an old and illus- cided to be a missionary. He was active in the trious family of Cornwall. Both claimed affinity Young People's work of the church and at the age of blood with Sir Richard Grenville, that bold ad- of twenty-two became editor of Mission Work, a venturer of Elizabethan days. The trouble which Baptist young people's periodical. His close ache caused the Spanish navy was one of the family's quaintance with the missionary enterprise reproudest memories. sulted in his decision to enter Bristol College and prepare for active service in the foreign field. Something of the untamed spirit of their seagoing ancestor must have followed the blood line Wilfred Grenfell, on the other hand, was led into down through the successive generations. Neither his life work in Labrador through his medical and of these later Grenfells was so happy as when surgical practice. He had a vital religious exafloat; the deck of a rolling ship was always more perience during a Moody and Sankey revival in congenial than a lecture platform. Both were of London. For some years following the complethat hardy clan that listens with expectant ear to tion of his medical studies he served on a Deep an inward compelling voice: Sea Mission boat among the fishing fleets of the North Sea. Then he decided to accompany a ship Something hidden – Go and find it. sent out on similar service among the fishing boats Go and look behind the Ranges. of Newfoundland and the Labrador. Upon ar- Something lost behind the Ranges, rival he sought to meet the needs of the people Lost and waiting for you; Go! and remained to become world famous and to write "Forty Years for Labrador." His motives Though only sixteen years separated these men seem to have been largely humanitarian and his in age, they really belonged to two different gen- theory' of missionary calling is bound up in his erations. George Grenfell was born in 1849 and saw the zenith of his usefulness during a time of statement that he always believed that the Good tremendous British expansion in almost every line, Samaritan crossed the road and helped the colonial and industrial, as well as missionary. wounded man because he wanted to do SO.l Wilfred Grenfell's work has become famous in the present century, chiefly as an example of a man to~ tf&f~Jl6o~I}i~:~n, "r~~~ Years for Labrador," p. 71. Hough- [197 ]
The important thing is that they both entered pounds, the maximum pack load for a bearer. The the service of Christ without any reservations, vessel was taken apart, shipped to the foot of the ready to go wherever He should lead them. That cataracts and then carried two hundred miles their respective fields lay so far apart is another through the jungle to Stanley Pool. The engineer, proof of our Lord's interest in all parts of His sent to reassemble the ship, died on the way, but far-flung battle line. Grenfell, using native helpers, rebuilt and The Explorers launched "The Peace" in 1884. It was an almost incredible piece of work, but it was completed and When George Hawkes, a schoolmate of George the way opened for the exploration of a river sys- Grenfell, was asked by the Baptist Missionary tem which drains an area of over two million Society to write the story of his schoolmate's life square miles. The main stream and its tributaries he consented to do so on one condition-someone total a distance of eleven thousand miles.
qualified for the task should make a scientific ap- For twenty-two years George Grenfell sailed praisal of Grenfell's work as an explorer and that "The Peace" up and down those miles of treacher- report should be incorporated in the biography. ous waterways. He charted the channels, mapped Instead, a whole book on this subject was written the tributaries, and made the way comparatively by Sir Harry Johnston, entitled "George Grenfell safe for the advance of civilization. More steam- and the Congo." ers were brought in and a railroad was built We have seen how Wilfred Grenfell went around the cataracts. The territory thus opened through a "seasoning process" in his ministrations to trade is as large as Europe from the Black Sea to the fishermen of the North Sea in preparation to the English Channe}.2 for his life work on the Labrador Coast. Likewise For his part in the project Grenfell was hon- George Grenfell spent four years in Cameroon, ored by the Royal Geographical Society, receiving West Africa, as a "finishing school," under the its Founder's Gold Medal. He was also honored saintly Alfred Saker. Here he learned to make by the Belgian Government and represented King friends with natives, did some preliminary ex- Leopold on a commission to settle a boundary dis- ploring and experienced some of the hardships of pute with France.
missionary life. Here, too, he met his first great It was in his relation with King Leopold that sorrow, when his bride of less than a year died of George Grenfell made his greatest mistake. He puerperal fever. was a believer in the desirability of a strong Euro- In August, 1877, Henry M. Stanley completed a pean power taking over the country in order to three-year journey, crossing Africa from Zanzibar stop the petty intertribal wars and the horrors of on the east coast to Boma at the mouth of the the slave trade.3 He therefore looked upon King Congo River on the west. He had followed the Leopold as a great benefactor and in this opinion course of the Lualaba River which Livingstone he was seconded by his Society.4 But he had failed believed to be the headwaters of the Nile. Stanley to reckon on the greed of men who saw in this vast proved it to be the source of the Congo. This dis- territory a source of income from rubber. This covery challenged the Christian world to occupy greed led to almost unbelievable atrocities. The the vast region of central Africa. Other mission- oppression of the rubber trusts proved worse for ary societies followed the footsteps of Livingstone the black folk than the villainies of the Arab slave in East Central Africa, and a special gift from raiders. John H. Harris, in his book, "Slavery Robert Arthington enabled the Baptist Missionary or 'Sacred Trust'" estimates the deaths during a Society to assume responsibility for the evan- thirteen-year period at five million.
gelization of the Congo Basin. Grenfell and his When public indignation rose too high to be ig- friend, Thomas J. Comber, were invited to con- nored King Leopold appointed, as a blind, a com- duct a prospecting expedition. They soon learned mission for the protection of the natives and that the Congo was navigable for only a short dis- named Grenfell and Holman Bentley as members.
tance from the mouth and that two hundred miles Nothing was accomplished, and the horrible of rapids barred the way to the interior. Gren- abuses went on long after Grenfell's death.
fell's first journey therefore was overland to San One cannot refrain from placing the vast ex- Salvador, capital city of Dom Pedro, black King plorations of George Grenfell beside those of Sir of the Congo. Grenfell decided that the opening Wilfre.d. The latter did worthy service .to navi- up of the interior could best be made by boat gation by correcting charts and maps of that above the cataracts. . dangerous coastline which has been called the Thus came about the greatest exploit of his life. graveyard of the Atlantic. He was honored by Under his advice a seventy-foot steamer, named "The Peace," was built in England, so designed 2 Mathews, Basil-"The Book of Missionary Heroes," p. 150. that only three parts weighed more than sixty-five 3 Hemmens, H. L.-"George Grenfell Pioneer in Congo," p. 198. • Report of B. M. S. for 1885 quoted by Hemmens, p. 200.
TWO PIONEERING GRENFELLS
the Royal Geographical Society with the Murchi- in educational and industrial missions, and schools son Prize in 1911.5 Later, under the encourage- were among the most successful of his projects. ment of the British Admiralty, he further sur- He rightly believed that if the elimination of tribal veyed the coast. Much of this work was done by warfare was not to leave a dangerous vacuum aerial photography.6 Later he was knighted for some other occupation must be provided for the his services by King George V. people. Accordingly he taught them how to make bricks from clay and so to replace their miserable These efforts are valuable from a commercial huts with decent houses. Grenfell saw the necespoint of view. Dr. Grenfell tells of seeing five sity of isolating the children from .the associations steamers piled up on one reef at one time.7 And of heathen life and this was done by means of from a humanitarian point of view it was no less boarding schools. At first pupils were hard to get, so. It is better Christianity to make good charts but before his death he saw them coming in inthan to wait "to play the Good Samaritan to the creasing numbers. surviving families of those fishermen who had drowned because no reliable chart existed." 8 Yet Like many pioneer missionaries Grenfell was a fair comparison of this bleak coast with the rich criticized by the churches at home for the scarcity interior of Africa, leaves one with the impression of converts. Those in England who had visions that society is indeed whimsical in the disposition of teeming thousands of black men hungering for of its honors. the Gospel failed to appreciate the difficulties. The frightful loss of life due to inexperience in a The Missionaries new country also put a s.train upon his courage. His own daughter, newly sent out as a missionary, "The end of the geographical feat is the begin- died of blackwater fever. ning of the missionary enterprise." These words of Livingstone were likewise the motto of his ar- His most persistent enemy, however, was the dent admirer, George Grenfell. It was his ap- awful slave traffic. The Arab raiders had pushed pointed task to blaze trails or, more literally, to westward from Zanzibar and threatened to take chart channels, but always his objective was the over the whole Congo basin. Their inhuman spreading of the Gospel of Christ and the building treatment made the natives wary of strangers of an indigenous church. From that single aim with light skins and often flights of poison arrows nothing could move him. Even when requested by greeted the passengers on "The Peace." the King of Belgium to serve as Royal Commissioner on the boundary question between Belgium Complications with the Belgian Government and Portugal, he referred the letter to the Mis- also threatened to upset his plans. At one time the sionary Society and accepted the offer only after authorities seized "The Peace," hauled down her securing its consent. British flag and used her to transport munitions up the river. A protest from London to Brussels His aim throughout all his explorations was a brought restitution and an offer of indemnity. chain of ten mission stations from Stanley Pool to Stanley Falls, a distance of a thousand miles, George Grenfell closed his career at the age of and he complained bitterly to the British churches fifty-seven in a lonely outpost surrounded by black because the execution of this plan was so long de- men who loved him. They put him aboard "The layed for lack of reinforcements. "The Peace" Peace" and the famous old boat carried him to was brought out and operated to facilitate com- Basoko and a doctor. But on July 1, 1906, the munication between such stations. He lived to sturdy old missionary river pilot crossed the Bar see that hope realized. and sailed out into the great Beyond.
The population of George Grenfell's vast "par- The Grenfell "everybody knows" and the Grenish" varied from the tiny four-foot Batwa pig- fell "nobody knows" were both missionaries, mies, light red-skinned folk with huge bearded rather than theologians. Sir Wilfred, as a phyheads who lived par.t of the time in trees, to the sician and surgeon, has a rough and ready brand Banalyas, an advanced tribe which smelted iron of theology. He says: "Of one thing I am conand practiced carpentry. Naturally, Grenfell vinced. Religion is the reverse of anyone cubbynever had much time for the settled routine of a holed experience. If I am not Christian in the mission station. He continued to pilot "The Peace" way I eat and drink, and in the way I deal with and later the "Goodwill" up and down the river. my wife, or my crew, or my students, or my cus- tomers, as the case may be, the fact that I accept Yet he also managed to do some literary work. all the theology ever taught does not make me so. He translated the Gospel according to Mark and . . . How each individual keeps touch with God, .the Ten Commandments. He was a firm believer I consider it impertinent on the part of any other individual to criticize. Only Christ, so far, has 6 Grenfell, 'Vilfred-Ibid., p. 182. proved the right to say, 'Follow Me.' " 9 • Grenfell, Wilfred-Ibid., p. 242. • Grenfell, Wilfred-Ibid., p. 339. 7 Grenfell, Wilfred-Ibid., p. 169. 8 Grenfell, Wilfred-Ibid., p. 241.
Nor was George Grenfell a stickler for dog- Contrast this with George Grenfell's problem. matic theology. In a letter to Joseph Hawkes, No one has ever accurately counted its population, written in his last illness, he says: "I am less con- but it runs into the millions, and of these almost fident in trying to explain the Trinity, the Atone- every tribe speaks a different dialect. The climate ment and Justification than I used to be; but this is one in which no white man can live long with- I know, better than ever, that Salvation is by out seriously impairing his health. One begins to grace through Jesus Christ, by faith." 10 see that, judged by almost every objective cri- terion, George undertook a more difficult task. There is no notable difference in the sacrifices which these men made. Both lived strenuously. George Grenfell died at fifty-seven. Sir Wil- The great contrast lies in the people to whom they fred is now past seventy. World recognition has ministered. Sir Wilfred has for forty years come to him largely during the past twenty years. served a scattered population of fisherfolk of New- Had his lesser known kinsman rounded out his foundland and the Labrador, mostly Anglo-Saxon full three-score-and-ten he too might have reaped whites, comparable to the southern mountaineers more of the world's honors. of the United States.u There are only a few hundreds who live there all year around. Their Both men are specimens of that staunch clan of missionary has no new language to learn, and missionary heroes that every day brings a little with the aid of American university students and nearer the day when the kingdoms of this world others, is able to handle their needs in a fairly shall become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His adequate way. Christ.
10 Hemmens, H. L.-Ibld., p. 239. BIBLIOGRAPHY 11 Grenfell, Wilfred-Ibid., p. 90. 1. Hawker, George-The Life of George Grenfell, New York, 1909. 2. Hemmens, H. L.–George Grenfell, Pioneer in Congo, London, 1927. 3. Bently, Hoimen–George Grenfell and the Congo, London. 4. Grenfell, Wilfred-Forty Years for Labrador, Boston, 1933.
"Can't Afford to Give to Missions"
Many churches and individuals contend that the funds. Should this fact take precedence over the claims of home needs are so great that they can- needs of the local congregation? not afford to give to missions. Many churches in Christian lands are housed in expensive buildings, The same principle and problem applies to a and are heavily mortgaged, while the spiritual family. When should the desire for a new house house and work of Christ are handicapped by pov- or better furnishings be given the right of way erty. Recently a mortgage company refused to over the pressing needs of absent members of the modify its claims on church property or to reduce family? Obviously the answer is that vital needs the interest while that church was using part of -life, health, education for service-should take its income to support missions. If the church precedence over comforts, conveniences and selfcould afford to give away, surely it could afford to indulgence. Few find satisfaction in self-denial pay its debts. What is the answer? The time to for the sake of discipline but many find real joy in avoid this dilemma seems to be before the debt self-denial for the sake of loved ones or for the on the church property is incurred. Every con- promotion of some needy and worthy cause. gregation, like an individual or a family, has a twofold obligation – for its own maintenance in Experience proves that those who put "first the the interest of efficiency, and for sacrificial service Kingdom of God," have their own essential needs to others. On the one hand there is no reason for supplied, while those who put first their own coman individual or for a church to exist merely for fort lose satisfaction in material things and do self; on the other hand service cannot be ade- not experience the joy of fruitful service. Many quately rendered to others if personal effective- churches with large and elaborate buildings are ness is not maintained. spiritual paupers and show little or no fruit to justify their existence. Other individuals and Every Christian and every church is a steward, churches that live for Christ and His Kingdom commissioned to promote the work of Christ at have the joy of reaping rich spiritual harvests and home and abroad. Should the needs and oppor- at the same time find their own needs adequately tunities for work abroad hinder the work at home met. All admire heroic self-sacrifice but few of -or vice versa? A church desires to enlarge or us practice it. It is a satisfaction to give sacrimodernize its house of worship or its parish house. ficially to an enterprise doing a Christlike work Should this desire be gratified in such a way as to in a Christlike way. The true sign of life in a hinder the response to missionary appeals? The church or an individual is the stream of Living work abroad and in the home field greatly needs Water that flows out to vivify and beautify the lives of others.
A Fire–Walking Festival in India*
By MILLICENT MOODY, Chota Nagpur, India CHUTIYA is an ancient Hindu village which nut falls too. Immediately the priest gathers up consists of a narrow pavementless street the remaining rice and smooths the little pillar about a mile long with mud houses and clean. The drums and chanting cease; the women small shops on both sides. There is a very ancient talk and push and change places. Evidently some- temple at the beginning of the village and a new thing important has happened.
one, only half completed, at the end; both are We were told that the stone pillar represented dedicated to Shiva. Shiva, the creator. The rice and the nut had been Once a year a very interesting festival is held in placed on the god by the chief priest at the request this village. It goes back to ancient times when of a childless woman, who has paid a sum of the aborigines worshipped the sun. The festival money for the priest to tell her whether or not is called "Fire-walking" by foreigners, but the her longing for a son will be realized. The nut had Hindus call it Manda. One of my colleagues, who fallen, so Shiva would grant the woman's request.
works in Chutiya, invited me to join a small party Again and again other women came, but we to witness the festival under the care of her Hindu did not see the nut fall a second time. Alas! maybe pundit. the gift of money which accompanied the request We set out at 10 p. m. with our flashlights. The was too small to satisfy the greed which showed so narrow street near the first temple was thronged clearly in the priest's face.
with men and boys, all making for the other end The noise and heat on the veranda of the temof the village. As the street took a bend we saw a ple was so great that we were glad to put on our flare of lights in the distance and then saw that the shoes and sit once more in the open space near by. temple dedicated to Parvati, Shiva's wife, was It was now getting late, so we hoped the chief lined with tiny oil lamps. The crowd had become ceremony would not be long delayed. Soon the quite dense, for we had almost reached the spot pundit hurried back to say that we should come at where the chief ceremonies were to be performed. once. So we joined the crowd in front of the tem- The chief temple was on our left, and from it came ple and presently a passage was made from the drumming and chanting. Many hundreds of peo- temple steps to the trench of fire by men holding ple had collected and worship was going on in the primitive flares made of stout sticks with rags temple at full swing. soaked in oil on one end. Everyone was kind and gave us good places facing the passage. The chief We walked along the rough veranda of the priest appeared at the temple door and then the temple to a large iron-barred window which gave devotees streamed out and down the steps. The us a clear view of the inside. Both inside and out chief holy man (not the priest) came first and crowds of women and a few men were gazing in- stood at the bottom of the steps and after him the tently at the performance of the chief priest and others came out one at a time. They wore either his helpers. A circle of about eight devotees stood pure white turbans or wreaths of white scented round the priest. These were young men for the flowers on their heads; they had garlands of these most part, who had just been swung over fire and flowers, which are like tuber lilies, round their in a short while were to show their devotion to necks. their god, Shiva, by walking through a trough of fire in his honor. What was fixing the attention Then began the interesting ceremony of "the of the crowd? An evil-looking priest bearing kiss of peace." Each man embraced the others in Shiva's trident marked in lime on his forehead, turn by touching arms and kissing first one side, sat cross-legged, before a rounded stone pillar then the other, and finally saluting with a little which rose from the ground about two feet. Look! bow, with both hands raised to the face as if pray- He is putting a handful of boiled rice on top of ing. This was repeated three times, the devotees the pillar. He is moulding it as a child would make returning to the temple between each set of greeta sand castle. He is placing a nut, like an acorn, ings. Then they all ran down the passage between on the very top. The drums beat; the devotees the crowd and surrounded the trench of flaming chant; the priest mumbles and waves his hand- charcoal, while the chief devotee grasped a double the chanting and drumming continue for two or handful of glowing embers in his cupped hands three minutes, and the loose rice falls a little; the and rushed back and up the temple steps and bore • From The Mission Field, London. the fire to Shiva's shrine. We saw the man shortly [201 ]
afterwards and he did not appear to be burnt at tesque masks, and bells on their ankles. Most dances took the form of a mock fight between two all. hunters who carried huge flower-decked bows and The actual fire-walking was to come later, so arrows. The performers clicked their bows and arrows and went through curious antics, much to we went to see the dancing of various sets of vil- the enjoyment of the crowd, but as each item finlagers. We joined an enormous crowd, hundreds ished there was no attempt at applause. All the of men and boys, seated on the ground around an dances were accompanied by drums and weird hunting cries.
We were told to return at once to the trough of glowing charcoal, as the devotees were about to walk through the fire. The crowd was so dense that we could only make very slow progress so when we reached the spot the men were coming up from the fire and returning to the temple. They had encircled the fire, saluted it and then had walked through it. The trough was several feet wide and eight to ten feet long and was filled to the very top with red-hot charcoal. The men seemed to be quite unscathed from their ordeal.
We longed to be able to claim that huge crowd for Christ and to be able to change all the devo- tion to Shiva into devotion to our Lord. We know that many in that Manda crowd are Christians at heart as a result of years of faithful teaching from our Mission and the secret working of the Holy Spirit within them. We pray that the time will come when a large group of these people will be brave enough to free themselves from the fet- ters of caste, fear and public opinion and come out as Christians. If some will do this others will follow their example. Pray for Chutiya and re- member the educational and evangelistic work, especially the group of non-Christian boys under instruction.
FIREWALKING IN ENGLAND There are about one hundred million people in India living in areas that are not adequately Kuda Bux, Kashmir magician showed no sign of blistering after reached by the Christian message. To remedy, he had walked twice in a trench filled with glowing embers. the situation there should be a (1) better distri- bution of the Christian forces; (2) greater emopen-air stage. Every other person seemed to be phasis upon the ideal of a united church; (3) carrying a long bamboo stick-six to eight feet more emphasis placed upon evangelism. (4) The long. These were to protect them on their home- concentration of missionary institutions in the ward way, but now the poles gave the effect of a larger towns is a handicap. (5) The Indian forest, for everyone held them upright as they Church needs more ordained leaders. (6) Steps sat. should be taken to take the Christian message to the unoccupied areas. (7) The National Chris- The dancers were all men dressed in spangled tian Council should consider what can be done clothes with tall shimmering head-dresses, gro- about Christian work in the Native States. (8) The progress of the Church will largely depend upon the indigenous nature of its activity and growth. (9) Higher educational institutions should cultivate a more Christian atmosphere and a comprehensive effort should be made to stamp out illiteracy in the Christian Church. (10) Greater efforts should be made to produce and distribute Christian literature of a high character.
the Sat Tal Ashram*
Those who were fortunate enough to be a part sat at the foot of the cross. Communion in Sat of the fellowship will look back upon our experi- Tal is communion indeed. "Heaven comes down ence at the Sat Tal Ashram last summer with the the soul to meet and glory crowns the mercy seat." deepest gratitude. One new part of the landscape Every Sunday at least one person had a fresh was a cross on the opposite hillside from the victory to share, and we all rejoiced together. prayer nook. It was a rough hewn cross probably not unlike the first cross on another hill. This Every day just before the sunset meeting we cross, from the very first sunset meeting until the met to transact Kingdom business. There was last morning quiet time, branded our very souls. frank open sharing of spiritual needs and vic- The experiences revolved around the cross of tories. Noone was afraid to be perfectly honest which this one was but a symbol. as we tried to face ourselves. We got to really know each other as we met day by day and shared Sat Tal has a reputation for being a place where the deepest experiences of life. We shared our lives are changed. Each had various needs, but experiences in keeping quiet times, guidance, all wanted that "victorious vitality" that would sharing, surrender and life changing. The dismake us a part of the "cure instead of a part of cipline and fellowship helped to make us eager to the disease" of this sin-sick world. We not only get into the lives of others. needed to be changed but we wanted to get to the place where God could use us to change other The best that each had, we gave and from each other we took that which met our individual need. lives. The greatest contribution, however, came from Every day we were brought to face the needs God Himself. By the lakeside in numberless nooks, on special rocks, or by certain paths, we of our social order as Dr. Stanley Jones discussed met our Maker and He continued His new crea- "Christ and Communism." All through the cen- tion in our lives. turies man has been talking about the Kingdom of God as though it was meant for some future Intercession such as I never have experienced time and place. We have been in the habit of ton- was a part of our experience at Sat Tal. In this ing down Christ's teachings about the Kingdom we had an opportunity to feel a fractional part to fit the social order. During those periods of of the weight of some of the crosses that Christ discussions we realized, as never before, the sins is bearing all the time. We learned the power of of society the world around and that the only prayer. order that will stand the test is the Kingdom of God. It is impossible for one to set up the King- I am unable to describe the inner life of the Ashdom of God in his heart and fit into the present ram which I had the privilege to share for eightsocial order. If the Kingdom is within us the een days. The fellowship of work, whether it be social order around about must change. We be- cleaning the drawing room or cleaning lamps, was lieve the answer to the problems of the individual a rich experience. It helped to make the Ashram and the world is Christ, and with a real determi- a home, and knit us all together into a brothernation we returned to our stations to bring about hood. changes. "The plant that my Father hath not planted it shall be rooted up." We are awake to Thursday was the day of silence. On this day our responsibility in the rooting up process. The we did not have our work period. The value of cross Christ is carrying, because of poverty, in- this day lay in the silent fellowship that we had justice, and sin in the present social order, is so with God and with each other. One of our memgreat that we could not begin to comprehend its bers expressed it something like this, "We enjoyed weight. each other's fellowship without trying to get our ideas over to one another."
After all, the social reconstruction depends up- It was a great vacation. I felt, as I checked up on the individual and the "victorious vitality" will my life before and after, that before I went to the put dynamic in the social reconstruction. Christ's Ashram I had been standing beside an inlet of redemptive power was felt mightily as we sat the ocean and calling it the ocean. As I stood facing the cross and we realized that there was beside it, I seemed tall and important. After the grace and power enough not only to transform us experience at the Ashram I find myself standing but also to transform the world. beside the real ocean and am overwhelmed with its greatness and in comparison I have come to Communion and sharing bound us all together my proper stature. Christ has me, all of me and in a real fellowship. Barriers came down as we -. Condensed from an article by P. E. P. in The Indian Witness. the cross has been branded on my soul.
[203 ]
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I Effective Ways of Working , i 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home l EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I=============I~ The Kingdom of God education in 1931; Christian Leadership relating to the Movement economics in 1932. Both these modern apostles were deeply movement came through the fol- By ELIZABETH M. TURNBULL* lowing channels: The Mission- We were led most naturally to aware of the need of a new in- a'!y Monthly, the official maga- terpretation of the message of take as ours the ideas inherent ZIne of the society, in articles by Jesus Christ for the whole in the Kingdom of God Move- leading women in all the prov- world. More than once in the ment. The more immediate years following they spoke to inces and members of the Board' ~udiences in Canada and deeply years after the union of The Impressed us all. circular letters, a Prayer and Purpose card and little leaflets United Church of Canada of issued by the board for distribu- 1925 were necessarily concerned The Anniversary of Pentecost tion. Some of these last had to with organization but at the followed, with its summons to a deeper and fuller life. In April, do with our relationship in the third General Council in 1928 society itself; others had to do the Moderator of The United 1930, the Executive of the Wom- with aspects in the objective of Church, Dr. W. T. Gunn, called an's Missionary Society, stirred the movement such as: "The by the call of the Oriental lead- !he whole membership to a spir- ers, sent an open letter to the ~i~~dom. in Every Day Life," membership asking for more LIvmg In and for the King- Itual advance. His words cre- prayer and a thoughtful, rever- ent seeking in the Bible for ated a profound impression: Christ's way of life. It seemed dom." A lKatienrgdboomo,k"le~t "The !o us that God was making way Way of the series "We cannot organize a rweveivcaal~ In every land for a new revelabut by the grace of God tion of Himself. In his book of of fine Bible studies tracing the begin one." , that year, "The Christ of Every Road," Dr. Stanley Jones said: growth of the idea of the King- In the following year this ap- "The world ground is being pre- dom of God through Old Testapeal was strengthened by the ment times to the present and challenge of two remarkable challenging us to face that idea men-Dr. C. Y. Cheng of China in all its implications, was wide- and Kagawa of Japan. In the ly used in monthly executive and summer of 1929, Dr. Cheng, commi!tee meet}ngs, in group ~atherIngs and In private devo- Preside~t and later Secretary of pared for a spiritual awakening tIOns.
the National Christian Council on a wide-spread scale. We are on the verge of something big." of China and first Moderator of We were greatly enriched by We felt that we were part of the Church of Christ in China this great movement and we cooperation with our church's visited North America. He had Board of Evangelism and Social Service in the publication of a recently inaugurated the Five realized as never before that al- Year Movement in China with though the Kingdom of God was, lWittolreshbiopokinlettheenHtiotlme~d,""Aanidds to we its .searching prayer: "0 Lord, first, a personal experience of reVIve thy ACht uarbcoh~t beginning God as Father and a consecra- took advantage of the fine leafwith me!" the same tion of oneself to His purposes- lets released by this board on time Kagawa of Japan had be- we would miss the richness of the Kingdom of God Movement. gun his crusade, "A Million Marked interest was shown in that experience if we did not al- Souls for Christ," a "Schedule the reports presented to the Gen- so find the same marvellous felof social organization to estab- eral Council in 1932 on Chris- lowship in groups that marked lish the Kingdom of God on tian Marriage, on Evangelism the friendship of Jesus with His earth"-evangelization in 1930,' and on the Church and Industry. disciples and the united member- . • Mrs. Turnbull is the editor of The Mis- ship in the early church. SO' a Another manner in which 8wnarll Monthly in the United Church of Canada and Jives in Toronto. If a movement number of ignroauupxsilioafrywommeeetn~ guid.ance came was by the sugsuch as she herein describes might become sometimes gestion of certain devotional general a~ong. Christian people, the consequent spir,t';1al.,zatlon of the Church would ings, often in little groups in study books bMy eathneingexoefcuSteirvve~ solve the mIssIOnary problem in all Its as- such as "The pects-money, personnel, revamping of meth- homes, began to study the social ods and motivation. Nothing but a spiritual dynamic will ever bring it into its dominant implications of Christ's teaching ice" by Fosdick; "The New place in the Kingdom of God. regarding the Kingdom of God. Challenge of Faith" by Sher- [204 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
wood Eddy; "Christ of the greater unity and power in the so-called Christian lands?" He Mount" by E. Stanley Jones. religious life of the organization. was impelled to answer that Young people were urgedto read Auxiliary women cooperated question. To that end he re- Stanley High's stimulating book, with the pastor in visiting those dedicated himself and we are "Today's Youth and Tomorrow's no longer associated with any glad to be coworkers with him in World." In 1933, "Personal Re- church. It was agreed that the that work. It has given our misligion and the Life of Fellow- most effective way in which the sionary program a scope and di- ship" by William Temple, Arch- Woman's Missionary Society rection we have never known bebishop of York, and the year could contribute to the Church's fore. We feel as Stanley Jones following "Jesus and Ourselves" work of Evangelism, was by says: "This age 'is on the verge by Leslie Weatherhead, brought "concentrating on cooperation of a discovery of the meaning of to us a deeper understanding of with the local minister in studied the Kingdom of God." God's will for us in relation to outreach for those not yet com- the needs of the hour. mitted to the Christian life." A HOMEMADE DOLL FESTIVAL In 1933 a Call to Prayer was We led our young women in issued by the Board and pub- discussion material regarding MRS. HELEN T. LEACH* lished iIi the Easter Missionary wide issues such as interracial Monthly. It closed with these and industrial problems, peace Our Sunday school juniors significant words: "0 God, my or war, economic questions, etc., and saw to it that their worship celebrated the Doll Festival last Father, I pray: That I may was linked with these. We in- spring as the culmination of a vited conferences where older happy season's study of Japan. make the doing of Thy will the and younger met together. We There are so many delightful realized that many of the young things one can do about Japan! supreme guide in all my rela- people of today were much more Of course there are pictures- socially minded and w 0 r I d- many and beautiful. Then there tionships, believing that Thou minded than the older women are scrolls to be made from and we welcomed their fresh ap- strips of unbleached muslin with hast called me into membership proach. We called them as we copies of Japanese scenes cray- called ourselves to take action oned on an oblong in the center. in Thy Kingdom that I may be as citizens when public issues On cheap trays one can form come before them relating to the landscapes fro m newspaper used of Thee to extend Thy rule happiness and well being of men squeezed out of water, dipped and women and particularly into a thin cement mixture and of truth and love in every area little children. then shaped into mountains, streams, bridges, gardens-the of human life. In my home, in But perhaps the greatest thing whole coated, when dried, with we have gained in this devotional bright lacquer paint, leaving the my church, in my community, in study has been the growing con- rim of the tray in black. (Yes, sciousness of the paramount it is messy, but pretty when finmo yL onradt i,oTn ,h yT hwyillKbine gddoonme. come, importance of the missionary ished.) Then the Japanese Thy task today. The new challenge houses from corrugated paper will, 0 Lord, victorious be, in of Dr. Stanley Jones, himself boxes, with thin paper windows one of the best-known mission- and doors, are easy to make. every land–alllands-in me." aries of the Christian Church, What has been the result of this intensive campaign? It is not easy to tabulate results in spiritual development and yet if no growth is evident the experi- ment has surely failed. Some very de fin i t e things have emerged in the past few years.
One is a reality in worship for many who had long been accus- tomed to stereotyped and formal prayers. And this experience in "Christ's Alternative to Com- Most of all, however, we enhinged upon the second thing: munism," has answered a ques- joyed our Doll Festival. Not beour study made us come to grips tion which perhaps has been in ing Japanese with a collection of with social problems confronting the minds of many during the dolls dating back to babyhood, our Church, community and na- last few years: "Why should we had much preparation to tional life, and that struggle missionary women con c ern make. First the doll shelves found expression in our prayer themselves with economic, social had to be built-a flight of five life. Many of us have become and political problems ?" He steps constructed from orange conscious of the tremendous wrote the book under an urge too crates by a good-natured boy need of a transformed society great to resist after a visit to scout. These were covered with . and of our responsibility for its Communistic Russia. "Shall we red crepe paper in lieu of red achievement. So, in addition to give ourselves to the inner life," silk and a rich blue canopy was study, we saw to it that our wor- he asked himself, "and let the arranged over the top step, while ship services for old and young, question of the new world order a gold screen stood behind this published from month to month alone?" He found it impossible step marking the honorable locain The Missionary Monthly, to do that. As a missionary, he tion of the emperor and empress were grouped around themes for had been asked, "Can Christ dolls. We dressed them in real a social awakening as well as save society as well as individ- oriental tapestry robes. On the personal consecration. As it uals? Has He a program-if so, • Mrs. Leach is a missionary from China, now resident In GranvUIe. Ohio. grew, the movement gave a why is it not more effective in
second step, just below the royal We made our room gay with featuring four fields, one brief pair, stood three ladies-in-wait- Japanese lanterns. The Doll episode from each of which was ing in red skirts and white Shelves had the place of. honor, introduced and a suitable hymn kimonos with a dignified guard and above and back of these the used to cover changes of stage on either side armed with bows, window space contained a big setting. Placards placed succesarrows and spears. A tiny water color scene of Japanese sively upon an easel announced orange tree (made of twigs and children at play under cherry the fields. The Spirit of Miscrepe paper) stood at one end of trees. On tables at one side and sions bowed her head at the close this step and a cherry tree on in the wall space we snuggled of each scene while someone in the other. The ·nextstep below our handwork of the year, for the audience rose and offered a held the five musicians dressed admiration of one year's work brief prayer for the field just in purple who with drum, cym- does spur us on to another year's considered. As a last feature, bals, flutes and violin enter- plans. To this doll tea party this Spirit made an earnest aptained the royalty. Next below our mothers and a few friends peal to the audience for the spe- were invited, but the real guests cific objective of the whole. came the ancient man and wom- were the 25 dolls who came with an dolls, bringers of good luck- them and were duly registered A Modern Grab Bag. Rev. he with a hoe to clean unkind in a little book with a big doll H. D. Davies, regional secretary gossip out of the town and she painted on the cover. of the Commission on Missions with a broom to sweep in the of the Congregational and Chrisgood. The lowest step had a tiny The dolls had reserved seats tian Churches, has sent copies of lacquered table set with rice at tables on either side of the The Pilgrim Herald, the official bowls and chopsticks (tooth- shelves. There were dolls from pUblication of the Congrega-' picks) . Purple cushions were India, China, France, the Philip- tional Conference of South Dalaid for the guests to sit on and pines, an American Indian, two kota, in which he edits a departgenuine little Japanese teacups dolls 80 years old and many ment called "A Grab Bag of and a teapot sat on the ends of others. B est of all were Standard Missionary Methods," the step. "Spring" and "Peace" from the the tiny prizes being tabloids of doll family of a resident Jap- workable plans. In two issues "Where did you get your little anese, Mrs. Chosaburo Kato, alone your Editor counted 19 Japanese dolls?" several people who in her dainty kimono added excerpts from THE REvIEW, duly asked me, and I had to admit the finishing touch to our party. accredited, and it was a satisthey came from the ten-cent How pleased we were, when we faction to realize that contribustore and that I had given them passed tea and cookies to her, to tors to this Department were the oriental touch by blacking see her eyes shine as she asked if thus broadcasting energizers for their hair with lacquer paint. we would mind if she took home the King's Business. And now, (Be sure to lay them face down some of the flower-shaped, pink- in this issue and the next, we to dry or an unexpected black frosted cookies and the little propose to dip into Mr. Davies' pig tail may ooze down the back favor (a pot of flowers made grab bag for our innings of exor the face may become African from a marshmallow, tiny gum change trinkets, as follows: in streaks.) Can you imagine drops, wire and crepe paper) the good time we had learning for Mr. Kato to see; "for," she Collect old Christmas greetings to the delightful doll customs of said, "that is just what little send abroad. About 25 pounds of Japan and planning for our fes- girls in Japan do at their doll these were sent from the Midwest tival, which you probably know parties." Regional office in JUly to Africa, comes on the third day of the China, India, etc. third month in Japan? Methods Seedlings Use the supper table worship period Dramatizing a mission study to tell something of interest, such as book, which has prime values in a missionary story. previewing, reviewing, s u m- marizing or popularizing its Talk casually of missionaries and subject matter, is not difficult. missions in a favorable way, so that A good example is that of the they will be taken for granted as sub- pageant founded upon the book, jects as normal as play, movies, "Between Two Centuries," men- school, church, etc. tioned last month in the review of the Santa Ana Baptist wom- Have a missionary in the home if en's year book. Its author, Mrs. possible. Impressions will be lasting. Ethel M. Harp, used the Spirit of Missions and the Spirit of Encourage the re'ading of books of Commerce, standing on opposite travel, etc., that depict needs, condi- sides of the platform, to supply tions and actual doings of teachers, background material and con- doctors, nurses and preachers in for- nective tissue for the narrative eign countries.
Have a 24-hour-a-day plan to raise money that keeps missionary work go- ing when we are at home asleep.
Sel!' Dr. J. L. Lobinger's pamphlet, "What Shall We Do about Missions -Plans and Methods for Young PeQ- pIe."
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BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~~~f~========================~ Discipline and Sacrifice referred to page 110 of the old stead and asking forgiveness of book. There is found under the the mother. Weare told that the A MEDITATION heading of "discipline," counsel child burst into tears, asked her to the teacher to visit the par- mother's forgiveness, "and from 1. To sit at the feet of a Mas- ents "for the particular purpose that hour conducted herself as ter-Teacher makes one a disci- of representing to them the con- an obedient and gentle child." ple, and to practice the way of duct of the child." . . . Graphdaily living taught and practiced ically the story is told of Mr. Gentle Reader, do not say by the Master Himself is disci- "stuff and nonsense." Please pline. Raikes whose custom it was "to forget the method for the mo- visit in person, the families of ment and see the teacher win- Paul in writing to the Chris- the poor, and to persuade the ning the child to better conduct! tian church at Philippi urged: parents to feel interested in the "Have this mind in you which well being of their children." On III. Kagawa, the Christian was also in Christ Jesus : who one such occasion, he visited "a gentleman, Christian economist, existing in the form of God, poor but respectable woman" and Christian missionary is at counted not the being on an who "lived in a very decent present traveling in our country equality with God a thing to be house, but her life was made un- with a message about the whole grasped, but emptied himself, happy by the behaviour of her of life and the Kingdom of God taking the form of a servant,. be- little girl, who had a very bad to include us all. His outlook ing made in the likeness of men; temper." At the time of the vis- and service are of universal valand being found in fashion as a it, the little girl happened to be ue. For Lenten reading espeman, he humbled himself, be- in a sulky mood. (See the pic- cially in Holy Week, use of his coming obedient even unto ture.) Even when Mr. Raikes book "Meditations on the Cross" death, yea, the death of the talked seriously to the girl, she and his "Songs from the Slums" cross." continued SUlky. And now for are recommended. You may al- the point of this meditation. Mr. so wish to read what he is say- II. On the editor's bookshelf Raikes is seen in the illustration ing about Christian Cooperais a book belonging to one of her humbling himself in the child's tives. Only three quotations forefathers – or mothers. The from "Meditations on the Cross" title is, "The Teacher Taught. [207 ] follow. From the first chapter, An Humble Attempt to Make the -"We must make the world's Path of the Sunday School sorrows our own. That is Chris- Teacher Straight and Plain." tianity . . . Christianity for It was "written for the Ameri- me means to dedicate myself to can Sunday School Union, and serve others even urito death." Revised by the Committee of Publication." It was "entered And,- according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839." In the preface "The third significance of the the psychological approach is in- Cross is the conquest of death dicated by, "It has been said that . . . When Jesus was on his teachers are of all men the most second journey he said, 'I will indocil. (Page the Town Crier!) die in a short time,' showing We trust that such a remark is inapplicable to Sunday School that he had included death in the teachers, inasmuch as they are program of his life. He also said presumed to be examples to their he would come to life again . . . pupils in all things." When we feel as though we would like to live here forever, The frontispiece, here repro- death becomes a sorrow, but duced, is the only illustration, when we put it in our program and is given with this Lenten right from the start, it becomes meditation for benefit of others a joy. Death becomes part of as well as clergy. The reader is one's mission, one's allotted task."
Kagawa closes the chapter on wide variety of vocations. Cloth, $1; minister from the Dakotas, re- "The Cross and Daily Life" with paper, 60 cents. vealed some of the difficulties in the prayer-"O God of heaven the lives of the younger Indians and earth: We thank Thee that FOR ELEMENTARY GRADES and gave striking testimony as nineteen hundred years ago to the change which Christian- Thou didst reveal the perfect Courses based on the various study ity has brought into his own life. figure for mankind in the person books are in preparation. Titles and of a carpenter. Through his prices to be announced. For fuller in- Dan Poling, Jr., now in his courage, through his pity, his formation see later announcements or first pastorate in an eastern rulove of his fellowmen and his apply to the literature headquarters ral community, spoke of his work victory over suffering, sorrow, of your own denomination. with glowing enthusiasm. "I am selfishness and sin, and death, in the greatest rural parish in Thou didst manifest to us the Christian Youth in Action in the world," he announced; "not perfect man. Teach us that our Rural America from point of perfection but own pathways of life must lead from point of opportunity. We on into the Way of Christ who The fact that Christian young rural pastors have a real responhung upon a cross. Wavering, people are in action was estab- sibility and we must meet it." unwilling to make the choice, we lished again at the youth Rally "Faith in Jesus Christ," he said, hesitate. We humbly confess it. held in Washington, D. C., on "is the need of the rural church." Cause the spirit of Christ to January 16, 1936, in connection The meeting was presided over dwell in us, that we may kill with the Annual Meeting of the by Miss Mary Lesta Wakeman, selfishness, and be children of Home Missions Councils. There a student at American Univer- God who love our fellowmen. in the large auditorium of Cal- sity who in her introductory re- This we pray in the name of vary Baptist church young peo- marks spoke of the inspiration Christ. Amen." ple gathered from many of the she had received at the Student Washington churches, from the Volunteer Convention in Indian- Advance Announcement Y. M. C. A., the Y. W•.'C. A., apolis from which she had just from near-by colleges and rural returned. The new study and reading books for Missionary Education, communities. B. Y. P. D., Ep- A delightful feature of the 1936-1937 are on Africa and The program was the processional Negro in America. worth League, Pilgrim Fellow- Youth March participated in by ship, Christian Endeavor, and fifty Girl Reserves and younger For the home mission study others,-all were united .under members of the Washington texts, there will be the banner, "Christian· Youth Young Women's Christian Asso- Building a New World." .This ciation, under the leadership of FOR ADULTS interdenominational rally was a Miss Mary Burnett. The music part of the National Conference of the march was contributed by A Study Book. By Charles S. on the Rural Church, and the a young composer, Mrs. Elea- Johnson. The director of the Depart- program featured young people nore Weddell-Roberts and the ment of Social Science, Fisk Univer- who are today, or have recently words, which follow, were writsity, writes on the present status of been, in action in rural fields in ten for the occasion by Miss his own people in American life, America. Marie Whiffen of the New York trends in Negro-white relationships, City Young Women's Christian and the task of the churches in inter- There were four youth speak- Association. racial affairs. Cloth $1; paper 60 ers and their vivid personalities cents. and live messages threw an YOUTH MARCH added note of hope and encour- Brown America: The Story of a agement into the conference. Youth! Bearing the torch of truth, New Race. By Edwin R. Embree. Mr. Warner Clark, who served Steps with firm and determined tread. Collateral reading on Negro life and last summer in a coal-mining history for study groups. Originally field under the Friends' Service Filled with united need, published at $2.50. Special edition, League spoke of his experience Willed both by word and deed. cloth binding only $1.25. as a rare opportunity to "put Daring the years which unfold ahead. your thinking into practice,"- FOR YOUNG PEOPLE to see life in all its reality and to Youth-Youth learn to "live more abundantly." Questing for truth-truth The Story of the American Negro. Testing the tools which have been By Ina Corinne Brown. A brief, pop- Mrs. Caryl Adams, until reularly written history, based on the cently engaged in caring for tried before. soundest scholarship, and an illumi- children in some of New York Spurred by the desire for universal nating interpretation of Negro life State's Migrant Centers deand of interracial movements in con- scribed her little migrant friends claims temporary America. Miss Brown is as being "dirty perhaps on the Led on to higher aims, an author and leader in young peo- outside but clean on the inside." Stirred by the fire and flames, ple's work, Methodist Episcopal She pled for more awareness on Sped by the flames of the torch to Church, South. Cloth $1; paper 60 the part of Christians everycents. where to the needs of these explore m~ny thousands of migratory Truth- FOR INTERMEDIATES laborers. Youth! Bearing the torch of truth, A Reading Book. By Mary Jen- Vine Deloria, a young Indian Steps with firm and determined tread. ness. A collection of life sketches of outstanding Negroes, mostly young Weighing the world's release, people, who are making distinguished Praying that wars· may cease, contributions to American life in a Daring the peace which unfolds ahead.
-Sue Weddell.
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OUJ M!~r~~:;!~feCuS~;~?Ok .;1t EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO 1.
~'=====-======-========='~ INDIA-BURMA-SIAM the family from many evils and mis- tively displayed behind glass on fortunes -leprosy, itch, ophthalmia, the side of the car. There is Child Wives and Widows the death of young children and the seating accommodation for four invasion of the house and garden by passengers, in addition to the The following figures show the harmful snakes. The lack of children driver, and a sleeping berth is need for the Indian Women's is another of the misfortunes entailed available when necessary. It Movement to combat some of the by any failure to perform regular carries also a gramophone with handicaps of women and chil- worship in honor of the family snakes. vernacular records and a magic dren in India. lantern for showing slides on the There is a "serpent grove," where Life of Christ, and on the work There were 9,066 wives under the worshipper may repair. Shrines of the Bible Society. the age of one in 1921, but in are in the form of a hooded cobra, 1931 there were 44,082-almost carved from granite. Sacrifices and Two and a half months were a fivefold increase" while the spent in the Tamil country last elaborate ceremonies attend its in- year, during which time over stallation upon a low platform. ten thousand Scripture portions were sold. population had increased only The Mangs Ask for Teachers one-tenth. There were also re- -The Indian Witness. ported 759 widows under one Miss Lillian Picken writes to year old in 1921, and 1,515 in the American Board that a Temperance Advance group of Man g s (outcastes, 1931. The Temperance Committee of The 1931 Census Report gives string workers by trade) de- the South India United Church sired regular Christian instruc- passed the following resolutions the following figures: last September at Madras: tion in the Mang Wada for two Child Wives Per Cent hours every night. After show- 1. In each Council there should be a Temperance Committee to study in Up to one year old …….. °.8 ing their leader that they would all its bearings the question of Tem- One to two years old . . . . . . . be laying themselves open to perance and its relation to the spir- Two to three years old ….. 1. 2 itual life of our congregations and 2. our members. Three to four years old …. 4.2 persecution and trouble of all Four to five years old …… 6.6 2. That wherever possible a survey Five to ten years old. . . . . . . 19.3 kinds, and explaining to him be made of the location of liquor shops Ten to fifteen years old …. 38. 1 that any desiring baptism must within the area covered by such con- submit themselves to Christian gregation, and that efforts be made Child Widows Actual Number instruction and Christian dis- through local channels to have such cipline for at least one year, shops closed. Up to one year old. . . . . . . . . 1,515 after which if they proved One to two years old. . . . . . . 1,785 3. That in town congregations, pas- Two to three years old ….. 3,485 tors and Church Committees make ef- Three to four years old …. 9,076 worthy they could be baptized, forts to foster a public opinion among Four to five years old .. . . . . 15,019 its members with a view to discour- Five to ten years old …… 105,482 Miss Picken agreed to go to aging the use of liquor and bringing Ten to fifteen years old …. 185,339 them. the Gospel to bear on those, whether within the Church or beyond its The yearly average of moth- On the fifth night a party of bounds, who are in danger of coming ers' deaths in childbirth is 200,- under the power of the drink habit. 000, or 24.5 per 1,000. In some Brahmin gentlemen came to proparts of India the average infant test in courteous fashion. On 4. That those having votes in elecmortality is 400 per 1,000. tion of members to the Legislative being told that one must teach Councilor Assembly should satisfy -Dnyanodaya. when asked to do so, they themselves that those for whom they aroused the whole city. Persecu- vote will use their influence and posi- tion began in earnest; Mangs tion for the furtherance of temper- ance. The "Family Snake" were threatened with loss of livelihood. Extravagant offers -International Christian Press. It is strange but true that mil- were made to Mangs who would lions of people in India worship abandon the meetings. But the Negro Delegation Heard group stands firm, and asks for snakes -live snakes of every continued teaching. Mention has been made of the variety. Not only are there Negro delegation visiting India snake groves in every little vil- Bible Caravan Experiment lage, but in some homes the fam- ily snake roves about the hearth The British and Foreign Bible unmolested. India's Millions Society is carrying on an experi- gives some authenticated facts: ment with a motor caravan for Here snakes are encouraged to carrying the Scriptures. It is so dwell, in order to ensure freedom for built that they can be attrac- [209 ]
under the auspices of the Stu- The Valley is 792 miles north of the whole Bible, in four octavo dent Christian Movement. This Rangoon, and six days' march volumes, was in the language of group has now visited all the im- from the nearest post office. the people.-AZliance Weekly. portant student centers in South The inhabitants are Jinghpaws India. Everywhere they have or Kachins and their religion is Pen Picture of Sritamarat Animism. A primitive race, been received with great cor- they appear to have neither The Presbyterian Board gives diality, not only by Christian medicines nor cures for diseases, a pen picture of Sritamarat, groups, but by the general pub- but rely entirely on sacrifices of Siam, as seen today. The city lic. Their story of 14,000,000 fowls, pigs, dogs and buffaloes has a surface sewer system of Negroes who were treated as ditches and one wide street, also slaves till some 75 years ago, ac- to the spirits for a cure. Med- a few side streets. There are no quiring for themselves an ac- ical aid is found to be a tre- street cars, gas or telephones. cepted position in the national mendous help in presenting the Electric lights have recently life of America challenged atten- been introduced, and now the tion, and set people to thinking Gospel. streets are lighted by electricity. seriously about the 50,000,000 The provincial government ofso-called depressed classes. One of the great problems of fices are in Sritamarat. Without the Valley is opium, for there the city walls there is a section Traveling Mission Dispensary are no restrictions, as in other occupied by the Malays and here parts of Burma, to poppy culti- they have their market. Fur- A nurse of the American vation nor to the consumption ther on is the business section, Board Hospital at Ahmednagar, of the drug. Most of the men including dry-goods stores owned now closed, has started a new take it, often commencing the enterprise, self-supporting from habit at the age of 15. About by Indian merchants, provision the beginning: a district travel- 200 addicts have been cured of and native drug stores belonging ing dispensary. In a summer the habit, but they are warned to the Chinese and little open trip of ten weeks, treatments of the danger of taking it again market stores kept by the were given to more than 730 pa- when they fall sick, and taught Siamese. tients. Experiences of the that only the power of God can nurses have not lacked in va- help them to resist the tempta- One of the problems of evanriety. A cloud of dust; a long tion. Some years ago a slave gelism is how to reach the Chitrail of humans coming, nearer escaped from the Valley and on nese who come to this section of and nearer they advance. Wom- conversion gave up opium and Siam to engage in business. As en with drawn, painful faces, drink by faith alone. Today, he they have their own dialects, it is carrying babies on their hips. is a living witness to the power difficult to find a man who knows Babies with marks of inherited of God. There is now a young several dialects and is thus able disease, big ulcerating sores, Jinghpaw Christian native of the to teach them. They are always eyes dulled by opium. Old men, Valley doing the work of an on the move; going where their bent from toil; furrowed faces evangelist, and also learning the business interests are. This fact tell the story of a lifelong fight use of simple drugs. He goes to seriously affects the c h u r c h for the scanty daily bread. Then the villages with a supply of membership. The church has a procession of young people, medicines and dressings, preach- tried to keep hold of them by each walking with a bamboo ing the Gospel and healing the giving each a letter of dismissal sick. to another church, when they stick. What is the matter? Oh, Burmese Bible Centenary leave this field. The work it is the curse of the dirty water, among the Siamese progresses the guinea worms, forming ter- Here is another centenary. slowly. Buddhism, like Mohamrible abscesses all over their legs. The issue of the Bible in the medanism, offers its difficulties Burmese language, the transla- "We noticed that you washed tor being the great missionary, to the Christian worker, yet a a lot, and used very clean things, Adoniram Judson, was on De- Buddhist makes a good Christian and you had God's medicine to cember 29, 1835. The first book when once converted. More inject into the body," said one translated, the Gospel of Matold woman. thew, was printed by George helpers are needed to go out into Hough, on a little hand press the surrounding districts where —AfissiotUlry llerald. that he had brought to Burma. the field is large and waiting for the message of Christianity. Pioneer Work in Burma The release of slaves in the No more printing was done until CHINA Hukwang Valley by the Govern- Cephas Bennett arrived in 183Q. The "League of Ten" ment of Burma in 1925-1928 Then Luke and Ephesians came drew attention to the spiritual out, and finally, on December 19, General Chang Chih Chiang, needs of this unadministered 1932, the whole New Testament the head of the Bureau of Phys- territory, and as a result of was off the press. The Old Tes- ical Culture of the Chinese Gov- prayer for five years, sanction tament was printed in detached ernment in Nanking, was con- was received in 1930 for a Med- parts, until the great day came, verted as the result of his ob- ical Mission to be established. just a hundred years ago, when servation of the changed conduct
OUR WORLD-WIDE OU'l'LOOK
of Christian Chinese comrades. than Christianity in China. She its last meeting noted that there He has maintained ever since a writes in The Life of Faith: had been a definite increase in very earnest and consistent the quality and amount of direct Christian testimony. He has Nanning is becoming a very up-to- evangelism during the past year. acted as the Chairman of the date city. Beautiful buildings are be- Attention was called to the Commission for the Suppression ing erected everywhere; wide motor dearth of new missionaries, and of Opium; has been an active roads are constructed in place of nar- the net loss of twenty-five misevangelist, and has purchased row cobbled streets, and motor cars sionaries from the mission staff and distributed thousands of are taking the place of sedan chairs, during the year. There are at copies of the Bible among his but in spite of all the outward signs present 380 workers, scattered Christian and non-Christian of improvement, the hearts of the peo- in many provinces. friends. ple are still dark with sin, and they seem more indifferent to the Gospel, The Project Plan, which seeks He is the founder and active harder to win for the Lord Jesus. to take away subsidies from the leader of an evangelistic move- Many of the deserted temples have local congregations and use the ment known as "League of Ten." been cleaned up, and new, gaily- funds in projects, is already Groups limited to ten members painted idols placed in them. functioning in four-fifths of the pledge themselves to daily Bible stations. The spiritual results study and prayer, to the reading At a woman's temple one sees a are already definite and wideof some classic literature in ad- constant stream of worshipers; at the spread. The churches have been dition to daily physical exercises. entrance they purchase quantities of stimulated. There has been a Each one promises to bear per- paper money which are immediately great increase in Bible study, sonal religious testimony to burnt in a charcoal fire. The smell of volunteer work, revival services somebody every week, and to incense fills the air, and the monoto- and efforts to reach the unevanseek to win at least one person to nous chanting of the women priests gelized as never before. Christ every year. As new makes one feel conscious of the members are won, new groups powers of darkness. -The Presbyterian Tribune. of ten are formed. Museum and Evangelism Finnish Missionaries -London Missionary Herald. Rev. D. C. Graham, Baptist The missionaries had been missionary in Chengtu, West driven from the field by bandit From Dark Occultism China, is in charge of the new Reds. For a while there was not University Museum. It contains even any knowledge of their The China Inland Mission re- more than 15,000 objects at the whereabouts. cords the conversion of an old present time. One of Mr. Gra- Chinese lady who had been a ham's objectives is to make the In the October number of the popular spirit medium. Her museum a means of evangelism, Missionstidning for Finland it home was full of paraphern,alia and moral and educational up- was stated that the missionaries used in demon worship. She lift. had contacted with Tsingshih heard the Gospel and very soon and the Home Board sent a after dreamed that she heard a "While traveling among the cablegram to this place. This voice saying, "If you have any- Chuan Miao," he says, "collect- supposition has proved to be cor'- thing to do with this Jesus I can- ing curios and studying their reet and a letter was received by not use you. He is true. Go to customs I have preached to the Board which describes the Him." The outcome was that them. I started the first evan- conditions in the field. This letshe turned to God, in spite of gelistic work and helped in the ter has now been published in bitter opposition on the part of opening of the first school among the November number of the her husband and relatives. them. Our mission was unable Missionstidning and also in the Eventually she was the means of to continue the work there and Suomen Ldhetyssanomia. ' leading her husband, her three I have helped connect it up with sons and her daughter-in-law to the United Methodist Church Missionary Koskinen, who the Lord. In the meantime, all working in that area. Today succeeded in assembling the mistraces of idol and demon wor- the believers number one thou- sionaries who had been in the ship had been swept clean from sand; there are 13 junior pri- field at Tsingshih, had gone with her home and burned. The mary schools and one senior pri- Pastor Meedar as far as Tayung. woman, her sons and her daugh- mary school. The first Chuan While the Reds have not been ter-in-law were all baptized, and Miao student has entered the cleared from the whole field, the now services are held every Sun- West China Union University government troops had the day in her home. here at Chengtu and is prepar- upper hand. The government ing for evangelistic work among plans to construct a new road for Deserted Temples Reopened his own people. The museum automobiles run n i n g from has been the entering wedge." Changteh to Tzeli and it is soon Miss Lilian Barrett, of the to be open to traffic. Bible Churchmen's Missionary -Watchman-Examiner. Society, thinks that Western Missionary Finck, of Tsingcivilization has more influence China Council Sees Progress shih, reports that in his locality mission work is again in full The China Council of the Pres- swing and the missionaries are byterian Church is the clearing house for all the work of that great church in China, with its seven missions. The Council at
thanking God for having again sion and thought, covering the tional Economic Council office. . . . opened the doors. best in many nations and in Seventeen couples were married at many ages. Cambodian Uses His this joint ceremony. The invitations Opportunity Fifty hymns are Chinese were for ten o'clock. We arrived at originals, both in words and in ten-thirty and the ceremony was ac- A ChrisUan Cambodian is music. Contests for the fifty tually begun at high noon and lasted pilot of a ferry on the great hymns and tunes were organ- one hour, during which time the Mekong River, French Indo- ized, with the result that 200 couples, their friends and relatives, China. He sits on his boat with hymns and 500 tunes were sub- and hundreds outside, stood paa small box close to his seat. mitted, thus demonstrating a tiently. . . . Everyone that crosses on his tremendous interest in the Chiferry is sure to have some por- nese Church in such a task. As we left the place we looked in tion of the Word when he leaves. Selections from the book are be- at the married couples and their rela- While the Cambodian portions ing sung in America. tives who were seated at square tables are forbidden in all of Cambodia, waiting for the feast provided for here is one place where a Chris- -Advance. them as part of the ceremony paid for tian does as he pleases. He gives by the two-dollar fee. They are under away portions every day in four To Improve Christian obligation not to have any private languages, and so far no one has Literature feasts at home to run up additional stopped him. Recently he gave expenses. out portions in French to four Fifteen Christian literature men that crossed with him. He agencies working in China were We were told by one of the leaders tried to tell of Christ, but does represented at a conference on in this rural reconstruction work that not speak French; they accepted Christian Literature held in the main object of these mass wedwith smiles and thanks. About Shanghai, November 12 – 13, dings is not to save expense, but to 50 miles from the ferry their under the auspices of the Na- break an established custom that is car skidded at a curve and all tional Christian Council. This crippling the people. If one can be were killed. He felt he had conference was unique in that it broken, others may be also. given them the last warning, brought practically all China's and perhaps the only one they literature agencies face to face "Brotherly Love" had ever had. God is using him for the first time. The first day mightily, and will have a harvest was spent in reviewing litera- A cloudburst wiped out sevof souls some day from this ture as existing and needed. eral Chinese villages. Rev. Edgreat province. No preacher This furnished the basis for a ward H. Smith, of Ingtai, China, has been able to get residence united program in which each was doing relief work. Finally in this section. The relief pilot society might share according to he started home with a group of has been taken off and he is its particular purpose. The boys from 7 to 10 years of age, obliged to stay on duty 24 hours principal fruit of the conference who would walk the entire 50 a day, sleeping when he can. was a decision to share coopera- miles. In the road stood another These conditions have almost tively information about books ragged, barefoot chap. His eyes driven him from the place, but needed and in preparation. The were full of tears and he said he has decided to stay on for the Association of Theological Sem- over and over again: "You must sake of the testimony he is able inaries, organized last summer, take my little brother. Here he to give. is to be approached for aid in is only six years old. I can find securing funds from Nanking something to eat watching goats, New Hymnal Ready Theological Seminary for sub- but I can't take care of my little sidizing theological literature. brother. You must help my In 1928 the Episcopalians be- Another conference is to be little brother. N eve r mind gan to prepare a hymnal which called in the near future. about me." "A Huo, I can't take should be a more indigenous ex- any more and your little brother pression of divine worship for -The Christian Century. is too small to walk these fifty Chinese than anything published miles," rep lie d Mr. Smith. up to that time. Three other Weddings En Masse Clutching Mr. Smith's coat the groups were planning to produce boy sobbed, "Oh, sir, yes, he can hymnals for their own commu- Miss Helen Calder, retired -he can walk, and I can't care nions. Someone proposed that secretary of the A mer i can for him. You must take my little a union hymnal be published Board, is spending a year in brother. I will get along somewhich s~ould include all groups, China, and sends this incident of how." Mr. Smith adds, "Who and the Idea caught the imagina- human interest: could resist that appeal? I said tion of church leaders. As a re- 'A Huo, I'll take you both. Get sult, after much prayer and Yesterday we were invited to one your little brother and bring labor, a hymnal has been pro- of the mass weddings which are being him down to Ingtai. Any boy duced with a unique inclusive- pushed all over China, to reduce the who can forget himself for his ness and catholicity of expres- heavy expenses usually incurred at little brother has the right atti- private weddings. Families borrow tude to make a good man.' " money at 24 to 36 per cent interest to pay the bills, and get saddled for JAPAN-CHOSEN life with debts. This wedding was the second to be held in a country New Religious Bill place and was arranged by the Na- A bill soon to be urged upon the Diet proposes officially to recognize three religions, Shinto,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Buddhism and Christianity; and miliar treatment of the imperial tionalistic movement that has to place all branches and sects of family and tradition as the cen- swept the country. these faiths under government ter of Yamato-Damashii was resupervision according to specific sented in certain circles. Salvation Army in Chosen rules. This would throttle vital Christianity of power to effect Following the recall and sup- So eager are Korean children life in Japan. Some see even pression of the entire edition, the for mod ern education that greater significance in the vir- staff of the Graphic, both Jap- groups of school boys are sometual admission that Shinto is a anese and American, were sub- times seen on a train at a quarreligion, not a philosophy or pa- jected to thorough questionings ter to four in the morning, on. triotic observance, and that a as to the history, nature and their way to the nearest governbow before a Shinto shrine is a purposes of the magazine. It 1'S ment school. They return home religious act. now hoped to resume pUblication at 8 in the evening, do their in the near future, but it is safe homework, sleep on the floor of New Picture Method to prophesy that both Japanese their one-room home with the and English editions will be less rest of the family, and catch the A time-honored entertainment liberal and aggressive in the fu- early train next morning. Such for children in Japan is known ture.-The Christian Century. is the report of a Salvation as the paper theater. It consists Army major, after twenty-five of a box into which pictures are Kagawa Wants Rural years' service in Korea. In his slipped, and it is quite a com- Churches pioneer days, the usual method mon sight to see a bunch of chil- of travel was by pony or on foot. dren around a man who tells Dr. Kagawa, who has little Often the maj or had to walk 30 them old history and fairy use for imposing architecture, or 40 miles to his services. His stories with the aid of this con- laments that while Japan's cities wife was the only white woman trivance. The children each pay have many churches for the within many miles. Crowds about a farthing. This method well-to-do, the humble Japanese came just to see her, and were of showing pictures and telling farmers and fishermen, number- converted through her singing. stories has been copied in Sun- ing some 30,000,000 in 9,600 vilday school work, and a young lages, have almost no churches. Today, there are increasing Japanese clergyman uses it with There are only 170 chapels for numbers of Korean Salvation great effect to attract children religious exercises which, Dr. Army officers, and in some cases when he pays visits to near-by Kagawa thinks, should be held the second generation of Chriscountry towns. The stories he at least twice each week, prob- tians are taking their place in tells are from both the Old and ably on Sunday and Wednesday the Training Home of the Army. New Testaments, and it is quite nights. Besides, the chapels customary for him to get an should offer meeting places for -The Christian. audience of a hundred children, classes and discussion groups. who listen and watch with rapt Such church buildings could be ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC attention.-C. M. S. Gleaner. erected at a cost not to exceed $280 each, or $280,000 for the Fiji After Fifty Years Christian Monthly Suspended thousand that the Japanese leader hopes to build. A corps Joni was the first Fijian con- The Christian Graphic for De- of 5,000 trained laymen, most of vert to Christianity, and the first cember was confiscated by the them farmers who can earn their local preacher. The Jubilee cele- Japanese police and temporarily living in their trade and preach bration in 1885 marked the discontinued publication. The for nothing, have been enlisted turning of the whole people of Graphic has been well known in to furnish the leadership. Fiji from darkness to light, ele- Japan and in other lands as a mentary though their Christian nondenominational pic tor i a I Dr. Kagawa says that 150,000 knowledge was. At the cenmonthly with English and J ap- new members have been added tenary celebration in 1935, furanese magazine sections, and de- to the Christian churches of ther change was expressed in voted largely to the cause of Japan in the last ten years. The one phrase, Fiji is reb 0 r n. Christian evangelism, social jus- people are eager for the realities Heaviness and dullness have tice and world brotherhood. On of religion. In the high schools given place to an appearance of several occasions since the con- of Tokyo, for instance, a reli- intelligence and attractiveness. flict in Manchuria and Shanghai, gious week is observed each Incongruous attire is no longer the sheet has been in police toils year, and a day is given over to seen. The change in the chilover questionable material ap- each of the nation's faiths, in- dren was very noticeable. Inpearing in Japanese, but this cluding Christianity. In some stead of the ringworm, ugly time the trouble has arisen over of the schools it has been shown sores, eye diseases, so common an English article by Willis La- that as high as 60 per cent of years ago, one saw clear skin mott, prominent Presbyterian the students are Christians. and bright eyes; instead of furmissionary, on "Japanese Pa- Everywhere the students are tive, frightened looks, happy, triotism." Too frank and fa- getting Christian ideas and smiling faces. ideals, despite the strong na- Another development has been in the musical field. Half a cen-
tury ago, a missionary stated in Mosher, of the Philippines, with widely characterized as "the best a magazine article that the the disappearance of a feeble- yet." Among outstanding acmusical ability of the Fijian was minded Bontoc. One of the tivities of the Mission have been older women dreamed that the the establishment of more ex- "about equal to that of a cow." inhabitants of the near-by vil- tensive Christian Leadership At the Centenary a group of lage of Tukukan had done away Training Schools and Bib I e with him, and in revenge, after classes in three of the four dia- Fijians sang the Hallelujah an abortive attack upon Tuku- lect fields; the change of status kan, the Bontocs murdered the of Silliman Institute to univer- Chorus without conductor or ac- governor's secretaiI'Y. The y sity standing; and revivals and companist, in a manner that won stoned his children, threatened evangelistic efforts which have the highest appreciation, and to burn hi:-:. house, and then been a blessing. speared him in the back. The 'will live in the memories of all Philippine constabulary s u c- Because of the very abundant ceeded in averting pitched bat- opportunities for Christian servwho heard it. tles between the two villages, ice for lay workers, training -The Missionary Review but the trouble is far from set- schools have been established, (Australia) . tled. -The Living Church. varying in length from five days to four weeks, but in all of them Revival in West Borneo Evangelism in Bohol leaders of congregations gather at some central point for a pe- Two students from Makassar Between the large northern riod of Bible study and spiritual island of Luzon and the Moro- inspiration. In addition, man,: Training School, working among famed island of Mindanao is the three-day Bible classes have smaller island of Bohol. It is of been held in individual congrethe Dyaks of West Borneo, tell interest to travelers because of gations by itinerating mission- its corn crop; its smooth, daz- aries. Much faithful service for of "human skulls taken from the zling – white coral sur f ace d the Master is being done by roads; and its many beehive- young women who have been long-houses and buried, drunk- shaped hills. It is of interest to trained as deaconesses and the missionary because of the kindergarten – teachers. Bible enness ceasing, men returning 420,000 people who dwell there. reading has been g rea t I y stressed; millions of pages of to their deserted wives, men and A missionary at work there Christian literature have been decided that the best way to published in the various dialects, women healed of sickness, and bring a revival to the group was and in English by mission and to lead their old believers of commercial presses. some even raised from death's twenty years standing into ac- t;ive work for Christ. He there- -The Philippine door. Some two thousand have fore led a party of them to dif- Presbyterian. ferent small islands in the neighshown genuine interest in the borhood. There they witnessed NORTH AMERICA concerning Christ's s av in g teaching of the Gospel, and of power and finally found a village Religion and Unemployment ripe to the harvest. As a result, these 508 have been baptized." when the missionary vis i ted Roger W. Babson, statistician, there at the close of the vacation maintains that the United States In Sumatra the Christian Al- season, he baptized 28 persons. has never worked clear of unem- ployment cycles until there had liance has effected entrance More Daily Vacation Bible been a great wave of religious Schools were conducted this year revival; and that it is not likely among the Kooboos, an aborig- than ever before. The 77 volun- that the present unemployment teer teachers taught 46 schools problem will be solved without a inal race of low order. They during the vacation season, national spiritual awakening. reaching 1,450 children with "During our country's history have little clothing, live in dirt Bible teaching. Thirty thousand there have been many panics, Scripture booklets and tracts, but in 300 years there have been and squalor, the children are 24,000 pages of mimeographed only six great movements in em- material, and 500 Gospels were ployment," he said. The first covered with nasty sores, and distributed. -The Philippine- movement away from unemploy- ment in 1680 was accompanied are often deformed. The homes Presbyterian. by a wave of revivals; the preaching of Jonathan Edwards are rickety shacks overrun with A ,Banner Year and Whitfield marked the second in 1730; the movement between cockroaches. Yet these folk are Last year, the thirty-sixth of 1800 and 1810 was coincident the Presbyterian Mission in the with the preaching of Finney responsive to the Gospel. Philippine Islands, has been Mr." Jaffray, of the Celebes, tells of two Chinese defaulters, in p r i son, who were bbth brought to the Saviour and be- came witnesses among' fellow prisoners. They have become fast friends, and on their dis- missal from prison agretld to go into business together. They are now visiting China and Japan, making plans for an ex- tensive business, and have laid down as a foundation principle that one-tenth of their profits shall go to the furtherance of the Gospel. Thus the seed is being sown. -So S. Times.
Head Hunting Breaks Out In spite of 35 years of American and church influence in the Philippine Islands, head-hunting has begun again. The trouble started, according to Bishop
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
and other evangelists; in 1850 The Methodist Episcopal interchange of plays and programs, came D. L. Moody and in 1898 and other cooperative means. Billy Sunday and the evan- Church, which commonly is regelists of his day." garded as the "Northern" group, 4. We shall expressly set our faces like flint against mob violence for any – Watchman-Examiner. numbers 4,259,000 communi- cause whatsoever, and shall use our cants; the Methodist Episcopal utmost influence upon public officials Religion On the Air Church South has a membership and opinions for complete eradication of 2,243,000, and the Methodist of mob violence. The Living Church says that there are more than forty reli- Protestant Church about 200,- 5. We have been taught, "God hath gious programs broadcast every 000. These churches in foreign made of the same blood all men for to week through national or sec- dwell together on all the face of the tional hookups, and sponsored countries have about 600,000 earth." We believe that. by established religious groups. members. These regular programs are -The Christian Advocate. under Protestant, Catholic and Under the proposed plan the Jewish auspices, and do not in- "Unofficial Ambassadors" clude the scores of broadcasts church-to be called the Methmade periodically by single odist Church – will be divided The year 1936 marks the comgroups, such as local church fed- pletion of twenty-five years of erations and individual clergy- into six conferences in the service of The Friendly Relamen. United States, five for whites tions Committee, whose secre- and one for Negroes. Each taryis Charles D. Hurrey. Dur- There are at present 14 na- jurisdiction will elect its own ing the quarter century approxitional broadcasts under Protes- Bishops. mately one million dollars have tant auspices every week, 13 of been expended in a varied prowhich are supervised by the De- Presbyterian Diamond Jubilee gram of activities among stupartment of Religious Radio of dents from a hundred countries. the Federal Council of Churches. The Southern Presbyterian There are 16 regular broadcasts Church is observing its Diamond At least ten Foundations have of Jewish interest, according to Jubilee in a forward movement appropriated generous sums for information issued by the Union in which daily Bible reading is fellowships for foreign students. of American Hebrew Congrega- given a prominent place. Other Governments abroad are facilitions. Roman Catholics have 10 aims put forward, says the tating the exchange of students regular programs while, accord- Christian Observer, are: and professors between their ing to the National Council of countries and ours. Catholic Men, there are an addi- 1. To foster a more vital sense of tional 26 programs. Many of the fellowship of Christ, and a more Seen through the years, forthe latter, however, may have ardent desire to do His will. eign students have been a transbeen discontinued recently. forming factor in American life. 2. To develop in individuals and in Their frank criticism has in- Plans for Methodist Union the churches a more fervent and con- fluenced the revision of some stant spirit of evangelism, that the textbooks in our schools; teach- In Cincinnati,. on December Church may not lag in her supreme ers have become more friendly 5th, a joint committee of fifteen, business of winning men to Christ at toward the alien's problems. representing fifty commissioners home and abroad. From the American viewpoint, who in turn represent the Meth- gains from this inter-relation odist Episcopal Church, the 3. To lead people into a better have been many. Methodist Protestant Church understanding and more faithful and the Methodist Episcopal practice of Christian stewardship of LATIN AMERICA Church South, approved a plan life and possessions. for the union of the three great Religion in Mexico Methodist churches in the The Jubilee Theme is "Christ United States. and His Church First." A recent book, entitled "Reli- gion in Mexico," by G. Baez This unification plan must be Race Relations Camargo and Kenneth G. Grubb, ratified by the churches them- says that the Roman Catholic selves in their general and an- Young Southern Christians, Church in Mexico has collapsed. nual conferences, before it be- meeting in Memphis, December Where in 1926 there were 4,493 comes effective, and that is likely 27-30, had this to say regarding priests in active service in Mexto take at least six years. It is race relations: ico, today only ·197 are allowed hoped that by 1944, 100 years to minister to the people. Mexafter the church in the South 1. We recognize we cannot right- ico will never again be an exseparated on the question of clusively Roman Catholic nation. slavery, the union will become a fully call ourselves Christians until fact, uniting in one body more The Social Revolution has than 7,000,000 communicants. we face honorably our responsibilities paved the way for broader evan- gelistic work; it has opened the as members of the social order in door to the Indians of the coun- tryside. One of the opportuni- which prejudice, discrimination and ties is to interpret our religion to a people that every day is be- injustice are the daily portion of a coming more awake socially.
vast number of those of other races who rightfully call America the land of their birth. .
2. We must adopt an attitude lead- ing to the treatment of every other person with complete courtesy and respect regardless of race, color or nationality.
3. To inform ourselves and seek to enlist others in efforts to better under- stand other races through actual ob- servation, reading, study, discussion,
Prof. Camargo is writing for "They say that people make ated the largest English school the leading daily paper of Mex- long pilgrimages to burn candles in Poland, with 700 pupils. ico; he is meeting the intellec- before this shrine, many kneeltuals on their own ground; he ing a block away from the Objections of the Polish auis loyal to the Gospel in showing church and approaching the thorities were based on alleged them that in it we have a force image on their knees. In speak- failure of the organization to to lead Mexico out of its maze. ing to one of these people about conform to the Government's ad- "We are thankful for the situa- the Lord one finds it very diffi- ministrative requirements; there tion," says he, "for it is forcing cult to get his mind away from were no objections to religious us to change much of the tech- his 'Senor de Chajul' and cen- activities. It is questioned nique of our work in the tered upon the true and living whether the Southern Methodchurches of Mexico. We are Lord Jesus." ists will obtain compensation for shifting from the program and their investments in Poland. form taken to Mexico by the Witnessing in Brazil missionaries to a program de- Ukraine Reformation veloped in answer to the needs When Mr. and Mrs. O. M. and opportunities of our own Thompson, of the E. U. S. A., Protestants in Europe and people. We are now stressing went to J anuria, Brazil, as pio- America are watching with symcamps for evangelical teaching, neer missionaries two years ago pathy what is known as the evangelism among soldiers and they found that the "whole north Reformation in Ukrainia. There sailors, a program of Christian of the State of Minas Geraes had are between thirty and forty literature, and training schools been unaccountably neglected by millions of Ukrainians, of whom and institutes 'on wheels' for Evangelical forces." Confront- seven millions are in Galicia, training Christian workers." ing them was a wall of Roman where an evangelical revival was Catholic intolerance, furthered begun by returned prisoners – Watchman-Examiner. by the priests. However, several after the Great War. Dr. Adolf families have been won, and Keller, Secretary of the Central Only One Remedy there is now a Gospel Hall in European Bur e a u of Inter- J anuria. The outstations are Church Aid, declares that scenes In the Aztec town Cuautla, in the most fruitful fields. The of the early Christian Church the State of Morelos, Mexico, the country folk seem to have are being repeated. The revival Indian village chief was talking greater desire for spiritual veri- was led by laymen, as ministers with Mr. W. C. Townsend, a mis- ties; there are fewer worldly and teachers after the War were sionary who was learning the diversions in small villages and almost entirely lacking. Con- Indian language. The headman on farms. One village now has verts gathered in farm buildings complained about the awful vice a regular Sunday school. The or dwelling houses, or in the. and ignorance of his town and police authorities of this place open air. Eventually, a Euro- Mr. Townsend suggested some telegraphed to the capital, ask- pean Committee was constituted reforms. ing what action must be taken to assist in the organization of to silence a Protestant preacher. the Reformation. Plans are "No, professor," replied the The reply was on the side of the under way for translating both chief, "those won't w 0 r k. preacher. In the Fabiao Valley Old and New Testaments into There's' only one thing that will. several young men, brought up Ukrainian; also for a translation It's the Bible and it must be in in an atmosphere of bigoted be- of the Augsburg Confessional our own language." lief in saint worship, now carry Catechism. in their pockets copies of the -Pioneer Mission News. New Testament. Ukrainian Protestants are rich in faith, and generous to An Image That Runs Away -Life of Faith. the point of extreme self-sacri- fice, but they are very poor in A writer in the Central Amer- EUROPE worldly goods.-Life of Faith. ican Bulletin tells of a Catholic barn-like temple in a town of Poland Closes Methodist News from Greece Guatemala, which houses "EI Mission Senor de Chajul" (The Lord of The Orthodox Church in Chajul). "We were told that The Warsaw Government has Greece is today using with profit this image at least twice had left appointed a receiver for liquida- methods which have been assoits place in the church, and had tion of the properties in Poland ciated with Protestant work, been found by the roadside a of the Methodist Episcopa-l such as tract distribution, Sunshort distance out of town. In Church South, which are valued day schools and Bible classes,. order to keep it from running at $500,000. This outpost of the Greece is also the best purchaser away again it was put in a glass Southern Methodist Church of of Scriptures among the Balkan case, .two wooden soldiers were the United States, established in countries; 66,658 copies were placed, one on either side, to Warsaw in 1921, had become an sold last year as against 38,264 guard it, each soldier in uniform, important center for religious in Bulgaria, which is a country a wooden rifle in hand, and a jug and educational work. It oper- of about equal population. The of whiskey at his feet to give Union of Greek Evangelical him strength for his long vigil.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Churches has now 11 organized jam jai (a bad thing happened looked healthy, clean and well churches of which seven are in the village). When the peo- cared for. A lantern lecture self-supporting. There are 20 ple came running from all direc- with slides showing the connecpreaching stations where com- tions to learn who was dead, the tion between dirt and disease, municant members reside, and missionary told them it was his hospital work in other places, 30 towns and villages where the car. With much maneuvering, etc., was given during the week, Gospel is being proclaimed. The the car was finally dragged to as were also demonstrations of small Evangelical mission to shallow water where the men improved cooking methods, and Moslems in Greek Thrace gives could wade in and lift it to dry cleanliness in the home. cause for encouragement. land. It was then too late to reach Efulan that day, but be- -C. M. S. Outlook. Is the Church Extinct fore daylight the next morning in Russia? the missionary left the car to Example of Faith dry out, while he continued on A bulletin of the World Do- foot. -Presbyterian Banner. A gift of $5,000 has been reminion Movement reports that ceived at Bafia, Africa, for the the Reformed Church in Russia A Teaching Experiment erection of a brick church, comis wiped out completely. The ing as a direct answer to prayer. 200 Lutheran pastors are re- Teachers in Africa as well as The people at Bafia are too poor duced to 18, Orthodox priests in the United States must face to give enough money to build a are continually being shot and the problem of making Bible church large enough to house the the bishops sent to prison. Lay- study a subject of real, living in- big congregations, but they did men are taking the place of the terest to schoolgirls. Miss D. N. pray for help from America to priests. There is real hunger Summerhayes tried an experi- enable them to put up a building for the Word of God, which ment along this line which is de- for the worship of God. When many are studying eagerly. Bi- scribed in the C. M. S. Outlook: it seemed that all chances for bles are entering through Si- such an undertaking were imberia and the neighboring coun- I started a small study group for possible, in direct answer to tries. A representative of the African teachers themselves. It their prayers the money came Federal Council of the Churches proved to be well worth whi:e. Bar- from an individual who is also of Christ in America has re- riers began to go, and I hope the Bible drawing the plans for the cently visited some of the few became more alive to them. Then we church. The lack of wonderchurches still open. The wor- worked the Old Testament syllabus ment or surprise on the part of shippers were mainly old people. for the year into a pageant, "The the natives when they heard that No young men were being Captivity of the Jew." Each leader the money had been given was trained for the ministry. The worked at one episode with a group quite impressive. Hadn't they Church is already thought of as -of girls; all the words were learned prayed for help? Naturally, a remnant of the past. by heart from the Bible, several they would receive it. psalms were sung, and as the pageant AFRICA gradually began to take shape and -Presbyterian Banner. Jive, it became a reality among us, and Transportation and Missions the final performances an uplifting Dondi Medical School experience for the school. We per- Even when a missionary is formed it to an audience of African A Training School for African fortunate enough to have an au- neighbors and friends, and then were Medical Workers was opened in tomobile of sorts, he cannot be asked to do it again for the Christian Dondi, West Africa, October 1, sure of reaching his destination. Council which was meeting in Onitsha. under the auspices of the Amer- On a trip from Yaounde to Eful- ican Board. It provides a threean a Presbyterian missionary "Baby Week" in Tanganyika year course for eligible young started out by automobile and men and women. Students must made rather good time so long A "Baby Week" held at be recommended by both misas the road lasted. But it came Mvumi proved a great success. sionaries and the churches of to an end, and there was a river Fathers as well as mothers and which they are members. Food to be crossed on a pontoon raft, babies were invited; special lec- and lodging will be furnished by which took water so fast that tures were provided for them, the Mission Hospital, the Sara half way across it listed and the and on the day devoted to com- Hurd Memorial Hospital. A car slid off into the water, disap- petitions one of the prizes was small tuition is necessary to pearing entirely. There were for the father who made the best cover some of the heavier exonly a few people in the village cot for his child. More than 200 penses. on the bank, but these cut bush women attended on the first day, rope and diving down managed in response to an invitation to Pilgrimage in Madagascar to tie it to the rear of the car all mothers whose babies had and raise that end; but the front been born in the mission hospi- Malagasy Christians observe stuck fast. So they beat the call tal. Nearly 500 babies were an annual pilgrimage to the drum to say that there was Mbia present during the week,' and Rasalama Church at Tanana- from these it was easy to pick rive, Madagascar. Last year out those whose mothers had saw a record crowd, some ar- profited by the teaching given at the welfare clinic,. for they
riving in bullock carts, many on emphasis on those things which ties are participating in this foot. The Rasalama Church draw all Christians together project: translated by Germans, and the union of the body of printed in England, financed by commemorates the Christian Christ. Americans, distributed by J apmartyrs of that great island. anese and used by Ponapasians. This year's pilgrimage brought -Presbyterian Tribune. An analysis of the American together 215 pastors as well as Useful Arabic Literature Bible Society's records shows that of the grand total of 972 theological students to the "pas- A missionary lately returned languages in which Scripture tors' week" held in connection from Iraq states that he has for publication has occurred the with the pilgrimage. seven years toured extensively complete Bible has now been in that country and has widely published in 175 languages; the A native Sunday school mis- used the Arabic edition of New Testament in 208 addisionary writes that in districts "Selected Portions from the tional languages; portions of far from Tananarive, many of Word of God." He states that the Bible, or one complete book, it is one of the best booklets in in 514 more, and selections from the inhabitants are still heathen Arabic which he could obtain the Bible; that is, less than a and worship idols. In Anativalo and that it was very often ac- complete book, in 75 more lan- cepted with gratitude by Mo- guages. there are a few Sunday schools, hammedans, Jews and nominal but the great difficulty is that Christians. He gives as reasons Centenary of Spirit of Missions many of the heathen parents re- for its popularity and usefulness the following points: 1. It gives The official missionary perifuse to allow their children to go concisely the Scriptures which odical of the Protestant Episto these Sunday schools, but show man's condition by the copal Church, published its first fall and the doctrine of redemp- issue 100 years ago. Consesend them into the fields on Sun- tion through the Lord Jesus quently that journal celebrated days to attend to the cattle. Christ. 2. It begins with the its centenary by printing its J an- story of the fall and other Old uary issue as a centennial num- Nevertheless, the number of Testament passages which are ber. The cover is a reproduc- Sunday school scholars is in- attractive to Moslems. After in- tion of that which appeared one creasing. In Bezanuozano hea- terest is aroused the reader is hundred years ago and the issue often willing to go on to the abounds with arresting, historithenism is steadily decreasing, Scriptures which show Jesus cal material. That the first ediand there are churches in many Christ to be the Son of God and tor appreciated the value of the Saviour. printed word was made plain in of the villages, most of which his introductory announcement have their own Sunday school. In Egypt the old controversial in the new journal: type of book has been replaced WESTERN ASIA by a newer type, which seeks to It is an instructive lesson of God's meet the difficulties of the Mos- providence that when the fulness of Week of Prayer in Syria lem without arousing antago,,: time had come for the redemption of nism. Recently a new form of His Church from papal bondage, a The World's Week of Prayer apologetic has been introduced new art was prepared, by whose in the form of a Christian novel, strange agency the truth, which was was observed in Syria in the written by Mr. J. E. Kinnear. to make men free, should be borne The story presents a contrast be- forth, as "on the wings of mighty Arabic and Armenian Evangeli- tween the ideals and practices of winds," to all the nations. It was in a Christian and a Moslem young the promotion of this great cause that cal churches this year as in past man. Some of the claims of the wonderful influence of the press Christianity are introduced into was first made manifest. . . . It may years. A joint communion serv- the dialogue. be doubted whether we have paid suffi- cient heed to this instructive lesson ice was held in Beyrout on the -A. C. L. S. M. Newsletter. of the consecration of the press.
Sunday following, when the MISCELLANEOUS -The Churchman.
church was filled to capacity, as The Bible in New Tongues *** many as 600 being present. Six The American Bible Society "Give us strength to walk the announces that the number of rest of the road, looking unto ministers officiated, using six languages in which the Bible, or Jesus, the author and finisher of some part of it, has been pub- our faith. Restore us to oUI: different languages-A r a b i c, lished now totals 972. Recent rightful sonship, and keep us pUblications include a revised from leaving the path along Armenian, Eng lis h, French, New Testament and Psalms for which He went who, for the joy use in Ponape, largest of the that was set before Him, en- German and Turkish. Hymns Caroline Islands. Five nationali- dured the cross, despising the shame. Amen.-Robert W. Norwere sung in the six languages wood.
-probably other languages were used, for one noticed at the serv- ice people whose language was Danish, Swedish or G r e e k.
Hymns such as "Nearer My God to Thee," "How Firm a Founda- tion," "Just as I Am," and "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" are equally dear to all. The Lord's Prayer and the twenty-third Psalm also were repeated in uni- son. Prayer was offered in Turkish. _.
This service is coming to have a large place in the life of the Protestant movements in Bey- rout. The Week of Prayer pre- pared the way for it, with its
ORIGIN OF THE HOLI FESTIVAL IN INDIA
A CHRISTIAN STUDENT CONFERENCE, HELD AT AN OLD PALACE IN IRAN ORIGIN OF THE HOLI FESTIVAL IN INDIA "HoIi" is the name of an Indian woman. At first abuse was given only to her, but now, during her festival all are subject to the same treatment, so that it is not safe for respectable women to go abroad till this celebration is over. The following story about her is told in Hindu tradition.
Parlad, having heard that the god Vishnu was almighty and omnipresent, sought to put this to the test. When a potter was making a fire to bake his earthen pots, Parlad saw some live kittens in one of the pots and prayed that Vishnu would preserve them. His prayer was answered and as a result he became a firm believer in Vishnu, much to the disapproval of his father who worshiped Shiva. Failing to persuade his son to give up the worship of Vishnu, the father decided to kill Parlad. He threw him into the water, but Vishnu made him swim and so saved his life. Then the father commanded an elephant to trample the son to death, but the omnipresent Vishnu being in the elephant, the beast refused to touch him. At last Parlad's aunt, named Holi, said, "I will hold him while you heap faggots of fire around us. If I die with him it matters not." Again Vishnu being in the fire, saved Parlad while his aunt perished. As a result Holi is despised by worshipers of Vishnu and at her festival all women are subject to abuse so that it is not safe for them to appear in public during the celebration.
As a missionary in India, I found it useful to tell this story to show that the best way to celebrate the festival is to follow the example of Parlad in accepting truth, even at risk of his life. We should be ready to forsake the religion of our parents if in this way we follow the true God. There is a great contrast between the quiet, reverential worship of Indian Christians and the howling mobs who celebrate the Holi festival. Such were some of these Indian Christians before they were made clean by the blood of Christ.
THE REV. J. G. POTTER. Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Duncan Main, of Hangchow. By his human contacts. "A really Gospel of the New Testament is Alexander Gammie. 38. 6d. 159 grand type of man, honest, pp. Pickering and Inglis, London, broad-minded and genuine," said being recovered. To Dr. Heim, Glasgow and Edinburgh. the North China Daily News of him when it heard of his death. Jesus Christ is the Saviour who Dr. Main was one of the most One could not find in missionary notable medical missionaries of history a more really model med- wrought salvation for us and the past generation. He was ical missionary. born in Scotland in 1856, went who is evermore the risen and to China under the Church Mis- The biographer preserves the sionary Society in 1881, worked flavor of Dr. Main's rich person- living Lord. Prayer is a reality. in Han g c how for forty-five ality, but has not dealt fully years, returned to Scotland in enough with the real missionary The Gospel is not sociology, be- 1926, and died on August 30, problems with which Dr. Main 1934. When he arrived in Hang- had to cope, especially in late cause it is so vastly more. The chow the medical equipment con- years as a result of the pressure sisted of a small house with four of Western influence and money depth and the heights of it which rooms and sixteen beds. When in shaping medical education in he returned to Scotland he left China. But he has preserved humanism has lost are profour hospitals with 500 beds, out- well the rich fidelity of Dr. patient's department, medical Main's medical work to its su- claimed here, and the length and and pharmacy training colleges, preme missionary purpose. nurses' training schools for men breadth of it make the dimenand women, radio and electrical R. E. S. equipment, homes for children, sions of humanism seem small. lepers, consumptives, incurables, The Church of Christ and the Prob- Chinese Christian workers and lems of the Day. By Karl Heim, The Gospel is greater than this convalescents, with fresh air D.D., Ph.D. $1.75. 172 pp. Charles homes, isolation hospitals, etc., Scribner's Sons, New York. 1935. and all other statements of it, one of the most extensive and complete medical plants in China This is a great little book. It but each such attempt to state it and entirely his own creation, comprises the Sprunt Lectures for which he raised hundreds of delivered at Union Theological carries us onward toward its inthousands of dollars. Seminary, Richmond, Va., in 1935 by Karl Heim, of Tubingen. finite fullness. R. E. S. Dr. Main was a unique per- The seven lectures deal with the sonality. His Chinese name was failure and decay of the idea of Pratt: The Red Man's Moses. By "Dr. Apricot of Heaven Below." the sufficiency of man's reason; Elaine Goodale Eastman. 8 vo. His motto was "Keep Smiling." the rise of the new faiths of na- $3.00. University of Oklahoma His humor was irrepressible and tionalism and communism; the Press, Norman. 1935. his energy absolutely indomit- fresh discovery of the Eternal able. He was one of the most and Transcendent God; the This is more than the life loving and lovable Christians in reality of sin and the reality of story of an army officer who dethe world. He was a remarkable the atonement; the substitution voted the most active years of horseman, a jack-of-all-trades, a of leaders for ideas in the life of his life to the education and skillful mechanic, a miracle- the modern world; the sole suffi- civilization of America's aborigiworking surgeon, a gentleman ciency of the divine leadership nes. It is in fact a careful and by Western standards and Chi- of Christ; the power of prayer conscientious review of the Red nese standards alike, the leading and the meaning of the resurreC"- Man's relation to Government citizen of Hangchow and a man tion. The book is an illuminat- administration covering 0 v e r of God who preached and also ing illustration of the new cur- half a century. It deals with the spoke of Christ in the most nat- rents of theological conceptions varying policies of Indian adural and persuasive ways in all w h i c h are dominant in the ministration, often contradicto- churches of Europe today. The ry, due to frequent changes in the political set-up of the Indian bureau, and traces the struggle of Col. Pratt who launched a far- reaching experiment in Indian education at the Carlisle School with the slogan: "To educate the Indian, get him away from the reservation into civilization, and when you get him there, keep him." Naturally this advanced idea for the ultimate assimilation of the American Indian into our body politic created intense op- position on the part of those who believed then, and still be- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the Ih:vn~v puhlishers on receipt of price.
[ 220]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
lieve, that the Red Man belongs fully guarded and subsidized seg- bored for his brethren "in Engto the stone age civilization and regation." land, Scotland, Ireland and the that all efforts to give him a Mediterranean. I then passed," modern education are more or To all friends of the Indian he continues, "to Turkey, Persia, less futile. who envisage his future as that Turkestan, Afghanistan, Cash- of enjoying the privileges and mere, Hindustan and the Red P rat t in founding Carlisle sharing in the responsibilities of Sea." sounded the death-knell of trib- full citizenship, as well as realism, segregation and isolation. sponding by "outward and vis- His experiences were as va- Nevertheless, even today there ible signs" to the "inward and ried as his travels. He was are abortive attempts on the spiritual grace" bestowed upon sought as a lecturer at famous part of some who seem to prefer him through increasing knowl- universities, and he married the to have Indians isolated on west- edge of the word of the "Great daughter of an English earl. He ern reservations under their own Spirit," Mrs. Eastman's book is received the degree of Doctor of tribal set-up, where tourists may welcomed as particularly timely Laws from Trinity College, Dubview them as a sort of human and filling a long-felt need. lin. He was the friend of stateszoo. Needless to say the quick- men and scholars, entertained by est and surest way to exter- G. E. E. LINDQUIST. ambassadors, welcomed as a disminate the Indian is to isolate tinguished guest by princes and and segregate him from the rest Joseph Wolff, His Romantic Life and governors, and thousands hailed of humanity. Pratt was ahead Travels. By H. P. Palmer. 222 pp. him as a man of distinction. of his day in sensing this idea 78. 6d. Heath Cranton, London, But there were other experiin all its implications, and he 1935. ences. He contracted typhus proved to be a redoubtable cham- fever. Kurds inflicted 200 lashes pion of the idea of liberating the Probably few now living know on his bare feet, so crippling him Indian from bureaucratic dom- much if anything about Joseph for months. Arab tribesmen ination. Wolff. He was a famous man in robbed and scourged him. In his generation, a missionary Khorasan, he was stripped na- The fight thus launched by whose adventures were stranger ked, tied to a horse's tail, thrown Pratt in 1879 is by no means than fiction. Born in 1795 in into a foul dungeon and offered won. Today the forces of bu- Franconia, the son of a Jewish for sale as a slave. He was rereaucracy are still at work, and rabbi; he felt, before his youth peatedly threatened with death, while they use such high-sound- was passed, the need of some- and several times barely escaped. ing rubrics as "preservation of thing in religion that he did not Bandits seized his horses and native culture," "religious toler- find in the faith of his fathers supplies and clothing, and he ation," "home rule" and similar and entered the Roman Catholic was compelled to walk shivering shibboleths, their efforts point Church, some of whose priests with cold 600 miles in bitter unmistakably in the direction of had befriended him. He decided winter weather. But he endured turning the clock back for "Poor to be a missionary and became a everything undismayed. Lo," at least a half century. student in the College of Prop- aganda in Rome. He was wel- He was a man of exceptional Mrs. Eastman, herself a writ- comed as a young man of high ability and impressive personal- promise, Pope Pius VII and sev- ity-kind and generous; a briler and authority on Indians, was eral cardinals taking a personal liant conversationalist, a gifted for many years a teacher and interest in him. But his alert linguist who fluently preached in worker among them. She points and inquiring mind soon chal- half a dozen languages, and a out that Pratt was sometimes a lenged some of the Roman Cath- missionary whose zeal for the sharp critic of the missionary olic dogmas and he got into diffi- conversion of souls was flaming work on the reservations. He culties that led to his dismissal. fire. But he was a restless spirit, felt that the efforts of the Boards After various wanderings Henry seldom staying long in one place, and societies to build up na- Drummond, a wealthy English- proclaiming his message and tive churches, using their own man, persuaded him to go to making little or no effort to language and under native lead- London where he found in the establish churches. He was fond ership was tantamount to en- Church of England the spiritual of disputation with Jews, Moscouraging tribalism and pro- fellowship that he sought. He lems and any others whom he longing the evils of reservation studied at Cambridge, and at could induce to listen, and tenalife. While this criticism had a the age of twenty-six began his ciously held extreme opinions measure of justice in it at the mission to "the dispersed of my about the millenium and the restime of Pratt's activity it should people in Palestine, Egypt, Mes- toration of the Jews. His closbe noted that today the churches opotamia, Persia, the Crimea, ing years were spent in a quiet are practically a unit in oppos- Georgia and the Ottoman Em- parish in England, where he died ing further isolation and segre- pire." He was supported at first in 1862 at the age of sixty-seven. gation, as well as the revival of by his friend Drummond and tribalism. Mission Boards today later by the London Society for Archbishop Whatey charachold rather to the dictum that Promoting Christianity among terized him as "a missionary "the Indian must be saved by a the Jews. His travels were Shakespeare" ; the editor of process of Christian assimilation amazing. After preaching in the BlackwDod Magazine called him to American life, not by a care- countries named above, he la-
"the most notable of wandering John White of Mashonaland. By C. sible by His first coming 1900 Jews," and added: "We know F. Andrews. 8 vo. 205 pp. $1.50. years ago. neither priest nor travelers to Harper & Bros. New York. 1935. compare with this son of the Jesus Through Japanese Eyes. By desert, this wandering cross- Many missionaries, compar- Toyohiko Kagawa. Cloth, 160 pp. bearer, this Grand Dervish of atively unknown to men, are Price, 3 shillings-75 cents. The Christendom." heroes and heroines, who have Lutterworth Press. London. 1935. given their lives to carry the We may well be grateful to Gospel of Christ to dark and The present visit to America Mr. Palmer for the biography of difficult fields. The story of such of the distinguished Japanese this remarkable man. He has lives is illuminating, and Mr. author of this little book lends written sympathetically and yet Andrews has done well to rescue special interest to anything from with judgment, not hesitating to this one from oblivion. his pen. Written for the purmention the defects and limita- pose of informing the non-Christions of his tempestuous and John White was a British tian reading public of Japan resometimes erratic subject, but Wesleyan missionary to Mrica. garding Jesus' life among men, concluding that he was "an He was born in Cumberland Dr. Kagawa accomplishes his eccentric powerful figure, unlike seventy years ago, and went out purpose with a direct simplicity anyone who has ever appeared to Mashonaland in 1894, and that occasionally goes to the on the clerical horizon before or there had many experiences with heart of great moral issues. since his day," and that "it is wild beasts, snakes and savage impossible to read the story of men. He bravely opposed the Knowing the great sacrifices his life without admiring his tal- oppression of the blacks by that the author has made for his ents, his heroism and his affec- white men and helped the peo- ideals, one hesitates to say any tionate disposition." ple in times of war and mas- word of criticism regarding his sacre. teachings. Yet it must be con- ARTHUR J. BROWN. fessed that this little book gives Mr. Andrews has told the the impression of incompleteness China Christian Year Book. 1934-5. story of this sacrificial life with as regards the great redemptive Edited by Frank Rawlinson. 12 Mo. sympathy and simplicity. It is mission of Christ. Surely Dr. 458 pp. Christian Literature So- full of inspiration for life and of Kagawa believes earnestly in ciety, Shanghai. 1935. lessons on missionary service. the Evangelical faith. Therefore, without gainsaying the magni- For twenty-five years these Christ's Alternative to Communism. tude of his social influence and annuals have been enriching our By E. Stanley Jones. 8 vo. 302 pp. work, one would wish that, even minds on China, the Chinese and $2.00. Abingdon Press, New York. in this brief study, he were more Christian progress among them. 1935. definite respecting those facts of The forty-three contributors in- salvation that make all the difclude Chinese, business men, This is the best study of the ference between spiritual life teachers, editors, authors, exec- subject we have seen. Dr. Jones and death. F. E. GAEBELEIN. utives, Y. W. C. A. workers, and has studied communism at first missionaries of many societies. hand in Russia and China. These Our Korean Friends. By Frederick Part I relates to National Life studies of this social system, in S. Miller. 191 pp. $2.00. Flem- (92 pp.); Part II, Religious Life comparison with the example ing H. Revell. New York. 1935. (120 pp.); Part III, Missions and teachings of Christ, were and Missionaries (17 pp.); Part discussed in his Indian Ashram These delightful character IV, Education (108 pp.); Part at Sat Tal. The result shows sketches make the people of the V, Medical Work (13 pp.) ; Part how completely Christ would ful- one-time "Hermit Nation" seem VI, Literature (30 pp.); and fill the highest ideals of commu- very real. Dr. Miller, who is a appendices and index (58 pp.). nism by substituting love for Presbyterian missionary, knows There are articles on Relations selfishness and by providing the how to weave odd bits of humor with Japan; Modern Chinese pro g ram and dynamic with and quaint revelation of human Women; Communists; The Ro- which to set up an ideal society. nature into a story that proves man Catholic Church; Among The book is written in Dr. Jones' all the world akin. Here is this the Tribes People; Salvation usual style-with a careful and typical incident. "Someone Army; Union Movements; The discriminating use of facts, a knocked timidly at the mission- Missionary Situation; Educa- comparison with Bible teachings ary's door. Opening it, he saw tion; Flood, Drought and Re- and experiences. Christ alone is an old woman, a bag in one hand. lief; Bibliography, etc., but no able to establish and govern an 'Do you eat grasshoppers?' she missionary directory. Here is a ideal society-but there is, to asked, bringing out a string of storehouse of reliable, up-to-date our understanding, no promise them. 'I read that John the information in compact form- or prospect that He will make Baptist ate grasshoppers and especially valuable to editors, effective His earthly kingdom thought you might like some,' lib r a r i e s, missionaries and before His second advent. It is, she explained. It was her alaothers interested in China. It however, the Christians' re- baster box-the best she had to may be secured from the Inter- sponsibility to realize the sover- offer." national Missionary Council, 156 eignty of God in the human heart Fifth Avenue, New York. and to help carry out the pro- gram announced and made pos-
Or take the story of "Concord- ures from many mines-Amiel, and pardon in Hinduism, but ance Ko," who thought he could Rutherford, Guyon and poetsnot find time for Bible study. but chiefly from human experi- without success. Then he found "I'll tell you," said his wife, as ence and the inexhaustible treasthey started for their field work. ure house of the Bible. Mingled Christ and entered joyfully into "I'll tie an open Testament on with many Dohnavur songs and my back and go down the row in photographic gems, is a spirit- His service. The story is a testifront of you. As we squat on ual message to those· eager to the ground you can commit a know and do the Will of God in mony to the power of Christ to verse each time." This ani- the midst of storm and strife. mated bookstand, in time, en- save and suggests ways in which abled Ko to supply chapter and Eastern and Central Asia.. Pamphlet. verse when the Western mission- 33 pp. 6d. New Mildmay Press, to deal successfully with Hindu ary could not locate his text. London. 1935. And thus he became known as seekers. It is interestingly told "Concordance Ko." This is one ofTJte World To- day Series of booklets,· the pur- and is true to the Go.spel. The book is a collection of pose of which is to give infor- ,,~'" ;¥~i:,:. .' just such telling incidents. mation as to what has been done :,'. •.: J and what remains to be done in . t• H. H.F. world evangelization. They will prove of value to those who wish They That Sow: By'Mrrt-y Wat-bur- The Student Volunteer Movement to pray for the work and work- for Foreign Missions-Personal ers in these lands. In this book- ton Booth. 199pp.· ps•. 6d. Pick- Reminiscences of its Origin and let are given important facts as ering & Inglis. LondQrl. 1935. Early History. By Robert P. Wil- to Japan, Korea, Manchukuo, der. Foreword by Jesse R. Wilson. Mongolia, T i bet, Turkistan, This simple narrati~e' teiis of Pamphlet. 63 pp. 25 cents. S. V. China, Indo China and Formosa M., New York. 1935. -a large order for six tee n sowing and reaping among the pages! Naturally the informa- One of the most outstanding tion is meagre, but it serves as women of India. It is admirably movements, initiated and guided an introduction and stimulus to and empowered by the Spirit of prayer, and shows in what pro- illustrated and each chapter is God, is the Student Volunteer portion the fields are occupied by Movement. Like the foreign mis- Evangelical missionaries. prefaced by one of the author's sions movement in the days of the Apostles and as led later by The Serious Aspect of the Ethiopian poems on the same theme. William Carey and the Haystack Situation. World Today Series. By group, so the movement founded Joseph J. Cooksey. Pamphlet. Is. H. H.F. through Robert Wilder has had New Mildmay Press, London. 1935. a remarkable and inspiring his- New Books tory. Here Dr. Wilder gives his This timely booklet reviews own personal recollections. They briefly the Abyssinian situation By Ways Appointed. Briggs P. Dingought to be read and prayed over -the history of the land, the man. 128 pp. 75 cents. B. I. C. by all interested in world evan- people, the church and modern Assn. Chicago. gelization. They furnish much missions. The map is clear but food for thought and prayer and not full, and the statistics, while Christ in the Indian Chur~h-A inspiration for a new advance. not complete, are the most com- Primer of Christian Faith and The secret of the early success plete published. They include Practice. A. J. Appasamy. 170 pp. of the Movement was the prayer Roman Catholics who report 45 Christian Literature Society for Inand Bible study, the sacrifice and missionaries, 30 native priests, dia. Madras. devotion of its leaders and their 94 European workers, 63 native full surrender to the Will of God. workers and a total Christian Crossing Africa in a Missionary community of 16,000. Way. Stella C. Dunkelberger. 106 Gold by Moonlight. By Amy Car- pp. $1.00. S. C. Dunkelberger. michael. Illus. 8 vo. 182 pp. 5s. Here and Now. By A. C. Chakra- Germantown, Pa. Society for Promoting Christian verti. . Booklet. Illus. 80 pp. 8 Knowledge, London. 1935. Annas. Lucknow Publishing House, The Cross and the Reign of God. Hazratganj, Lucknow, India. 1935. Alec O. Hardy. 86 pp. Is. S. P. G. Another beautiful Dohnavur House. London. book-beautiful in conception In the form of a simple narraand executiori, in text, illustra- tive – possibly autobiographical From Fetish to Faith-Growth of the tions and printing. "Gold by in part-is this booklet by A. C. Church in West Africa. W. J. Moonlight" has come from the Chakraverti, a convert from Platt. 2s. Livingstone Press. Lonfurnace of suffering and a deep Hinduism and the founder of a don. sense of human need with a real- Christian ashram at Brindaban. ization and experience of the It is the story of a young Brah- Facing Facts-Year Book of the power to bring life and peace man, a sinner, who sought peace American Missionary Association. and joy out of the midst of trial. 120 pp. American Missionary Miss Carmichael digs her treas- Assn. New York.
A Grain of Wheat. Toyohiko Kaga- wa. 150 pp. $1.00. Harper & Bros. New York.
Gwyneth at Work. Margaret P. Neill. 320 pp. 2s. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. London.
Here and Now. A. C. Chakraverti. 80 pp. 8 Annas. Lucknow Pub. Co. Lucknow, India.
In Seven Nations-Twelve Mission Studies on India, Africa, Japan, China, South America. 50 pp. United Lutheran Church. Balti- more, Md.
The Kingdom of God in Japan. C" Burnell Olds. 69 pp. 25 cents. For 10 or more copies 10 cents each. C. N. Olds, Jr. Cleveland, Ohio.
The Land and Life of Africa. Mar- garet Wrong. 2s. 144 pp. Living- stone Press. London.
(COncluded on third cover.)
THE SCENE AT QUETTA , BELUCHISTAN, AFTER THE' EARTHQUAKE, ON MAY 3 1 , Ifl 3 ~ (Reco nstruction work is nOw going fo r wa rd) DO NOT MISS THE MOSLEM WORLD SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Editor VALUABLE ARTICLES IN THE APRIL NUMBER Our Evangel and Islam ……………….. , ……….. Samuel M. Zwemer Guests of King Ibn Sa'ud ………………………. Gerrit D. Van Peursem Moslem Converts and the Church …….. .. ….. . ……… Harvey E. Phillips Islam in Tibet . …. ….. . ……………….. . . ….. . .. . M. G. Griebenow An Autobiography of Mohammed . … .. ……. . ….. The late Frank H. Foster A New Version of the Arabic New Testament .. .. . ……… . E. F. F. Bishop The Nile Mission Press . . . …….. . . …………….. .. ….. .J. R. Menzies Rue and the Evil Eye in Persia ……………………… Eda W. Lindquist Some Slave Girls of Morocco ……………. . ………… An Old Missionary The Turkish Transformation …………………………… Caleb F. Gates Freedom of Thought in Islam ………. ' .. . . . . … .. . . …. Sheikh Al Kiyaly Khadijah, Mohammed's First Wife ., ……. …. . . …………. Edward Jurji Current Topics-Book Reviews-Survey of Periodicals » » SUBSCRIBE NOW » « 50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 d Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue . New York Citv $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents) British Asenls: MARSHALL. MORGAN & SCOTT, 12 Palomosler Buildings. London. E. C. Price In GlI.t Brillin, Eigh! ShUlln,>. Y…. net
Note. THE IDEAL GIFT AT ALL
Dr. Charles E. Hurlburt, formerly GOD'S MINUTE • • • Here is a marvelous collection of 365 Daily Prayers, A Spiritual ,I missionary in Africa, died in Los .<.ngeles, January 28th, at the age of each 60 seconds long, written by 365 of the most emi. thoughtJor 76. In 1899, he became president of nent preachers and laymen in the world. Cloth, 60 ellery day he Africa Inland Mission, a work be- ;un i(lur years earlier in British East cents; Limp Leatherette. $1.00; Art Leather. $1.50. • <'frica (now Kenya), by Pet"r Cam- rOll Seott, a young Scotsman. GOD'S MESSAGE •• A daily remitlderoJ Under Dr. Hurlhurt's direetion the 365 prominent clergymen have chosen their favorite '. vork grew until it covered an area _'rom Kenya to Tanganyika, and to Scripture passage, and, with this as a text. have written the gitJer a Message that quickens faith. brings comfort. Cloth. he West Nile distl'iet of Uganda, to ;, he Belgian Congo and to French 60 cents; Limp Leatherette. $1.00; Art Leather. $1.50. ~quatorial Africa: Today there are : ~24 missionaries of the A. 1. M. work- 1iI_ _ _ _ _ THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Phila. ng among 25 tribes, with 1,600 native 'vangelists and teachers. Last year Home for Intemperate Men, died of Reminiscences of Its Origin and (.ver 7,000 baptisms were recorded. Early History. Robert P. Wilder. pneumonia on March 3d at the age of 25 cents. S. V. M. New York. * >I< >I< 81. The Chestercrest Home, as it was Sure Anchor Reciter. Henry Picker- Rev. Jay Thomas Stocking, D.D., ing. 96 pp. 1s. Pickering & Inglis. .:v1oderator of the National General known, was originally located in New London. ::';ouncil of Congregational and Chris- . ian Uhurehes, died of pneumonia on York City and later at Mt. Vernon, Stories from Brazil. William Anglin. •.'anuary 27 at the age of 65. Dr. 96 pp. 18. Pickering & Inglis. Lon· ;·;;toeking had long been an important N. Y.; recently it was moved to Ka- don. f,gure in Congregational C h u r c h ( ircles, and was widely known beyond tonah, N. Y. Dr, Avery was formerly Songs of the Saviour. Carey Bonner. , lis own communion through his many 64 pp. 28. paper; 2s. 6d. doth. ; 'eligious books. an evangelist and has been the means Piekering & Inglis. London.
Rev. W. W. Duff, Presbyterian mis- of the conversion and reformation of Billy Sunday-The Man and His ,.ionary to India since 1921, died at Message. William T. Ellis. 520 j,'erozepur, January 28. He had belm thousands of men addicted to strong pp. $1.50. John C. Winston. Phil- !.Jcated at Moga since 1929, and was adelphia. a member of the India Council of the drink and narcotics. He was highly three Presbyterian missions in India. The Silence of God. Sir Robert An- honored and greatly beloved by fellow derson. 212 pp. Is. Pickering & ** lng-Ii", London. workers and by manv who harl comp Dr. Charles B. Tenny. who for I If you use thirty years was a representative of under his care. . t he Baptist Foreign Mission Society PRINTING •. 1 .Japan, died ,January 12 in New Books r'ochester, New York. Dr. 'lmny YOU will profit from an ac- "a::- counte,l one of the great mission- (Co'l/cluded from poge 223.) quaintanceship with us. We . ry statesmen of his time. do the job complete in our own The Missionary Education of Young plant, whether it be large or ~ *" * People. .10hn Irwin, 1R2 pp. Mis- small. :;ieman' Education Movement. New Dr. George S. Avery, for 35 years York .. While our specialty is Books, resident manager of the Christian Magazines and Pamphlets, yet Nectar from Indian Saints. English we have a variety of modern The Gospel in Print Translation of Mahi,iati's Marathi equipment to meet all the re- Bhaktalilamrit, J. K Abbott, Pun- quirements of your particular Sound Evangelical Literature dit N. R. Godbole, J. F. Edwards . job. You will find our service for the Million 3 R. 498 pp. Aryabhushan Pre>'s. prompt, careful and courteous. Poona, India. Books, Pamphlets, Tracts and Wall Mottoes Will you allow us to estimate On Two Hemispheres-Bits from the on your next printing? We be- for a" ages, classes and needs; also Lifc Story of Lewis G, Jordan. lieve you will be delighted with Lewis G. Jordan. 80 pp. 35 cent" our product. price and service. Bibles, Testarnents, Gospel "portions" paper; 50 cents cloth. 1.. G. Jor- dan; Nashville, Tenn. The EVANGELICAL PRESS and Hymn Books. CI. Supplies for Chris- Oil Lamps Lifted. Pearl DOlT Long- Printers of tian Workers-col porters and evangelists ley. 86 pp. $1.00. Revell. New The Missionary Review of the World York. especially. CI. Book Missionaries wanted PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE OUf Korean Friends. Frederick S. Third and R.ily Str..ts Harrl,bur,. P•• in every community, for entire or part Miller. 191 pp. $2.00. Revell. New York. time; fair financial remuneration. CI. Work Pioneers of the Kingdom. Phyllis S. Ifounded by D. L. MOODY in 1894. Garlick. 158 pp. 2s. 6d. Highway I"The Messages of Good Book. Never Press. London.
! Die." Popular Hinduism. L. S. S. O'Malley. 2,16 pp. $2.50. Macmillan. N('w Write today York.
Bible Inst:~ Colportage Ass'n Religious Education as Character Training. Leonid V. Tulpa. 96 pp. ~……………. 843 N. Wells, Chicago~ $1.50. L. V. Tulpa. Pomfret, Conn.
The Serious Aspect of the Ethiopian Situation — World Today Series. Joseph J. Cooksey. ls. New Mild- way Prcs~. London, The Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions: Personal
THESE SPECIAL
The Missionary Review th~World You will learn in our October number about A/rica from an A/rican Viewpoint The African's View of Africa What Christ Means to Me·-·By Africans African Characteristics and Customs What Christian Missions Have Accomplished···By Africans What Africa Needs Most···By Africans The White Man's Views 0/ A/rica The Results of Fifty Years of Missions Present.Day Hindrances to Christianity What Missions Are Doing Today Heroes of the Cross in .Africa The Next Step in African Missions Best Books by Africans and About Africa Negroes Tell About the J.Ve,gro in America in our June number What American Negroes Are Thinking Negro Views of Negro Problems Some Achievements of American Negroes Ideals for Better Race Relations What Christ Has Done for Negroes Some Outstanding Negro Christians What Negroes Are Doing for Their Race White Contributors Will Write on Helps and Handicaps in Negro Progress Progress in the Past Half Century Some Lessons from Experience in Mission Work The Next Steps in Work for American Negroes Best Books by Negroes and About Negroes Order These Copies Now for Yourself and for Mission St:udy Classes 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year The Missionary Review of t:he World Third and Reily Streets. Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor