The Missionary Review of the World — July 1938
1938
Religion in Turkey Today Charles T. Riggs A Visit to Dutch New Guinea J. A. Jaf/ray The Church Challenges the City Dwight J. Bradley The Power of a Woman's Faith George W. Hinman What a Down..Town Church Can Do , Frederick B. Fisher Looking to the City of Tomorrow .Charles H. Sears Shall We Discontinue Institutional Work? G. Baez Camargo 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember A UNIVERSALLY AC- Cbe Each quarterly issue
CLAIMED DAILY DE- THE UPPER ROOM Jti1rll to IS-Bethesda, Ohio, School Upptr contains meditations. of Missions. Mrs. John Seward, VOTIONAL CUIDE – Scripture selections and ,902 North 6th Street, Cambridge, Now Used by a Million Room suggested prayers for Ohio. People in English- and each day. Spanish – Speaking July July 11 to 19-Nprthfield Missionary Countries. Every Chris- EL APOSENTO ALTO, Conference, Notthfield, Mass. Mrs. tian desiring to have a August the Spanish edition, Gula Plummer, 330 West Emerson, family altar or some September shipped to a" Spanish- Melrose, Mass. other form of daily speaking countries on devotions lin the home Cbe exactly same price July 18 to 24-Mountain Lake Park, should have a copy of schedule as the English Mel. Interdenominational Summer THE UPPER ROOM- Upptr edition. School of Missions. Mrs. B. H. buy from the pastor of Sincell, Oakland, Md. your Church or order Room Order from direct THE UPPER ROOM July 12 to August 17'-:";Winona Lake Doctors' Bldg. School of Theology, Winona Lake, Nashville, Tenn. Indiana. Assembly. He will remain in this AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT August 21 to 27":""Chautauqua, N. Y., country for about a year, speaking By an oversight, two charts used in Institute of WorId Missions. Miss the June REVIEW, pages 265 and 291, Louise B. Woodford, 930 23d • • • in various parts of the United States. were not credited to the book, "The Avenue, North, St. Petersburg, Fla. Dr. Stephen J. Corey has resigned American City and Its Church," by from the presidency of the United Dr. Kincheloe, published by the Mis- August 23 to 29-World Conference Christian Missionary Society to be- sionary EducatIon Movement. There on International Friendship Through come President of the College of the were also two quotations on pages 286 the Churches, Larvik, Norway. Bible at Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. and 294 from the book by Dr. Robert Corey has given thirty-three years of Searle, "City Shadows," also published September 11 to 16 – International his life to the cause of world missions. by the Missionary Education Move- Convention of the Disciples of ment. We gratefully acknowledge Christ, Denver, Colo. Dr. Frederick• Sc•ov*el, Presbyterian these sources.
September 19 to 30 (tentative)- missionary at Tsining, Shantung Obituary Notes School of Missions. Mrs. Mitchell Province, China, was seriously Langdon, Tex. wounded by a Japanese soldier the Rev. Roger C. Cumberland, an first week in June. Dr. Scovel was American Presbyterian missionary to September 21 to 28-General Council, attempting to protect the nurses in Iraq for the past fifteen years, was United Church of Canada, Toronto, the mission hospital when one of the fatally shot by a Kurd at Dohuk, Canada. soldiers shot him in the side. It is forty miles from Mosul, on June 12th. reported that he has an excellent The Kurd escaped to the desert. No September 26 to 30-Southern Cali- chance of recovery. reason for the attack is known. Mr. fornia (Los Angeles) School of Cumberland was born in Verne, Cali- Mission Study. Mrs. H. M. Horn, *•• fornia, forty-three years ago, and be- 1811 Huntington Drive, South Pasa- gan his missionary service in East dena, Cal. Dr. Enrique C. Sobrepena of Ma- Persia in 1923, going soon afterward nila has been unanimously elected as to Mosul, Iraq, and then to Dohuk. October 4 to S-Warren, Ohio, School Executive Secretary of the Philip- He made long trips to the villages of of Missions. Mrs. George Konold, pin e Federation of Evangelical tribesmen, living with the people and 314 Scott Street, N. E., Warren, Churches, an interdenominational or- establishing Christian centers among Ohio. ganization representing the whole them. He is survived by his wife, Protestant movement in the Philip- Mrs. Harriet Gunn Cumberland, who October 5 to 12 – United Lutheran pines. He succeeds Dr. Higdon who went to the field in 1928. Church in America, Biennial Con- remains in America for a time, after vention, Baltimore, Md. which he hopes to return to Manila Rev. Edwin F. Frease, D.D., a to engage in interdenominational Methodist missionary in India and October 14 to 20 – American Lu- North Africa for 44 years, died in theran Church, Biennial Convention, Canton, Ohio, April 22. Dr. Frease Sandusky, Ohio. went to Bombay In 1888, and one year later was transferred to Baroda, October 20-Baltimore, Md., Institute where for 20 years he was pastor, for Church Women. Mrs. Bruce H. Superintendent of Gujarat District McDonald, 515 West Fayette St., and editor of a Christian publication. Baltimore, Md. He also translated the catechism and other Christian books into the native Personal Items language. In 1910, he was chosen to t3ke up a new work among the Mo- Dr. Sam Higginbottom, of Alla- hammedans of North Africa with his habad, India, arrived in America in time for the Presbyterian General (Concluded on page 821.) work. ••• Rev. Lewis Seymour Mudge, D.D., LL.D., after 17 years of faithful serv- ice as the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., has been honorably retired at the age of 70. Dr. Mudge has ren- dered a remarkable service, to the whole Church and to the Cause of Christ by the faithful and efficient way in which he has carried his heavy resllOnsibilities. Temporarily, he is acting as General Secretary of the Board of Christian Education for the Church, filling the place of Dr. Harold McAfee Robinson, who has been or- dered to take a rest on account of ill health.
MISSIONARY -~;, PARENTS
REVIEW OF THE WORL~ In the Foreign Mission Field O.,LAVAN L. PIERBON, Kd,tor , Endorse Calvert School ." :'l-Iome Study Courses VOL. LXI JULY-MJG.,1938 Nos. 7-8' for Children Publication and Business omce– Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. tion Department, will give your child a Editorial and Executive omce– 156 Filth Avenue, New York City. superior elementary education ••• by mail, Entered as second-class matter at regardless of where you may live. Mod- Post 01llce, Harrisburg, Pa., UDder Act of March 3, 1879. ern, approved courses from this famous school are being used by parents all over 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. I"orelgn Postage, 50 cents a year. the world with outstanding success. Published monthly, except August. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. Give your children the advantages of these Brill.h agents – Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, London, E. C. 1 shllling per copy, and attractive materials. Instruction is 10 Bhlllings a year. under the personal guidance of teachers in MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- LISHING CO., INC, Calvert's prominent and successful private BOARD OF DIRECTORS day school in Baltimore: ROUEUT E. SPEER, J'resident t Write today for booklet of complete in- A. L. WARNBHUlB, Vice-Pres>dent W ALTIl:R McDOUGALL, 7'reasurer formation. Costs are low. DFlLAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary PAUL J. BRAlBTEO CALVERT SCHOOL 180W. Tuscany Road SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Baltimor. + Maryland D. J. FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Obituary Notes The great white Empresses hold WM. B. LIPPHARO every speed record to and from ERle M. NORTH (Concluded from 2d c01Jer.) the Orient. 10 days direct to Yokohama by Empress of Asia SAMUEL M. ZWEMmB headquarters in Algiers, where he or Empress of Russia. Or only served until he retired in 1932. three days more via Hawaii by Editorial Chat Empress of Japan, largest and *** fastest on the Pacific, or Empress The July and August numbers of of Canada. Connect at Honolulu the REVIEW are combined into one. Dr. Maria White, who went to from California ports. The next issue will be September, and Sialkot, India, as a United Presbywill come from the press about August terian medical missionary in 1886, From Vancouver and Victoria 25th. It is to contain some very in- died in Wilkinsburg, Penna., March to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, teresting and valuable articles on the 20, at the age of 84. She was the Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. Madras Conference Topics; others on first woman doctor to serve in the Details from YOUR TRAVEL the City, Brazil, Tibet. Africa and Punjab and after repeated efforts AGENT or Canadian Pacifio: "How to Interest Students in Mis- secured enough money to build the 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. sions." Miss Grace McGavran will Sialkot Memorial Hospital. She also begin her contributions on Best Meth- established a clinic at Pasrur and in ods for Promoting Missionary Interest 1910 built a small hospital there with at Home. Do not miss this number her own funds which she named the because you are absent from home. White Memorial Hospital in memory Write to give any change of address. of her parents.
*** *** Here are some recent comments't to John Elijah Case, father of Brayindicate why you and your friends ton C. Case of the American Baptist will find the REVIEW of interest atld Agricultural School in Burma, died February 8 at the age of 81. John and value: "I am an interested reader of E. Case went to Burma in 1882. Due to the shortage of missionaries he the REVIEW. I both enjoy it would not take any furlough and profit by it. You are rendering incal- stayed continuously on the field until culable service to the cause of the 1901. He then came back to America, Master's Kingdom in the world. God broken in health, and did not return. bless you!" *** BISHOP J. R. CHITAMBAR. Jubbulpore, India. Mr. Albert G. Adams, honorably retired Presbyterian missionary to *** West Africa, died on May 27th in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1902, Mr. Adams "I have been a reader of your val- heard that a mission treasurer was ued journal for a number of years, needed in the West Africa Mission and have long admired its fine com- and applied for the position. The bination of evangelical loyalty and position entailed an immense amount breadth of vision," of work in handling shipments, keep- ing accounts and dealing with all the NORMAN S. MCPHERSON, intricate problems involved in con- Vice-President, Association of nection with French Customs. In 1935, after he had served for thirty- Baptists for Evangelization' three years, the French Government in the Orient. recognized the high quality of his work by awarding him the "Order of "I think that*thi*s (*REVIEW) is one the Black Star of Benin," the highest government honor given in Africa. of the finest publications that I know. It has been a great challenge to me, [ 321 ] and I hope to acquaint others with it."
(MISS) LILA MAE CHAPMAN.
305 Adams St., Macon, Ga.
BOYS AND GIRLS'-GIVING CHILDREN A CHANCE TO GO TO THE
REBUILDING MEN-GLIMPSES OF WORK IN GOOD WILL INDUSTRIES MISSION, CINCINNATI, OHIO (see article by Richard Scully-page 335)
NARY
REVIE ORLD AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS VOLUME LXI JULY-AUGUST, 1938 NUMBERS 7 AND 8 #'fI'
Topics of the Times WHAT DO WE SEE IN THE WORLD? by the need of the Athenians for a knowledge of the true God and for the life offered through The earth is made up of material things, of Jesus Christ. animals and people. History is a series of events, discoveries, disasters, conflicts, human problems What we see indicates what we are and what and heroic deeds. What do we see when we look are our chief interests. These determine our amat the world of matter and of time? bition and plan of action. What Japan sees in China and the Chinese is vastly different from In an automobile men see different things ac- what the Christian missionary sees-and these j:!ording to their interests, experience, viewpoint. They see a beautiful piece of mechanism or a pile different viewpoints lead to opposite courses of of junk; a wonderful invention or a mystery; a possible joy-ride or a vehicle for business; an action and opposite results. . expense or a means of profit; a family asset or an engine of destruction. The summer is here, with its opportunities for What do you see in a sunset-a "weather work and play, for travail or travel, for self inbreeder," a mass of clouds and sunlight, a wonder- dulgence or for service. Where and how will we ful picture or an evidence of the glory of God, the Creator? and our families spend the summer if we have an opportunity for choice? There are factories and There is a similar variety and contrast in the offices for constant toil; there are summer reway men and women look at the heavens on a ~orts where the world, the flesh and the devil clear night, on a school, a church, on the Bible, hold sway; there are camps and summer conferor on money. In a baby some see a cute play- ences that offer opportunities for Christian felthing, others a nuisance, an adorable bit of hu- lowship, wholesome recreation and spiritual manity, a son and heir, ransom money, the mak- growth. Which will we choose? ing of a possible criminal or a future servant of God and benefactor of mankind. How differently, The Christ-centered and Christ-controlled life too, men look at a cross! has a different viewpoint from that of any other life; and the results are different here and will When the hosts of Syria came against Israel be through all eternity.
"The things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal."
and besieged the city of Dothan, Elisha's servant NEW STEPS IN JAPANESE SHRINE saw only horses and chariots and an enemy's WORSHIP army; but when his eyes were opened he saw horses and chariots of fire-the encircling hosts It seems self-evident to many Christians that of God assuring victory. the act of obeisance at the Japanese State shrines In a multitude of people did Jesus see only a transgresses the implications of monotheism and mob or possible commercial asset? No, He saw violates the explicit requirements of God as found hungry, straying "sheep without a shepherd"; in the first and second commandments. This is He saw men and women whom He had come to so fully borne out by a careful study of State save. At Athens, the apostle Paul was not im- Shinto, that it comes as a distinct shock to find pressed most by the wisdom of the Greeks or by some Christians willing to bow at these shrines.
the beauty and expense of the Parthenon, but to direct students under their care to attend and [323 ]
bow, and to influence Christian leaders to ac- necessary for such arrests, and no trials are quiesce. Imperfect apprehension' of the moral held, but these people are told that if they will implications may explain this tragic anomaly. do obeisance all else will be forgiven.
In the ancient and modern conflict between At meetings of Christian organizations the de- Christ and "Cresar," the issue eventually becomes mand is made that they adopt resolutions favorclear. The significance of the attitude of mind ing obeisance. When one Presbytery met, the which the Japanese Government desires to de- town was filled with soldiers and Christian leadvelop in every subject of the Empire is becoming ers were told that the town was under martial evident-namely the entire subservience to the law, that failure to obey -orders meant death Japanese State and the worship of "spirits" other and that resolutions "must" be passed approving than Jehovah. Recent events in Korea are mak- obeisance at the shrines, even by the Presbytery ing it clear that the ultimate question that Chris- itself. Such pastors and elders as were suspected tians and churches are facing there is that of of opposition 'tvere detained at the police station, monotheism or polytheism. while weaker brethren were' persuaded to pro- pose such resolutions. The small affirmative vote Weare convinced that if Christians yield to was heralded as the action of that Presbytery! Government requirements that students attend When the men detained at the police station were and do obeisance at Shinto shrines, later demands released and wished to rescind the resolution, will lead to further acquiescence in Shinto wor- the police declared that such action would not be ship. Two missionary teachers who attended the tolerated. shrine were soon ordered to make offerings at the shrines. No official, whatever he might say about Some Christian congregations are also being the act of obeisance, can deny that the offering coerced, as in one province where the Governor of sacrifices to "spirits" is a religious act. When ordered the churches each time they met to go in missionaries have declined to make such offer- a body to the Shinto shrine and do obeisance. If ings, their educational qualifications have been there was no shrine in the village the church rescinded. was ordered to erect one on its own property. In this province, an oath of allegiance to Japan must When a Christian School Board declared that be repeated in unison by those in the church; it would do all that the Government required, the the Japanese calendar must also be substituted missionary principal (who had done obeisance) for the Christian calendar. Such "regulations" demurred, but the Board members told him there corroborate the conviction that the Government was no difference between obeisance and meet- intends to force "obeisance" upon the whole popuing other requirements. In connection with the lation. A year ago, in another province, it was war in China the orders of the Government show announced that a Shinto shrine would be erected what is at the core of State Shinto worship. On in every village, and each household would be September 21, 1937, the Japanese army invading ordered to contribute toward the cost. When China was halted and prayers for victory were Christians objected, "pressure" was exerted to offered to Amaterasu-Omi-kami (the Goddess of compel contributions. Heaven). On February 11, 1938, the whole Empire was ordered to go to the shrines and pray The issue is being drawn more and more defor victory. Christians, formerly excused, are no finitely and more and more clearly it is seen that longer permitted to absent themselves. The police the issue is actually:-"Will the Christian Church in Chosen hIve volunteered the information that do obeisance at Shinto' shrines to 'spirits' other they are driven by the military, "who look upon than Jehovah?" Amaterasu-Omi-kami as their god," to compel the Christian schools to do obeisance. A missionary says, "We are tryipg to live up to our Lord's words in Matthew 22: 21. … There Coercion, in various forms, is being used to is no danger of God's demanding the things that make it appear that "right-minded Christians" belong to Cresar, but it is a historic fact that have no difficulty in doing obeisance. All Chris- Cresar has often demanded the things that belong tian gatherings have long been under police sur- to God. . . . We do not pretend that conditions veillance, with special severity in the case of those here are as severe as those in the first three Christian bodies which have shown scruples about centuries (under Rome) ·but the differences are doing obeisance. All over the country people are rather of degree than of kind." being urged to purchase "Kami-dan" (I!'od shelves) and small replicas of the shrines, and to Christians need to awaken to the facts in reinstall them in their homes. Once installed, these gard to this struggle between Christ and the must be treated with special reverence. Japanese Cresar, and to aid in the effort to keep Christian schools and the Christian Church from Christian leaders in Korea who will not do entering the road which is likely to end in aposobeisance are being imprisoned. No warrant is tasy. To many a Japanese subject, the demand
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
"Choose ye this day whom ye will serve" is a terian Church U. S. A., on the other hand, was terrible reality. the first ecclesiastical body to vote to approve cooperation with this proposed "World Council THE UTRECHT CONFERENCE-"THAT ALL of Churches." MAY BE ONE" Those who become members of this fellowship Last summer's interchurch conferences, at Ox- will appoint members of the Assembly of 450 ford and Edinburgh, were followed by a special members, which will include lay and clerical, men delegated conference at Utrecht, Holland, May and women. There will also be a Central Com- 9th to 12th, called to plan for a proposed World mittee of which Dr. Visser t'Hooft of Holland Council of Churches. This Conference was pre- and Dr. Henry Smith Leiper of New York were sided over by Dr. William Temple, Archbishop of elected secretaries. York, and was attended by about fifty-six delegates and twenty-five other representatives from At the Stockholm Conference in 1925 the twenty-one countries. Many denominations were slogan was "Doctrine divides; service unites," cooperating, including the Old Catholic and Greek but at Utrecht the conviction was that there must Orthodox churches. Among the delegates were be a solid foundation in a Christian faith that Dr. Francis C. M. Wei of China, Mr. Thomas unites. The doctrinal basis, unanimously adopted David of India, Dr. John R. Mott and Dr. A. L. for submission to the various churches, had as its Warnshuis of the International Missionary Coun- main point "the acceptance of our Lord Jesus cil; Dr. Kenneth S. Latourette, of Yale; Dr. S. M. Christ as God and Saviour." Representatives of Cavert of the Federal Council of Churches of some groups-such as the Unitarians and Czecho- Christ in America, Dr. Adolf Keller of Switzer- Slovakian Church-objected to this basis, but land, Dr. J. H. Oldham, Wil1iam Paton and the without avail. Archbishop of York, of Great Britian. The proposed World Council of Churches will The Conference unanimously adopted a form not attempt to judge orthodoxy or to exercise of constitution, recommended for the World authority over the constituent churches. It will Council of Churches, which will be submitted to be consultative and cooperative, not legislative. the various constituent bodies for their criticism or approval. A provisional Committee was appointed to carry forward the work of the Conference, with Reporting on the Utrecht Conference, Dr. La- the following members from the United States: tourette says, "In our day, as in no other, tbe Dr. J. Ross Stevenson, Dr. John R. Mott, Bishop Christians of the world are beginning to come to- George Craig Stewart, Dr. A. R. Wentz, Dr. Samgether and to find in their common Lord a bond uel M~ Cavert and Mr. Charles P. Taft. which is stronger than the rising divisions of Whatever may be the differences in opinion as to the feasibility of such a World Council of international jealousy and hatred. Growing Churches, or the methods and characteristics that should mark such a Council, there can be only Christian fellowship in a divided world cannot sympathy and admiration for those followers of but give to thoughtful souls convincing evidence Christ who seek to fulfil His prayer "that they all that in the Church of Christ is a superhuman may be one, even as thou, Father, art in me ann T power that makes for love and trust." in thee, that they also may be in us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me." AJl While practically all truly Christian churches disciples of Christ are called to form a united believe in promoting unity of spirit and harmony in operation among all followers of Christ, there stand against paganism, atheism and materialism, against sin and selfishness and to promote a are strong differences of opinion as to how these united faith in Christ with a growth in loyalty, objectives may best be brought to pass without love, cooperation and sacrificial service. compromise in matters that are considered essentials. The United Free Church of Scotland, for example, considered the subject at its recent As Dr. A. L. Warnshius says: "The mission- General Assembly and proposes to withdraw from ary significance of the proposed Council consists the ecumenical movement on the ground that their in the recognition of the world-wide character of affiliation would "endanger the whole position of the Christian Church. A .primary purpose of its religious freedom, religious equality and volun- organization is to make visible the essential unitv taryism for which the United Free Church has of the churches throughout the world that are i~ contended and suffered." "State Churchism vs. agreement with the doctrinal basis stated above.
Free Churchism," the historic Episcopate, and co- The possibility of now organizing a wor1d-wide operation with some church bodies that are con- Council of Churches is accepted as a demonf1trl'l- sidered "non-evangelical" are among the dangers tion of the results of the missionary service of the to which objection is made. Church. "Ecumenical" means the "inhabited The recent General Assembly of the Presby- world," and that includes more than North
America and Europe. Christian missions have from India, Dr. Stanley Smith from China and now made it possible to speak of an 'Ecumenical the veteran Secretary Robert Speer picture the Church.' The form of organization of the pro- world's need and the proved sufficiency of Jesus posed Council is based upon the experience of the Christ to meet it; and finally, on the last great day International Missionary Council. of the feast, the presentation of the Report of the Assembly's Standing Committee on Foreign Mis- "The missionary work of Christ is not finished, sions, with its courageous, forward-looking resobut only well begun, and it will necessarily be lutions – all this constituted a program not one of the primary responsibilities of the Council, likely to be forgotten by Commissioners or when organized, to cooperate in the advancement visitors. It renewed assurance of the fulfilment of missionary endeavor everywhere, so as to of the promise of the retiring moderator's constrengthen and extend the churches in every part fident sermon, HI will build my Church." Dr. of the world. The realization of the missionary Foulkes calle~he Church, with impassioned apresponsibility of the Council in its service is es- peal, to believing prayer and consecrated effort, sential to the achievement of its purpose; other- both in behalf of suffering China and sinning wise it will become merely an academic debating Japan, and for all mission lands, where, though society. Missions are no mere department of the the harvest is great and the laborers few, yet the life of the Church, to be remembered only by a Lord of the harvest is wonderfully blessing both minority of its members. The whole life of the the sowing of the seed and the garnering of the whole Church must be directed to the fulfillment sheaves. of its world-wide evangelistic mission." The fact that this Assembly was entirely free MISSIONS AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY from the doctrinal and judicial contentions, which have disturbed and saddened many recent As- It seems hardly possible that any future meet- semblies, and that many enc()uragements were in ing of the Presbyterian General Assembly, at evidence that seem to point toward an early releast for fifty years to come, should surpass in union of all branches of the Presbyterian order missionary signficance the Sesqui-centennial As- and the ultimate fulfilment of our Saviour's sembly, with its two days of pre-assembly con- prayer "that they all may be one," contributed ferences, which convened from May 24th to June greatly to the missionary inspiration of this As- 1st in Philadelphia's Municipal Convention Hall. sembly. Great encouragement was derived also Even the distinctively Foreign Mission Centennial from the fact that, in spite of the current financial Assembly of last year can scarcely be compared recession and the disturbed state of the world, with it. Everything seemed to combine to make the Board of Foreign Missi()ns has received more it a record Assembly. More than 150 of the than $500,000 toward its special Centennial Fund Church's missionaries were present; the Board of a million dollars for the reinforcement of a de- Exhibits were most appropriate and attractive; pleted missionary force and the restoration of the arrangement and atmosphere of the great missionary salaries. The group of consecrated "Hall ()f Fellowship," beneath the huge Conven- women present, who had just come from a week of tion Hall, left nothing to be desired for the meet- soul-stirring conference at Buck Hill Falls, were ing of old friends and the making of new, within enthusiastically, if not enviously, applauded 011 and with()ut the missionary group itself; the in- their report that, instead of raising a mere half spiring foreign mission gathering after the Evan- of their Centennial allotment, they had raised gelism Conferences, followed by the delightful every dollar of it. The Presbyterian Board, fellowship dinner the next day; the world-wide though made tragically short-handed by many Communion service of more than 6,000 after the recent retirements from its executive staff, yet Moderator's sermon; the Women's Reception to rejoices in the finding of able and devoted sucmissionaries; the Stewardship Breakfast and the cessors for some of the veterans, and is devoting Men's, Women's and Young People's Fellowship its energies to the development of new plans for Dinners for 6,000; preaching by scores of mis- increasing its official and field efficiency, and for sionaries through all that region, in churches of calling the finest new recruits to the colors. The many denominations; the Vesper Prayer Con- new Century of the Church's Foreign Missions ference led by Dr. Cleland McAfee, with reports opens with a cheer.* COURTENAY H. FENN. from all the mission fields and intimate intercession: the gathering of many thousands in the • The Rev. Charles W. Welch, D.D., of L()uisville. Kentucky, was Great Hall, the platform crowded with mission- elected moderator to succeed Dr. William Hiram Foulkes of Newark; aries and Board officers, to hear Mrs. Carruthers and Dr. William Barrow Pugh of Chester, Pennsylvania, was elected Stated Clerk for a five year term to S1Icceed Dr. Lewis Mudge, who is honorably retired at seventy years ()f age.
in Turkey
By the REV. CHARLES T. RIGGS, Istanbul, Turkey For forty years a missionary of the American Board THERE appears to be prevalent an impression his capacity as Sultan. One illustration of the that Turkey has thrown off her Mohammed- power of the Moslem religion over the Ottoman anism and is trying to go along without any State. was in the fact that the Sheikh-ul-Islam, religion. To understand what has happened, we who was the highest authority in the Moslem relimust first distinguish between official and per- gious courts-the Chief Justice, so to speak, of the sonal attitudes. Officially, the United States might Mohammedan Supreme Court – was the only be said to have no religion, since Church and State power legally entitled to pronounce a decree deare entirely separate. But that would be mis- posing the Sultan. Now, in these Republican days, leading. Officially, Turkey has pronounced herself when the dominance of the old Sultans is held to to be entirely secular; but religion is ingrained have been the cause of the many disasters to in the life and thought of her people, as it always Turkey, this union of religion with the highest has been. secular authority is regarded as a calamity. Steps have therefore been taken to abolish the power There is no such anti-God movement in Turkey of the Moslem clergy for the purpose of preventas exists in the United States of Soviet Russia. ing any return to the old absolutism and tyranny There is in Turkey no organized attempt to eradi- such as existed in the days of the Sultans. cate religious faith and sentiment; any such at- tempt would be rigorously opposed even by the Unfortunately, in the process, much of the secular Government. Nor has there been any at- ethical influence of the clergy has also gone. The tempt to get rid of the mosques, or even of Chris- abolition of the old mosque schools for children thin churches or Jewish synagogues. Religious and the more recent abolition of the medresse, or worship goes on in hundreds of churches and in theological schools, the reduction of financial aid thousands of mosques, without hindrance. It is from the State to mosques, the forbidding of the true that many old mosque buildings, long prac- use of clerical dress on the streets, the abolition tically disused for lack of adjacent Moslem pop- of all civil compulsion in the observance of Ramulation, have been condemned and torn down. It azan (the annual month of fasting) and finally is also true that churches have either been torn the suppression of the early morning "call to down or diverted to other uses, where the Chris- prayer" on the ground that it woke many people tian population has disappeared. But these facts up who did not wish to pray at that time-all are not proof of anti-religious feeling. While the these and other new regulations have given the Turkish State is absolutely separated from reli- religious leaders an inferiority complex. They gion, the Government has taken over the manage- feel that their authority is gone, and the average ment of the mosque properties, and repairs or man no longer looks up to them as the models in renovations are made by order of the Government all things ethical as well as religious. which also sees to the payment of the clergy. As One of the most ominous results of modern reg- to the Christian churches, the Government is try- ulations is, that in the secularization of all schools ing to regularize the affairs of each and to prevent and in the suppression of mosque schools, chila misuse of church funds by appointing some one dren no longer have any religious training aside for each church who shall be directly responsible from what they may receive in their own homes to the Government for the correct use of its funds; from their parents. Since the reading of the this person is to be one designated by the church Koran in mosques is still in the Arabic language, itself. and since no school lower than the University is To understand the situation in Turkey today, allowed to teach Arabic, children no longer com- mit the Koran to memory or learn its precepts. one must remember the centuries during which And with the suppression of the theological semthe religious and secular powers were united; when the Sultan was also the Caliph, and was inaries, one wonders just where Turkey will obmore powerful as Caliph than as Sultan, his reli- tain religious leaders of the future; certainly they gious dominance was paramount. In those days, will not have the preparation they formerly rethe Moslem clergy had a strangle hold on things ceived. There is a course in Moslem theology ofsecular, through their influence with the Caliph in fered in the University, but at last accounts there [327 ]
were no students who had enrolled in that course! pupils are all of Christian families. The Arme- The larger mosques, and to a certain extent the nian day-schools have thus kept on with their smaller ones, are still frequented by worshipers, religious lessons; and one of the Mission schools especially during the fast-month of Ramazan. In in Istanbul has its Sunday services in a separate some places, owing to the substitution of Sunday building; these are attended by Armenian girls for Friday as the weekly holiday, one finds more only. As for leadership – priests, pastors and people attending the mosque at the noon prayer ministers of Christian churches of all denomina- on Sunday than on Friday. Yet in most mosques, tions are on the same footing with the Govern- Friday is still the great day and often there will ment as are the imams of mosques.
be many hundreds in each of the larger mosques Further, the publication and circulation of of Istanbul for the noon prayer on that day. Christian literature is not forbidden in Turkey, Popular interest in religion in Turkey is notice- and many Christian books have been on sale for able in another and more unusual way -=In the a long time:….' Strangely enough, and without sales of the Christian Scriptures through the apparent reason, after a Turkish translation of Bible Society colporteurs. Those parts of the new Fosdick's "The Manhood of the Master" had translation that have been issued in the new alpha- appeared, all copies were confiscated by the Gov- bet have met with a good sale; and many Turks ernment, and the publishers were told it was "un- are reading the New Testament to find out what desirable." But this prohibition was not on the this Protestant Christian religion is. The Bible ground of its being a religious book. The Gov- Societies have opened a new store on the main ernment pUblication office itself has in recent years street of one of the great business quarters in issued translations of European biographies of Istanbul, with an attractive show-window where Jesus and of Mohammed; and now, within less open Bibles are constantly displayed; and these than a year, it is hoped, the entire Bible, in mod- attract much attention from passers-by. There ern Turkish and in the Latin type now adopted, is, and has been for many years, a weekly sel'vice will be issued from the press. This should meet of worship of one of the Evangelical churches in with a good reception.
the Turkish language; it is a rare Sunday when A comparatively new development along reli- two or three or more Turks are not present-men gious lines is the interest shown in the history of who are professedly Moslems, but who wish to the early introduction of Christianity among learn what Evangelical truth is. Turkish tribes. A book has appeared by a Turk There has been considerable misunderstanding on this theme, showing the extent of the early as to the attitude of the Turkish Government to- prevalence of Christianity in central Asia among ward Christian communities today. These are not Turks; there has also been published a book by being interfered with, except in certain individual the celebrated historian, Dr. Fuad Keuprulu, on cases in cities remote from the centers. There "The History of Religions Among the Turks"
are scattered groups of Gregorian as well as Prot- (192'5), in which he gives considerable space to estant Armenians in many towns in Anatolia, and this matter. A philosophical work by Prof. Hilmi each of these conducts its public worship. In Ziya, of the University of Istanbul, "Turkish Talas, near Cresarea in central Asia Minor, the Philosophical Thought," treats of the same sub- Protestants were told they could go to the church ject. Recently a long article appeared in one of in Cresarea, four miles or more away, but were the Turkish dailies, Cumhuriyet (Dec. 13, 1937), forbidden to continue their worship in Talas. referring to three recent Italian publications on This was decreed by a peculiarly hard-hearted this topic, proving that Christianity existed in governor who has since been removed. In Sivas, the early 13th century, before the days of Marco a little farther east, the Gregorians have likewise Polo. The author of this newspaper article read a been forbidden to gather in their church. But paper at the Historical Congress held at the invi- with rare exceptions, services go on wherever tation of President Ataturk in September last, in there are Christian groups large enough to sus- Istanbul, in which he set out to prove that Chris- tain such. Four Evangelical churches in Istanbul tianity had already penetrated among the Turkish continue their services as usual without hindrance. tribes by the second century after Christ. He is The question of Christian Sunday schools has convinced that the supposed Nestorians, who in- been more difficult, because of the name "school," troduced Christianity into China about the seventh which led the Government to classify them as un- century, were themselves Turks. He cites with authorized schools not under the Department of hearty approval the writings of Dr. Alphonse Public Instruction. Where Sunday schools are Mingana of the John Rylands Library at Man- known as Services of Worship for Children, they chester, England, who takes the same view re- go on unhindered. Another concession of the garding the early introduction of Christianity Government has been in allowing religious in- among the Turks.
struction to be given in day-schools where the Such studies, and the idea that many of the
A VISIT TO DUTCH NEW GUINEA
early Turks, before the days of Mohamm~~,:wer~ .it is certainly true that there is a more open- Christians will undoubtedly help counteract the .. minded attitude among them toward the claims nationalistic opposition to Turks bec9ming Chris- of Christ, especially if this can be dissociated tians today. We rejoice in all such light as can from any political connections with so-called be thrown on the early spread of" Christianity in Christian nations. Nationalism is still rampant Central Asia, as having ,~ direct bearing on the in Turkey and whatever presentation can be made attitude of the descendants .of those same Turks of the Gospel, it must be free fr.om any attempt today. to interfere with this. Thus we may hope for an While one cannot point to any wide-open door increasingly favorable reception of truth as re- among the Turks for the preaching of the Gospel, vealed in Christ.
o Q HaJmahelra /) U ('j THE DUTCH EAST INDIES-SHOWING MR. JAFFRAY"S RECENT JOURNEY TO DUTCH NEW GUINEA A Visit To Dutch New Guinea A Letter from R. A. JAFFRAY, Makassar, Celebes ~- Missionary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance W ITH the exception .of Greenland, New The trip to New Guinea and back to Makas- Guinea is the largest island in the world. sar took me twenty-four days, stopping en route I have recently returned from a visit to at fifteen different places, . three of which are this almost wholly unevangelized territory. Every in New Guinea. A map will show the location new tribe we reach with the Gospel adds a link of the three new fields that we have definite in the chain that will bind Satan for a thousand hope to enter with the glad Message of the years, and hastens his eternal doom. No wonder Gospel. Also in my possession I have a number he tries to hinder. of good pictures of native Papuans, most of which
are not presentable as originally photographed. million American dollars have already been ex- Our Bible School at Makassar is producing able pended at Babo. They evidently have faith for oil! Have we faith for souls from the interior of native Christian workers for the field, and we this great unknown, unworked field? At Babo it want to find new unreached fields in which they was a pleasure to meet Americans-geologists and can do pioneer work. We believe that the Lord aviators, who are working for the joint oil conwill provide the right men and women, mission- cern. They had flown over much of the interior of this part of New Guinea and gave me much in- formation about these' recently discovered areas, where we want to go with the Gospel message.
Again I felt that, if men for oil and for gold will leave all and go to the uttermost parts of the earth, why dO'-hot missionaries go with the Gos- pel? If they spend huge sums for that which will perish, why cannot we carry the imperishable Gospel to those Papuans of the interior who have never-dying souls to save? One hundred and twenty more Americans are expected to arrive at Babo during the year. When shall we begin to work for the precious souls of men who still sit in darkness and in the shadow of death?
We then sailed around to another port, the largest port of this part of New Guinea, Fak-fak.
One Chinese merchant said that he had heard me preach in Makassar ten years ago, during my first visit to Makassar.
Mr. Cator, the Assistant 'Resident, has done a deal of rough work for the Government in the in- terior of Borneo, and is now doing much the same kind of work in New Guinea. Modestly he told me of his experiences, by sea, by land, afoot through the jungle, and by air. He has discov- ered lakes in the interior, and many new tribes of Papuans hitherto unknown to the world, people who have never been to the coast, for there was no road from their villages to the coast until the Government made a trail. These people had con- sidered themselves the sole residents of this world.
A NEW GUINEA HOUSE OF BAMBOO, IN THE JUNGLES I had asked the Lord to lead me to the right people, in order to get what information was These houses are built from twenty to thirty feet above the ground, necessary to start Gospel work among these hith- for protection from their enemies.
aries from home and Chinese missionaries, to go erto unknown tribes. He surely answered prayer as His pioneers to these uttermost parts. and led me to Mr. Cator and others who knew the Our first stop, after leaving Makassar, was facts, and were willing to help. Mr. Cator prom- Ambon, a Christian island, the result of some ised to do all in his power to recommend us to the three or four hundred years' labor by Dutch mis- Government for permission to work in the newly sionaries. We had several important interviews, discovered lake regions. When one comes in the gathering valuable information regarding New name of the Lord, even to the borders of these Guinea, which is under the control of the Govern- lands where Satan has indisputable control, the ment of Ambon. Brigadier Woodward and his enemy tries hard to cast an indescribable gloom wife, of the Salvation Army, were very kind and over one's soul, and to destroy faith for the on- helpful. A number of earnest Chinese Christian ward triumph of the Gospel to every place where friends knew us, as they are readers of The Kalam Christ is not named. At this stage it all seems Hidoep (The Living Word), our monthly Malay such an utter impossibility.
magazine. The Papuan of the interior of New Guinea is Our course was eastward to New Guinea, and perhaps the most degraded of all the races of the first port was Babo, an oil town, though the mankind. He has sunk lower far than the Dyak, oil has not yet reached the surface. Some twenty "the wild man of Borneo." He is not only a head-
WHERE WEST MEETS E'AST-AN AIRPLANE LANDS AT BABO, DUTCH NEW GUINEA hunter, but a cannibal. He kills and eats his hu- for sin." The Christ of the Cross transforms men. man victim. Can the message of our Gospel save In New Guinea we also met Dyaks. We cQuld him? Can he too be transformed? We have seen the wild man of Borneo tamed, and become a never mistake them. They had been brought over humble, devoted follower of the meek and lowly to New Guinea by the oil concerns to work as Jesus-yes, thousands of them. But, can He save coolies. As I looked at them, and then at the and change the Papuan also? It is the supreme Papuans-like a flash of light it came to metest of the power of our Gospel. He has done it; Dyak evangelists from our Bible School will come He can do it; He will do it. over here, and teach these Papuans to love and trust, and to serve the wonderful Saviour that The man of the world, who does not know the they have found! The Dyaks I met were not transforming power of the Gospel, says that it Christians, but there are many of our Christian will take generations to raise these people out of Dyaks here in New Guinea, and we will yet find the deep mire of sin and superstition into which them. Yes, "the wild man of Borneo" will yet be they have sunk. But, as never before, I believe the bearer of the Message of Salvation to the still that the Gospel which we preach is "the power wilder man, the Papuan of the interior of New of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth." Guinea. A leading Dutch official, whom I met, By the Holy Spirit,this message of the Life, the was impressed with the idea, and heartily ap- Death and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus proved of the missionary working with Christian will instantly transform and cleanse the vilest Dyak evangelists among ,the cannibals of New heart and life, even though a man be a pagan Guinea. cannibal of New Guinea. By believing in the Saviour, he becomes "a new creature" in Christ A clear distinction must be made between Jesus. As one has said, "The blackest, vilest, Dutch New Guinea and British New Guinea. most debased, most debauched,polluted, filthy, Also, it must be remembered that much noble unclean, hard-hearted, evil-tempered, lying, covet- work has already been done by the Dutch Misous, thieving, murderous, gray-headed sinner that sions, especially on the northeast coast of the ever tottered on this side of the grave, is reached island. One has said, using a rather unfortunate and broken, and wonderfully saved and trans- figure, that the Gospel has spread in some parts formed by Him Who hung between two. thieves of this northeast coast of New Guinea like an epi- demic! All credit to the brave men and women
who are working in these parts. Most of them, ing. Shall we let them sink, and not even give however, are far distant from the part of the them a warning call, or offer them the helping fields of which we are speaking. Some work on hand of full and free salvation that is to be found the southwest coast has been done, but it is mostly only in our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ? . in the port towns, and among the mixture of races who have settled there. Where we plan to go, no 3. The Wissel Lakes District one else has gone with the Gospel. We have made it quite plain to all with whom we have spoken These newly discovered lakes lie down the that we will not tread on the toes of any other southwest coast of New Guinea, and may now be missionary, for there is plenty of room. The reached from the little port called Oeta. With Roman Catholics are attempting a good deal of no little hardship, a way has been made from the work in Dutch New Guinea. coast to these lakes. The trail is not yet complete, but will be i~. better shape a little later his year. 1. The Amaroe Lake District Mr. Cator lost his way once when attempting to cut the trail through the jungle to the lakes. He This lake lies in the midst of the northernmost was deserted by his men and had to return to the part of New Guinea, known by the Dutch as coast, but finally made the perilous journey, and Vogel-kop, or Bird's Head. The lake forms, as it found a wonderland of three lakes, some 4,500 were, the eye of the bird. Lake Amaroe is reached feet above the sea, and a popUlation of some from the southern coast up the Kaiboes river. The 20,000 friendly Papuans. His last trip took him port town is Temin-aboeah. From this town, a three months and a half. Mr. Cator has since Government trail has been recently completed to made the trip by air, and has made further in- Lake Amaroe. It is not by any means an auto- vestigations, his hydroplane alighting on the lake. mobile road-only a trail, a walk of two or three He tells us that the people were not greatly excited days. "Rest Houses" have been provided on the by the sudden arrival of a hydroplane. The cliway. A garrison of 100 native soldiers and three mate around these lakes is very fine and he is Dutch officers with their wives are now stationed anxious that missionary work be opened among there. One of the three Dutch officers is a doctor. these people. They are of course primitive, still I was assured that a lady could be carried over living in the stone age, and know nothing yet of this road without trouble, as even a frigidaire and the use of iron. Like other such unknown races, a billiard table had been transported to the lake! they are uneducated and uncivilized, but they are by no means stupid. They are called the Kapauku The immediate population of Papuans around tribe which means the "Mountain Man." Other the lake is estimated at about 5,000, and there is tribes may be reached by motor boat up the rivers in the whole district a population composed of which, at times, can be traveled for 100 kilovarious tribes of about 15,000 or 20,000, no one meters. Let us pray till they are reached for Him. knows exactly how many. The chief tribe is called the Mention tribe. There seems to be no Here is another world to conquer for the Lord reason why missionaries may not go there as soon Jesus. Who will hear the call, for not only are as the proper Government permission is obtained. these people calling, but the Voice of the Lord is All along this southwest coast line of this north calling, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will section of New Guinea there are rivers, along go for us?" Too many at home say, "Here am which there are peoples who know not that there I, and here I stay!" Who will say, "Here am I, is a Saviour. Lord, send me, even to New Guinea!"
2. The Island of Misool Over one hundred American men and women are coming to Babo, New Guinea, this year for This island lies off the south coast of northern oil. How many are coming to Misool, to the New Guinea in a southwestern direction. It has Amaroe Lake region, and to the Wissel Lakes an estimated population of 3,000, of whom two- plateau, to seekAost souls for the Lord Jesus? thirds are pagan tribes of the interior. The re- We will never ~rest till the missionary places his mainder are nominal Moslems, living in the coast feet on thisunteached soil, and claims it for the towns. No missionary work is being done at all Lord Jesus. 'lfhe missionary promise is, "Every in Misool. It seems to us to be the devil's island. place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, We have been recommended by the Missions' Con- that have I given unto you." Let us ask, and ask sul at Batavia to take up work in Misool. The largely, for the Lord Jesus has already asked for island can most easily be reached from the south "the uttermost parts of the earth" for His poscoast of Vogel-kop (Bird's Head). Here is an- session. He has' also said, "All power is given other challenge. Dare we ignore it? If we let unto me in heaven and in earth-Go ye therefore these people sink and perish in their sins and superstitions, under the awful sp~ll of Satan's . . . and Lo! ·r am with you all the days, even power, are we to be held guiltless? They are sink- unto the end of the Age."
Church of Christ Challenges the
By the REV. DWIGHT J. BRADLEY Pastor of the Union Church in Boston, Mass.
I AM not sure that the word challenge is the one seems interested enough in them to speak to best word to use in this connection. I should them even though they live in the same building prefer the word invite, for, while the Church or lodging house. of Christ certainly does challenge the city in important ways, it invites the city in a way that is Such a condition of human relations constitutes far more important. This is the conviction de- a very definite challenge by the city to the Church. But instead of talking back to the city, as it were, veloped and matured through a good many years and telling the city how impersonal it is, and how of experience. sullenly it ignores the people who live in its area The word challenge suggests a tension, and a -instead of answering the challenge with a chal- kind of almost belligerent attack to resolve that lenge-I think that the Church must set about the task of creating within the city's area a kind of tension. The word invite suggests a kind of per- friendly oasis, so to speak: that is, a "nurturing suasion which, if persuasive enough and if heeded, fellowship."
could render belligerency unnecessary. While it Cities are strange creatures, and have been such would be cowardly to ignore tensions that actually from the time of Thebes and Babylon, Rome and exist between the Church and the city, the Church ancient Jerusalem. Cities bring out the best there may well exercise persuasive power to the utmost is in human beings, and also the worst. Cities in an effort to meet the challenge of the city, provide unsurpassed opportunities for intellectual, rather than to meet the challenge with a counter- resthetic and social creativity and enjoyment. On challenge which might make persuasion far less the other hand, cities tempt men to superficiality, effective in the future. vulgarity and social deterioration, such I;S the Putting this in another way the chief under- countryside or the village or the small town could never know. Thus, the city represents civilization taking of a city church ought to be that of active at its highest and at its lowest-and in about equal friendliness in all its relations, both with its parish measure. The city is like a great divinity and a neighborhood and with the city as a whole. One great beast at the same time. But whether diof my colleagues recently said that in his opinion vinity or beast, one thing the city of itself can the Church, especially the city church, should be never be; it cannot be a neighborhood, a fellowa "nurturing fellowship." The implications of ship, a community where men and women as a this apt description are many.
City life tends to be terribly impersonal. In whole may feel truly at home. If there are to be this regard it differs greatly from life in the coun- within the city, neighborhoods, a fellowship, a try and the small town. There are certain advan- community, then some other agency than the city tages to be found in the city's impersonality; must be responsible. I contend that of all the there is likely to be less gossip and less of that things a city church can do and must feel under barbarous cruelty which the too personal exist- obligation to do, this is the most important. ence in some village communities seems to encourage between individuals and groups when these There may be other agencies besides the Church are not under the rule qf Christ. But even so, that cando this, but. we are interested in the there come times when th~ city dweller, especially functiOn of the Church in doing its part in helping if he arrived originally from a small town, could human beings find their way into a simple, almost wish to hear some gossip, and would be friendly, sustaining, nourishing fellowship.. Our almost willing to take the risks of heartless mis- Christian conviction is that of all forms of fellowunderstanding, if only he or she might really know ship, the Church has the best to offer, since it is a someone well enough to be gossiped about, or even fellowship based essentially on the fellowship beto be subject to the torture of a sadistic tongue. tween God and men and women, made most pure and most wholesome by the presence of Jesus The pastor of a city church becomes used to hear- Christ. Here is something that cannot be found ing people complain wistfully that no one notices in any club, in any social settlement or in any them, or seems to care anything about them; no other association.
[333 ]
The Church, therefore, invites the city people problem of contemporary secularism made more into the fellowship of God through Christ, and in- complicated by all sorts of fugitive paganisms- to the fellowship of the body of Christ. It promises still each section or stratum of the city's life pre- an experience of real communion through wor- sents its own peculiar challenges. The Church ship, through prayer, through constructive and must know its own neighborhood well enough to helpful work, through happy self-expression, and be able to "spot" the situations definitely as they perhaps most significant of all through that sheer arise. Having "spotted" them, the Church must sense of being at h.ome which is what we all crave. know with whom to cooperate and how to render In seeking to provide this, the Church comes effectual aid.
up sharply against forces in city life, and these All this having been said, it ought to be repeated plainly throw down a challenge. These are some- that the chief business of the city church is to times so openly sinister that we realize that they create and ~aintain the nurturing fellowship, by constitute a menace to the very existence of the inviting the city people to enter, and by providing fellowship we are seeking to maintain. The that feeling of homely and friendly security which church in Boston to which I minister is surrounded human beings crave. If the Church develops any on every side by such forces: liquor shops, gam- illusions about being able to "save" the modern bling dives, cheap pool rooms, as wen as little city merely by engaging in schemes and move- pockets or nests of viciousness and hidden crime. ments for this or that reform, the time of disillu- One can literally feel the presence of evil; and sionment will not be long postponed. Salvation yet, in the midst of all this, there live people and by outward reform is found to fail; while the families of pure Christian quality; on the streets constant, quiet persuasive effort to redeem the are playing hundreds of children who are as yet city-not by some great stirring crusade nor even unsoiled by the filth of the environment. What by some spectacular evangelistic campaign, but can we do? We can invite these people and fam- by invitation and nurture and pastoral care.,–will ilies into the church fellowship; we can gather at do more to promote the Kingdom of God in the least some of these children into the Christian city than any "activism" could ever do.
community; but by doing no more than this we Reform is necessary, of course, and a certain have only begun to touch the problem that our amount of the Church's energy must be spent in neighborhood presents. such undertakings. And no city church can prop- Here is where Christian social action comes in. erly do its work as a nurturing fellowship unless The housing in our part of Boston is inexcusably it is constantly on the look-out for opportunities wretched. It is inexcusable that gambling, liquor to develop an interesting program of boys' and selling and hidden vice should flourish in seeming girls' club organization, games, plays and pag- security. It is inexcusable that children should eants, creative handiwork, week-day kindergar- be obliged to play in the streets where traffic is a tens, mothers' clubs, motion pictures, and all such constant menace. It is inexcusable that any city wholesome activities. These, however, should be should tolerate such outward squalor and such derivative aspects of the greater enterprise, which insidious evil. It becomes the duty of the Church, is the nurture of the fellowship through the Chris- therefore, to do whatever it can in cooperation tian community of worship, prayer and ever-in- with social agencies, with the police and the city tensifying faith in God's love as expressed through government, and with individuals and groups, to Jesus Christ.
fight back the encroachments of evil, and to make When I first entered my present field of work, a positive attack upon the network of problems raised by modern social decay and by a decadent it was thought that we might institute a kind of economic system and political corruption. To do religious experiment station in Boston's South this requires the wisdom of serpents as well as End. I have long since abandoned that notion. the harmlessness of doves. It requires courage A church must not be used as an experiment staand patience, backed up by common sense and tion, for it cannot become such without becoming a species of monstrosity. The people of a church Christian devotion, and implemented by the best are not "guinea pigs," upon whom an aspiring available knowledge of sociological and psycho- parson may tryout certain social and ethical thelogical, as well as practical political techniques. ories. Far from this, a church is a church whether In different sections of the city, the problems it be set down in a city or set up in a suburb or vary somewhat, at least in degree, from those we set out in a country town. And a church is a bit face in Boston's South End. In each case, in each of the Church-a cell in the Body of Christ. The parish, it is necessary to know what the problems task of the Church is fundamentally the same in are in order to be able to attack them with any all places: namely, the establishment on earth of effectiveness. While the underlying problem is a community as nearly as possible like the com- common to all sections of any modern city-the munity of Heaven.
"A CHARGE RATHER THAN A RETREAT"
The city throws down a challenge to the Church that the Church may find itself under moral oblito settle such a community in its midst, despite the gation also to make effective use of the knotted hindrances which city life inevitably puts in the cords as Jesus did. Nor does it preclude the posway. The Church best answers this challenge by sibility that the Church may let itself be led, by repeating in deed as well as word the invitation the city in its sin, to that Calvary of sacrifice and of Jesus to the whole world: "Come unto me, all suffering which, in the final term, always proves ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give to be the spot from which the redemption of all you rest." This does not preclude the possibility earthly cities invariably comes!
"A Charge Rather Than a Retre,at"
I By the REV. RICHARD E. SCULLY, Ph.D., D.D.
1)1- Executive Secretary, Good Will Industries, Cincinnati, Ohio ~==============================~ I T IS notoriously true that the Church has he had a change of heart. This is what he says: tended to run away from areas that become a "Let us look now at another problem of city moral and spiritual wilderness, to fields where church work which cuts across the strategy, mes- the pastures were greener. In downtown Cin- sage, and program. It has to do with desire on cinnati a marked trend in the last thirty-five years the part of the churches to seek the greener pas- has been the merging or moving out of churches. tures which lie over the fence. For ten years we Especially has this been true in the west down- have been seeing a scramble on the part of all the town area. In this section sixteen Protestant denominations to pre-empt the locations in grow- churches have closed their doors. The chief fac- ing suburban communities where a future for tors that have contributed to this retreat are the Protestantism was bound to exist. The writer of shift of population and the economic inability of this paper was probably the most guilty of all men the present people to support churches. Such a at this very point. He went up and down his situation calls for "a charge rather than a re- bailiwick preaching over and over to people that treat." the huge investments of denominational money In his volume, "The Economic Sources of De- should be taken out of unproductive downtown nominationalism," Richard Niehbuhr has shown centers and should be located in productive sub- that from the beginning of Christianity the estab- urban home areas. Nor was this wholly untrue.
lished religious bodies have tended to neglect the On this basis the Society for which I work spent people called "disinherited." He gives many illus- many hundreds of dollars in producing a survey trations of this' process· of passing by these of the church work in the three counties served wounded people, "on the other side." by our' Society. The opening chapter of that book, Large tenement house sections are considered which had my entire sympathy and approval at unproductive from the standpoint of the Church, the time, was a discussion of a map which showed and a spirited debate has gone on whether to the areas in these three counties which probably spend missionary money in such areas, or in more would be the least productive places in which to promising fields. The other day a minister of a establish churches. By varied degrees of shading fine hill-top church remarked that the City Mis- these maps also pointed out the best of the happy sionary Society should stop sinking its money in hunting grounds and those in-between places hopeless areas, but should put it in newly devel- where there was a fair chance of livelihood. But, oped suburbs where people are building homes, somehow, I am not so greatly impressed with that and can afford to support the church. map. There is growing on me, instead, a feeling Without question new suburbs of the middle that churches should be erected and programs car- class people should be churched. Denominational ried on, not from the standpoint of whether a Boards will see to that. But, from the missionary successful church can be developed, but from the standpoint, whether we should take missionary standpoint of the need-condition of a community."
funds from blighted areas to put in more prom- In our more blighted areas, in Cincinnati, where ising fields is a serious question. The head of a the little ones have been called "The Children of city missionary society in a large city at one time the Shadows," we have not altogether made the was convinced that this was the best policy. Then mistake of deserting these areas where the need
was great. In fact, we have strengthened rather Visits also revealed the fact that there were than weakened our ministry in the basin 'of the many handicapped people, physically, mentally, as well as economically, and that these people city. wanted "not charity but a chance." Out of this At five different points, weak churches were need grew the Good Will Industries, with its workshops, offering work opportunities instead of combined into one charge, and a stronger per- alms. (See Frontispiece.) sonnel made possible by the uniting of funds, in addition, a deaconess assigned to each one of these In eighteen years almost three quarters of a combined charges, and a more able pastor ap- million dollars were paid in wages to handicapped pointed. Very good results have been obtained. people.
Another wise allocation of funds strengthened The little mission church has continued to the hands of a struggling little mission in the preach the Gospel through its Sunday services poorer section of the city. The church superin- and, in due "time, was able to build a beautiful tendent of missions, instead of spreading thin the little Gothic structure which has portrayed the funds that were available, concentrated them in beauty and dignity of religion. this one point where the need was outstanding. The result has been that there has grown up a Delinquency was recognized as being one of the strong church and missionary institution that great problems of this field, so the facilities minhas commanded the respect of the city. From a istering to boys and girls were greatly enlarged little struggling mission, with an annual budget in the way of play rooms, gymnasium, library, inof $2,200, it has grown to an institutional church dustrial clubs, art, music and character building with a budget running from ninety to one hun- activities. Now the Children's Settlement Departdred thousand dollars. This has happened in a ment registers about one thousand persons. field where eight other churches of that denomination have moved out, and eight other Protes- Through proper support and enterprise, other tant churches also. activities were made possible. The institution, seeing the plight of children in summer, on hot A survey of this great tenement house section city streets and in uncomfortable homes, with tuberculosis taking a large toll, purchased a onerevealed the fact that 95 % of the people were hundred-acre farm and established a fresh air camp for the children of the tenements. This was renters. The density of the population had so a boon, for the "children of the shadows" now increased that in comparison with a growing had glorious sunshine and beautiful country to suburb to the west, it was found that there were take the place of their dark homes. When Spring fifty-two times as many people per acre in the arrives the children can scarcely wait until they tenement house section as in the suburb of middle- can make the trip to their "country club," as Jane class people. Addams called her fresh-air farm for tenement house children. The Public Health Survey reported twice as much disease among the tenement house dwellers Still another need was apparent, and that was in this section as among those living in the proper housing of elderly people. One day an op- portunity presented itself when a former college suburbs and in separate homes. building was abandoned" and the building was of- The State Department of Charities and Cor- fered to the Good Will Institution for its use as a Home for Elderly People who could not purrection reported that 70 % of the inmates of hos- chase their way into an expensive home for the aged. Here they may live together in good felpitals, jails and workhouses came from this lowship, the only requirement being good charcongested area, and the census tracts show a acter and ability to pay room rent at a minimum majority of delinquency of the city is in this basin cost. area. In this "Wesley House," as it is called, town "In making a charge" on this blighted field, one meetings, entertainments and religious meetings of the first things which was done was to establish are held. The building was fortunate in having a playground for children who have no other parlors which afford a delightful place for fellowplace but the city streets and the near-by railroad ship meetings and entertainments. yards, always involving danger to life and limb. In all the activities of this work, established in While the little mission continued to preach the the West End of Cincinnati in 1918, religion has Gospel, supposedly to "the poor who heard it always been the motivating force. Contrary to gladly," yet not very much progress was made. the view of some social workers that you cannot The people had physical, social and economic carryon a religious enterprise with social work, needs to which the mission had paid little or no this institution has always maintained religious attention. services in all of its varied departments.
Discovering that many women were breadwinners in their families, and were forced to leave their children with neighbors who gave them inadequate attention, a Day Nursery was established.
THE POWER OF A WOMAN'S FAITH
It is, very difficult to judge the results. With- petitor to the pool room,. gambling joint, and quesout question many hear the Gospel gladly, and are tionable dance hall. happy to have a well-ordered church with good appointments for their own kind, not feeling at Here handicapped men and women find not only home in churches where fashion 'and culture a physical and ther~peutic value but also a moral count more. and spiritul value in earning their own way in the industrial department rather than being pau- Without question, too, rough-and-ready boys re- perized and morally broken by accepting relief. ceive something when they apply their hands in building aeroplane models, doing linoleum block When some of the younger people marry and work, building radios, and working in their Junior move off to the better suburbs, and still retain Achievement workshops. The boys also come in their interest in the church, one feels that the off the streets to play in game room and gymna- money invested and the seed sown in the tenement sium under efficient supervisors. house wilderness has not been sown in vain.
Without question there must be value in the set- This enterprise has come into being because a tlement social rooms, where young people meet City Missionary Society, instead of calling on a under right auspices to sing and play together in mission church to beat a retreat, gave it support good fellowship. Such a social room is a com- to make a charge.
The Power of a Woman's Faith* -~ I By the REV. GEORGE w. HINMAN, Foochow, China 1)Be- FAITH in the power of God has been the mo- mits that Madame Kung, by her faith in the fu- tive power of every social revolution which ture of China and her executive ability, has has brought nearer the realization of the vis- greatly helped her distinguished husband in the ion of better things. And it has been frequently remarkable reorganization of China's finances. the faith of women which has helped the world The third daughter, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, in the midst of danger and discouragement, still has borne witness to her Christian faith. The to endure and to struggle against pride and power story of her rescue of her husband, supPo.rted by and greed, against the aggressors, the tyrants faith and Io.ve, has become like the message o.f the and the exploiters. stars: "There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their sound is gone out There is no reason to doubt that the faith in the through all the earth, and their words to. the end heart of Madam Soong, a humble Chinese woman, of the world." It is literally true that the testiliving in restricted circumstances with her hus- mony of Madame Chiang, and her brave and reband in western America, inspired and stimulated sourceful work in rescuing her husband from his ,the faith of her three daughters, who became captors in Sian, has gone out thro.ugh all the earth. Madame Sun Yat Sen, Madame H. H. Kung, and One American paper paid more than fifteen tho.u- Madame Chiang Kai-Shek. They have, in their sand dollars for the publication rights of the turn, brought a new and unquenchable faith to story. That may be regarded as an indicatio.n of so many men and women of the new China. How how pro.foundly it interested all the rest of the much the Chinese owe to that humble woman, wo.rld. who first learned the source of all faith in a little Christian school in America, where the overseas Students of Chinese history know that this is Chinese were welcomed and taught the spirit of not the first or the o.nly time when a wo.man's faith' Jesus Christ! and courage have profoundly affected the future of the nation; but probably never before have History has not yet recorded the great share such faith and courage been motivated by such taken by the oldest daughter, Madame Sun Yat trust in Him "who hath showed strength with His Sen, in upholding the faith of her husband, the arm," the Almighty God and Father of all men, founder of the Chinese Republic. Everyone ad- who is the defense of the weak, and the champion of the poor and the humble. All men of every * Part of a baccalaureate sermon preached to the graduating class land should be glad that General Chiang wa:s great at Hwa Nan College, January 2, 1938, by Dr. G. W. Hinman of the American Board MiSSion, Foochow, China.
enough to recognize and acknowledge the Chris- me I" Mary's joy at the message of the angel is tian faith and resourcefulness of his wife, and to paralleled in the lives of myriads of women who record that obscure verse in Jeremiah (31: 22), feel just as truly that the Lord has called them found in his daily Bible reading: "The Lord hath to definite service. created a new thing; a woman shall protect a man." The reason why women have a special power to save their country and society by their faith is But it was not altogether a new thing. Ever that their faith is not uncertain and wavering. since the days when Deborah "arose as a mother Origen, one of the successors of the apostles in the in Israel" and sang the song which is recorded early Christian church, said: "Christians hold the for us in Judges 5: 1-23, down to the days when world together." It is even more true that Joan of Are, that peasant girl of seventeen, women hold the world together, by their unrallied the crushed and demoralized French quenchable faith in ideals. Women are conservaarmies, and led them to victory and to the crown- tive in the be~t sense. They "hold fast that which ing of King Charles VII-throughout all the his- is good" in human relations. One philosopher has tory of civilized men, nations have again and taught that the development of the sense of moral again been saved through a woman's faith and obligation in the human race began with the inleadership. creasing dependence of children upon their mother, and her increasing response of protection Nor do we need to go back to remote history to and care. Though the males of animals forget find instances of the power of a woman's faith. and desert their young, the mothers show, with One of the Shanghai papers has just issued a spe- each advancing step in evolution, an increasing cial supplement reporting the faith and courage faith in the future of their offspring and an inof the Chinese women in this critical period of creasing responsibility for their preservation and China's history. The paper begins with a glow- care. ing editorial saying: "The glory of the Chinese woman, as exemplified by her heroic deeds and Another reason why we are so often saved unselfish devotion to duty while her beloved coun- through a woman's faith is that women are not try fights for its very existence, will live forever only more sensitive to the "voices," as was Joan in the history of the Chinese nation." In a text- of Are, and more steadfast in following their dibook which every middle school student in Foo- rection, but also more daring in what they atchow reads, written by a woman teacher in your tempt in carrying out the call of duty. Nowadays neighbor school, we are told of the faith of Kath- we have become accustomed to the march of solerine Wright, who helped her brothers to carry diers following the drum beat. But not only in through one of the greatest inventions of all ,times, these critical times – always in fact, there have the aeroplane. There is also given the story of been many women as well as men who "dared to Edith Cavell, who nursed the soldiers in the World walk to the beat of the drum that they alone heard, War and gave her life because she helped the and who kept step with that drum regardless of wounded prisoners to escape from the German circumstances." The faith in God that "endures army. Her faith in the cause of the allies, and to the end" is found perhaps more frequently her witness that we must have not only patriotism among women. The courage that dares and enbut love for our enemies, was one of the greatest dures is the central pillar of the home and the lessons to the world that came out of the Great nation. War. Women are the champions of faith, because The reason why the faith of a woman has so their lives are always an expectation of "the joy often been the decisive factor in the success of a set before them" (Hebrews 12: 2), in the birth man or a nation, is that women more often than of children and the successful growth of those men feel in their hearts: "The Spirit of the Lord children in the world. Even if they do not receive is upon me." They may not often express the the promises, "they have seen them afar off, and message in words. There are not many like Jane were persuaded of them, and embraced them" Addams, Maude Royden and Muriel Lester, who (Hebrews 11: 13). Beyond their own families can publicly proclaim their faith in peace and women are thus led to be the guardians of faith in righteousness and social justice; but, even though a better world, the preservers of all that is good, voiceless in public assemblies, many women yet and the prophets of that which is better just know that they are "anointed to bring good ti., ahead. dings to the meek, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to comfort all The failure of the Church after nineteen centhat mourn." How many women, in their hearts, ~uries to occupy the world more completely is due, rejoice to sing, in the words of that old Negro III large part, to the failure to fulfill Christ's hymn, "I know the Lord has laid His hands on prayer that they might all be one.-Daniel A. Poling.
A Christian Martyr From
The Story of a Tibetan Who Died for Christ -ef I By ALFRED D. ZAHIR, an Indian Christian I j3t-.- ~============================~I JESUS CHRIST has the power to draw out of which the Christian preached. The wdrds en- men the best there is in them. Out of Simon, tered the heart of Shunar, and made him think of the hot-headed, impulsive fisherman, He drew religion as he had never thought before. the steady man of rock. Out of fiery John, the son of thunder, He drew the man of tender, strong "What can this saying mean," he thought as the love. Ever since that clouds received Him out of Christian delivered his message? "My religion teaches that we may not look for any peace in this men's sight, He has been drawing men of all ages world, nor seek for any comfort of soul until we and of all climes. Men of every rank, high and have attained nirvana (the complete extinction of low, in every nation savage and civilized, in every desire). Who is this teacher who says: 'Come generation of all these centuries have felt the unto me and I will give you rest.' " thrill of His power, and followed Him at the cost With such thoughts troubling his mind, and of all that men hold most dear. How wonderfully real this power of the Saviour is, and how won- arousing his curiosity Shunar forced his way to derful and complete the transformation that takes the Christian preacher, and conversed with him place is well illustrated in the case of Shunar, an on the subject of sin and salvation. He obtained orthodox Buddhist who became a Christian, and a copy of the Tibetan New Testament and a few followed his Master to death. tracts to carry with him.
The story of Shunar comes to us through a well- A few days study of the Word of God, and hours of thought on the question of religion, soon con- known evangelist working in a dark corner of vinced him of the reality of sin and its deadliness. India. He was the native of a viUage on the It was a source of joy to think that the power of borderland of Tibet. His father being a rich man, Jesus Christ could free him from its bondage. owning extensive property in land and cattle, He decided that he would give up everything and Shunar lived in luxury and, like most aristocrats be His disciple. He realized that suc,h a step of his country, considered work below his dignity. would involve him and the whole family in great The little education he had received did not equip difficulties, and in all probability spell his ruin, him for any profession, nor elevate his character so he decided to say nothing to his parents until above the level of that of the average uncultured his changed life prompted their curiosity, and Tibetan. His unprincipled life was very largely might gradually lead them to the knowledge of the result of the careless and easy way in which his new faith. he had been brought up,and also of the undesirable society in which he moved. As he became more and more convinced of the truth of the Gospel, Shunar became a totally dif- Despite the fact that he possessed a strong reli- ferent man. From the licentious libertine and gious instinct, he had from his very boyhood godless infidel that he used to be, he now became shown a distinct tendency to be apathetic towards a dutiful and obedient son, a faithful and devoted the religion of his own people. A growing dis- husband, and a thoughtful and conscientious regard for the religion of his own country, and worker, dealing justly with his clients and sub- total ignorance of any other, cut him loose from ordinates. all spiritual moorings, and tossed him on to the Christ produces not merely a superficial change, sea of irreligion and impiety. The life of dissipation led during these years made him a profli- but a revolution in character. He not only alters gate and an out-and-out infidel. Shunar, one day, a man's life but creates an entirely new perheard a Christian preaching the Gospel in a near- sonality. The phrase "new birth" is not the- oretical hyperbole, but a fact. Men irretrievably by village. That was the first time he had ever bad, cold and indifferent become good, warm- heard of any religion other than his own. hearted and ardent seekers after the "lost."
"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy- Shunar's new life attracted everybody's attenladen, and I will give you rest" was the text on tion, and became a subject of popular comment [339 ]
amongst members of the community. Some said Christian friends across the frontier; there he it was a touch of lunacy, some that he was pos- expressed his whole.,.hearted devotion to the Lord sessed of a ghoul or devil; others that some enemy Jesus, and was admitted as a member of the had cast a spell of magic on him, and had thus Christian Church.
contracted his ruin. Day ·after day they watched On his return home, the retiring young man be- him, and offered sacrifices on his behalf, praying came so bold and energetic that he went about, that he might return to his normal condition. openly declaring that he was a Christian, and When many days passed and no change seemed to wished that everybody else would be the same.
come over Shunar's new manner of Hfe, his father' Whenever there was an opportunity he told men accosted him one day as he was returning from of Christ, and urged them to accept Him as their the fields, and said: Guru, or Lord.
"Tell me, my son, does all go well with thee, or Shunar's evangelistic zeal now disturbed the art thou overburdened with secret care, oo,trou- peace .of the"iamily, and they attempted to draw bled by some fell disease? Unlock thy heart to him away from the "strange deity" he had de- thy father and let the Ups speak nothing but the cided to follow. Once when his mother tried to truth." reason with him on the subject, Shunar explained These touching words almost brought tears to his position in the following characteristic way: the young man's eyes. Drawing close to his par- "Mother, supposing we all went on a journey of ent's side Shunar placed his hands on his shoul- a dark night, and I was appointed to carry the ders and answered: light. Do you think I would so hide the light be- "No father, I have no trouble hor sorrow of hind my cloak as to darken the path for the rest any kind; in fact I am happy as I never was be- of you? Would I not hold it high above my head fore in all my life. And do you know why? Be- so as to lead you in safety? You and I have all cause I have discovered the true source of been travelling in the darkness of a dead religion.
happiness. " But in His great mercy God has revealed to my "What is that?" inquired the father eagerly. eyes the Face of the Sun of Righteousness. He "It is faith in the Lord Jesus," answered Shunar can shine upon your lives just as He does on mine with a ring of joy in his voice. "As long as I be- today to fill them with true happiness. Can you lieved in our old form of faith I was so uneasy expect me then to hide the secret of this joy in my that I often felt desperately sick of life. I real- own heart, and not wish that your minds might ized that I was going from bad to worse every also be enlightened and your souls saved? A day, and yet there was nothing that could keep great peace has entered my heart since the day me from going wrong. I am not going mad; the I gave myself to Jesus. I desire now that you change you notice in me is the result .of the new may have this rich treasure too, and may know hope that has entered my heart, and the new hope the joy of possessing Him."
is the outcome of the new faith I have adopted." But to his kinsmen, Shunar's religious zeal These words were calmly spoken, but they en- seemed something to be feared and hated. After . kindled a fire within the angry parent's heart. they had tried various ways to win him over, and "So you have proved that after all you are mad; found them unsuccessful, they resorted to stricter I shall see that this madness of yours does not go measures, and persecuted him by burning his relitoo far." gious books; forbidding his friends to visit him; cursing and scolding him whenever he mentioned So saying he walked away and left Shunar de- Christ, and treating him more as a menial than bating the wisdom of the words he had just a member of the family. When these methods spoken. He was sad all that day, thinking that also pr.oduced no effect they adopted harsher he had hurt his father by telling the truth so measures, making him an outcaste and putting bluntly. But his sadness was overcome by a feel- him out of the baradari, or brotherh.ood. They ing of joy that entered his heart. dispossessed him of his property, and finally beat him and dr.ove him from home. With the confession of his faith in Christ he felt that the curtain .of doubt and uncertainty had When Shunar had been rendered homeless and been lifted off his people's minds, and that they penniless, some of his friends counselled him to now knew the secret of the change in his life. leave the district and to go elsewhere where he With this feeling also came the joy of having would be immune from further persecution, and made the first public confession of his faith in could live in comparative safety. Jesus. The conviction grew stronger and stronger that if he was to grow in grace, and would enjoy To such friends Shunar's answer was: the blessings of his knowledge of the Great "I have been called that I might bring the rest Saviour he must share that knowledge with of my countrymen to Christ, and might lead them others. Acc.ordingly he went to pay a visit to his to the knowledge of His saving grace. Do you
A CHRISTIAN MARTYR FROM TIBET
then advise me to turn traitor to my Lord, and started throwing more earth into the hole, and forego the wonderful privilege of serving Him? buried him to the neck. Then they inquired again That can never be, even if I must die for His if he was still willing to renounce Christ, and so sake." secure his release. A heavenly smile pervaded his gentle face as Shunar opened his lips and replied: Driven from home, Shunar went about from village to village, proclaiming the Name of his "Please yourselves my friends, and do to me Saviour, and enduring all manner of trials and whatever you will. After all it is only my body temptations. Wherever he went troubles pursued you can torture, for you cannot touch my soul and his faith was tried in the fire of suffering. which is my real self. The same is eternal and Often as he stood preaching round street corners everlasting." and other public places, men would angrily abuse him and his religion. Others would pelt him with At this they kicked his head, and marred it so dirt or stones, or even buffet him and push him that his face could be hardly recognized. RealIzfrom his place. The humble Christian scarcely ing that his end was near and the strength of his ever said a word, but blessed them in return for body fast declining, the faithful Christian opened the treatment they gave him. his mouth for the last time and said: As Shunar grew richer in Christian experience "I see the gates of heaven open before my eyes, his all-absorbing passion was to win men to Christ and I am soon to enter therein. Do you, my and save their souls. His love for the Master friends, think that yoU: are killing me? You canfilled him with great enthusiasm to proclaim His not kill me for I am soon to enter another life ::Name with greater courage, and to endure the which is a thousand times more glorious than the loss of all things for His sake. But his country- one you are now taking from me. You are tormen noticed no change in his attitude, the opposi- turing me to death because I sought to lead men tion to him gathered great volume, and his haters to Christ. Mark my word, more souls will find planned to kill him, and thus rid the country of Him through my death, than my life has ever won his "baneful" influence. for Him; and so my joy is great."
One day, as Shunar was returning from a cer- No murmur of pain or hatred came from his tain village, a gang of men waylaid him, bound lips. Those that stood by saw no shadow of his hands behind his back, and drove him to a anguish on his face; only the earnest eyes raised lonely place. Here they had digged a deep narrow to heaven, and the angelic tenderness and strength pit in which they made him stand upright; they covering the whole countenance. So Shunar went filled the pit with earth, thus burying him to the to be with his Lord in Paradise. waist. A great silence crept over the gathered group. "Now," said one man harshly, "take your choice. Promise now that you will solemnly renounce Men who had been railing at the Christian, and your accursed religion, and never speak of the kicking at his head, were awed and filled with a new dewta (god) you worship; or be prepared touch of remorse. For a few minutes not one for death." moved, and the silence grew more intense. Then as though waking from a dream, one of the crowd The suffering Christian remained perfectly calm heaved a deep sigh and walked away. Others did as the men railed at their victim and made likewise. Hard hearts had been touched and the fun of his religion. When several minutes had patient suffering of the innocent Christian had passed, and the sufferer made no answer, his spoken to their souls. Later the martyr's prophsilence incensed his persecutors, and spurred ecy was fulfilled and we are told that twenty-five them to greater brutality. One of them gave him men became Christians at heart, and openly cona violent kick and ordered him to speak; others fessed their faith in Christ.
A Church which is not at heart a missionary Church, which is concerned chiefly with its own selfish interests and has little desire to extend its messages to others, is not the Church of the Gospel or the Master. Christians should be the first to recognize that yet today we have the spectacle of secular states on fire with missionary enthusiasm and rejoicing in every ex- pansion, no matter what the cost, setting an example to a self-centered and lukewarm Church.
Moreover, such states are also paying great attention to the training of the young, thus in- suring a rising generation to carry forward the cause. In the Church we hear on every hand the complaint that there are few to take the places of the devoted Churchmen of the older generation who are now too rapidly passing from the scene; and, if that be true, the Church is facing a dubious future. BISHOP OLDHAM.
OPEN-AIR MEETING-LISTENING TO THE "GOOD NEWS" NEAR THE PElNNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STATION, NEW
Outdoor Evangelism for the City By J. ARTHUR SPRINGER, New York Director of Evangelism, Nation.al Bible Institute PROBABLY the very first preacher of the have been saved by God's grace and commissioned Word of God in history was an outdoor to take the Gospel to the whole world! What are speaker. It may have been Enoch, or Noah, we doing about it? but in any case the preaching was probably done In the city of New York there are over 7,000,000 out of doors. Some of the greatest preachers of souls in the small area of approximately 310 all time have been outdoor speakers. Think of square miles. This includes over one million per- Elijah, of John the Baptist, of the Apostle Paul, sons of Italian descent, almost a million more of and of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, preaching Russian descent, and over 450,000 of Polish ex- to large crowds under the open sky – and with traction. Altogether, some five million New York- telling effect. Nearer our own day, John Wesley ers are of foreign white stock. In addition, there and George Whitefield addressed great throngs of are more than 300,000 Negroes, and over 2,000,- people in the open air. 000 Jews, most of them without Christ. Less than Think of the great centers of population, par- 2,500,000 New Yorkers profess any Christian ticularly in North America. There were in the affiiliation and not over 600,000 are members of United States, according to the latest census evangelical churches.
(1930), thirteen cities having a population in Here is a great mission field and one of the most excess of 500,000 persons, containing seventeen open fields in the world. It is a strategic field, as percent of the population of the country, or a total New York not only has the largest concentration in excess of 20,000,000 persons. Cities of over of population, but is also the gateway to the coun- 100,000 population, ninety-three in number, con- try, and wields a great influence over the whole tained more than 36,000,000 persons, over twenty- land.
nine percent of the entire population. The vast Only a small fraction of the population attend majority in these great concentrations of people any place where the Gospel of Christ is preached are undoubtedly without Christ and therefore in its fulness for salvation. There are nearly without life. What a challenge this is to all who 5,000,000 in the city who make no public profes- [342 ]
OUTDOOR EVANGELISM FOR THE CITY
INDOOR GOSPEL MEETING–LOOKING INTO THE JERRY McAULEY CREMORNE' M.ISSION, NEW YORK sion of Christ; few of the others ever attend a result is that perhaps half a dozen are going on Christian service. These "unchurched" will not simultaneously, each within earshot of the rest. come to church services to hear the Gospel. If A similar situation, although perhaps less aggrathey am to be reached we must go to them! This vated, exists now in other parts of the city. means preaching the Gospel on the streets, supplemented to some extent by evangelistic adver- Borough Hall, Brooklyn, still is a favorite spot tising on billboards, subway cards, and even by for the preaching of the GDspel. Mr. Scott Asskywriting from airplanes, and by house-to-house pinall, who has been preaching the Gospel on the visitations. Such methods are expensive, either in streets of New York approximately forty-four time or money. Large numbers of people who are years, has used this location to great advantage. without Christ but without a clear understanding of the Gospel can be reached through outdoor Wall and Nassau Streets, in the heart of Manevangelistic meetings such as are conducted in hattan's great financial district, was for many, New York under the auspices of many different many years the site of at least one daily outdoor groups of Christian workers. preaching service. Every business day the "Bishop of Wall Street" and other men who have succeeded Columbus Circle, where Broadway and Eighth him spoke here during the lunch period at noon Avenue cross at Fifty-ninth Street, was formerly to the assembled crowd of messengers, bank one of the choice locations for Gospel preaching. clerks, and dignified financial men. Great inter- Immense' crowds would gather to listen to the est was shown in these meetings which were story of the Cross. In recent years, however, almost regularly attended, at least for a consider- Columbus Circle has become the meeting place for able period, by crowds running up into the hun- dreds. This best of all noonday locations was groups of all sorts including Communists and closed for outdoor preaching early in 1937. others who are unfriendly to Christ. Police and traffic regulations have restricted the use of the One of the agencies that has been most prom- Circle, and for the greater part of the week all inently active in outdoor evangelistic work in meetings must be held within a small area. The New York City so far in the twentieth century is The National Bible Institute. For thirty-one
years this agency for Christian education and service man, who was also intoxicated, took excep- evangelization has maintained a persistent wit- tion to the manner in which the American flag was ness for Christ on the streets of the metropolis, displayed in the meeting. He took it upon him- from a Gospel car, or more often from a small self to move the flag and place it in front of the portable platform. Hundreds of locations have speaker. As it would have been very disadvanta- been occupied in the five boroughs of the city by geous for him to attempt to speak with the flag students and other representatives of the Insti- between himself and the' audience, the speaker tute. During 1937, over one thousand outdoor moved the flag to another spot. This angered the meetings were held. ex-service man and he made considerable trouble.
Last July a Christian young man was talked Some young "roughs" came into the meeting and with after a meeting, who had received his one of them snatched the flag from the hand of Christian training in a Christian school in Tien- the worker who was holding it. It was recovered tsin, China. The young man'sf~tb~r was·a cap- by the speaker, but shortly one of these young tain in the army and the youngman, himself, was men came up behind him and struck him on the taking examinations for Wel'lt Point. Another head with a piece of glass fastened in a metal man dealt with at the same meeting was a young frame, breaking the glass over his head. This in- Jew, a graduate of Cornell University, who was in- cident was the means of bringing four men in the terested in sociology and criminology. He ad- audience to accept Christ.
Outdoor evangelistic work cannot be done by everyone. Often there are efforts made to break up the meeting. It is a very difficult field of evangelistic activity and those who engage in it should have care- ful training, and experience .with other qualified leaders. The leader of an outdoor meeting should know how to handle a crowd of people composed mostly of men. He should know what things to say and what things to leave unsaid. Heshould know how to deal with hecklers and intoxicated persons. He should know the Gospel thoroughly and should also know how to present it REACHING A LARGE AUDIENCE WlTH THE GOSPEL to others in the midst of difficulties and distractions. He should know at Madison Square, New YC)rk City, in overcoat weather. Daily noon meetings how to illustrate his talks with anec- are still held here by the National Bible Institute dotes. He should know when to mitted that he was confused. He said he believed pray in public. He should know how to reply in God but could not see his way clear to accepting when asked embarrassing or irrelevant questions.
Jesus as his Saviour. This young man's case He should have an abundance of God-given wis- shows clearly the need for the preaching of the dom, tact, and love. * Gospel and the opportunity that lies before the If the people of New York and other cities are Christian people of America and especially of to hear the Gospel, it must be taken to them by New York City to give the Gospel out of doors to those who have experienced its blessings in their those who are in darkness and confusion, their own lives. The need is great because our cities minds blinded by Satan. abound with sinners who do not know the Lord Perhaps one of the most dramatic outdoor meet- Jesus Christ and the Gospel of His saving grace.
ings conducted during the 1937 season was held The privilege we have to be ambassadors for the evening of June 28th at 65th Street and Christ is great, but our responsibility to the Lord Broadway. A previous meeting had just been who has redeemed us and commissioned us to concluded at 73rd Street and Broadway and two carry His Gospel to the world about us is even of our workers had just commenced a second serv- greater.
ice at nine forty-five p. m. This second meeting • The National Bible Institute recognizes the need for special was one long to be remembered. It was inter- training along these Jines, and offers courses in its day and evening rupted successively by two women, both of whom schools in both General Evangelism and Personal Evangelism so that were under the influence of liquor. Then an ex- those who wish instruction may be prepared for the ministry of evangelism. Special attention is paid in the course· in General Evangelism to the problems which are constantly met in outdoor preaching in the city:
"Unofficial" Missionary to
I —!{if By KROUM STOYANOFF, Sofia, Bulgaria IJ5t— TEAVING America to work as a Christian min- These people, whose way of thinking had Lister in my home land, many ideas whirled changed little since the Ecumenical Councils of in my mind as in a kaleidoscope-ideas and the seventh century when the stronger party in a pictures which different teachers ~ad impressed religious discussion was always considered right.
on me in the Seminary. I kept seeing chapels, The view of the Holy Synod is so involved in this pipe organs, beautiful and simple church services ancient conflict, and this view has so much to do full of religious depth; statistical graphs and with the political history of this country, that the questionnaires; ideas for or- idea of God had to shrink ganizations wit h i n the until He became a small church; ways of working Mr. Stoyanoff is a native of Bul- tribal God. To enter the with people outside the garia and a Bulgarian citizen. He Orthodox Church meant to church; personal and social has a Bulgarian wife who has never compromise and appear to work. I was full of hope con- been outside of the country, al- favor things which I could cerning the religious fervor though she received her education not accept. of the people with whom I at the American College in Sofia. Nor could I go about and was to work, but I wondered After an early training in the preach apostle-like from vilhow one could succeed in a American Mission schools, Mr. lage to village. I saw that land which, as I well knew, Stoyanoff went to America to com- much more can be accomhad long been antagonistic plete his education and acquired a plished by living with people to the Protestant Church. thorough training in the best Amer- for a longer time; not only In the name of Christ, preaching to them but also what course should I follow ican style. He "worked his way" giving them an example in through three years of high school, in Bulgaria? Should I work through college, and finally three Christian living. I believe with this Protestant Church years of Seminary training – no in the Church and so decided or should I leave it and work easy accomplishment even for one to work through the Protat large, living. apostle-like, whose native language is English. estant Church. I knew about traveling and preaching? Having been away ten years, and its many handicaps and that Should I work with the dom- having visited the length and it was dragging behind a inant Orthodox Church, if it breadth of the United States, he little. Yet this is the one would permit me? These returned to his own land (which is organization through which questions turned over in my no larger than Ohio, with about the I could try to carry out the mind as I traveled home- same population) to work among message of Christ for today.
ward. The political unrest his own people. This was two years When I reached Sofia I re- in Europe reflected itself in ago. The following article tells ceived a letter from a church dark colors over Bulgaria. about his experiences as "a Bul- in a small town asking be to The situation in the Balkans garian missionary to Bulgaria," in preach. A month later I left was growing worse every an unofficial capacity. for Assenovgrad, a small day. How was I to obey town built in the canyon of the command of Christ? the river Chai, one of the As soon as I entered the country most of these main tributaries of Bulgaria's largest river, the questions cleared themselves up. I could not work Maritza. The church looked like an ordinary with the Orthodox Church. Most of its leaders small house. Inside, it was one large room with had so much prejudice toward everything that seats for about 100 people. On the platform was differed from their own thinking and practice an old, worn-out pulpit. At the right stood an old that I could not convince them that I had anything portable organ and at the left a shelf of torn to give. They said, books. Above the pulpit hung two large gold- "It is true that the young people refuse to go to painted frames enclosing scripture passages. On church, but with compulsion they can be forced that Sunday morning about thirty people came to go." to hear my sermon on The Great Need of Faith.
[345 ]
The next day I climbed a near-by mountain and ister, in his name, to the needy, hungry, and destilooked at that small town with its crooked streets, tute. These ideas did not enter their hearts very its river and bridges, its many Orthodox churches, readily. Their life outside of church continued its forty-two shrines built on the cliffs around the to be the same as the life of the people who never town. .I loved it and wanted to work there. It listened to these things. seemed to me it would be glorious to try to understand the problems of these people and to help The interests of these people were very narrow. them, to love them, and constantly, little by little, They seldom read anything but the local daily show them the light of Christ which made me rest- paper-a one-page affair. They spent their time less till I should share it with all people. I was criticizing their neighbors. This constant gossip asked to be their minister, and entered upon this is the most cruel torture of small town life; it new work with all the zeal and enthusiasm of one makes life petty. With this in view, and because who for ten years had been preparing for just I received many papers from abroad, I arranged this task. hours when news of the world could be discussed. But I discovered they were not interested. Noth- Discovery-The First Year ing interested them except their own way of liv- ing, the welfare of their homes, the enlarging of My first year was full of illuminating trials and their business, the buying of another field. Anyerrors and discoveries. It began with sermons thing which interfered here they were ready to that took me a whole week to prepare. Later on crush and destroy. How could I work with such I advertized throughout the town and gave a series people? They wanted the church to give them of sermons for "outside" people. only peace and contentment when Christ was beckoning them to a new way of life. Very early I discovered a situation which gave me my first project. I found that there was an- Some of the people understood what I was tryother small Protestant group in that town, calling ing to do, and at the same time I was learning itself the Church of God, and having nothing to many new things. I began to understand how do with our church. Such a division seemed deeply the Church was a part of the life of these strange in a town which was already unfriendly people. I understood also how the special Church to Protestantism. As I made inquiries, hoping to terminology, which may be useful for the transunite these two insignificant groups, I discovered mission of theological doctrine, neither excited that the fault was not all on one side. In both their imaginations nor influenced their lives. Most there were some old people who held personal of the church-going people of Bulgaria felt that grievances against members of the other group, they had already "heard" the Word of God, and and they were determined not to allow any re- that God had no new word for them in this day. union. Hence I stopped pressing the matter for They would not be convinced that Christianity the time being, hoping that the future would see today has to compete with communism and nathe situation cleared up. tionalism; they did not think Christ had any word to say about these things. For them Chris- The more I worked with these people, the more tianity spoke only of the life to come and had little I became sure that for many of them the Old to say about life today. Testament was the center of the Bible. They seemed hardly to have understood the meaning of While I was learning much, the people of As- Christ's life and of his death. They had made senovgrad heard Christian teachings in termiof God a very strict, narrow-minded, doctrinal and nology strange to their ears, and teachings that revengeful being. It reminded me of the "right- were strange to them about this life. They were eous Bostonians and citizens of Salem" who making up their minds whether they wanted to wanted to purge their country of sorcerers. Here continue hearing this type of Christian truth also there seemed to be many who were sniffing which tended to disturb their slumber. They may the air for heretical teachings and who were ready have learned a little, but I was the chief learner. to throw heretics into the fire. I realized the great need of sacrifice by us who teach the life of Christ, and I saw also the great But these people had called me to work with need of his Gospel in the world of today. The them. I had to become a patient teacher, as one people decided to ask me to stay. who would teach the beginnings of mathematics to little children, hoping that by and by they So I started the second year in Assenovgrad would understand the higher mathematics. I surer of my position and of the Gospel which must talked about the love of God, love which we need touch the lives of these people. In order to build so much, love which will heal bruised souls, love anything on an old site, be it a house or a way of which will clear the poisonous atmosphere which thinking, some pulling down is necessary. But suffocates Europe today. I told them that we shall this process is always painful to some. As I see God not in the clouds, not in the smoke in the started "building the Kingdom of God," I had to church, but when they search for Him and min-
AN "UNOFFICIAL" MISSIONARY TO BULGARIA
find the best method of clearing away the type of long ago that inward beauty was most important.
Christianity which seemed to affect their lives in Almost no one saw the need I saw, except an a way which was not helpful. This Christianity, architect friend who drew a plan for the interior.
which had lost its passion for "preaching into the With the money from the English lessons, a part world," becoming only a state of mind, was futile of the plan was carried out: the pulpit was re- to affect the life. It was necessary to change that painted, the church yard was beautified, the young way of thinking and in its place build another people's hall was enlarged and redecorated. Fi- way, new, clear, shining, dynamic. To this I di- nally the church bought a beautiful little organ, rected my efforts during this second year. the best of its kind that had ever come to Bulgaria.
Soon I became familiar with the "secrets" of Fortunately there happened to be in the town a their special terminology. I realized when it was musician friend whom I had known in America. possible to use new words to impress some Chris- With his help our church services were modified tian truth on their minds, and when it was best considerably. to put the new truth in the old terminology in After the arrival of the organ we gave a con- order not to awaken suspicion. In this way I cert, and for the first time in this town Handel's managed to preach everything that a modern min- Messiah was heard. We invited local talent and ister would preach. Many outsiders began to the choir of the larger church in the near-by city.
come to the church and the attendance was larger The little church with its places for 100 people managed to accommodate 250 by filling all the than the membership.
Difficulties arose later when I turned from aisles and the platform. I read the scripture on ideology and started doing things. The first thing , which each number was based. The concert was that I wanted to do was to break the iron circle such a success that we planned to give another and which divided this small protestant community organized a choir to include the Orthodox people. from the world. I wanted them to stop thinking In spite of the difficulties made by some of the of themselves as the favored people of God, as priests we gave this concert twice. better than the rest of the world; I wanted them One idea was constantly in my mind: the to be interested in the spiritual and material con- Church of Christ must be the representative of the Kingdom of God on earth. Pe'ople must have dition of people outside their own group.
In order to start in a quiet way not to arouse a more abundant life because of the Church. Yet the suspicions of the Orthodox Church, I an- I saw misery everywhere in Assenovgrad, even in nounced that I would give lessons in English. the church group with which I worked. It seemed These were given free at first, until I found that tragic to see that even in the group who had listhe people had less interest because they did not tened to the teachings of Christ for forty-seven pay. To attend these classes many entered our years the principles of Christ had apparently not church building for the first time. Among them begun to work. The more privileged seemed to were the owner of a large mill and the chief of have no real concern for those with less ability the railway station. In spite of their prejudice and little money. No real help was given even against the Protestants, these people spent many within our own small group.
long hours with the minister of that church, be- In our group we had poor families who needed coming friends, and occasionally speaking with help, but the church did not help them by making him about Christianity. them independent materially, by improving their in an "Orthodox" Home means of support.
I was invited into an Orthodox home for a reli- With the help of some friends I succeeded in gious discussion with a group of more than thirty organizing a small loan fund to aid honest people people. For the first time in its forty-seven years to better their condition. By means of this fund of existence this Protestant church had the oppor- one family was able to build a place for raising silk worms. Another family was able to plant a tunity to meet the Orthodox townspeople face small orchard. A third could buy a pig which, to face on a friendly basis. The discussion interested young people especially. Many homes be- when fattened, would be used for winter food. gan to think of me as a friend, rather than as a One young man could buy a sewing machine to dangerous "propagandist" who wished "to destroy work at his trade. All were held to their promise the faith of the Bulgarian people." to repay their loans in order that others might be helped. In answer to my letter, Dr. George W.
When these people came to our church, as Carver, of the Tuskeegee Institute of Research in many of them did, the difference in appearance Alabama, sent me instructions for the manufac- was so great that they did not think they were in ture of products from crops which might be raised a church. Their church was so ornate; ours was in this region. I hoped that something might take so plain. The people of my church had learned the place of tobacco. I wanted the church to b~-
come, on weekdays as well as Sundays, the place faith in God. A few days later he told me that where all might find help in whatever they needed. unless I preached things which he approved I I wished that Christ, like sunlight, might enter would have to leave the church. I replied that ,every home and bring health and joy. there were certain things I felt so imperative that they must be spoken. After that his conduct dur- But trouble started right here. Some old peo- ing church services became such that worship be- ple felt that it is not the business of the church to came impossible. meddle in everyday life problems, and should not even mention contemporary events in sermons. Two other important events happened about Sermons, they thought, should be strictly Biblical. this time. One was that for the first time one of the Orthodox priests asked the Protestant min- The Turning Point ister to cooperate with him on the anti-war com- mittee of which he was chairman. The other was About this time an event happened which that money 4wd come and my plans had developed proved to be the turning point. One day as my far enough to revive in a new form the neglected wife and I (our marriage took place after the be- paper which had formerly been published by the ginning of the second year in Assenovgrad) were Young People's Society of the Evangelical visiting in a poor district, we entered a home Churches of Bulgaria. I intended to use the where three members of the family were sick in Ecumenical News Service from Geneva and to bed with typhus – two children and the grand- translate articles from the magazines which I re- mother. We thought best to take one of the chil- ceive, so as to widen the vision of some of the dren, a girl of eleven, into our home. When the people. doctor came and examined her he said she had tuberculosis as well as typhus, and that she ought However, for the good of the church, I thought to go to a private hospital where she would have best to leave before it was too late. Now I am proper care. The family had no money so I went back in Sofia, as busy as ever, hoping that God to the church treasurer to ask for a part of my will use me further in His work among my people. over-due salary to advance what was necessary. When he learned why I wanted the money, he ad- r know other young men who are trained and vised me not to take any measures,but to pray, as becomes a minister. He said I should not depend who also want to be ministers. upon the word of men of science but upon God. I One man is supported from England by people insisted on having the money and took the girl to the railway station. This man, and a few others, and churches who believe in him and in the work concluded that I was propagating some new the- he is doing. This makes me wonder if churches ology, that I had strong faith in science but weak in America will, in addition to the work of their Mission Boards, support other "unofficial" mis- sionaries in the places where, they are needed most.
CHRISTIAN THINKING AND ACTION People are confused; they hardly know what is Christian, or how to come to a Christian judgment on issues placed before them. Selfish interests try to exploit them; propaganda machines attempt to dominate them; programs and laws, panaceas of a thousand kinds, are placed before them.
Most people are willing to be far more Christian than they know how to be. If they could be mobilized they would constitute a tremendous force pulling toward a Christian solu- tion of many of our issues. But their thinking is not concerted, their imagination not cap- tured, and their loyalty not challenged. Is it not possible for the, churches to say, in a voice united enough in the name of their Lord so that the world can hear and so that any proposal of society or government which asks for the backing of Christian people, but which would protect property at the expense of people, would protect the privileged at the expense of the underprivileged, would seek material profit rather than the enrichment of life, would rely upon force rather than justice, would manipulate and control the gifts of God in nature for the interests of the few as against the many, would breed the fears that destroy rather than the confidence that releases and strengthens, would exploit humanity rather than enlarge the life which humanity lives-that any such proposal is not consistent with the purpose of God and the teaching of Jesus and cannot have our support?
Such thinking, if it were honest, might be disturbing. It might disturb our prejudices and present customs. But they are going to be disturbed anyway, and I would rather have them disturbed by those who are thinking toward the purpose of Christ than by those who think toward selfish views. ALBERT W. BEAVEN.
a Downtown Church Can
By FREDERICK B. FISHER * Late Minister, Central Methodist Church, Detroit T HE first step in making the downtown church provision is made for every member of the family: a successful representative of the Gospel of Nurses, in sanitary rooms, care for the babies and Christ is to analyze the life of the church. very young children.. A hundred of the older chil- No program should be attempted without first dren are in the boys' choir and the girls' choir.
making a careful scientific survey of the condi- A half-hundred youth are in the young people's tions, resources, potentialities and purpose of ,the choir. A full,.time choir director, with an assis- organization. Each church is a problem in itself. tant, gives expert attention to the training of It is difficult to generalize but for the purposes of these children in music, as well as in those phases discussion it might be said that there are three of religious .edU:ca~ion that have to do with public types of downtown churches: worship. The school of religious education, under 1. A mission to dispossessed residents of slum the leadership of a' full-time director, continues districts; its departmental sessions throughout the worship period, as well as one hour following. Trained 2. A social center and preaching point for lodg- teachers are in charge of the various departments, ing-house people and transient hotel even though in some cases it means an honorarium guests; for the service rendered. We believe that the church budget must of necessity provide expert 3. A cosmopolitan center of worship for kin- training for children and youth, because of the dred spirits from every part of the city. danger of leaving such training to haphazard It is impossible for one church to attempt to cover all three of these phases of life and work. methods and desultory instruction. The church is The geographical location, the social traditions so located that all the street car lines and bus and constituency, as well as the financial resources routes of the city pass the door.
and ministerial leadership, must all be taken into Our constituency is divided into fourteen terri- account. These factors will very largely deter- torial units, with a leader in charge of each sub- mine the type of service the church can render. urban section. This leader has a group of four Central Church, Detroit, about which I have lieutenants, who by telephone and personal visita- been requested to write, is not, strictly speaking, tion keep in touch with the constituency of that a downtown church. In spite of the fact that it area with reference to sickness, church attend- is located at the very heart of the city and sur- anee, financial support' and spiritual guidance.
rounded by hotels, department stores, banks, One of the slogans of Cehtral Church has come to theaters and office buildings, it has remained a be "We are fourteen community churches." We dynamic family church. Not more than one fourth h~ve discovered that this plan does not compete of our congregations could be said to belong to with, nor proselytefrorri, the regular community the transient hotel group. Three fourths of all churches. The reason 'for this is that we have a the personalities to whom we minister are defi- specialized emphasis. We major on pageantry nitely related to the church and its activities. and color in public worship; upon personal reli- Only a few of these members live within a half gious psychiatry; upon social adjustment and mile of the church. The vast majority of our wor- reconstruction in the pulpit messages; upon a shipers and workers travel a distance of anywhere on selectitie school of religion; and upon popular from one mile to twenty miles. One of our careful analysts estimates that the average is eight Wednesday night lectures public topics by outmiles. They come in whole families. The~e is no standing' nati~nar' Vdfces. My experience in Greater Detroit, and in visitation among scores subway or elevated system of transportation in of churches in other modern cities, leads me to Detroit, consequently the vast majority of our believe that a great deal of unwholesome competi- people come to church in their own automobiles tion could be eliminated in our city churches if we and the whole family comes together. Once there, recognized that the mind of modern humanity is • This article was prepared for the Review by the late Dr. Fred.. divided by several definite spiritual interests. seericcrketaBr.y.F-Eisdhietor r.just before his death, and was sent us by his There is need for great centralized fundamentalist [349 ]
churches, where people who interpret religion in able burden. It is a heavy task to have a church these terms can come together for mutual sup- supper every Wednesday night. In the course of port and spiritual stimulus. Churches with a dif- the last year more than twenty-six thousand meals ferent theological outlook may serve personalities have been served on the fourth floor of Central that see life in "liberal" terms. The evangelistic Church House. This is an absolutely self-supporttabernacle and temple has its place. The plain, ing feature, but none of the money goes into the unembellished service of the Quakers has a real current expenses of the church. The women are contribution to make. There is also a wide and constantly interested in furniture, equipment, a growing field for churches that specialize in choir vestments, Red Cross work, family relief forms of ritualistic worship. Central Church, and kindred interests. During this last winter, though Methodist, is altar centered, with a high careful record has been kept of attendance at the altar and heavily carved symbolic reredos. We various activities, with the result that our chart have a processional and recessional in vestments shows a monthly attendance, on the average, of of purple and white and red. There are approxi- approximately eighteen thousand people. mately two hundred people in the choir organization, and on certain occasions the full choirs march Special attention is given to children, youth and in the procession. A "crucifer" carries the cross, young married couples. Boys are trained, and a "hook-bearer" carries the open Bible, and a consecrated by the laying on of hands, as Junior "flag-bearer" carries the flag. The ministers are Deacons for assistants at the altar. Crucifers, in vestments, and wear stoles which vary in color book~bearers and flag-bearers are all similarly with the seasons of the church year. It is inter- trained and consecrated. Special confirmation esting to find what a strong appeal this makes to classes are held for the training of young people modern youth. In the midst of this colorful serv- as to the meaning of church membership, and ice of worship, the pulpit message deals with Gos- white capes with purple cross embroidered on the pel as it. relates to social justice, problems of collar are used in the confirmation ceremony. personality adjustment, and the vital issues of modern life. The newest feature to be added to the life of the church is a specialist in psychiatry and person- There are two distinct Sunday congregations, alityadjustment. He is a medical doctor with his morning and evening. Few of those who fill the degree in philosophy from Vienna, Austria, where church on Sunday. morning come again at night. he has been a student and a lecturer on the fac- The services differ in emphasis, with the result uIty with Freud, Adler, Jung and others. Lecthat there is a solid Sunday morning congregation tures are given in personality adjustment, and the and an equally solid evening congregation. problems of psychology and nervous diseases, to selected groups, and hours for personal consulta- Wednesday night is a gathering of all the clans. tion are provided. Modest fees are charged for It is a "church night." .School children begin to these personal consultations. No hospitalization arrive at three or half-past three on Wednesday or actual treatment of patients is provided afternoon, before the real activities hegin. They through the church, but all pathological cases are bring their home work from school, and rooms are referred to their own doctors and to the regular made available, under proper direction, for home hospital staff of the city. study. If they come from families which cannot afford to pay the price of the church supper, a Central Church cannot claim entire success. room is provided where they may open their own The problems are great. The complexities of lunch baskets and have a good time together. modern urban and industrial life make experi- Many of the other children are served in these ment essential, with its attendant failures and same rooms, so that there is not the consciousness inadequacies. The staff is composed of thirteen of prosperity or poverty and there is an utter full-time people. The mere statement of this fact lack of self-consciousness. By five o'clock a va- will reveal to ministers and laymen the problem riety of activities is under way: Bible 'study of supporting an organization of this size. Howgroups of youth and adults; youth forum; Boy ever, the church has no debt, and a group of Scouts and Camp Fire Girls; dramatic clubs and splendid laymen manages the finances with great orchestras; handicraft classes; choir mothers' devotion. Our small endowment helps to make club; hoys' choirs and girls' choirs in practice; possible a program like this at the heart of an committees on social justice, parish visitation, industrial city. One interesting feature is that financial budgets, religious education and other all three ministers have had experience on the subjects. At six o'clock there are several simul- foreign mission field. These three men and their taneous suppers. The efficient women's commit- wives all feel that they are performing the most tee employs a full-time housekeeper and other essential missionary task of their lives. The dihelpers, so as not to make this feature an unbear- rector of religious education is likewise a former missionary of the foreign field.
to the City of
By the REV. CHARLES HATCH SEARS, D.D.
Author of "The City Man"
O NE is bold indeed who attempts to describe follow the crowd, to lose a sense of individual re- the future formation of a molten mass. sponsibility. Collective behavior tends to level Scientists may do this on the basis of well down character, as erosion wears away high'
established natural laws. Social laws affecting mountains. Individual character has been devel- environment are not nearly so well established. oped in America, at any rate within a family and Spiritual laws may be clearly marked out in terms within a neighborhood setting. In a city, particu- of individual conduct but are less defined in their larly in a great city, the individual has quite gen- social application. erally been separated from his family and from It seems clear, however, that the church is jus- the neighborhood in which he was reared. He has tified in looking to the world of tomorrow in too frequently been forced to live in isolation. The terms of facts which are clearly discernible today. city man touches elbows with thousands, but The Fact of Urban Life touches hearts with few. The city man lives in isolation within a multitude of contacts. A city In looking to the city of tomorrow the church is where men die of loneliness in a crowd. He has must accept the fact of urban life. This fact is to do with people whom he does not know and accepted on the basis of a general trend of a forces that he does not understand. He is com- century and a half of American life. This trend pelled to make inferences and to draw conclusions.
has been accelerated during the last two or three He does not deal with the concrete but is com- decades. True it is that the early years of the pelled to deal with the abstract.
depression (1929 to 1932) witnessed a migration The city man has developed certain fairly de- from the cities, but already this has proven to be fined attitudes. Self-assertion is a characteristic only a temporary check in a generally rapid in- sin of the city man. Compelled to yield to his crease of urban population which during the pre- superiors in shop, factory, store or office, he loves ceding census decade was at the rate of almost to enter a little world of his own where his opin- 27%, with a record of sixty-nine millions by 1930. .ions have weight; hence the gang, the club and That this was an American migration move- the social set. The city mind is preoccupied, in ment is the more significant. It is difficult to this sense absent-minded. It tends to lose its sense comprehend that forty out of everyone hundred of relationship to humanity, to lose the joy of the boys and girls between the ages of ten and twenty ,common touch, and to cease to find pleasure in who were on farms in 1920 had located in some homely things. The insistent stimulation of city city by 1930. This is the more surprising in that life tends to produce indifference and inability to urban growth during the most of the present gen- make a normal response.
eration has been so largely augmented by immi- The creation of these attitudes is a matter of gration which is no longer a major factor in the concern to the church. It is one of its tasks to growth of cities. provide correctives. Its problem is to establish It is safe to say that the church of the future relationships with the detached individual and must accept the fact of urban life both because particularly to follow him into his group relation- we are gregarious and like to flock together, and ships from which all but members of the group on the other hand because it requires a decreasing are generally debarred.
percentage of the working popUlation to produce the raw materials of foods and fabrics which in The Fact of Metropolitan Community Life turn are subject to almost infinite refinement. The second fact which the forward-looking. city This processing takes place largely in cities. church must take into account is the fact of met- ropolitan life in contrast with mere urban life. The fact of urban life would not be of so much City men in the main have shown their preference significance for the church of the future if cities, for the great metropolitan centers rather than for particularly the great cities, did not so profoundly cities of average size. In fact, many of the smaller change people. City men are influenced by what cities have lost population in recent years. we may call collective behavior-the tendency to [ 351]
All cities have not fared alike. Urban growth with which the church of the future will be con- in America in recent years, particularly during fronted to an increasing degree.
the last census decade, has been strikingly selec- The churches everywhere in America have been tive. The average American is quite surprised to built from neighborhoods. City neighborhoods learn how spotted the growth of cities has become. have been broken down by the incoming of new Accustomed to reports of loss of population in peoples and by the exodus of the more favored to rural areas, he is not greatly surprised that nearly suburban areas. The flood of newcomers, men one-half (46.5 per cent) of all villages in the and women and young people, attracted by their United States under 2,500 lost p()pulation from specialty interests has created quite a new situa- 1920 to 1930-6,285 villages out of a total of tion. They have no interest in a particular neigh- 13,530. borhood. Their only concern is to live where they In view of the enormous increase of urban can be comfortable and within reach of their own population from 54,305,000 in 1920 to 68,,955,000 chosen group'1$•• in 1930 (or an increase of 26.9 per cent during It is true, old neighborhoods still p2rsist. There the decade) and particularly in view of the Amer- are still parish churches in metropolitan New ican assumption that all cities grow, he is quite York of which we might speak; many of them unprepared to learn that many cities fared very are in the suburbs though conditioned by the metbadly during the last census decade. Five hundred ropolitan structure; some of them are in survival neighborhoods illustrated by the recent coming and twelve places rranging in population from 2,500 to 100,000 lost population from 1920 to 1930. together of the old Church of the Sea and Land A very much larger number of cities has failed and the old Mariners' Temple into the new Henry to keep pace with the rate of population growth of the nation. As Dr. R. D. McKenzie points out, Street United Church, Presbyterians and Baptists of the 746 cities of 10,000 popUlation and over in 1920, almost one-half of them (354) showed a settling down together to a continuing parish rate of increase below the national rate of increase. work, but how changed the parish from the old It is obvious that the great metropolitan com- days of the "Kirk on Rutgers Street"! munities have grown in recent years at the expense of all other political unity-towns, villages While still prepared to serve so far as may be and smaller cities. These communities have tapped the sources of population;-in Europe, Asia, Af- along parish lines, the church frequently, generrica and South America, on American farms and villages, and in the smaller cities of America. ally, finds itself compelled to minister either on a Foreign-born whites, children of immigrants, Negroes and especially native Americans gravi- metropolitan-wide basis or to people on the basis tate thither like iron filings to a magnet. of a selective interest or both. The Community It is not so much the fact of metropolitan growth in terms of increased population to which Church of New York City served by Johns Haynes the church of the future must adapt itself, as to the tremendous changes in which these communi- Holmes and the Riverside Church with its dual ties have been and will be involved. The attraction of specialists to these centers and their voluntary ministry to the neighborhood in its educational association into groups is at the heart of it. This ever-growing process of specialization creates and social program and to the greater metropol- itah community in its preaching ministry are cases in point. .
The Calvary Episcopal Church apparently has chosen for itself, on the basis of its rector's inter- est, to minister to a particular group with a dis- tinctive religious interest. The church of the future almost inevitably will be selective in its ministry, however much it undertakes to remain the Church of the Open Door to All Who Will Enter.
The Fact of Cosmopolitan Life groups. As a result, special interest communities It is evident that the church of the future must or special activity groups, ever in process of for- adapt itself increasingly to meet the needs of a mation, take the place of neighborhoods. cosmopolitan community. The executives of de- Finding association within the group, to an in- nominational Church City Societie3, who have fol- creasing degree the members become subject to lowed neighborhood changes in great metropolitan the ethics and social attitudes of the group and communities, may be more conscious than the are not amenable to the ethics and social attitudes average pastor of the tremendous changes which of the community as a whole. Devoted to their have grown out of immigration and that are now peculiar functions within their own chosen group, emerging through the influence of the wide dis- they are disposed to carryon largely in accord pers'ion of second generation immigrants.
with their own cultural pattern and often with The presence of great numbers of immigrants, little accommodation to the larger community. who until less than twenty years ago were con- This creates serious ethical and social problems fined largely to "colonies," did not greatly· upset
LOOKING TO THE CITY OF TOMORROW
the cultural situation, or disturb the church The church that looks to the city of the future outlook of older Americans, but when the well must orient itself to a cosmopolitan community trained second generation young people began to and adjust its outlook to world vistas. emerge it became evident that great changes were taking place. The older Americans were not deep- Man, the Abiding Fact ly concerned that customs and codes, wrought through long centuries in the homeland of these The church that looks to the city of tomorrow immigrants, no longer had controlling force in the will seek to adapt itself to urban life, to metrolives of the second generation that was emerging politan life, to cosmopolitan life, but it will lose from these homes. They were more alarmed, how- itself in the process unless it has a sense of its ever, when they discovered that the old New Eng- own universality which was so strongly emphaland culture and ideals were being broken down sized at the Edinburgh Conference. by this infusion of second generation immigrant life into the best residence areas of the great To put the matter in other form, the church cities. must adapt itself on the one hand to its environ- mentbut recognize that while man too is a vari- It became evident that old incentives and re- able, he changes far less rapidly than does his environment. As compared with the shifting sostraints, old sanctions and social controls which cial scene he is a constant. While he changes in obtained in these cities until a score of years ago, outward appearance and in his customs and while whether in Anglo-Saxon communities with their his attitudes reflect the conditions under which he New England background or in foreign-language lives, his essential needs are the same from gencommunities with their varied European back- eration unto generation and among all peoples. grounds had been largely repudiated. The result We affirm, therefore, that the church must find its is a cultural phenomenon, moral phenomenon if universality in its consciousness of God and in you please, practically without precedent-a great its realization of the needs of men. body of people living without a generally recognized moral pattern and without sanctions hon- Staggered by a social burden which he finds ored by generations. It is evident that the church unbearable without the assistance of religion, imof the future must address its'elf to building up pelled by a moral imperative, the ethical contents new spiritual foundations to take the place of the of which he does not understand, the city man in old spiritual foundations upon which America was his more confident moods looks to religion for established. support and to Christianity for moral guidance. Christianity, in the past at periods of crisis, has While the immigrants of pre-war decades and met the challenge of destiny. The city man, theresecond generation immigrants of today have quite fore, calls upon the church to mediate to him a completely transformed old American cities domi- religion adequate to his personal needs and internantly Teutonic and Protestant into cities domi- pretive of his confused social relation. nantly Latin, Slavic and Semitic in race and Roman Catholic and Jewish in religion, there are Under normal conditions nature enters into the other factors which have had a part in the cosmo- creative religious process. Trees, streams, the sky politan process. and the stars are all sources of life valuable in the cultivation of the soul. It is apparent that Changes in the function and structure of these nature plays a large part in the cultivation of great metropolitan communities sketched in a religion when man and nature are living in norpreceding section have come in no small degree mal reciprocity. But is it possible to pursue the from the national orientation of industry, of com- mystical approach within city walls where the merce, and of professional life in America. A stars are rarely seen and where frequently in myriad of interests in each of the classifications winter the dust-laden atmosphere hangs like a has selected a major metropolitan community, pall over the city, shutting out even the sky? most likely New York, as headquarters with branch centers in other metropolitan communities. The city, particularly the metropolitan commu- nity, with its specialization in art, in music, in The church that looks to the city of tomorrow literature, is peculiarly rich in the materials 'for cannot afford to be provincial. It can not remain the cultivation of the mystical qualities of the parochial. It, too, must cultivate world-wide at- spirit. "A certain type of mind has always distitudes and relations. If Christianity is to survive cerned three straight and narrow ways going out in America it must become in fact a world reli- towards the absolute-in religion, in pain, in gion. The Christian movement in its world out- beauty," says Miss Evelyn Underhill. reach can not afford to think in terms of separate hemispheres of foreign missions and home mis- The expansive qualities of the individual may sions but of a church universal in space as well be cultivated generally by finding essences, someas in'concept. thing akin to universal experiences, in other human lives-by finding those qualities that life lives by.
The city is peculiarly rich in opportunity to continuing fact of urban life and adjust its prorelate spirit to spirit through a common under- gram to conditions which have grown out of the standing of ideals and through association in transformation of the small city into the great noble undertakings, even as we have found the metropolitan community. Facing the breakdown city peculiarly rich in its interpretation of life in of the old Anglo-Saxon, Puritan, and to a large its mystical aspects through literature and art degree Protestant standards, the Christian church and poetry. must address itself to the recreation of Christ's standards of faith, character and conduct. For the sake of the individual, his self-realization, his peace and joy on the one hand, and for In this process the church finds itself at home the creation of moral energy directed to social because it is still dealing with man forever changends on the other, it is highly important to culti- ing but forever presenting the same basic needs. vate the mystical aspect of the personality The fortunes of the church have never been inthrough an appreciation of nature, through aware- extricably bo~d with any secular order. It has ness of the essential qualities of the human spirit ever had standards to which it could repair. and through communion with God in Christ as the only source of religion and of moral energy. The abiding task of the church in the city, as elsewhere, will ever be to regenerate and to re- As important as these things are the church vitalize the individual and by this process to culmust accept as its primary responsibility the cul- tivate new social attitudes and to release a new tivation of worship in the individual and a sense ethical vigor equal to the task of social reconstrucof his vital personal relationship to God in Christ. tion.* As the church looks to the city of the future it * By permission of the Publisher, Harper & Brothers. the author is convinced that it must address itself to the has made liberal excerpts from his recent book. "City Man." adapted to the purposes of this article.
The Gospel in Mexico To~Day -~ I By WALTER MONTANO* Iffl.- FOLLOWING my decision to visit Mexico I re- Near Mexico City I was surprised to see news- ceived a cordial welcome from President Car- paper notices and accounts of the activities of the denas on behalf of the Mexican Government, Roman Catholic Church, just as in the most lib.. and from the Minister of Public Health. The eral country in the world. This was surprising, National Council of the Evangelical Churches, as I had seen and heard much about the oppresthrough their Executive Secretary, Professor Gon- sion of the priesthood. zalez Baez Camargo, had prepared a full program of evangelistic meetings, not only in Mexico City, My first week in Mexico City was filled with but in other States. As a result, I traveled a dis- meetings, held in the largest Protestant church in tance of six thousand miles in about one month. the republic, which used to be a Franciscan mon- astery. We began with some thousand people, and At the frontier, I saw that various persons were by the end of the week, there were more than being refused permission to enter. The officials fifteen hundred present. There were high army carefully examined my passport, and enquired as officers, government servants, representatives of to the object of my visit. However, my letters the intellectual circles, even Roman Catholic froin the President of the Republic and the Min- priests, in fact all classes of society, political and ister of Public Health were sufficient, although religious, were represented. For an hour each my passport described me as an "evangelical min- night there was attention, silence and interest. ister." I was shown every courtesy, and even my suitcases were passed through the Customs with- The way God worked in these meetings was out examination. The five hundred Mexican truly marvelous. At the last two gatherings, the dollars, which most who enter the country are local brethren urged me to make an appeal to those supposed to deposit, were not required of me. who wished to come forward and accept Christ. On the first of these occasions forty people, their • Sr. Walter Montano has been a missionary of the Evangelical eyes streaming with tears, came forward and Union of South America since 1929. His article appeared in the knelt, confessing their sins and accepting Christ. World Dominion. The following night, when I told the story of my
THE GOSPEL IN MEXICO TO-DAY
own conversion, more than a hundred came for- In Orizaba the hall, big though it was, would ward, crying to God for the pardon of their sins. not hold the people. The street was full and men The Gospel was new to these people, Roman Cath- and women were sitting on the paths. There were olics who, in all sincerity, were seeking peace for more than fourteen hundred people present. They their souls. Nor was it only the common people begged me for another day and I invited them for who came forward, but society folk and well- a meeting at five in the morning. At this hour, known persons. Professor Camargo stated that in the bitter cold, there were six hundred people he saw many people come to the meetings full of waiting. . . . The power and presence of God pride and even hatred toward us; at the close of were evident and we felt the fire of the Holy Spirit the service not a few of them were crying like kindling our hearts. children, among them an army general, who, moved to the depths of his soul, gave way to tears. From this last place we returned to Mexico City After the meeting many Catholics came to me say- for other meetings in the Y. M. C. A. There was ing, "I am a Catholic, but I know nothing about .a magnificent gathering of people who did not bethe life eternal, and now I accept Christ as my long to any of the churches. Some Communists only personal Saviour." in the audience tried to make trouble, but there were no serious difficulties. On another evening A Visit. to Pueblo two thousand united youth of the Federal District met me; it was a most touching occasion, when It was not my intention to remain in Mexico for crowds of young people of all denominations dedimore than two weeks, but Professor Osuna, an cated themselves to the service of God. They outstanding Christian, and a prominent figure in agreed to issue an appeal to the evangelical youth the Mexican Government in the time of Presidents of all Latin America to work on behalf of the Carranza and Calles, came from Monterey to Mex- forthcoming Congress of Latin American Evanico City and exacted a promise that I would visit gelical Youth, in which they proposed to study the Monterey. After prayer, I decided to remain best methods of a vigorous campaign for the evanlonger and visit Pueblo, Vera Cruz, Orizaba, gelization of unconverted youth. Guadalajara, Aguas Calientes, San Luiz Potosi, Saltillo, Torreon, EI Paso (Texas) and Nogales. In Mexico City there is a center for preparing These last two places are on the frontier of the young men for the ministry. The president and United States. Professor Camargo accompanied the other professors are men of real consecration me to Pueblo, and there we had united meetings to God, and the seminary is a center of training for two nights and a large number of people were for all denominations. As part of my program in led to Christ. During our visit to Pueblo, the first Mexico, the brethren arranged that I should give National Anti-Alcoholic Congress took place at devotional messages to faculty and students every the invitation of President Cardenas, with dele- day. God blessed these meetings and foreign misgates from all the Mexican states and from other sionaries, pastors of churches, professors from countries, chiefly Latin America. Dr. Siurob, the seminary, as well as the students, and also Minister of Public Health, presided over the Con- workers from Sunday schools, came unfailingly. gress and represented the government. He in- The theme was that of consecration and service. vited me to preside over the third full session, in my capacity as delegate of the National League of Other States Social Hygiene of Peru, and extended to me the privilege of being a guest of honor of the Govern- From Mexico City I set out for Guadalajara, ment of Pueblo. accompanied by two outstanding Mexican Chris- tian leaders, and again had most encouraging In Vera Cruz the church was full, and at the services. Our journey was continued to the places close of the meeting the platform would not hold already mentioned, and in every town we saw the the crowd of people who came pleading for our hand of God. The fact that most of the meetings prayers. The brethren asked if we could not re- were united gatherings tended to more cooperamain another day, but the itinerary was already tion between the different churches. There has fixed and it was quite impossible, so I said, jok- come a greater spirit of unity among the workers; ingly, "If you would like a meeting at four-thirty in fact, in many churches there are now united in the morning . . . !" Thinking no more about meetings for prayer among the workers of the difit, I went to bed, tired out, but exactly at four- ferent denominations. thirty in the morning I was awakened; the pastor and other brethren had called for me, and when Mexico is passing through a unique phase of its I went to the church there were two-hundred and history. The clouds of confusion have not yet fifty people gathered for a meeting. God worked passed from its sky, nor will they do so quickly. that morning in the hearts of those people! Everything is in a state of uncertainty and it is impossible to foretell what tomorrow will bring. The properties of churches and religious colleges
are in continual danger, for at any moment the of the intellectual classes; we stayed from seven Government can take possession of them. As a until ten in the morning, while I spoke to them matter of fact, many of the Protestant schools are closed and cannot exist if they teach religion. of my personal experience of Christ. Some evangelical schools have had to be turned 3. Now that the foreign missionaries cannot into purely commercial colleges or institutes for social instruction. It is difficult to understand the conduct definitely religious services, they are dissituation, for some of the actions of the Govern- covering other methods. Mr. Norman Taylor, a ment seem quite contradictory in nature to others. Presbyterian, is working with fine results among Shortly after I left Mexico, I was told that the the soldiers. He has a small wireless set 'installed Government had restored valuable property to the in his car, and Mr. Huegel gives them a Bible talk, urging upon them the need for repentance and Presbyterians. turning to Christ. All the soldiers held up their As Mexico is a Federal country, it is left to the hands asking for our prayers, and many bought Governor of each state to interpret the program New Testameqt,s. of education as he may Ghoose. Consequently 4. Other missionaries, such as Mr. Reifsnyder, there is a great variety according to the local attitude. There are a few schools where the teaching have sought some method of reaching the students is not only anti-religious but immoral; there are of the college and university, gathering them some teachers who pervert the children by ex- weekly for "lay sermons." The night I was there, treme programs of sexual education. . . . This twenty-two students, among them Roman Cathdoes not occur everywhere, nor is it officially olics, were deeply interested. recognized. Nevertheless, because of the liberty of interpretation and the fact that there is no uni- 5. In the midst of the difficulties presented by formity or standard of teaching, the enemies of the law, the workers have had to fall back on religion take the opportunity to inject their poison propaganda by the press. It is difficult to calcu- late the great results attained by the Latin Amerinto the hearts and minds of the children. ican bookstore, under the direction of Sr. Baez The preaching of the Gospel by foreigners is Camargo. The method which he uses attracts Communists, revolutionaries, students, professors, severely limited by law, but foreign missionaries publicists and others, and all receive the Gospel in Mexico still carryon their work, perhaps with even better results than before. The central de- message. partment of the Government made it clear that 6. The youth, indifferent hitherto to the neces- I was free to speak in any part of Me:xico with sity of testifying before others, are not only perfect liberty. uniting among themselves but are working openly; groups of young people go out to different suburbs New Methods of Evangelism in Mexico t and carryon regular services, also visiting homes. One such group has dedicated itself to carrying the Gospel to outcast women, a truly apostolic The restrictive laws of Mexico in the matter of labor. religion have turned out favorably in many 7. The difficulties which the evangelical bodies senses: face have made the Christian workers feel the im- perative necessity of more prayer, and a turning 1. The Evangelicals have felt compelled to unite to God for the solution of the religious and spirfor one common object, to preach Christ crucified. itual problems of Mexico. They have issued a 2. They have adopted new methods of evan- circular, addressed to "our brethren in the comgelization, which in other circumstances probably mon faith of Christ scattered throughout the enthey would not have adopted for many years. Dr. tire Mexican Republic," calling them to a deeper Wallace, a missionary of the Presbyterian Board, consecration of life and to the practice of daily and Sr. Baez Camargo took me to what they call prayer. "Wednesday Breakfasts" in one of the best res- t See Religion in the RClYUblic of Mexico, by C, Baez Camargo taurants in the capital. To this are invited people and Kenneth G, Grubb, published by the World Dominion Press, The Christian laymen in one Mexican church have organized a "Salvation Patrol" which works in the tenement districts at night. A missionary has developed a group of university students whO meet for the discussion of spiritual and social questions-probably the first ~or~ done ~y. Evangelicals for university stu.dents in Mexico City. In Tabasco, where preach- mg IS prohIbIted, a group of laymen orgamzed themselves as peddlers. With packs on their backs, they go from home to home selling merchandise and talking about Christ. A former ci~y pastor has dedicated himself to country wo.rk. He tells of a poverty-stricken village, WIth an ugly? n.ear-deformed, po~rly educated IndIa~ boy who went there to shepherd the little flock of ChrIstIans. The town IS gradually becommg transformed and this simple Indian boy is its hero.-S. G. Inman.
the Church Discontinue Institu–
tional Missionary Work?
-.~i By G. BAEZ CAMARGO, Mexico City, Mexico ._. ",,==;;;;;E;;;;;x;;;;;ec;;;;;u;;;;;ti;;;;;v;;;;;e;;;;;s;;;;;e;;;;;cTC_et;o;.;.au.;;;nTyc=oi;;l;;;f;;o;;;thf;;;;M;e=eN;;x;;;iac;;;;o;ti;;;;;o;;;;;na;p;;I;;;;;E;;;;;V;;;;;a;;;;;n;;;;;ge;;;;;lt;;;;;'c;;;;;al===!.f.l.- EVANGELICAL Christianity throughout the whole missionary program and to an examination world is looking forward to the international of the comparative and real values of evangelistic missionary conference called to meet in and institutional mission work. The question be- Madras, India, in December. Christians from gan to press itself upon the minds of both the many lands will come together to appraise the missionary and the national Christian leaders: status of the work, and to plan for united advance Should mission boards give less attention to elabin the evangelization of the world. Four hundred orate speciaU.~ed institutional work and more to delegates will wrestle with the most crucial prob- pioneer evangelism and the training of Christian lems of the Church and will seek to understand workers? our Lord's, mind and will for His people in these trying times. Among these problems, and not Another element in the situation was the growthe least of them, stands the whole question of the ing sense of responsibility in the National "institutional work" of the church, especially in churches and their increasing desire to attain the the missionary enterprise. ideal of a self-governing and self-supporting in- digenous church. This would naturally lead to Pioneer mis,sionary earnestness has been poured the taking over of the administration and support into several types of auxiliary institutions-edu- of the institutional work. New questions arose. cational centers, ranging from parochial schools In view of the nationalization of the churches, to universities; medical institutions, from modest was it the proper course for them to take over the dispensaries to large and well-equipped hospitals; institutions founded and supported by the missocial centers and even agricultural and industrial sions? Could the national churches support projects; other philanthropic agencies also have themselves and also afford to conduct the rather been established and sacrificially maintained the expensive institutional work as established with church at the home base and by native Christian foreign funds? Would it be wise for the missions organizations in the lands where they are estab- to withdraw their help from the support of the lished. Thes'e institutions have absorbed most of churches and pioneer evangelism and to devote the missionary budgets in many cases and often foreign funds exclusively to the support of instihave been used as the decisive argument for mis- tutions? Or would it be better to give up the sions. Many have found in their work one of the institutions and concentrate on new purely evanmain sources of satisfaction, as rel~orted in mis- gelistic projects, in cooperation with the national sionary reports and surveys. churches?
All seemed to be going well with these institu- In some countries there was a third and very tions until three new elements entered into the important problem involved. The national govsituation. There was, first, a serious setback in ernments were committing themselves to political mtsswn income. In readjusting the budgets, it doctrines of different types, all of which coincided was necessary to cut down expenditures. But the at least in one particular-the gradual or violent problem was: What appropriations should be re- assumption of control by the State of all the deduced? It is not easy to cut down on upkeep of partments of human life, educational, social, and plants, equipment, personnel and current expenses even individual. The situation was the more comof large institutions, without risking their very plicated in countries where totalitarianism was existence. On the other hand, should the cuts be strongly impregnated by hostility to Christianity made on the distinctly evangelistic work an4 on the support of churches? It was easier to' cut or to all forms of religion. This trend, often incorhere, but perhaps not the best way out of the financial difficulty. All this led to a review of the porated in a very definite form in legislation, has been making it increasingly difficult for churches in Mexico, Turkey, Iran, Korea, and some other [357 ]
countries to maintain their educational and med- people, teaching, healing and nursing the people ical institutions. Some governments have been to an abundant Christian life.
very active of late years developing a compre- In other fields, where there is a degree of cul- hensive program of national welfare, opening ture and social welfare and where, as in Japan, schools, dispensaries, social centers and hospitals. the government is fulfilling its medical and edu- Thus the institutional work of the churches does cational responsibility, the need for philanthropic not seem to be so necessary as in former times, and cultural work by the missionary agencies is when the missions were the only agencies con- not so pressing. It is here not impossible for the ducting it. Except for their evangelistic purpose, churches to consider giving up their institutions most of the institutions are now becoming a dupli- or their turning over to governmental or other cation of government enterprises. In several national agencies. The churches should be ready, countries evangelistic work in Christian schools within the measure of their possibilities, to coop- and hospitals is looked upon with suspicion by the erate with puba.ic and private philanthropic and governments and in some cases is even prohibited educational agencies, where such cooperation is by law – as in Turkey. When this is the case, possible.
would it be advisable to give up such church in- The stage of progress in evangelization, par- stitutions and turn this work over to the govern- ticularly with reference to the strength of the na- ment? tional churches, is also to be considered. There . This missionary agencies and the national are at least three main stages in evangelizing a Christian churches have come to face the prob- people in any country: lem: Should mission boards and churches of the First, there is the approach, penetration, and missionary-sending countries withdraw from edu- planting of the first organized groups of converts, . cational and philanthropic work on the field and entirely under the wings of the mother churches throw the responsibility for these forms of service and under the almost exclusive leadership of the on the churches and governments on the various foreign missionaries. Forms of organization, fields? methods of work, supporting funds and leaders, Obviously, this question cannot be answered all have come from abroad.
categorically Yes, or No. The answer depends The second stage is one of national growth, the upon several factors, and no wise decision can be upbuilding of Christian churches, the development reached that ignores one or more of these factors. of a trained native leadership, the progress in The best answer will result from the careful con- self-support and the progressive transfer of resideration of combination of facts and experi- sponsibilities to them. Important steps towards ences. The main factors are: self-government culminate in the organization of (a) Conditions prevailing on the particular national churches.
field; The third stage, one that perhaps has not been (b) The degree to which evangelization has fully achieved on any mission field, is when the national churches assume complete responsibility, progressed; both financial and administrative, of the work and (c) Financial ability of the mission boards; they become in turn missionary churches, send (d) The real purpose of the missionary enter- out to evangelize other fields.
prise; Clearly it is not possible for the mission boards (e) Type of work that the institutions are ac- of the sending churches to think of throwing on tually doing.
There are some countries where educational, the national churches the responsibility for the hygienic and social conditions are primitive and institutions which they are unable to support, if where the people are still in a desperate need of the evangelization of the field is in its first stage help along these lines. The governments are or entering its second. The national churches either unable to take care of the people's intellec- must first assume responsibility for their own tual, physical and social needs or they lack a sense maintenance and their evangelistic work proper; of responsibility. The result is the abandonment if they succeed in this, then they may begin to of the people to illiteracy and misery. No Chris- accept full responsibility for the institutions.
tian mission or church would wish to confine Where this process of nationalization is under itself to purely preaching the Gospel while the way, the institutions are the last points from people are the prey of ignorance, disease and pov- which the mission funds are expected to be with- erty. Where these conditions prevail, as in parts drawn. Naturally the national churches cannot be of Africa, India and elsewhere, some form of expected to assume the support of the institutional work to relieve these conditions is imperative and work while the churches themselves are being SlJP- has no substitutes. We must not hesitate to make ported by the mission. The national churches will great sacrifices to minister to the needs of the not be able fully to take over the institutions until
SHOULD THE CHURCH DISCONTINUE INSTITUTIONAL MISSIONARY WORK?
the third stage is reached – if these institutions arated from the churches, leading their own life are to be continued in any effective way under and doing their own more or less secular work. church auspices. But many others insist upon the supreme impor- tance of evangelistic task of Christian institu- The financial status of the mission boards is an tions and cannot conceive of a missionary project essential factor to be considered. If the mission that does not seek to bring to the churches a receipts are down to that point where drastic re- harvest of "saved souls" or souls to be instructed ductions in the budget must be made and the in- and saved. The situation varies widely according stitutional work cannot longer be supported then to place and personnel. Many institutions, like the mission must withdraw. If there is any pos- the hospital at Miragi, India, and the Union Colsibility of turning over the institutions to other lege in Pyenyang, Chosen, actively engage in satisfactory agencies, the national churches should evangelistic work. Others are more secular in be given the first option, next the work may be character and outlook. Not a few have practically offered to some other responsible organizations or made their Christian character so abstract as to to the government. In any case, there must be be hardly distinguishable from wholly secular inthe assurance that the plants and equipment will stitutions. really be used for the good of the country and for the benefit of the more needy people. This is a sore point in the whole discussion of missionary work. A fair 9.istinction should be Perhaps it is too much, in many cases, to insist made, at the very start, between proselytizing and that their Christian character will be maintained. evangelizing. To proselytize is to be primarily in- terested in winning members from one particular But, in the whole problem, the essential and cen- religion, denomination or church to another, withtral purpose of Christian missions must be kept out regard to any vital change in faith and life. in view. This is the ultimate guiding principle To evangelize is so to preach Christ in word and and the supreme criterium for any change in mis- deed as to bring people to accept Christ as Saviour sionary service. Fortunately, this matter has re- and Lord, and His way of life as a daily path of ceived prayerful and earnest consideration lately, conduct. As to the best means by which to achieve although perhaps the outcome has not been always this supreme goal there is no uniformity of rule true to the New Testament standards. But the or opinion. It depends much upon the local situafact that it is a real concern to re-define, for our tion and the individuals with whom one comes in times, the supreme purpose of Christian missions, contact. Steadfastness of purpose is essential but is in itself gratifying. The writer of this article uniformity of method is as fatal to true evandoes not pretend to pronounce dogmatically on a. gelistic work as is the lack of aim and ideals. It question that is still keeping busy the best Chris- is certain that no Christian institution should tian minds of today, but it is necessary to give lower the central purpose or depart from the plan his own views if this discussion is to be clear and of all missionary work in the name and power of conclusive. Christ; otherwise it will lose its vision and de- pendence on the Spirit of God. The central purpose of Christian missions may be briefly stated as follows: The purpose of Chris- Non-cooperation with the national churches is tian missions is threefold in its active expression: another strong temptation of socially successful mission institutions. Some seem afraid that by (a) To preach the Gospel of God's redemptive disclosing their connection with the churches the grace in Jesus Christ; institutions will risk their prestige. It is not neces- sary, and may be even harmful, for these institu- (b) To cooperate in the upbuilding of an in- tions to be wholly subordinated to the churches. digenous educated Christian church; In most cases they should have their separate ad- ministration. But to part from the churches, re- (c) To serve this church and the people of the fusing to have anything to do with them, pn the land where it is established. pretext that success may be attained only in this way, is to pay a very high price for such success. The whole problem of institutional work should It has not been found necessary in America. Exbe kept under the spotlight of this one and three- perience shows that institutions committing themfold purpose. To what extent are Christian in- selves to this policy find it increasingly difficult stitutions faithful to it? What is the actual type to maintain their true Christian character; they of work being carried on by the institutions and are finally dragged down by the spirit of humanhow do they rate when measured with the yard- istic secularism. This at least can be strongly stick of the supreme purpose of Christ when He stated: no mission institution should allow itself founded missionary enterprise? to come to this self-defeating point of refusing to recognize its Christian character and purpose. Many believe that Christian institutions need to be Christian only in their inspiration and motive, but that they may refrain from becoming agencies to win others to Christ as Lord and Saviour. In order to avoid the charge of "proselyting" they are expected to keep themselves sep-
Every mIssIOnary institution should actively Christian boy or girl to get an education. The serve the churches and people in the country writer once visited a mission high school, finely where it is established. Duplication of govern- equipped and with excellent social prestige. When mental or private institutions should be avoided inquiring about the curriculum, the principal, in as far as possible. Instead of this, mission insti- all candor, informed him that their program was tutions should always be reaching out to unserved adjusted to similar schools in the United States, areas. In this work elaborate and costly plants as there were so many pupils from the British and may become a hindrance. Expensive plants then American colonies who wanted to secure credit become an end in themselves, and in order to keep for their studies when going abroad to college. them up, other important elements of the mission- The principal appeared to have given scarcely any ary program are sadly neglected. We should thought to the question as to whether this curnever forget that institutional plants are made riculum was the best suited for the needs of the for the missionary work and not the missionary nationals of tha't-.country. work for institutional plants. After all, to accomplish the primary task of serving Cnrist by Now we come back to the starting point in this helping the people of any country, it is not indis- discussion. Should mission boards, and the pensable, and not always desirable, to set up costly churches in the mission fields, plan to withdraw plants that in a time. of crisis and readjustment from their institutional work? An absolute anbecome veritable "white elephants." swer is not possible. We have tried to point out the factors which should be combined to make up As an illustration of what has been said above, the criteria under which the answer in each parthe complaint is heard from several fields that not ticular case is to be sought. In dealing with our a few of the "Christian" colleges "have estranged problem, we often come closer to the solution by themselves from the churches and the Christians reminding ourselves again and again of facts and and have become schools for the rich and socially principles we know but which we are apt to forelite, where it is practically impossible for a poor get or ignore.
The Challenge of the Philippines By the REV. NORMAN S. McPHERSON -tEl Vice-President of the Association of Baptists for Evangelism );.- in the Orient A FILIPINO high school senior who was work- many months had passed yielded his life for full- ing his way through school in Manila by time service and enrolled as a student in the laboring in a laundry was one day handed Institute. a tract in jest by a fellow workman. The tract was entitled, "Are You Born Again?" by Bishop This is but one of hundreds who have found J. C. Ryle. The message fell on good soil. At Christ through the varied ministries of the Assohis first opportunity the young man sat down and ciation of Baptists for Evangelism in the Orient. wrote a letter, addressing it to the Manila Evan- It is not too much to say that the Philippines congelistic Institute, publishers of the tract. He con- stitutes one of the most responsive harvest fields in fessed: "I am exactly the man concerned in your the world today. article." After mentioning some of his temptations and seeking advice he asked: "Am I eligible The Association of Baptists is an evangelical to be born again?" agency formed eleven years ago for the propaga- tion of fundamental Christianity – there is no As director of the Institute I replied to his let- other kind-in the Orient. Its activities thus far ter, arranging for him to come and see me. The have been confined to the Philippines, where it interview closed with both of us on our knees maintains two training institutes for Christian while prayer and surrender forged the link bind- workers in addition to a growing provincial work ing another soul to the Christ who once again extending from the northernmost Batanes Islands looked upon the travail of His soul and was satis- down to the Palawan group in the extreme south. fied. The young man began attending Sunday Millions of pages of gospel literature are printed services in the First Baptist Church, and. before on the mission press in Manila in both dialects and English every year. Through the evangelis-
THE NEED OF STUDENTS IN BRAZIL
tic efforts of itinerant gospel teams new churches angels in heaven found fresh cause for rejoicing are established and manned with graduates of in the 672 who found Christ in the opera house the training institutes. and on the street corner during those two weeks.
An indispensable means of evangelizing the While the Philippines constitute a striking op- Palawan group of some forty islands is the Gospel portunity by reason of the cordiality of the re- Ship, Fukuin Maru, formerly used by Northern sponse, the Association believes the time has come Baptists in the Inland Sea of Japan. Captain to expand beyond the confines of these islands, and Skolfield cruises from island to island with a thus fulfil the purpose for which the Association group of Filipino evangelists preaching the Gos- was originally chartered. A new field on the pel and rendering simple medical aid. Twelve island of Ceylon has recently been acquired, and churches have been established with over a thou- plans are now being made to release the Gospel sand members. One day a Moro asked the cap- Ship for a year's survey of New Guinea and other tain what to do for an aching tooth, to which the fields in the Dutch East Indies, many of which captain replied that it would be best to extract it. represent virgin soil. New Guinea is the second Whereupon the Morosaid: "All right, and as soon largest island in the world. Never has the inas you have stopped the ache be sure to put it terior been explored by white men except from back again!" the air. We must not, however, overlook the par- tial penetration in the region of the Fly River. The keynote of the Association of Baptists for Now that mining companies and scientific parties Evangelism in the Orient is, as its name suggests, are planning to exploit the island's natural reevangelism. All of its activities-whether preach- sources, it is believed the Church of Christ caning, teaching, housing students in dormitories, not afford to neglect the souls of the tribesmen in printing, broadcasting, street corner ministry, vis- the interior, many of whom are said to be headitation in hospitals and on ships, student center hunters and totally ignorant of the Gospel. activity-find their focus and impetus in that supreme objective. Every form of evangelism is Nothing short of prevailing prayer will release used to good advantage. At least two hundred the resources in men and money needed for such decisions for Christ a month ar.e made on one a gigantic undertaking. The newspapers recently street corner where student teams proclaim the announced that scientists of the Metropolitan Mu- Gospel six nights a week. During the eucharistic seum of Natural History of New York City expect congress that was held last year in Manila the to explore New Guinea this year with a $250,000 Association of Baptists rented the Manila Grand airplane. What will the Church of Christ do in Opera House for two weeks and brought Leland the face of those thousands who have never so Wang of Hong Kong as special speaker. The much as heard of Christ?
The Need of Students in Brazil –'11 By HAROLD A. COOK, Rio d, Janolto 1111– W E HAVE missions to the Indians, and ef- or after. Remember that he had lived ,his twenty- forts to reach the poor and teach the two years in another world, quite untouched by ignorant in Brazil. Evangelical colleges the Gospel, even though in a modern civilized city. reach a very limited .proportion of students; but On receiving a Testament, he said that he was the Teacher Training Schools, the medical, dental holding the Word of God in his hand for the first and law schoo!<s, and the academic class, as a time in his life. If you do not know who is the whole, present an untouched field, without any leading American jockey of today or the present special effort to evangelize them. They are com- heavyweight boxing champion a member of the paratively untouched. sporting fraterniity would say: "What astounding ignorance! Where have you been brought up?" The students are brought up in a Roman Cath- The pages of the newspaper to which sportsmen olic atmosphere; and a large number of them be- turn first, you do not even look at. The case is come formalis,ts or wander into the desert of the same with the majority of our academic stuagnosticism and scepticism. dents in Brazil. They have not come within a thousand miles of the Gospel, even though there A few months ago I met a college graduate who did not know whether Moses was before Christ
may be an evangelical church round the corner. 3. He would endeavor to keep himself informed The spirit of Christ requires of us, not that we concerning books suitable for his constit- uency and in keeping with the purpose of shall wait for them to come to us, but ,that we shall his mission, so that he could advise and guide go to them. The Good Shepherd went after the inquirers into profitable avenues of Christian lost sheep. literature. (A suitable magazine we already have–.:.viz., Sacra Lux.) A book talk might Brazil is nominally a Roman Catholic country, be the theme of one of his lectures. and for them the world is divided into Catholics and non-Caitholics. Hence many think of Prot- 4. He would make a speciality of personal interestants as in the same class with all the freak view by appointment; at these interviews he religions that have found their way into South could deal with intimate problems which America. Our task is to bring these people to the could not be handled at question time after living Saviour whom they have not so far discov- a lecture. ,While not evading the intellectual ered. side of such problems, he would stress the fact of Christ as the infallible solution to How can ,this be done for the academic classes? every problem, whether intellectual or moral. Not through invitations to our church services; for the large majority would not come. I suggest Doubtless there are many American and Engthree methods, each one dependent on the other; lish graduates who could ably occupy this p{)siefficiency requires all three, but a measure of suc- tion, but other things being equal, a Brazilian cess could be obtained with anyone alone. would be far more preferable. We have such a man. He is still on the youthful side of life, elo· 1. Well-bound Testaments and other suitable lit- quent in speech, attractive in personality, and well erature (well printed) sent through the post, educated, he everywhere gathers large audiences addressed to persons whose names could be of the intellectual class. The evening audience at obtained. The literature should not be sent his own church invariably includes a number of out in large numbers at one time. A safe the professional men of the city, as well as stu- number would be five. dents from the colleges. His book on "Christ as the Man of Sorrows" has gone into a second edi- 2. Personal work by church members who are tion. His pastoral duties prevent him from mak- themselves academics. Andrews should be ing frequent trips away from home, but those he on the lookout for Peters. has made have been crowned with success. The local churches will hire the cinema for a night, 3. A college graduate or university man could give and he will be advertised, not as a visiting pastor, his whole time as a missionary to academic but as an orator and an author. A subject such students. as "The Defects of the Human Will" provides ample opportunity to include the Gospel. Scores The firs.t method requires money and inside co- will attend such a lecture though they would not operation. The second requires men-and there go to a church service. After the leoture it is exare few church members among the academics; plained that owing to the expense of the cinema some who are there have not caught the vision of theater, one of the churches had been offered, and the harvest so near to hand. The third method re there the speaker of the evening could again be quires a specialist. He must have not only grace, heard. By this means many have been lead to but gifts also. If ithere were only one such spe- visit an evangelical church for the first time, and cialist, his work would have to be extensive; if have heard the full Gospel there. They discover there were more than one, their work could be that the Protestants are not as the priests have proportionately intensive. represented them. After the firs,t visit, the sec- ond is much easier, and they are on the way to What would be the work of such a missionary? find the light. I suggest the following main lines. Experience would probably indicate others: The academic class contains the future leaders of this progressive country. Here is a wor-th- 1. He would mix with academics as far as .time while work, which offers a fine opening for invest- and circumstances permitted, in order to ment, with guaranteed returns. make personal contacts. (These contacts would enable him to combine methods 1 and . Not only have we the man for the task, but we 2.) He would be careful not to disclose his also have an organization under whose auspioes he own denominational connection, because he could work and travel-viz., the Brazilian branch is not out ,to win men for his church, but for of the Committee of Cooperation in Latin Amer- Christ. ica, with offices at 254 Fourth Avenue, New York City. 2. He would embrace every opportunity to give addresses – not sermons – to audiences of academics only; these addresses would con- tain the hook of the Gospel, skilfully baited. At such gatherin~s he would invite questions.
B'ack. on Our Furlough*
By REV. RAY E. PHILLIPS, Johannesburg, South Africa Missionary of the American Board; author of "The Bantu Are Coming"
W E HAVE come back to South Africa laden It takes heroic leadership these days to compel with riches. Not in coin of the realm- attention to spiritual truth when the movies, the American or otherwise – but in friends, modern novel, the motor car, and the very air itfresh associations, and a better understanding of self, are agencies of such distracting, conflicting, our task. and competing appeals. It has been a frequent, Nine months of study have been immensely re- and thrilling experience to discover in various warding. We have become acquainted with the parts of the country churches which have evi- work of students of primitive cultures, as well as dently found the message and the methods for with that of research workers in modern indus- enlisting the joyous cooperation of young and old.
trial areas, and we have been assisted in looking There are people in our churches who are crit- at our task from new angles. ical of missions and say so quite frankly.
Mrs. Phillips and I have been privileged to "I have no time for missions," said a church meet with many young people at summer confer- member just before a church supper. "I have ences. What memories we have of companionship always questioned sending missionaries to people with high school and college boys and girls on col- who were perfectly happy in their own way, to lege campuses and at rallies and week-end confer- teach them to wear clothes, to eat our food, and, ences. in short, to bring all of the troubles and problems We have been given ample proof that some of of civilization to them. Wouldn't they really be the finest people in the world are to be found in better off without all these things 1"
the churches. We have been brought into close Statements of this sort are not only a confession contact with people whose names leap to mind of ignorance as to the actual, fear-ridden, soulwith a quickening of the heart-beat. We met destroying life of primitive peoples, but also a many devoted, intelligent, women scattered throughout the churches who are quietly, pa- curious admission that one's religion means little tiently, year after year, creating interest among more than food and clothing and the troubles of the indifferent, raising their quota for benevo- civilization! lences in spite of obstacles of all kinds, leavening the lump of more or less nominal church mem- Which introduces the question whether religious faith can be called "Christian" until it is so vital bership. and radiant that it overflows the bounds of one's We are back in South Africa with a new under- own family, church and nation to embrace all men everywhere 1 standing of the difficuties of the home pastor in America, and a deeper appreciation of the men As we look back on experiences in various cenwe have met in individual churches and at Con- ters, those which seem to have been the most references. Out in the Dust Bowl are men and warding were those where we had time really to women who would have been canonized had they get acquainted.
lived a few centuries back. And they are not all Conditions to Be Improved in the Dust Bowl, or in the smaller, rural Is there anything we have seen that we would like to see improved 1 We would prefer to dodge churches. this question were it not that one or two things In larger churches in the cities and towns, we have forced themselves quite definitely on our at- tention and are grateful for a chance to "off-load have sensed the steady, sacrificial giving of them- themselves," as we say in South Africa. selves on the part of pastors and their wives and the loyal church folk who stand by, all without First, my personal impression is that, in dealthe glamour surrounding missionary activity nor ing with young people, our church leaders are not the rewards and satisfactions that often come to concrete and personal enough when it comes to the worker in foreign lands.
• Condensed from The. Missionary Herald, religious experience. In spite of the ubiquitous [363 ]
insistence upon being realistic it seemed to me and are making Christian activity ultimately that it is almost entirely second-hand testimony meaningless. that is given out to the future members of the church. "Kagawa says-," "Stanley Jones Christ'~ insistence upon individual perfection says-," is about as far as many speakers get in -"Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is percommending the practice of Christianity. fect"-requires an eternity for its achievement. Belief in an eternity of existence in the realm of But I cannot escape the definite impression that an active, working God, one who is working speakers to young people and conference leaders against difficulties and who rej oices in the growth would rather do anything else than explain just of his children to share with him in his vast, coswhat Christ means to them. mic enterprise – this gives glorious meaning to life now. Is prayer a reality to them? Just what response do they receive from the Unseen God that deepens It validates and justifies the presence of probtheir conviction that they are on the right track? lems of increasing complexity in human life and Can they look back in their lives to any certain regards sacrifice and suffering as stepping stones time when they were certain that they were being to that finer type of manhood pre-requisite to guided by The Heavenly Father? emergence on a loftier plane of deity.
In short, is their faith something that they We must re-discover belief in Eternal Life on themselves have experienced, or is it a good phi- a new basis, not as "dope" but as "dynamite," losophy of life to be assented to intellectually as attaching permanent value to present-day spirethically sound. itual attainment, in order to inject fresh interest and more powerful incentive into Christian life On the occasions when I have suggested to and activity. Stripped of faith in the immorspeakers at summer conferences that they con- tality of the individual soul, how are we Christclude their talks with a personal testimony, noth- tians any better off in the matter of objectives ing has happened. than the Communists who are working for a righteous order here on earth and who have ex- In my seminar groups I have found that young ceeded the humanists in cleverness by making its people are hungry for an exchange of real, vital attainment lie just ahead-a few more five-year experience, and are grateful for personal confi- plans? dence on the part of the leader. With the background of belief in a Father God To my mind the main appeal of the Oxford who operates. in a universe so vast that he can Groups can be found right here. There is the utilize through the eternities that lie ahead, the ring of reality about their doing. One after an- potentialities latent in every individual on this other "Grouper" will say: "I have experienced-," small earth, this Christian task takes on added HI have been guided to-." radiance and significance.
Again, some churches and Christians seem to Even my black friends in Africa are seen to be be groping in a fog when it comes to a Christian of stupendous value; their future growth is of basis for missions or for Christian life at all these vital concern to all of us. We go gladly back to days. our work in that great land to bring the Good News to Bantu folk of their magnificent destiny Our fathers had a long-time objective, a heaven as sons of a Living God, and to help mold enof rest for the weary and of bliss for the suffer- vironing conditions which will help to develop ing, which put in proper perspective the inequali- that type of character which is essential to those ties and disabilities of earth and gave a sense of who would become "joint-heirs" of Christ. urgency to spreading the Good News. In the last ten years the American Bible Society Col- The whole idea of Immortality seems to have porteurs have sold eighty-five million copies of Scripture, become vague and indistinct, certainly it has small and .great. The Eastern Agency of the United ceased to have richness of content to many Chris- States showed last year an eighty per cent increase in the tians, many clergymen. Some of the younger purchase of whole Bibles. The Society put 35,000 Testachurch leaders are frank in admitting that Eter- ments into the Civilian Conservation Camps in 1933. One nal Life has no meaning for them. They say: agent and his colporteurs is working the little State of S·an Salvador on a house to house program, and expects "Why worry about it when there is so much to to cover the entire state in five years. Already they have be done in cleaning up this old world? Let us gone through 27 towns and 272 rural districts with a work for the coming of the Kingdom of God on population of 219,128. Gideons have placed Bibles in three earth." of the largest hotels of the City of San Salvador; also in those of Santa Ana and San Miguel. This is their first While agreeing as a social worker, that stu- placement by Gideons in Central America. pendous tasks remain to be undertaken to make society Christian, I cannot but feel, and with ERNEST GORDON. equal intensity, that without a long-range view of life as Eternal we are emasculating our Gospel
~':====O==========~==-=~
II Effective Ways of Working Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~=I==============================~~~ PATTERNS TO FIT ANY A hymn, "Lead on 0 King She then calls on the entire membership to rise and take a PROGRAM Eternal," or "The Light of the World Is Jesus" may be used as pledge for cooperation and sup- Whether your organization is an opening. While the pianist port in every way, in order that planning to use the study topics the kingdoms of this world may or an independent outline as a plays suitable music softly, a basis for the year's programs, young woman in white, carrying become the Kingdom of our Lord plans to brighten up the topics and S a vi 0 u r, Jesus Christ. and also to mark certain out- a large candle, enters and is imstanding days and occasions in mediately followed by the six re- Leader declares the officers are the course of the yeftr are desir- tiring and six incoming officers, duly installed and a closing able, unless the work is to be- all bearing candles but with only prayer is offered before the parcome dull and unalluring save those of the former lighted. to those already interested in ticipants march out to the tune missions. Look through the fol- When the leader moves to the of "Fling Out the Banner." lowing suggestions, gathered right side of the table, the offifrom here and there, and see cers take their places in front of Another effective installation whether you may not find some the chairs, the two presidents usable program patterns. exercise is based on the plan of standing in the center, etc., in a wheel. Called to the front, the corresponding pairs. new president stands at the cen- ter with the other officers When all are in place, the around her to form the hub, the leader sets her large candle in circle chairman a few feet far- For Special Days and the center of the circle and re- ther out constituting the rim. Occasions cites impressively selected Scrip- These chairmen hold ribbons ex- ture passages regarding light, its tending to the president, to form Installation Services: With function in the City of the New the spokes. Then the installing new officers coming in at the be- Jerusalem, and our obligation to officer reads a choice statement ginning of the fiscal year, many extend this light to the non- as to God's mighty plan for His societies will welcome ways of Christian world, this being the work on earth necessitating hu- placing the mantle of responsi- occasion for the present recon- man activation, the Church bebility on the shoulders of the secration service. ing the chief instrument through leaders and rallying the mem- Next, the retiring president which this cooperation is accom- bership to get behind the work. places her candle on No.1 in the plished. Each machine has many An impressive service used for circle and recites, "The Lord is wheels, each one has its place the Young People's Department my light and my salvation," ad- with its specific work to be faith- of the M. E. Women's Foreign dressing the incoming president fully and steadily done. The so- Missionary Society first sets its as to her duties and responsi- ciety (whatever organization is stage with 12 chairs in a semi- bilities. The latter lights her giving the program) is one very circle back of a table on which candle at the large central taper important wheel in the local a circle 18 inches in diameter and placing it in the circle on church unit, the officers before has been marked, 12 numbers No.7, recites, "They that wait the audience being a most re- being marked thereon at regular upon the Lord," etc. sponsible portion. "This wheel intervals so the officers may see The retiring president steps before us has 10 spokes, a frame- just where to place their candles. back a pace while the leader calls work as you see, each one the Instead of, or with, the candles, the first vice-presidents, the pro- chairman of a group which in- a cape of white with a cross of cedure for the two presidents cludes you and me. There must blue may be worn on the left being duplicated, with new be an ever-widening-out in shoulder of each retiring officer, verses. In similar fashion each hearty cooperation, the whole and taken off and put on the set of officers takes part, until circumscribed by the rim of officer succeeding her at the all are in position. The leader united cooperation. The wheel moment when she is installed. faces the (inner) circle of offi- must be oiled, kept clean and Headbands of white with blue cers and calls on them to repeat free from rust, have perfect bal- cross in front may be worn by the pledge for faithful discharge ance, do its work in harmony all. of duties, as she lines it out. with other wheels, avoid fric- [365 ]
tion, and be repaired from time N. J., tells of the meeting place praise the Lord," and "Come to to time by the One who regulates the whole (Jesus Christ)." A arranged as the waiting room of the Y. W. A. meeting of Praise consecration hymn and prayer follow. a railway station, "Division of and Thanksgiving, at" (date The Annual Meeting: Much our Great Baptist National and and place). tact and endeavor are usually necessary to lighten the heavy International Railways." There A very charming plan, as details and make the service attractive. Church Business re- were reports. from the secretary, given in the Baptist mimeoports this one, as used in a church at Medina, Ohio: The the treasurer and the corre- graphed sheet, Program Pointprogram sheet was headed: sponding secretary-who arrives ers, describes a pot of gold "ON BOARD THE GOOD SHIP on a late train preceded by "red (brass bowl filled with orange 'FIRST CHURCH,' IN PORT AT caps" carrying her luggage, etc. flowers) on a table decorated MEDINA FOR ITS 115TH ANNUAL Around the room was a maga- with rainbow colors, seven gold MEETING ON . . . . . . (DATE AND zine stand displaying the denom- paper streamers leading into it. HOUR) ." inational magazine and reading Seven participants, each with a Order of the Day- contest books; travelers' aid crepe paper sash representing a (a) Hear the reading of the Ship's log for 1938 (nominating (White Cross work for mission'-. rainbow color, stand together committee's report). hospitals) ; tickets (the new gift with a silver box in one hand (b) Transact business and make necessary repairs while Ship boxes); information booth (new and the end of one of the gold is in dry dock. literature), etc. Girls of a junior streamers in the other, singing (c) Set it afloat for 1938-39 with all good wishes. organization served as red caps "There's a Rainbow Shining (d) Election of new officers for the or helpers. Certain reports are Somewhere," the audience join- Ship (clerk and tellers). received as telegrams by girl in ing in the chorus. (This can be (e) Assembling of Officers and Sail- ors on Upper Deck-special messenger's cap. The Prayer obtained in sheet music from the music on ship-board. (Gath- ering for church dinner.) Committee reports on the Source Rodeheaver Co., Philadelphia.) (f) "All Aboard!" of Power. The Scriptures were One by one these seven persons The Ship's Mess-the Stewardess and used as "running orders." Post- take part, each holding up her Helpers (dinner at 6: 30 p. m.) . ers told of house parties to be box as she speaks. Calling of Crew together for the An- nual Session. held in summer (missionary (1) Violet stands for Faith, (a) Devotions and prayer for safe conferences). There was a without which we cannot fill our return ….. the Chaplain. lunch ro?m glee club, and. after silver offering boxes. (b) Reading of the Ship's Log ….. the meetmg t~e membershIp fol- (2) Indigo stands for Hope, the Captain. lowed the SIgn to the ~unch and without hope for the future (c) Recognition of the Crew (pas- counter w her e sandWIches, we shall not have the inspiration toral committee, trustees- who keep Ship afloat; mis- doughnuts. and co f fee. were needed to fill the boxes. sionary committee – who di- rect its course to faraway served. Fmally the trll;m an- Similarly there are repre- parts; the men – "who lie down below, below"; the nounce; called, the. trams. on sented Blue for Joy, Green for choir-who keep us joyful; tracks 35 ,~nd 36, w~~h ,~tah?ns the S. S. – that makes good sl:1ch " a~ .Harm?n~;" AmIty- Brotherliness, Yellow for Pa- sailors; the young people– v~lle,', FrI~~dshIr,,, Opportu- who will be officers some day; mty and SerVICe, ~nd the tience, Orange for Loyalty, Red the scouts-who are at your for Sacrifice. "We put these service). boxes in the Rainbow Pot of The Purser's Report (treasurer). newly elected officers (mstalled silver; but if given with our by the p,~stor) left ~y t~e door Faith, Hope, Joy, Brotherliness, Report of Keeper of Records (clerk). marked To the Trams. etc., they will surely come from Three Cheers for the Old Crew-the *** Stokers and All. the Pot of Gold transformed into Launching of the Ship for Another Thanksgiving and also the golden gifts ready to lift the Voyage (announcement of new officers) . annual Thank Offering Meeting burden of our denomination and Ports Ahead ("What I'd like to see are high lights deserving special worthy of the 'Well done' of the Ship do this year," and "Where the Ship might go"). features. A poster suggestion our Master." Then followed a "Blest Be the Tie that Binds." for advertising a young wom- song specially composed for the Benediction. an's meeting (in The Window occasion.
*** of Y. W. A.) showed two young A good devotional for a Another plan used by Mrs. women standing at opposite Thanksgiving meeting uses a A. H. C. Morse, of Jersey City, sides of the page, the one on the Scriptural acrostic. After open- left carrying a basket of goodies ing remarks on the special occa- labelled as petitions for things sion, say, "Let us think for selfishly desired, with a very awhile of the letters in the word few labelled "Thank you." The T-h-a-n-k-s-g-i-v-i-n-g that are girl on the right held a basket of also the first letters of the words delectables labelled for things that cause our hearts to be for which she was grateful. Both thankful" : baskets were extended as if be- T-ruth, Psalm 117: 2; H-ope, ing offered up to God. Blessings Psa. 39: 7; A-bide, John 15: 10; poured in a shower on the girl N-ame, Luke 8: 30a; K-now, at the right, the words under- Luke 19: 43; S-ee, Psa. 65: 5a; neath being, "0 that men would G-race, Acts 11: 23a; I-ncline,
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Josh. 24: 23; V-oice, 1 Cor. 14: Seat. Once more we are re- member of the several women's 10; I-ncrease, Provo 9: 9b; minded that out of one blood boards, thus acquiring a knowl- N-ew, Rev. 21: 5a; G-o Forward, God hath made all nations of edge of missionaries under Ex. 14: 15. We can "Go For- men, and that all may come to world-wide conditions. For 25 ward" on deeds of mercy and Him with their burdens and years she was Methods Editor love, after this service, and so cares. of Missions and wrote missionfind happiness in things to be ary leaflet literature, pamphlets thankful for. Sing, "Count And now as the day lengthens and pageants. In 1932 she be- Your Many Blessings." A brief toward the setting sun, the West- gan to edit this Department in talk follows each letter in this ern Hemispheres take up the the REVIEW. Mrs. Aitchison acrostic. – Adapted from World strain – from pole to pole, in hopes, after a period of rest, to Comrades. many tongues-Spanish or Por- take up writing and speaking tuguese, Alaskan or French, again. Outstanding Features for English or Indian, we lift our Any Meeting hearts and voices to the God of Miss Grace McGavran Nations, who is the God of the Takes Hold A Diurnal Cycle of Prayer, as individual too, and pray for perused at a Presbyterial group sonal and civic righteousness- As we bid farewell to Mrs. meeting, may be incorporated "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will Aitchison, we welcome to our into any program as its devo- be done." editorial staff Miss Grace W. tional, or used on the Day of McGavran of Indianapolis, In- Prayer. Another name for it is "Prayer in the land of the fir tree and diana, who will become the Ed- "A Prayer Quest" : pine; itor of this Department. She is a member of the "Disciples" Out on the wide Pacific where Prayer in the land of the fig tree Church and has had wide and East meets West, this day's peti- valuable experience in writing tions are borne. Faraway Japan and vine; and in promoting better and hears the call to prayer and more effective methods of pre- Christians, both white and yel- Prayer where the waves dash loudly senting missions to groups of low, gather and bow the knee Christians at home. to the same Father. Our own and cold; hearts but echo the terror and She was brought up in India appeal in theirs, as they see that Prayer where the lion stalks fearless and later was a secretary of Misfair land following the god of sionary Education in the United War. and bold; Christian Missionary Society. Her first contribution will ap- Swiftly the hours move west- Prayer in cathedrals whose spires pear in our September number, ward and soon the call to prayer dealing with "Tested Methods resounds across the far East, in tower high; for Increasing Interest at Home" Korea and Siam, in Cambodia -through books, enlisting new and Anam, and in war-torn Prayer in kirks and cabins close by; members, improving missionary China. Thousands lift up their meetings, drama and other pracvoices to Almighty God in a na- Prayer where two are gathered to tical plans. She will keep in tion-wide cry for peace and mind the interests and needs of safety. pray; , pastors, teachers and parents, as well as those of officers of local Christians all over India join Everywhere, everywhere, prayer to- societies and laymen. We bewith us and with each other to speak for Miss McGavran your plead with the God of nations to day." hearty cooperation. If you have lead them to the right solution any problems or questions along of their internal difficulties. Mrs. Aitchison Retires these lines, or any experience or ideas that have proved effective The sun moves on over the After editing this department in promoting missionary inter- Near East and bathes the ancient on "Effective Ways of Working" est and cooperation, send them land of Iran and the Hqly to Miss Grace McGavran, 5718 Land of sacred Writ ……… . for nearly seven years, Mrs. Es- Oak Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana. (add a suitable complete statement) . tella S. Aitchison feels it neces- EDITOR., sary to retire. Health needs to Day dawns in Russia, but we be conserved, and other respon- Yesterday evangelism was vodo not find Christians gathering sibilities call for attention. We in churches to pray together. . . join with the readers of this De- cational; today it is avocational. so in humble homes behind partment in deep gratitude to locked doors . . . Mrs. Aitchison for the faithful Yesterday it was perennial; to- way in which she has presented As the hours fly swiftly by, the methods that have been of day it is only seasonal. Yesterwe see the blacks in Africa by help to many in the churches. the thousands, and Christians in day it was victorious; today it every country in Europe, meet- Mrs. Aitchison was born in ing around a common Mercy Iowa, and from an early age has is simply visitational. – W. G. been identified with church mis- Coltman. ' sionary organizations. She was married to Dr. John Y. Aitchi- son, a Baptist. minister, who subsequently became joint secre- tary for Baptist Home and For- eign Mission Societies, later Home Secretary for the Baptist Foreign Mission Society, and finally General Director of the Baptist Board of Missions Cor- poration. Mrs. Aitchison shared his rich missionary experience in the pastorate and served as BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~,==================~ THE CHURCH IN THE CITY in which his Church is to face CITY MAN. Charles H. Sears. Friend- the city or the extent to which '.". ship Press, New York. Cloth, Where do the greatest number hI·S. Chu'rch'~s t a 11 ow t h.e C' tI.y TH$E1.50C;ROpWaDpEeDr, 7W5AcYeSn.ts. Charles H. of Americans live? How much do they know about their en- 0 vironment? How do they earn to mfluence It. Not only IS thIS Sears. Friendship Press New their living? What do they theme for study exceedingly York. Board, 35 cents; pS:per, 25 really get out of life? What part has the Church in influencing tsi.mmce~lry~, bCuh.trIi.St ti·~sanesms. enhtiI'a~l pfroerst~hnet CITcMYenutrsAr.aNyD HC. HLUeRiCffHer. INWTilRleAtNt,SICTIlOarNk. this life in all its varied aspects? partIclpatIOn m Amerlcan hfe. & Co., 1938. $2.50. What part ought the Church to have? All groups whether urban or OUR CITIES: THEIR ROLE IN THE ~A- ·11 fi n' d the S.t ud~ st·lmu- TtiIcOsN, AgLraEpChOs,NOcMhaYr.ts, Hetecl.pfuFl osrtastaIsle- These and many other ques- ru~a1, W tions await answer or stimulat- I ing discussion and enlightenment latmg. Those who hve m large by the Superintendent of Docuin the study of the Home Mis- cities are the subject under con- ments, Washington, D. C. 70 cents. sion Theme for 1938-39 on "The sideration. Those in smaller CITY CHURCH INVENTORY. A brief Church in the City." Follow- ~l·t·les or t owns h. ave some S.lm- mapapnruaaisletoitshelilpfe aanndavseerravgicee.chuPrrcohing the study of last year on Ilar problems or may face them cure from Home Missions Council, the "Church in Rural America" it is appropriate to give equally later. Those in rural areas de- 297 Fourth Avenue, New York. studious attention to the exceedingly challenging city situation. pend upon cities for the pattern 10 cents. Those who fail to take advantage of modern 1I·v·mg. All wh0 be- CO2L1L,IER1S938M. AGAAZrItNicEl.e oIsnsue"Shooft-MGuany long to the Church face the Houses."
Christianizing of the city as a What You Can Do with common task.
Resources Available These Materials As an individual in a number of this opportunity will be losing The Missionary Education of ways you can help to inform a valuable and helpful personal Movement of the United States yourself, your Church and your experience, and will be failing and Canada presents again this friends outside the Church, so as to measure up in their obliga- to profit by these materials. Few year a number of books and lead- city people know their own city, tions to the Church in its major and few realize how important Home Mission task today. ers' guides which will make it a knowledge of the city is in pro- possible for every type of age or moting the City Church. If you The city is a part of a great interest group to outline a course can first increase your own change in trend in American for study or to build programs knowledge and then arouse an which will bring keen interest interest in others by the added life. "In a little more than a and value. Although most of facts you have acquired you will century, our country has pro- the women's groups or mixed be taking an important first step foundly altered its mode of life, adult groups will give major in advancing this program. emphasis to the adult book by and has been transformed from Dr. Kincheloe, leaders will find Some significant facts put a frontier settlement into a full- much valuable reference mate- upon striking posters; some fledged urban, industrial so- rial in all of the books published. graphs or some important staciety." In the June REVIEW Book De- tistics; a map showing different partment will be found a list of population areas in your city; "City Man" has not been pre- books recommended by Dr. the housing situation; the depared for the growth of his city Charles H. Sears of interest to linquency record; the welfare in all of its marked variations. those studying the Church in program; any of these linked up the City. In addition we note wherever possible with the He finds it difficult to adjust here a few additional source ma- Church of your city in its coophimself to the changed and terials that have seemed to us eration, or its lack of cooperachanging environment. Who valuable for reference: tion, may attract the attention of some one and lead to an really is his neighbor becomes a THE CITY'S CHURCH. H. Paul Doug- inquiry concerning the source of question that he himself is baf- lass. Friendship Press, New York. fled in answering. And of ever- Cloth, only 35 cents. increasing importance to him, if he is a church member – not merely on the membership list, but in active service-is the way [368 ]
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
your information. If all that For program building for conferences that should lead to a World Federation of Churches. you can do is to read and have women's or you n g people's Secondly, it seeks to renew someone else read these thought- groups there is also adequate the passion that has fired the Christian Church through the provoking books, you have material on the city theme for ages to send forth laborers into all areas of need. Personal conachieved a first goal. many use s. Denominational tacts and messages from our own missionaries and from those But this first step might well headquarters will give you sug- of other races reveal again the lead to the organization of a gestions and will have series of need of a redeeming Saviour. group for more intensive study. programs outlined for your use. It ought to. If so, the group will If you cannot find already out- A balanced program not only be glad not only to work for lined just what seems to meet stretches the mind and gives their own advancement, but they the need of your group, we refer world vision, but attacks the will assist you in bringing to the you again to the above list of concrete problem of how to proentire congregation the results references. From the leaders' ject this vision into the local of your work together. For guides you may select what will church. This year the challenge group study, refer to the lead- appeal to your group. Dr. of India and the miracle of what ers' guides noted above. You Searle's book "City Shadows" is happening to one-sixth of the will find in them many helpful will be sure to find among all a people on the opposite side of the suggestions. If you have a sympathetic response. Anyone globe, will be paralleled by a group to assist you, there might of these chapters will give back- course on how the Church may be produced a more informing ground for a most stimulating make the Kingdom of God efmap of your city. It might be discussion which will make an fective in a modern American started in one session and grow excellent program. city. Instruction on how to profrom session to session. Begin- The City Church in America mote these courses and how to ning with the central area in should be awakened not only to arouse the Church to an urgent your city which will be first geo- thought but to action by the need for action, is essential. graphically and historically, you home mission study for this can ,work out until you have put year. Those who have prepared The third objective of a suminto the map all of the features the materials have done a note- mer conference is the social felof special concern to your group. worthy service. It remains for lowship. In the renewing and It will be found that the general those who have the privilege of forming of new friendships with pattern of city life is similar for using them and of urging others those of like interest and pasdifferent cities in different parts to use them to make the best of sion we find a stimulus to greater their opportunities. May the service. of the country. Many subjects will present "Church" and the "City" profit In the Bible and devotional themselves for discussion or de- in large measure and may the hours, prophets of today will bate. Interesting assignments Kingdom be advanced by this present the Living Christ who, can be made to individuals with- program! as in the days when He walked NONA M. DIEHL, and talked with men, remains in the group from the wealth of today the only hope of a tangled Member of the Annual Meeting world. Only as our hearts burn books and pamphlets available. Committee of the Council of within us will women attending Women for Home Missions. summer conferences find a cre- In a discussion of the city ative faith equal to the mission- Church itself and its present ary task of the Church.
purpose and function a good OBJECTIVES OF A SUM- B. LoUISE WOODFORD, method will be found in the leaders' guide to Dr. Kincheloe's MER CONFERENCE Chairman of the Chautauqua Com.mittee for the Council of book by Kenneth D. Miller. It "Did not our hearts burn with- Women for Home Missions and the Foreign Missions Conwill be agreed that the pattern in us as He talked with us." ference.
of the average city Church Thus spoke two weary, disillu- CONFERENCE LEADERS!
should no longer provide chiefly sioned, discouraged men who Having studied Rural America, leaders will find knowledge of migrant work an infor a Sunday morning service. had found a dynamic faith that dispensable springboard connecting Rural America with the American City and its Neither should the Neighbor- sent them out to help change a Church. Conference Packets have been ashood House, built up chiefly . world. The summer missionary sembled for the use of leaders, including the booklet They Starve that We May Eat; a around group activities, be al- conferences plan to bring to Leader's Guide to be used In connection with They Starve that We May Eat; an Illuslowed to take the place of the women today, who also live in a trated map; A Volume of Service,' Around the Calendar with the Crops; and other Church. Mr. Miller presents in weary, disillusioned world, a valuable material all for the price of 60 cents. Write to the Council of Women for the last two sessions of his out- faith that will dare the impos- Home Missions, 297 Fourth Avenue, New York, N. Y., or your denominational headline a constructive plan for dis- sible. quarters for the packet.
cussing the place and function First it seeks to clarify the of the Church in the modern place of the ongoing Christian city. The Church should not Mission of the Church amid the duplicate other city service movements that threaten the activities, but it must become democratic ideals of Christiancivic-minded. It must not only ity. It presents the urgent need elaborate its policy but rethink of a united Christian front and its philosophy. the attempt made in recent
World~wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~~ EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO "
~'I=·================I~ ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO ment and plaster work. The about to devour Jesus. Numer- Ways of Working in building will accommodate 1,000 ous caricatures of God, the Pope, the Philippines people. It will be cruciform in ,,..priests, ministers and rabbis Filipino Christian workers emphasize the personal touch, shape, with a bell tower and were included. The crusade and recognize the value of Christ-like living. One of them cross, a concrete base, raised against the Roman Catholic writes: altar and choir stalls, over which Church in Mexico was portrayed "We have tried to meet individuals at the most opportune there will be a Gothic arch. with numerous pages from time here and there, in our homes or theirs, on the street, in Spotlights will be used to illu- school books. Communism, the market, in the stores, in their places of work in the town or minate the choir, altar and fascism and totalitarianism were country. We have met people on all sorts of occasions, at electric organ chamber. All fur- also featured as enemies of weddings, funerals, receptions, parties, birthday celebrations, nishings will be of redwood to Christianity. In the German fiestas, social functions, recreation times – wherever a word resist white ants, which de- section, newspapers and pamcould be said to turn attention to Christ and the Church. stroyed the old church. phlets set forth the German "Many of our best members -Pacific Islands Monthly. Neo-Pagan Movement. One have been won by following up the faithful work of teaching the pamphlet, w h i c h emphasized Gospel in the Sunday Schools. Much good has been accom- Australian Youth Oalling anti-Semitism, was entitled, plished through the use of tracts. "Jesus-Only a Jew." Also, the traveling clinics have Ninety thousand Australian proved powerful evangelizing Christian Endeavorers have in- An hour in this exhibition was agencies. A doctor, a nurse, two deaconesses and two helpers vited other Endeavorers from a sobering experience. It is now comprise such a team. Two all nations and tongues to meet weeks as a rule are spent in a in Melbourne on August 2', 1938, on a tour of schools, colleges and town. The days are given to the healing of men's bodies, while for the Tenth World's Christian patriotic societies throughout the evenings are devoted to Endeavor Convention. Here is health talks and messages which one of the youngest nations call- the country as an evidence of the point them to the Great Physician who is able to heal their ing Christian youth of all na- extent to which anti-religious souls. propaganda will go when given Portable Ohurch license. -Missions. A church, to be shipped in sections to Nauru Island, in the tions to meet for an advance. Juvenile Delinquency Central Pacific, has been built Australia is a great, largely unin Melbourne, Australia. Wood, The New Jersey Juvenile Decement and fibrous plaster are developed continent about as linquency Commission has just the main materials. They were large as China or as the United submitted a report to the Govpaid for with £3,000 subscribed ernor, in which it is shown that by the Nauruans, who will erect States of America – but it now failure to attend church and a the church and complete the ce- contains only about 4,000,000 lack of religious training has a people-mostly white.
NORTH AMERIOA direct bearing upon the problem An Anti-God Show of juvenile delinquency and crime. In their search for causes An unusual exhibition was re- and cures, the Commission inter- cently held in New York City, viewed 1,500 offenders serving sponsored by the Roman Cath- terms in four penal institutions, olic Church. It featured more inquiring into their home rela- than 2,500 books, pamphlets, tionships, school experiences, magazines, handbills, posters church attendance and other and other anti-God propaganda factors. In the findings of the material. Three years were re- Commission we read: quired to assemble this array, "Though the great majority including a number of bitterly of the mothers and fathers of anti-religious posters from Rus- these offenders attended some sia. church, according to the testi- One poster showed a Russian mony of their sons, regular at- peasant with a gigantic broom tendance was far less common sweeping away Bibles, ikons, in- among the sons themselves. cense burners, etc. Another "Of the mothers, 80 per cent showed a group of cannibals were declared to be regular in [370 ] attendance, and 65 per cent of object was to examine personal fect would check the spread of the fathers. No fewer than 43 lives in the light of God's truth false political systems. Said per cent of the offenders gave a and God's commands, so that we she: blunt 'no' with respect to their should heed Him when He own attendance, and enough speaks. "The Christian world has paid tribute to the witnessing of the more returned equivocal answers "As soon as the term began German church and its pastors to bring the number of irregular the program was sent to every against Hitler. We know what attendants up to 53 per cent. resident member of the Univer- Christianity means to those peo- Thus, only 47 per cent claimed sity-both senior and junior- ple now. I would like to know some 6,000 people. Together what it meant to them at an any regularity of attendance." with it was an open letter from earlier date. What were they the three missioners stating the doing when Hitler was rising to Is New York Pagan? case for such a mission and power? What was the Church emphasizing their own unity of doing? What was the Y. W. The City of New York, with conviction." C. A. doing? Was there a time when the united action of Chrisits 7,500,000 inhabitants, has -Intercollegian and Far tian forces could have averted H.orizons. Naziism? Is not that where we 1,074 Protestant churches, with are today? … Preaching Mission Continues 554,000 members. Thus only "This is not an easy time to In spite of the fact that the be a Christian. We are faced seven per cent of the population National Preaching Mis s ion with the problem of putting ended last December, the impulse Christianity into practice in an is reported as having member- continues, of which the latest in- age characterized by a meaning- dication is the decision of the lessness that is terrifying, by an ship in Protestant churches of North Dakota Association of insecurity that breeds fear and Denominational Superintendents drives us to unreasoning action the American metropolis. Of to conduct a state-wide mission when the securities we set up in the autumn of 1938. The for ourselves prove vulnerable." these members less than forty plan has been endorsed by the state organizations of the Meth- -Religious News Service. per cent indicate that they at- odist, Baptist, Congregational and Presbyterian bodies. Six Presbyterian Centennial Fund tend church and only two per missions will be held in six dif- ferent centers of the State- A year ago the Presbyterian cent, on an average, will be Grand Forks, Devil's Lake, Board of Foreign Missions, cele- Minot, Fargo, Jamestown and brating one hundred years of found in Christian churches on Bismarck. service, set a goal of $1,000,000 to be raised for foreign missions. anyone Sunday. There are 194,- Nine missions have been held The Fund has now passed the at different centers in Maine, half million mark. In view of 000 on the rolls of the Sabbath four days being spent in each the sudden and unexpected place by the group of cooper- financial "recession," the Board schools, or about two per cent ating leaders; 141 local churches considers it a matter for thank- of 10 denominations cooperated fulness that this much has been of the population. This shows and the total attendance in the accomplished. It has been voted nine missions was approximately to approve the following per- New York to be one of the great 18,000. One of the practical out- centage allocation of this Fund: comes of the Maine Mission was non-Christian centers of the the decision to hold a state con- I. New Missionaries …… 600/0 vention of the pastors of all II. Restoration of Salary Cuts 200/0 world and one of the places denominations next fall for wor- III. Evangelistic Expansion. 11 0/0 ship, to plan the year's program IV. Educational and Medical greatly in need of evangeliza- and to promote interdenomina- tional comity and understanding. Expansion ……….. 80/0 tion. -Revelation. V. Other Urgent Needs …. 10/0 -Federal Council. Christian Evangelism Pioneer Among the Pimas in Colleges Fresh Dynamic Needed This year marks the hun- Twenty universities in the Mrs. Austin Kimball, national dredth ann i v e r s a r y of Dr. United States are planning president of the Y. W. C. A., in Charles H. Cook, who for thir- "Christian Missions" during the her opening address to the 2,000 teen years worked among the next college year. The report of delegates to the organization's Pima Indians of Arizona witha "Mission to the University at 15th biennial convention, in Co- out a single convert, but lived Oxford, England," meeting last lumbus, Ohio, last April, said to see 2,000 of them accept February, will help to clar- that Christian ideals put into ef- Christ. Not far from where he ify the thought of those who first taught stands the First plan these missions in America. Presbyterian Church of Tucson, We quote from this report: "It was decided that what was needed was a clear and unequivocal declaration of the one eternal Gospel. The essential thing for a Christian university, now so largely oblivious of its Christian origin, is to be clear about what Christianity is. …
"The preparation began publicly at the beginning of last October, and since then weekly services of prayer have been held. In all the twenty-eight colleges there were meetings of small groups of Christian leaders, for prayer and study. The
a memorial to this "apostle to damaged. Last April the Church Scofield, the report says: "Only the Pimas." From this center have sprung up seven other filed claims against the Japanese recently has it taken the whole churches which serve a population of 6,000 Indians. They are government for this damagE;, and question of church development strategically located over an area about the size of Connecti- for the use of its property for seriously: in the past it has been cut. war purposes. The lowest esti- confent simply to preach and to Through Dr. Cook's influence a training school for Indians was mate of the damage sustained is pass on." founded in 1911. All the native evangelists now at work on the $500,000. That is to say, more impor- Pima, Papago, Maricopa and Apache fields are former pupils This appeal to Secretary of tance is being given to the mainof the Charles H. Cook Bible School. There are also many State Hull is the first to be made tenance of a settled ministry. others who are Sunday School teachers, choir directors and officially by a Church board. The book's statistics show that exemplary citizens in their home communities. Pimas have sent Other denominations have con- the total number of evangelical forth their missionaries to the Papagos, the Apaches (their sidered such action, but so far Christians in the one republic ancient enemies) and to others u n til the establishment of none have been made. of Guatemala is almost equal to Christian citizenship among the 18 tribes of Arizona is one great '~–the total number of the other enterprise. LATIN AMERIOA four republics combined. -Monday Morning. Training Porto Rican Youth – Watchman-Examiner. China Relief Organizations A Training School for Sunday Indians' Search for God The following agencies in School teachers and officers in America have been at work the three Presbyterian churches The South American Missionhelping China's distress: The of Mayaguez, P. R., was held ary Society has been engaged American Bureau for Medical recently, with an attendance of for nearly a century in the diffi- Aid to China; the American 65. The courses included: Sur- cult task of taking the Gospel to Red Cross; American Student vey of the New Testament, the Indians of that continent. Union; Associated Boards for Teaching P rim a r y Children, One piece of pioneer work in the Christian Colleges; China Emer- Story Telling, History of the Argentine Chaco has been regency Civilian Relief; China Bible and Methods of Teaching. markably successful. About Famine Relief, U. S. A., Inc.; Almost all who took the courses seven years ago, Toba Indians China War Relief Association; were young people. Specific sent a deputation to the Mission, Chinese Women's Relief Asso- problems of the field were dis- asking for a teacher and saying ciation; Federal Council of cussed, and a spirit of enthu- that they were in search of "Our Churches; International Stu- siasm was manifest. Father." Mr. Leake accepted dent Service; National Intercol- the challenge, prepared to graplegiate Christian Council, the In Porto Rico, where there are ple with the difficult language, National Student Federation of more children in Sunday School and in November, 1930, launched America and the various Church than in any Spanish-speaking the new undertaking. During boards having work in China. country, there are thirty Pres- the intervening years, there has Send your gift to any of these. byterian Young People's Socie- been a steady stream of converts, ties, with nearly 1,200 members. corporate church life has been Other groups whose only ac- Three district Unions hold quar- established, and the singing of tivity is raising funds for relief hymns has now superseded the include the International Mis- terly Conventions; once a year incantations of the witch-doctor. sionary Council, China Child Before the advent of the mission- Welfare and China Medical all assemble in one general Con- ary, the Tobas were a dying race, Boards. vention. At the last such meet- but medical service has effec- ing, those in attendance were tively arrested a mounting Damage Claims Against divided into three groups for death-rate. Furthermore, total Japanese discussion of the "Youth and illiteracy, which originally pre- Spiritual Emphasis Program of vailed, has largely been over- Of Southern Methodist prop- the Board of Christian Educa- come. erty in China, 24 buildings are tion." This proved to be more said to be in ashes and 98 per stimulating than the usual pro- A striking feature of the work cent of the remainder have been gram of speeches. is the self-appointment of twelve Indian evangelists who, on their Religion in Central America own initiative, determined to go out each Sunday afternoon into The World Dominion Press the villages and preach the Gos- has added to its numerous sur- pel. Before setting out, it is veys of mission fields one on their practice to meet in a small Central America. One finds prayer-hut, where they seek from this survey that "there is guidance and plan their itiner- less educational activity in Cen- ary. Results everywhere follow tral America in proportion to their preaching, and their ex- evangelistic enterprise than is ample has led to the erection of general in the larger Latin other prayer-huts. American republics." -The Christian. Of the Central American Mis- sion founded in 1890 by Dr. C. 1.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
North Brazil Evangelical tional) received an additional so prevalent among Christians is Seminary faithless and unreasonable. . . . income of over 17,000 pounds, Two years ago a group of and came within some 8,000 Religion is a natural instinct. Deworkers in North Brazil unani- pounds of wiping out its accu- generate people will have a degenerate mously agreed that the solution mulated deficiency of 76,000 religion. If Christianity becomes exto their problem was an inter- pounds. The Baptist Society tinct for want of teachers, the Holy denominational Bible School for finished with a heavy' deficit of Spirit will take care of the Church. the training of Brazilian work- Church history has shown us again ers. As the months passed, one 13,000 pounds. Through be- and again that the blood of the mardifficulty after another was re- tyrs is the seed of the Church. I think moved, and the Union Bible quests the C. M. S. received the Church was probably at its purest School became an established 98,000 pounds, the Bible Society during the persecutions which weeded fact. A spacious house was 68,000 pounds, and the London out the insincere and the half-hearted; Missionary Soc i e t y 33,000 and I believe that in all these coun- pounds. tries which I have mentioned the ulti- mate result of the anti-God campaign placed at the School's disposal will be the revival of Christianity in and fifteen students appeared at Protestantism in Portugal a purer form than before the troubles. Religion really is not taught: it is the opening. The two Bible The Evangelical Alliance of caught from someone who has it al- Portugal has recently issued a ready. And your duty and mine, if Schools which had previously we want to make Christianity a more existed and whose amalgamation compilation of those laws which vital force . . . is to show forth the affect the standing of the Prot- fruits of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, formed the "Seminario Evan- estant Churches in Portugal. longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, gelico de Norte," taken together, The fact that these occupy forty temperance.
had not approached this number.
There had been no effort to in- pages of small print show the Unified Church in France duce students to come and no attention which is given to regpublicity whatever. They just ulating the position of the local A unified Protestant Church arrived. religious bodies. The effect of in France was achieved as a re- They come from the various sult of a meeting at Lyon of the recent cases of discrimination Constituent Assembly of Protstates in North Brazil, from against evangelicals by local au- estant Churches on April 28. Pernambuco, Sergipe, Parahyba, thorities is reflected in these The Assembly brought together pages, which contain the text of Ceara, Maranhao and Para. over 600 congregations of four They represent all classes. There recent instructions sent to all such authorities, laying down denominations to heal a breach are those from the hoe, and the in French Protestantism that more cultured city men. They that "it is not to be tolerated goes back to 1872, when liberals that evangelical C h r i s t ian s among the Evangelical Reare drawn from the various de- should be the victims of vionominations at work in North formed Church declined to sub- Brazil. They vary in capacity. lence." scribe to a new Declaration of -World Dominion Press. Some are taking only the two Faith and established the Reyears of intensive training for evangelists offered by the Sem- "Gloomy Dean" Sees Gleam formed Church. inary, while others avail them- The two other groups now selves of the full theological The former Dean of St. Paul's joining in the unification are the course. in London, Dr. W. R. lnge, has fifty odd congregations of the -The Neglected Continent. no gloomy view of the future of Free Evangelical Church and religion. In an article in the about 2'5 Methodist congrega- Christian World on "The Revolt EUROPE Against Christianity," he says: tions in France. The union is based upon a new Declaration British Mission Deficits . . . It is true that real persecution of Faith which is a moderate re- eXIsts in sev-.:n,J parts of the world With an estimated 30% of statement of the historic Calvin- church members supporting the quite as violent as the early church ism of the Reformed Churches. missionary movement in Eng- suffered at the hands of the Roman This is the fourth major move Emperor. In Russia thirty bishops land, three British missionary and more than eight thousand priests toward unification of Western societies report deficits, one have been murdered. In Spain four Protestant Churches. Previ- thousand priests have, they say, sufmanaged to hold its own and an- fered death. The property of the ously there was the creation of other reduced its debt. Church has been confiscated, and the Church of Scotland from the churches have been destroyed; the many Presbyterian sects in that The Church Missionary So- ciety, with an income of 415,000 public performance of divine worship country, the formation of the prohibited and religious education enpounds sterling, reports 570 tirely stopped. Blasphemous posters United Church of Canada which deficit of 20,000 pounds for the from Russia and other countries have year. The Methodist Society has been exhibited, intended to bring reli- has developed a very close work- ing agreement with the Church been able to make ends meet, gion into contempt. The same things of England in Canada, and the while the Bible Society received have been enacted in Germany. . . . almost completed move towards I have no wish to minimize the 378,000 pounds and spent 385,- danger of these revolts against all Methodist unification in the 000 pounds. The London Mis- that we hold true and holy; but I United States. sionary Soc i e t y (Congrega- think that the pessimism which is now -Religious News Service.
Persecuted Waldensians time witnessing to what the explain this book to the best of Lord has done for them. their knowledge during the R. M. Stephens, of the Wal- -Scripture Gift Mission. church service. densian Church Missions of Lon- Poland's Bible School "The National Church is dedon, tells of his recent visit in The eyes of the world have termined to exterminate unalter- South Italy and Sicily. Speak- been focussed on Poland in coning of an interview he had with nection with the Lithuanian ably and by all necessary means the Waldensian pastor in charge the Christian faith which was problem, but with the peaceful imported into Germany in the of the work of the Bible Society fatal year of 800, and pressed in Rome, he says: "The difficul- upon the German people though ties of Bible circulation increase. settlement of this question Po- it was of an entirely foreign na- Last year the authorities in- l~nd has strengthekned ~er poshi- ture and substance.
formed him that 'it was incon- bon as a bulwar. agamst t e "In the National Church f the venient' that Bibles should be hordes of commumsm and athe……__ ~erman!t e·ICh h . roeml.~- ism pressing upon her eastern t ere IS no sold without any indication as to sS!lOrensos ft~sl~Sns.agaIm~ aassnedrtasg, a3m:nd, . which Church published them. border. While the State is the wIll On being informed that the Bible fence to keep out communism, that it is left for the Church to stem sms 'YhI~h ha;re been comm.ltted Socety was not a Church it was the tide of atheism. The Evan- once m .lIfe wIll. be unrelentmgly ordered that no Bibles should be sold. . . . At Foggia I met Pas- gelical Churches are in the fore- met wIth pymshment by the tor Castiglione and went with front in this undertaking, and brazen and Irrevoc~ble l.aws ~f are cemented by the World's na~ure,', and certamly m thIS him by car to Orsara in the mountains, where there has been Evangelical Alliance. Recently, wo ld.
a church for forty years. A few the Alliance sent a deputation to Rome's Influence in Yugoslavia hours before our arrival the Poland to survey conditions and leading elder and founder of the needs. The visitors were as- According to a new law in Church passed away. While I sured by the Prime Minister, a Yugoslavia, all religions are was there a message came to the Protestant, that the Government placed on a nominally equal offi- pastor from the police to say will favor the constructive work cial basis, with no group enjoy- that while a service would be of the Alliance. ing special privilege. However, permitted in Church, no speak- The first interdenominational the Roman Catholic Church in ing would be allowed at the Bible School in Poland was es- strength and initiative is far grave or in the cemetery. The tablished last December, through ahead of the Orthodox Church.
local priest is a bitter enemy, the initiative of the W. E. A. Numbering something 0 v e r and through his influence the au- Beginning with eight students, 5,000,000, it is endeavoring to thorities refused to renew the there were soon more applica- . obtain advantages t h r 0 ugh pastor's permit last year. No tions than could be accepted. agreement with the State – ad- meetings are allowed in private The churches in Poland, poor vantages that are denied the houses without the permission though they are, are doing their Orthodox Church, which num- of the police, which is seldom best to promote this School. bers about 6,500,000.
forthcoming." -The Christian. Among other things it would -Evangelical Christian. seek to enforce the Roman Cath- Revival in Hungary Nazi's National Church olic rule that all children of The political situation in Hun- A "National Church of the mixed mar ria g e s must be gary is difficult for both govern- German Reich" with "no scribes, brought up Roman; if a parish ment and people, yet word comes no pastors, no chaplains and no of a great revival movement should go over to orthodoxy it is clergy," and which would pro- stipulated that all its possessions hibit the printing and publishing remain with the Roman Church.
there, not only in Budapest but of all Christian literature, is Under such circumstances, it in other centers. Evangelistic now the plan of the National So- is encouraging to read incidents meetings are being held many cialist Party. It would put Hit- like the following: times a day, and at some of them ler's "My Struggle" in place of "In the elementary school in from four to seven thousand peo- the Bible, and the swastika in Novi Sad, the New Testament ple are present, many of whom place of the Cross. Its thirty- is used as the text for religious have never heard the Gospel be- point program requires accept- teaching. One day a lad about fore. Special editions of the ance of the State race ideology. nine years of age came into the Gospel of John and the Epistle Some other points are: shop and asked if he could get to the Romans have been placed "On the altars of the National an Evangelical Bible. Looking in the hands of inquirers; while Church our most holy book, 'My at the child, I said, 'How much Christians are urged to take five Struggle,' shall be consecrated money have you?' 'Eight dinars,' copies and, after prayer for to the German people and thus he answered, so I knew he guidance, to seek out five rela- to God, and at its left the sword wanted the New Testament. To tives or acquaintances to whom shall be sanctified. The speakers make sure, I asked, 'Who is your they may give them, at the same of the National Church have to teacher?' 'Mr. Dietrich,' the lad
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
replied. 'What is he teaching to see Islam rule over the social the population of Egypt has for you?' 'Just now we have the life of Egypt because the great too many decades been unable good Samaritan.' And without majority of the inhabitants of to share in the great movements my enquiring any more the this country are Moslems, and of Egypt's development. But schoolboy said, 'I believe on the because the official religion of now that half, the half of the Lord Jesus Christ, my father the country is Moslem, and noth- population which is made up of does not, and today I am going ing else. Other religions differ- women, is awakening and is beto read that story to my father entiate between religion and ing set free to cooperate in the -he promised me that he would politics; Islam does not." activities of the nation." 'listen.' " This statement was made fol- -Blessed Be Egypt. New Era in Greece lowing widespread rumors that the Sheikh had incited the stu- Religion as a Therapeutic The spirit of persecution, so dents of Al Azhar to rioting in long a feature of religious life the recent political crisis in Leper work that failed under in Greece, has, to a large extent, Egypt. This was a virtual ad- government administration is been overcome, and unrest has mission of his activity in the somehow succeeding under the given place to a spirit of peace. attempt to dislodge the govern- direction of Christian mission- Twenty-five years have passed ment of Nahas Pasha. aries in Northe·rn Nigeria. Late since the death of the founder in 1936, the government in this of the Greek Evangelical Church, Nile Mission Press Mohammedan territory gave and there are now twelve or- over to the Sudan Interior Mis- ganized churches, six of them On March 10, Mr. Arthur T. sion and the Mission to Lepers self-supporting; while scattered Upson laid the foundation stone the responsibility for directing throughout the country are more for a new building for the Nile the leper work; and since then than twenty preaching places. Mission Press. Dr. Charles R. four colonies have been estab- Watson, President of the Amer- lished. One of the more recent con- ican University in Cairo, said in verts was a Doctor of Mathe- his address: "I found in looking Some one visiting the colony matics, and his influence among at the government statistics for at Kano, after a long absence, the students is being much felt literacy that every ten years the commented: "What has hap- at Athens. In his student days literacy of Egypt increases by pened to the Colony? It seems he was an atheist, but his life like a new place; the spirit of was changed. After his conver- more than 50 %. According to the people is so much happier." sion he started meetings. in his It seems unquestioned that a own home and, as a preacher in that, the Press, merely to keep new hope instilled in the hearts the Evangelical Church and in pace, ought to increase over 5010 of the patients, a knowledge of halls, his compelling message is in the outreach of its publica- a force outside themselves work- winning many for the Kingdom. tions. But since it has never ing to implant this hope, has a All Evangelical Churches in from the beginning overtaken definite part in bringing about Greece have a special collection the need, it would seem that improved physical condition. It annually toward the work of dis- every ten years jt should more was the government's recogniz- tributing Bibles. than double the scope of its ing this fact that moved them to activities and the output of its turn over the leper work to mis- -The Unchained Word. literature merely to meet the sionaries. challenge of the increasing lit- AFRICA eracy in this country. -Without the Camp.
"Religious Politics" "To this literacy challenge Women Advance in the Sudan may be added the challenge of a Egypt has about fourteen mil- changing mental outlook. This The women of the Moru tribe, lion Moslems as against a mil- is calling not merely for a larger southern Sudan, are more back- lion and a half Christian Copts, volume of literature, but for a ward than the men. Even the the original Egyptians. In an fresh presentation of the· old wives of teachers have not made exclusive interview, She i k h truth to which we hold. Science much progress, in spite of reg- Maraghi, who as head of the is invading every sphere of life ular attendance at school. It is oldest university, Moslem or even here in Egypt and the only in the last two or three otherwise, in the world, the Al reconciliation of science and re- years that girls have shown any Azhar, wields almost as much ligion is more and more urgent. desire to learn; but after a few power as the Caliphs of bygone There is also a growing sense of had begun to attend the women's days, made it clear that Egypt need for moral power. The pop- school, their numbers and inter- is a Moslem nation. ulation is coming into touch with est grew until there are now 70 European life and European on the roll. Eight of the girls The Sheikh declares he does temptation. The old moral mo- have made their stand as Chris- not engage in party politics, but tives no longer hold against the tians; they have shown amazing that he does engage in "religious engulfing tide of temptation and responsiveness, and application politics." immorality. To this I would add of Christian principles to every the challenge of an awakened day life. -Life of Faith. "I will even go a step farther womanhood in Egypt. One-half and say that I personally wish
Darkness Still Reigns twenty of them are Christians. and especially the discussion They have their own church, periods. -Neglected Arabia. Human sacrifices and twin murders still take place in the their own elders. Though physismall, isolated villages of Nsukka, West Africa. The missionary cal healing is denied to many of Iran Has a C. C. C. in charge of this district recently visited a village where a woman them, they laugh and sing and The Christian Courtesy Circle and child had been sacrificed a praise God. -Life of Faith. of the Evangelical Church of few days before. Out of a population of a million and a half, WESTERN ASIA Hamadan was organized in Ocabout 8,000 are Christians, or more accurately, church attend- tober, 1933. The young women ants. There are sixty churches in the area, staffed by African Modernizing Jericho of the church were divided into teachers, most of whom are do- four groups, each group having ing good work. The people are A mo~erniza~io~ of J erich?, a missionary leader. The groups beginning to realize the value of education for their children, and that anCIent BIbhcal town, IS meet in the homes of its memapproximately 3,000 are attend- now b~in?" undert.aken br a local , bers every other week and the ing the schools. A large central CommIssIOn. It IS not mtended ~-young women take turns in leadschool, which will accommodate to change the character of the ing the meetings~ A school for sixty to eighty boarders, is being built. small city, especially the residen- the children of church members The dispensary attracts an tial character of the community who attend public schools on average of more than 100 patients daily, and the maternity which is thought t? be its grea;t- Sundays has also become a projblock, with beds for about fifteen women, is nearly always full. est asset. New JerIcho was bUIlt ect of the C. C. C. It is conducted Three girls and two boys are in training as medical workers. by the Crusaders. It is below as a Sunday School.
-C. M. S. Outlook. sea level, and has a popUlation Last year in order not to be Moravian Missions of 1,700, including 170 Chris- hearers of the Word only but tians a~d four J ~ws. It enjoys doers also, one group started a The Moravian Church may well claim to be a missionary popularIty as a 'Ymter resort. Friday school for children who Church. Its missionaries labor in 300 stations in all parts of the In the RUSSIan Garden of were working as weavers of world, and there are no fewer J er~cho are to be seen the re- carpets, and a few children of than 130,000 Moravian converts mams of ~n old fourth century the neighborhood. They were in foreign fields. The youngest of all their fields is that in East church, WIth a mOSaiC .floor. In taught Gospel stories, reading Central Africa, where a witness one corn~r of the town IS a .tower and singing. It proved so worth has been maintained for about on t~~ SIte where, accordmg to while it was continued this year. fifty years. Here are some remarkable figures concerning the tradItIOn, stood the house of There is also a baby clinic, conextension of the work in recent years: In 1922 there were 300 Zaccheus. ducted by a missionary doctor. baptized Christians; in 1930, nearly 6,000. Medical work be- Boys' School in Iraq Even the children of well-to-do gan in 1923, and it was six families are undernourished. months before they could persuade any native to come for Rev. John Van Ess, Reformed The problem is to impress the treatment; but in 1930 there Church missionary in Basrah, were 250 in-patients, and last Iraq, lists the encouraging fea- mothers with the value of care year there were 350, while outpatients numbered nearly 5,000. in feeding. -Iranew8. Two years ago a new hospital was built. tures of educational work for Building Solidly. boys at Ashar: Comparatively new is the leper work. A home was estab- 1. The overwhelming propor- Alborz College, of Teheran, lished about eight years ago in tion of Moslem pupils. In a Iran, limits the number of its an unused compound. There are students to 700, admitting only now 37 lepers in residence; typical month the figures were: Moslems, 207; Christians, 13; such students as can be assimi- lated into the existing student Jews, 11. Of the Moslems the body without lowering the stand- great majority are village boys. ard of the School. This policy results in building up a reputa- 2. During this, the first year tion for excellence which is re- flected in the confidence shown in which the conscription law the School by government offi- has been applied, pupils who con- cials and hundreds of families formed to the regulations were throughout the country. exempted from military service. Primary work was dropped in There has been no evidence of 1932, but preparatory grades discrimination a g a ins t the are included. Many students are School. turned away for want of room. 3. In government examina- -Monday Morning. tions the pupils compared favor- ably with those from other schools.
4. One of last year's pupils, Literature for Moslems now employed in Baghdad, has asked for, and is to receive bap- To set the men of Moslem tism. lands reading Christian litera- 5. There has been a marked ture would be an achievement of response to the Bible lessons, the highest order. It might come
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
about if we could discover a new once in his life to journey to believe Dr. Ambedkar has himway of presenting the world's Mecca. One very holy man of self made this very plain. Heart most interesting story to these India is taking ten years to it. conversion most certainly will master story-tellers of the world. He is a saint called Shah Sub- remedy the evil of untouchabil- Moslems have the firm convic- han, often known as the "King ity; it is the only thing that tion that they know far more of the Strivers after Happiness." will." -Dnyanodaya.
about true religion than Chris- Shah Subhan started from Allatians, whom they regard as habad some time in 1933. He is hopelessly astray in polytheism journeying on foot, and every Indian Young Women's and other dangerous heresies. five paces he stops and recites Secretary The younger generation how- prayers, which take two minutes The United Presbyterian Inever, who are leading the Na- to repeat, thanking God for hav- dia Mission presents its first nationalist renaissance of intellec- ing permitted him to undertake tive young women's secretary, tual and religious freedom, and this pilgrimage. If he is still and here is her first report: are escaping western domination alive he must be near Baghdad. "In our Punjab church we by adopting western civilization, Thence by way of Damascus and have five presbyterials and in are obviously thinking different- Jerusalem he will journey on to four of these there are young ly. These modern-minded men Mecca, some 5,'0'0'0 miles in all, women's societies. In each presin Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Egypt saying those prayers every five byterial there are other societies and, in lesser degree in North paces. Africa, are appreciating Chris- such as the Junior and Senior tian literature productions. Shall we say that missions are organizations. The missionary no longer needed in India? societies help in the evangelistic The day of controversial lit- -D'nyanodaya. work in every way, some by goerature of the old type for Mos- ing out and telling the Word, lems appears to be passing. The India's Tanners and some by prayer and some by giv- Conversion ing money. Christian story, to command wide attention, must be cast in "But my wish at this time is attractive form by the pens of Twenty-three per cent of the to tell something about our Eastern Christians, instead of world's buffaloes are supplied by young women's societies. There in the form of theological debate. the Bombay Presidency, and the -World Dominion. export from India to England of are 214 members in the six so- cieties. These members not chrome leather rose from 3'0,'0'0'0 only try to do evangelistic work INDIA ANJ) SIAM square feet in 1931 to nearly but also temperance work. They 9,5'0'0,0'0'0 square feet in 1936. give out temperance literature, Missionary Opportunities Similarly the export of dressed and by dramas and meetings, in 1938 leather increased from 2,'0'00 place the temperance message In spite of modern trends in square feet in 193'0 to almost before the people. In all these India, temple goldsmiths have as 4,'0'0'0,'0'0'0 square feet in 1936. things, by the grace of God, we much to do as their predecessors In the Bombay Presidency alone are making progress. We do had in the day of Paul. If you nearly two million people are our work wholeheartedly and do are inclined to forget the hold of engaged in the leather industry it all with God's help and for Hinduism on present-day life in and almost all of them belong to Him. the Depressed Classes. Condi- India, note that last year at tions in their villages are ap- "Finally, I would ask you to Tirupathi, the most sac red palling. please remember our societies in shrine in South India of the god your prayers that we might Vishnu, goldsmiths were asked to On the same day that an in- grow daily in numbers and make send in designs for a new crown dustrial conference made these progress in our work." for the image of the god. The revelations, the village tanners image is large, perhaps three had a conference, and their Students' Prayer Service times as large as an ordinary president observed: "I do not man. The crown is to be 43 believe in Dr. Ambedkar's con- The Intercollegian and Far inches in circumference, where version move, knowing as I do Horizons tells how the annual it is set on the head of the that this will not remedy the evil Day of Prayer was observed by image; and will be about 3'0 of untouchability nor raise the students at Lucknow: "Early in inches high, all of solid gold. In social status of Harijans irre- the morning the students prothis crown 2,4'0'0 diamonds, 2,4'0'0 spective of what new faith they ceeded to a grove beside the emeralds, 3,9'0'0 rubies and many embrace. On this question, we river. After a period of devohundreds of other gems from the ourselves earnestly hope that tions the students divided into treasury of the temple are being every Christian worker in India groups to discuss the findings of set. All these are gifts from will make very clear that any the Rangoon Quadrennial Confaithful Hindus who have come so-called 'conversion move' that ference; then a morning serv- aims mainly at 'social status' is ice and a picnic lunch. They as pilgrims to this temple. Keep in mind also that every no 'conversion' at all in the truly went to their colleges for the devout Mohammedan expects Christian sense; and, indeed, we afternoon siesta, and in the eve-
ning together again for a united ary of $8 a month if he would must contribute tow a r d the service in a local church. r e n 0 u n c e Christianity and maintenance of the family, with preach Hinduism instead. This the result that what is learned At other centers of India the is soon forgotten. However, Day of Prayer was used as an Kotiah refused to do. Then a those who are able to continue opportunity of celebrating also gift came to him from a friend in school soon earn more than the Jubilee of the Indian S. C. M. in America, and to show his they could have done without an and the service was modeled on education. the jubilee service at Rangoon. gratitude, he resolved to win one After a proc€ssion, 25 earthen person to Christ at once. Shortly -Baptist Missionary lamps and candles representing Review. the years 1912 – 1937 were after that a shepherd from his lighted; then they were re- village was baptized. Christian Wanted lighted as a sign of consecration of the next twenty-five years. -Watchman-Examiner. Prayers and responsive readings of Biblical passages followed, Children Help China Miraj Hospital is one of the then intercessions for the work of the S. C. M. in India. The "Criminal Tribes" children at'''- best in Bombay Presidency for service clos·ed with a hymn that symbolized the evangelistic task the Sholapur Settlement have the treatment of cancer, if not of the Student Christian Move- s€nt 25 rupees to the Red Cross the. best. The qh~rles Edwa~d ment. to help China's suffering chil- VaIl Cancer ClImc, !l~med m dren in the war with Japan. memory of the physIcIan who Village Improvement This contribution is the result of served there for so many years, The young Maharajah of gifts of grain in the Sunday has tre~ted more than .100 can- Gwalior, whose state is 28,000 Schools from both Christian and cer p~~Ient~, and there IS always square miles in extent, with a a waItmg h~t. human population of 3,500,000 non-Christian children, and was . and a cattle population of 4,000,- presented on "White Gift Sun- 000, decided to do some rural day." The serVICe and mfluence of uplift work, and set aside $3,500,- this, the only C~ristia~ medical 000 for the purpose. He invited The remaining Sunday collec- school for men ~n IndIa, re.ach Col. Brayne, British official who has done much to improve vil- tions were set apart to help 150 out far. beyond ItS ?wn reglO!l' lage life in the Punjab, and of the poorest children in the Th~ chIef of a natIve state m others including Sam Higgin- G~Ja~at wrote and as~ed for a bottom to advise him. There are Settlement, and provided needed MIraJ. ma~, to run a dIsI!e~sarr, now thousands of villages where clothing for them. for hIm. I want a ChrIstIan, there is nothing to offend eye or he stipulated, "for only a Chrisnose, and where the health of the -Dnyanodaya villagers is thereby improved. . Garbage and wastes are collected and carried to the fields, where Bengal's Boarding Schools tian has the true spirit of servit is demonstrated that cleanli- ice." Former students of Miraj ness is profitable financially, According to the last census, are at work i·n Arabia and Iran, since the crops are from 50 to the total number of In d ian as well as in India. 100% better. The whole state Christians in Bengal is approxiis working with enthusiasm to mately 132,000. Of these about -Presbyterian Board carry out the program as drawn 26,000 live in towns and 106,000 News. up. -Sam Higginbottom. in the country. There are 43 towns of various sizes in Ben- For Chinese in Bangkok Proving His Gratitude gal. About 14,000 Indian Chris- tians are permanent residents of There are about 12'5 members Velugu Kotiah is a Sudra Calcutta and Howrah, while the in the Cantonese Church of preacher of South India, and is rest of the Indian Christian ur- Christ in Siam in Bangkok; 91 one of the staunchest Christian active members and an average converts of recent years. He is a fearless and eloquent evan- ban population, numbering ap- attendance of 85 at Sunday servgelist, though illiterate. Two proximately 12,000, live in 41 ices. Last year four adults were years ago, he encountered a severe testing, since his harvest towns. These 106,000 rural In- baptized, two members w ere failed and three of his cattle dian Christians are scattered in received by letter and four by died. About this time, two Brah- 27 districts of Bengal. They live reaffirmation of faith. Two inmins offered him an assured sal- either in single families, or in fants were baptized. The Sunday very small groups in predomi- School has an average attend- nantly non-Christian communi- ance of 60. A Young People's ties. It follows that Christian Society was organized a few children must either be educated years ago, and every Saturday in non-Christian schools, or go they play games in the church without education. T his ex- compound. The same evening plains the low percentage of lit- they have a Bible study class, eracy in Assam, Madras, United followed by a religious service Provinces and Behar. and then training in pub I i c Missionary schools of primary speaking.
grade have not proved success- This year, this Cantonese group ful in certain districts of Ben- gal, because pupils from the started family prayer meetings, poorer homes are not permitted dividing the city into districts. to study continuously, as they This kind of work is of great value, as families invite their
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
neighbors to the service; also, disputes and imposes penalties. In Seventeen Air Raids it strengthens the interest in families where only one member A labor bureau has charge of Rev. R. W. Porteous, of the is a Christian. C. 1. M., Nanchang, writes that all the work, each activity under the Coleman Bible Institute was The Church conducts a school able to open on schedule time in for the children of the neighbor- the supervision of a skilled the new memorial buildings, alhood-most of them very poor. though seventeen air raids have There are now 180 enrolled, workman, trained in the institu- passed over them. He writes: with f 0 u r Chinese and four "I think it would be quite safe Siamese teachers. Bible classes tion. Each patient is assigned to say that hundreds have been are held each afternoon at the brought to a definite decision for close of school. A textbook is work according to his strength Christ at the daily services in used which will take each child the Gospel Hall, the larger prothrough the whole Bible in six and ability. portion being among wounded years. Another piece of work soldiers. Recently, Mr. Wang connected with the church is a This plan has revealed the fact and I had the joy of baptizing clinic on t h r e e afternoons a seven of them. They were leavweek, conducted by a Christian that many of the patients are ing shortly to rejoin their divisdoctor, a member of the church. ions. One of them remarked, 'I Patients treated last year num- thoroughly dependable. Con- have lots of pocket money now bered 1,160. Most of this work that I have given up gambling. is for the very poor, but they are tentment and a feeling of re- If I am spared to return I will expected to pay a little, if pos- surely come to visit you-if not, sible. The church hopes eventu- sponsibility is fostered, because we will meet in heaven!' We ally to have a hospital. are now working in five of the the status is changed from out- military hospitals, which we -Siam Outlook. visit regularly each week." cast to citizen. . Self-Governing Lepers From Kiang comes news of -Siam Outlook. exceptional opportunities for Partly because of limited presenting the Gospel among funds, leper homes in all mission CHINA students and soldiers, which fields have had to grapple with abound everywhere during these the problem of inadequate staffs. War's By-Product war times. After the preaching The one at Chiengmai has found service there has been inaugthe solution in self-government, One of the most important urated an "appointment hour" at patterned after Siamese village sequences of the Japanese in- four each afternoon. Every day, government. This Home is di- vasion of China is the westward groups of soldiers come to this vided into three distinct groups. trek of China's social, educa- enquirers.' class. They are a Over each group is placed a tional and political leaders, the special lot, all being officers, sent headman and his assistant, who significance of which is just be- to enlist and train new men and are responsible for the behavior ginning to be realized. This is take them back to the front; of those under their direct indeed history in the making. therefore, they are in a position charge. A chief headman or Cultural and educational influ- to influence many others. mayor elected by them is di- ences that have for centuries rectly responsible to th€ manage- been confined to coast cities, or Mutual Aid Groups ment and must answer for the eastern areas, are suddenly efficient handling of all internal planted in virgin soil; isolated The Foreign Missions Conferaffairs. provinces are being brought into ence of North America reports the stream of modern life; trade the way family loyalty is seen in A department of morals and routes over deserts or mountains Chinese efforts to meet their rebehavior functions under the are supplanted by air routes or lief problem. One method that oversight of the Christian elders. new railroads. Thus, China's has helped greatly to steady and A sanitary squad of eight men back door suddenly becomes a maintain the usual life of the and four women, cares for the front door; or shall we say that suffering villagers, and prevent sick, gives the semi-weekly in- in future China will' have no them from "taking to the road" jections of chaulmoogra oil and back door? Her isolation and has been that of organizing muis responsible for the cleanliness seclusion seems to be gone for- tual aid groups and providing of the institution. Homeguards, ever. them with small loans. This composed of twenty-seven uni- enables many farmers to sow formed men keep order among The Province of Szechwan is their wheat fields. It will emthe more than four hundred in- twice as large as the areas of ploy carriers from market to mates and insure protection England, Germany, France and market, and barrowmen who from outsiders. A court made Italy combined. It now has a push coal from mine to conup of the chief headman, the population of 48,000,000, but, sumer. It will help keep farm minor headmen and the elders, with improvements in methods tries all minor offences, settles of agriculture and irrigation and with the development of other untapped resources, it could sus- tain a much larger population. Then there are the other half- dozen provinces – Y u n nan, Kwangsi, Kweichow, Kansu and Sinkiang – which the Chinese believe they can hold even if all the rest of the provinces should be subjugated. China's pro- gressive leaders and her cultural institutions are to a large extent being concentrated in these in- terior provinces.
carts and burden animals busy, plained all this until slowly the JAPAN-CHOSEN to revive the household indus- truth dawned on him; and then, Satan Released, Says Kagawa tries of spinning and weaving a light came into his face until and to continue the many other the hard, bitter look was gone, Again, we hear from this and we knew that, there was one Japanese Christian: activities of ordinary village life less bandit in the Y a n gt z e that usually help to feed, clothe Valley." "In the Orient it is very dark. and shelter the peasant in his We feel like we were back at the Agricultural Experiments beginning of the fourth century home surroundings, and prevent of the Christian Era. Satan his becoming a wanderer or a Long-range agricultural ex- has been released again, and the pauper. world is swayed by his power One Bandit Less periments are under way at the rather than by the Spirit of the Oberlin-in-Shansi Me m 0 ria I Lord. But somehow we have The Outlook of Missions tells School at Taiku, North China. great hope in Jesus Christ. Tothe following story: "A Chinese These are important in the pre-'''~'day young men are willing to bandit was brought into the hos- vention of famine and the im- listen to the gospel, as are also pital at Wuhu after a raid. No provement of the food supply. farmers and the laboring classes. one who saw his cruel face had These experiments, begun six or Japan feels her isolation and is any doubt as to which side of seven years ago, have been very lonesome. But the Spirit the fray he had been on. While handicapped by war conditions, of Christ can remedy this, so we we cleansed his frightful wound, but it is hoped to complete the must preach the gospel without we discussed the man. 'He won't experiments this year in spite fear. Missionaries are wellive, so there will be one bandit of a limited personnel. less in the Yangtze valley, and a comed; and if they preach the good thing, too.' Yet it was our Oberlin-in-Shansi is a sister gospel of the Love of God, no duty to save life, and after weeks school of Oberlin College, Ohio, we saw with amazement that the hindrance will be put in their man was going to recover. No and is conducted in cooperation way." -World Call. flicker of pleasure responded to with the American Board of our congratulations, so we said: Commissioners for Foreign Mis- Drugs as a Weapon 'Aren't you glad you are going sions of the Congregational and Christian Churches. Its prin- Muriel Lester, writing for the to get well?' The reply was an cipal was formerly Dr. H. H. Christian Century, says that unqualified 'No.' Kung, now Premier of China and brother-in-law of Madame when the new Peace Preserva- "Thinking he must have mis- Chiang Kai-shek. -Bulletin. tion Council was set up in the understood, we had one of the Japanese-occupied territory last August, it was announced that the Nanking law no longer ap- Chinese nurses ask him again, Missionary Tomatoes plied. The drug habit reassumed 'Wouldn't you rather be well its tyranny. Anti-narcotic hos- Mr. Frank Dickinson, Canathan die?' But again he gave us dian missionary in West China, pital work was stopped. In an emphatic 'No!' Puzzled, we in talking with a prominent pro- Peiping, the trade is in charge pushed the inquiry fur the r. ducer of tomato seed in Ontario, mentioned the contribution that of Koreans, under Japanese pro- 'Why would you rather die?' tomatoes would make to the diet tection. Death is the penalty And he answered very simply, of the people in West China, who number more than 100,000,000. for any Chinese trafficker that is 'Because I have sinned.' The seed-growing expert ac- discovered, and the difference "It was quite obvious that he cepted this as a challenge to his between the furtive expression skill, and offered to share seed had sinned, and grievously. Had for experimental purposes. of Chinese'traders, and the selfwe any help for such as he? We assurance of all Korean dealers Father and son, both specialhad ! 'You have heard while you ists in the production of a num- is very marked. ber of varieties of tomato seeds, Miss Lester also reports that have been here in the ward,' we have agreed to supply annually reminded him, 'about the heav- the best products of their tech- the japanese in Peiping are enly F:ather who loves us earth- nique for trial and experimentapeople and sent His Son to us. tion at the West China Union opening small clinics, with well University, Chengtu, Szechuan. Don't you know, because He illumined street signs to guide loves us earth-people so much, passers-by from the main roads He has thought out a method to their doors on side streets. about sin? His Son came to give They advertise in the papers the us that method, and so you don't various diseases which they have to carry the burden of your cure. The procedure in many of them seems to be that each sins with you all your life. You Mr. Dickinson feels sure that person on entering is given a are sorry for your sins, and God this kind of sharing will not only cursory examination by an un- is willing to forgive them. Don't give gradually to millions of qualified doctor or dispenser you know that?' No, he had Chinese in the heart of Szechuan who registers him as suffering never heard of it. a splendid supplementary addi- from some specific diseases; "We sent for our wise Chinese tion to their meagre diet, but then he is allowed to buy as pastor, who sat beside this un- soul satisfaction to the givers. much heroin or morphine as he happy man and patiently ex- -United Church Record. likes.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
MI.SCELLANEOUS in content or point of view with- For Every Man Why Not Attend Church? out consulting the Director of It is interesting to know that Radio Education of the Interna- seventeen new languages were Eight reasons for the failure tional Council. A set of these of people to attend Church have programs will be supplied with- added to the Ust of Bible translabeen authenticated by the Ad- out cost to any organization tions during 1937, making a vertising Club of the Lutheran which definitely plans to broad- Church in the Mansion at Flush- total of 1,000 languages in which ing, N. Y. The group made an cast them. They may be secured the Bible can now be read. extensive survey of the North through the office of the Divi- Forty years of work by Presby- Shore of the Queens area which sion of Christian Education of terian missionaries, working might well reflect attitudes of the Board of Home Missions, 14 among the 600,000 people in the the unchurched throughout the nation. Beacon Street, Boston. French Cameroun, culminated -Advance. in the completed manuscript for Here is a tabulation of the re- the Bulu Old Testament. Rev. plies: Causes of Religious Decline E. B. Stilz, of the Southern (1) Twenty – three per cent Methodist Mission in the Belgian wanted Sunday for themselves A Council of 24 members, Congo, completed a translation and their families. representing the principal Prot- of the New Testament in the estant churches of England, ex- (2) Twenty-one per cent did pects to look into such questions Otetela language, the first comnot go to Church because of the as: "Why does the church fail plete New Testament for these unfriendly or insincere people to attract the younger genera- people. they found. tion?" "What is the cause of the almost incredible disappearance A revision of St. Luke for (3) Nineteen per cent stayed of knowledge of the Bible?" and Quechua Indians in Ecuador has away because the Church was "What can be done by the been completed; while the Saalways asking for money. churches to relate the Church to every day life?" mareno Bible, in a Philippine (4) Fifteen per cent stayed dialect, was published last year away because the sermons were This Council will then seek for uninteresting. a formula to revive an interest and met with a hearty reception. Translation of a revised Turkish (5) Nine per cent had indi- Bible is ready for the printer. vidual reasons, no two of which were alike. in religion. Mohammedan View of The same problem claimed the Christianity (6) Five per cent did not go because they never experienced attention of the "All-New Eng- The Moslem World quotes a any spiritual help. land Conference on the Rural Church," meeting in Keene, Mohammedan's tribute to Chris- (7) Four per cent stayed N. H., in May, when Carl C. tianity: away because no one had ever Zimmerman, Harvard Professor "I can definitely say that invited them. of Sociology, stated that the Christianity is stronger than it (8) Four per cent remained masses of the people are in the has ever been in history. I am away because the minister was always telling people to be good. quandary of Cresar vs. Jehovah, surprised at the number of peo- "Building a Christian World" and blamed present tax policies ple, both pagan and otherwise, The International Council of for declining church allegiance. who feel that Christian ethics Religious Education has had a special committee at work devel- He said, in part: constitute the only answer to the oping programs for radio broadcasts. The whole matter has "The central problem of the present world-chaos. been very carefully studied, the members of the committee have relation of the Church to the "We Moslems have a secret interviewed many people connected with broadcasting, and family is whether it can keep· feeling that the ',collapse of the the script which they have prepared has been examined by a the role of the moral guardian, present world order is the greatnumber of competent critics. The result is a series of six pro- while the state increasingly adds est verdict in favor of Christiangrams on the theme "Building Together a Christian World." to its role as economic guard- ity, for world civilization is still These are available for use over local stations by responsible re- ian. . . . largely pagan. It is the pagan ligious organizations. Such organizations are free to make "If the governments are go- elements in your civilization that necessary adaptations to local situations, but no major change ing to be responsible for the are working havoc. Where real family economy they are going Christianity has penetrated to claim most of the allegiance there has been steady progress.
of the people. An overtaxed or Weare honest enough to recog- a relief citizenry neither have nize that. Never believe this the funds nor the inner moti- nonsense that fills one of our vating gratitude to build up or papers, condemning your reli- preserve strong churches. State gion. It is only a means to relief means. state religion. strengthen our group-conscious- When Cresar becomes the source ness by assuming a superiority of maintenance he also wants complex. In a great many cases the praise formerly accorded we are continually borrowing Jehovah." from you – your thoughts, your -Religious News Service. method, your outlook."
~'===~==============~=='~
Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The Christian Message in a Non- must always be the same-a new the influence of Christ and west- Christian World. By H. Kraemer. Foreword by the Archbishop of relation to God and a new atti-,…. ern culture. York. 8vo. 455 pp. $3.00. Pub- lished for the International Mission- tude toward men. Unfortu- As to the missionary approach ary Council by Harper & Brothers, New York. 1938. nately, too often an old church to non-Christians of different Dr. Kraemer is a member of becomes a corrupt church and a lands, Dr. Kraemer recognizes the Dutch Church; a former missionary in Netherlands East In- weak church. the importance of the personality dies, a missionary statesman, and now a professor of the His- In dealing with this great of the missionary, a clear undertory of Religions in the University of Leiden. He has given us theme, Dr. Kraemer first looks standing of non-Christian charhere an unusual treatise on one of the most important subjects at the present world situation- acter and thought, as well as a that is to be discussed at the coming Madras Conference of the widespread secularism and vital relation to Christ and a the International Missionary Council. Without a true Chris- the new political, social and spir- knowledge of the Gospel He tian message to non-Christians, the missionary work of the itual revolutions; he notes the came to proclaim. Church must be fruitless; and yet too many who go out as mis- effect of the meeting of East and In conclusion, the author gives sionaries seem to have no clear knowledge of the vital Christian West. Not only is there a crisis his conception of the true nature message of salvation that Jesus Christ authorized His Church to in the world because of revolu- of the Church as a living organproclaim. Many emphasize only the importance of the fruits of tions, but there is a crisis in the ism based on intelligent faith in Christian life, but neglect the essential elements of faith and Church because of obscured vi- Christ, rather than an organizafull surrender. sion, weakened faith and atten- tion based on western theological Dr. Kraemer goes back to Apostolic conceptions as he deals tion diverted from the main concepts. He re-emphasizes the with the evangelistic message, the method of approach and its issues and Source of power. need for a clear Gospel message application to non-Christians. The message is essentially the These conditions have brought and for active, continued evansame for all classes and conditions of men, at home and about a new crisis in the mis- gelism. He considers the presabroad-a message of God's love and His offer of eternal life sionary work of the Church. ent missionary outlook cloudy through acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and The early pioneer stage has but hopeful. The Christian misonly Saviour, through His sacrifice on the Cross. The method passed, and young churches have sion in the non-Christian world of approach may be different in New York and in Central Africa, been founded; today, these must be accomplished in the to Moslems and to spirit worshippers; but the evidence of churches must. be strengthened present complicated conditions the power of the Gospel in life and kept true to the original pur- with all the means that human pose and plan of the Founder. intelligence, ingenuity and de- They must be loyal to Christ, votion put at our disposal. The must show evidence of His life underlying fire, however, with- and power and must be sacri- out which all our endeavors are ficially and aggressively mission- nothing and all our missionary ary, or they will die. enthusiasm is powerless, is only Dr. Kraemer bases his state- kindled by faith and prayer born ment of the Christian faith on of Divine Love that burns in the the Bible as the revelation from Heart of the universe, and which God, and on Jesus Christ as the became incarnated in Jesus incarnation of God. He sees Christ, our Lord.
Christianity, not as one of the world's religions, but as the one Paul, a Christian Financier. By Her- bert E. Blair. Christian Literature clear revelation sent from God, Society, Seoul, Korea. 63 pp, $.50. in contrast to human attempts to United Stewardship Council, 156 understand and approach God. Fifth Ave., New York City. 1937.
In this connection the author Out of many years of prac- states the positions of Barth and tical experience on the foreign Brunner, and looks into various field, promoting systematic giv- non-Christian religions. He de- ing and putting Church fi- scribes, too, the changes that nances on a Scriptural as well have taken place in non-Chris- as a business basis, has come tian lands and their response to this little study of the Apostle Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REvmw publishers on receipt of price.
[382 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
Paul as a pioneer in Church and Mission Boards join definitely City and Church in Transition. By missionary finance. Murray H. LeHfer. 8vo. 301 pages. in the promotion of stewardship $2.50. Willett, Clark and Company, Mr. Blair has been a mission- Chicago. 1938. ary of the Presbyterian Church plans on the various fields in in the U. S. A. in Korea for Professor Leiffer's book is thirty-four years. His leader- which they have work. Indi- based upon certain case studies ship in the work of promoting Christian finance has been rec- viduals are already doing this in of medium sized cities (called ognized by the Korean Church a mediopolis) ranging in popuand year after year he has been several countries but there is lation from 50,000 to 150,000. continued in the official position The author's most notable servof developing a Scriptural sys- need of coordinated effort and ice is in describing the patter:n tem of Church and personal of the mediopolis and its varifinance and stewardship. This cooperation. He suggests also ants. He properly places embooklet develops the proposition phasis on the commercial city that the Apostle Paul was God's that the International Missionchosen instrument to inaugurate as the typical American city. a system of Christian finance ary Council might well take the and stewardship to supersede Prof. Leiffer's treatment of and to be an advance upon the lead in developing a stewardship the industrial city and the in- Levitical tithing system of Ju- dustrial suburb is admirable. daism and that the basis of and systematic benevolence pro- He points out that both have Paul's system is both implied been influenced in their ecoand explicitly stated in the in- gram for the benefit of the nomic and cultural life by the spired instructions of 1 Corin- near-by metropolis. Moreover thians 16: 2. younger national church groups. "the industrial suburbs· of the The Apostle Paul met condi- Instruction in these inspired, nation will be found chiefly in tions in his foreign mission enterprise' that required the de- authoritative, Pauline principles the vicinity of such cities as velopment of a system of self- Boston, New York, Philadelsupport for local churches as of individual giving and church phi a, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, well as for the support of evangelistic itineration and contribu- finance w 0 u I d benefit the Detroit, Chicago and Los Antions for the relief of the poor. geles." He brings in a new note in his churches in every land and proelaboration of the thesis that in We feel that the analysis of raising funds for "the saints" mote self-support in fields where the residential suburbs is not as Paul was not merely helping the comprehensive in its scope as his poor in Jerusalem who were the national churches are still study of other variants of the suffering, presumably from a mediopolis. His statement that famine already nine years past, weak and in financial difficulties. "relatively few come direct to but was in reality conducting a the suburb from the hinterland" carefully audited and supervised This book, arising as it does is not true of New York city's international financial campaign many suburbs nor is his statefor the furtherance of the Gos- from intimate experience with ment that "a residential suburb pel work. never springs suddenly into problems of stewardship and being," true of Long Island. His Among other practical sug- generalization regarding the c h u r c h finance in a young gestions the author points out child population of the suburbs c h u r chon the foreign field, and the relative size of Sunday the possible Scriptural basis for schools in the old city and in the should be read by all who are suburbs has many exceptions. the use of a "three years average" income in making up an interested in s t e war d s hip, Professor Leiffer's analysis of "resort cities" and the dilemma estimate of the individual's re- church support and missionary of the church is especially pen- etrating. He says: "It is not sponsibility in systematic stew- administration. . surprising that in such a setting ardship giving, and its value in WALTER C. ERDMAN. the Church is confronted by al- most insuperable obstacles in its circumstances where there is The Missionary Education of Adults. effort to develop a Christian wide fluctuation of incomes due By John Leslie Lobingier. 182 pp. community. The institutions of to local conditions. $1.00. Missionary Education Move- religion, always influenced by the way in which people earn He urges the extension of in- ment, New York. 1938. terdenominational, international their living, are more affected promotion of the stewardship In every church there are by the economic life of the reidea by the various Stewardship sort city than by that of any Councils and the World Stew- those who have a genuine con- other urban center." ardship Union, and suggests that cern for humanity, whether in The author makes abundantly clear that "Every factor shaping China, Chicago or Chile. The the life of man also influences his church. The dominance of interest of another group is "in inverse ratio to the square of the distance" ; their religion is looked upon as a personal pos- session – something to enjoy rather than to spread. Thus the author, one of the Board of Managers of the Missionary Education Movement, states the divergent viewpoints.
In the ten chapters of this book he not only shows the im- portance of impressing the latter class of church members with a "sense of missions", and points out how missions are bound up with world affairs, but he out- lines methods for stirring Chris- tians to greater interest. Every leader of a mission study class will find this book of practical value. H. H. F.
manufacturing in the suburbs neglected to see, emphasize or the spirit. Unity denies sin, ties the church closely to the whole industrial process. Where apply. But most, if not all, of sickness and death and teaches wages are low, social institutions, the church included, suf- them are false philosophies and that "in his true estate man is fer. When unemployment stalks the streets additional problems mislead their devotees in some the Christ, the Head of the are laid on the church's doorstep, while its ability to meet important respects. Mr. Van body." these increased demands is restricted by shortage of funds. Baalen has performed a real Most of the cults either are … The intensity and strain resulting from high-speed indus- service in his careful review of naturalistic and deny the supertrial production, the feeling of ten different modern cults, more human (supernatural)-as in e con 0 m i c insecurity which hovers over nearly every wage or less related to Christian Mormonism-; or they hold that earner, the omnipresent, smokebelching factory, produce in teachings. These cults include everything is spiritual – as in people social and psychic reactions of which the church must Spiritism, theosophy, Christian Christian Science. Mr. Van be cognizant." Science, Unity, Baha'ism, Mor- Baalen emphasizes the need of a In his prophecy regarding the futur~ significance of the medi- monism, Seventh Day Advent- world-wide revival in evangeliopolis, Professor Leiffer appears to lose sight of the intimate re- ism, Russellism, "Buchmanism,'~_ cal Christianity as the best antirelation between industrial sub- and Unitarianism with Modern- . dote to error in faith and life. urbs and residential suburbs that constitute a considerable ism. These are not by any means He calls for clear-cut, sound, exproportion of these cities and of great metropolitan co:mmu- all in the same class, except that pository teaching of Biblical nities. The growth in the population of cities from 50,000 they differ in some more or less truth, producing a sense of sin to 100,000 for the last census decade was 20.5 <70, if located important respects from what is and acceptance of Jesus Christ within metropolitan districts, while only 11 <70 if located out- generally accepted as "ortho- as Lord and Saviour. This is a side these districts. dox" Christianity. day when many are turning CITY AND CHURCH IN TRANS- ITION should be read by adult The author bases his own es- aside to fables and will not enstudents of the background of American history, by specialists timate of each cult on its har- dure sound doctrine. Many false in church administration, Home Mission executives who are en- mony with the teachings and teachers and philosophies are deavoring to equalize religious privilege in America, and by spirit of Christ as revealed in abroad and deceive, if possible, pastors and students of the world mission of the Church. the New Testament. He has the very elect. This book should Part Two will be of particular interest to ministers who are in evidently read widely and gives help many to avoid the pitfalls search of new techniques. an excellent selected bibliogra- that lie in the path of those who CHARLES HATCH SEARS. phy, including books on both depart from the clear teaching The Chaos of Cults. By J. K. Van Baalen. 8 vo. 227 pages. $2.00. sides of each subject. He en- of Christ and the Bible. Wm. B. Erdmans Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. 1938. deavors to be intelligent and Educational Missions at Work. Ed- fair in his presentations, giving ited by H. P. Thompson. 128 pp. Many Christians are confused Illus. 186d. S. P. G. London. 1938. today because of the various the history of each movement, cults that have arisen to inter- and describing its strong points This brief sketch of the educapret or apply Christian teach- and its errors in teaching and ing, or to dispute the claims of the results. Here is a book that tional work of the Society for Christ and the teachings of the ministers and teachers should Bible. There is some good, some read in order to guide and guard the Propagation of the Gospel in truth, in all of these cults-often those who are in danger of besome truth that Christians have ing led astray. India, Burma and Malaya, South "Unity," for example, appeals Africa and the Far East shows to many because of its emphasis on health, happiness, peace and conditions under which Chris- love. Mr. Van Baalen shows its relation to mesmerism, Chris- tian education is being given and tian Sci e n c e and "N e w Thought." Unity emphasizes the problems and difficulties that certain phases of truth-such as must be faced, illustrated by de- aVbidance of anxiety and fear. scriptions of a few typical But Unity seeks to spiritualize everything and fails to face schools. The nine chapters make facts. Jesus is called "the Su- it clear that it has been the edu- preme Ego" that rises in the cational work of the Christian Church that has kept civilization alive; and that in these turbu- lent times it is the privilege of Christian schools to make this civilization a blessing to the world. H. H. F.
subconscious mind as a Star in' The House on the Island. By Grace the East (or occult realism) and Pettman. 181 pp. Is. 6d. Picker- grows in our consciousness – ing & Inglis, London. 1937.
as the Wise Men came nearer A wholesome story for girls their goal-until the soul re- of 'teen age, recounting the ex- ceives this "Supreme Ego." periences in an English board- Galilee is said to "represent the ing school of a girl unfamiliar life activity or soul energy of with school routine, but who man acting in conjunction with knew the Great Teacher, and substance." God is pantheisti- made her influence felt. A touch cally conceived and Jesus, the of mystery holds the reader's at- man, is separated from Christ, tention.
Boole. The Heart of the Levant. J. McKee The Kingdom of God and
Adams. 163 pp. 40 cents. South- .H. G. Wood. 216 pp. 78. 6el. Allen The Church Takes Root in India. ern Baptist Foreign Mission Board. & Unwin. London. 1938. Basil Matthews. 197 pp. $1.00. Richmond, Va. Friendship Press. New York. 1938. Church and Community. K. S. La- The Process of Change in the Otto- tourette. 259 pp. 88. 6el. Allen & Who Is tne Holy Spirit? Henry W. man Empire. Wilbur W. White. Unwin. London. 1938. Frost. 124. pp. $1.25. Fleming H. 315 pp. $3.50. Cambridge Univer- Revell. New York. 1938. sity Press. London. 1937. The Universal Church and the World of Nations. Marquess of Lothian. Seeing Prophecy Fulfilled in Pales- Congo, Past and Present. Alfred R. 325 pp. 88. 6d. Allen & Unwin. tine. George T. B. Davis. 127 pp. Stonelake. 202 pp. $1.25. World London. 1938. lB. Pickering & Inglis. London. Dominion Press. New York. 1937. 1988. The Industrialization of the African: Children of the Veld: Bantu Vig- Memorandum Prepared by Thirty Business Men of the Bible. James nettes. Robert H. W. Shepherd. Persons with expert knowledge of C. Muir. 110 pp. National Pub- 194 pp. 68. James Clarke. London. African Affairs. 22 pp. 6el. Anti- lishing Co. Philadelphia. 1988. 1937. Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society. London. 1987. S. J. W. Clark. Roland Allen. 170 Religion in Central America. Ken- pp. 28. 6d. World Dominion Press. neth G. Grubb. 146 np. 58._"World The Thousand 'Years of Uncertainty. London. 1938. Dominion Press. London. 1987. By K. S. Latourette. 492 pp. $3.50. Harper Bros. 1938. Impending Great Events. John The Romantic Isles. John Levo. 88 Ritchie. 192 pp. 28. 6el. Pickering pp. lB. S. P. G. London. 1938. City and Church in Transition. By & Inglis. London. 1938. Murray H. Leiffer. 302 pp. $2.50. On Both Sides of the Equator. F. Willett Clark & Co., Chicago. 1988. Outline History of the Christian Braun and C. V. Sheatsley. 284 pp. Church. Dorothea J. Stephen. 92 $1.00. Lutheran Book Concern. My Community, My Church and pp. Madras. S. P. C. K. Columbus, O. 1937. Me. By Wilbur C. Hallenbeck. 62 pp. 35 cents. Friendship Press, The American Chfistian Missionary World Chaos or World Christianity. New York. 1938. Society and the Disciples of Christ. Henry Smith Leiper. 181 pp. Grant K. Lewis. 216 pp. $1.50. $1.50. Willett, Clark. Chicago. City Shadows. By Robert W. Searle. Christian Board of Publication. St. 1937. 165 pp. $1.00. Friendship Press, Louis. 1937. New York. 1938. Missionaries' Who's Who. (Bi- The Sixth Decade of the Woman's lingual.) 578 pp. National Chris- Devotees of Christ. By D. S. Batley. Board of Foreign Missions. S. T. tian Council. Tokyo, Japan. 1938. 147 pp. 28. Church of England Winkel. 111 pp. 40 cents. Wom- Zenana Missionary Society, Lon- an's Board, 1937. Reformed Church Adventures in the Campaign for Lit- don. in America. New York City. 1938. eracy in India and Africa. F. C. Laubach. 22 pp. World Literacy Dinabandhu. By Ruth' Isabel Sea- Japan Over Asia. W. H. Chamber- Committee, 156 Fifth Ave., New bury. 182 pp. $1.00. Friendship lain. 395 pp. $3.50. Little, Brown. York. 1937. Press, New York. 1938. Boston. 1938. Religious Education in the Method- Francisco Fulgencio Soren. By L. Japan Defies the World. J. A. N. ist Church of Mexico. 100 pp. M. Brachter. 224 pp. $1.25. Broad- Scherer. 311 pp. $2.50. Bobbs Free on application. Joint Commit- man Press, Nashville. 1938. Merrill. Indianapolis. 1937. tee of Relij!l'ious Education, 740 Rush St., ChIcago. 1937. Following in His Train. By Ethlene Chinese Women. Florence Ayscough. B. Cox. 217 pp. 60 cents. Broad- 324 pp. 128. 6d. Cape. London. Devotees of Christ: Some Women man Press, Nashville. 1938. Pioneers of the Indian Church. D. S. Batley. 147 pp. 28. Church W orId Treasure Trails. V01. II. Thirty Years in China. Story of the of England Zenana Missionary So- India. By Ethel E. Ward. 127 pp. Augustana Synod as Told by Mis- ciety. London. 1938. $1.00. Women's Missionary Society, sionaries. Edited by G. Carlberg. Free Methodist Church, Winona 230 pp. $1.50. Board of Foreign The Cost of Reunion. Edwin James Lake, Indiana. 1938. Missions. Augustana Synod. St. Peter, Minn. 1937. Palmer. 22 pp. 4a. Student To Be Continued. By L. B. Thomas. 66 pp. 25 cents. Broadman Press, With Christ in Indo-China. E. F. Christian Movement. Lon don. Nashville, Tenn. 1938. Irwin. 164 pp. $1.00. Christian 1937. Publications, Inc. Harrisburg,· Pa. The Living Word. The Church Mis- 1937. Toward a World Christian Fellow- sionary Society's Review for 1937- ship. K. S. Latourette. 64 pp. 50 38. 56 pp. 6d. C. M. S. London. Inside India. Halide Edib. 378 pp. cents. Association Press. New 108. 6a. Allen & Unwin. London. York. 1938. Steps Toward the World Council. 1938. By Charles S. McFarland. 128 pp. Missions and Unity. W. J. Noble. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell, New Christ's Way to India's Heart. J. 23 pp. 4el. World's Evangelical York. 1938. Wascom Pickett. 117 pp. 28. Alliance. London. 1938. United Society for Christian Litera- Victory Through Youth. By Luther ture. London. 1987. The Secret of the African. E. W. J. Holcomb. 83 pp. 25 cents. Smith. 142 pp. 28. 6a. United Broadman Press. Nashville. 1938. Better Villages. F. L. Brayne. 304 Society for Christian Literature. pp. 38. Oxford University Press. London. 1938. Voices of Twelve Hebrew Prophets. London. 1938. By G. Campbell Morgan. 60 pp. The National Faith of Japan. D. C. 28 6el. Pickering & Inglis. London. Moving Millions. Introduction by Holton. 829 pp. 158. Kegan Paul. 1938. Robert E. Speer. $1.00. Central London. 1938. Committee on United Study of For- Seventy Less Known Bible Stories. eign Missions. 1938. The Nestorian Documents and Relics Br George Goodman. 331 pp. 38. in China. P. Y. Saeki. 645 pp. PIckering & Inglis, London. 1938. The Challenge of the Northwest 408. Toho Bunkwa Gakuin. Tokyo. Frontier (India). C. F. Andrews. 1987. The Approaching Advent of Christ. 208 pp. 38. 6a. Allen & Unwin. By Alexander Reese. 327 pp. 68. London. 1937. Revolutionary Religion: Christian- Marshall, Morgan & Scott, London. ity, Fascism and Communism. 192 Tibet and Her Neighbors. E. T. Wil- pp. 58.. Student Christian Move- Weare not confronted with the Iiams. 40 pp. 50 cents. University ment Press. London. 1938. problem of a spiritual church facing of California Press. Berkeley. a secular world, but rather with the 1937. The Christian Understanding of Man. problem of a secular church in a sec- T. J. Jessop. 268 pp. 88. 6el. Allen ular world. – T. Z. Koo, Shangltmi, & Unwin. London. 1938. China.
/)0. NotMtu THE MOSLEM
PUBUSHED BY THE HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Edit:ors: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY SOME ARTICLES IN THE JULY NUMBER Islam. a Sevenfold Problem Samuel M. Zwemer Some Libraries of Cairo William M. Randall Islam in Sumatra Ra,mond L. Archer Allah Before Islam. F. V. Winnett AI Kumail: Companion of the Secret Dwight M.Donaldson The Moslem Antagonist Robert S. Darbishire Sins and Their Punishment in Islam Francis T. Cooke Church and State in the Near East Alford Carleton A Theological Poem J. Lowrie Anderson Book Reviews–Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster -.-~~ SUBSCRIBE NOW ~II(-_.
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 LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the inBuential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character, forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book is now ready for delivery.
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. From 1850 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. Ten Years of Independent Work. IV. Life in New York, 1840-1844. XIV. The Bombay Guardian. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. Relations with the American Board. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. Association with the Methodist Church. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. Bowen as a Writer. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. XVIII. Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XIX. Closing Testimony. X. Beginning Missionary Work.
This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 156 Fifth Avenue, New York
The Missionary Review of the World — February 1936
1936
A Korean Woman's Story Mrs. Induk Pak Making Contacts in Arabia B. D. Hakken Changing Attitudes in Iran Commodore B. Fisher George F. Zoeckler Blots on National 'Scutcheons Muriel Lester Educational Achievements in Brazil J. E. Moreland Among Head Hunters in Pagan Papua Russell W. Abel New England as a Home Mission Field Robert Watson , 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember Obituary Notes THE REVIEW, and recently state presi-
dent of the New Jersey Haptist Wom- February 2-The Moody Bible Insti- The Rev. George A. Wilder, for an's Board of Missions, died on Detute Jubilee and centenary of the many years a missionary of the Amer- cember 22d at her home in Montclair, birth of D. L. Moody. This day ican Board (Congregational) in South N. J., at 65 years of age. Mrs. Farmer will launch the Founder's Week Africa, died on December 28th, at the was born in Kingston, N. Y., daughter home of his daughter, Mrs. Frances of a Baptist minister, was graduated Conference. from Wellesley in 1893 and for many A. Lyman, in Glen Ridge, N. J. His years has been active in church and February lO-17-International Coun- wife died a few years ago. Mr. Wilder missionary circles. She organized mis- cil of Religious Education. Chicago, was born in Natal, South Africa, in sion study classes in Montclair and Ill. 1855, son of Rev. Hyman Wilder, a has lectured and taught missions at missionary under the same Board. Northfield conferences and other gath- February 2B-World Day of Prayer. George Wilder was graduated from erings. She is survived by her hus- Phillips-Andover Academy, Williams band, William H. Farmer, four daugh- April 29-May S-National Convention, ters and one son. Y. W. C. A., Colorado Springs, Colo. Canon Andre'a" M'"ora*ka died in Tan- May I-General Conference, Meth- College and Hartford Theological odist Episcopal Church, Columbus, Seminary. He was beloved by the ganyika, Africa, on September 1st. Africans who often called him "The He was universally respected both by Ohio. Africans and Europeans, and his loss White African." will be felt throughout the C. M. S. May l2-lS-National Council of Fed- Mission. erated Church Women. Dayton, *** * '" * Ohio. Dr. Frank Mason North, Secretary Emeritus of the Board of Foreign Enid Mira Haven (Mrs. Gideon F.) May 20-24-Northern Baptist Conven- Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Draper, of the Methodist Episcopal tion. St. Louis, Mo. Church, died at his home in Madison, Mission in Japan, passed away on Oc- New Jersey, on December 17th, two tober 29th. Mrs. Draper came to May 27-General Assembly, United weeks after he had reached the ripe Japan with her husband in 1880. The Presbyterian Church of North Draper family name is associated in- delibly with the founding of the Yoko- America. Pittsburg, Kansas. age of 85 years. hama Christian Blind School, and with Mrs. Draper's National Mother's As- May 2B-General Assembly, Presby- Dr. North was a man of rich talents sociation of which she was founder terian Church in U. S. A. Syra- and wide experience. He was born in and for many years president. New York City in 1850; was gradcuse, N. Y. *** uated from Wesleyan University in July 6-12 – Twelfth World's Sunday 1872 and ordained to the ministry in Rev. Dr. John Dixon, former sec- School Convention. Oslo, Norway. the following year. After holding sev- retary for the Board of National Mis- eral pastorates he took charge of a ••• . sions of the Presbyterian Church, died FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- mission church in Harlem, and later was pastor of the Calvary Church, at his home in Trenton, N. J., on De- ARY ASSEMBLIES cember 11th. New York City, and the Methodist January 2S-29-Miami. Church in Middletown, Conn. In '" '" January 2B-29-Ft. Lauderdale. 1892, Dr. North became secretary of January 29-3l-Palm Beaches. the New York City Church Extension Mrs. Elizabeth Badley Read, who February loS-Orlando. and Missionary Society, a post he held died in Delhi, India, October 11th, for twenty years. He was also editor aged fifty, was the daughter of Dr. February 2-S-Deland. of The Christian City. In 1892, he and Mrs. B. H. Badley, and sister of February S-7-Winter Haven. became corresponding secretary of the Bishop Badley of India. She was a Methodist Board of Foreign Missions lady of rare artistic and literary cul- February S-7-Lakeland. and became secretary emeritus in ture, and her articles have appeared February B-13-St. Petersburg. 1928. He was president of the Fed- in leading American periodicals. February 9-1l-Clearwater. eral Council of Churches from 1916 to February l2-l3-Bradenton. 1920. Dr. North has written many *** poems and hymns, some of which are February 13-l4-Sarasota. A. T. Polhill died recently at the February l3-14-Ft. Myers. age of 73. He was one of the "Seven" February lS-IB-Tallahassee. who in the '80's went out from Cam- bridge to China. Mr. Polhill spent widely known and sung. His wife, most of his life in western China as a Louise McCoy North, and his son, Dr. missionary of the China Inland Mis- Personal Item sion. Eric M. North, Secretary of the American Bible Society, survive him. '" * * Rev. Edward ShiIlito retired on Dr. W illiam '" H e'"nr '" Leslie, for 38 Mrs. Margaret Norton Eddy, September 25th, after twenty years mother of Sherwood and Brewer Eddy, y died September 20th. She was also of service as literary superintendent years a missionary of the American known for her own missionary-mindof the London Missionary Society. edness, and for the establishing of a Baptist Foreign Mission Society in school for missionaries' children at Kodaikanal, South India. the Belgian Congo, died on December *** 25th in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the Dr. W. C. Pearce, long identified age of 67. Dr. Leslie was born in with the Sunday school movement throughout the world, died October London, Ontario, and received his 25th, of heart failure, after address- ing a regional convention in Southern medical degree from Lake Forest Uni- California on that morning. At the time of his death he was general sec- versity. He spent most of his life in retary-emeritus of the California or- ganization and vice-president of the the heart of the cannibal country in World's Sunday School Association.
the interior of Africa and, with his (Continued on page 65.) of this Course. every wife, faced many dangers. They Young People's Society may started 275 schools in the area and converted into a School for Bible Training. Dr. Leslie was decorated by the Bel- gian Government as a Chevalier of the Royal Order of the Lion. He was given the title "Nganga Buca" (mean- Four Parts-52 Lessons. Part I. The Bible-The ing "The Doctor who Really Cures") God 01 the Bible. Part II. The Christ 01 the Bible by the natives in the Nganga District -The Holy Spirit. Part III. Man-Sin and Redemp- of the Belgian Congo where he suction. Part IV. The Church-Future Events. cessfully cured many natives of yaws Send 1Sc in stamps for current issue. and other tropical diseases. RISTIAN PUBLICATIONS. INc '" * • Mrs. Grace G. Farmer, formerly a 1502 N. Third St., H.rrisburg, Pa. member of the Editorial Council of
MISSIONARY Kellersberger of the Congo; Mrs. are doing through the pages of
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Anna P. White on "Egypt and the MISSIONARY REVIEW. I frequently New Day"; "Korea" by Mrs. Induk VOL. LIX FEB., 1936 No.2 Pak, and Home Missions by Bishop mention the magazine to friends in Publication and Business Office– Kern. They will be worth reading and different centres in England and Thl..d and Reily Sts.• Ha….lsburg. Pa. passing on to others. Wales." WATCYN M. PRICE. Editorial and Executive Office– 156 Fifth Avenue. New York City. *** Foreign Mission Board, Entered as second-class matte.. at Presbyterian Church of Wales.
Post Office. Ha..risburg. Pa., under The Student Volunteer Movement *** Act ot March 3. 1879. Wall Street, New York, the money Convention, reported in this issue, center of the world, recently puplished 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. was marked by some notable ad- Foreign Postage. 50 cents a year. in its Journal a strong endorsement Published monthly. except August. dresses, including those by Dr. Ka- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. gawa of Japan, Mrs. Pak of Korea, of Christianity. "What America needs British agents – Marshall. Morgan and Scott. 12 Paternoste.. Buildings. Prof. G. Baez Camargo of Mexico, more than railway extension, western London. E. C. 1 shilling per copy. 10 shillings a yea … Mr. Sun of China, Dr. Wm. M. Vories irrigation, a low tariff, a bigger cotton MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- of Omi-Hachiman, Japan, Dr. William crop, and a larger wheat crop is a re- LISHING CO., INC. Temple, the Archbishop of York and BOARD OF DIRECTORS vival of religion. The kind that father ROBERT E. SPEER. President Dr. Richard Roberts of Toronto. and mother used to have. A religion WM. 1. CHAMBERLAIN. Vice-Pre8ident WALTER McDOUGALL. Treasurer Some of these addresses have also been that counted it good business to take DELAVAN L. PIERSON. Secretary time for family worship each morning secured and will appear, in whole or SAMUEL McCREA CAVERT right in the middle of wheat harvest. in part, in an early number of THE A religion that prompted them to quit MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD WM. B. LIPPHARD REVIEW. *** work a half hour earlier on Wednes- day so that the whole family could get ERIC M. NORTH We hope you are finding the maga- JESSE R. WILSON ready to go to prayer meeting." zine as helpful and inspiring as are A. L. WARNSHUIS some of our readers whose comments *** SAMUEL M. ZWEMER have recently come in letters: WHEN THE SLIP GETS BY "The January issue is so good that Editorial Chat The typographical error is a slippery I want THE REVIEW sent for one year thing and sly, The Annual Meeting of THE REVIEW will be held in the Assembly Room beginning with the January issue to You can hunt till you are dizzy, but it (8th floor) of 156 Fifth Avenue, New somehow will get by. York, on Thursday, February 20th, at the three addresses attached. Send 3 p. m. All friends of THE REVIEW Till the forms are off the presses it is and of Christian missions at home and the bill to me. I hope you will keep strange how still it keeps; abroad are cordially invited. There up the good work for many years." will be brief missionary addresses by It shrinks down into a corner and it Dr. Robert E. Speer and others. REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D. never stirs or peeps, Princeton, N. J. *** That typographical error, too small *** In spite of difficulties, the past year for human eyes, has been encouraging for THE REVIEW. "I have always appreciated the Till the ink is on the paper, when it The number of subscribers has in- spirit of THE REVIEW and the splendid creased and we have never had more magazine you have been able to give grows to mountain size. enthusiastic and encouraging com- us through the years. We feel it has The boss he stares with horror, then ments from our readers. Few, if any, improved with age." subscribe who do not read but many he grabs his hair and groans; read who do not subscribe. Some can- DR. CHAS. D. BONSACK. The copy reader drops his head upon not afford the price but feel that they Church of the Brethren, cannot afford to miss the reading. his hands and moans- Some subscribers write that they cir- Elgin, Ill. The remainder of the issue may be culate their copies among many friends. far and near. We recognize *** clean as clean can be, this as missionary work. But that typographical error is the "I am delighted with the January *** number of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW. only thing you see. I have not seen anything in a long -Knoxville (Ia.) Express. THE REVIEW is being promoted at time better than the article by Mrs. the Florida Chain of Missionary As- Stanley Jones." Obituary Notes semblies. Reprints of the article by Mirs. E. Stanley Jones have also been MRS. HENRY W. PEABODY. (Continued from Second Cover.) made for distribution there and else- Orlando, Fla. where. One subscriber writes that Karen Jeppe, widely known as the that article alone is "worth the price * ** of a year's subscription." friend of Armenian orphans and "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE widows, died July 7th in Aleppo *** WORLD is unquestionably the best gen- (Syria). Her life has been described eral news magazine on missions in the by the Danish writer, Ingeborg Maria THE REVIEW is arranging to print English language. Covers the whole Sick in her book "Karen J eppe," as a a number of the addresses given at range of missionary effort at home life singularly rich and beautiful, !:he Florida Chain of Missionary As- and abroad." spent in her devotion to a "people in semblies. They will include those by distress." The Danish papers report G. Baez Camargo of Mexico; Mrs. THE CONVENTION BULLETIN OF that her institutions are to be con- THE STU DEN T VOLUNTEER tinued. Though she was a Lutheran, MOVEMENT CONVENTION, IN- the Armenian Church has given her a DIANAPOLIS. burial in the new Armenian Church in Aleppo. *** *** "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW is the best missionary paper in existence. I Mrs. Hallie Linn Hill, well-known look forward to each issue with pleas- mission study lecturer, died on No- ure. The articles, as well as the edi- vember 18th at Menominee, Michigan. torials, are well written and inspiring. For years Mrs. Hill presented in lec- I wish we had something like this in tures the current mission study books the Hindi language." of the Council of Women for Home Missions and of the Federation of REV. P. A. PENNER. Women's Boards for Foreign Missions Bethesda Leper Home, to the many summer conferences meet- ing annually in all sections of the Chompa, C. P. India. United States.
*** "Let me congratulate you most heartily on the wonderful work you [ 65 ]
TEMPLE JOHN R
For many years Chairman of the Archbishop of York Executive Committee of the Student Volunteer Movement and of the One of the foremost Christian states- World's Student Christian Federation; men in England; Oxford graduate; now Chairman of the International formerly Honorary Chaplain to the Missionary Council; President of the King; sometime president of the World's Alliance of the Y. M. C. A.; Workers' Educational Association; counsellor of students throughout the author of "Christ in His Church," world; author of "The Present Day "Thoughts on Some Problems of the Summons to the World Mission of Day," "Nature, Man, and God," etc. Christianity" and other volumes.
ROBERT E. SPEER SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Senior Secretary of the Board of For- One of the Founders of the Arabian eign Missions of the Presbyterian Mission; Editor of The Moslem Church in the U. S. A., one of the first World; author of "Across the World secretaries of the Student Volunteer of Islam," etc.; Professor of Mis- Movement; author of "The Finality sions at Princeton; formerly one of of Jesus Christ," "Christian Realities," the secretaries of the Student Volun- "Some Great Leaders in the World teer Movement and recently Secretary Movement," "Race and Race Rela- of the Near East Christian Council. tions," etc. JESSE WILSON ROBERT P. WILDER Formerly a missionary in Japan; Sec- Founder and former General Secre- retary of the Student Volunteer Movetary of the Student Volunteer Move- ment; author of "I Am a Christian," ment and missionary to India; re- etc. cently Secretary of the Near East Christian Council; author of "Christ and the Student World," etc.
TOYOHIKO KAGAWA GONZALO BAEZ CAMARGO "The' Modern Apostle of Love" in Secretary of the National Christian Japan; Christian social service worker Council of Mexico; specialist in the .and founder of Christian cooperatives ~eld of religious education; journalin Japan. Leader in great religious, Ist, author and Christian leader. political and economic movements; author of "Love, the Law of Life," "Christ and Japan," etc.
MRS. INDUK PAK MRS. ELEANOR T. CALVERLY, M.D.
A vital Christian personality from Instructor at the Kennedy School of Korea; Field Secretary of the Coop- ~issions, ~artford Seminary Foundaerative Committee on Work Among tIon; for sIxteen years a medical mis- Rural Women, Seoul; former travel- sionary to Arabia; author and lecing secretary for the Student Volun- tUrer. teer Movement.
T.Z.KOO KENNETH SCOTT LATOURETTE Christian leader of Chinese students; Professor of Missions and Orienta:l spiritual prophet of the Christian History, Yale University; formerly movement in China; kindly inter- missionary in China; author of "The preter of Western and Chinese cul- Development of China," "History of tures; former secretary of World's Christian Missions in China," etc. Christian Student Federation.
SOME SPEAKERS AND LEADERS AT THE STUDENT VOLUNTEER CONVENTION (See pages 67 to 68 and 83 to 85) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY, 1936 Topics of the Times STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AT some unevangelized area of China or other unoc- INDIANAPOLIS cupied field. There were present honored mis- sionaries, most of whom unfortunately had no It was an inspiring challenge to see twenty-five recognized place in the program but who contrib- hundred young men and young women, meeting uted much to intimate interviews and discussions daily for five days (December 28,1935 to January in seminar groups – men and women like Dr.
1, 1936) to consider how best to follow Christ in Thomas Moody, a Baptist veteran of the Congo; carrying out His program for the world. These Dr. and Mrs. John M. Springer, of Central Af:r:ica; were not only youth, with life before them, but Dr. Frank C. Laubach, of the Philippines; ,DrJ two thousand were selected students from four H. E. Phillips, of Egypt; Rev. Ray C. Phillips"o.t hundred and fifty advanced institutions of learn- the Transvaal, South Africa; Dr. L. s. G.MJl}erj ing in the United States and Canada. They are of Japan, and others. There were pastors anq the coming leaders-earnest, energetic and ideal- teachers, editors and authors to lead groups. of istic. Naturally they are not all well informed on from fifty to one hundred in the thirty-three daily world conditions or on the teachings and program seminars for the study of special topics.
of Christ but they came to consider prayerfully This twelfth quadrennial convention marked their personal relation to Christ and their place of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the greatest service to mankind. Under trained lead- Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Mis- ers they r;;ought to catch the vision, inspiration and sions. It was appropriate that the founder of the power for the great task ahead. Movement, and its first secretary, Dr..Robert P.
Among the speakers were such well-known lead- Wilder, could be present to lead a seminar on ers as Dr. William Temple, Archbishop of York; "Prayer and Missions," but it is to be regretted Dr. Richard Roberts, Moderator of the United that he was given no adequate place in the gen- Church of Canada; Dr. John R. Mott, Chairman eral program. His messages still ring with power of the International Missionary Council and the and meet response in the student world.
masterful chairman of many conventions; Dr. Great changes have come in the world and in Robert E. Speer, one of the honored missionary student attitudes in the last half century. In 1886 advocates and Christian teachers of the day, has many lands and large areas were still without any attended and addressed all the previous volunteer knowledge of Christ and His Gospel; the native conventions. There were also numerous mission- churches were generally weak and not organized ary executives and teachers, such as Dr. Kenneth for advanc-e; there were practically no student S. Latourette, of Yale; Dr. John A. Mackay, of volunteers in the educational centres of America New York; Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, of Princeton, or Europe; the Mission Boards were struggling and Dr. Mills J. Taylor, of Philadelphia. Among to secure missionaries and funds for the work.
those who brought stirring testimonies from mis- The Student Volunteer Movement, started in sion lands-themselves the product of missions- Mount Hermon, Massachusetts, in 1886, was the were Prof. Baez Camargo, of Mexico; Dr. Toyo- means of arousing missionary interest in schools, hiko Kagawa, of Japan; Mrs. Induk Pak, of colleges and theological seminaries. In a year or Korea, and Dr. T. Z. Koo, of China. Students also two 2,000 students had volunteered for service brought earnest, gripping messages, including abroad and the churches responded to the chal- that of the Hartford Group, the members of lenge to support them. In the past fifty years the which are seeking a place of pioneer' service in number of sailed volunteers has grown to 14,000 [ 67]
and missionary gifts have increased over four had little or no knowledge of the Bible and spirhundred per cent. itual things. They had evidently not studied the Bible in their homes, in churches or in colleges But since the World War a great change has and universities. They lacked the background come over the attitude of youth toward the solu- and foundations for the appreciation of missiontion of world problems. The Des Moines Volun- ary themes. Consequently most of the first half teer Convention, sixteen years ago, was marked of the general program at Indianapolis was not by a revolt against the leadership of the "elder missionary but was an attempt to lay these founstatesmen." That convention was large in num- dations. The audience was the mission field rather ber but the delegates were lacking in missionary than the missionary force. Probably, on the vision and purpose and were only convinced that whole, the greatest missionary impression was a change of ideals and of leadership was needed. made on the students in some of the seminars such They rightly believed that selfishness and foolish- as those on Latin America, Moslem Lands, Unocness had involved the world in terrible war and cupied Areas, the Medical Approach, and Prayer bloodshed and they expressed their intention to and Missions. A few of the groups seemed not take control of the Church and State in an effort to be so fortunate in subjects or leaders. to bring about better conditions. The problems of international peace, social justice, racial equal- The real value of the Indianapolis Convention ity and economic betterment obscured the Chris- can only be judged by the results. There may tian foundations and ideals of spiritual service. not come from it many foreign missionaries or Many students were determined to work for re- volunteers, for the present position of the Boards forms-either with or without the help of God. and the attitude of the churches are discouraging. The whole movement may undergo a change. The Four years later, at the first Indianapolis Vol- devoted General Secretary, Jesse R. Wilson, is unteer Convention (1923-24), the youth were in leaving to take up work under the Baptist Board the saddle and turned their attention from world on the Pacific Coast. Who will be called to sucevangelism to the solution of social and economic ceed him? The early days of the Movement were problems. But while earnest and energetic, they marked by the clear leadings of God, by ceaseless were uninformed and inexperienced. They failed prayer, by devoted self-sacrifice and by a fearless to make much impression or to reach any prac- pioneering spirit. Will these be manifested in the tical conclusions. The Student Volunteer Move- students who went to Indianapolis? Have they ment seemed doomed. come to a clearer knowledge of God; have they come into closer fellowship with Christ; have At the recent Indianapolis Convention the stu- they seen a new vision of all men's need for salvadents showed their responsiveness to Christian tion? Will they return to their seminaries and idealism but with much less self-confidence and colleges to start new prayer groups and mission more reaainess to listen to experienced leaders. study circles? Will they be missionaries on the The youth at Indianapolis won all hearts by their campuses where a million students wait to be earnestness and courage. They had not much in- evangelized and brought into vital contact with terest in the past and its leaders, for their faces Christ? Will new Christian leaders and new rewere toward the future, but they were not so sure sponse to God's call come out of this convention, of their own ability to turn the world right side as they-came from the first student conference at up over night. The youth of today are sobered Mount Hermon fifty years ago? If so, the Student by the knowledge that the world is not eagerly Volunteer Movement will live and grow and will bidding for their budding talents. The great usher in a new era of world-wide Christian evanproblems of the day are recognized but are seen gelism. If not- ? to be too serious for any untried, cure-all remedy. The majority of the younger generation today are FOREIGNERS ON FOREIGN MISSIONS asking – "Whither are we drifting? Who can show us the way out? Why take life so seriously? One of the outstanding features of the forty- Why not have a good time and then snuff out the third annual meeting of the Foreign Missions Concandle?" ference of North America was the unique contri- bution made by men and women who are products But at Indianapolis the youth were of a differ- of Christian missions in other lands. Dr. Toyoent temper, or they would not have been there. hiko Kagawa, now well known throughout' the They seemed eager to know the mind of Christ world as a Japanese Christian evangelist and soand to discover their place in the program of God, cial statesman, made an eloquent plea for the more but they were largely uninformed as to the essen- than fifty million rural population of Japan. In tials of Christianity and the deepest needs of man- response the conference voted to ask the Comkind. The nucleus of theological students and the mittee of Reference and Council to undertake to children of· ministers and missionaries present stood out in contrast to the mass of delegates who
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
help raise funds for building 1,000 Christian because of the lack of prospect of their being sent. chapels (at about $280 each) in rural districts The need is great both to fill places made vacant where lay leaders will minister to Japanese Chris- by death and retirement and to advance into untian groups now without places of worship and occupied fields. There is an abundance of money unable to build their own chapels. in the home church to support the work of Christ both at home and abroad, when truly God-called, Mrs. Induk Pak, the captivating Korean field 8Jdequately-prepared and spirit-filled volunteers secretary of the Christian Cooperative Committee are ready to go and when Christians at home are on work for Rural Women in Chosen (whose ad- aroused to the need, the privilege and responsidress at Indianapolis appears in this issue), spoke bility of Christian stewardship. impressively of the great need for helping Korean women to solve their economic problems while at Among the present trends in the thought of the same time they are led out into spiritual life Christian leaders at home is the greater emphasis and freedom through Jesus Christ. on the need for spiritual awakening and reeduca- tion of the churches at home in the teachings and Prof. Gonzalo Baez Camargo, a product of evan- program of Christ. Another topic always uppergelical missions and now secretary of the National most in modern mission councils is: How churches Council of Evangelical Churches in Mexico, spoke on the mission fields may be strengthened so that with power on the "upbuilding of the Evangelical they may carryon with decreased support and Church" under the present difficulties that mark oversight from America and Europe. It is evipolitical and religious activities in that country. dent that these churches must depend on the He told of the hardships and blessings that have guidance of the Spirit of God and Biblical ideals come to the Evangelical churches through the for their national development, without seeking necessity of standing on their own feet, being de- to perpetuate Occidental characteristics and diprived of help from foreign missionaries. visions. Unoccupied fields and rural popUlations are receiving more attention today, having been Mr. T. H. Sun of China, the Christian editor of too long neglected while institutional work has The Christian Farmer, made an effective plea for been developed in large centers. the rural populations of his country where there are over 300,000,000 tillers of the soil. He urged Over three hundred delegates and visitors reptheir need not only for the Gospel of Christ, but resenting sixty-nine Mission Boards were regisalso for Rural Reconstruction to teach them im- tered at this Foreign Missions Conference,. of proved methods of farming, literacy, sanitation which Dr. John R. Mott was chairman. The chairand better homes to help make strong Christian man elected for the 1937 conference is Dr. Robert communities and churches. E. Speer who is due next year to retire as secre- tary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- These four representatives of the growing sions, a position he has occupied since 1891 when Chris-tian churches in the mission fields were he was called from his studies in Princeton Thethemselves an unanswerable argument in favor ological Seminary. of taking the Gospel of Christ into all the world and offered great reason for encouragement in the STIRRINGS AMONG INDIAN future of Christianity in those lands. UNTOUCHABLES Another feature of the Asbury Park Conference Dr. Ambedkar, of India, declares that the (January 8 to 10) was the optimism shown by the wrongs of the "outcastes" can no longer be tolerrepresentatives of the Foreign Mission Boards ated. In response some factors in India's reliin the face of present difficulties. Dr. John R. gious revolution are pointed out by the editor of Mott, who has attended most of the conferences Dnyanodaya, Dr. J. F. Edwards, of Poona. He from the first, voiced the belief that the depression says: "First: The widely respected Congress and recession in foreign missionary interest and president says that it is because India still treats giving have struck bottom and the period of ad- so many of her own people as Untouchable that vance has again begun. The lessons learned, and the other nations of the world treat India as an the changes that should be made in the mission- Untouchable. ary program were not clearly stated but there is today a growing conviction that evangelism must "Second: This latest development in India's rebe stressed in all departments of the work abroad ligious revolution has been set in motion by the and that the Church at home must be spiritually redoubtable Ambedkar, largely owing to the new awakened. A committee has been appointed to Indian Constitution which despite all its defects arrange for another United Missionary Campaign has given the vote to sixteen per cent of Indian in North America to arouse the churches to population instead of only three per cent pregreater missionary interest and more intelligent viously, and is already quickening the democratic and unselfish missionary giving. Volunteers for consciousness of India's depressed and oppressed missionary work abroad are today discouraged
classes to such an extent that they have made this work or the department in which a missionary is dramatic protest against being trodden any longer active but whether the burning motive of love to underfoot. Christ and the aim to lead others to acknowledge "Third: Dr. Ambedkar is believed to be plan- Him is the chief impelling motive in all life and ning an All-India Conference of Depressed Classes work. This is the foundation of all Christian at which Untouchables shall themselves decide all missionary work and is essential for all missionthe issues involved, including their future religion. ary workers. Every qualification that can be added is or should be so much gain. Some seem "Fourth: Dr. Ambedkar is understood to re- to lose sight of one or the other of these facts. gard himself largely as an atheist. Many illustrations can be cited to show the ef- "These four facts mean that two of India's fectiveness of every kind of mission work-when greatest needs today are clear Christian teaching based on and permeated with Christlike love for regarding the nature of .true spiritual religion, souls and an intelligent spirit of evangelism. The and, above all, the daily exemplification of it in following two letters are samples: Christ-like living. In this way the humblest Indian Christian can play a mighty part in the task Miss Susannah M. Riker, who is working among of building the new India." the students of Wilmina Girls' School at Osaka, writes: The depressed Untouchable classes are threatening to leave Hinduism and join any religion that I know that some people rather disparage schools as will welcome them without distinction as to social mission work, in this day and age. But I think that is a standing. This will be a great boon to the Out- very mistaken view. I can make more contacts through our 800 or 900 girls than I can possibly make in any other castes who are still debarred from Hindu temples. way. Just that teaching plus interest in each girl brings The Moslems, Sikhs, Arya Somajists and Bud- wonderful things to the surface. A personal radiance or dhists have already made advances to these out- perhaps just a friendly word or two when an opportunity caste Hindus who number some 70,000,000 people offers, brings into being a feeling of intimacy which leads and would bring great political prestige to any a girl to Christ and a life of radiance. And through the girls we contact the whole family. As an example, re- party they join. Christians would welcome them, cently when church was over a friend of mine brought a not en masse, but only on the basis of personal re- woman to introduce her. She was the mother of a girl generation and acceptance of Christ, with a knowl- whom I had taught last year, and she had come in contact edge of what that involves. Many Hindus (Sana- with Christianity through her daughter. She had brought her son, also, and the next Sunday the whole family were talists) would be glad to have Untouchables with- there. They live far out in the country and must come in draw as the vested interests of some Hindu by train, but they were very happy to be able to come.
temples have suffered as a result of the demand Silliman University at Dumaguete in the that Untouchables be permitted to enter. On the Philippines is another example of the Christian other hand, however, Hindus do not wish to lose influence that can be exerted in educational mispolitical power by the loss of numbers counted as sion work. Dr. Roy H. Brown, the President of Hindus. One Hindu Shan Karacharya, Dr. Kurt the University, writes: Koti, has suggested the mass "conversion" of Untouchables to a new Hindu sect of Harijans, equal Think of the opportunity we have this year of touching 1,033 lives! (On a recent Decision Day sixty-five of the to other Hindus. Others suggest that the Na- students confessed Christ.) These are from all districts tional Indian Cong~ess be given the power to in the Philippines. Some of them are teachers. abolish "untouchability" by legal enactments. Such a step is unlikely as it involves religious mat- One cannot get the vision by a hasty visit to Silliman, ters. Mahatma Gandhi declares that "untouch- nor can he get it by staying only on the campus. . He must go through the Visayas and other parts of the Philip- pines encountering former students and graduates. Just ability is on its last legs." Evidently the great recently I was in Cebu. We organized a very enthusiastic barrier to social progress in India-so long con- chapter of former Silliman students, and that was very encouraging and helpful. But what filled me with satissidered impregnable-is rapidly weakening. faction was the work our graduates are doing in the stu- dent church and in the dialect church. I assisted at a cot- SPIRITUAL DIVIDENDS IN EDUCATION tage prayer meeting where about thirty were gathered; they had been meeting regularly for nearly a year. The Any way that is effective in leading men to ac- leader was a Silliman boy. His prayer and remarks filled cept Christ as their divine Lord and Saviour, and me with thanksgiving that God had used Silliman to preto follow His Way of Life, is a good way. Doc- pare not only this young man but over a score in Cebu tors can be as good evangelists as preachers-or for active work for Christ. . . . better. Teachers can make use of their contacts The Manila churches are officered largely by Silliman alumni and men who have come directly under the Gospel with pupils and their homes to give the Gospel by influence while at Silliman. It would make a long roll of honor if I should put down the names and the positions word and life. Industrial and social workers, they are occupying in the Christian life of Manila, thus edi.tors and administrators can do the same. The influencing not only that great city but also reaching thouchief thing to be considered is not the type of sands who are studying and passing through Manila.
IRAN, WITH BROAD STREETS AND
Changing Attitudes in Iran By COMMODORE B. FISHER, Hamadan, Persia Missionary of the Pl'esbyterialt Church, U. S. A.
THERE is a ferment at work in the world to- theless, the modern spirit is ceaselessly pressing day. In Persia this culminated (or shall we in upon the old. say really began?) on March 21, 1935, with an announcement changing the name of old Persia An intense spirit of nationalism, patriotism to to modern Iran. This is indicative of numerous a high degree, characterizes the sentiments and other changes that are taking place among these actions of most of the people in these days. Ten "Aryans" on the Iranian plateau lying between years ago the typical schoolboy oration extolled the glories of the golden age of Cyrus and Darius, Turkey and Afghanistan, Russia and Iraq. Dur- lamented the low estate to which the country had ing the past decade a stagnant civilization of fallen and ended with an exhortation to observe veiled women and turbanned men, winding slowly the men of the West, learn of them and follow in through the narrow streets of old Persia, has been their footsteps. Patriotism has changed much of giving way to a faster moving procession of young this. Today the boys vie with one another in men and women following Paris fashions along patriotic fervor, praise the language and culture the main streets that have been cut through the of old Persia (Iran) and point out the weaknesses picturesque cities of long ago. To be sure, the of Western civilization' with its attendant evils, change is not yet complete, high walls and wind- colonial exploitation, the crime wave, the factory ing streets, donkeys and camels, samovars and system, unemployment and increasing expendi- dark harems, old bazaars and veiled ladies shrilly tures for armament. bargaining therein are still to be found. Never- This patriotic zeal is partly a result of pride in [71 ]
the recent progress in Iran and partly a result of complacently the backward conditions under disillusionment during a period of depression. A which they have grown up. They feel a sense of definite change of attitude dates from May 10, partnership in their country and their eyes have 1928, when the capitulations were abolished. A been opened to larger things than old-fashioned still more marked change followed the abrupt can- village life. Racial and religious discrimination cellation of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's con- is being diminished. Jewish boys are sent out to cession on November 29, 1932. On that occasion bring in Moslem conscripts and they all may live there were fireworks and general celebrations in together in the village mosque. In these ways even the army is helping to break down religious prejudice as it plants seeds of unrest in the hearts of young villagers.
The schoolroom and laboratory are also doing their part in effecting changed attitudes. Many Moslems still believe that the earth is fixed and does not revolve upon its axis. They fanatically oppose all non-Moslems, consider them unclean in- fidels and refuse them admission to the mosque.
The Moslem teacher of physics in the government school must have desired to change a number of misconceptions this spring when he took his class of Moslem, Jewish and Armenian boys into the sacred mosque, suspended a pendulum from the EVEN QUEEN ESTHER'S TOMB HAS BEEN MODERNIZED dome and by the gradual change in the movement of the pendulum proved that the earth does move.
all parts of the country. The dispute was sub- Different nationalities are learning to work and mitted to the League of Nations which sent British play together primarily as young Iranians. This representatives of the company to Iran to nego- play is now directed by an American specialist tiate a new treaty far more favorable to Iran. employed by the Department of Education. Boys This sense of power, of having defied the might of who were embarrassed or too modest to wear the the British Empire, did much to stir up the latent long-sleeved uniforms a few years ago are now fires of patriotism in Iran. adopting the abbreviated athletic uniforms of the West because they are better suited to active play. All apparent lack of confidence, initiative or Such are some of the conflicts and changing attiabilIty which retarded the development of or- tudes being wrought by modern education in Iran. ganizations in old Persia is rapidly giving way to enthusiastic efforts at indigenous organization in modern Iran. The National Bank, now oper- ated largely by Iranians, has taken over the right of banknote issue from the Imperial BaRk of Per- sia and has opened numerous branches through,· out the country. An almost prohibitive tariff keeps down excessive expenditures on imported luxuries while domestic soaps, shoes, socks and clothing are being supplied in larger and larger quantities. The railroad is being pushed to com- pletion through Teheran, the capital, joining thp.
Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf on which is the beginning of an Italian-built navy. Such develop- ments in modern Iran arouse still further a sense of independence and pride. SOME MODERNIZED IRANIAN STUDENTS Modern Iran requires two years' military serv- ice of every able-bodied young man without de- In keeping with the spirit of the day many of pendents. Even though the pay is only fifty cents the principal streets are being renamed and our a month the young men are rendering this service schools have all chosen Iranian names. Three less reluctantly, looking upon it as an opportunity years ago all citizens of Iran were forbidden to to see something of their country and to attend a attend foreign primary schools. The mission has kind of boarding school at government expense. not interpreted the order as an indication of hos- Never again will those who are being taken out tile opposition but rather as a policy arising out of their narrow circle of village life accept so of the reasonable conviction that native schools
CHANGING ATTITUDES IN IRAN
could better instill a spirit of patriotism than The fast is another religious practice of almost could foreign schools. In a spirit of cooperation thirteen hundred years' standing. For one whole it is well to "render unto Cresar the things that month from new moon till new moon, from dawn are Cresar's," in order that men may be brought till dusk, food and drink are strictly forbidden. to "render unto God the things that are GQd's." To many, however, the nightly feasts are ample compensation for the hardships of the day, espe- Some of the more fundamental reforms touch cially since the hours of labor and school schedules age-long religious practices. For more than a have always been upset in order that night may thousand years the Shiahs have mourned the de- be turned into day. Schoolwork was practically feat and death of their martyrs, Hosein and Has- at a standstill, short sessions began late in the san, during the month of Moharam, culminating day and were soon completed. This year, howin mourning processions of frenzied followers of ever, in modern Iran official orders were issued the prophet. Clad in sackcloth and ashes, chant- forbidding any change in schedule during the ing dirges and beating their breasts, flagellants PREPARING TO SERVE NEW IRAN-GRADUATING CLASS OF A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE beating their backs with chains and the more zeal- month of Ramazan. Regular work was not disous striking their gory foreheads with broad- rupted, less time could be given to the night's swords, small boys on horseback and water-car- feasts and at the noon recess opportunity was riers everywhere, these great processions have given to those who wanted to go home for lunch. continued to reenact this great miracle play of In this way religious practices are becoming more Islam. This year the processions were strictly and more a matter of conviction and less and less forbidden, and in modern Iran, even as in the a matter of conforming to general custom. Saner time of the Medes and Persians, orders are given attitudes are taking the place of blind adherence to be obeyed. Thus passed one of the Shiah cus- to fanatical practices. toms with but few of the educated young people to lament its passing. In contrast, earlier in the The adoption of the Western or "international" year great multitudes assembled along the streets hat is perhaps the most noticeable change in Iran. of the city to see the first "carnival of joy"-floats Since men first began to wear hats the Oriental and clowns depicting the recent progress of Iran. has considered it disrespectful to uncover his head Only a "Miss Iran" as queen of the carnival was in one's presence, hence at formal gatherings and lacking in modern Iran in 1935! at worship no hats were removed. Since the Mos- lem prayer requires touching the forehead to the
ground the brimless fez has remained a distinc- of thought from the young people in the United tive badge. For more than a year certain groups States. Such changes in customs and costumes, have been removing their hats and on June 14th however, are effecting vital changes in attitudes the governor attended our girls' school commence- and convictions. ment and ordered all men to remove their hats. One week later most of the officials attended our Young men from the schools, from the army boys' school commencement wearing regular hats and from the universities of Europe are returning and one month later policemen began to destroy to their homes to add to the ferment that has alall fezzes. ready begun. Customs and practices of the West as well as those of old Persia are viewed with The removal of the veil is being accomplished critical eyes. The old decadent national spirit more gradually by an order forbidding the enrol- along with religious and social practices as well ment in any school of any girl wearing a veil. as hats, veils and city streets are all undergoing The young people in Iran are no longer so very rapid change. different in appearance, interests, desires or mode What a challenge we face today!
.Religious Changes in Iran By the REV. GEORGEF. ZOECKLER, J;..- Daulatiibiid-Malayis SINCE the World War a new creed, National- no reality; and that there is no further need for ism, has appeared that, in some sections, has either God or religion. well nigh or altogether supplanted revealed religion. This seems to be the present situation No doubt much of the retarded development of in Iran. One who has lived in the country for the people of Iran is one effect of the mass of traany length of time realizes the need that has too dition and superstition that has grown up about long existed for some force that could consolidate their religion, Islam, and has become a part of it. all the elements in the Iranian nation-its varied These traditions and superstitions are now being tribes, races, languages and social elements, in attacked and in some particulars the Government order that a strong government may be estab- program cuts directly across them. For example lished on a firm basis, and so that the material the program for the changing and beautifying of progress the country is making under His Maj- the cities of the land frequently involves the transesty, Reza Shah Pahlavi, may be appreciated by formation of sacred burying grounds into public the entire nation. There is good reason to praise gardens. the effort that is being put forth to develop a spirit that will help the people to recognize all classes The nationalistic spirit in its operation goes and races as integral parts of the kingdom, and even deeper and does more than to affect the exto instil into the lives of the people a spirit of ternals of life. This is exactly what it is intended loyal, active patriotism. to do. There was little in the life of the people, private or public, that did not come under the Nevertheless, one cannot but wonder what the various categories of their religion. Legal proultimate results will be of the program upon which cedure, governmental functions, social sanctions, the Government has entered and the consequent education, were all looked upon as integral parts changes which have come into the life of the peo- of Islam, and the religious leaders claimed for ple. One does not fear so much for the material themselves these prerogatives. Before the inchanges themselves, for these may mean real im- auguration of the new legal code, legal procedure, provement in the material condition of the masses; which confined itself to the provisions of the but one wonders how rapidly it will be possible Shariat, and its interpretation by the Mujtahideen, for the masses to assimilate all that these changes was administered by these same Mujtahideen and involve, and what effect they will have upon their their coterie. Deeds of sale, contracts of all kinds, spiritual character. Iran, in these particulars, is including marriage contracts, divorce, and all no different from other nations and peoples. Such other legal documents, were executed by those who rapid material changes tend to produce the belief were theoretically the religious and spiritual leadthat religion has failed; that the spiritual life has ers of the people. But now, through the estab- lishment by the Government of courts of justice
RELIGIOUS CHANGES IN IRAN
and departments for the registration of contracts, a marked decrease in the number of Iranian Mosthe religious leaders have been relieved of the lems undertaking the pilgrimages to Mecca and functions which they formerly exercised. Kerbela. This is due in part to restrictions on exchange and travel for Iranians outside of the Religious Leaders and Observances bounds of the country. At the same time there has been a marked increase in the number of pilgrims Prior to the assumption of these functions on to the Qom and Meshhed shrines which are within the part of the Government, there had appeared the country. Better roads and automobile transa growing distrust of the religious leaders and port are, no doubt, largely responsible for this. much of the retarded development of the people While there are those who make these pilgrimages was laid at their doors. Several years ago the from religious zeal, there are also many who make Government set out to clear up the situation that these excursions more from the desire to see other existed in the ranks of the religious leaders. parts of Iran. Their number had become so great and many were so obviously unfit for their calling that the Gov- The net result of these changes, as they affect ernment inaugurated special examinations to the spiritual side of life seems to be a marked which this extensive group was subjected. Many trend toward agnosticism, irreligion and atheism. who had been wearing clerical robes, realizing the While many cling to the Moslem faith, there is a futility of even trying for the examinations, did marked tendency among them toward a more libnot appear for them, while a large number who eral interpretation of their religion and its pracdid try were rejected; both of these classes were tices, so that there seems to be lacking that incompelled to withdraw from the clerical ranks. tense fanaticism that was so much in evidence Thus the Mullahs have been reduced so that today not so long ago. However, even among the more there are probably not more than twenty-five per educated and progressive where the tendency tocent of the former number. And those who re- ward irreligion has been most marked, one finds main are, in the main, ill equipped to meet the at times those who have become convinced that spiritual needs of the people; and stripped of material advances are not in themselves sufficient their former powers they hold no real influence to change the people into a new nation, but that a over the masses who are left very largely without spiritual basis must be sought to stabilize the maspiritual guidance at a time when they are most terial advance. in need of it. Effect on Christian Work Many of the religious exercises of the people have felt the impact of the changes that are tak- Nationalism, and the changes it has brought in ing place. The Shiah Moslems have always laid the religious life of the people, cannot but have great emphasis on the sufferings and martyrdom very definite effects upon Christian mission work. of the Imam Hosein on the field of Kerbela, and Let us note the effect on the definitely evangelistic the months of Moharram and Safar-especially work and the development of a national Christian the first ten days-have been set aside to com- Church. memorate this event. The processions during these days, accompanied by wailings and beatings Until recently the Government of Iran gave of breasts, by castigations and flagellations and legal recognition to but one religious faith, Islam. mutilations, are well known to all who are ac- Latterly it has given recognition to four religious quainted with Shiah Moslem customs. These faiths: Islam, ChristianUy, Judaism and Zoroaspractices, which meant so much to devout Mos- trianism. It would seem at first that this change lems, have been curtailed by Government order, would free the evangelistic program from some of almost to the point of extinction. the restrictions under which it has been conduct- ed, but due to other elements that enter into the The fast in the month of Ramazan, which was nationalistic program, this is not the case. Jp the formerly so rigorously observed and enforced that past, though Islam was undisputedly dominant in even non-Moslems were compelled to refrain from the land, the missionary evangelist was free to eating in public, is being less and less observed travel in practically any part of the country. today. It is not uncommon to see even Moslems Medico-evangelistic itineration was a common and eating in public during the month of Ramazan. fruitful method. But today through the limita- Government office hours and the hours of school tions made with regard to foreigners practicing sessions, which formerly were tempered to the medicine in Iran, the activities of the missionary occasion, are now retained without any change. physician and surgeon are materially circum- scribed. On the other hand, the Government's The prescribed prayers, five times a day, which effort to consolidate its work has brought legislaare incumbent on every Moslem, are not so strictly tion against political and religious propaganda observed by Iranian Moslems; and the same is which frequently hampers the evangelist. The true of other practices of their religion. There is
enforcement of regulations is often dependent strong effort has been put forth to effect a national upon the attitude of local officials and their inter- consolidation of the churches; and while this has pretation of a specific order, or their attitude to- not been possible on a national scale because the ward a particular individual. Islam is still churches in the south are under the Church Mis~ guarded, and it is now a misdemeanor to speak sionary Society and those in the north are Presdisparagingly about Islam or Mohammed. byterian in government, it has been possible to effect a union of the churches in the north. It is For some time there has been a shifting of em- too early to speak of accomplishments in this new phasis in the Christian approach to Moslems. Not union, but one can cite examples of work that many years ago the accepted method was that of some of the churches in the Union are already controversy and the literature employed was undertaking. In the Rezaieh (Urumia) district largely controvertial. An effort was made, by the missionary forces were withdrawn some logical proof, to establish the truth of Christianity twenty months ago at the request of the Governas against the fallacy of Islam, and to exalt Christ ment. Before the World War the churches in this by pointing out faults in Mohammed. Today this area had attained a promising degree of independmethod is entirely abandoned and in its place is ence but only a small fraction of the members of the simple presentation of Jesus Christ in His those churches returned when peace was restored. beauty and holiness as the Lord and Saviour of But the churches were rebuilt and the services reman. The fulness and the brightness of His established. It was with some misgivings for the matchless character and its appeal to the hearts of welfare of these churches that the mission forces men, together with His ability to meet their spir- were withdrawn, but the report for this period itual needs, must win them to Him; if that cannot seems to indicate a strength in these churches that win them, surely controversy will not succeed. had hardly been foreseen.
But presenting Jesus Christ to the people of Another church is endeavoring to maintain the Iran is succeeding. Men and women are coming work of an outstation which the mission was not to know the Christ in varying degrees, and they able to keep up during these years of retrenchadmire Him and His teachings; and while, at ment. A third church is maintaining, at considertimes, they may look upon His teachings as impos- able expense to itself, two primary schools. Three sible of attainment, they are no longer content years ago, when all primary schools operated by with anything less. Not infrequently have I foreigners were discontinued, this church, desirheard it said by those who have come in touch ing that its children should still be able to get with the Gospel that if Iran would follow the Ser- their education under Christian influences, semon on the Mount it would become heaven. But cured permission and undertook to operate the even if Moslems have not yet come to know Him schools which the mission was forced to relinquish. in His fulness, they are coming to know Him; Their graduates, presenting themselves for the and as they know Him better they will come to compulsory Government examinations at the close appreciate Him-to a much larger degree also. It of the· course, have carried off high honors. is often these individuals who are effective instruments in breaking down the prejudices against These churches have also become conscious of Christ in others. each other and not infrequently they endeavor to assist one another in cases of particular stress The .National Christian Church and need. At the first meeting of the Union of the Evangelical Churches of Northern Iran the The new atUtude in Iran has also affected the moderator stressed the fact that the fundamental work of the national church. While the great ob- purpose of the organization was to make it posjective of mission work is the development of the sible for all the churches to come to a fuller muchurch, no great progress had been made toward tual understanding of their conditions so as to be this. end before the nationalistic movement began able to be of more assistance to one another. to make itself felt. Only in the region of the Rezaieh (Urumia) field had any real progress been These are a few of the religious changes seen noted, and this was before the devastations of the in 'Iran today. They reveal the great need for a World War which practically wiped out all that spiritual foundation upon which to establish those had been attained in that field. In other parts of changes; and over against this fundamental need the country, while churches had been established a growing and dev6!loping church which, though in cities, towns and villages, no organization had still weak, is alive to the situation. Alongside is brought them together into a national unit. There the mission still seeking to work in the closest cowere evidences of the nationalistic spirit in the operation with the newly-founded church. It is a church, and the mission was not averse to utilizing challenging situation ripe with opportunities, this spirit in furthering the establishment of the problems and responsibilities which call for the indigenous church. During the past few years a prayerful support of the Christian world.
Nestorian Tragedy in
THE Nestorian Assyrians in Irak fled at the the Patriarch, Mar Shimun, had to flee from Irak outbreak of the World War from their Kurd- after the massacre, he came to Geneva to plead the ish mountains to the lowland plains in Meso- cause of his people before the League. The Counpotamia, in order to escape the fate brought upon cil thereupon appointed a committee to look about the Armenians by the Turks. They confided in the for a new home for these homeless people. It com- protection of England, when Irak was mandated missioned the Nansen-Committee for Fugitives to to that country. Assyrian tribes were already liv- undertake the necessary steps, but no one wants ing in Irak, among them the Roman Catholic to receive the Assyrians. They cannot return to "Chaldeans," while the Nestorian fugitives re- Turkey, and in Irak they are scattered and quickly mained true to their ancient faith, which their die of hunger and sickness. The Syrian mandated missionaries had once carried even into China. territory cannot receive them and the same is true These Nestorian fugitives found shelter in of Persia. The Nansen Committee sent a delega- upper Irak and some of them fought under Gen- tion to Brazil, which at first seemed inclined to eral Agha Petros in the allied army. But thou- allow the fugitives to settle, but, under the in- sands were unable to get through to Irak, and fluence of a press campaign, refused them en- found their way through to Russia, to the Baltic trance. At present the Nansen Committee is try- countries, to Persia and even to southern France. ing to find a home for them in British Guiana.
The Nestorian Assyrians are under the spiritual This plan does not seem very feasible on account leadership of a patriarch, who is the national head of unfavorable climatic conditions. Australia of his people. The present patriarch, Mar Shimun, might perhaps grant refuge to these homeless is a young man of twenty-five years, who has en- fugitives in its unoccupied territory.
joyed an English education and lives now in The Assyrian people, like the Armenian, have western Europe. become the victim of political discrimination. The The Assyrians, who were unable to return to whole Christian world should take hold of the sit- Kurdistan, their ancient home, have settled in the uation or another winter will diminish their num- villages around Mosul and some are employed by bers frightfully. Christendom has an indisputable the British to guard the British airplane hangars. responsibility for the preservation of these Chris- When Irak, after gaining its independence, tian people, who have already suffered so much joined the League of Nations, the Assyrians feared for their faith in past centuries. The Swiss Evan- that their condition would be made worse, as the gelical Church Federation, as early as 1933, ap- policy of the Irak Government was to disperse pealed to the Ecumenical Council for Practical them throughout the country so as to destroy their Christianity, to use its influence with the League national and church unity. A still greater peril of Nations for a better protection of these people.
lay in the ancient antagonism between Moham- In collaboration with Dr. Keller, the head of the medans and Christians. This came to a head European Central Office for Church Relief, the about three years ago in the notorious massacre above committee is now constantly occupied with in which a thousand Assyrians were slain. these problems. It has organized an Assyrian The Assyrians are a people without home, with- subcommittee and raised subscriptions in Switzer- out protection, without help. The Geneva central land and has appealed to the Assyrian Commission office for church aid and relief has been engaged of the League. An Assyrian representative from for the last ten years in helping individual groups India, Mar Timotheus, who took part in the world of fugitives in France and Syria. The relief office conference at Stockholm applied to this great con- has also done much to procure aid for the suf- ference for help for his dying people. The Cen- ferers in Irak. Although the Government has tral Committee was able during the last two years settled the surviving widows and orphans of the to carry some relief to the fugitives in Irak, the massacred Assyrians in internment camps, there Lebanon and some other countries; but vastly are still thousands in the villages, north and east more is needed, if this frightful perishing is to be of Mosul, who live in the direct misery. Last halted. If a new home should be found for the winter there was great mortality among them, so Assyrian Christians, western Christendom should that, unless help comes soon, these people, num- become sponsor for their ancient Oriental Chris- bering about 35,000 in Irak, will disappear alto- tian church. There is great danger that this gether. dying people may need no further help either from What has been the activity of the League of the League of Nations or from Christian people.
Nations toward protecting the Assyrians? When -The Ecumenical Press Service.
[77 ]
with Moslems in Arabia*
By REV. B. D. HAKKEN, Bahrein, Persian Gulf REPETITION is a fundamental principle of prevail and whether the Gospel will ever have a pedagogy and Islam has certainly taken ad- real hearing. The unreasonable attitude, the vantage of this. When very young the child cocksure assertions, even the pitying scorn for our is sent to the Koran School where, through con- blindness to the truth of Islam, take their toll. It " stant repetition, he memorizes the Koran in whole seems that they will never turn a sympathetic ear or in part. When he is old enough to pray, the to our message and will go on forever stating the repetition of the prayers five times a day again same falsehoods, the same irrational half-truths, brings this principle to the fore and continues with the same bigoted assertions. But we know that the worshiper throughout his whole life. Ejacula- the truth will prevail.
tions, exclamations, common everyday expres- The Moslem has come to put repetition in the sions, greetings morning, noon and night, all place of thought. Simply because he has been told contain the word "Allah." Children are named a thing enough times, he believes it is true and it servants of Allah or are given the name of their is hard to get him to try to think. Logic simply prophet. Mohammed is never mentioned except does not enter into the matter. From cradle to with the formula, "Upon whom be prayers and the grave, the Moslem hears that the Koran is the peace." His unique character is continually em- word of God; therefore it is, and the man never phasized. Even the smallest things, the most min- even thinks to question. Again and again he hears ute customs of the people take their rise from the that Mohammed is the essence of all that is good example of Mohammed. in man and it does not occur to them that he is not This idea of doing and saying things again and what he is pictured.
again naturally has its effects on the work of the One time I said to some of my school boys, "It Gospel, most of which are unfavorable, but some is just possible that you are wrong and we are are favorable. Many times we have heard quoted right. It is possible that the Koran is not God's from the Koran that Christians are closer to Mos- word and that the Gospel is. It is possible that lems than any other sect! Many times we have Mohammed is not a prophet where Christ is the heard Moslems quote texts from the Koran in seal of the prophets. Have you thought of that?"
praise of Christ! Many times we have been re- The answer is illuminating: "But the Koran says ferred to as "People of the Book" and told what that he is the apostle of God." It was not for a lot of good we are doing out here! Many times these boys to question the Koran. Countless ex- we have heard Moslems confess that they love and amples can be given for again and again we are honor Christ even more than we do! led up against· the stone wall of the Koran and Then there is the unfavorable side. How many Mohammed built by the principle of repetition.
times we have heard that the Koran is the word Can this stone wall be broken down? It can of God for no one can write anything like it, no, and it is. The pedagogic principle of repetition is not even the jinns! How many times we have also at work from the standpoint of Christ. We heard that Mohammed is the seal of the prophets too, insist, and continue to insist,·that our Gospel for he came after Christ and there has been no is God's Book and is true, that Christ is the seal prophet since! Continually we hear the assertion of the prophets and the Saviour of the world. We that the Koran has replaced the Gospel. Steadily insist that He died for our sins. We insist that we hear the text quoted, "God is not begotten and His commandment of love is the only hope of man- He begetteth not," the refutation of Christ's son- kind. We insist that religion is of the spirit and ship, for they conceive of it in a physical sense. not only of outward acts. We insist that justice Possibly the text we hear quoted more than any and mercy are the greatest attributes of God as is, "They did not kill Him and they did not crucify over against the Moslem idea of power. For al- Him, but they only had His likeness." All these most half a century we have been proclaiming the and many more are definitely against the propa- God of love and the constant repetition is having gation of the Gospel. its effect. The truths of the Gospel are b.attering But we wish to note the effect of Moslem repeti- against the stone wall of Islam and although the tions. It is not only tiresome, but tiring to hear effect of this battering is still slight, yet we can these false platitudes "bandied about continually. see that something is being accomplished and we At times one wonders whether the truth will ever shall continue our work. Again and again and again we shall proclaim the unsearchable riches • Condensed from Neglected Arabia. of Christ.
[78 ]
Blots on National 'Scutcheons
An Open Letter to My Friends, the Women of Japan* By MURIEL LESTER, Kingsley Hall, London 1'- Author "Ways of Praying"
~======================d N EARLY ten years ago I suffered a humilia- "Please ask this English lady, when she gets tion. I was in India standing with a friend back to London, to speak to the people there and in one of the narrow streets of Delhi, beg them to do something to help us, for we are watching the keeper of an opium shop supplying weak of will, and so long as the drugs are procur- addicts with drugs. For twenty minutes I forced able we cannot help taking them."
myself to be a witness of this Government licensed The message was translated but what could I traffic for which, as a British woman, I was par- answer, I, a nobody, a slum dweller, one among tially responsible. the millions of fellow citizens in the British Em- Passers-by, wondering what was happening, pire? I explained that I had no power except as stood silent, grave and impassive, watching us. an individual, but I promised to give their mes- One of the purchasers, mere skin and bone he sage to everyone I could reach and I would keep seemed, having exchanged his money for a few them in mind every day of my life by putting them grains of the potent powder was shuffling away in my prayers. Thenceforward it was impossible for me to bewhen my friend spoke to him. come acquiescent or complacent about imperial- "Why do you take it, grandpa?" she enquired. ism. My vow led me into all sorts of unexpected situations, to Governors in India, to officials in "Ah! Lady," he answered. "It was a bad cough London, to public meetings in England, Scotland I had. It racked my body and this medicine took and Wales. away the pain." It is with no tinge of censoriousness therefore "I can give you something better than that for that I am appealing to the people of Japan to peryour cough," she said. suade the Government policy to be altered as re- gards poisonous drugs in China. How can I blame The old man reached out his hand as she wrote you, considering that when my ancestors were down her address on a slip of paper. Other pur- waging the opium wars, yours were giving to the chasers gathered round, courteously inquiring, world a unique contribution of art, drama, archi- Indian style, who we were and what had brought tecture, ideals of self-sacrifice, courtesy, self-reus there. My friend explained that I was British straint, and loyalty for which Japan has for so and had just come from London in order to know long been noted? something of their way of life. This caused them to draw closer still. They were all attention while It is out of my steadfast love for Japan and my she explained that there were no opium shops in deep appreciation of your national characteristics London. To take drugs or to trade in them was that I venture to write this letter. against the law. They were greatly impressed by this anomaly. Their surprised scrutiny was hard There are two outstanding experiences to which to bear. I had to force myself to raise my head my mind often reverts, and never without getting and face them. Just then a new customer came satisfaction and inspiration. They are listening up, a cheery looking boy of twelve or thirteen. to the nightingale deep in an English forest glade in June and watching the Kabuki drama in Osaka. "Surely you do not take it, sonnie," exclaimed Both experiences give one a satisfaction so deep, my friend. a sense of fulfilment so real, that time almost seems to stand still, while one is experiencing their "Oh! No," he retorted with a broad grin. "I beauty. am only getting it for the baby." With this association of ideas which has en- "That's right," exclaimed one of those who riched me ever since first visiting Japan eighteen stood nearest to us, "it's useful for babies. It months ago, the new experience is doubly unwelkeeps them out of harm's way while their mothers co~e which now links Japanese drama in my are at work." mmd to a Japanese theater in the Demilitarized As the boy went off with his screw of paper a man raised his voice.
• A letter written from North China on June 12, 1935. Zone in North China. This shows obscene plays [79 ]
daily from ten o'clock in the morning, runs an il- "Do you not think these children look very lovlegal lottery in the vestibule, sells morphine and able?" asked the teacher. heroin throughout the program-all under the protection of Japanese authority. The local mag- "Indeed they are very lovable children," anistrate's order for the closure of this theater when swered the Chinese. it was in Chinese hands was effective. The local social conscience was appeased. But when Japa- "Where do you think they live?" asked the nese citizens reopened it and allied with the evil teacher. plays produced these other evils, and claimed ~x traterritoriality to justify ignoring the magIS- The Chinese children guessed, but none successtrate's repeated closure order, it was merely the fully. might of the Japanese military that caused these anti-social activities to be allowed free scope to "They are children of Japan," said the teacher. bring in profits. The children remembered the bombs that had suddenly begun to fall around them when they Education vs. Drugs were in church one Sunday morning. They knew how J apamise soldiers stabled their horses in their Almost every day of my stay in Japan I visited school playgrounds and made their homes miseror heard of some new school. Wherever I went, able. people seemed to be reading. Nowhere else in the "No, they cannot be. The Japanese are wicked," world have I seen street peddlers and costermon- they answered with childlike directness. gers studying books in the intervals between the The teacher encouraged the children to talk out sale of buttons, tapes, candy arid oranges. I had this problem, reminding them that they had althe privilege of meeting a woman who, long years ready pronounced them lovable: yet they were ago, was the first girl to attend school in Japan. indisputably Japanese. After discussing it for When she heard that the Government had opened some time, the children announced their concluone she insisted on her father taking her to it. sions. "It may be that the boys and girls of Japan Their journey thither took ten days. When she are lovable and only the grown-ups are wicked." arrived she found she was the only student. It was I have been interested to see how many of the not till a month later that a second and a third finest Chinese citizens, with a deep sense of spirgirl joined her. Now Nursery Schools are found itual values, have gone on from that point to exin obscure villages and great educational institu- plain to young people that even a further step tions have been set up by self-sacrificing service must be taken; they must never forget that the and generous gifts from many lovers of youth. grown-up people of Japan are good, that the evil things that are so obviously being done in Educationists who travel from Japan to China their name are not known to most of the Japanese find in that country the same reverence for edu- at home. cation, the same sort of institutions resulting from the same sort of devotion. Imagine then the shock I was delighted in Japan by the courtesy of the of finding, immediately outside the walls of Yen- people. I can never forget how the driver of my ching University, ten miles from the city of Peip- car nearly collided with another on turning a ing, a drug trafficker who had set up his poison.ous corner in Tokyo. At home there would probably business and refused .to recognize the law agamst have been some sarcasm, a little display of temper, it, quoting his status as a Japanese citizen u:?der some profanity; not so in Japan. As soon as the the protection of the Japanese Consulate at TIent- drivers clamped on the brakes, both leaped from sin. Members of the University faculty, men of their seats, swept off their hats, bowed almost to international repute, had no power against the the ground and made polite speeches to each other. evil intent of one trafficker. When representations In a moment we were continuing our journey were made to the Japanese Consulate, they ordered the drug trafficker away but allowed him to How different are Japanese manners in China! return in a week or so. I saw this man in his place On the wharf where a distinguished visitor was of business. Are students to be encouraged in about to embark, Chinese police had roped off a self-discipline and good citizenship and kept free space in the usual manner. Representatives of from commercialized temptations in Japan while many nations were waiting to give their welcome. outside your country you insist that an opposite A Japanese official came up late, could not find the set of ideas is to motivate action? point of vantage he desired so proceeded to the point which was being guarded by the- police. Are They All Wicked? They told him there was no entrance that way but he insisted in the face of the assembled company Some Chinese children in the Demilitarized crudely to push his way through. Zone were shown a photograph of Japanese children taken in one of your Nursery Schools. When I first visited Japan, I remember a Brit- ish resident of long standing describing the hon-
THE BLOTS ON NATIONAL 'SCUTCHEONS
esty of the people. If anything were lost, she de- to do so. They insisted that he produce the money clared, it was almost certain to be returned. She next day. He procured $500 but they were not herself had dropped in the street her purse with satisfied. When bayonets are brought into an arsome thirty yen in paper money which any passer- gument equity suffers; the following day $2,000 by could have kept without risk of detention. It more were extorted from him. A military reprewas returned to her next day. But in the Demili- sentative from Tientsin Consulate then came to tarized Zone of North China the poison drug shops inquire into the situation. He told the magistrate operated by Japanese and Koreans, are well to sign a statement that he had not been held known as receivers of stolen goods. They operate prisoner in his office. This he refused to do. But a pawnshop in alliance with their drug traffic so he suffered for it afterwards. that addicts are tempted to steal in order to procure their dose. There is no redress, even if one During my journeyings round the world three knows where one's stolen property has been de- institutions stand out in my memory as super-exposited. The shops are under Japanese law, not cellent. Among these is the Government Leper Chinese. Hospital and Settlement near Tokyo that Dr. Ka- gawa took me ,to see. It is so well run that not 'Loyalty vs. Injustice only are skill and technical achievement obvious even to a novice in medicine, but one cannot help Another thing that I especially appreciated in noticing a spirit of personal devotion, that has Japan was the loyalty of the individual to his sense elicited from the victims of that disease a sort of of duty. With Japanese, self-will seems to be com- happiness. pletelysubordinated to the good of the nation. Loyalty has characterized Japanese life for so Other public health work in various parts of long that even a visitor, whose total stay during Japan was memorable also but in China public both visits did not exceed eleven weeks, caught health work is being hindered through the extra something of this steadfastness of purpose. Sure- burdens laid upon the doctors and nurses in the ly this might be considered J.apan's greatest con- treatment of drug addicts who would be self-retribution to the world! Some of us in the West specting citizens if it were not for the influx of have been trying to follow the way of Jesus Christ Japanese and Korean drug traffickers. Is it credfor centuries. We have found it extremely hard itable to Japan that doctors and nurses, Chinese to be loyal to the command laid upon His followers and foreign, should have their time taken up by in no uncertain terms, "If anyone would come dealing with victims of Japanese traders? after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." The cross is no orna- In the Demilitarized Zone mented symbol of gold, silver or wood. It is a symbol of death, agony, torture. Morning by I enjoyed traveling in Japan. The orderliness morning we try to face this challenge, to match and punctuality are dependable, pleasant to exour personal puny strength with the possible im- perience. The railway travel in China I have enplications of this demand. Are we willing to go joyed until now, but on my way through the Deany length, to disgrace or to death, in loyalty to militarized Zone a Japanese soldier came into the our Master and for the sake of others? It is a third-class carriage in which I was traveling. The frightfully difficult discipline for us to undergo, Chinese guard asked for his ticket. He had none but you people of Japan are already trained to do but said he was with the military. Where was it. It has been in your blood for centuries. What his ticket then, asked the conductor? He said he other race in the world is so well prepared to lead had a military pass but did not produce it. The the way in loyalty? But here in China you inter- conductor very politely informed him that in that fere with people who are trying to do their duty. case this was the wrong train for him to travel on as it was not available for the military. He an- Last summer an alert Chinese magistrate in the swered that there seemed to be plenty of room Demilitarized Zone, knowing that his authority and settled down to enjoy the journey. held sway at any rate over the Chinese in his district, arrested some Chinese employees of a J apa- While in Japan last spring I heard of the fornese drug firm when they were not on their em- ward movement to do away with the licensed ployer's premises. He confiscated the drugs they houses for prostitutes. It was a pleasure to diswere carrying and despatched the whole lot to cuss with social workers this big step forward and Tientsin. Some roughs were immediately gath- to notice how the great campaign Josephine Butered together and sent into his office to demand ler waged in the middle of the last century, when $7,000 damages for his action. He refused to pay. she stood up at the risk of her life against licensed Then Japanese troops from Lanhsien came and prostitution, was being courageously maintained ordered him to come to the barrack but he was a by her successors in Japan. Having witnessed college graduate and not easily scared; he refused
this social advance, it was disappointing to find a common weal. They encourage their country puwidespread operation of brothels by Japanese and pils to give their spare time to help the under- Koreans in the Demilitarized Zone. I saw many privileged children in their midst. Changli people such houses, some of them blatantly advertising have turned their attention to improving the local their nature not only in Chinese characters but in methods of agriculture by means of modern scilarge English lettering. ence. They are planting fruit trees with new con- fidence believing they can prevent the recurrence Trees vs. Children of pests.
When I reached Kyoto last March I found the With the setting up of the Demilitarized Zone, hills transformed. Tall gaunt tree trunks, stripped however, the traffic in poisonous drugs has been of branch and leaf stood out against the skyline, carried on with greatly enhanced profits. The witnesses €ven in death to the violence of the re- magistrate has no power to control the Japanese cent typhoon. Hour after hour I roamed up and and Koreans who have set up their "foreign firms" down the winding paths of those hills, sorry for all over the district. Changli County actually the widespread destruction and the loss of life suffers much less than other parts of the Zone, sustained. One evening I was sitting indoors with but the very fact of its civic conscience and its my Japanese friends when we heard the slow beat- nearness to Peiping makes it the most convenient ing at regular intervals of a great temple gong. place to study and report upon. According to the It was to summon people to a memorial dirge for survey carried out this month, over thirty Japathe trees. The night was still and dark. The sol- nese and Korean firms are operating, just outside emn act of mourning was celebrated simultaneous- the city walls, because ,the respectable citizens ly in town and on the pine-clad heights. within the walls will not rent premises to them. Noone has power to close these shops except the Next day, in characteristic Japanese manner, Japanese. Whenever the local authorities attempt men started efficiently to repair the damage. I to do so, they are reminded that Japanese and saw the carts passing through streets, each carry- Koreans need not obey Chinese law. Does Japaing a white robed Shinto priest and some six or nese law favor allowing young people to become eight young saplings to be planted so as to clothe drug addicts? the hills with green once more. A peculiarly unpleasant feature of this traffic But no one could restore the human loss of life. is the opening up of lotteries on the same prem- The widespread lamentation of the mothers rings ises, and pawn shops wherein those who pledge in one's ears still. "Oh! my children! Oh! my their goods are encouraged to take payment in trees! Alas for my children! Alas for my trees !" drugs rather than in cash. Both these practices are illegal according to local law but protected by In the Demilitarized Zone Chinese parents are the Japanese military. I went into the local clinic mourning for their children. Some of them can where drug addicts are treated and found most of yet be saved. Would you not have succoured them them young. long ago if you had known what was happening? But just as it was through the testimony of eye- Consider how easily one careless act-ion may witnesses that the British public had to be made lead to destruction. A dose is procurable for sevaware of the havoc of opium in India, so in Japan en sen; the ignorant purchaser is told that it will the stories about the recent influx of drugs into cure any pain; the syringe for the injection is North China were deemed false, the result of un- rented on the deferred payment system, the second friendly propaganda, until someone could go and dose will cost more, the third more still. Soon the collect trustworthy evidence. "And if you see man is helpless and his home is ruined. Very often anything bad be sure to let us know," was the in- the first dose is given free. Child addicts are by junction given me by several Japanese public men, no means unknown. people of integrity and wide experience in government, before I set sail for China. It has been suggested several times that it is dangerous to tamper with the profits of the opium Changli is a little self-respecting town of some trader. It is playing with dynamite. But it is 15,000 inhabitants. They have a well-run hospital encouraging to see how more and more people are and some excellent schools where the girls and coming to feel that it is better to die in the cause boys imbibe good citizenship as well as book learn- of humanity than in the killing of fellow human ing. The students work with their hands, build- beings. One can do a very great and lovely service ing and roadmending. I saw the girls also lend a to one's nation by removing from her name the hand in repairing the highway. taint of protecting profits rather than persons. That is what women all the world over are trying T,eachers trained in Changli go into obscure to do for their countries. Let us stand shoulder to parts of the province and carry thither the good shoulder in this. tradition of voluntary service and care for the
A Korean Woman's Story*
-<!III By MRS. INDUK PAR:, Sooul, Cho"," II ….
I T IS very significant for a woman, an Oriental, On Christmas morning my mother and I walked particularly a Korean, to be asked to speak to on the lonely snow-covered road for three miles to a representative group of young people from the church where a few groups of women and chil- the higher institutions of America and Canada. dren were gathered together singing a Christmas Having heard the wonderful speeches by the carol. I see still my mother as she stood up world-renowned teachers, my courage has almost bravely and told the people her new decision to failed. But, when I think of what Christ has follow Jesus Christ who had brought her peace.
meant to me and to my fellow women, I cannot I did not understand what it was all about but keep quiet. I must tell it to others. I was very happy to be given a yellow writing pad We have just celebrated the fiftieth anniversary and a blue pencil!
of the beginning of Christian missions in Korea. After we went back home I asked my mother The achievements within a very short period of to teach me to write and read, but she said, "My time are really great. I cannot give the statistics, daughter, I am sorry I cannot because I don't but generally speaking, the missions have helped know myself."
us to wake up intellectually, spiritually, and Under the old regime girls were not given an physically through evangelistic, educational and academic education. The homes were the schools; medical work. mothers were the teachers. The girls in their The Protestant missions came to us just at the homes were taught cooking, sewing and etiquette.
time when we needed them most. My country If the family was well-to-do, the daughters were was in the position of a charming young woman taught by private teachers to read and write the who had many lovers fighting for her beauty and Chinese classics and to paint. But my mother nobility. Korea, with a most important geograph- had no money to give them to teach me. There ical position, with beautiful scenery, good climate, were a few mission schools for girls in the big rich resources, and peace-loving people, could not cities but they were too far away.
resist the outside forces. So my mother put boy's clothes on me, changed Fifty years ago, when we were going through my name to a boy's, and took me to a boys' school.
the most crucial movement in our political life, For two years, I studied and played with the boys, Christianity brought to us the greatest hope, the climbing the trees, spinning tops, flying kites, only hope, Jesus Christ. He was and is still the jumping ropes and running races. It was possible great Friend of our women and children. No re- in those days because both boys and girls wore ligion in Korea showed us the real value of wom- long hair. On the last day of school I appeared anhood. with a girl's dress and surprised the boys! In the When I was about six years old, my father and boys' school, I realized that, after all, women are my only brother died of cholera within twenty- not inferior to men intellectually, as our men four hours. Two…;thirds of my people were gone, thought, and I determined that I was going to get including my uncles, aunts, and cousins. It seemed an education in a girls' school; but how could I?
the whole country was at the point of death. My I begged my mother to give me a dollar and fifty mother felt her loneliness in spirit, helplessness cents. She gave it to me but I don't know where in life, and hopelessness in material things. All she got it. I followed a friend of mine to Seoul she had was her little girl, negative value, not to a missionary school for girls and for the first counted by people. time I saw a missionary from America. She was One day a Christian missionary came to see my tall and good-looking; she put her arms around mother and she told her the wonderful story of me and said, "Are you here to learn? Who sent Christ. It wakened my mother's heart. It opened you ?" I ~ad paid 60 cents for my railroad fare, my mother's eyes. It gave her a new life. and had nmety cents left. When I showed this to her she looked at me and said, "What a pity it is!
• Slightly condensed from an address delivered at the Student You really want to learn?" Volunteer Missionary Convention, January 1, 1936. This and other "Yes," I said. convention addresses will appear in The Student Volunteer Conven- "Then stay here." tion Report, published at $2.00 a copy. Order from the S. V. M., 254 Fourth Ave., New York.
[83 ]
She wrote to her friends in America, to a blind The large maj ority of our women are the wives poet who lived with his sister in Illinois. They of farmers. So, in order to help our rural people were very much interested in missions, and sent first of all, I thought that we must help the women.
$5.00 a month for seven years to help me with my With the help of many friends in America and education. at home, I took up this special field of work with Seventeen years later, I came to America and ,the village women. We have quite a few volun- went to see my blind poet. He took my hand in teer workers, and so we· selected many villages his and said, "I cannot see you face to face, but I near Seoul, and two by two we went to these vil- can feel and know that your eyes are opened spir- lages once a week. Usually between 20 to 40 or itually." Up to this time I learned about Jesus, 50 women gathered together under the trees if it but I did not know him personally as my Saviour. were warm, and if it grew cold we met in a large In 1919, when we had the Independence Move- house in the village or in a dugout.
ment in Korea many young men and women were First of all, we spent much of our time in learnarrested; I was one of those who was put in jail ing singing and playing games, because our peo- and was there in solitary confinement for six ple haven't realized the value of recreation. We months. Without any people to talk with, nothing have had an unbalanced program of life. Someto see and no books to read, I remembered that times we meditated too long and sometimes we Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone" worked too much. And so, we tried to give our and I knew what He meant. I could go hungry women some recreation so they can have some for nine days, but I could not go on without the amusement in their lives.
words of Jesus. Besides the recreational program, we take up After I had been in jail a month a missionary practical subjects such as hygiene, sanitation, first sent me a copy of the Bible, and I grasped that aid, baby care, budgeting, dyeing, sewing, cook- copy with my two hands and started to read it ing, and how to raise silk worms, pigs, chickens, from the first page to the end. Seven times I read rabbits, cows. These practical subjects help our the New Testament in jail, and twice the Old women to make better homes and better communi- Testament. While I was meditating and mem- ties. We also tell them the wonderful stories of orizing the words of Jesus, I came to know Him Jesus. The minute when they hear those stories personally. He became a reality to me. Since their faces light up. They say: "Do you mean then I have had many trials, and I have made fail- to tell us that we women can have a place outside ure very often, but every time his Spirit has en- of our own homes, too? Do you mean to say that couraged me to move forward, His love is behind a woman can be a person, as well as a man ?" me and within me to overcome the difficulties, and Those who have experienced it can understand His peace is with me all the time. it; nobody else can. Also we teach them to read After I had this wonderful experience I could and write the Korean alphabet, because 90 out of not keep it to myself. It is a duty and a privilege every 100 women in these villages. are illiterate. to tell my fellow women some of the· experiences Then we teach them how .to earn and save some I have had so that they may know the same Christ, money. Oh, it enlightens them very, very much! and that they too may have this abundant Life. We women have been the producers as well as the Thus far the status of our women has been one men, but somehow we did not see the cash. Cash emphasizing maternal duty and feminine virtue. has been handled by the men. So we organized This was interpreted to mean absolute obedience the Cooperative Consumers Societies. Each mem- to men, contentment in an ignorant and very re- ber pays a certain amount every month, and out stricted life, and devotion to the point of self- of this fund we buy soap, petroleum, cooking oil abandonment in the service of the husband's fam- and other things at a wholesale price and sell to ily. As a mother, a woman respected her parents- the members at retail prices. At the end of the in-law and her husband and worshipped his an- year we divide the profits instead of giving the cestors. As a wife, she raised the children and profit to the middle man. Through the Coopera- disciplined them. tive Credit Society, each member saves between Every time when I come to America, nothing in- 15 and 30 cents a month. We also loan money to terests me more than to see the kindness and the members at a very low interest rate, for produc- courtesies that men show to women at home and tive purposes only, such as growing beaon sprouts in public. Having come from a country where and making bean curds and raising chickens. .
everything is centered around the man, it is a new Now, we get hold of some cash in our hands.
world to me. I don't know how you feel about it, We come to have confidence in ourselves econom- but I am sure the elevated place of Western wom- ically and we feel almost that we can get along en is due to Christ for He showed the real value without men I We also have this cooperative spirit of women as other religions never did. which we never had known before:
A KOREAN WOMAN'S STORY
Besides these village classes we have a Folk see the value of a study of the life and the teach- School for the farmers' wives. When I was going ings of Jesus Christ. Members of my group were back home from America I stopped at Denmark full of questions and keen to test the things out and visited some of their folk high schools. Those for themselves. They said, "We won't be satisschools impressed me so much that soon after my fied with talking only, we must put into practice arrival home I wrote a book on the Danish Folk what we learn." We decided to gather some High Schools, and while writing it, I kept think- money, and the individual contributions amounted ing how my people could get the similar spirit by to $100. We gave one-third to a poor farmer to which Denmark was revived. Of course the first buy a cow and two-thirds to a very young promstep was to try it. We rented the building where ising man to start a little business. This is what the Y. M. C. A. had had a Folk School for I have been doing for the last four years. farmers. We selected different women from the villages far and near; we lived together for three Five years ago, while I was traveling in Engweeks; we cooked the rice twice a day, drew water land I got lost one day going to the Swanick Conout of a· well 36 feet deep, cleaned the rooms and ference. I started early in the morning during swept the yard and had a grand time together. the Easter vacation and in the crowds I missed Instead of trying to teach them subjects, we tried the first train and got on the wrong train. To to help them catch the spirit, so that they could reach my destination I changed from train to boat live and work courageously and joyously under and boat to train and train to boat and boat to hard circuJpstances. It worked well. tube and tube to train-fourteen times. Finally I arrived at the end of the line at midnight and Now, I am going to speak of another phase of expected someone to meet me; but -nobody apmy work. I have been helping my church through peared. a choir. The church was in a poor condition. It was located in the most congested section of the I was a foreigner, a woman, all alone with two city and the people were too poor to give toward suitcases and two miles from the conference the upkeep of the building. The first job of the grounds. I did not know the road and there was choir was to clean and beautify the church, so we no way of reaching there except to walk. All I had a regular cleaning party. Seventeen young could think of was the lost sheep! The ninetymen and women scrubbed the floor, painted the nine were in the fold at Swanick but I was the one walls and stopped the leaks, and put up some beau- sheep wandering in the wilderness. All I could do tiful pictures. After that we could sing much was to pray: "Well, God, you must show me the better! Every Saturday evening, this group of way to get there or else I will have to spend the young men and women came together and prac- night here." ticed for Sunday morning services. Sometimes we gave concerts in that church and sometimes The bus driver put his bus away and saw me we broadcasted over the only radio in Korea, standing beside the road alone with two suitcases. JOBK. He came to me and asked where I was going. Then he kindly offered to walk with me. He had Besides this choir, I have had a large young one of my suitcases and I had the other. We were people's Bible class. Do you know that our young going through the mountainous road without expeople today face the most difficult things in our changing a word for half an hour. Here, I lives? I am going to give just one illustration. thought, I am following a strange man in a The pursuit of education is the most difficult thing. strange land in the dark of night. Whether I For instance, last year all the high schools for the liked it or not I had to follow him, and I was girls in Korea were choosing only 1,700 girls, and afraid. Finally I saw a faint light up the mounthere were 4,500 applications. That isn't so bad tain; someone was moving toward us. As I saw as with the boys, for in one of our Christian high the light moving nearer and nearer I was so happy schools for boys, where they had 1,000 applicants, that I hurried my steps. Finally we met and I they were choosing only 250. In some vocational found the lightbearer was my friend, who had schools, only one out of every sixteen applicants come down to find me in the dark night. I was so can be admitted. overjoyed that I just shouted. That was one of the happiest moments of my life. They reduce the numbers by means of entrance examinations even for the first grade in the gram- His lamp am I, mar school. In our city there were 6,000 appli- To shine where He shall say; cants for the first grade in the grammar school And lamps are not for sunny rooms, where they were choosing only 4,000, and so they Nor for the light of day; must choose the pupils by entrance examinations, But for dark places of the earth, just because there are not enough institutions. Where shame and wrong and crime have birth, Or where the lamp of faith grows dim, In the midst of such serious problems you can And souls are groping after Him. So may I shine, his love the flame, That men may glorify his name.
and Motion
By SAMUEL KING GAM IN THE past the problems confronting foreign Japan? The Payne Fund Inquiry on motion pic- missionaries were, more or less, problems tures in the United States showed that at least 75 created by the attitude of the natives them- per cent of the pictures concern sex and crime. selves. What worried the missionaries most were Thus the East sees America, revealed by the anti-Christian sentiments in foreign lands, espe- movies, as a nation of sex promiscuity, vice and cially in the Far East, where missionaries were crime.
looked upon as forerunners of imperialism. But Americans generally may not be disturbed by toda~ the story is different. The anti-Chris,tian the fact that the distorted pictures do not repre- movement in China, Japan, India or Korea, to a sent the "real American life." Unfortunately such great extent, has been suspended. Foreign mis- cannot be understood or imagined by the Orientals sionaries are no longer afraid of antagonism in since the majority of them have never been in spreading the Gospel of Christ. In fact, Chris- America or had any contacts with American cul- tianity is accepted and appreciated more and more ture. For them, the motion picture is perhaps the by the natives today. cheapest way, and oftentimes the only way, to However, there are new problems created as gain some education about American .life; when the old ones have died down. Strange as it may the types of American life they see are marked seem, most of the modern problems faced by mis- by killing, gambling, drinking, murdering, black- sionaries are those issues which are originated, mailing, and making love, such things are consid- not by the natives, but by the Westerners through ered "typical" and "real."
whom the missionaries were sent. One of the Many of the pictures shown in the Orient are greatest handicaps to mission activities today is not produced by the best American companies but the factor of motion pictures, the seriousness of are inferior works of art which have not succeeded which is seldom realized by Christians of the West. in America and have therefore been exported to The missionaries go to the Far East to preach China, Japan or India. These countries pay only the Gospel of Christ which brings purity, good the lowest rentals and hence cannot expect much will and peace; whereas the influence of most except the cheapest and silliest stuff.
motion pictures in Asia is to spread violence, Most missionaries agree that American movie>; crime and vice. The motion pictures are popular are the great stumblingblocks hindering the ad- with the natives and it is not an exaggeration to vancement of the Kingdom of God. The follow- say that foreign movies, within a few years in the ing statements by a missionary will perhaps give Far East, have done more to modify the ideas and a typical example: conduct of the Orientals than missionaries have Several weeks ago some of my boys invited me to go done through the past century. with them to the first talking film to come to the city. In In China, for example, there are more than 700 all innocence I went, and from first to last I was ashamed for America. The picture was the "Hollywood Revue," foreign pictures imported annually, of which about and it seemed to me the distributors had purposely cut out 90 per cent are products of Hollywood. Though all but the dirtiest parts. . . . When the climax came in the Chinese have their own productions, the Chi- the shape of a lewd dance of an almost nude woman I nese pictures compare with those of America. As could endure it no longer and left the theater. I explained one youngster remarked: "Our (Chinese) pic- to them that the "Hollywood Revue" was not America, but they only laughed. I may yet be able to make up for tures are too dried; no kissing, no embracing and that three hours of Hollywood filth but, in the name of all no killing. I like American pictures because they that is clean and pure, why does America send its worst have plenty of excitement." That, perhaps, an- to these countries!
swers the question. The American producers are American movies are counteracting the work of smart enough to have the dialogue translated into Christian missionaries in the East. Most Chinese Chinese or Japanese in order that the people may no longer feel antagonistic toward Christianity, know what the picture is about. Thus Oriental and they are inquiring whether or not the Chris- youth have become very familiar with the prin- tian life is practicable and useful. The pictures cipal Hollywood stars. they see do not show Christians in America, or The writer has been surprised to learn from anything like true Christian conduct. If the Gos- Chinese newspapers that the same pictures being pel of Jesus Christ is going to win its place among shown in America were at the same time adver- foreign peoples, especially the Orientals, a reform tised in China. But, we may ask, what do the of motion pictures in the Western world is greatly Americans see since it is the same in China or needed.
[86 ]
England a Home· Mission
By the REV. ROBERT WATSON, Boston, Massachusetts Secretary of the Lord's Day League of New England V ERY few outside of New England think of The Baptists with 1,134 churches and a mem- it as a mission field – a field where the need bership of 199,892 increased 6% in that time. is greater than can be met by the local The Presbyterians with only 55 churches and churches. Surely this territory is well covered a membership of 15,462 made the second largest with old and well established churches adequate increase, 480/0 in twenty years. None of these for the demands of every community! In recent Presbyterian churches is competing with others.
years we have heard much about over-churched The United Presbyterians with 23 churches and communities, and a definite effort has been made a membership of 4,807 increased 24% in the same to federate, unite or eliminate churches in towns period.
and villages where one or more could, so far as Here let us consider another phase of this ques- numbers are concerned, provide for all the people. tion, which has evidently not yet been fully con- The Home Missions Council, in conjunction sidered by the Home Missions Council. All must with the national Boards of six outstanding de- rejoice in the friendly cooperation of Evangelical nominations, has agreed that no mission money churches genuinely seeking to secure for each shall be contributed by anyone of these Boards community full Gospel privileges. But does the church upon which is placed the full responsibility where there are more Protestant churches than for a particular community, under the present the size of the community demands. The fine plan, adequately minister to the spiritual needs of spirit of cooperation shown in this matter is most the people? Unless the church has a conscientious encouraging. It is interesting to learn that Christian minister, devoted to the spiritual welthroughout New England it was discovered that fare of the community, in the name of Christ and the number of over-churched places where mission faithfully sheperding the flock, without the stimmoney was being contributed, was almost a minus ulus of competition, the last state of that place quantity. Rural and small towns in Maine, New and people will be worse than the first. Yes, it Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island takes a great deal of time and care to secure a and Connecticut totaled less than twenty actual satisfactory answer to the above query. The incases. In the large towns and cities, the story vestigation should be entered upon promptly and may be somewhat different. Naturally coopera- conducted faithfully without fear or favor, for it tion must set free considerable sums of money to has been already agreed unto by many godly men be used in needy missionary fields. Does this in- that the spiritual life of New England has in reclude places in New England, or is it all'sent to cent years steadily declined. Perhaps no group other states? Some denominations are using has emphasized this more than our Unitarian large sums of mission funds to care for neglected brethren. fields in New England. Are these covering the entire need, or is there call for more? For at least twenty years now it has been af- firmed that more should be done in missionary The Episcopalians in New England reported effort throughout New England. Within the past 727 churches with a membership of 318,706 in seven years, a question was raised at an interde- 1934. This is the only Protestant denomination nominational conference by men from other parts in this territory which is making anything like a of the nation. A clergyman from New York satisfactory growth; it advanced 1500/0 in twenty turned to his neighbor on the right, an outstandyears. ing pastor in a strong denomination, not Presby- terian, and inquired-"What denomination do you The Congregational-Christian group, with 1,487 think can best meet the critical needs of this time churches and a membership of 342,712, made a in New England?" The reply was immediate- "The Presbyterian." The questioner replied: "I 22 % gain in the same period.
The Methodists with 1,162 churches and a mem- bership of 212,357 also gained 22 % in the twenty am greatly surprised to hear that. Why do you years. make such a statement?"
[87 ]
"Fior three reasons" was the answer; "first, In New Hampshire, the need is of a different because the Presbyterian church has an adequate character. While few places are without a church doctrinal basis; second, because it has stability or pastor, in many instances the people' are dis- through its polity; third, because it has the Evan- couraged and pastors are financially handicapped.
gelical fervor." Under the blessing of G~d the backing of the This is the sincere judgment of one man. How Mission Boards with money and a modicum of supervision in the Spirit of Christ should speedily many would agree with him we do not know. At the present time the Presbyterian church is work wonders. one of the smallest bodies in New England, due In Vermont, the same need exists to quicken and strengthen churches, and there are from 40 to the fact that, many years ago, when the doc- to 50 towns where there is a real dearth. One trinal standards were the same, an agreement to small town of about 60 families, visited recently avoid overlapping was made with the Congrega- by a minister and his wife, has a church building tionalists. At that time a number of Presby- owned by the people. Every home was visited terian churches were turned over to the Congre- and considerable interest was manifested. A gational group. A union of United Presbyterian Sunday evening service has been started with an and Presbyterian U. S. A. congregations, scattered throughout this area, is very desirable today, attendance of about 40; a group of women was irrespective of any plan for a national union of organized, and they have arranged a week-day these two bodies. Such a union would mean a meeting when a strong speaker from the state great gain in the understanding of strangers, a capital will bring a message to the men. A Junior conserving of money for advance work, and a far Christian Endeavor Society, with a capable wom- an superintendent, of 21 children, from 7 to 14 more effective Church of Christ. is already functioning, and at least 30 young peo- Ninety-three Towns Without Churches ple are asking to be organized into a Christian In the summer of 1933, the American Tract Endeavor Society. Multiply that in 50 commu- Society sent an ordained minister into Maine for nities in Vermont, and what would it mean to the three months, to distribute Christian literature, future of that state, to the life of our nation and sell books, conduct religious services, and secure to the Church of Christ? definite information about religious conditions. He found many places entirely without religious In Massachusetts, the great need is to reach the services. One field, with a church property which foreign-speaking peoples in large manufacturing had cost $60,000, gave him a call which he ac- centres. This should be done by encouraging and cepted (although without any guarantee as to equipping the organized churches so that the people salary). Since then new members have been can seriously undertake that task. But Protestant added, and the cause of Christ has made speedy churches are combining, or in a few cases, are goprogress, although great financial sacrifice is nec- ing out of existence. The Roman Catholic Church essary to carryon the work. This pastor recently seems alive to the opportunities, for it is expandreported that 93 towns in Maine are without ing steadily. In Boston, within the past few church services, and 131 towns are inadequately months, they have bought a beautiful Protestant church, erected at a cost of $750,000 less than churched. He says: "Any denomination with vis- ten years ago. In that neighborhood there is a ion enough to expend $5,000.00 could open 15 real o~portunity for an Evangelical church, and churches in one year, and man those churches so such a work could have been undertaken in 1934 that, with help from the people, the work would had a few extra thousand dollars been available.
go on." In Rhode Island there are sections so crowded Another pastor writes that great benefit would with unreached foreign-speaking people that the result from an expenditure of $5,000.00 a year for English-speaking congregations cannot long con- several years to make it possible to send a group tinue unless they combine into larger parishes, of able consecrated, Evangelical students into the with an adequate staff to seriously undertake the state for 15 weeks of the summer, to teach and task of evangelizing and educating those es- preach, organize Sunday schools and revive dead tranged from every church. Several colporteurs, churches. During the winter two or three men a Sunday school missionary, and a pastor evan- could continue the work, and by the next spring gelist could work wonders under God in this small several fields would be ready to seek stated sup- compact state. In addition, a small fund would plies or pastors. In this way, in a period of about prove of great value to tide over a hard year or 10 years, a large number of these neglected fields aid in making necessary repairs to struggling would be permanently supplied with church churches.
privileges. In Connecticut, we think of well organized com-
THE NEED FOR MORE FAITH
munities ministered to by faithful pastors and ca- enced teacher and expounder of the Word of God, pable preachers. Yet one well-known pastor in and marvelous results would follow. that state affirms that with a few thousand dollars a year for ten years, there could be added to his Yes, New England is a home mission field todenomination, one active Evangelical church per day, and to meet the imperative needs require year. If we could place a wooing evangelist, with men and money. Men are available and a few fara song leader, in Connecticut for a few years, he sighted Christians could supply the money do it could do more than any other type of missionary. without much sacrifice. The result promises to be Add to his work, a strong, sound, sensible, experi- an hundredfold in this life and in the world to come, life everlasting, to an increased multitude.
The Need for More Faith* By ROLAND ALLEN Author of "Missionary Methods-St. Paul's or Ours," etc.
OUR Missions to non-Christians are rooted But when we look at the facts the non-Christian and grounded in faith in God and in the missionaries appear to have a stronger faith in power of the Gospel of Christ. Could men the power of their truth than the Christian. The conceivably go abroad to preach a Gospel which first Buddhists to preach in China certainly had a they did not believe to be Good News for them- great faith in the doctrine which they taught. selves, which they did not believe to be Good News They were so persuaded that their doctrine and for those to whom they went? Do not our mis- the rites in which it was expressed were so good sionary histories and biographies proclaim on that those who received them would not only hold every page the power of faith to move mountains them but pass them on to others. From the very of prejudice and difficulty? Is not faith in our beginning the monasteries were ruled by Chinese, Lord Jesus Christ the very foundation of all mis- the rites were performed by Chinese, the doctrine sionary activity? If that faith were removed was taught by Chinese. There was no attempt would not missionary work fall as a factory chim- made to provide them with support, or directIOn, ney falls when its base has been undermined? from any outside source. The doctrine stood And yet modern missions present a very strange simply in the faith of those who received it. Budappearance when we look at them as illustrations dhism was persecuted, was encouraged, was conof faith in Christ. demned; it flourished, it degenerated; but it never ceased to be Buddhism. It won to its allegiance All religious missions are rooted in some form millions of Chinese, and it remains today strongly of faith, not only Christian missions. Every hon- entrenched in the minds of millions as the true est man who seeks to impart a religious truth to way of salvation. The same is true of Islam: others does' so because he is convinced that he has found a truth which enlightens life for him and Whatever we may think of Islam, or of Budwill enlighten life for others. Christian missions dhism, as religious systems we cannot but respect do not differ from other religious missions in that, that confidence in the power of a religious system but in the nature of the religious truth imparted. to establish itself without any external assistance, even in the face of derision or of persecution. The truth which Christian missions propagate is Truth embodied in the Person of Jesus Christ, Do Christian missionaries so believe the docand implanted by the 'indwelling of the Holy trine which they preach that they entrust the doc- Spirit. Christian missionaries preach not an ab- trine and the rites to others? Do our missionaries stract and disputable truth, but a Person, and entrust the doctrine and the rites of the Christian union with a Person, not the mere acceptance of a faith to raw converts, in the simple faith that the doctrine. Christ is more than a theory of reli- Gospel can stand in its own strength? All our gion, and the Holy Spirit is more than mere ac- subsidiary methods, our institutions, our medical ceptance of a doctrine. missions, our educational missions, our industrial missions, our training schools, our colleges, our Such being the difference between the two types alliances with governments, our careful retention of missions, it would seem natural to expect that of the rites of Baptism and the Lord's Supper in the Christians should show a far greater and our own hands or in the hands of men specially deeper and stronger faith in the power of the trained by us, our eagerness to train leaders, our Truth which they preach than the non-Christians. efforts to maintain our control, our terror of de- generation or corruption, all cry aloud that, what- • Condensed from World Dominion, London and New York.
ever we may trust, we do not trust in the power initiative, or uncivilized, or backward; or that of the Gospel to win its own way and to triumph their moral standards are low and that we must by its own inherent force. Now the power of the see to it that they are raised before we can trust Gospel is the Holy Spirit, and the Truth of the them. All these may be true but such arguments Gospel is Christ. admit the fact that we dare not entrust the doc- trine and rites of the Gospel to others. They all If we cannot go to any people with a Gospel keep our eyes fixed on men. But what we are which is sufficient for them and can be wholly en- considering is our faith, not in men, but in Christ, trusted to them, then we must train converts for and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Do we bea distant day when it may be possible to entrust lieve that our Gospel is so powerful that it can of them with the Gospel of Christ. We are always itself raise a fallen race? These arguments sugwaiting and expecting that day, but it does not gest that we are fit to be entrusted with the Goscome. Why not? Because we fear corruption pel, and that when others are as we are they will and degeneration. When we talk of a future day be fit. It is manifestly untrue. Weare not enwhen we shall be able to trust our converts in trusted with the Gospel because we are righteous, non-Christian lands, we are looking at them. and have attained some standard of intelligence and morality, but because God has had mercy on If we go with a Gospel whose doctrine and rites us. Not for our righteousness, but according to we cannot trust to the people, obviously we must His lovingkindness, He has chosen us; and we establish our missions on a more or less permanent stand by faith in Him. We go as missionaries bebasis. Then we must be able legally to hold them, cause we believe in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and dependence upon the goodwill of governments not because we believe in men. follows with all its encumbering forms. We must direct and supervise any advance. So long as the We proclaim that our doctrine is Christ, and period of our tutelage lasts, all advance must be we proclaim our belief in the Holy Spirit; but restricted by our capacity to supply training, and why do we not dare to act upon the belief that trained teachers. Christ will keep His own, that the Holy Spirit is as powerful to teach His own? Why do every- The reason is apparent-we do not believe that thing as though we were afraid of entrusting the the doctrine which we preach and the rites' which Gospel to others, and as if, without paid preachers, we practice as Christians are so good and power- and medical, educational, and industrial missions ful that anyone who accepts them ,can hold and to support it, it could make no progress. The practice them without our supervision, in spite of truth is that Christ can only be revealed in His the knowledge that it is Christ Whom we preach true grace and power when we trust Him. That and the Holy Spirit Who inspires. kind of faith is true faith. And it is of vital im- portance that we should accept it and practice it. We give many reasons which seem to us to justify our conduct, as for instance, that the people with whom we deal are ignorant, or lacking in Faiths Men Profess* The twelve faiths now operative in the world .the remainder are limited by racial and national are Christianity, Confucianism, Islam, Hinduism, boundaries. These faiths have not been static for Primitivism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Juda- changes have continually taken place. ism, Janism, and Parsiism or Zoroastrianism. No reliable statistics are available as to the number One cannot read of these twelve religions withof adherents of these various faiths. An estimate out being impressed with the moral insight shown made in 1933 puts the number of Christians at in the better of the non~Christian faiths. These 625 million, two and a half times the followers truths are the explanation of the survival value of the next faith which is Confucianism. Islam of these religions. In spite of the large weight of is placed third with 235 million, Hinduism fol- superstition and error, which the non-Christian lows closely with 220 million, then comes Prim- faiths carry, and in spite of the decimating influitivism with 160 and Buddhism with 140 million. ence of modern knowledge upon superstitions, In the remaining group of six, is Taoism with they are still living and likely to do so for some 40 million and the smallest is Parsiism with time to-come. Truth is hard to kill even though 100,000. mixed with error…. Putting the other religions alongside Christ serves to emphasize the superi- The oldest of these religions, Primitivism, was ority of the Christian revelations and the comin existence before the days of recorded history. parative futility of an insight into moral truth Five of the twelve faiths are international, while unless there is back of it the spiritual energy which the Saviour of the world furnishes-So E. 1. • From an Editorial in The United Presbyterian."
Headhunters in Pagan
A Letter from RUSSELL W. ABEL, Kwato A Missionary of the New Guinea Evangelization Society THE most important happening in our work And as their parents thought it unseemly for "un- lately has been the developments at Duram, initiated" boys, not yet through their initiation our furthest outpost, 150 unconnected miles ceremonies, to be clothed even in a leaf, Davida west of Kwato. Davida and his wife (Papuan had quite a storm in a teacup over it. However Christian workers) have been established there from the beginning he has made it his policy to be for a year now, with two junior helpers. They firm. "That is what Taubada and Sinebada (Mr.
have had a hard time, living unwelcome in the and Mrs. Charles W. Abel) did," he affirms.
midst of people who really have grown tired of "They never gave way on account of Papuan ob- the novelty of a mission in jections." For any Papuan to their vicinity. However they be insisting upon discipline in can show definite results after This letter, written from his school, if only to the exa year of difficulty and self- Gaburgabuna, Eastern Papua, tent of a school regulation sacrifice. Two Duram men are on October 19, 1935, is from a and uniform, is remarkable.
really converted – not merely son of the founder of the Kwato Davida has made friends adherents, but cases of true Mission. Charles W. Abel, who with members of an inland change of heart. They have died in England in 1930, started head-hunting tribe-the Dore- burned their idols, fetishes work among the warlike canni- vaidas. This is a great acand charms, and broken with bals forty-five years ago. His complishment. Furthermore their old heathen life. How mission has now grown to be they invite us to go inland to easily these words are tapped an interdenominational work· visit them. A little while ago cyoonudnugctsepdirfito-rfiltlheed mmoissst iponaarrtiebsy. it seemed impoSSI.ble to know off on the typewriter, and yet The whole work is thoroughly how to open that door; and in what victory in human hearts, what realization of God and evangelical and practical. Pap- answer to prayer we have not courageous yielding to His uans are first evangelized and had to do anything about it. call, they represent! And then are trained to go out as The door has opened, and the what fears and prayers and self-supporting w 0 r k e r s to heathen are seeking the misfaith and constant teaching on evangelize others. The remark- sionaries!
Davida's part have gone into able results, such as are de- A Dorevaida chief and his the winning of these men. scribed here, show the power of wife heard about Christ and Now they are being trained as Christ to transform and guide the news spread inland – not "Christian soldiers," and must through Christian agents, but even the most primitive people.* live a new life in Duram. by heathen gossip. Finally it Pray for them. It is not going reached the hills, where mur- to be easy to be forever different from everyone der is the only passport to recognition, and a man else. The younger of them is at Kwato now, and is without social standing until he has procured a getting much help there. human head. The chief and his wife came down Davida writes to say the children in the new to the coast to see Davida and Eauvenibo (his school at Duram are "getting quite tame now, not wife) and to witness the new Christian living of wild like before." They have had a tussle over which they had heard. That must have been a cleanliness and clothing, but the children are get- responsibility for the Christians, yet Davida was ting "quite accustomed to the idea." The only quite gleeful about it. "It was great," he wrote; clothing he tries to impose upon his schoolboys is "we were able to show them how we lived."
the green leaf band, such as is worn by all Eastern Two searching questions crop up in my mind: Papuans in the Kwato district. But even this Would you or I invite anyone home to see an minimum is strongly objected to by Central Pap- example of Christian living"? Is our living of uan lads whose sole attire has been caked dirt. victorious and startling quality that it would ~New Guinea Evangelization Society has headquarters at provide news for the heathen? The early Chris- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. The president is Dr. Hugh R. Monro, tians gave an astonished world plenty to talk and the treasurer Is Walter McDougall.
[91 ]
about. "These that have turned the world upside rack for me," she said. "I am trusting in a Cross. down are come hither also," said the Thessalonian That is enough for me. No need to torture pigs, heathen when they heard that Paul and Silas had my Saviour was tortured on a Cross." (Primitive arrived. (Acts 17: 6.) . people feel relieved of their anguish when they can inflict it on an animal. The pig somehow suf- * '" * fers for them. You may not understand this.) These are very ignorant people. The story of the At present there is a camp being held over in Cross must still have been quite new to the woman Buhutu Valley, among the so-called "bush" peo- I have quoted. ple. This has mostly been aimed at the strengthening of the Christian communities, composed of There was a heathen feast on a few miles away. primitive though very spiritually minded folk. All through that meeting, held in the light of camp These felt their need of a new vision and blessing. fires, we could hear tom-toms in the distance. Vil- At Leileiafa they met together and prayed spe- lages were all deserted on account of it, and some cially that God would send someone to encourage Christians had been drawn back into the vortex. them. Their prayer was answered and they were The church at Borowai will never be what Siaclearly guided that help was coming. They would siada and Leileiafa are until the believers there never dream of doubting this, and in simple obe- pay the same price, that of entire surrender to dience that one almost learns to take for granted God, a clean sweep of old cults, and no more among these "bush" Christians, they gathered "sunuma labui." from far and near. They were all ready and waiting when the camp vanguard appeared, without *** warning, over the hills from Suau. There is great progress being made in some This reminds me of an incident that happened parts of this country, especially at the Morobe three years ago, when Arthur Swinfield (our tech- goldfields, which now boast "the largest rerodrome nical and boatbuilding i;nstruetor) and I suddenly in the world." (I will not vouch for the veracity decided to cross that valley, and pick up a Kwato- of this.) It is the central depor.t of 40 rerodromes bound boat on the south coast. On the way we in different parts of the country. Their annual met people from Mt. Thomson, a long way inland, freightage by air is said to exceed that of the enwho came down to a certain range of hills that we tire rest of the world. Five years ago there was crossed, and were there to meet us. In blank merely a handful of prospectors in that district. amazement, I asked how they knew I was coming. Today, a district officer whom I met last week on They replied that they had had guidance that they his way back told me, there are between 3,000 would find us there, and so they had set off in and 4,000 white people there. Many of the native obedience, arriving there an hour before we did. population, recruited for labor, come in from the And their guidance was received before we our- bush, having never seen a white man before. The selves knew we were going! It takes inland most recent exploit of the famous Kukukuku tribe Papua to teach one what an utter novice in the was to murder six Roman Catholic missionaries. Christian life one is. Where there is gold to be found insurmount- The campers have had a great time at the two able difficulties melt before human ingenuity. Christian centres, Leileiafa and Siasiada, and are Whole towns spring up, conveyed by air over the now at Borowai, further west, where there has top of impenetrable ranges. Where is that deterbeen wholesale backsliding. Heathen ceremonies mination and spirit in Christian enterprise? have reclaimed one after another, or "sunuma There, alas, one sees caution, timidity, and often labui" as they call it; that is a "double faith," retrenchment. There is not much pioneering in holding on to a bit of the old as well as the new. 20th century Christianity. We cannot often boast That, however, can't be done. of being the first on the field nowadays. Weare outstripped .by commerce. The last time I was at Borowai, Christians from Leileiafa and Bombomtiti (aren't the bush names The German missionaries in New Guinea have marvelous!) had gone there to help the dwindling become air-minded and now fly to the. newly-discause. I attended a testimony meeting they ar- covered and thickly populated Mt. Hagen plateau. ranged, at which those who had an experience to They were followed by two Roman Catholic farelate testified with regard to the giving up of old thers, _who, by shooting a pig, antagonized the things, heathen feasts, etc. I shall never forget natives, and were both murdered as a result. This the earnest face of one woman who spoke, as she has created difficufties. The unevangelized areas told of her stand against a death feast for a of the world should be on all our consciences as brother and all it had cost her. "No pigs on the Christians.
Achievements in
-&(1 By REV. J. EARL MORELAND I President, Porto Alegre College, Porto Alegre, Brazil,. Missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South .nA .T A RECENT meeting of Christian workers America, makes it easier to understand the con- in Brazil one of the outstanding Brazilian stant care given to educational institutions. leaders expressed an opinion which seemed Schools were generally organized in response to to epitomize the thinking of the group. Said he, a twofold need: the need of the people for in- "Evangelistic work in our churches is basic, so- struction, and the need of the Church for develop- cial service efforts are necessary and important, ing its own ministry and laity. Granbery Col- but through Christian education in our various lege, at Juiz de Fora, with its enrollment of nearly schools we are doing that which is of most abid- 700 students and its five well-organized depart- ing value to our people." ments, was first organized to meet this twofold This statement produced much serious thought. need. Like the McKenzie College in Sao Paulo, Many questions were raised and discussed, and Union College in South Brazil, and numerous their consideration helped to clarify the thinking other schools, its growth was slow in the early of the group. years, due to a lack of funds. Yet these schools "Why does Christian education make a contri- continued to grow and their academic standards bution of most permanent value to the total cause were invariably higher than those of the national of Christianity in South America?" schools. The teachers and administrators con- "In what way have our schools come to their ceived their Christian duty as including both per- present place of prominence in the educational life sonal evangelism and high scholastic standards.
of those countries?" Out of this twofold emphasis came their present "What is their distinctive contribution-to the contribution to church and country.
people and to the Christian cause?" The achievement of mission schools in training "What of the future?" leaders has been realized in three distinct fields: In order to understand the great opportunity in preparing its own ministers and workers; in presented to our Christian schools in Latin Amer- producing Christian leaders in education and in ica it is necessary to study the beginnings of the other professions; and in its direct, though not work. Most of the pioneers who laid the early decisive influence, upon thousands of students foundations of our work were educated, cultured who have come to places of responsibility in many men. Having enjoyed the best advantages which walks of life. the church could offer in its schools and colleges The national mi.nistryof Protestant churches in of that day, they were eager to extend similar South America is rapidly coming to be a well- advantages to the people to whom they were tak- trained ministry. The Methodist Church of ing the Good News. They believed in personal Brazil, in its last General Conference, voted al- evangelism and their first emphasis was always most unanimously to admit to its ministry only placed there. But evangelistic efforts were ac- those candidates who had completed the Ginasio companied by conservation. They early recog- (corresponding to our collegiate) course. The nized that no real success could be attained ex- Presbyterian Church has ever given first emphasis cept through Christian education. Strange as it to the training of its ministry, and it is therefore may seem to many in the home land, "Educational not surprising that, of all the Protestant churches evangelism" became an accomplished fact on the at work in South America today, it has the best mission fields long before that great slogan was prepared ministry. The Episcopal Church makes sounded so effectively in North America. The the same rigorous educational demands of its solid foundations of autonomous churches in more priests in Brazil which it demands at home. The than one country today:· are to be discovered in Congregational and other churches are also plac- educational evangelism, perhaps imperfectly in- ing an increasingly stronger emphasis upon the terpreted, yet none the less vigorously applied training of their religious leaders. The first ex- over a long period of years. planation, therefore, of the abiding influence of This initial interest upon the part of many of Protestant missions in South America is found in the founders of PrOtestani missions in South this emphasis upon a well prepared ministry.
[93 )
Without this emphasis, .our churches in thDse cumstances, as they come under this emphasis and neighboring Republics would never have advanced these Christian influences during their formative to their present position, but would still be in the years, cannot fail to be profoundly impressed- early primary stages of development. . far more than they can realize at the time. The The contribution of Christian schools in the results can .only be tabulated in terms of changed pr.oduction .of leaders in the intellectual, in the attitudes, positive personalities, transformed lives. scientific and political life of South America has One of the most conspicuous leaders in the New .only recently begun to receive adequate recogni- Brazil of today was asked recently why he was tion. This lack is perhaps traceable to tWD fac- willing to give so much of his time and effort tors: first, that for many years missiDn schools toward furthering the interests of the Protestant were few in number, and therefDre limited in schools. His reply was immediate and forceful: "quantity" of students and "output"; and second, "While I am not a member of a Protestant church and cannot accept many of your ideas, I simply our churches have fostered very few technical cannot shut my eyes to living values. In your scho.ols, with the result that due credit was not schools you are producing the kind of real men given to the basic educational foundations laid which Brazil needs today." in the earlier days. However that may be, it is true today that widespread rec.ognition is being Our Christian schools, though sadly handicap- given to Protestant schools and their contribution ped by lack of funds and equipment, are never- to national life, both direct and indirect, as a theless privileged to render basic service in build- stimulus to creative leadership. In Uruguay and ing for the New Day in South America-even in the Argentine, mention has been made repeatedly building the Kingdom of Our Lord and Master of certain .outstanding leaders who came up among our southern neighbors.
through the Christian schools. In Brazil, during the Constitutional Convention of 1933-34, some attenti.on was drawn to the fact that one of our WHAT PERU NEEDS Protestant sch.ools had nine of its graduates listed among the constituent legislators. At least two Evangelistic effort has been too local in some of these were counted among the smaller group parts, but in others it has been extensive to a de- of outstanding leaders of the Congress-and one gree of weakness. There has been too little in- of them became the Secretary of Agriculture in tensive work accompanying the widespread evan- the Cabinet of Dr. Getulio Vargas, the President gelism. In the zeal to occupy territory, to reach of Brazil. Still another drew extraordinary atten- regions beyond, the preparation of men capable ti.on from the entire nation as he focalized the of carrying on the work of the churches has been interest of the people up.on certain urgent moral almost neglected. Many of the congregations are and religious pr.oblems confronting them. Fur- weak in everything but fervor. They lack num- ther proof of our thesis might be cited in the fact bers, social influence, and the wealth of spiritual that three of the possibly half d.ozen greatest resource which an adequate knowledge of the grammarians and masters of Portuguese during Gospel should produce.
the past thirty years have been ordained ministers The urgent need of the missionary cause in of the Presbyterian Church-Drs. Erasmo Braga, Peru is a suitable training center for intensive Eduardo Carlos Pereira, and Othoniel Motta. The instruction in the truth, and deeper cultivation of last is still everywhere recognized as one .of the the spiritual life. This should provide opportuleading authorities in the P.ortuguese language nity, not only for Bible institute work for the today. training of pastors and other native Christian workers, but also for larger interdenominational Another contribution wDrthy of attention is that gatherings such as conventions for Bible instrucmade by Protestant schools in their constant em- tion and for the deepening of the spiritual life.- phasis upon Christian character as a necessary From "The West Coast Republics of South Amerbasis .of all educational devel.opment. This un- ica." ceasing emphasis upon Christian character is, we sincerely believe, of almost incalculable value as its impact is brought to bear upon the lives .of thousands of stUdents, year by year. Our Chris- A young missionary to Japan asked Dr. Kagawa tian teachers not only maintain that character what advice he had for him in beginning his work.
can and must be lived, but also that character can Kagawa's reply was significant: "Sit still. Amer- and must be taught. The two, .of course, are by ican missionaries are in such a hurry, running no means dissimilar, but rather are parts .of a here, there, everywhere in your cars. Take time total process. Hundreds, if not thousands, .of stu- to study and win one and teach him. Win a few; dents from widely diverse environment and cir- teach them and send them out to win others."
~======~~~~~~~~I'~
I Effective Ways of Working 9 I, "rested Metlwds for Increasing Interest at Home I EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'I========–==—-=–="""""""~ MOiDERNIZING MISSION- the medium of the written or the this country inclusive of Ambas- ARY EDUCATION spoken word." Of course the sador Saito has been pronounced pictures must not be relied upon by the Japanese as the only pic- In this day when Christian to work magic in themselves. ture made by a foreign group standards are no longer observed They must have an adequate proand missionary motivations seem gram built up around them. that was entirely satisfactory to to have lost their old-time pull; Speed the day when this educa- the Japanese people. [The reels when even the authority of tional method will become so Christ's Great Commission is be- general that local film library rent at prices varying from $1.00 ing called in question, it is im- associations will develop. In the perative that we build up a more meantime attention is called to for a 16 mm. or $2.00 for a dynamic missionary education three organizations whose pic- 35 mm. reel upward, transportasituation. On that all denomina- tures may be used to supplement tion both ways being extra. The tions are in agreement. The in- those brought out by the differcreasing use of the Sunday ent denominations. Foundation has a good catalog; school; of schools of missions; but orders need to be given well of organizations within the The Religious Motion Picture church for men and boys, as well Foundation of 140 Nassau St., in advance of the date of use.] as women and girls; of age New York City, with a branch groupings and studied presenta- office at the Y. M. C. A. Motion International Educational Pictions, instead of hit-or-miss en- Picture Bureau, 19 S. La Salle tures, Inc., is a large corporation deavors; of the use of attractive St., Chicago, is operating for located at 40 Mt. Vernon St., promotional and educational ma- service, not profit. It supplies terial inclusive of that brought reels for the various depart- Boston, Mass., but with branch out by the Missionary Education ments of church activity as well offices in many centers, the order Movement – these are high po- as for children's story hours, at headquarters being relayed to tency points among evangelical special meetings, recrea,tional church folk. The tested and gatherings, benefits, etc. As an the branch nearest the customer. most useful literature and plans auxiliary it has available refer- It lists 2,000 films, 16 and 35 are continually stressed in this ence outlines, including back- Department, but at ,this season, ground material and suggestions mm., silent and sound on almost when schools of missions are in for the films, consultation and every imaginable subject. The full swing, we wish to reempha- advisory service and analysis of Film Handbook (catalog) is a size the value of good motion individual equipment needs. The pictures in all branches of mis- Foundation endeavors to bring de luxe work of art and costs 35 sionary education. out each year authoritative films cents. Exhibitors using the interpretative of the current Attention, Pastors! mission study books. For in- service are required to subscribe stance they have now series of once a year, the payment of the The Church has been slow to pictures on Latin America-one recognize these educational fa- on the geographical background, 35 cents entitling them to two cilities which bid fair to replace another on historical and eco- copies of this directory, the even the daily newspapers. Mo- nomic conditions and a third on tion pictures should not be used Mexico; a two-reel picture on right to borrow 400 free films just as a bait to lure an audience life in the Southern Appalachian and the use of the clearing house because they are "not merely a region ("Unto the Hills"); a show but are a vital medium of study on the activities of the service for the rental of films. expression in getting ideas over T. V. A., etc. The picture on In most cases exhibitors are rein a vivid way that, in many in- "Japan and Her Problems," il- quired to pay transportation stances, results in a much more lustrative of last year's foreign clear mutual understanding of a theme and prepared in coopera- costs both ways, the location of subject than is possible through tion with leading Japanese in the several shipping points min- imizing the expenses. The con- [95 ] dition of free films is not guar- anteed as is that of rental reels. Those not having projectors may obtain free advice as to the vari- ous makes, although the 1. E. P.
does not deal in them.
The Pan American Union, of Washington, D. C., has in addi- tion to a large variety of free or loan printed matter, posters and music concerning the countries it represents, a supply of mov- ing picture films and stereop-
ticon slides to be loaned rent free 6. In the worldwide confusion pre- Later the subject may be thrown on condition that the borrower vailing today Jesus stands before men open to the audience for a few pay express charges from and to greater than western civilization and minutes: but enlightenment is Washington and agree to have greater than the Christianity com- the objec.t and no vote to record the films exhibited only by ex- monly known and practiced. (A, 63; a decision is expected. In a dis- perienced operators. Write for D,3; U,7.) cussion outlined in the young their catalog. Most communities people's literature of the Dis- have access to loan or rental 7. A lack of interest in extending ciples of Christ, the following projectors of 16 or 35 mm. size. the Christian religion reflects a de- questions were assigned to all cline in the spiritual experience of the participants for pre v i 0 u s Discussion versus Didactics Church. (A,59; D,3; U,6.) thought and preparation: A survey of current study 8. Missionary work is less needed Why should young people be con- books and programs reveals the today than formerly. (A, 4; D, 63; cerned about building a new world? extent to which discussions, U,4.) questionnaires, platform "con- What is wrong with the present so- versations," true and false tests 9. Missionaries should preach the cial order? and the like have replaced the Gospel and leave to others the reform hand-out information in the plat- of political, social and economic con- What is the United Youth program? form monologues of papers and ditions. (A, 15; D,48; U, 11.) Who is back of it? What is it trying talks. It is the expression of a to do? new trend and attitude of mind 10. Missions should supply teachers and as a step forward in auto- of scientific agricultural methods and How can our group share in the brain-stimulation is good for the so help remove the abject poverty and program? What would it mean for individual. The interchange of misery of rural life. (A, 64; D, 2; our group? thought results in the cross- U,5.) fertilization of group thinking. What issues should we face if we Among the used – and –proved- 11. The Church at home should al- take part? good plans recently sent to this low the younger churches to express Department are the following: the Gospel through their own genius Needless to say the study and through forms suitable to their book, "Youth Building aNew An Inquiry into Missionary own racial heritage. (A. 59; D, 4; World," furnishes the basis, and Attitudes U,8.) all should be familiar with it. Then the leader explains to the The device was used at a union 12. The miSsionary enterprise is one company that while those at the missionary meeting at Mont- department of our church life and table lead off, everyone will be clair, N. J., in October. A sheet should be supported only by those given opportunity to express an of the test topics was submitted whose special interest it is. (A, 4; opinion later. For example: to each person present to be D,63; U,6.) Agnes speaks up from the panel marked and returned without saying it seems to her rather a signature. The instructions 13. The chief objectives of the mis- large order-letting young peo- read: sionary enterprise should be to con- ple take a hand in their own vert as many people as possible, rather problems, to which the leader re- After reading each statement than to develop and train leaders for plies that we simply have to through full y, register your the younger churches. (A, 10; D,52; build a new world because the opinion as follows: If you agree U,9.) one we now live in is in pretty check A; if you disagree, check much of a mess. Jack says that D; if you are uncertain, check 14. Lack of unity in the adminis- while thing:;J are not perfect, U. On the left hand margin ap- tration at home and in the field tends they are so much better than peared the capital letters A, D, to make the missionary enterprise in- they used to be that he thinks . and U for checking. effective. (A, 64; D,3; U,4.) we would better let well enough alone: and then the discussion 1. The religion of Jesus has unique 15. The missionary enterprise should is in full swing. A climax of values not possessed by any other re- be a partnership between older and proposed action may well be ligion. (All checked A.) younger churches on the basis of reached. equality in interest and control, even 2. Secularism, nationalism and com- though large financial help is supplied Fireside Forums munism, rather than the old religions, by the stronger. (A, 55; D, 20; are the chief opponents of Christianity U,5.) These are an outstanding fea- today. (52 checked A; 20, D.) ture of the Baptist promotional This inquiry provides an ex- program for the year, the object 3. For each race its own religion is cellent basis for discussion in being to provide each church best. (15, A; 48, D; 20, U.) any church or community group with an occasion for bringing its if the leader is capable of clar- entire constituency together in 4. Since American Christians have ifying conflicts and correcting homes for f e I low s hip and more than enough to keep them busy erroneous thinking. thoughtful discussion of local in placing their own house in order, and world problems,and for the they have no call to concern them- Panel Discussions consideration of the privileges selves with the social and religious and responsibilities of Christians needs of other people. (1, A; 68, D; These are becoming increas- in their church relationships. 4, U.) ingly popular, even for a pas- The new plan has the following tor's evening service to act as a 5. Christianity loses its influence lodestone to draw a congrega- and power by recognizing values in tion. A group of people, selected other religions. (A,10; D,57; U,6.) for their ability and clear vocal- ization and carefully prepared by previous study, assemble at the front and discuss a subject informally under the direction of a leader capable of giving its initial statement and an impetus by means of opening queries.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
technique to be developed by a where he was born, his occupation and Men and Women of Far special forum committee: what he would like to do if he changed his occupation. Horizons The division of the church into districts, following such natural bound- 2. Forty minutes for a Question- "There has come to me a volume of aries as will include in each district nairplane Flight. The leader gives to missionary articles which so thrilled ten homes (more or less) within easy each person a copy of a list of ques- me that f sincerely wish every misaccess of each other, and the selection tions about the cooperative program sionary worker and every worker with in each district of a home in which to of the denomination and one answer young people might place it in their hold a Fireside Forum. Designate to a question, the latter not to pass library for reference and help," this as the Forum Home. out of the hands of the holders. At a writes Mrs. Abram De Young, of given signal, the group enters on a Kalamazoo, Michigan. For each such division, (1) appoint thirty-minute quest for replies to all a hostess whose duty it will be to pre- the questions, each person working in- "The book is a series of articles pare for the meeting, introduce guests dependently and interviewing every compiled by Jesse R. Wilson, General upon their arrival, create a friendly other person in order to secure the Secretary of the Student Volunteer atmosphere among them, give careful right answers. At the end of this half Movement but written by missionaries attention to the ventilation and ar- hour the leader will call time and read and outstanding Christians the world range for someone to take the children the correct answers so that each one over, out of their own vast and varyinto a separate room and entertain may check his own replies or exchange ing experiences, revealing their enthem during the meeting; (2) select a with some one else for correction. thusiasm for and deep conviction conconvener who will be held responsible The person answering correctly the cerning their task, and also the great for securing the attendance of every largest number of queries wins the burden of longing in their hearts for family in his district, arranging for most points. Questions need not be the world as they have seen it. . . . the personal invitation of someone by answered in order. As I read I found myself impressed whom a less familiar family may be through every chapter with the wonbrought to the meeting, furnishing the 3. Ten minutes are next allotted to drous glory of the missionary enterhostess with a list of the telephone a "Look through the Churchscope." prise. numbers of her prospective guests so The leader makes a careful presentathat she may personally supplement tion of the local church program for "The book also makes us realize the other invitations, and send to the the year after distributing the copies how through missions there has come forum committee a list of all who at- of that program for reference. to us a greater appreciation of other tended the meeting; (3) secure a races, for it gives us pictures of their leader who will be responsible for con- 4. Ten minutes are then consumed people and of the consecrated souls ducting the meeting, helping the in the feature called "We Talk It among them who have been won for guests to get better acquainted and Over"-which is the open forum por- Christ and are now powers for Him carrying out the detailed plan as out- tion. Sample topics are such as these: among their own race . . . Most of lined by the church. In what ways could our church's all the book helps us to see the power methods of financing its work be im- of Christ over sin and darkness . . . Next, hostesses, conveners and lead- proved? To what extent should our ers are brought together in separate church cooperate with other churches "The articles may be used in formgroups and thoroughly coached. The in making our community more Chris- ing all types of pro~rams and for andate decided upon for the forum meet- tian? What are the channels through swering questions about missions and ing is publicized through church bul- which our church may seek to enlist even answering criticisms that are on letins, posters and newspaper pub- the active cooperation of every mem- the lips of some . . . The stories licity. Enlistment cards for signa- are wonderfully helpful for illustrature at the gatherings are secured and ber? tions in Sunday school as well' as misdistributed, together with copies of sionary meetings. Many of them can the pastor's program for the year, to 5. "We Enlist" is the climax of the be used effectively as impersonations the leaders: then the scene is set for program. The chairman leads the and others will lend themselves easily the forums. group in reading the church covenant to dramatizations." from copies distributed and the enlist- Each group is supposed to number ment card is considered quietly and Pastors might well incorpofrom 15 to 25 and the proposed pro- prayerfully. Each one is asked to sign rate much of this true-to-life magram of the meeting to consume about his card indicating the channels terial in a series of sermons inan hour and 40 minutes. Its divisions through which he is willing to serve terspersed and illustrated by the are: the church, and a prayer of dedication dramatizations and impersona- is offered while cards are still in the tions suggested by the reviewer. 1. Ten minutes for getting better hands of their signers. The cards are acquainted. Groups seated informally then collected and turned over to the Friendship Press, 150 Fifth Ave., in a circle, each person in turn rising pastor, after which the intensive task New York City. (Price 50 cents in and stating his name, where he lives, remains of holding the membership paper, $1.00 in cloth.) up to their high resolves.
THE CONVERSATION In the packet of leaflets, referred to in the foregoing, another form of discourse is featured entitled "The Hayrake Conversation." In the setting of a farmyard, where the farmer is attempting to repair his hayrake, a neighbor drops in and the two discuss the proposal to unite all the struggling churches of the community for better service. The dialogue furnishes a well-balanced presentation of the pros and cons.. the essential details of organic church union, church federation, the "Larger Parish Plan," pastoral unity, etc., are interwoven. At the coming community dinner soon to be held the matter will be brought to vote. Jake says: Everybody'll be there but old Deacon Peachcrab. Poor old fellow! he's just been an officer so long he can't bear to have other folks take over the reins. It's kind of funny. Four years ago the old man said there'd never be one church in this place. He would have got some officers from the other churches and started trouble against the idea, but it seems like it was all over before he knew it was happening. Just like this hayrake here-we got it all fixed bElfore we knew it. . . . Goodbye, Jim; see you Tuesday.
The packet containing the above and a variety of other material for young people may be obtained from the United Christian Missionary Society, 222 Downey Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.
~~========~~~~======~====~1r
BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK "WHEN WILT THOU SAVE THE PEOPLE?"
"Now when Jesus was born, . . . Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, say i n g, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. "Then Herod the king pri- vately called the Wise-men and learned exactly. . .. And being warned of God in a dream, Joseph, Mary and the child departed into their own country another way. . . . An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, A rise and take the young child and his mother, and /lee Courtesy Art Ea;tension Press, Westp<>rt, Conn. into Egypt and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will "CHRI ST WITH CHILD R EN, " seek the young child to destroy drawn by an Austria n gi rl 15 years of a ge. From " Children 's Service of Worship," him. for u s e on the World Day of Prayer for MiSSions, Februa ry 28 , 1936.
"And he arose and took the what longing, yea what zeal, yea part of the children ·.of God.
young child and his mother by what avenging! In everything Throughout centuries men and night" and departed into exfle. ye approved yourselv es to be women have been conscious of And some nineteen hundred pure in the matter. the reasons for the hurried years later from "the land of the "So although I wrote unto you flight, and with grave concern free and the home of the brave" I wrote not for his cause' that have read of the slaughter of the another father is warned to de- did· the wrong, nor for his cause innocents by the civic authoripart at once with the mother and that suffered the wrong, but that ties. Let us not forget! your earnest care for us might child and celebrate the birth of be made manifest unto you in Will you personally do some- the sight of God." thing today and every day folthe Christ-child in exile. Be- lowing, to make life safe for the And the same pastor Paul, the little ones in America? Thus cause there is love in the family Apostle, wrote the church mem- shall we be true citizens of bers in Philippi (and they were Heaven and America, and show there will be peace in their very nice folk), "Finally breth- that we personally have some re- ren . . . if there be any virtue sponsibility for the sad event of hearts. But what about the . . . think on these things." the exile of the Lindbergh famhomeland folk? ily. Shall we now show godly The editor has received an- repentance? In a letter written to a com- nually within the last decade at Christmastide, five or six greet- Shall crime bring crime forever pany of Christians in Corinth, ing cards depicting the exile of Strength aiding still the strong?
Paul their pastor, wrote (2 Cor. the Holy Family. And in recent Is it thy will, 0 Father, years these cards appear as That man shall toil for wrong? 7: 10-12) : glorified pleasure jaunts instead "For godly sorrow worketh re- of the secret, hurried, and fear- "No," say thy mountains; "No," thy some journey made necessary by skies; pentance unto salvation which bringeth no regret: but the sor- the sin in human hearts, and the Man's clouded sun shall brightly rise, row of the world worketh death. greater sin of indifference on the And songs be heard instead of sighs; God save the people! "For behold, this self-same thing, that ye were made sorry -Ebenezer Elliott, 1781-1849. after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, yea what fear, yea [98 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
ON FEBRUARY 28, 1936 scious of our responsibilities as Wellington, New Zealand, Christian citizens to mitigate so lying geographically just east of far as we can the hardships of sunrise on the International their toil.* Date Line will be among the very Amen. first Christians to meet for prayer and commitment to "On ACCEPTING RESPONSIearth peace, goodwill toward BILITY men." And on February 28, The following. prayer was 1936, the first Friday in Lent, Mrs. Daniel A. Poling, President made by an Indian girl at the in- of the Council of Women for stallation of the new officers. Home Missions, will be among May we put this same spirit into the worshipers in Wellington. From Shanghai, Mrs. Poling our prayers for our work, and sent the message which she had add a prayer for the Indian already prepared. She thought young people in the schools and that some of us at home would join with them in prayer, in on the reservations: "Let us the very words which she will pray: Our loving Father, we use. To do this, you should know thank Thee that Thou didst give that sunrise, February 28, in New Zealand, is approximately us Jesus Christ, who desires that Thursday noon, February 27, in New York City. Excerpt: every girl should have life abun- This year near Wellington, New Hirschel Rabinow dant. We thank Thee that in Zealand, in a mountain community at sunrise we are opening the World Day Oourtesy, New York Sunday Times this school Thou hast entrusted of Prayer of 1936. After a long trip through thirty countries, Dr. Poling to us girls some of thy work. and I realize as never before the great need of men to find oneness through "FOR THEIR SAKES" We thank Thee that the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Everywhere on this trip young people The little neglected boy, be- Jesus Christ can be with us and were eager to accept responsibility of friended by the dog, is a drawing with our Association, to help using some time each Monday as pre- by a 14-year-old boy, Hirschel bring life and light and joy and paratory for this day when all join Rabinow, as his contribution to the chance for service to every in prayer for peace on earth. the Hundred Neediest Cases girl, not only here but every Fund of the New York Times, In 1920, both in Canada and the and reprinted here by courtesy place in the world. And now, as United States, church women of many of same. It recalls to us our re- these new officers .and cabinet denominations united in a Day of sponsibility for all children. He members accept their responsi- Prayer for Missions. In 1935, in more may well be one of the two hun- bility, may they begin their new than fifty countries, Christians prayed dred thousand Migrant children duties by always looking to Thee and pledged themselves to the bearing whom the Council of Women for for help and guidance. Wilt of one another's burdens. . . . Home Missions is serving, or one Thou hear their solemn pledge, whom we should be serving with wilt Thou grant them a sense of Prayer: Our God, Father of us all, your help. Thy presence in their work towe come to Thee today with grateful gether. Bless us all, as memhearts for thy Son Jesus who came to Let us pray: bers of the Y. W. C. A., and help show and be the Way, Truth, and Life. us each. to do our part in making Forgive us, we pray, and give us an "Father of all mankind, we the Spirit of Jesus felt in this hunger and thirst for peace. Teach pause in the haste of our daily school. Amen." us to seek and labor for peace-peace lives to come with quietness into within ourselves and with Thee, in our homes, and for our land in relation to Thy presence. May Thy strength the peoples of the world. We thank and Thy spirit fill us and may WHAT DO'YOU PRAY FOR? Thee Our Father for the growing and deepening consciousness of the need the love which Thou hast for all "Prayers for Self and Sofor peace, and for the personal knowl- mankind flood our hearts. We ciety," Association Press, 15 edge of Him who brings peace on would at this time bring before cents a copy, was prepared by earth. Bless the mothers and children. Thee those men and women and Rev. James Myers, Industrial We do not ask 0 Lord a life all free young people who earn their Secretary, Federal Council of from pain. We do not seek to be in meager living by gathering from the Churches of Christ in Amerthis great world of need without our ica. It is being used both for load of care. For this we know, the the fields the food that shall feed present cross is our eternal gain and that they who struggle and endure us; who bear the heat of the shall at long last reach the Heavenly noonday sun, the long hours of private devotions and in public Kingdom. So Lord keep us fit within and give us strength and light and we labor, and the rush of the can- worship. will follow through the din from darkness up to light. This we ask in the nery service while we benefit name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen. from their toil. We are con- • By M. Katherine Bennett. scious, 0 Father, of their long- ing for permanent homes, of EDITOR'S NOTE.-All material for the ob- their unfulfilled hopes for their servance of the World Day of Prayer for children. Make us equally con- Missions, February 28, 1936, can be obtained at the above address.
~~==============================~
OUf W orld~wide Outlook i.,'1 A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ] ~,-==========-======~E~D~I~TE~D==BY==M~R~S~.~H~EN==R~I~==~A~H~.~.~F~ER~G~U~S~O~N~,~X~E~N~IA~,~O~H~I~O==================_~~~ CHINA toward making a cure. . . . Selfish- The Music Committee in charge Free Education promoted a competition for Chi- The determined movement for ness is at the base of it all. . . . In nese-style hymn tunes to be used China we have placed so much em- for the purely Chinese hymns phasis on the family, perhaps it is not which are to be included in the necessary now to emphasize it so book. Some two thousand hymns were received but only fifty of free popular education in China much. But our conception of the fam- them were accepted. For about places Christian primary schools ily in the New Life MQvement is dif- half of these the committee had tentatively chosen tunes and the in a new situation, as they can- ferent from the past because we competition was held for the not compete with a s·tate system recognize the family as the basis of purpose of getting tunes for the the structure for civilization. . . . remaining twenty-five. Altoof free education. For the cur- gether eight hundred tunes from rent fiscal year the Chinese Gov- You can't change anything unless you all over China were received by change a man's character. It means the committee. ernment plans to spend for edu- teaching people to love others as you cation $37,211,621 (Chinese cur- love yourself. That is the heart Qf it -International Christian rency), of which 48 per cent is Press. all. . . . You have come to China be- cause you love the Chinese. Some- Famine Relief Program to go for free, mass education. times you have your discouraging Churches in many parts of moments; I admit I am discouraged China are cooperating with the Szechwan plans to spend $650,- at times. At such times I think upon China International Famine Re- 000 for this purpose. In Shang- . the life Qf Christ, how, against over- lief Commission in raising funds. About twenty schools and colhai, Chinese authorities have whelming odds, he still kept on. He leges in Shanghai have started didn't give up. And I think of the campaigns among their faculty started 900 three-months' free members and students to raise schools for illiterates, with free many missionaries coming to China- money for flood relief. Many tuition, books and stationery. It year after year-no appreciation, no business institutions, lodges and is hoped that in a year 500,000 thanks, not even the consent of the clubs are actively helping. On people among whQm they work-yet behalf of the Chinese Red Cross, Dr. C. T. Wang has turned over will acquire the rudiments of they keep dOg'goedly on. I believe that to Famine Relief $40,000 (Chieducation. In Hunan province it is this spirit of persistence and self- nese) , 12,000 suits of clothes and the plan to extend free education sacrifice which will eventually regen- 10,000 bags of flour. to school-age children is expected erate China. The relief program consists of to reach eighty per cent of them -West China Missionary three steps. (1) Emergency re- News. lief must be supplied to the flood in a year. victims in food, shelter and med- The Glory of the Bible ical supplies. (2) Labor relief This is a beginning of a free must be started on projects of reconstruction. (3) As condistate system of e d u cat ion, Dr. T. Z. Koo, well known and tions gradually return to normal, planned to spread over three a farm rehabilitation program highly esteemed Chinese Chris- must be introduced to help reperiods: from August, 1935, to tian, gives this estimate of the store the rural economy of the July, 1940, all school-age chil- Bible: "The glory of the Bible flooded districts. Temporary dren are to receive one year's schools will be started. It is free education; from August, to me is that it contains a record hoped that preventive measures 1940, to July, 1944, they are to of a life which has enabled me to can be undertaken to wipe out receive two years of such free see such teaching as 'Love your the causes of flood and famine. education; after August, 1944, enemies' put into practice. I all school-age children are to re- know many people hold many ceive four years of education free. -The Chinese Recorder. theories about the Bible, but all these pale into insignificance when one realizes the preemi- nent wonder that here is the rev- Madame Chiang on Missions elation of God Himself. Biblical Madame Chiang Kai-shek, ad- scholars are interested as to how dressing the missionary commu- this record has come to be, but nity at Chengtu during a visit to the man struggling with life, with her husband, said: the record itself is enough!' What we have found wrong with -China's Millions.
China is not with the Chinese people. New Chinese Hymns It has been with our leaders. Now, that is an unpalatable fact to admit A new Union Hymnal is being because we happen to be of the leaders prepared for the use of six of the of the country. To know what is wrong with a patient is the first step larger denominations in China.
[100 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
A Baptist Objective traordinary cases, and here are a interference has been placed in Southern Baptists plan to send few of them: the way of Christian propaganda out in 1936 at least seventy new A man came with a hole in his in Manchukuo, either by local or missionary recruits and replace- cheek through which his breath ments to China to be known as whistled. Awkward, he said, central authorities. On the con- "Shuck Memorial Missionaries." when he wanted to smoke. trary, both Japanese and Man- Another came with a nonpain- chukuo officials h a v e bee n The first Baptist missionary ful fibrous tumor filling his friendly. Between the Christian appointed to China was John mouth so that he could not close communities of the two races Lewis Shuck, a Virginian, who it. He had had his front teeth one of the chief difficulties is that went out in 1835. The story is removed to give it more room. of l'anguage. Nevertheless, a told that in a missionary meet-. Still another came in holding united prayer meeting attended ing of that early day a strong his head constantly with some- by pastors and other leaders, plea was made for contributions. times one hand, and sometimes both Chinese and Japanese, has The plates were passed and the both. I asked him to release it been held at intervals in Mukden.
contents counted: bank notes, and like a flash he was looking Dr. O'Neill says that in his silver, gold. "Here is a card. out over his left shoulder with own field there is a manifest rise Who put i.t in?" said one of the no power to bring his head in the spiritual tone of the collectors to the other. "A young straight again. Church, and a deepened attach- man back in the congregation." ment to the Bible. As to reli- The card was examined and gious liberty, he says: "Within there was found written on it the word "myself," and signed. This The Ohallenge of Manchuria the buildings, we are free to give was Shuck's offering – himself. His fields of labor were Macao An English missionary at religious instruction to all the and Hongkong. Chinese Bap- Chihfeng, Manchuria, says that tists are planning a centenary there are more heathen there to- pupils, Christian or non-Chriscelebration of the opening of this day than ever before. "Due to work in 1936, in cooperation the hard crust of prej udice, tian. Prior to the Japanese ocwith missionaries fro m the which is not easily broken United States. through, apathy still abounds. cupation, the problem of religion Temples are still filled with idols; -Watchman-Examiner. and theaters, instituted for in the schools was becoming in- thanking the god of rain for good harvest prospects, still draw creasingly difficult under the Chinese Government. Now the whole position has changed for the better. The Japanese lan- guage is required everywhere, up to the higher middle stand- great crowds of people. Un- ard. -China's Millions.
Borden Hospital, Lanchow named horrors continue to be JAPAN -OHOSEN Recently a point has been practiced in the name of reli- Temperance Advance made of asking patients for decisions in the services that are gion, and in accordance with Dr. E. C. Hennigar says: "The constantly being held in Borden number of bone-dry villages in Hospital, and there have been their superstitious beliefs, which Japan has reached twenty. Tomi some interesting ones, according Oka village in Miyagi prefecture to a report of the work in China's have held the poor people in an put the scheme to test for one Millions. One was of a Moslem year. So good were the results and another of a man whose eyes iron vise for centuries. Native that on September the first the have been operated on four times villagers voted to go dry for five without success, but his beaming believers are beginning to realize years. Nagoya village in Saga face proclaims that the eyes of completed its first period of three his heart are open. More prayer their responsibility to the un- years and has voted to extend has been concentrated on the the dry regime for another three hospital's religious activities. happy people around them, but years. This is a fishing village The response of the patients has and in spite of great poverty cheered the staff. A system of many are not free to come reg- used to spend yen 20,000 per follow-up cards has been intro- year on alcohol. Miho village in duced to keep in touch with pa- ularly to the meetings. No Sun- Na~ano completed three years tients at home. The hospital of a dry experiment on August cares for about 40 lepers. day dawns in this dark land, as 1st, and has extended the period for another five years. The vil- far as the interior is concerned, lagers have struck upon a novel way of improving the economic and the industrial classes are status of their village. Each family is to contribute at least hard at work seven days in the one sen per day, this money to be deposited in a bank at compound week from sunrise to sunset. interest for 100 years. At the "Some of the Christians are always ready to testify for their Lord in the open air whenever they are free. Inquirers are numerous, and many have been saved." -The Christian.
Another phase of medical Religious Freedom in Manchukuo work is the establishment of a branch Board of Hygiene and Public Health in Lanchow, with Dr. F. W. S. O'Neill, of the an efficient staff of seven doctors, Irish Presbyterian Church, has trained in various branches of been thirty-eight years in Man- churia. In The International Remedicine.
An ordinary day brings ex- view of Missions, he says that no
expiration of that time it is to be word to many villages and to creases were: Anglican, 11.2 per used to meet village expenses. A thousands of hearts and homes. cent; Presbyterian, 17; Meth- few old men opposed the exten- Letters have come and are still odist, 11.5; B apt i s t, 21.2; sion of the dry experiment, but coming; One from "Bright Light Church of Christ, 9; Roman the young people were enthusias- Town" reports: "What a dark Catholic, 1.3, while the Congre- tic for it, declaring that if the town we were before Jesus came gational Church lost 8.8.
dry regime were extended they with your college boys. We -The Christian Advocate.
would make every possible sacri- Christians c aug h t the fire.
fice for the village good." Hardened sinners heard the A Maori Choir -Presbyterian News. Word and are rejoicing in his A Methodist choir made up of twenty young Maori chiefs and No More Cuts salvation. Our town bids fair to be like its name. We are expect- chieftainesses from the New At the November monthly ing many from the surrounding Zealand aborigines has been atprayer meeting of C. M. S. mis- tracting attention in Australia sionaries in Tokyo, Rev. George villages that are in dense dark,· Herbert Moule, treasurer for on a concert tour. Two are dea- Japan, announced that all cuts ness to come to Christ. Please conesses and four are ministers. on work and salaries for all send the boys again next sum- In full Maori costume, they ap- C. M. S. missionaries in Japan pear, render a program of Maori and China would be restored mer." folk songs, thrilling hakas and from January 1, 1936. This came from up north: pageantry. The proceeds of the -The Living Church. "Our church was about to breathe its last when your col- tour go to Maori missions. lege boys came. The little spark -Christian Advocate.
was fanned and now 122 real Christians are regularly attend- Honor to Bishop McKim ing church services, Sunday Borneo Evangelical Mission school and Wednesday evening A few days before Bishop Mc- prayer meetings. You should The Field Secretary of this Kim left Tokyo he was given an hear them sing hymns at work mission writes in The Christian: ovation, perhaps the greatest in the harvest fields. We are all ever accorded any foreigner by bubbling over with the joy of the Our work is growing, both in numthe Japanese. On the campus of Lord and praise God that in the ber of workers and area occupied, but St. Paul's University, of which hot summer months your boys it is still quite pioneering in charhe was founder and chancellor, came with the Holy Spirit's acter; there are no roads, and all in the presence of Prince Iyesato power to our town. Please send traveling is by such primitive means Tokugawa, representatives of some of them to us in the Christ- as native dugouts, or by walking the institutions of the Nippon mas vacation to rejoice with us." through the jungle. After almost a Sei Kokwai, bishops of the I wish you could read all the let- hundred years of government control Church, deans and officers of the ters that came in the Korean the Ibans are still restless under re- University corporation, and the language. straint, and only the most rigid conentire assembled student and trol prevents the practice of headfaculty body, the retiring bishop GEORGE S. MCCUNE, hunting. We find that the only way bade farewell and godspeed to Presbyterian Missionary. to evangelize them is to live simple the Church and the corporate lives right among them. bodies he has presided over for AUSTRALIA AND THE the past 56 years. ISLANDS Another of our stations is among the Bisaiyahs, and here different When the Bishop sailed from Religion in Australia methods are used. We have a school Yokohama, there was a two-hour at the mission station which is showdemonstration at the pie r. Census figures from Australia ing' good results, and some translation Bishops, priests, workers, mis- afford an interesting comparison work is being done in their language, sionaries, men, women, children, between growth of population hitherto unwritten. A beginning has business men, government lead- and church membership. Be- also been made among the Kalabits, ers, came to see him off. Some tween 1921 and 1933 the popula- another wilder tribe much further inhad come as far as 800 miles, tion of Victoria increased by land. Until a few years ag'o this tribe and everyone of the ten dioceses 18.8 per cent. The denomina- was quite self-contained; they smelted of the Japanese Church was rep- tional percentage gains for the their own iron for making' swords and resented. same period were: Anglicans, 4 ; spears, and recovered salt from nat- Presbyterians, 7.6; Methodist, ural suring'S, while they hunted game -The Living Church. 5; Church of Christ, 18; the with blowpipes and poisoned arrows.
Roman Catholic Church showed -The Christian. a small decrease and the Baptist and Congregational Churches A Tongan Choir Contest losses respectively of 2.7 and 21 per. cent. New South Wales When the Governor-General of New Zealand visited Tonga a showed population inc rea s e "A Dark Town Before (1921 -1933), 23.8 per cent. few years ago, he was so de- Jesus Came" lighted with Tongan singing that There the denominational in- During vacation last summer he gave a silver cup for a co.ncollege preaching bands had many victories far south and up test. Thirty-seven choirs to.o.k north. Fifty-two summer Bible part, presenting two. hymns and schools brought Jesus and His two. anthems. The cho.irs were divided into. gro.ups to. sing o.n five nights, and nearly 5,000 peo.-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
pIe heard the choirs praising meetings; by a' greater earnest- we found an abnormal perce9,t., God in song. ness about Christian faith and age attributable to overindul:. life; by improved leadership for gence in alcoholic beverages by A choir competition was held, student groups, both in quality auto operators both young. and and 1935 completed fifty years of personnel and in time and in- old. I regard the greatest enemy since the Tongan Church bfoke terest given by the leaders to the to the safety of highway traffic away from the parent Church in work. to be the auto driver who oper- Australia. At the recent jubilee ates while in the glow of cock..; celebration of the Methodist Methodist Union Plan tails and other strong drinks."!;'", Church a massed .choir of 1,500 voices san g the Hallelujah Details of a plan to bring -United Presbyterian. Chorus. 8,000,000 American Methodists together into a united church Books for the Blind -The Missionary Review after more than 100 years of of Australasia. separation have been made pub- Next year the American Tract· lic by Dr. H. E. Woolever. A Society will begin a new century Union Work in the Philippines judicial council is to be formed, of service for the blind. The with power to rule on the consti- Society has appropriated $1,000 The United Evangelical Church tutionality of church conference for printing the Pilgrim's Progof the Philippines which was actions. It also provides for the ress in raised letters in 1936. formed in 1929 by the union of administration of the merged They have already recorded this the Congregational, U nit e d church through a general con- as a "talking book" for the blind. Brethren and Presbyterian de- ference, meeting every four Twenty-five sets of records costnominations, has 39,266 church years, and jurisdictional confer- ing $12.00 per set were sent as members, was 126 ordained pas- ences which divide the member- Christmas presents to various tors and 165 other workers. The ship in the United States into institutions for the blind. A ruling body is a Church Council six areas and the work outside special fund was raised by the made up of elders and presidents the United States into a series of Society for this worthy enterof the church organizations. The central conferences. prise, so that the blind can purwork has a national scope. Be- chase sets of these records at a sides the usual pastoral tasks, The "articles of religion" shall fraction of their original cost. home missionary work is carried be those historically held in on among the wild tribes in common by the ,three uniting The Belmont Plan northern Luzon, in southern churches. While the word "Epis- Mindanao and among the Moros. copal" will be dropped from the The Belmont Presbyterian title, the new church will be Church of Roanoke, Va., faced -Presbyterian Tribune. episcopal in government. this situation in 1933: A new church had been built in 1929 NORTH AMERICA Before the plan can go into when money was easy, costing effect it must be approved by the $30,000 and incurring a debt of Students and the Bible general conferences of the three $15,000. The membership was denominations. Two of these 352. The silk mill where many Chaplain Knox, of Columbia meet next May and the southern worked had been shut down for University, stated at St. Paul's church two years later. Then the six months. Debt accumulated Chapel: local c h u r c h e s must ratify on interest and running expenses through annual conferences. to $2,600 and there was no one It is very remarkable to see the in- from whom they could borrow. creased interest among students in the Drink and Insurance Defeatism was rife. The pastor Bible. One finds that there are those was tempted to leave. Then the who are eager to study it, who ask Frank G. Morris, President of thought came, why not try God's intelligent questions, who want to read the Standard Surety and Cas- way? One Sabbath morning the scholarly books which will help them ualty Company, has expressed pastor requested each of the in understanding its contents. Par- himself as follows: "One of the members of his congregation to ents who recognize their responsibility most momentous problems be- write on a slip of paper the seek to learn how knowledge of the fore casualty insurance execu- amount of their weekly income, Bible can ,be imparted in the right tives at this time emanates from but to leave the slip unsigned. way, and they stress the right way. the disastrous loss experienced He found the average weekly in- Educators more and more realize that under auto liability policies dur- come to be $18, a total income of an acquaintance with this "greatest ing the calendar year 1934, $2,160 for the congregation. If English classic" is essential, and are which amounts to little less than that amount were tithed the instituting courses wherein thorough a cataclysm. Our company, like church would get $216 a week, knowledge can be gained. These signs our contemporaries, was flooded and if put into operation in the point clearly to the way in which the with an avalanche of accident congregation for a period of Bible can be made once again "the reports involving many deaths three months all deficits could be people's book." and serious personal inj uries, in wiped out and all running ex- numbers far exceeding prior penses paid. Rev. John Maxwell Adams, years. In analyzing the causes general director of university religious work under the Presbyterian Board, believes that an awakening religious concern among stu den t s is shown through larger attendance of students and faculty at religious
Twenty-five of the 27 church The second anniversary of re- Hospital Work in Guatemala officers signed a covenant to tithe peal found the drive gaining their income and bring it into headway as far as Barrow, Dr. C. A. Ainslee writes inthe church for fifteen weeks. northernmost post of civilization terestingly in Guatemala News The pastor then visited the mem- in Alaska. During the past six of hospital and ambulance "out bers and sold the idea to 118 out months, nearly 700,000 gallons work" in that country. The amof 120 wage earners. On the first of beer, wine and hard liquors bulatory clinic was held at EI day, the offering leaped to $173, were consumed in Alaska, al- Rancho in July, when hundreds and then to $228; the largest though its population is only were treated and Gospel seed amount received on anyone day about 60,000. sown. Dr. Ainslee considers the was $450. The total amount for harvest of this kind of service the period was $2,626 as over -New York Times. possibly greater than that in against $600 for the same period hospital work. "The daily routhe year before. It resulted in LATIN AMERICA tine is a story of daily rounds, all the deficit being wiped out, listening to reports of the sick, all bills paid, and a happy peo- Mexico Fights Alcohol and checking them with those of ple. While the covenant to tithe the nurse. Many of the patients, was for a period of fifteen weeks Mexico is in the thick of a especially those whose stay in liquor traffic fight. President the hospital is being paid for by ro only, yet when it was all over Cardenas has the backing of the others, contrive to find a new nation's women in this fight, pain or ache for us every morn- 72 of the original tithers which is against pulque and te- ing; our lack of interest involves agreed to keep it up. quila. "It is up to them more the patient in the responsibility than anyone else to solve the of conjuring up a new one for -United Presbyterian problem," he said recently, "for tomorrow. It is odd how a tele- Leaflet. the sake of their children and gram from home asking them to homes, and to see that their hus- come soon for a fiesta, will often Visiting Campaign in Canada bands and brothers make good turn a poor pain-racked body use of the money they earn. into an animated bundle of joy A friendly visitation of all the Women will be satisfied to know in a few short hours. families of the United Church of that they have undertaken a Canada is being planned in con- great work. In the case of ex- "Native doctors are becoming nection with the 10th anniver- treme necessity," he warned, "I more efficient medically. We feel sary of union. This will mean may even have to prohibit the that when the time comes to turn calls by ministers and laymen in manufacture of liquor, so that this work over to them-and this 440,000 homes and on 77,000 this work will not be in vain." thought must always be at the members not connected with forefront – that the hospital families. The enterprise was – Watchman-Examiner. work will be one of the Mission begun with a visitation of the branches that will feel the presbyteries by conference lead- Honors For Trinidad change the least, and this gives ers. The presbyteries are send- us great encouragement." ing members to all of the official Honors attained in the mission boards of the churches and fi- school of the United Church of In Guadalajara nally each congregation is· to Canada in Trinidad reveals the have a call from office bearers. high standards of the school's Rev. Clarence A. Neff, Amer- More than 1,667,000 Canadians East Indian teachers. One ican Board missionary, is imwill receive greetings from their teacher gained permanent pos- pressed with the sincerity of church-not for a financial can- session of the agricultural so- President Cardenas of Mexico. vass, hut for friendly talks about ciety's shield given to the school He says that the situation in the well-being of the home, the having the best school garden Guadalajara – and evidently church and community. for the year. His school at Jor- over the country as a whole-is dan Hill won this distinction for much happier than it was a year -Presbyterian Banner. three successive years. In 1933 ago. Although the anti-ecclesias- and 1934 Canadian mission tical legislation remains on the Prohibition for Alaska schools won the Madoo Gold books, there seems to be great Medal awarded to the best all- leniency in its enforcement. The Early in December, Eskimos around primary school in the col- ban on the circulation of reliin Alaska petitioned the Terri- ony, and of the final six schools gious publications has been torial Board of Liquor Control examined for this distinction, lifted. Due to the discouraging at Nome to reenact prohibition four were Canadian mission outlook for private schools in statutes, making it a crime even schools. Mexico, the Colegio EI Pacifico to give an Eskimo a drink of in Mazatlan was closed in June. liquor. In their petition, the The Tyzabod Canadian Mis- Then came a letter from the Nome natives declared "the ex- sion School won first place in an state director of federal schools, cessive use of intoxicating liquor exhibit of handwork, the first urging that the institution be reby Eskimos and persons of rural school to receive this recog- opened, especially in view of the mixed blood is highly demoral- nition. izing to the race." -United Church Record.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
efforts he had made to get gov- his countrymen, became a mem- Antonio Serrano. The work is ernment recognition for it. The making a slow, but sure, begin- ber of the Presbyterian Church, ning under his leadership. Dur- School reopened with 80 stu- ing the summer Senor Serrano dents. -Missionary Herald. then began to visit the hospitals made many visits to churches in Madrid and elsewhere with the and jails of Santiago, helping the object of getting in close contact with their youth work. As a re- Work of Bible Institute men as they got out to rehabili- sult he has received invitations Graduates from a number of ministers to tate themselves. He rented a assist in the organizing of Sun- day schools in their churches. small house, established a man -The Life of Faith. The Central America Evan- and his wife as caretakers, and Bibles in Spain gelical Bible Institute is training as the men got out of jail or hos- The National Bible Society of native young people for places of pital, took them there, until they Scotland takes advantage of the Book Fair in Madrid and other responsibility, since the national- could find work. Presently he cities to sell Evangelical litera- ture. This year conditions have istic trend in this country may gave up his luxurious apartment been unusually adverse. Such outbursts of Romish fanaticism result in a situation similar to and went to live there. Last year have not been witnessed for years. Young Romish fanatics that in Mexico. A former stu- he bought a fine piece of prop- blocked sales by saying that the Book was of no value: that it dent, working in a difficult field erty out in one of the nice sub- was not the true Bible, that it was full of evil, that it was imon Lake Nicaragua, has suffered urbs of the city, not far from possible to read i.t. Groups sta- tioned themselves short distances persecution, even stoning. An- our Instituto Ingles, and there from the stands, stopped persons who had made purchases, obligother in Nicaragua is assistant erected what he meant to be a ing many of them to return what they had bought. pastor of Managua church while Home for his ex-prisoners, his The young fanatics, incited by a third is doing very ';ell as own dwelling and a lovely chapel the priests, would sometimes buy Gospels, only to tear them up bepastor of the Granada church. seating some 120 or 150 people: fore our eyes. One day one of them approached when several In Honduras and in Salvador The whole plant is now com- other persons were engaged in looking at the volumes. He graduates are doing hspalsenbdeied~ pleted. His hope is to be or- asked for a verse concerning sacrificial work. One Christ's Resurrection, and the dained as a Presbyterian piat swtoar~ colporteur, guessing what he had greatly used in a coast field to but in view of opposition in mind, handed him a Bible so that he should find it himself. build up the second largest evan- thought best to postpone it. He For a long time he searched for it in the Old Testament until, gelical congregation in that re- holds regular Sunday evening tired of his impertinence, the colporteur showed him the verse. public. Vesper services at the Home, He tried to argue that the verse denied the Resurrection, but was A woman graduate in Salva- and at 10 p. m. evening prayers hooted out of the crowd.
dor travels miles afoot, holding for his household, and for those Threats, even attempts, were made to burn the stall. As soon meetings and doing visitation of the neighborhood who care to as the Minister of the Interior heard of this, he gave an order work in her extensive field. come. He maintains this work that the stall should be guarded night and day by six soldiers. -Evangelical Christian. out of his own funds, and hopes One morning a well-dressed gen- tleman came to the stand accom- later to have a service in French panied by two others. He exam- ined the Bibles and admired the Vigorous Indian Church for the many French-Swiss Prot- Mr. A. H. Hawley, an E. U. estants in Santiago who are en- S. A. missionary, spent five days among coastal Indians of Peru, tirely without religious services. and writes of their spiritual progress. "These Indians have -Presbyterian News. erected two buildings in which to hold their services on Sundays, EUROPE when they meet for two or three hours for a season of prayer and The "Godless Movement" meditation over the Word of God. Invariably when they The Research Department of bring their wool to Arequipa for the Universal Christian Council, sale, they visit the mission house 2 rue de Montchoisy, Geneva, with the hope of learning a new Switzerland, has brought out a hymn or chorus." study booklet on "The Methods of the Godless Movement." Ex- -The Christian. tracts from Russian literature are given as illustrative of the New Work in Santiago type of propaganda and teaching being carried forward. The A young Chilean, Sr. Suber- study is not limited entirely to caseaux, belonging to an aristo- Russia but deals with the anticratic and wealthy family, a religious efforts of communism graduate of the Sorbonne in Psy- in several other European counchology, came in touch, in Rome, tries. The pamphlet is available with the Waldensian Church and in English as well as in German. was converted t h r 0 ugh and through. He returned to Chile -Federal Council Bulletin. with the idea of devoting himself to preaching the Gospel to Sunday Schools in Spain Spain now has a full time Sunday school missionary, Rev.
book stall. He proved to be the financial help caused by the diffi- their faith in Christ. A priest Minister of the Interior, and culties of the exchange. At pres- in Athens has founded 50 catebought a Bible. ent the German societies can do chetical schools, enrolling 5,000 no more than raise the amounts children. In Greece at large -Quarterly Record. needed to maintain their foreign there are now 559 such schools missionaries. for Christian instruction, with Estonian Prisoners 45,000 studying in them. This Nazis Close Seminaries priest has also organized 200 Thirty-one years ago the call Gospel meetings for women and came to Rev. Adam Podin to An armistice between the con- children. The 126,000 Moslems carry the Gospel to prisoners in fessional Protestants of Ger- in Thrace are the object of mis- Russia, but at that time it was many and the Nazi Government sionary interest. There is a impossible to gain entrance to gave some promise of making growing interest in the Bible; prisons. It was not long before the church, legally and tech- Sunday schools are being organa man, unknown to him, learned nically at least as free as a state ized ; also many philanthropic of his difficulty and promised church can be. This armistice societies and religious groups, help. Shortly afterward, Mr. was broken November 6, when with weekly meetings. Podin received documents grant- police and Hitler guardsmen ing him access to every prison in closed two independent theolog- -So S. Times. Russia. ical seminaries, one recently es~ tablished in Berlin, the other at AFRICA In Siberia there were half a Barmen in Westphalia, which million prisoners, and not one the Confessional Synod had set Pioneering in Ethiopia Christian worker to minister to up free from government contheir spiritual needs. trol. Both professors and stu- Southern Ethiopia is peopled dents were placed under tem- by primitive, barbaric tribes, Mr. and Mrs. Podin have also porary arrest and finally turned with little or none of the Ambeen working for leper prison- out of the building. . haric culture found farther ers, both men and women. north. These tribes are Hamitic New Anti-Jewish Decree and have no connection racially, -The Christian. socially or religiously with the The New York Sun puhlishes Semitic ruling class, but are Flemish Protestants the provisions of Germany's new heathen in every sense of the anti-Jewish decree: word. Most of them would be Under the auspices of the classed as animists, and some are Belgian Gospel Mission, Flemish 1. Jews cannot be citizens, but only even charged with cannibalism. Protestant Christians assembled State subjects, and only citizens may Near the Kenya border is a comat Ghent in November for the vote. munity where a young man caneighth annual convention. The not qualify for matrimony until purpose was to strengthen their 2. All Jewish civil servants must he has first proved his prowess spiritual life. Gratitude was ex- resign by December 31. They, and by slaying a man, whose blood pressed for the liberty for Gos- war veterans, will receive pensions on must be displayed on his spear pel witness enjoyed in Belgium, the regular scale according to rank. blade. Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Street, in contrast to closing doors of the Sudan Interior Mission, around them in other parts of 3. Jewish teachers in Jewish public have entered this field, and be- Europe. -The Christian. schools may remain in their jobs pend- ing the first white people to ap- ing an exact definition of their status. pear found themselves objects The German Missions of curiosity of a friendly sort. 4. Generally no non-Jew may marry The Year Book of the United a Jew, but there are provisions for For the first few months the German Missions for 1936, under waiving the rule in special cases. Streets found a most surprising the name of the "German Evan- interest in the Gospel message gelical Foreign Missions," gives 5. "Aryan" maid servants in Jewish and were encouraged by the the newest figures for the year households may remain in their jobs, large crowds that gathered reg- 1934. On the fields of these if, by December 31, they will have ularly to listen. Some years ago united missions there are 1,552 completed their thirty-first year. a native prophet had exhorted European missionaries and 11,- the people to repent and turn 400 paid native workers. These 6. Foreign Jews resident in Ger- unto the Lord. He told them that have under their care 1,263,876 many are subject to the laws; for- some day a white man would native Christians and 62,000 in- eigners generally who are not resident come proclaiming the way of ,salquirers. They have 4,256 day are not affected. (This would apply vation, whose words they should schools and 100 high schools, in as regards mixed marriages.) carefully heed. Then the devil which they instruct 260,000 took a hand. While the Streets pupils. There are 35 European "Life Movement" in Greece were away several deaths ocand 8 native doctors in 34 hos- curred in the community. The pitals. During the year covered The Greek Orthodox Church old men concluded that the reaby the report the numbers of na- is giving evidence of an evan- son for these deaths was the tive helpers, converts and pupils gelical revival. A series of meethave kept on increasing not- ings was begun over a year ago withstanding the utter need for by a civil service official, who gathered others in government employ in his home for the study of the prophecies. These groups have been growing larger, and many have made confession of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
presence of the missionary. They peace. . . . I only wish that . . . relief of the sick and suffering accordingly decided that any instead of a mutilated Gospel has grown considerably, the last women or children caught bring- which explains the confusion and report telling of over 300,000 ing wood or hay to the foreign- the infidelity of the peoples of treatments given at various hos- ers would be put in chains. The Europe they would return and pitals and dispensaries. It is old men said that their god was lead others back to the true Gos- now possible to travel by motor angry with them for listening to pel which began with the crea- l)Jmost from the Niger to the the "Jesus Christ matter," and tion of the world." Nile, stopping each night at a that they had decided it was best -Woman's Missionary Christian mission station.
to continue offering their sacri- Friend. -The Christian.
fices to Asa, the native prophet, but the missionaries are not dis- Suez Men's Work Teaching a Mute the Gospel couraged. Moslem bigotry combines with Mr. H. A. Ogilvie, of the Su- -Moody Institute Monthly. intense nationalism to put ob- dan Interior Mission, sends this Prayer for Ethiopia stacles in the way of the "Suez interesting story to the Moody Men's Work." It had been evi- Institute Monthly: The Ethiopia Prayer League dent that some institution, in ithas been formed in England to self unobjectionable to the "man A frequent visitor at the mission compound was Wawa, a mute, a enlist and encourage prayer dur- in the street," was called for, bright, cheery-faced boy. To teach the ing the time of Ethiopia's need, especially since the majority of boy the mission house was used as an and to supply information con- Egyptian men know practically object lesson, the missionary using the cerning the missionary situation sign for to build, and then pointing to in that land. The issues in- nothing of the social side of himself, thus meaning that he had home life and spend their leisure built the house. Other objects which volved are not primarily eco- sitting in cafes where the atmos- the missionary had made were used, nomic, territorial or racial, but and finally a tree. This time the mis- phere is harmful. After many sionary shook his head to show that spiritual. Progress of the Gos- attempts a "Reading Room for he had not made that. He pointed pel in Ethiopia during the past Young Men" was 0 pen e d. into the sky, using the sign for father.
seven years has been possibly Arabic texts and Copping pic- Other objects were used, as rocks, birds, flowers, the missionary each without precedent in the history tures adorn the walls. One room time pointing up and using this sign. of missions. Evangelism is be- is provided with papers and Wawa is a quick lad, and he perceived ing intensified from Lalibella in magazines, secular and Chris- that he was being told of the Maker the North to Bulke in the South, tian, and there is a small library. of all things.
a revision of the whole Bible in chiefly of religious books. An- Then the sign for son was used, teaching that the Maker of all had a Amharic is in progress, the blind other room is devoted to games; Son; an only One, holding up one are being taught to read, the sick another is a retreat for in- finger. Different signs were used to are being healed, and hospitals quirers, and it is hoped even- depict the suffering of the Son for us, and churches planted-all this is tually for Bible classes. A radio His death and His resurrection. Heaven was described as the place jeopardized by war. About 100 has been installed and is proving where there is no sickness or death. missionaries remain at their a great asset. No stubbed toes, which would have an posts, and look for prayer-sup- appeal to a barefooted boy. Step by -Egypt General Mission port during these crucial days. News. step signs were worked out which -The Christian. Sudan United Mission would declare the way of salvation by faith in the Son. It was surprising Menelik Wrote a Missionary In a little over twenty-five how quickly the truth was grasped, years the Sudan United Mission and before long Wawa was going into It is of interest to read a letter has established a chain of mis- town and by his sign language telling written in February, 1896, by his people of the Maker of all things who lived in heaven, and of His Son, Emperor Menelik of Ethiopia to sion stations across the Sudan, who is the Saviour and Friend of an English missionary. He said: and today 136 missionaries are sinners.
"You are mistaken in thinking actively at work. Until 1910 Ohristians Grow Slowly ,that I do not care for your only one convert had been bap- prayers. All prayers of believers tized, and at that time there was At McLean Station, Presbyare dear to me, even when they not aNew Testament in any of terian West Africa Mission, one come from the children of Eu- the languages spoken in this group rebelled against the dis- rope. Not all are aggressors on region. Now there is a whole cipline of the church, withdrew, my kingdom: not all commit the Bible in Hausa available and in and attempted to start a new iniquity of attacking those whom growing use, and a number of church of their own. It is a they hope to find weaker than smaller portions of Scripture in tribal affair, for they are very themselves; not all have bent several of the tongues. In the jealous of other tribes. For two the knee before Baal, the god of last two years more than 200 years thi~ has been going on, but destruction and the slaughterer were baptized. Sunday church they ar~ beginning to realize of his brothers. Many, I am attendance averages 5,000. that a church which defies the sure, still truly adore the God of From the first small begin- rules given in the Bible for the Cross, the God of justice and nings the Mission's work for the Christian living, soon becomes a
very weak affair. Some are Paterson Smyth's "L i f e of but with books and other extras. coming back, a few of the wom- Christ," Father Gerard's "Man- At Christmas time a Russian ual of Intercession" and a bottle woman of Meshed joined a misen, one or two of the men, being of peroxide. After reading the sionary in getting up a party for brave enough to come and say, label on the peroxide bottle he refugees when, for once at least, thought that it would be a good everyone had all he could eat. "I am finished with it. I see it beginning. Many came for ,the is nothing and I do not want to medicine and were inclined to In Ramadan students in the have anything more to do with listen to what he had to say as girls' school asked to have gifts it." We have put them to the he was from a secondary school. intended for them sent to chiltest, in asking them if they Later the missionary sent him a dren in an orphanage. The girls would give the offering they had useful parcel of medical stores themselves made up Christmas and prayed for him. bags and filled them with gifts refused to give the church the they could make from their past year, and they have not only WESTERN ASIA scanty resources. In Tabriz, consented but have done so, two older students made it possible very different things in this End of German Missions by gifts of clothes and money for country where lying is second in Turkey two very poor girls to continue in school. nature and no one has any scruples about it. -Pastors' News Sheet.
-Presbyterian News. INDIA AND SIAM Congo Statistics The question of religion is agi- Evangelism on the March At the beginning of 1935 there tating the minds of the Turks to A Five-Year Forward Movewere 42 Protestant Missions and a great extent. It appears that ment, planned by the National Christian Council, is the Christhree independent stations hav- not even Mohammedanism can tian response to communism, naing work in the Belgian Congo, continue to hold them noticeably tionalism, secularism, atheism, and in the Belgian mandated ter- at present. The reason is that modernism or whatever other ritory of Ruanda Urundi, an the Turks are casting about for "isms" challenges the Gospel as area covering s 0 m e 966,000 a religion that might be consid- the power of God unto men's salsquare miles with a population ered intrinsically Turkish. Their vation. Efforts of other agencies of about 14 millions. The total writers lean to the view that are all bearing fruit; the entire number of Protestant mission anything coming to them from Bengal – Orissa Mission reports stations in this vast central por- . the outside cannot fill the re- Forward Movements. The main tion of Africa is 199, with 893 quirements and are seeking to responsibility for the movement missionaries. As for native construct an eclectic religion will be on the churches themhelpers, there is now a splendid that is more or less ethical and selves, the National Christian army of 13,058 pastors, evan- that is not earmarked by the in- Council and provincial Christian gelists and teachers, among them fluences that are not strictly Councils, which will arrange a large number of well-trained Turkish. As a result Christian conferences, issue literature and Christian men of many years ex- and even Mohammedan missions attend to details. Before the speperience in Christian work. The have a hard time of it. This is cial efforts begin, early in 1936, adult baptized church member- only in line with the extreme a preparation of seven weeks by ship now numbers 238,807, and nationalistic tendencies that are churches is suggested. the total Protestant community everywhere at work along non- religious lines as well. Sacred Books Burned exceeds a million. -Congo Mission News. The Hiilfsbund of Frankfurt, Following a recent decision of the Depressed Classes to leave has now, two years after the the Hindu fold, about 1,000 De- pressed Class youths from vil- Fighting Heathenism with driving out of the last German lages in Bombay Presidency met Peroxide sisters from Marash, succeeded at a conference recently and per- in disposing of the last proper- formed "obsequies" to Hinduism. A boy of seventeen, student at ties it had left there. The mis- The ceremonies included the an Episcopal boarding school in sionaries had the feeling that burning of the Manu Suriti Johannesburg, heard that two of since the prospects for further (Laws of Manu) and other his sisters had died suddenly in mission work in Turkey are Hindu sacred books upholding one day and a third was violently over, God Himself seemed to untouchability. A pyre was preill; that heathen neighbors were have closed the doors to them pared into which books, one trying to persuade the mother to and so they have sold all that after another, were unceremonigo to the witch-doctor to learn was left to them. ously thrown to the accompaniwhy the daughters died. The boy ment of funeral orations detail- returned to his heathen home at The Christmas Spirit in Iran once, in great distress of mind to fight the heathen. Assyrian refugees and Rus- He told the school teacher that sian prisoners in Meshed have the only thing to do was to start been cared for by the mission a Sunday school to combat the group, not only with gifts of evils. He left school armed with clothing and payment of rent
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ing the offending passages in the Youth Evangelism in Siam ties of this work. The Governor and other high officials were books. -The Living Church. For many years, under the present, and several Chinese and Burmese teak dealers and gen- guidance of Dr. William Harris, eral merchants. The s e all Bible Week in West India Principal of Prince Royal Col- pledged to do all they could to support the work we have been The Bombay Auxiliary of the lege of Chiengmai, teachers of doing and to try to get leper British and Foreign Bible So- clinics established throughout thIS school have gone out during the province." ciety invited all missions and churches of West India to take the hot vacation season to the MISCELLANEOUS part in a united campaign of country villages pre a chi n g Scripture distribution during the Whole Church a Missionary first week of last November, Christ. In the spring of 1933, more than one hundred young Society The objects were thus summarized by the Society: people of northern Siam came to- There is no Moravian Mis- gether for study and preparation sionary Society b e c a use the To ~each people and districts hith- whole church is a missionary soerto insufficiently visited, or entirely to carryon vacation Bible ciety. About one in every sevuntouched, by present colportage schools in the villages. In the enty-five of the members bemethods. comes a missionary, as compared Chiengmai field alone ten groups with about one in 5,000 in the To counteract the influence of cheap churches generally. Countries went out, and 736 children were to which Moravians have carried enrolled that year. In one par- the Gospel include Northwest ticularly difficult village several America, G u ian a, Labrador, Moskito Coast, Demerara, Northsecular literature, definitely harmful families came into the church. west Alaska and East-Central in character, which is finding an in- Africa. They maintain a leper creasingly wide circulation throughout Other village communities were home at Jerusalem, and work India. stirred, friction has been eased among lepers has been carried and new interest aroused. on in South Africa since 1818. To emphasize the value of Scripture There are over 300 stations, yet distribution as an effective means of These young people continued the annual expenditure amounts evangelism and worthy of a more to work in 1934, and in southern to but little over £100,000; of prominent place in the evangelistic this less than half is raised at program of missions and churches. Siam six more vacation Bible home, the greater proportion be- schools were added, making a ing the contribution of the mis- To encourage voluntary service and sion fields. -The Christian. individual witness on the part of all ' total of 1,292 children enrolled, Approach to the Jew members of the Christian Church. plus the 1,151 children who were Rabbi Mendelsohn, editor of To cooperate with the National taught the same lessons in spe- The Sentinel, a Chicago Jewish Christian Council in its projected pro- cial time in seven mission journal, believes in the sincerity gram for a Forward Movement in of Dr. Conrad Hoffmann, Gen- schools. The 196 teachers were eral Secretary of the Interna- Evangelism. -Dnyanodaya. the young men and women from tional Committee on the Chris- tian Approach to the Jews, and Refuses to Teach Koran the Christian schools who were says that since Dr. Hoffmann is again willing to give of their a born Christian, Jews are glad to listen to him, which they A Mohammedan con v e r t time and themselves. would not do, were he a con- -Women and Missions. verted Jew. "Jews object," says named Nur (Light) is one of the Rabbi Mendelsohn, "to the meth- od and type of approach usually new pupils in the United Pres- For Siam Lepers pursued. If those who are inter- ested in missionizing a m 0 n g byterian Normal School at Sial- Jews will send to us only men like Dr. Hoffmann they will obkot. Since her baptism she has The National Church of Siam viate a serious obstacle on the been teaching in a Mohammedan has been doing a work among the road to goodwill between Jews village school, where she refuses lepers for about two years. This and Christians." to teach the Koran. She regards the theft of her Bible as the is not a mission activity. A vilhardest persecution she has suf- lage is maintained with 33 pa- tients, most of whom have befered. She had the joy, how- come Christians. "During the ever, of seeing her mother, who first ten months or so the probis still a Mohammedan, enroll in lems of discipline and organizathe beginners class of that school tion were very difficult," writes in order that she might some day one of the workers; "during the be able to read the Bible for her- later months we have been self. Nur's joy at being in greatly encouraged by the attischool is not so much for the tude of cooperation and Chrisnormal training as the oppor- tian fellowship on the part of the tunity for getting Bible .teaching patients. There has been no efand growing in spiritual things, fort or intention to build a hosso that when she goes back to pital or other expensive edifices live among her. Mohammedan in this work; we would like relatives she may better be able. to give all the medical attention to give them the reason and the patients need, and the reliproof of the hope that is hers in gious instruction n e c e s s a r y. Christ. There have been two meetings of -Women's Missionary the representatives of the com- Magazine. munity to discuss the possibili- Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The Turkish Transformation. A itself to a new situation wherein it authorities in the investigation Study in Social and Religious De- must confine itself to the domain of velopment. By Henry Elisha Allen, conscience. of the earliest traces of human Ph.D. 251 pp. $2.50. University life and thought on our earth. of Chicago Press. Chicago. 1935. The question remains whether The book is the reasoned convic- To make an exhaustive study of the reactions in Turkey and Islam as a religion can function tion of a true and sturdy Chris- outside of Turkey to the fall of effectively in such a secular tian scholar in defense of the the Caliphate and the rise of the new dictatorial Republic would state. The author has used his biblical account of man's origin require several volumes and many years of careful study and material with great skill. After and of the origin of his religious travel. The author remarks in an historic introduction and an belief and fundamental social his Preface that Islam is not a unit, which is true. On the account of the penetration of and moral ideas. It is amazing other hand, it is a system of Western civilization, he deals to see the facts which Dr. thought, of social life, and a religion. Whether the forces that with Turkey's res e n t men t Zwemer has gathered showing are playing on it in Turkey have against the religious incubus of the return of contemporary completed their task or not, the survey here made is of deep in- her own faith. This first part of thought toward the historic terest. the book is followed by an ac- · Christian tradition. It need not count 0 f the revolutionary · be said that one feels throughout Of the composite mass which goes to make up Islam, no unit today pre- changes that have taken place, the glow of Dr. Zwemer's deep sents a more interesting or amazing picture than Turkey in its eager rush the construction of a loyal uni- faith and rich spirit. R. E. S. to escape from the toils of ignorance and superstition which have for so fied state and the new spirit evi- Ethiopia, a Pawn in European Dimany years retarded her progress. plomacy. By Ernest Work, Pro- When one remembers the centuries of dent in Turkey's present social fessor of History, Muskingum Colbitterness and bloodshed, of jealousy institutions. The two final chap- lege, Formerly Advisor to Ethiopian and misunderstanding, in the relations ters deal with missionary educaof Islam and Christianity, and when one realizes that Turkey, long the tion, its possibilities and limita- Government. 8 vo. 354 pp. The champion of Moslem orthodoxy and tions, and the place of Islam in Macmillan Company. New York. most redoubtable aggressor for the the new Turkey. There is an ex- 1935. faith of Mohammed, is now making tensive bibliography and a good herself into a Western nation accord- sketch map in the cover. The Italo – Ethiopian controing ta the very pattern of those Euro- versy has centered the attention pean states which for so many years S. M. ZWEMER. of the world on a country until she despised and feared, he cannot recently practically unknown to deny that he is witnessing one of history's most significant phenomena. The Origin of Religion. By Samuel most of the reading public. Here before our very eyes is occurring M. Zwemer. 8 vo. 256 pp. $2.00. True, the coronation of the Ema transition of civilizations, the aban- Cokesbury Press. Nashville, Tenn. peror Haille Silassie I in Novemdonment of practices which originated 1935. in Arabia, based upon union of reli- ber of 1930 gave this country gion and politics, the adoption of pat- The origiriallectures delivered much publicity, but the general terns which developed in Europe, by Dr. Zwemer at the Columbia impression left by news reports based upon separation of religion and Theological Seminary at De- at that time was that the country politics. Far-reaching consequences catur, Georgia, have been sup- was some semibarbaric curiosity. of this transition may be observed in plemented by additional ma- Today she stands before us as government, law, education, and so- terial. The whole volume deals the prize desired by a European cial structure. Religion, which but with the origin of religion, of the nation and one to be secured by little more than a half century ago idea of God, of the world and warlike conquest. was the test of citizenship, has been man, of prayer and sacrifice, of Professor Work's book will severed from the constitution. Islam, fire as a symbol of deity, of mar- convince the reader that the shorn of its prestige, strives to adapt riage and ethics, of ,the belief in world powers in general are immortality. Dr. Zwemer does aware of the value of this coun- not accept the naturalistic theory try, the last independent empire of these origins. He believes · in all of Africa, but the general that monotheism is the primitive public is unaware of the subtle faith of mankind and not an evo- machinations of international lutionary development. His book politics. In vivid fashion, with is buttressed on every page by every important statement sup- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RlWrltw publishers OD receipt of price.
[110 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
ported by documentary evidence, what is to happen in the future. gelical Church and Sunday Professor Work shows how school membership. Ethiopia has been for more than If Italy gains the land she dehalf a century the pawn on Eur- The story of the present Evanope's chessboard, with England, sires so as to connect Eritrea gelical Movement is encouraging as it gives evidence of spiritual France, Italy, Russia, Germany, and Italian Somaliland, then life in the Mexican Church. Turkey and Egypt as the play- Anyone wishing a just, clear and France is cut off as a competitor, accurate appraisal of Mexico toers. Ethiopia the lowly pawn day must read this book. has been shoved about at will, and only England and Italy re- Ralph Norton and the Gospel Missacrificed whenever a new move main. If HaiIle Silassie objects sion. By Edith F. Norton. Illus. in the game demanded it. Egypt, 8 vo. 253 pp. $2.00. Revell. New Turkey, Germany and Russia to this amputation of his strong York. 1935.
have been eliminated by clever right arm-the barrier country This stirring love story tells of moves of the other contestants the ideal married life of Edith until only England, France and so valuable to his future-it may Fox and Ralph Norton whose love for each other is subordi- Italy remain. be that the League (viz. Eng- nate only to their devotion to Professor Work continues his Christ and to those for whom land, France and Italy) will have they gave their life service. The report of the game of interest- Nortons have done for Belgians ing, although at times also to put sanctions on him to en- what Robert W. McAll did for the French. With a less wideshameful and nauseating, inter- force the amputation. spread organization behind them national politics by citing the in England and America, they This is not a volume to be have been used to accomplish as clever moves of each of the three great spiritual results as the contestants – England, France skimmed through in an evening. message of love, voiced by Mr. and Mrs. McAll accomplished and Italy – to eliminate the There is much solid food for among the working classes of other. The chessgame became France. more like a foxhunt, with the fox thought. The chapters entitled, himself watching every move Ralph Norton was born in Inand outwitting the hunters at The Land and Its Surrounding; diana on November 10, 1868, and after attending DePauw Univerevery turn. What a fox Mene- Italy Tries for the Pawn; Italy sity, followed by a brief business lik II proved to be, learning the career, entered Moody Bible Insubtleties of the game from ob- Loses the Pawn; and The Pres- stitute. He took up evangelistic servation, eluding them one after work, became Religious Work the other! The prize fell to none ent Situation, are especially in- Director of the Y. M. C. A. and then for ten years was associated of the ,three because each was so teresting. The seventeen maps with Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman and zealous that the other should not Charles M. Alexander. During get it. are of inferior quality as to the World War, Mr. and Mrs. Norton worked among the sol- The picture Professor Work clearness and art and could be diers and refugees. They went to the Belgian Front and as a releaves with us as we finish read- greatly improved. A compre- sult the Belgian Gospel Mission ing and reflect on the plight of was founded in 1918. Since the present Emperor, Haille hensive Indix and Bibliography then sixty-six stations have been established for evangelical mis- Silassie I, is that of a lion-the are appended. There is perhaps sion work in nine provinces; Lion of the Tribe of Judah-as thousands have accepted Christ many have called His Majesty, no other one book which covers and have been transformed. although he does not call himself Two Bible Training schools are by this name for he knows it re- even a chapter of the same ma- conducted and evangelistic work is carried on in halls, tents and fers to Christ. The Lion roars terial here presented, as Profes- by Gospel cars. This mission is from the Ethiopian heights, as one of the few good outgrowths sor Work refers extensively to of the World War. It is being he sees the hunters closing carried on by Mrs. Norton and around him. His eyes flash as official documents not readily ac- her associates, with the help of he sees those whom he thought an American Committee of his friends, turn against him cessible. He presents the case which Dr. Charles G. Trumbull and betray him – no cringing is treasurer. of Ethiopia most clearly. ' monarch of Africa but a fearless lion showing his teeth. STUART BERGSMA.
The student of accurate, liv- Religion in the Republic of Mexico. ing history, proven by authorita- By G. Baez Camargo and Kenneth G. Grubb. Illustrations, maps and tive documents, will :find the charts. 8 vo. 166 pp. 58. World scales dropping from his eyes so Dominion Press. MiIdmay Park. London. 1935. that he sees the professed altruism and big-brother protective We have here timely study of a land and people much in the attitude of the larger nations to- public mind. The authors are ward small ones are sham. well qualified to speak with au- Further, Professor Work's book thority. Prof. G. Baez Camargo almost enables one to predict is a Mexican Christian, secretary of the National Council of Evan- gelical Churches in Mexico and secretary for Christian Educa- tion. Mr. Grubb was formerly a missionary in Latin America and recently visited Mexico to study the situation. The survey is reliable and up to date with descriptions of ancient and mod- ern Mexico, recent political and religious developments, and the evangelical situation and out- look. There are very valuable appendices on Protestant mis- sions, five excellent maps and two charts showing the Evan-
How to Teach Evangelical Christian- college into Y. M. C. A. work in many years as the African St. ity. By Theodor Heckel. 8 vo. 121 pp. Zondervan Pub. House. Grand China. Later he became secre- Paul of the West Coast Church. Rapids, Mich. 1935. tary for Asia and through his Miss Garlick describes graph- Dr. Norman E. Richardson, of ChiGago, and Klaas Jacob Strate- travels at home and in Asia met ically the planting and growth meir have translated this work of the "Counsel for the German a multitude of interesting people, of the Christian Church, the es- Evangelical Church Union." It is a book for teachers and Chinese and Americans, and has tablishment of schools, training preachers, an exposition of methods found effective in Ger- had many valuable experiences of Christian workers and the many for reading and teaching the Bible as the Word of God. during Chi n a's revolutions. transforming influence of the We will do well to learn from Evangelical German Christians These he describes in a delight- Gospel- in Nigeria, S i err a -as we have since the days of Luther. Theodor Heckel is a ful, informal way, without phil- Leone and the Yoruba country. representative of the scientific osophical digressions but with It is an inspiring story. and spiritually-minded German teachers. The Bible is to be interpretive insight. The chap- The Answer of God. Seventieth Antaught as fact, not fiction; as niversary of the China Inland Misrevealing man in his weakness ter, "I Take My Bearings," is sion. By Marshall Broomhall. Paand the possibilities of growth in particularly refreshing and reholiness; God as supreme and Christ as divine Saviour and vealing. Mr. Brockman, how- per Cover. 12 mo. 93 pp. C. I. M. Lord. Many helpful suggestions are here made on how to make ever, seems to us to misrepresent London. 1935. the Bible live. early missionary motives and to Some think the age of miracles Christ and the Student W orId. By "discover" many things that is past. Here is the story of sev- Robert P. Wilder. Introduction by other missionaries have long enty years of miracle. This brief Robert E. Speer. 80 pp. Cloth, 75 known about the Orient. cents. Fleming H. Revell Co., New history of the China Inland Mis- York. 1935. The Bible in Our Day. A Symposium. sion reveals the wonderful way This little volume of eight ad- 12 mo. 184 pp. $1.00. The Oxdresses, given by Dr. Wilder to ford Press. New York. 1935. in which the Mission was born students in many lands, will be and developed, was guided, prowelcomed by students in America and by those who are inter- The four hundredth anniver- tected, provided for and made ested in spiritual work for them. sary of the English Bible has fruitful. The Mission began These addresses have already ap- brought forth many volumes on peared in Great Britain where the subject. Here is one with with one station and no conthey have had a wide sale. The much stimulating thought by .verts; now there are 345 statopics include the basis for Christian character as found in seven well-known writers of dif- tions in China and 8,670 were Christ, the Bible, prayer, moral ferent denominations. baptized in 1934. During the struggles and Christian service. first fifty years, 50,700 publicly Dr. Wilder's many years of work professed their faith in Christ; for students in India, Great Britain and the Continent of Co-verdale Speaks, by Charles F. during the last twenty years, Europe and in America, as well Wishart of Wooster College. 107,000 more were baptized-an as his own spiritual experience, average of over 2,000 a year for have given him a deep insight Searching the Scriptures, by Chas. the whole seventy years. The into the needs of youth and the E. Jefferson of New York. most effective way of reaching income-without any denominathem. This book makes an ex- One Book for All People, by James cellent gift for students just en- I. Vance of Nashville. tional church backing or definite tering college. appeals – has grown to nearly Rejoicing in Hope, by A. W. Beaven I Discover the Orient. Fletcher S. of Rochester. Brockman. 12 mo. 211 pp. $2.00. Harper & Bros. New York. 1935. lAle in the Light of the Bible, by $1,000,000 in one year. The Fletcher Brockman, a South- W. Russell Bowie. total income for seventy years erner from Georgia, went from Across the Barriers of Language, has been 0 v e r $25,000,000. by A. R. Wentz of Gettysburg. There are now 1,082 mission- For Such an Age as This, by Lynn aries on the field and 286 at Harold Hough of Drew Univer- home. sity.
The presentations are popular, Winning the Border. Baptist Mis- not theological; practical, not sions Among the Spanish-speaking critical. Peoples of the Border. By Una Roberts Lawrence. Pam phI e t. With the C. M. S. in West Africa. Home Mission Board, Southern Bap- A Study in Partnership. By Phyllis tist Convention. Atlanta, Ga. 1935. L. Garlick. 12 mo. 79 pp. Is. Church Missionary Society. Lon- The Mexicans in the United don. 1935. States and over the border have constituted a real problem in the The work of the Church Mis- southwestern states. Here is a sionary Society in West Africa study of their background and began less than a century ago characteristics, their history and when slavery, warfare and su- Evangelical work among them. perstition everywhere prevailed. The book is especially valuable Today the people are free and for Southern Baptists but con- many have found new life in tains much interesting and use- Christ with education and posi- ful information for all who seek tions of trust. Nigeria is the to promote the Kingdom of God. field in which Bishop Samuel There are 857,194 Mexicans in Crowther served effectively for Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
features of the book are New Books Una Alajaba de Flechas Para
the pronunciation of Mexican Arqueros Del Senor. Bautista words, suggestions for teaching A Serious Aspect of the Abyssinian Rinorosa. 120 pp. Institute .l!;vanand questions for discussion. Situation. Joseph J. Cooksey. 50 gelico. Rosario, Argentina. The work of the Baptists has pp. 18. World Today Series. New been greatly blessed among these lVlildmay Press. London. The Furtherance of the Gospel. W. people. O. Carver. 146 pp. 60 cents cloth, China Christian Year Book – 1935. 40 cents paper. Baptist Sunday The ~olitary Throne. Some Religious Edited by Frank Rawlinson. 458 School Board. Nashville. BelIefs of Mahatma Gandhi in the pp. Christian Literature Society. Light of Christ's Teachings. By Shanghai. Prove Me NoVi. J. Edwin Orr. Bishop Brenton T. Badley. Booklet. "10,000 Miles of Miracle to Mos- 62 pages. Lucknow Publishing The Case for Missions in Modern cow." 128 np. 18. Marshall, Mor- House. Lucknow, India. 1935. India. E. C. Dewick. 30 pp. 3 gan & Scott. London. Annas. The Palghat Mission. Pal- If anyone wishes to know just ghat, South India. Can God? "10,000 Miles of Miracle where Mr. Gandhi stands in ref- in Britain. 18. 128 pp. MarShall, erence to Christ and His teach- The Church of Christ and the Prob- Morgal1 & Scott. London. ings, he cannot do better than lems of the Day. Karl Heim. Chas. read this book by one who knows Scribner. World Friendship. A Bibliography. both Christ and Gandhi. Bishop Gertrude E. N. King. 79 pp. $1.00. Badley, who has been a Chris- Christ and the Student World. Rob- Chapman and Grimes. Boston. tian missionary in India for 35 ert P. Wilder. 80 pp. 75 cents. years, gives forty quotations Revell. New York. Philosophies of Father Coughlin. from Mr. Gandhi-all of which Sermons by W. B. Riley. b~ pp. contradict the clear teachings of The Essentials of Life. W. H. Grif- 25 cents. Zondervan Pub. House. Christ. In many points the fith Thomas. 126 pp. 18. Picker- Grand Rapids, Mich. Hindu teacher is in harmony ing & Inglis. London. with Jesus but in points that dif- The Making of a Pioneer: Percy ferentiate Christianity from the Eastern and Central Asia. World To- Mather of Central Asia. Mildred ethnic religions he is at variance day Series. 34 pp. 6d. New Mild- Cable and Francesca French. 288 –especially as to His deity, His may Press. London. pp. 58. Hodder & Stoughton. Lonunique character and authority, don. His position as the only Saviour God the Christlike. J ames Robertfrom sin and the only hope of son Cameron. 242 pp. $2.00. Cokes- India's New Constitution. A Survey immortality. Mahatma Gandhi bury Press. Nashvllle. of the Government of India Act, looks upon Christ as a great 1935. J. P. Eddy and F. H. Lawton. teacher and example but he says: The Great Evangel. Lynn Harold 239 pp. 68. Macmillan. London. "When I fancied I was taking Hough. 164 pp. $1.50. Cokesbury my last breath, the Gita (Hindu Press. Nashville. A History of Abyssinia. A. H. M. Scriptures) was my solace." Jones and Elizabeth Monroe. 196 "An Hundred Fold." The Faithful pp. 68. Oxford University Press. The New Home and Other Papers. Steward's Dividend. David McCon- London. By Capt. Reginald Wallis. Paper. aughy. 31 pp. B. I. C. Assn. Chi- 1 8. Pickering & Inglis. Glasgow. cago. The Real Abyssinia. C. F. Rey. 11- 1935. Ius. Map. 291 pp. 108.6d. Seeley His Things of Power. Norman B. Service. London. Captain Wallis is an evangel- Ha.rrison. 62 pp. B. I. C. Assn. ist and Bible teacher, with a mis- Chlcago. II If you use sion especially to young men. His addresses here printed relate The Lad with the Lunch Basket. PRINTING to heaven, death, conversion, Donald Davidson. 18. 96 pp. Pickcreation and victory. They are ering & Inglis. London. YOU will profit from an acthe products of Bible study, spir- quaintanceship with us. We itual experience of God and Duncan Main of Hangchow. Alex- do the job complete in our own knowledge of men. ander Gammie. 38. 6d. Pickering plant, whether it be large or & Inglis. London. small. Oh Carry Me Back. By E. A. Bland. 8 vo. 317 pp. 28. 6d. Pickering New Testament Biographies. H. C. While our specialty is Books, and Inglis, London. Moore. 75 cents. 230 pp. Baptist Magatines and Pamphlets, vet Sunday School Board. Nashville. we have a variety of modern This boys' book records the de- equipment to meet all the revelopment of a thoroughly hu- Religion in the Republic of Spain. quirements of your particular man youngster, Quaker back- World Dominion Survey Series. job. You will find our service ground, who sinks to the depths C. Araujo Garcia and Kenneth S. prompt, careful and courteous. of degradation, but is rescued by Grubb. World Dominion Movement. his mother who crossed the London. Will you allow us to estimate ocean to find him. on your next printing ? We be- Ruled by the Rudder. K. M. Mac- lieve you will be delighted with Leod. 320 pp. Pickering & Inglis. our product, price and service. London. The EVANGELICAL PRESS Songs from the Slums. Toyohiko Kagawa. 94 pp. $1.00. Cokes- PTinters of bury Press. Nashville. The Missionary Review of the World Taken Unawares. John Macbeth. 112 PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. Lon- Third and Reily Slreets Hlnl,burs, PI. don.
The Unveiled Vision. Edith Hick- man Divan. 18. Pickering & In- glis. London.
When Do Teachers Teach? Doak S. Cambell. 60 cents cloth, 40 cents paper. Baptist Sunday School Board. Nashville.
Year Book of Negro Churches. Com- piled by Bishop Reverdy C. Ransom. 111 pp. Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio.
HUNDRED YEARS OF THE BIBLE IN
Last November marked the one hundredth anniversary of George Borrow's arrival in Spain as agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Since then the circulation of the Bible has been maintained whenever political conditions permitted, and the total circulation of the Society in the last 100 years has been approximately 6,857,000 copies. On July 20, 1935, a Bible coach bearing the name "George Borrow" was dedicated in Barcelona for the work.
The National Bible Society of Scotland (N. B. S. S.) began work in Spain in 1862. By far the greater part of the' circulation has been in Spanish, although there is an increasing de- mand for a translation in modern Catalan, and several parts of the New Testament have been published in that language.
In 1930 both societies circulated 277,099 copies and last year 249,903. The demand has not decreased but the supply has been limited, due to lack of funds.
The value of the Bible cannot be estimated in these figures. The desire to understand the Book has been a not inconsiderable factor in the spread of literacy; and it is the ground of faith in the hearts of many who have not identified themselves with any organized Christian Church. It has influenced the outlook of leaders and thinkers, and increasing familiarity with it is already being reflected in the literary expression of Spaniards. It is a matter of much satisfaction that since the Republic both the Roman Catholic Church and the publishing busi- ness have increasingly seen the need of placing the Book within the reach of the people.
The Bible is the most valued possession of the Evangelicals in Spain. A study made in 1932 by the World Dominion Press showed a Spanish Evangelical community of only 21,900, of whom 6,259 were full communicants. But, as with the Bible so it is with those who cherish it: their influence is out of proportion to their numbers. Persecution and absence of liberty have rendered the existence of evangelicalism exceedingly precarious in the past; while today Christians of all convictions have to face the spread of organized godlessness.
A great task thus still awaits accomplishment in the Peninsula. In 1932, of the 48 prov- inces in Spain, 11 could show no organized Evangelical church; and in 27 provincial capitals there was no Evangelical witness of any active kind. In so far as has been possible the con- ditions of wider liberty afforded by the Republic have been taken advantage of, and in the task which still lies ahead the Bible will continue to be the foundation of all evangelistic and Christian achievement. KENNETH G. GRUBB.
READ THE COMING ARTICLES By MISSIONARIES, NATIONALS AND TRAVELERS THE DIVINE CONSTRAINT OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS • The Archbishop of York THIS ENLARGING WORLD. .•. . • • • Arthur J. Brown THE CHRISTIANITY THAT THE WORLD NEEDS. Frank C. Laubach MEXICO IN THE REMAKING . . • • Gonsalo Baez Camargo EGYPT AND THE NEW DAY • . • • • • Mrs. Anna P. White OPPORTUNITIES IN KOREA . • • Mrs. Induk Pak MISSIONARIES AND SIMPLE LIVING . • • • • • • • • • Muriel Lester Also Look for the Special Number on Africa and Home Mission Number on Negroes in America Have you sent your subscription for 1936? Send it today and make your yearly volume complete.
Each issue contains valuable hints for "Effective Ways of Working."
THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa. $2.50 a Year 25 Cents a Copy
The Missionary Review of the World — November 1935
1935
Conquest By Healing in Ethiopia T. A. Lambie Christianity in the New India Richard Burges Crucial Issues in Latin America .
John A. Mackay .
The March of Events in·Mexico Kenneth G. Grubb The Harvest in Hyderabad, Deccan Charles W. Posnett German Neo-Pagan Faith Movement w. O. Lewis Can We Interest Men in Missions?
George A. Brown 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yeat'
to Remember Christmas Gift
November 3-9-Christian Home Week. C. T. Studd, Cricketer and Pioneer November 17-Men and Missions Sun- The epic story of C. T. Studd, the famous day. Topic: "Jesus Christ and the cricketer, will appeal to all lovers of missionary World Today." For source material biography. "C. T." was one of the best all-round write to the Laymen's Missionary players that the game ever produced, and re- Movement, 19 S. La Salle St., Chi- nounced wealth and position to answer the call cago. of God to foreign service. Courageously he faced a life of hardship and danger with remarkable December 7-,-Universal Bible Sunday. self-denial and endurance, first in China and then in the very heart of Africa, pioneering for God. December 30-31-Conference with Dr. :Kagawa on the Relation of the Illustrated, $1.25. Churches to the Cooperative Move- ment. Indianapolis, Ind. The Triwmph of~__. . . . . John and Betty December 28, 1935-January I, 1936- Stam Student Volunteer Convention. In- dianapolis, Ind.
January IS-17-National Conference on the Rural Church. Washington, D. C.
July 6-12_Twelfth World's Sunday School Convention. Oslo, Norway.
By Mrs. Howard Tavlor Personal Items You have read newspaper accounts of John _ _ MR1 and Betty Stam, who were martyred by Chinese nowARD TAYLOR communists last fall. Now read this permanent The Archbishop of York (Dr. Wil- record of consecrated lives. It is particularly liam Temple), known as a leader both recommended for young people. Cloth, 75 cents. in Christian thought and in Christian work, is to make his first visit to Storiesofthe GreatHymnsof the Church America in December. He will fill several engagements at, universities By Silas H. Paine and cathedrals and will be, one of the leading speakers at the Student Vol- A monumental work in ~—-_ _J hymnology. A beautiful gift unteer Convent.i..on …in ..I.ndianapolis.
Rev. A. M. Chirgwin, General Sec- book, de luxe edition", 'printed on Bible paper, full gold retary of the London Missionary So- edges, flexible red b,inding, with stamping in gold. 795 ciety, is paying a two months' visit to the United States, in connection with pages. $3.00.
the meeting of the International Mis- "Eye" to "Aye" sionary Council. He plans to visit Negro schools and colleges ,of the By Paul H. Graef "EYE" South. … … … ~ An unique presentment in pictorial fashion of God's great plan of salva- TO tion. 132 display pages, five in color. John L. Mott" son of John R. Mott; Two editions: Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents. "AYE" I has been made director of Interna- ~l tional House, New York, to succeed . , ,..WUL 0lWl' Dr. Harry Edmunds. This center I T.. -……………. now serves students from 65 countries. ,"II _ _ …………..dyarrw- … … … .. _ … _ ………….a_ -'-"hItId.-..-.I …. ( ~~=I.. …….__ Christmas Card Box Assortments I Mrs. Adena Miller Rich has been No. 50. A popular priced assort- l!:==::::~~''}v appointed to succ,eed the world;'famous ment with 15 beautiful Scripture cards Jane Addams as head of Hull 'House, Chicago. She was associated with and folders, each with matching envelope. 50 cents per box. Miss Addams for twenty years. No. 100. Our de luxe selection of 21 beautiful Christ- mas deSigns with 8 distinctly Birth-of-Christ pictures. All designs are new, artistic and appropriate, and have short Scripture portions and suitable sentiments. Matching en- velopes. Retails at $1.00.
Scripture Text Calendar For almost a quarter of a century, Messen- ger's Scripture Text Calendars have been spreading Christian light and comfort through- out the nations. They are known everywhere for their beauty, completeness and religiOUS in- spiration. No home is quite complete without the Christian influence of these beautiful pic- tures and carefully selected Scripture verses.
Single copy, 30 cents; 4, $1.00; 12, $3.00, 25, $5.75; 50, $9.00. All prices slightly higher in Canada.
THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD THIRD AND REILY STREETS HARRISBURG, PA.
MISSIONARY "Since we cannot adequately com-
REVIEW OF THE WORLD pensate our committee members, we cheer them by subscriptions to THE VOL. LVIII Nov., 1935 No. 11 REVIEW."
Publication and Business Office– MISS MARY 1. SCOTT, Chairman, Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. Bethesda School of Missions, 310 Tomlinson St., Editorial and Executive Office– Moundsville, W. Va. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-class matter at *** Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under "On our station in the bush we Act of March 3, 1879. greatly appreciate the monthly ap- pearance of THE REVIEW." 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Foreign Postage, 50 cents a. year. FLORENCE N. GRIBBLE, M.D., Published monthly, except August. French Equatorial Africa. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. British agents – Marshall, Morga.n Obituary Notes and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, The Rev. Harvey S. Murdock, D.D., 10 shillings a year. head of the work among mountaineers at Buckhorn, Kentucky, died on Oc- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- tober 4th of heart disease at the age LISHING CO., INC. of 64. He went out thirty-three years ago as a representative of the Lafay- BOARD OF DIRECTORS ette Avenue Presbyterian Church, of ROBE'RT E. SPEER, President Brooklyn, to establish this Christian W'M. 1. CHAMBERLAIN, Vice-President mission. He was very successful in WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer developing a community work includ- DELAVAN L,' PIERSON, Secretary ing schools, a church, hospital and general social program. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT *** MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD The Rev. W. Kendall Gale, mis- WM. B. LIPPHARD sionary of the London Missionary So- ciety at Andriamena, Madagascar, ERIC M. NORTH and one of the recent contributors to the REVIEW, died on June 7th follow- JESSE R. W'ILSPN ing an operation. He had labored most sacrificially and effectively for A. L. W ARNSHUIS the Malagasy. Mrs. Gale is returning SAMUEL M. ZWEMER to England. * * * Editorial Chat The Rev. Dr. Ivan S. Prokhanoff, founder and president of the All-Rus- Our October number on Latin sian Evangelical Christian Union, said SPEEDWAY TO ORIENT America has received very hearty to have several million followers in commendations and many single Russia, died in Berlin on October 6th. YOKOHAMA IN 10 DAYS . .. fastest, copies have been sold. Order your ex- He was sixty-six years old. shortest Pacific crossing … by the tra copies now before the supply is sister.ships Empress of Asia or exhausted. In the present issue we Dr. Prokhanoff was born in Russia, Empress of Russia. Or via Honopublish some additional articles on the and educated as an engineer. Thirty lulu in 3 days more on the Empress same subject and more will follow. years ago he organized the Evan- of Japan (largest liner on the Pa- This is "Latin America Year." gelical movement, with Lord Rad- cific) or the Empress of Canada. stock, of England, Colonel Pashoff * 1* * and Count Korff. In Russia he pub- INEXPENSIVE ROUND-TRIP FARES. lished "The Christian," a periodical, The past summer and autumn have and "The Morning Star," a weekly Go by distinguished First Class or been especially rich in interdenomina- newspaper. He wrote more than 1,000 comfortable Tourist Class. Still tional and international conferences hymns and translated many others, lower Summer round-trip fares to on Christian faith, life and work. and also religious books. the Orient. Low-cost Third Class.
Some of these are reported in this Since 1928, when he left Russia for FREQUENT SAILINGS … from Vanissue; another-the Student Volun- the last time, he has raised money for couver (trains to ship-side) and teer Convention-will be fully report- needy Christians in Russia. In 1927 Victoria. Orient fares include pased, and the leading addresses will be he started in New York "The Gospel sage to and from Seattle. California printed early next year. in Russia," and in 1931, "The Faith sailings connect with "Empresses" of the Gospel," both periodicals. His at Honolulu. Orient ports-of-call: *** autobiography, "In the Cauldron of Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Shang- Russia," was published in 1933. hai, Hong Kong, Manila. One of the recent articles in THE REVIEW so impressed a missionary *** • Also •• • low-cost World Tours. bishop that he ordered copies printed and sent to every missionary of his The Rev. Frederic W. March, for BOOKLETS, information … from over fifty years an active missionary YOUR OWN AGENT, or any Canachurch. in Syria, under the Board of Foreign dian Pacific office: New York, Chi- Missions of the Presbyterian Church cago, San Francisco, and 34 other *** in the U. S. A., died on September 28 cities in the U. S. and Canada. at Suk-ul-Gharb, Syria. Mr. March A pastor in the home church offered was appointed to Syria in 1873 and to reprint another article at his own served actively until his honorable reexpense and have it sent to all the tirement with his wife in 1924. Withmissionaries of his denomination. He in his lifetime he touched the whole learned that THE REVIEW already goes span of mission activity in the Syria to all those missionaries. field which celebrated its 100th year more than a decade ago. During his *** long years of service he was engaged Here are recent comments from our (Concluded on Third Cover.) readers. Will you pass on the good [513 ] word? "Each month I attend the public library for the purpose of glancing through your magazine. I consider it the most interesting periodical of the many on the shelves of that institu- tion." CURTIS TAYLOR, Utica, N. Y.
INTERNATIONAL MISSION4RY LEADERS AT
1st Row (left to right)-Rev. Akira Ebisawa, Miss Florence Tyler, Dr. K. S. Latourette, Miss Lucy Starling, Dr. A. L. Warnshuis, Baroness van Boetzelaer van Dubbeldam, Dr. John R. Mott, Rev. C. Y. Cheng, Rev. Wm. Paton, Dr. J. H. Oldham, Baron van Boetzelaer van Dubbeldam, Dr. Leslie B. Moss.
2d Row-Dr. Martin Schlunk, Dr. W. Wilson Cash, Mr. Kenneth Maclennan, Dr. P. H. J. Lerrigo, Rev. C. E. Wilson, Canon H. E. Hyde, Dr. C. R. Hamilton, Rev. Francisco Galvez, Dr. F. F. Goodsell, Rev. E. C. Lobenstine, Rev. John S. Badeau.
3d Row-Rev. G. W. Carpenter, Prof. J. E. Moreland, M. Ie pasteur Abel de Meuron, Rev. W. E. Shaw, Rev. Ray E. Phillips, M. Ie pasteur Henri Anet, Canon Axel Malmstrom, Hon. Newton W. Rowell, Dr. Julius Richter, Dr. Murray T. Titus, Mr. T. H. Sun, Rev. H. H. Riggs.
4th Row-Dr: K. B. Westman, Pasteur Daniel Couve, Miss Sallie Lou MacKinnon, Miss Margaret Wrong, Dr. J. M. Springer, Mr. G. S. Phelps, Rev. A. S. Kydd, Dr. R. E. Diffendorfer, Rev. A. M. Chirgwin.
5th Row–Prof. G. B. Camargo, Mrs. Harper Sibley, Mr. J. Merle Davis, Miss B. D. Gibson, Dr. S. K. Datta, Dr. John A. Mackay, Rev. W. J. Noble, Mr. E. V. Yoshida, Mr. Basil Mathews.
6th Row-Dr. S. G. Inman, Miss Esther Strong, Dr. J. H. Arnup.
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LVIII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 11 NOVEMBER, 1935 Topics of the Times PREPARING FOR A WORLD CONFERENCE tries the younger churches are ready to under- The International Missionary Council (Septem- take more complete independence. A shifting of ber 27th to October 4th) brought together sev- emphasis of the missionary movement from Amerenty-five delegates, from twenty-five national ica and Europe to Asia and Africa is therefore missionary or Christian councils, who assembled welcomed in all quarters. For this reason it was at East Northfield, Massachusetts, to prepare for decided that the next conference should be in the next World Missionary Conference. The hills Asia. After careful deliberations in which parof the Connecticut Valley were glorying in the ticularly the Japanese and Chinese delegates took richness of their autumnal colors and remem- part, it was resolved with enthusiasm to select brances of the great evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, Kowloon, near Hongkong, and to make an atl:!-nd his work formed an inspiring background. tempt to secure double the number of Jerusalem The personnel included outstanding leaders of the delegates, about four. hundred of them, two-thirds Protestant missionary movement, half of them of whom should be representatives of the churches well-known representatives with a rich experi- in mission lands, particularly thos€ of Japan, ence, the other half representing a younger gen- China and India. eration of forthcoming leaders of the older and younger churches. The reports of the chairman, A second group of questions discussed related Dr. John R. Mott, and of the secretarial staff to subjects which demand a new and serious refrom London and New York proved the value of consideration, so imperative that a new world the world-wide service of the Council. It has be- missionary conference is imperative. Three groups of subjects seemed paramount.* come, or is becoming, a central consultation body 1. The missionary enterprise, like the world in which we of the Protestant world missionary movement. live, has definitely come to the dawn of a new age in which fresh forces are beginning to play a momentous part. The crucial question of this year's meeting was: Everywhere titanic forces challenge the very fundamentals where the next world missionary conferenc(=!, due of historic Christianity. On the frontiers of the Chris- about 1938, is to be held. The preceding world tian ~ovement men face the grim realities more closely conferences have been held in London, 1888; New t han In the West. e Communism, i mpe riali symo~nagn d nation al- York, 1900; Edinburgh, 1910; and Jerusalem, i sm are remorsel ssly closing in on the church in 1928. Many more Europeans and Americans would be able to take part if the next gathering China. Imperialism, commercialism, and industrialism are eating into the very fabric of African community life and destroying its immemorial spiritual and moral sanctions.
can be held in Europe or America and the inspira- From Mexico to Brazil, from the Philippines to the Congo, tional value for the sending churches would be enhanced. On the other hand the missionary from Germany to Japan the menace threatens younger force of the older churches has decreased, at least and the older churches alike. We must pool insight, knowl- edge, and resources and get a new sense and experience of world solidarity. .
for the time being. In almost all countries of old 2. A thorough study of evangelism on the mission field Christendom there are currents which slow down is to take a central place in the activity of the Internathe missionary enthusiasm so that in few coun- tional Missionary Council immediately and through the tries do we find the flaming missionary enthusiasm world conference with a view to vigorous, concerted agof a generation ago. At the same time the mis- gressive, continuous evangelism by the churches. This is done in response to calls from all over the world. The sionary movements in Asia and Africa are show- survey is to be centered in the church aiming at enlisting ing promising signs of spiritual strength and of voluntary lay and pastoral forces, with studies of the evangelistic power. In almost all Asiatic coun- • Quoting freely from Prof. Basil Mathews.
[ 515]
place of literature, the school, college, and hospital in the CHRISTIANS OF ALL LANDS UNITING work as well as the approach called for with relation to There are still many varieties of Christians. They are of divers races, nations, names habits the Jew, the Moslem, the Hindu, and others; as well as and opinions on various subjects, but they'are one in looking to Christ and His program for the soluof the methods used by communism, fascism, theosophy, tion of human problems. On creeds and church polity these Christians cannot unite but those of and other cults. The phenomena of mass movements com- many nations and denominations gladly unite to study common problems and to work together for pared with plucking individuals out of their own culture better understanding and a more perfect fulfil- ment of the Will of God. and its relation to political changes and economic status: Last summer four important international as well as an analysis of the eocfonthoemiCc,hrreislitgiaionufs~itohr. sociai Christian conferences were held in Europe. These motives leading to acceptance The took under consideration the promotion of Chris- tian unity, world peace and friendship, and pracpreparation, holding, and follow-up of the proposed 1938 tical cooperation in life and work.* meeting is to be utilized to promote fuller cooperation in The Committee of the World Conference on the world missionary enterprise. Faith and Order held its sessions at Hindsgaul, Denmark, and plans to hold its next meeting in 3. The fact that over thirty regional and national Chris- 1~37, in Edinburgh. The conference will begin wIth a statement of "The Church's Witness in the tian councils have been set up, the large measure of con- World Today," and will be closed with an "Af- firmation of Union in Allegiance to Our Lord." fidence won, and many pieces of cooperative work carried The Executive Committee of the Universal forward reveals the advance already made. Hitherto co- Christian Council also met last summer in Chamby, Switzerland. The Orthodox Archbishop operation has been confined mainly to institutions; it has Germanos, of Thyateira, President of the Coun- cil, sounded an appeal to the churches of the world not so often been extended to large evangelistic ventures. for effective cooperation against the attacks of secularism in all lands. A World Conference on It has also been mainly an activity of missionary societies Christian Life and Work is to be called to meet at Oxford University, England, July 13-25, 1937. rather than of indigenous churches. The Committee is The great concern of the Council for the setting afoot vigorous studies of all these processes and Church in Germany found expression in the reso- lution which recorded the determination to emof concrete projects of fresh practical cooperation. !)loy every possible Christian means of support- mg those who are threatened by the dominance Among the forces that demand world coopera- of an aggressive paganism. An appeal was retion of the Christian forces are: the ebb-tide of ceived from various bodies on behalf of the Chrisfaith all over the world, the necessity that Chris- tian refugees from Germany, who constitute some tianity should advance, the call to a unified Chris- twenty per cent of the total number of German tian outlook on the pagan masses, a new vision of refugees. the function of the great missionary institutions, the creation of a satisfactory new leadership, the The World Alliance for International Friendreplacing of "foreignism" and race antipathy by ship met at Chamby, with representatives from life in the universal Church, new economic and thirty countries. Lord Dickinson, of Paiswick, intellectual foundations of self-support, the de- who has been president for several years, was struction, on the one hand, of syncretism and on made honorary president; Bishop Ammundsen, the other of separatism which now divides the of Denmark, was chosen president, and Dr. Wil- Protestant churches in areas like South Africa. liam P. Merrill, pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York, was elected vice-president. Other topics discussed at this meeting of the Re~. H. L. Henriod is the general secretary. Th!'l 1. M. C. included the crisis in German missions, AllIance recommended the creation of a permanent the need for Christian literature and suitable mo- Minorities Commission, under the League of Nation pictures for the Africans, the Christian re- tions and an appeal was made to the League for sponsibility for the Jew and "the tragic plight of more effective assistance to refugees from Ger- 2,000,000 Christians in Germany in whose veins there is some touch of Jewish blood." • The facts In regard to these conferences are taken from the report of Dr. Henry Smith Leiper. The upbuilding and maintenance of the younger churches as a part of the historic world-wide Christian community is to be the objective of the 1938 conference. This requires a fresh, convincing vision for this age of the verities of the faith by which the Christian lives; the witness by which the Church is to carry the faith to the world in face of potent hostile forces; the reenforcement, intellectual, moral, and spiritual, of the interior life of the Church, in grappling with problems that affect its very being; the relation of the life of the Church to the changing social and economic order-its total impact upon society; amnodvianlgargimerpalancdabmlyoretothwoarroduguhngiotiyngbceotwopeeernatitohn~ churches which, in this emerging crisis, is the very condition of victorious advance.
JULIUS RICHTER.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
many. In preparation for the world conference STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AFTER at Oxford in 1937, it was proposed that in all FIFTY YEARS countries where compulsory military service prevails the churches should request their respective The coming convention of the Student Volungovernments to permit civil service as an alterna- teer Movement, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana tive in the case of those who cannot conscientiously (December 28 through January 1, 1936), marks serve in a military capacity. A carefully prepared the fiftieth anniversary of the Movement in Amermessage to the churches was issued, which in- ica and is the twelfth quadrennial convention. cluded an affirmation, as against the totalitarian The Movement was the outgrowth of the Student claims of the State, that "right is above the State, Foreign Missionary Society in Princeton College not the State above right." A sensation was and of the Student Conference held at Mount caused when it became known that one distin- Hermon, Massachusetts, in 1886.
guished Italian representative to the conference, The movement has had a remarkable history, Dr. Cesare Gay, had been summoned to Rome, having been founded by students as a result of along with other leaders of the Pro t est ant prayer and the conviction that the Great Commis- churches, by II Duce, who desired to know the sion of Christ to His Church was a command with reason for the refusal of the Protestant churches the promise of His presence in its fulfilment. The in Italy to pass resolutions endorsing his policies watchword' adopted was "The Evangelization of toward Ethiopia. the World in this Generation"-not adopted as a The Central Bureau for Inter-Church Aid called prophecy but as an objective. When the Movetogether representatives of the churches of many ment was formed there were few students volunlands to meet in Vienna August 31-September 3. teering for foreign service and the funds avail- Attention was directed to the current situation able were very inadequate even for the work among the churches in continental countries, par- undertaken. As a result of the student moveticularly those which are suffering from discrim- ment, and other influences at work under the ination, financial collapse or state opposition. The spirit of God, over twelve thousand volunteers disturbed conditions in Austria have created par- have gone to the foreign field in the past fifty ticular difficulty for the non-Roman churches, years and the incomes of the missionary societies which are in the minority, constituting about oIie- were quadrupled.
fifth of the population. Membership in these The past fifteen years have brought about many churches has greatly increased in recent years, to changes in the whole foreign mission enterprise. such an extent that the present staff and equip- The number of volunteers has fallen off, the sup- ment are inadequate. The Central Bureau sent a port of the work has decreased and the Movement deputation to call upon the heads of the Austrian itself has undergone considerable change. The State to acquaint them with the concern of the Student Council has taken control, with less direc- Protestant world over the disabilities of their tion from the "elder statesmen" of the missionary Austrian brethren. The Bureau also studied the enterprise.
status of the churches in Roumania, Poland, Today a crisis is felt in the foreign fields, in the Czechoslovakia, Jugoslavia, Greece, Spain, and churches and mission boards at home, and in the Russia. student world. Thinking Christians, familiar Since Christians in Russia continue to suffer with the present situation, realize that the need martyrdom, the possibility of sending a deputa- for Christ and His power was never greater than tion to Moscow to intercede for them was dis- at present, and the world is more than ever concussed and final decision was left with the execu- scious of the need for some superhuman power tives. Dr. Alfred Jorgenson, of Copenhagen, Den- to lead them out of the present social and spiritual mark, was reelected chairman of the Bureau and morass. Men are tempted to discouragement and Dr. Adolf Keller was unanimously reelected di- to abandon Christian idealism, seeking in its stead rector. the material things that this world offers. The less interest there is today in foreign missions Organic union is not necessary and may be un- the greater is the need for a spirit-filled Student wise but there is hope that some day Christians Volunteer Movement.
will still more generally unite on the beliefs and The coming convention may well have as obobjectives they have in common so that they may jectives: (1) To interest students more propresent a united front against all evil and may foundly in Christian life and in sacrificial service make their protests effective. Six hundred mil- where Christ is not known; (2) to express the lion professed followers of Christ should be able ideals and motives to which students will respond to do more for moral, social, economic and political when the claims of Christ on their lives are pre- reforms than they are doing today. sented; (3) to inspire Christians at home to sup-
port Evangelical work abroad more adequately; MISSIONARY EXHIBIT "A"
(4) to emphasize the spiritually dynamic forces At a recent meeting in Newark, New Jersey, a in missionary activity-in matters of guidance, of remarkable group of National leaders from many fruitfulness and growth; (5) to show the ability lands presented aspects of the present world sitand readiness of the coming generation to take uation from a Christian point of view. They were the leadership in the work of Christ with courage in themselves a remarkable exhibit and a convincand in His Name and Power. ing proof of the power of Christ and the world- wide influence of His Gospel to win the most out- The clear call today is for missionaries who are standing men and women of all races and nations true evangelists first of all-whatever other quali- to His standard. Dr. John R. Mott presided, himfications they may have. Christians at home who self a remarkable evidence of what Christ can do know Christ as Saviour and Lord will respond to in enlisting all a man's powers in the promotion the call to support qualified missionaries who go of the Kingdom of God throughout the world. out primarily to preach and to live Christ and to Among the Christian leaders from other lands train others for His service.
The Indianapolis Convention is calling together were Dr. S. K. Datta, a dark complexioned Indian over two thousand student delegates from the with a brilliant mind, the president of Forman United States and Canada-a much smaller num- Christian Coll~e, Lahore, and a leader in na- ber than have attended other conventions. A tional and church life in India; Dr. Cheng strong and comprehensive program has been Ching-yi, the General Secretary of the Church of planned with speakers of international reputation. Christ in China, former moderator of that church, These include national Christian leaders who are the vice-chairman of the International Mission- the fruits of mission work-Dr. Toyohiko Kag- ary Council, and a great force for cooperation awa, of Japan; Prof. Gonsalo Baez Camargo, of among all followers· of Christ throughout the Mexico; Dr. T. Z. Koo, of China; Mrs. Induk world; Professor Gonsalo Baez Camargo, Secre- Pak, of Korea, and President S. K. Datta, of tary of the National Council of the Evangelical India. The British and American leaders may be Churches of Mexico, a strong character and a bril- counted on for inspiring messages-Dr. Richard liant speaker; Mr. Etsuzo V. Yoshida, Treasurer Roberts, Moderator of the United Church of Can- of the National Christian Council of Japan and ada, and author of "That Strange Man Upon the one of the founders of the Omi Brotherhood in Cross," is a leading speaker; The Archbishop of Japan. Similar "exhibits" might have been pro- York (Dr. William Temple) will give a series of duced from South America, many parts of Africa, spiritual addresses; early American leaders of from Persia, Turkey, Syria, Burma, Malaya, the Movement-Dr. John R. Mott, Dr. Robert E. Korea and the Islands of the Pacific. The repre- Speer, Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, and possibly Dr. sentation was enlarged by the testimonies of Pro- Robert P. Wilder, one of the founders and former fessor Julius Richter, of Germany; Baroness van general secretary-are to be present and may be Boetzelaer van Dubbledam, of Holland; and counted on to speak with their usual force and Prebendary W. Wilson Cash, Secretary of the fire. Others of more recent fame will lead Church Missionary Society, who called himself a conferences-Dr. John A. Mackay, Prof. Basil "native Christian of the British Isles."
Mathews, Prof. K. S. Latourette, Prof. Henry P. The tenor of the testimonies of these Christian Van Dusen, and Dr. Daniel J. Fleming. witnesses included (1) the great need of their fel- Christians interested in world evangelism and low countrymen for Christ and all that He offers; the progress of the rule of Christ on earth are (2) the evidence of Christ's power in their own earnestly requested to unite in daily prayer for lives and in the lands from which they come; (3) this convention-its leaders, speakers and dele- the need for greater unity and closer cooperation gates-that Christ may be uplifted; that the real among all Christians; (4) the need for clearer conditions of the world and the needs of men may manifestation of the power and spirit of Christ in be vividly presented; that the responsibility of all who bear His name.
the Church and of each Christian may be brought If every church could hear such testimonies, home to all, that church members may realize the and see such convincing exhibits there would be claim of Christ on them and all that they have; no doubt as to the worth-whileness and future of that the power and program of God for the salva- Christian missions. If the program advocated by tion of mankind may be clearly presented so as to these men were truly carried out in all individual stir to adequate unity; that Christ's forces of missionaries and in Christians in the churches in every race, nation and name may fully cooperate all lands, there would dawn a new era of life and in the great work before us, and that the future we believe that a new advance of Christianity of the Student Volunteer Movement may be made would take place that would sweep all before it in clear as it is in the Will of God. the conquest of the world for Christ.
by Healing in
By T. A. LAMBIE, M.D., F.R.G.S.
-&f/, Field Director, Sudan Interior Mission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia T HERE is perhaps no country where a med- He believed them and wrote a letter to the Regent, ical diploma acts more efficiently as a pass- His Majesty Ras Tafari, which preceded us and port than in Ethiopia. It is little wonder helped us to get to the ear of Royalty! His Maj- that foreigners are suspected in that ancient land, esty begged us to build a hospital in Addis Ababa, for many who have come to her from the outside and in answer to much earnest prayer alone, for world with fair promises have remained to cheat no one was asked for a penny, one man gave and plunder. Somehow the Ethiopians classify $70,000 and others gave nearly as much more, missionary doctors differently. and the hospital was built to the glory of God. Thousands have been treated and cured. Thou- The eyes of the world are focussed upon sands have had the Gospel preached to them. The Ethiopia, not knowing what awaits her. Twenty- hospital is modern in every respect. two years ago it would have been considered pre- posterous to imagine that a Serajevo incident Mrs. Lambie and I were asked to go out and could plunge the civilized world into war, but establish work in Ethiopia under the Sudan In- it is a historical fact that the former incident took terior Mission in 1927. Although severing of old place and we know with what results; twenty ties, particularly with this hospital, was not easy, years afterward a comparatively minor incident yet God has wonderfully prospered thisinterna- in an almost unknown land carries a threat of a tional, interdenominational mission. Station after similar major catastrophe. The world is very sick station has been opened in these few years. A and needs a physician. large Leprosarium, under Dr. E. Ralph Hooper, Over sixteen years ago, after having spent of Toronto, has recently been built and is running twelve years in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan at at full capacity. A splendid medical work has Khartoum and at a remote and needy place on also been going on at Soddu, Wollamo, one of the the Sobat River, treating annually tens of thou- populous southern capitals, and Dr. Percy Rob- sands of cases, Mrs. Lambie and I received an erts, of Montreal, is building a hospital there. In invitation to Ethiopia to help in the "flu" epi- the north at Lalibella, the famous place scarcely demic. Ethiopia was then almost closed to mis- seen by a white man, where there are eleven sionary enterprise; in all the land there was only monolithic churches, centuries old and one of the one Protestant worker. Thus, medicine was once marvels of the world, here Dr. Harriet Skemp and again the spear point, or the camel's nose, or Miss L. Blair, R.N., have been developing work whatever you choose to call it. Thousands of and a hospital is being built.
Gallas and Amharas were treated in Western Were there enough doctors Ethiopia might be Ethiopia and had the Gospel preached to them. opened to the Gospel from end to end, for where Most of the population seemed to need syphilitic a doctor goes several other missionaries can go. injections. Pneumonia and typhus were rampant There is a tremendous disparity between the but the "flu" epidemic had passed off before we numbers of young medical students who volunteer arrived. for the mission field and those who actually get A small hospital was opened and a mission sta- there. There is a wastage of medical volunteers tion established. We found that the tree wor- in the lecture rooms and hospitals. Often it is shipping Gallas seemed to have a real hunger for materialism that gets the young medico, often it the Word of God and we decided to take the long is a young lady who doesn't want to go, often it's overland trip to Addis Ababa, the capital. En a spiritual breakdown from too much study and route we stopped at Gore and treated Ras Nado, too little prayer. If something could only be done who came in the middle of the night with an ex- to stop this wastage and to inspire our fellow cruciating earache. From this ear I extracted a doctors toself-sacrificingly give themselves for tiny, black wood-boring beetle, which his soldiers work on the foreign field, how wonderful it would solemnly assured him would, if not removed, have be. Missionaries and home workers need to be bored its way through his head and caused death! tremendously more in earnest than ever before.
[ 519 ]
If the number of Christian doctors on the foreign age really started. Many a one whom God wants field could be trebled, and their spirituality was to go to Canaan, or to Africa, on a pilgrimage for in proportion, something tremendous would result. Him, does not get beyond Haran because of some I have acquired Ethiopian nationality in order old Father "Wait:-a-bit," or some Mother "I-need- to further the spread of the Gospel, and my sym- you-at-home." Sodom proved too much of a temp- pathies are with His Majesty Haile Selassie and tation for Lot and he went to the plain. Abraham Ethiopia. There are some wrongs in Ethiopia, as went to the mountain-to Hebron. Oh the heart- there are in every land, but His Majesty, who I ache Lot caused even before he made his selfish feel is a real Christian, is seeking to right them, choice. Be careful pilgrim, of the ones you take and in the four years since his coronation has with you. Watch the separated life. Avoid the done wonders. worldly companions. They make poor travel part- ners; they are not real tent dwellers. They want Lessons from Tent Life in Ethiopia their Sodoms and their Gomorahs, their Zoars My wife and I have a great feeling of kinship and their beastly caves. They y:earn for the with Abraham. We cannot compare with him in world. They mind earthly things. The truly sepactual time spent in tents, but in distances trav- arated Abraham does not yearn for the plain, but eled we probably surpass even Abraham. Many for the Hebron mountaintop, for Hebron means, months and years have we spent living in tentsperhaps more than any other missionaries of mod- will "Communion with God." He found in Mamre a ern times and so we feel qualified to speak something of the lessons learned from tent life and "place of richness." The heavenly pilgrim can speak with some authority of the spiritual ever find it so. Lot's leftover became Hebron; implications of a pilgrim life in tents. richness in communion with God is the place to pitch your tent. 1. One of the chief lessons of the pilgrim life is that the pilgrim must be unencumbered. "Lay- 5. What is indispensable on this our pilgrim ing aside every weight and the sin which doth so way is to have an infallible Guide. The children easily beset us" (Heb. 12: 1). Extra weight keeps of Israel had no need of the eyes of a Hobab or the pilgrim back. Too many needless things are Raguel when they had the fiery pillar to lead them surely a trouble and a care and slow him up. "No on. How often on caravan have we lost our way, soldier encumbereth himself with the affairs of taken the wrong turning and had to retrace weary this life." Pilgrim, beware of encumbrances that steps. We become separated from our guide. slow you up. We thought we knew the way only to find our- 2. Hold your possessions lightly. There are a selves in "bye-path meadow" from which it is hundred travel accidents that may happen to spoil only a short distance to "Doubting Castle." We your belongings or cause the loss of them. No need to stick close to our Guide who has promised travel insurance policy can be written to insure to direct us. against white ants, mildew, and the many other hazards of tent life. One must learn to hold one's 6. Care of the tent. The tent is the pilgrim's possessions lightly, and even "take joyfully the home. It is a poor thing, perhaps; not like a spoiling of one's possessions." Don't grieve over castle, or even as good as a poorhouse, but still it them-your heavenly treasure is infinitely more is all he has to live in and it is much better than desirable. nothing. One must take care of it or it will rap- idly deteriorate and no longer keep out the sun 3. The importance of water. One learns never and the rain, the wind and the dust and when it to get far from water. Water is the life of the caravan, for even the desert camel cannot go very is gone it cannot be restored. So with these far from water. Water means life, not only for man, but also for beast, pasture as well as drink. bodies of ours-we must not neglect them. We "Wherever the river cometh there shall be life may be called to burn out for God in a quick and fierce flame like saintly Henry Martyn, but ordi- narily God wants us to live a long and useful life for Him. We should not wilfully neglect our bodies. .
. . ." (Ezk. 47: 9). In this pilgrim walk stay 7. My wife has suggested – food, and I reply close to the River of Living Water, to the water with a hearty "Yes." The life is hard. It does that Christ alone can give. take strength out of one. Almost frozen at night.
4. Companions. One of the most important in some lofty mountain pass or scorched at noon things is to decide whom to take with you. Abram in some fiery desert, when the very air seems to started out with two weak companions as a handi- reel-aching muscles from descending some mile cap-Terah and Lot. He could get Father Terah high canyon, that would almost puzzle a wild goat, ("wait-a-bit") to Haran, but not beyond. Old one does need good food to keep up, month after Father "Wait-a-bit" had to die before the pilgrim- month, year after year. Pilgrim, be careful of
CONQUEST BY HEALING IN ETHIOPIA
your food. If your only food is the Home Journal ETHIOPIA, THE LAND AND PEOPLE and things of that kind, you will never get very In "The Chronicles of Ethiopia," the descent of far. If you never read a sermon, or the biography the original inhabitants is traced from Noah of some Brainerd, or Carey or Livingstone, or the through Cush, the son of Ham. "Aithiops (son letters of a MacCheyne, or a Rutherford, how can of Cush) begat Aksumawi," who is reputed to you have an appetite for heavenly food. If your have founded the Holy City of Aksum, the former Bible reading is neglected, so that you read the capital which the Italian army has recently capdaily newspaper far more than God's Holy Word, tured. how can you be strengthened in your pilgrim life Modern Ethiopia (formerly known as Abysfor Him. We need to be fed with food "conven- sinia) is called "the Hermit Empire," or the ient for us." Once when we were traveling on a "Switzerland of Africa." It is the last independlong journey in Africa, we got tired of our dry ent empire in the Dark Continent and is mostly a food and when we saw some men carrying beau- high plateau from which rise many mountains. tiful fresh fish, we shouted for joy. We bought Its area is about 350,000 square miles and its popand ate them, to find out later to our sorrow that ulation is estimated at between 10 and 12 million they made us very ill and until we recovered we people–for the most part very primitive. Politwere not able to travel. Much of what we read ically the country is divided into four great provtoday is like poisoned fish; we eat it and our inces-Shoa, Tigre, Amhara and Gojam-with jo.urney is halted, sometimes ended. .other lesser provinces under various chiefs. Heile 8. Endurance. Patient in well-doing. When Selassie (Ras Tafari Makonnen) proclaimed him- we rush about on aeroplanes and racing cars, self Emperor (King of Kings of Ethiopia) on the streamlined trains and ocean greyhounds, there death of Empress Zanditu (Judith) in 1930. He is not so much need of a patient endurance. It is is reported to be an enlightened Christian em- different on a mule or a camel, or on foot. The peror seeking the good of his people.
miles stretch out endlessly and a journey of a few The inhabitants are divided into numerous hundred miles seems endless. In five minutes in tribes, speaking some seventy languages and dia- an aeroplane I traveled recently in Africa as much lects. The state Ethiopian Church is similar to as in one day by muleback. The way seems long the Coptic Church of Egypt. The prevailing but it will not be so in retrospect. Only one life, speech is Amharic, with 251 characters. Their "'twill soon be past, only what's done for God will sacred scriptures are written in Ethiopic or Geez, last." "Be thou faithful unto death and I will a dead language, pronounced by priests but not give thee a crown of Life." understood. Many of the people of Ethiopia are 9. Early rising. Get up and meet with your Moslems and multitudes are pagans-ignorant Lord and then you will have strength to do the and superstitious. day's work, to reach the camping place, to the journey~s end, to the desired haven. Don't put it Among the Evangelical missions in Ethiopia off. Don't be a sluggard and lie abed. are the United Presbyterians who have twenty- three missionaries, located in three stations; 10. Many other lessons have been taught us but the Sudan Interior Mission with twelve stations, and about 75 missionaries; the Seventh Day Ad- I mention one more: to have an objective is the ventists who occupy three stations, the Swedish most important of all lessons. To be going some- Evangelical Mission with 18 missionaries, and where. Our lives are planned, but the sad thing the British and Foreign Bible Society. A Danish is that so many Christians never get into the Di- Mission is ready to send three workers as soon as vine plan. Many never get on the pilgrim way conditions permit. Most of the missionaries have designed for them, that will lead them to the goal elected to remain in Ethiopia to help the people he had designed, on the path that His feet have in this time of trouble. From an Evangelical trodden. Let us remember Him, who in the days Christian standpoint missionary work has touched of His flesh was a pilgrim, who had neither nest, only a small number of the people. The oppornor foxes' hole, nor even a tent, and who occupied tunity is great for the Emperor has given the a borrowed grave in His death. missionaries a hearty welcome and the people are Follow this Guide, this Pilgrim, this Wayfaring ready to listen.
Man, this Saviour. He will lead us on a road un- The Italian subjection of Ethiopia would mean like any other, and one that will be different from that the last independent African State will never that trod by any other pilgrim in its details, but have the opportunity to develop along African one which His feet trod before. Follow even lines. The winning of Ethiopia to Christ, and the though it lead to some dark Gethsemane, without development of the people on enlightened Chris- the gate to some Africa or China, or to some Cal- tian lines, will mean national progress of the best vary Hill. "Follow thou Me," said our Saviour type and will promote peace and goodwill in and Lord. Africa and in the world.
in the New India*
By the REV. RICHARD BURGES, England General Secretary, India Sunday School Union, 1896·1921 "THE most amazing characteristic of man- cent years turmoil and agitation have swept over kind remains today what it always was; the 350 millions of India's people. Has the man's inability to recognize the expected." chariot of God stood still in these years of unrest?
India supplies an illustration of this truth spoken Far from it! The government census for the by Lord Eustace P'ercy. For generations the decade ending 1931 shows that every day, during British encouraged the use of the English lan- those ten years, four hundred were added to the guage, lauded the free institutions of the West, Christian community, even though missionary fostered the growth of democracy and adminis- ranks were sadly depleted. Statistics do not mean tered regular doses of John Stuart Mill. In the everything but they show that the Kingdom of fly-leaf of "Liberty" by Mill the following quota- God is firmly established in India and they indi- tion was printed: "The grand leading principle, cate great possibilities for the future. The spir- towards which every argument unfolded in these itual power of the Christian Church, in the fu- pages directly converges, is the absolute and es- ture, as in the past, lies in the willingness of the sential importance of human development in its Church to cooperate with her Lord in the redemp- richest diversity." Wonder of wonders; the tion of the world and thus establish the lordship Mother of Parliaments suddenly woke up to the of Jesus Christ over every department of human fact that India was adolescent, and desired at life. Mathematics cannot supply a yardstick with least a prospect of wholesome independence. which to measure spiritual influences.
Each milestone on the high road of British In- Many facts could be rehearsed. Let one only dian history tells of advance towards responsible suffice. Away on the northeastern mountains of self-government. Progress has been slow but India are the North Lushai Hills, once inhabited sure. The Simon Commission, the Round Table by head-hunting aboriginals. In the year 1897 Conferences, the cooperation of the Indian the first missionary arrived. The seed grew Princes, and the desire of the British public for a slowly and secretly and at the end of a decade, "fair deal," all reach a climax in the new Govern- there was one church with 32 members. The ment of India Bill. While not underestimating Christian community now embraces nearly 61,000 the importance of other aspects, we will consider members or about two-thirds of the whole pop- the distinctly Christian point of view. Will this, ulation. The Presbyterian Church of Wales, re- the most momentous venture of Parliament, in sponsible for this great work, can verify these our day, help or hinder Christian progress? statements. Incredible, romantic; but true!
The Romans were good colonizers, built roads There is a saying among the Chinese that and endeavored to be tolerant. They tried to though no one knows how the mustard seed was balance the scales of justice, but the Jews never brought to China, yet today the mustard trees had a good word for them. They wailed and wept could not be rooted out of the land. The Seed of for freedom. Britain has given India roads, law the Kingdom of God was carried to India in ob- courts, colleges, schools, hospitals, irrigation proj- scure ways but the tree that has grown therefrom ects, etc., but India wants to be free. The British can never be rooted out. Principalities and pow- have sown the seeds of freedom. What is more ers will never, never be able to prevail against it.
reasonable than that India should desire to man- All that the churches have done through their age her own home? missionaries is but preliminary. Indian Chris- The living seed of the Gospel, planted by Chris- tians cling to them as their best friends, and they.
tian missionaries, has produced a great tree. are trusted by every thoughtful section of society.
About two per cent of the Indian population are One effect of Christianity is to enrich and de- now connected with the Christian Church. In re- velop personality and this new life has made • The writer was present in the House of Commons on July 30th sInenddiat hree·sltrlemsso.st Tcohme pcehtuerncthmesenofanthdewWomesetn must during the last debate on this "Government of India 1935" bill. mistReonyslavl eapssreenptarbatriionngsfotor aanneewffeccotinvsetitcultoisoen nfoear rlIyndeiaig. ht years of in- sl·onaries to the East. The BI·shop of Manchester, [522 ] at the International Missionary Council at J eru- instrument which will, in due time, secure their salem, said: "We do not go to non-Christian na- emancipation. Child marriage, infant and ma- tions because they are the worst or alone in need, ternal mortality, education of girls and respect but because they are part of the world and share for woman's dignity and personality, and kindred with us the same human need." The Indian subjects, will be sure to receive effective attention.
Church needs and desires assistance in producing Christians will continue to lead the van in these Christ-like citizens. This is the hour for con- matters.
solidating our position and for advance, not re- In the years ahead, the centre of Christian work treat. in India will be the indigenous Church and I be- Many Indians, non-Christians as well as Chris- lieve that at no distant date money disbursed by tians, seeking suitable education for sons and missionary societies outside India will be used to daughters, instinctively favor the Christian insti- build up the Indian Church, under Indian admin- tutions because of their high character and help- istration.
ful atmosphere. Whatever changes the Reforms The Rev. J. I. Hasler, B.A., many years in the may impose on education in India I believe that service of the Baptist Missionary Society, says: this disposition will remain. The Christian col- "During recent years the policy of foreign mis- leges, hospitals, schools, farms, workshops, wel- sions has become what is known as 'Church-Cen- fare centres and orphanages, seek to win people tric' and that devolution of responsibility, power to Christ but do not wish to secure converts by and work to the Indian Church, is encouraged."
unfair or "camouflaged" methods. The doctor, Signs are not wanting that a united Church in the nurse, the teacher, all seek to express their India is developing. Christianity need no longer love to their Lord, by using their professional be under suspicion that it is the religion of the services and personal influence to help their fel- "White Man," the "Foreigner," the "Sahib" or low men. Conversion by coercion, from one faith the "Government." No more need the Indian to another, is condemned by Christians and non- Church be confused with the traditions of the Christians alike. Church in the West. She will be the Church of The Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, Met- Christ in India. She will be free to adopt Indian ropolitan Bishop of India, writing me as recently architecture, music, ritual. She will be free to as July 23, 1935, said: face and reform her world under the guidance When there was a peace conference in Dehli in 1923 and power of the Holy Spirit. She will be free when the Hindu and Muhammadan conflict was severe, I to make her own spiritual contribution to the was asked to take part in it and was the only Christian Church universal. "The Church," says Henry with some twelve Hindus and Muhammadans in the com- Barclay Swete, D.D., "alone among human somittee of that conference which framed resolutions. One cieties, has a Head in heaveri, and this is linked of those was to the effect that people were at liberty to to the eternal and infinite." By faith we can hear seek by fair persuasion to change the faith of others but not by material inducements. That expresses the general the march of the on-coming millions! feeling among educated people. Gandhi, I believe, has It is hardly possible to exaggerate the imporobjeeted to proselytism but I think that it is the proselytism by material inducements to which he objects. I am sure tance of the village in Indian life. The policeman that he would admit that everyone has the right to his can stop and direct vehicles, but he cannot stop beliefs and to change his mind. and direct ideas. Men and children, in increasing The Release of Power numbers, will see the pictures and hear the wire- less talks after their toil in the fields; women Under the Reforms there will be the release of from secluded places will also hear and see.
an Everest and a Niagara of personality. Slowly Motor transport is linking these villages. The the value of the electoral vote will be understood. cumulative effect on the peasant folk is enormous.
Then the power will be felt of 35 million persons Eighty-nine per cent of India's 350 million peo- at the polls. Fourteen per cent of the British ple live in villages, and four out of every five of Indian population will have the legal right to vote the Indian Christians live in villages. Beyond for their own representatives on the governing question the future of India will largely depend bodies. As a general rule the qualification for on village uplift.
the franchise will be payment of local taxes or Educationally the position of Christians is con- land revenue. The proportion of women to men spicuously high. The Christian community re- voters is 1 to 5. Six seats will be reserved for cently claimed 1570 of the total number of col- women in the Upper Federal Chamber. "A per- lege graduates, while the same community only son shall not be disqualified by sex from being ap- embraced 2% of the population. Numerically pointed to any civil post in India, other than such Christians are included among the so-called mi- posts as may be specified by general or special norities. If the seats for Indian Christians in the order." This puts into the hands of women an Legislatures are not in proportion to their num-
bers, trouble may be expected. The complaint is surprised if in this vital realm there is a tightening of also made that the fundamental rights of citizens official control. Christian institutions that depend in any in the free and full exercise of their religious be- measure on Government grants will doubtless be called liefs, and that the fundamental rights of minori- upon to accept conditions hard to be borne; a reduction ties, have not been defined in the new constitution. in grants is likely and an extended application of the It is alleged that some Indians mean to work the Conscience Clause inevitable. To maintain their freedom constitution, and then use their powers to turn and impart the education they regard as essential, it may the foreigners out, to stop grants to Christian be necessary for Christian institutions to forego Governinstitutions, and to try to smash the new con- ment grants, and even establish their own university. stitution. . . . But even here there is ground for confidence. Un- less we are greatly mistaken, the conv~ctiim is deep rooted The allocation of special seats for Christians in in the Indian mind that Christian colleges and schools the Legislatures may tend to create a new caste. have brought something of incalculable value to the cause Unimpeachable integrity is ft sounder qualifica- of education, and we believe that all who seek the highest tion in a candidate than mere nominal connection good of the nation will not readily let that influence with the Christian community. An experienced weaken. Baptist Missionary, the Rev. F. W. Jarry, M.A., says: Federated India, when it becomes a reality, will consist of H. M. The King, represented by the Some of the leaders of the Christian community have Governor General, and two Chambers styled the intimated that it is not their wish to take advantage of Council of State and the House of Assembly. In the Communal representation offered on the Councils; but the former there will be· about 150 members, have expressed their readiness to stand for election as elected by their constituencies, plus about 100 apcitizens of India, and not as representing the Christian pointed by the Rulers of States; in the House of community; and their statement made quite an impres- Assembly there will be about 250 elected and sion on some of the leading Hindus. about 125 appointed members. In debates and voting the truth will soon emerge that members The Joint Committee Report on Fundamental will not have reached their seats by the same Rights* shows the grave danger of trying to de- routes. Each elected member would have to think fine a thing which almost defies definition. It was of his constituency, while each appointed member found impracticable to draft a statement. The would have to think of his Ruling Chief. Rev. W. Paton, M.A., Secretary of the International Missionary Council, who has given the sub- Visualize the scene! With all the goodwill in ject close study, says: the world, the situation cannot fail to be delicate. What result may be expected? Democracy will The indisposition of Government to make statutory pro- grow like a palm tree. The great Rajahs will lead vision for the rights (}f minorities is simply due to the the way in the establishment of Limited Mondifficulty of putting anything into the form of a statute archies and Parliamentary Institutions. Then which is sufficiently explicit to be useful, and not danger- existing treaties will be absorbed, by agreement, ously static and formal. The Instrument of Instructions in a higher synthesis. All this may materialize given by the Secretary of State to each Viceroy and each sooner than now seems possible. Governor will lay upon them in the most explicit possible way the care of minorities, and personally I am convinced Dr. S. K. Datta, in the Legislature Assembly, that this is adequate. "held up the Indian Christian Church and its in- ternal self-government as the most real piece of I would as soon trust an able and just Governor as I democracy in India." In this spiritual sense the would a High Court interpreting a fixed Statute, or a Christian Church points to the key of progress, special Minorities Committee. and the Church can supply the amalgam with which to fuse the whole of India into a united Will there by any disposition, under the Re- Empire. forms, to take all educational work out of the hands of Christian missionaries, and to remove After many years as a missionary in India, I the subject of religion from the syllabus of all watched the sun setting as I leaned over the bulcolleges and schools? warks of my ship as I took my last look at my beloved India. Mingled memories and hopes held The Rev. J. Z. Hodge, who has recent informa- me captive. In the distance I saw a great cross tion and wide knowledge, says in his article in the on a Church silhouetted against the sky. I was National Christian Council Review (June, 1934, satisfied. The Cross is "lifted up." That is suffipage 281) : cient! I have no fear about the future of India!
That some inhibition on the free play of Christian ac- Grant, 0 Lord, that we who live in such glorious times tivity will be imposed is, we think, certain. Education, may be saved from pettiness and self-seeking, may be for instance . . . is something that bears directly on the filled with a gallant and undaunted spirit, and may be growth and well-being of the State and we need not be diffusers of light, invigorating all we meet, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. • Paragraph 366, page 215
Harvest in Hyderabad, Deccan*
By the REV. CHARLES W. POSNETT, Medak Missionary of the Methodist Church of England GOD has been wonderfully answering our Christ as Master, whatever befalls. So we put prayers in Hyderabad, When I first ar- these people off for six months. rived there forty years ago the ground When they returned home, they had to go seemed hard as iron. For several years we visited through the furnace. Their land was stolen; their the village markets, treating the sick and preach- water supply cut off; they were dragged to the ing the Gospel. Then, one day, an old man called courts on false charges. There was one continued, me to his house, and said, "Padre Sahib, we in ceaseless effort to make them recant and cry out this house want to worship your God. Yours is for peace at any cost. The devil seemed to have the only religion that cares for the untouchables. entered into the hearts of their enemies, who were When your lady doctor was trying to save my determined to stop the rising tide. Yet it was of dying boy, the people looked on and said, 'She no avail.
must be a scavenger in her own country.' She North of the Godavery River, when I first vis- was the first who ever cared for us untouchables, ited these people they boycotted us i~ every vil- and so we want to learn about your J esu Swami." lage. We could see no one, speak to no one, and From that home, the Gospel spread to a thou- we could not even buy food. Wherever we went, sand other homes, and today, in that area alone, the villagers fled, as if we carried the plague. The tens of thousands of untouchables, have been bap- great landowning chief of the district had ordered tized after they have been thoroughly taught to this boycott, for he feared that if Christianity know Christ and His way of life. entered his villages the day of forced labor, by An old missionary of another church said to me, which he had grown rich, would pass away. Yet, "If we had gone on your plan and done the job as within two years, that very man sent runners a thoroughly we too should have a great harvest hundred and fifty miles, begging me to come to him. He had been ill, and when he had been given today." up as dead by the native doctors our young travel- For years we have rejoiced over this harvest. ing doctor had come and saved his life. When I Now, must we weep over it because of lack of reached the great Godavery River, he was waiting workers and support? in the midst of all his people; and there, on the river banks, we knelt in prayer. The boycott was For twenty-five years this harvest was entirely over, and today we have in that area thousands of amongst untouchables; but gradually the young strong Christians of all castes-and, best of all, people who have been through Christian schools the Bible is beginning to be read in the homes of have gone back to their villages, by their lives and our people. character have compelled the respect of those caste people who had always trodden them under- The Rev. E. L. Ananto Rao, a splendid Indian foot as slaves. minister (who came to England as representative for the Methodist Union meeting), is the moving One day a deputation of caste people came to spirit amidst this wonderful harvest. Each week me to ask for a young teacher. They said, "We his letters tell of more villages asking for the know he is an untouchable, but he is pure as gold, light. Are we to close the Bible to them? What and he has become our friend; we want him to answer will we give? come to teach us." Last December I attended his harvest thanks- This was only the beginning. That year, six giving when about two thousand people from all hundred caste Hindus from all over the country over the countryside came, bringing their offercame to Medak, and for three days they listened ings. All along the country roads there were and asked questions. Before they left they asked groups of people, the children and old women in for baptism, but our watchword in Hyderabad has bullock carts, and the village drummers going on always been "Thorough." We will baptize no one before. The young men had gone ahead to prepare unless we are sure he is prepared to stick to • From The Methodist Reco,'der, England, for the night meeting. They had put up a thou- [525 ]
sand lights, made of little burning cotton wicks, is not a penny for new evangelists, and that even lying in earthen saucers full of oil. These were those we have, living on one pound a month, must stuck on sticks, with a lump of clay, and they lit lose nearly two months salary in the year. up the whole place. As it grew dark the villages Is it possible that this great day of opport~nity for miles around could see the great Christian for which we have prayed so long, over which we "jatra." All night people were marching in with have rejoiced so much together, must now be al- their drums and their thank-offerings. The col- lowed to pass away, and that the golden harvest lection lasted about eight hours, for every man must be left to rot upon the ground?
and woman wanted to be prayed for and blessed.
Ananta Rao had told me that there was to be a great Communion service in the early morning; he wanted both caste and outcaste to come togeth- er to the Lord's Table. They have no church, and I feared they might be very tired, dirty and dis- orderly, for most of them had been up almost all night after a long tramp in the dust. Imagine my surprise when I arrived, to find two hundred and fifty men and women, mostly young people, evidently having risen before dawn to bathe and put on the clean clothing which they had brought all the way from their homes. The caste and out- caste were all mixed together, sitting on the ground, in quiet and perfect order. I think it was the most wonderful and inspiring Communion servic~ that I have ever seen.
To crown all, a whole family of high-caste Hin- dus came up for baptism, led by the eldest son, a village chief. Nine years ago he had come to say that he had been reading the Bible with one of our untouchable Christian boys, and he had heard the Master calling him. Even as this boy spoke to me, a great crowd of his relatives came to take him back home by force. For two days they stayed, trying in every way to get hold of him, and pleading with him to come back and give up his madness. At last, his mother and his family banged their heads on the ground in despair and began to chant a funeral song: "My son is dead, my son is dead." Nine years had passed since then; and now, that very family were standing there, all in white and looking so happy, all well prepared for baptism by their own son.
Such is the harvest waiting now for the reap- A PETITION FROM THE VILLkGE OF MAMDE ing. Is it to rot upon the fields? Translation-We poor villagers have heard of Jesu Just before leaving India a few months ago, I Swami the true God and we do not want to worship wood- en and stone idols any more. We have been bringing went to meet three hundred caste people in an- cattle and sheep to the Cholera goddess for hundreds of other village. They were all asking for teachers. years, but she has never done us any good. We have Half the night I sat with them, listening to them, sacrificed to all the gods but they have never helped us. as they tried to tell the story of Jesus and to sing Now our relatives have become men of Jesus and they are a few lyrics in order to show me that they were very happy, and their children are learning to read the really in earnest. One after another they started, Holy Jesus Book, but we have no Book and our eyes are and in a few moments they broke down, and blind because we cannot read. We. want to worship the stretching out their hands, they said pitifully, golden feet of Jesu Swami but there is no one here to "How can we learn, we have no one to teach us teach us. Can we never have the Holy Jesus Book for our children to read to us? Must we always be blind?
the Holy Book?" Please send us a teacher with the Golden Book. What was I to say to them? Shall we sound a Elders of Mamde- Bommerai Abe Bhoy, retreat? Weare told that seven of our mission- aries must come home from Hyderabad, that there Pichirai Poshe.
Crucial Issue in Latin
A Meditation on the Present Missionary Situation By REV. JOHN A. MACKAY, Ph.D.
-4f Secretary Presbyterian Board o~ Foreign Missions, Author of . – "The Other Spanish Christ" and "That Other America"
T HE issue that confronts Christian, mission ural and inevitable expressions of the Spirit of work in Latin America is the same that con- Christ-the ceaseless urge to do good to every- fronts it around the world. To what extent one and to do all things well as Jesus did. But is there emerging in Latin American countries, the missionary's chief concern will be not to do on pampa and sierra, in teeming cities and forest good but to create doers of good, in whom the wilds, a community of men and women, who hav- same Spirit that inspires himself shall be regnant. ing given themselves utterly to Jesus Christ, have For unless these are formed, the outpouring of become members of His Body, organ for His life, the lavish expenditure of gifts, the idealistic ceaseless activity? How far is the Christian orientation of thought, will become one day but Church being born-that special community whos·e a memory. function it is to bear witness to God in the world and fulfil His redemptive purpose for the world? It is the emergence of an indigenous Christian The only absolute criterion of the success of community that is the goal of the missionary's Christian missions is the birth and development aspiring. Such a community, if it is true to the of that kind of living fellowship. idea that lies at the heart of it, will be a witness- ing fellowship as the early Christian community With Latin America specifically in mind, let us was. Not lovers and admirers of Jesus, or even consider three reasons in support of the position isolated believers in the Christ, is the missionthat the crucial question in mission work in that ary's goal. His goal is a community, "a fellowarea, as in other areas, is the question of the ship of the Spirit," a community of people, that Church. is to say, who have been recreated by God's Spirit and welded into a fellowship. It is not the hold- 1. Because the birth and nurture of an indige- ing of services that will bind them together, nor nous church is the supreme objective of Christian loyalty to denominational forms. They will be missions. Missionaries do not go to any country modern sons and daughters of Pentecost, which primarily as the bearers of a Christian civiliza- as one has put it, "created a community of sacred tion, even if there were, which there is not, a kind love which frees humanity from all limitations of of civilization which merited that name. The naturalegotism." The new sense of togetherness function of the Christian Church, here or any- which they have experienced in Christ will make where, is not to create a new civilization but the them natural successors of those early Christians creators of a new civilization. Missionaries leave who went to the utmost limits in the sharing of their own country and civilization, in order to spiritual gifts and material possessions. The reproduce, wherever they go, the community of kind of community which is the goal of missionfaith to which they belong, not in any merely ary effort will live a life in which theory and denominational or sectarian sense, but conform- practice as closely coincide as they do in the most ing the new community, as nearly as possible, to rigorous of communistic thinkers. Alas that God's ideal for the corporate life of new men and such a community is so little in evidence in North women in Christ. America or in Latin America! Yet it, and it alone, must be the goal of missionary efforts both' Needless to say, Christian missionaries will here and there. communicate the best and truest things they know and give of the best things they have to the people This fellowship will bea witnessing fellowship. among whom they labor, as they will also combat, It will bear witness to God. It will do so as one by all legitimate means,every form of evil among has put it, by manifesting a gift of "perpetual them. Schools of different kinds will thus appear parentage." That is to say, the community will and hospitals, and other institutions for the pro- not exist for itself. It will live for truth, beauty motion of public welfare. These are all the nat- [527 ]
and goodness in their manifold forms. But above plying that to become so is the highest of all goals, all things it will bear witness to the Word of they should do so by learning of Christ at the God, to the reality of a Divine aggression in his- pristine source of Christian knowledge in the tory, in the person of Jesus Christ, to the reality Gospels.
of the Word Incarnate, and to the equal reality Another element in the new mood of Latin of Holy Scripture as the medium in which we America that can be regarded as a true prepara- can hear unerringly the voice of God. tion for an appreciation of Christianity, is the It is perfectly obvious that just as a Christian renunciation on the part of many choice spirits, mission, though incidentally a civilizing agency, of that spiritual traditional indifference which cannot undertake the task of civilizing a country, has been so universal, especially among the culso a Christian community in a country cannot tured class throughout the continent. Many assume responsibility for all that country's needs. younger intellectuals in Latin America decry the Its chief function will ever be, as a model human traditional philosophy of life which kept those fellowship, to bear witness to the Gospel that who laid claim to culture everlastingly upon the spectators' balcony. They are now descending there is good news from God to man. from their marble towers of contemplation and A Widespread Yearning for Reality sensuous enjoyment of life to take their place as crusaders upon the road. Inasmuch as it is im- 2. Because the new mood in Latin America possible for anyone to understand Christianity demands what only the Christian Church can sup- who does not put to himself the question, "What ply. There are times in the life of a country, or shall I do?" there stands before the Christian of a group of countries, in which there comes into forces today in Latin America, an unprecedented evidence a deep and widespread yearning for opportunity to unveil the meaning of the great Christian reality. That mood is operative today spiritual crusade which began with God, which in the deepest soul of Latin Americans. There is, is being carried on by God, and to enlistment in to begin with, a growing consciousness in many which God challenges men and women in our outstanding minds that the true future, their own time. Many have become used, for the first time, and their country's, is in some way bound up with to making irrevocable commitment of loyalty to Jesus Christ. Despite the fact that the historic a cause, who formerly regarded with disdain and religion of Latin America has been guilty to a as mere "sectarians" any who linked their lives to large extent of a grave betrayal of Jesus Christ, a single idea or any single loyalty. They are yet that name, through the instrumentality of the ready, therefore, to appreciate the meaning of Roman Catholic Church throughout the continent, . the Christian cause, the Christian crusade. They has been written into the continental conscious- will not be satisfied with anything. that rests in ness. So much so is this true that one ventures mere forms or ideas and that fails to have a to say that there is an increasing longing for a great passion, a great drive, at the heart of ittrue undertanding of Christ throughout the con- such a passion and such a drive as lie at the heart tinent. The same we believe will be true of Latin of true Christianity, as that ought to be expressed America that was true in the case of St. Augus- by a genuine Christian community. tine. Having learned about Christ from his mother, no system of thought, nor way of living, The Breaking Down of Individualism ever satisfied him through all the long years of his spiritual pilgrimage that had not Christ in it. And then there is the new craving for com- These memorable words of his in his Confessions radeship that is breaking down the old individ- may be read as true of some of the most represent- ualism of the Iberian soul. A young Spanish ative men and women in Latin America today, writer has recently taken to task the great think- "For this name, according to Thy mercy, 0 Lord, ers of his country, Miguel Unamuno and Ortega this name of my Saviour, Thy Son, had my tender Gasset, because they have been too individualistic heart, even with my mother's milk, devoutly in their thinking and have not sufficiently stressed drunk in as deeply precious; and whatsoever was the conception of collectivity. The younger gen- without that name, though ever so learned, pol- eration, he said, is interested in corporate living.
ished or true, took not entire hold of me." It is What an oppor-tunity for the Evangelical Church for this reason that the Argentine, Ricardo Rojas, in Latin America to unveil to the eager thought says, in his "Invisible Christ," that he believes of new Iberians and Indo-Americans the concep- that the destiny of his beloved Argentina is bound tion of corporate living that is at the heart of up indissolubly with Jesus Christ; and that the Christianity, to show how the Church, and the ex-President of Mexico, Portes Gil, affirms that Church alone, is in possession of the key to the if Mexican children are to become Christian, im- meaning of life, and alone is able to produce that
THE CRUCIAL ISSUE IN LATIN AMERICA
type of character which makes true social togeth- the undertaking, yet this is hardly so. With a erness possible! more careful study of the mental attitude of the 3. Because only the Christian Church can suc- cultured natives, and a more thorough grasp of cessfully resist the new "demonic" forces that are the significance of the Message and the methods making their appearance in Latin America and employed, the missionary should find ways of elsewhere in our time. The liberal era is rapidly reaching every class and every individual with the coming to an end, that spirit which took up an Gospel. But the preaching of the Gospel has been attitude of appreciation or tolerance towards confused with the formal exercise of Christian potent spiritual realities. But in our day new worship. It has seemed necessary to the missionand terrible forces are making their appearance. ary to have public prayer, hymn singing, and Christianity is no longer being admired or treated Bible reading as essential accompaniments of each with patronizing or disdainful airs. It is being presentation of his Gospel message. Now, to the ruthlessly challenged and combated by forces native, to stand up with the congregation and to which are demonic in their nature, inasmuch as . join in singing a hymn, or to unite in public they are to all intents and purposes new religions prayer, is identified with a strange worship.
that usurp the place of God on the modern stage. The greatest hindrance of all, perhaps, lies in Fascism in its various determinations is the most the method almost invariably adopted in starting potent "religion" in the world arena today. It a mission in new places. The first step is to find assails Christianity and tries to eradicate it, or a hall and furnish it with seats, an organ, and a it endeavors to subordinate it to its own pur- platform. But this hall with its meeting-furni- poses. The State is the new god. Stateolatry ture becomes a real obstacle between the mission- is the great religion of our time. Ours is there- ary and the community. The native who thinks fore a period when one of the chief, if not the he is going to get some material advantage-edu- chief task of Christianity, is to offer a spiritual cational facilities, economic protection, easy em- center of resistance to this new deity. This it ployment, etc., may break through the obstruc- must do uncompromisingly in the lists or in the tion; but the average high-minded native, the catacombs. It is abundantly evident that no dif- man – and still more the woman – who would used Christian influence has the slightest chance make the most desirable convert, will not.
of surviving the terrific onslaught of the crusad- The foreign character of the missionary &nd his ers of this new god. They only have a chance of methods has become so associated with the work surviving who are a "fellowship of the Spirit" of the Gospel that thoughtful Peruvians who are and who, knit together in a common experience thoroughly in sympathy with the spirit and purand pledged to a common loyalty, will not bow poses of the Protestant missionary, feel themthe knee to this new Baal but will bear testimony selves inhibited from any identification with the to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ movement. Any participation in it seems to be and to His purpose for mankind. Think of Ger- treason against the traditions of their race. The many, think of Turkey, think of Mexico. In Peruvian finds it difficult to conceive of an edu- Turkey, alas, there is no Christian Church today cated native choosing to become a Protestant, alas the fruit of Christian missions. The great though it seems natural to think of the educated battleground of Christianity in our time is in the foreigner as being in place in the Evangelical parishes of the Third Reich. Mexico some months Church. If this difficulty is to be overcome, a ago, was in the throes of a campaign to eradicate larger percentage of the foreign missionaries Christianity and all religion from the conscious- must enter much more fully into the intellectual ness of the people. Only a living Church can stand in such a time. life of the native community. They must familiar- ize themselves not only with the language, but For all these reasons there comes a call to mis- also with the history, the problems, the aspirasionary societies at work in Latin America, to. tions, and the fears and prejudices of the people take earnest cognizance of the extent to which, through their efforts, living Christian communi- among whom they labor. And the missionary ties have been formed, which bear witness to God. must be prepared to alter his emphasis in the presentation of the Gospel so that while no less loyal to the teachings of our Lord, he may suc- . cessfully interpret these teachings so that they OVERCOMING HINDRANCES IN PERU shall appeal to the highest aspirations and the One of the greatest hindrances to the progress deepest feelings of the people to whom he has of the Gospel in Peru is the foreign element in the been sent.-From "The West Coast Republics of missionary and in his methods. At first sight South America," edited by Webster E. Browning, this might seem inseparable from the nature of John Ritchie, Kenneth G. Grubb; pages 91-92.
Bagby a Pioneer in
By INABELLE GRAVES COLEMAN, Richmond, Virginia Publici'ly Secretary, FOI'eign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention "THE most marvelous thing I have seen dur- and sugar cane. During the past half-century ing this half century in Brazil was the there has been a five thousand per cent increase bloodless revolution-the fall of a great em- in Southern Baptists' harvest crop for the Mas- ter in Brazil. pire and the setting up of the Republic without bloodshed," said Dr. William B. Bagby, the senior Fifty-five years ago Dr. William B. Bagby and eighty-year-old missionary of the Southern Bap- his bride, Anne Luther Bagby, were appointed as tist Convention. Many radical reforms-such as pioneer missionaries to South America. Sailing from Baltimore, they spent forty-nine seasick days on the small, storm-tossed barque, before they came to anchor in Rio de Janeiro bay.
Unwelcomed and almost unnoticed, they slipped into this vast country, studied the Portuguese lan- guage and proceeded to the strategic city of Ba- hia, formerly the empire's political capital and still the nation's religious capital. The next two years were checkered with danger and persecu- tion, problems and suffering, all heroically borne.
Dr. Bagby bears a scar on his forehead today as a witness to one experience in Bahia. In a small rented hall while he was telling the Gospel story to a few souls who had dared to attend the service, a stone was thrown through the window and struck the young missionary on the fbrehead. He dropped to the floor and blood streamed down his face. Calmly his youthful life-partner minis- tered to him and silently witnessed for Christ in that tragic hour. Even the Catholics were im- pressed by the courageous way in which this brave young couple presented Christ as the living, con- quering Saviour to hungry-hearted people.
Other missionaries came and the first Baptist church was organized in Brazil. Then like Paul, always lengthening the cords, Dr. Bagby turned his face to a new field, the great capital city of Rio de Janiero. In August, 1934, the fiftieth an- DR. WILLIAM B. BAGBY-TODAY niversary of the organization of the First Baptist church in Rio was celebrated. With radiant joy these veteran missionaries reviewed the years during which the nine Baptists for all of South secularizing cemeteries, separation of Church and America had increased to more than 50,000. In State and proclaiming full religious liberty for all, the same period the two small churches had grown and the recognition of marriage vows-came to more than 500 with 1,500 preaching places, with the new day. Evangelical missionaries have with 718 Sunday schools, 226 Young People's had a large part in bringing these changes to pass. Unions, 400 Women's Missionary Societies, 60 Christ made it possible to bring about the revolu- Young Women's Auxiliaries, 200 children's soci- ' tion without war and bloodshed. "God has let eties, besides men's societies, two seminaries, two some of us old fellows help to build new nations," training schools, two junior colleges, four acad- said Dr. Bagby. Brazil is often called the coffee emies, 48 primary schools, a publishing house, a cup of the world but the percentage of increase Brazilian Foreign Mission Board, a Home Mission for Christ is greater than that from coffee trees Board and a National Convention.
[530 ]
Vitality in Missions*
By the REV. WILLIAM P. SCHELL, D.D., New York Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
I N THE life of the Church no cause has been we have basked in their reflected glory. Do not more inspiring, none more uplifting, none as misjudge them, nor slander them. Do not allow unselfish, none more heroic than the preaching yourselves to believe things about them that you of Jesus Christ to the world. It is a solemn thing know are not true. Why do they offer themselves to realize that when the foreign mission service as missionaries? Because of adventure, or for a of a Church prospers, the Church is blessed, and "lark" or to teach mathematics? By no means. that whenever a Church is false to its world mis- Nothing but a conviction that Jesus Christ is the sion or disloyal to its missionaries, the spiritual Son of God, nothing but an abiding faith that He life of the Church declines. We move forward died on the cross to save the world, nothing but into every worth-while service as we move for- an unshaken assurance that He rose from the dead ward with Him into His world. and is alive today can lead a man to leave his coun- try, his home and everything life holds dear here There have been discouragements in the year and to bury himself in the jungles of Africa, or that has just closed, and we would not hide them. in the great cities of the Orient. Love of Jesus Missionaries have lived and preached the Gospel Christ sent them out and consecrated devotion to in a world in upheaval; in the midst of an intense Him and His cross and His Gospel keep them out rising nationalism; in nations in some instances there. They do not ask for pity in their difficulincreasingly pagan and antireligious; in the face ties. But they do ask, and they have every right of growing skepticism, even in the home Church, to ask, and to expect, our understanding symas to the validity of Christianity; in the discour- pathy, our prayers, our gifts and our love. agements arising from the spiritual condition of the Church in the United States. . . . Proclaiming the Gospel There have been discouragements – but it has The past year has been a year of outstanding been a year of encouragement and victory. Those spiritual victory on the mission field. First of all, who are closest to the enterprise and who live in the preaching of the Gospel and in evangelistic with it every day thank God for this victorious results. In the face of paganism and of wide hosyear in the mission field. tility to Christ over 7,000 non-Christians were won to our Lord and were received into the Pres- Let us begin by holding up the spiritual morale byterian churches on confession of their faith of the missionaries.
In their living and in their dying, we behold the in Him. Thousands more were reached and en- best that the Church has to offer. They resent rolled in training conferences and brought under being placed on pedestals, they do not recognize the teaching of the Church. In some countries, themselves as heroic, but in all their work they for example, Mexico, this straight evangelism of- reveal to the home Church the possibilities of a fers us our greatest opportunity. Listen to these victorious life in Christ. One missionary in India words from the Mexico Mission: wrote: "We have had many problems, many diffi- Weare convinced that from now on we must depend culties, always a shortage of funds and an inade- upon personal seeking of souls for Christ, and upon per- quate staff, but in spite of this the work has gone sonal dealing with Christians to strengthen and build them on." This spirit of perseverance and hopefulness up more than upon institutions or special plans of work. is also revealed by them when they come home on Our institutions have a rather uncertain existence at presfurlough. ent, but the opportunity for personal evangelism and per- sonal comradeship is greater than ever. We need to search As one who is not a missionary but who knows for new ways of making contacts and then make these and loves them all, I hold up our missionaries as truly effective in reaching souls for the Saviour.
those who have gone out from our churches and Rev. Norman W. Taylor, while distributing lit- erature to soldiers on patrol, came one day to the • Condensed from an address delivered at the 147th General As- highest point along the road and tried to enter the sembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A .• Cincinnati, Ohio, outpost. The soldiers were hostile and one fanatic tried to force him to leave the enclosure. At that May 29, 1935. The full address may be had in leaflet form from the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York.
[531 ]
moment the Commanding Officer appeared. When the Bible. Rev. William N. Blair, of Korea, tells Mr. Taylor explained his errand, he called his men of the Korean colporteur who, laying down his together and recommended the literature, took life on the banks of the Yalu River a half century him to fifteen camps, and personally superin- ago, threw pages from the Bible into the air, extended the distribution of the Gospel portions and claiming as he did so: "Everywhere the leaves of tracts. In describing the results, Mr. Taylor this book touch the shore, a Christian community writes these thrilling words: will arise."
Since this work opened up six regiments of cavalry and In view of these origins, it is not surprising to three battalions of infantry have been reached. Of these, find church-wide study of the Word of God in two regiments and one battalion have been so thoroughly Korea and a Church whose activities are built evangelized that I believe practically every man has hail upon His word. What a blessing would come to the Gospel presented to him. I believe that I can safely the home Church if we could have Bible confersay, withou£ any fear of exaggeration, that between seven ences such as those in Korea, enrolling from 500 and eight hundred men have expressed the desire to follow to 1,000 women or an equal number of men, many Christ. Among the officers, one major, four captains, and of them trudging many weary miles to study the fifteen lieutenants accepted Christ, and greatly helped us Word! And hear this testimony from North by their interest in seeing that all the men had an oppor- China: "There have been during the year more tunity of hearing the message. requests than ever for Bible classes, more oppor- tunities for preaching, more avenues for personal This story, in one form or another, is paralleled wor~, more students in government schools wantin many countries on the mission field. Henry ing instruction in Christian truths. Along with Martyn in Persia thought he could die content if the inspiration of these open doors goes the dehe could see one Moslem brought to Christ. Hun- pression arising out of inability to supply enough dreds of Moslems have come to Christ during the workers to meet the demands." Over 140,000 past year, many of them undergoing great suffer- children in your mission fields were enrolled in ing because of the step they have taken. The Sunday schools, studying the Bible regularly, and great revival in Africa has continued. Enormous many thousands more were enrolled in Bible incongregations attend all the services. They come stitutes and conferences. in unprecedented numbers to the Lord's Supper. Before one can be received into the church he is The spiritual life of the national churches is required, ordinarily, to wait for two years of test- also manifest in a degree of sacrifice and prayer ing and training. the home Church would do well to emulate. The native Christians, during the year, gave in con- Recent Reports from the Fields tributions or paid in fees a total of $1,639,045. Only when you stop to think of their incomes can In India there has been an increasing develop- you have any appreciation of this sacrifice. In ment in the movement in behalf of the 50,000,000 addition to these gifts of money there have been outcastes who constitute fourteen per cent of the gifts of hundreds of days of labor. One reason population. They have been turning to Chris- why they give such large amounts is because they tianity and Islam until Hindus are concerned over are not over-concerned with budgets, quotas, althe power they may have in Government. locations or apportionments. Many of those churches have budgets, but they always look upon Two missionaries in Siam reported an interest- a budget as a steppingstone to something higher ing visit to a village in which were a number of -never as a goal in itself. The average Christian Lao slaves. Only a handful of these slaves had on the mission field does not compare the giving ever received baptism. The missionaries gathered of his church with its record of the previous year together these slaves and their children and talked nor with the records of other churches. He to them about Christ, distributing literature and simply asks: "Am I giving as much as I should teaching them the Bible. give and can give to the Lord in view of what He has given to me?" When that spirit takes pos- When it came to the last day, to the surprise of session of the home churches, we will no longer everyone seven men, ten women and twelve or report deficits, for our mission budgets will burst fourteen teen-age young people came forward and open with new spiritual vitality and power. expressed their desire to follow Jesus. And they are praying. A missionary in Japan The spiritual vitality of the Church on the mis- writes this description of the Week of Prayer sion field is also seen in the fact that it is grounded which should give us pause: "The Week of Prayer on the Word of God. Proportionately speaking, during the first week in January is widely obthere are more Bible-believing, Bible-loving and served by all branches of the Christian Church in Bible-living Christians on the mission field than Japan. The subjects of the meetings were those in the Church at home. The Bible occupies no such place in the life of the Church in America as it does with mission fields. Indeed, many churches in those lands were literally founded by
SPIRITUAL VITALITY IN MISSIONS
prepared by the Committee in London for use I also am a man. Just as I, a follower of the Great throughout the world, and the Christians felt a Physician, have been able by the skill of surgery thrill at the thought of their praying in unison to enable you to see with your eyes, so also as His with bodies of believers in all lands. I had a bit follower I am not willing to allow you to leave this of a guilty feeling, for I was not at all sure that hospital without appealing to you to accept Him the churches in America were observing the cus- who can make you see for the first time with your tom any more. The evening in which interna- soul." There in that room I saw a governor of a tional questions were part of the program was province rise from his knees and give his heart marked by some fine prayers, breathing a Chris- to Jesus Christ. Our work is conducted in the tian spirit of world-wide brotherhood and inter- conviction that all missionaries should be evannational peace. Remember that they are praying." gelists.
The spirituality of the missionaries and the na- This is glorious work in His name. What are tive Christians is witnessed in their recognition you going to do about it? Today all churches of the fact that there is no phase of life which is stand at the crossroads in their Foreign Mission not touched by Christ. Through our mission programs. On the one hand, we have a world torn schools and colleges, through the miracles of heal- to pieces, groping its way-yet ready for the mesing in hospitals and dispensaries, through count- sage of the Saviour of the world. On the other less movements for social and economic justice, hand, we have the Church hesitant, worldly, its through temperance organizations and antiopium mind on other things. In between, we see a rising programs, through agricultural rehabilitation, and generation of young people, offering their lives in through a definite program to put an end to war places most of us would never be willing to enter. and to promote good will among men, the mis- A few weeks ago there appeared a manifesto, sionary enterprise recognizes the power of the signed by fourteen students of Princeton Theo- Gospel and applies it to human life. logical Seminary, expressing their eagerness to preach the Gospel of Christ in foreign lands and Some years ago, while on a visit to China, I had appealing to the Church, to individuals or local the unusual privilege of seeing a man recover his congregations "to share with us the responsibility sight. He was the governor of a large province resting upon all the followers of Christ, to send who had made a journey of 600 miles to a mission us out as your representatives to proclaim the hospital as that was the nearest hospital he could message of salvation." find. On the day of our visit the surgeon removed the bandages from the governor's eyes, as he lay Lift up your eyes on the army of youth ready in the dark room in our inadequate hospital, and to go to the field. Then lift up your eyes to the he saw for the first time in many years, the blue fields waiting for them and, as you look, recall sky, the green grass and men walking. He arose these words of a great preacher of yesterday: from his cot, fell on his knees, and kissed the sur- "Our missionary problems will be solved when our geon's hand again and again in gratitude. Now, spiritual problems are solved, when we live daily the medical missionary might have said to him: in the sight of God. Our local church budgets are "Your Excellency, don't mention it. It has been bankrupt because there are so many of us whose a great privilege to restore your eyesight. Go spiritual lives are bankrupt. We count our houses, and enjoy your sight." That in itself would have cars, stocks and bonds. We count everything and been a Christian deed. But I have always hon- everybody-except God!" ored him for what he did. He said to the kneeling patient: "My friend, stand on your feet, for Let us count God and His Son Jesus Christ and go forward in His name.
BOLSHEVISM AND CHRISTIANITY Basil Mathews describes bolshevism as having the missionary spirit of a world religion "with a strong fighting faith, and a world program. It cannot be conquered by denunciation or derision. We who hold Communism to be based on the denial of the very root reality of the universe–that the Creator is Spirit and is Father-have a greater and truer faith, that conceives for all the world a full salvation of the whole individual, body, mind, and soul; and of the community which those individuals constitute. But Christianity can confront victoriously the greatest of all contemporary challenges-that of Bolshevism-if its followers, with unity of purpose and sacrificial heroism, live by that faith to build a world community from which the clash of classes, the war of nations, and the antagonism of races are banished under the sovereignty of God who made us all."
Galvao, a Brazilian
N EARLY fifty years ago Egydio Galvao was grew, the women coming from the best classes of converted and accepted the Lord Jesus as society-difficult work demanding a charming his Saviour. He lived in the country some personality. Dulce made, and is making, Jesus so days' travel by horseback from the City of Bahia. beautiful to those women who only knew to serve Immediately after his conversion, friends became images.
his enemies, and the Roman Catholic clergy was One day there came into the classes a young highly indignant. But Senhor Egydio bravely man representing. a well-known company. He went his way preaching the Gospel. He was asked to speak of his products. Thereafter he was seen on my front porch, late every afternoon.
Finally he said to me, "You know, Mrs. White, I am not coming down here every afternoon to rep- resent my company." To which I replied, "I know that, I wasn't born yesterday." He told me that he loved and wanted to marry Dulce. She bought a Bible, marked it and presented it to the young man. I heard her tell him of Jesus and His power. He came to church several times and then he said, "Its no use, Dulce, I can't be a hypocrite.
I can't believe; I'd give anything if I could have your faith, but I can't. However, after we are married, I'll never interefere with your religion."
Time went on, and they planned a happy future.
One day a cloud came over Dulce's face, and the next day she came to me and said, "I cannot do it!" "Can't do what?" I asked and she replied, "Oh, I can't marry that man." Looking up she saw the young man approaching, and she grabbed my hand, exclaiming, "And you've got to tell him."
"But," I protested, "he didn't ask me to marry him." I went with her. He smilingly presented her with a beautiful watch. Looking him in the face she said, "Please put that into your pocket and listen to me. I have done wrong, for I never should have fallen in love with you. I cannot marry you." The young man's face blanched, and DULCE GALVAO, OF BRAZIL he recoiled as if struck. "Why, why Dulce," he begged. With a white face, and a voice filled with beaten and stoned-almost unto death, but he and deep emotion she said, "Because you are not a his cheery wife, Maria, kept on their way with Christian. I know you have said that you would the Lord. Their children were given a Christian not interfere with my religion. But listen-my home at a great cost. One of the daughters, grandfather risked his life for the Gospel. He named Maria, married a Christian and established and grandmother, at a great price, gave my a Christian home into which was born a girl, mother a Christian home. My mother and father Dulce Almeida Galvao. Dulce was taught to love gave me a Christian home. Here I am, a third Jesus and to know the Bible stories, and at the generation Christian, a product of two Christian age of 13, publicly confessed Christ. She finished homes. I know what the Bible teaches. How her education at the Collegio Americano Baptista could I let my- Jesus down that way? I could· in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, and asked the Lord not have a Christian home with you. No, I must to show her a place to work. About that time be true to Jesus." She has recovered from the Mrs. Kate C. White had opened up classes in Do- shock of disappointment and now says, "I shall mestic Science in the City of Bahia, the capital of never marry unless it be to a Christian man."
Dulce's native state. Dulce was invited to teach Her life is counting in a beautiful way for the cooking and live with the Whites. The classes Gospel, among the better classes in Bahia, Brazil.
[534 ]
March of Events in
-eil.!oll==B_Y=KE=N_N_E_T_H=G_._G_R_U_B_B_,_L_O_O_d_oo_,_E_o_g_1a_o_d=~ll~ T HERE are factors in the situation in Mexico convergent process,es at work, even if at any given today which would make it inadvisable to dis- moment they are not clearly distinguishable from cuss certain of the present features and tend- one another.
encies at length. It is useless, however, to deny The chronological sequence of the more importhat during the last eighteen months the general tant of these events was somewhat as follows. On position has gravely deteriorated. More recently December 5, 1933, the reform of Article 3 was (and at the time of writing, July, 1935) there officially brought forward in the convention of the have been signs of some moderation in the anti- National Revolutionary Party held at Queretaro. religious process. As is well known, this reform substitutes "social- ist education" for "lay" education. "Socialist edu- The events of the last two years in Mexico may cation," although it has never been officially deroughly be classified as follows: (1) The Educational Reform, culminating in the re- fined in clearly intelligible terms, is meant to imply form of Article 3, approved by the Senate on October 19, in effect irreligious education. It is unnecessary 1934, and followed in 1935 by new regulating decrees. to say more on this very important step, as the point has more than once been referred to in these (2) The University Conflict, initiated by the protest of pages. the National Autonomous University against the reform of Article 3, on July 30, 1934, and followed by the closing of the Universities of Guadalajara and Monterrey. In January, 1934, the Six-Year Plan was pub- (3) Extreme measures in several states, initiated by lished. This is an attempt to draw out a coor- dinated scheme of government, forwarding tbe General Calles' public commendation of Tabasco on M,arch social objective of the regime through intelligently 29, 1934, followed on May 20th by suspension of religious ministry in Sonora and in October by similar measures in other states. (Last July, President Cardenas decreed directed administrative action; incidentally it enthe downfall of Garrido's power in Tobasco.) dorses "socialist education." A month later the Attorney-general issued a long circular dealing (4) The new open conflict with the Roman Catholic with the subject of nationalization of religious Church precipitated on October 22d by the alleged dis- property. Both the question of a nationalist polcovery of conspiracy on the part of the Apostolic Delegate.
(5) A moderate stage, initiated by explanation on Feb- ruary 16, 1935, that the postal decree was only aimed at icy, as well as that of education, were carried a politico-religious propaganda, and followed up by moder- stage further in March when on the fifteenth a ating statements of the President on April 14th and 15th. recommendation was made that the liberal profes- This stage was further marked by the revocation of the sions be reserved to Mexican citizens; while decree against the circulation of religious literature on June 25th. studies made in unincorporated private schools (6) In June the Cabinet was reorganized. Its two most were declared to be void of public validity.
radical members, Garrido and Calles, were left out, and On March 6th a new tendency became apparent General Cedillo, considered a centrist, was admitted. with the declaration by the actual President, Car- (7) On August 31st, a new decree on nationalization of church property was issued. It is more radical than the denas, commending Tabasco as the model state of one formerly in existence. the Republic. Later in the same month General Calles returned from that state and bestowed (8) As the result of a new radical drive to gain con- lavish praise on its achievements. The next state trol of the National University, the University's authorities decided to close and await for President Cardenas'
decision either granting or refusing further support. The to suspend all religious ministry was Sonora radical wing appointed a new Rector (President) on (May 20th) of which Rodolfo Elias Calles was Governor. A commission of school teachers from September 24th. The situation is uncertain.* These periods are not, in reality, so clearly de- Sonora had previously visited Tabasco. The infined as this classification would tend to show. cident is interesting as it exemplifies the appear- The actual events have overlapped and been inter- ance of the same spirit in geographically remote twined with each other. But in a situation as parts of the Republic.
complicated as the Mexican it is always an as- The educational question came again into the sistance to form some slight idea of the different foreground in July. General Calles made an im- portant speech in Guadalajara when he declared Ba*ezThCeamitaermgos, 6o,f 7Meaxnidco 8Ciatyre.-EkDinITdlOyR.furnished by Prof. Gonzalo that it was the right of the Revolution to educate [ 535] .
its own children.* Three days later, on July 23d, It is necessary to note that quite apart from the project for the reform 6f Article 3 was pre- these official actions of one kind or another, there sented to the Chamber. A week later the Na- has been a certain amount of general antireligious tional Autonomous University protested against activity carried on. To say that this by no means the tendentious nature of this reform. The Uni- has the President's approval, although it carries versity School of Monterrey was closed on Sep- the endorsement of one or two leading men, would tember 28th, and the University of Jalisco on Oc- probably be a correct interpretation of influential tober 22d, but by October 19th the reform had Mexican opinion on this question. In assessing been approved by both deputies and Senate. the significance of such propaganda there are cer- Meanwhile, on September 26th, another extremely tain facts to be taken into consideration. Firstly, important reform was passed, which limits the the enthusiasm behind any movement is always conditions of permanency in the tenure of the greatest at its beginning. Secondly, extreme higher judicial posts. measures advocated by minorities tend to attract On October 22d all the Roman Catholic churches attention and create their own advertisement.
in Queretaro were closed; there are practically Thirdly, the temporary significance of a move- no Evangelical 'churches in the state. Two days ment is often proportional not to its real value, later the religious ministry was suspended in but to the contrast it involves with accepted ideals.
Chihuahua and all Roman Catholic churches closed Ten thousand couples live quietly day by day in in Colima; there is also only a very small evan- any community, but a single case of divorce is gelical work in this state. After a further interval heralded on all the headlines. Nevertheless it of two days all churches were closed in Sinaloa. would be a grave error to underestimate the force The quarrel with the Roman Catholic Church and appeal of antireligious propaganda in the was simultaneously carried into a wider field. On world today.
October 26th the Bishop of Chilapa and the priests Anti-Christian Propaganda in Guerrero were ordered to leave, and the next day it was announced that an alleged conspiracy These considerations justify brief comment.
of the Apostolic Delegate had been discovered. Christians, in all parts of the world and in all Before the month was out this matter had been situations of life, must face the fact that propa- officially handed over by the President to the At- gative enthusiasm has passed from Christian pos- torney-general for investigation, and the Arch- session to that of their opponents. The maturity bishop of Oaxaca had been ordered to leave the of Christianity is being accompanied by a kind of country. Early in November the Attorney-gen- fatty degeneration of the conscience. The cru- eral found that cause existed for proceeding sading and even the prophetic spirit has today against the Bishop of Huejutla, the Archbishop of become incarnate anew, not in the ranks of the Morelia and the Apostolic Delegate, who were not, Christian Church, but in the camps of those to however, in the country. whom religion is a soporific and the Church but General Cardenas assumed the office of Presi- one of many institutions which have burdened dent on December 1st. Early in January decrees humanity with temples and priests. Even in a were issued regulating the subject of education in country like Mexico Evangelical activity is, with private and secondary schools. On January 28th certain exceptions, threatened with the pervasion the President made a public statement denying of a kind of nervous tension which renders a for- the existence of religious persecution. On Feb- ward movement exceedingly difficult. The anti- ruary 12th the use of the post was forbidden for religious spirit, although propagative, is in itself correspondence which "may imply propagation or destructive; it is quite false to suppose that it is diffusion of any religious doctrine." Four days responsible for social construction. It is well later, however, the Secretary of the Interior de- expressed in the words of Mephistopheles: clared that this prohibition concerned religious I am the Spirit publications that contained public comment or That evermore deny-and in denying defamatory attack of the Government or its insti- Evermore am I right-"No!" say I, "No!" tutions. On April 14th the President took occa- To all projected or produced-whate'er sion to state that the regime was in no sense Com- Comes into being merits nothing but munist, and the next day he denied that there was Perdition-better then that nothing were Brought into being; what you men call sin- any intention to attack the "religious conscience" Destruction-in short, evil-is my province, of the people; the Government was seeking only My proper element.
to exterminate "fanaticism." Since this date the A few of the broader aspects of the situation general situation has been somewhat easier. also require study. The Mexican religious ques- tion is a part of a much larger field of thought • I have given the substance of these statements elsewhere. See which must include the relations of Church and World Dominion, July, 1935.
THE MARCH OF EVENTS IN MEXICO
State, the threatened collapse of the world-reli- thought. How do these new circumstances affect gions, and the problem of human liberty in many the relations between Catholics and Evangelicals?
parts of the world. How far shall we meet them by emphasizing our The breakdown of Pan-Islam, the fall of the specific approach, and how far by identifying our Caliphate, and the disestablishment of religion in own problems with that of Christianity in Latin Turkey meant that secularism had successfully in- America, or the world, as a whole? What new vaded one of the world's great religions precisely light do we draw from these events on the work- in the regions where it was considered strongest. ing of evil and the powers of the Satanic? Has With the failure of the Russian Orthodox Church the day of "missions" in some parts of the world the weakness of one of the historic Christian almost ceased, and ought we to envisage the fu- churches also became apparent; a population of ture more in the nature of a world interchange of a hundred million had to be written off the reli- spiritual culture? Is there any reason to suppose gious capital of the race, precisely in a country that, in the face of antireligious fanaticism, the where mystical, and even religious sentiment to Christianity of today has a greater survival value all appearances had made a strong appeal. Chris- than Nestorianism or the North African Church?
tianity was no longer immune against the inroads Are our churches at home, in the countries where of secularism. The secularism of many countries they cannot maintain the personal link through dominated by the Roman Catholic Church has long missionaries and institutions, ready to make the been confessed, but that church had avoided an same spiritual investments as heretofore? Or is "official" collapse in any of its territories. But in our brand of exportable Christianity the type that Mexico it seems that such a collapse is taking can be stopped by frontiers and laws? How are place. Of the historic Christian churches, it re- we to meet the challenge that we have lost the mains to be seen whether Protestantism in Ger- emotional control of masses of mankind? How many will be able to withstand the storm. far is the institutional expression of Christianity an adequate one in Mexico, and how far may the A Test of Mission Work work have to pass through a process of "fraction- It is a situation which will also test the whole alization"? Have we, in our work of diffusion character of the work which has been built up and creation, anticipated or adapted ourselves to through the devoted labors of mission boards, developments of the Mexican's own capacity for their representatives and supporters. The Church expression – in fact, do we pursue a really inin China has had to face these experiences and digenous policy? These are a few, only a few, of the many questions which a situation such as the their effect was temporarily depressing, but pos- Mexican suggests. sibly ultimately beneficial. In Russia the evangelical community is different in origin and or- The present difficulties have not befallen us beganization, and little information is available as cause we are modernists, or fundamentalists, or to its real status today. In Turkey the Christian attend church rather than chapel, or retreat minorities were "liquidated" after the War by rather than camp meeting; but because we are political action, and the problem hardly exists. selfish men; because we have loved ease more But in Mexico the Evangelical Church forms the than sacrifice; because we have preferred ourmost important of the country's minorities. It , selves to our Church, our Church to our Chrisstands in close spiritual relation to the churches tianity; our Christianity to our Lord Himself; of the United States, and its future will be fol- because we have lowered the level of our aim that lowed with prayer and interest, and we should we may the more easily enjoy the complacency of further remember that it is Mexican example our success. These are the things that make us which is liable to be copied in the rest of Latin unfit to minister to the world's need, and from these we need to pray to be cleansed. America.
We should not suppose that the Mexican situa- tion is impervious to influence. If it deteriorates further it may well be because of our own inertia Four needs of the modern world are: (1) A reas Christians, and this should be remediable. But creation of individual Christian life, with an enorwe must identify ourselves with the universal mous increase of conversions in the church and the agony of Christianity, and not attempt to evade sense of the presence and power of God, with self crucified; (2) a new fellowship of Christians, noth- responsibility by special pleading, however valid. ing less than the fellowship of the Holy Spirit; (3) We must once more find the solvent for the world's a recreation of the sense of mission to reconstruct spiritual contempt in the agelong vicariousness of the whole of life, standing for a new life in Christ, suffering. By so doing we shall take the more with no compromise; (4) a better realization that effective, because much the more difficult, course. Christ is in life today and moving IUs Church.- Bishop Logan H. Roots.
There are a few questions which require
We Interest Men in Missions?
-411 By the REV. GEORGE A. BROWN Pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church, Elyria, Ohio THE whole problem of interesting men in mis- women and the children of the Church. More sions is, in its final analysis, a matter of than this, it is primarily the work of Christian interesting men thoroughly, heartily, and en- men to make Jesus Christ known to the world for thusiastically in Jesus Christ Himself. The en- when our Lord began this great enterprise He entire missionary enterprise of His Church centers trusted the task to men. The historian Harnack in Him, its living, glorified, has remarked of the first three ever-present Head and Lord. Here are some interesting centuries of the Christian era, As Bishop T. U. Dudley says, facts about a most important that "we cannot hesitate to be- "The man who does not believe problem in the c h u r c h. lieve that the great mission of in carrying the Gospel of Jesus HS 0 m e bod y said that it Christianity was in reality ac- Christ unto all men every- caoheualddna'tndbediddoint.e" sTo hhee Mweenn'st complished by means of in- Missionary League of the where does not believe in Jesus Elyria Church has been given formal missionaries"; that is, Christ. No interest in missions widespread and favorable no- by what we now call laymen. means no interest for that par- tice. The Board of Administicular thing for which Jesus tration of the United Presby- Why is it then that today the was content to be born and to terian Church has told of the work of Christian missions is live and to die. . . . Yes, no work in a leaflet entitled, HAn largely in the hands of the interest in missions means no Adventure in Masculine Mis- women of the Church, espeinterest in the Lord Himself." sions,tt sent to all pastors in cially in the local congrega- Athnedecrhsuornchsa. ys:AHs ItDhra.s Wce.aseBd. tions? They are doing a mag- The men we have in mind in to be an experiment, and has nificent piece of work and may this discussion are Christian become an accomplishment!' God bless them in it. But as a men, men who know Jesus Several missionary periodicals result many look upon the en- Christ experimentally as their tire missionary movement as a personal Saviour and Lord. women's undertaking, and not Only such men can be expected as something to challenge the to concern themselves about have called attention to the serious and active devotion of Christ's mIssIOnary passion, work, and as a result inquir- strong Christian men. At the and purpose, and program. ies have come from twelve Younger Men's Missionary This question of how to in- states, east to west, and are Congress in Chicago last May, terest men in missions takes at still coming,. The story of a delegate reported at one of least two things for granted: the League has been told with the group conferences, that a first, that Christian men ought encouraging results at Cleve- man, when asked to give to lealsnedw, heCrehiacnadgob,asAbekernonbroaanddto be interested in missions, casted over the radio. AI- missions, replied: "I contribute and second that men can be in- to the pastor's salary and to terested in missions. The only ready similar men's organiza- provide heat and light for the question, therefore, that calls tions are being formed in church; you'll have to see my for an answer is just how this other churches. wife about missions." interest may be generated, de- "Why are the men of the veloped, directed and made Church not as interested in productive of definite, practical results. Consider missions as are the women?" This very question first the imperativeness and possibility of this the Christian Illen of India 'Iare asking. Dr.
matter. That men ought to be interested in mis- Stephen J. Corey, President of the United Chris- sions grows out of the fact that the great mission tian Missionary Society, tells of conducting an of the Church is missions. Since men constitute, open forum in India with some Indian Christian in part, the membership of the Church of the Lord leaders, mostly men, who asked, "Are your women Jesus Christ, missions is most certainly "a man's and children interested in sending the Gospel to job," just as much as it is the business of the India?" When he replied that probably two- [538 ] thirds of the money for foreign work in his com- of prayer. The book of "The Acts" makes this munion came from the women and the Sunday plain as does the history of Christian missions schools, their astonishment was unbounded, and since the first century of the Church's life. There one of them said, "Why, sahib, we in India have was also a very definite purpose; after three un- always felt that Christianity was a man's religion. successful attempts had been made to get the men . . . Why are the Christian men of America'less together and to hold them together, to organize interested in bringing Christ to us than are the them around the missionary objective. Finally women and children?" In answer, Dr. Corey tol.d there was the pursuit of this end in the spirit of them that the women in America were definitely patient persistence which the Lord has so wonder- organized for the study of missions and therefore fully blessed. His hand has been so manifestly knew more about missions and were naturally present and powerful that we ascribe to Him the more interested and were doing more for mis- glory and praise of it all.
sions than the men who were not so organized. Men and Missions Sunday Why Are the Men Not Organized? Lord's Day morning, November 19,1933, marks This suggests the further question: Why are the formal beginning of this movement in Elyria.
the men of our local churches not organized and That was "Men and Missions Sunday" and the doing the same kind of missionary work as the pastor preached especially to his men on the sub- women? Here is the reason: In addition to the ject, "Missions – A Man's Job," based on Acts fact already stated, that this whole undertaking 1: 8. In closing he appealed to them to organize to make Christ known to the world is regarded as a real Men's Missionary Society, calling a meeting being largely a strictly feminine affair, there is for this purpose the next evening. Fifteen men the general and deeply rooted conviction that the met with the pastor in response to the challenge work of organizing the men of our local churches of the previous day. From that night meetings for definite, systematic mission study and specific were held twice a month, for a period of six missionary service, simply cannot be done. Even months, under the pastor's leadership, until the the leaders of the missionary movements of the organization was completed, May 21, 1934, by the men of our Evangelical churches are decidedly adoption of a constitution, the election and instal- skeptical as to the possibility of this thing. When lation of officers, and the appointment of commit- we were thinking of organizing a Men's Mission- tees. Ever since that time meetings have been ary Society in our Elyria Church, a letter was held on the third Monday evening of the month – written to the Secretary of the Laymen's Mis- a time found to be the most suitable time for our sionary Movement asking him for any help that men. The membership at present is 40, being he could give us in launching this new enterprise. about 60% of the men on the church membership Mr. F. J. Michel replied, "We do not recommend roll. The average attendance from the beginning the organization of men's missionary societies, has been 27, for the last year 31, and for the last since they cannot be maintained continuously, as five months 36, including several neighboring pas- is the case with the women." (Mr. Michel, him- tors and some of their men.
self, thinks otherwise now.) Beside the usual officers for such an organiza- The second point in our theme is that men can tion, there are membership, program, project, be interested in missions because they ought to boys' work, welfare, and social committees.
be. The divinely imposed command insures the Monthly missionary meetings include worship, possibility. The very imperativeness of this task business, an educational program and a social assigned to the men of the Church of our Lord is period. During the year there were five meet- the" prophecy of its accomplishment. Christian ings with special speakers, four were conducted men can be brought together and they can be held by members, and three were in charge of the together in a missionary organization with con- pastor. Regular mission study courses have been tinuous monthly programs of spiritual worship followed and our present missionary proj ect is and missionary education and service, with the the support of a native evangelist in the Sangla finest Christian fellowship and increasing devo- Hill District of our mission in the Panjab, India.
.tion to their Lord. It has been done, and thus This evangelist's inspiring name is Gulam Masih, the possibility is fully demonstrated by the Men's which means "Slave of Christ." Later we hope Missionary League of the First United Presby- to have some definite work in a home mission field terian Church of Elyria, Ohio. Weare now ready for we believe that "the field is the world," so to answer the question "How?". that interest in missions anywhere means interest It is not necessary to say that this work is the in missions everywhere.
fruitage of prayer, of much prayer, for every for- One of the most encouraging things in the short ward movement in missions has been the result history of our Men's Mission'ary League is the
marked influence it has had on the life and work that we covet above all things. But the responsiof the Women's Missionary Society. At the end bility for human leadership most undoubtedly of the first year of the League the president and rests on the local pastor more than upon any other treasurer of the Women's Society were asked this living person. This is what our missionary statespointed question: "Has the Men's Missionary men think. Dr. John R. Mott, writing of the work League been a help or a hindrance to the work of of promoting missionary education and activity the Women's Missionary Society?" Their replies throughout the Church, by means of local Men':=; revealed the marked increase in membership, at- Missionary Societies, says: "There are reasons tendance, interest, offerings, cooperation between why the subject of the world's evangelization the men and the women, willingness to help in the should appeal with special force to men, and to work, and the growth of the missionary spirit the strongest men. . . . This greatest work of the generally in the Women's Missionary Society. world languishes in no small measure because of During the first year of the Men's Missionary the lack of their initiative and aggressive support. League the Women's Society gained 500/0 in active It rests with the pastors to call more largely into membership, 3470 in general offerings, while the action this vast latent power."
thank-offering for 1934 was 43 % above that of Dr. Mills J. Taylor, Associate Secretary of the United Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 1933. The total missionary budget offerings of who has contributed so largely to the success of the entire congregation for the church year end- our Men's Missionary League, says, that "Proging March 31, 1935, were 137 % over those of the ress in these matters depends more upon the enprevious year. The Elyria W. M. S. was given thusiasm, and devotion and loving persistence of the highest efficiency rating of all the thirty so- a prayerful pastor than upon any other person." cieties of the Cleveland Presbytery, for the work of the last year. The president of our local so- The great need of this new movement for "Men ciety generously attributed their high standing to and Missions," therefore, is warm-hearted, wholethe influence of the Men's Missionary League. hearted pastoral leadership. Such leadership a goodly proportion of the men of our churches will Encouraging Possibilities follow. The result will be the realization of such triumphs of God's grace and power in the realm This record shows something of the possibili- of missions as will compel us to magnify and bless ties of a real Men's Missionary League, carried His glorious name for what He has done through on continuously, twelve months in the year, in an us. When Deborah and Barak were given the average congregation, and with growing power victory over Jabin, king of Canaan, the captain and popularity. Clearly this form of activity, that of whose host was Sisera, we read (Judges 5: 2, some said could not be done, can be done, for it American Standard Revision): "For that the has been done. We know of other groups of men leaders took the lead in Israel, for that the people who have joined this new movement. In Novem- offered themselves willingly. Bless ye Jehovah." ber, 1934, a similar organization was formed at Let the pastors, the divinely appointed leaders of Ezel, Kentucky, and in May, 1935, a Men's Mis- God's people today, actually lead in this men's sionary League was formed in the Margaret Park missionary movement and their men will willingly Church of Akron, Ohio. We hope and pray for offer themselves, and will bless "the God that the largest realization of the possibilities of this doeth wonders." It may not be amiss to remind work in local congregations throughout the entire ourselves that in this same chapter (5: 23) we Church. The eyes of missionary leaders in other read, "Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of Jehovah, communions are upon us and they are anxiously curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because waiting to see whether we really make good so they came not to the help of Jehovah, to the h~lp that they may know whether to adopt the plan. of Jehovah against the mighty." Mr. Fred J. Michel, of the Laymen's Missionary Movement, says: "I am so glad that the United Here, then, is our challenge. What are we go- Presbyterian Church has taken the matter up. In ing to do about it? If the men of our churches the measure in which it will succeed, we may hope ought to be aroused to a greater interest in Chrisfor the adoption of the plan by other denomina- tian missions, and if their organization into their tions." own missionary societies is not only possible but practicable, and if the responsibility rests upon If this work is to succeed, who is primarily re- us, the pastors, how can we be true to ourselves, sponsible for it? On the divine side it is the work true to our men, true to the unevangelized multiof the Spirit of God and we need to give to Him, tudes of the world, and above all true to our Lord the great Executive of the Godhead in this age of Himself, unless we do all in our power to realize grace, His rightful place in this whole undertak- this definite, spiritual, missionary objective? And ing. It is His presence, and power, and presi- "We can do it, if we will"; or better, "He can do dency in this promising missionary movement
THE GERMAN NEO-PAGAN FAITH MOVEMENT
it, if we will." Shall we not, then, in the face of and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the words of our the world's need of Christ, and with His command Men's Missionary League Rallying Song: ringing in our ears to "go, and preach the Gospel to every creature," and as the natural expression Came now, ye Christian men, of our own life in Him, with our whole heart, an- Obey your Lord's command; swer this call and challenge by saying, "By thy grace we will." Pray Him to send forth laborers In this and every land. What better time is there to begin this work than on the coming "Men and Missions Sunday," Present your gifts to Him, November 17, 1935? Let each pastor preach that Your silver and your gold; day to men, more earnestly than ever before, to show that "Missions Is a Man's Job." Then call But first of all, yourself He asks, a meeting for the organization of a Men's Mis- That He your life may mold. sionary League; pray, plan, proceed as the Holy Spirit may lead. God will touch men's hearts and Go forth, Ye Christian Men, the fruitage will be great. May God give you such Proclaim His name abroad; an experience, for the sake of His Son, our Lord That sinners far and near, may come To know the Son of God.
He gave His life for you, His precious blood He shed; Serve Him who saves you by His grace, The Church's Living Head.
The German Neo–Pagan Faith Movement By REV. W. O. LEWIS, D.D. I~ European Representative of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society I T HE main facts about the religious controversy Hauer was born in 1881. As a young man he in Germany are well known and many have worked as a stonemason and so came into close heard about the movement in the Evangelical . contact with many irreligious people, but he also Church which calls itself "German Christian." knew certain pious folk who had considerable in- The press has also reported the speeches of Gen- fluence on him. He decided to become a mission- eral Ludendorff in which he prides himself on ary and entered the training school of the Basel the fact that he is in no sense a Christian. Most Missionary Society. Being exceedingly gifted, he of those who direct the affairs of the "Third soon mastered all his teachers had to offer him Reich" have broken more or less with Christian- and went to India as a teacher in a high school.
ity. But relatively little is known of what is prob- He has since stated that when the Missionary So- ably the most serious of the Neo-Pagan organiza- ciety offered to send him to India, he told the tions, The German Faith Movement (Deutsche directors he was not sure that he was a Christian Glaubensbewegung). and some of the older missionaries objected to There were pagan organizations in Germany at sending him out.
the end of the last century and many new ones When he reached India, he began to study In- have sprung up since the War. After Hitler came dian religion and took up the study of Sanscrit.
to power, they were afraid they would not be Later he went to Oxford and when the War broke tolerated, but in October, 1933, they were as- out he was interned by the British Government.
sured that the new Government would not under- His experience during the next four years had a take to suppress them. At Easter, 1934, repre- profound influence on his development. By the sentatives of various pagan organizations united time the Hitler regime was established, he had under the name of German Faith Movement. renounced Christianity openly. His book, Deu- They met at Schwarzfeld in a natural cave known tsche Gottschau (German View of God) may be as the "stone church" which is said to have been taken as the most complete and authoritative ex- used as a place of pagan worship before Chris- position of the Neo-Pagan German Faith Move- tianity was introduced into Germany. Professor ment.
William Hauer, a professor in the University of This movement is already well organized all Tiibingen, was elected head of the organization. over Germany. An effort is made to keep the
membership limited to those who are sure they that Christianity furnishes a sufficient basis for know what they believe or do not believe and morality. According to German press reports, why. It is claimed that there are 20,000 mem- recently in large meetings, Hauer and other rep- bers in these smaller fighting organizations, but resentatives of the movement have openly as- Hauer himself thinks he has evidence that there serted that Christianity has not only lamentably are at least 5,000,000 in Germany today who may failed to furnish the ethical foundations which are be classed as adherents, and the number is said needed today, but has actually brought great to be growing. The movement has its weekly and harm to Europe, having prepared the way for Bol- monthly periodicals, and is already giving a sort shevism. They claim that prostitution and bawdy of training to those who are active in the propaga- houses did not exist in Germany before Chris- tion of paganism. They have adopted a ceremony tianity came. German Faith ethics can be best for the dedication of children to take the place of learned by studying the biography of Frederick infant baptism and also have pagan wedding cere- the Great and other great German heroes. The monies. Besides lectures and various public military virtues are exalted. There is a limit to rallies, they have pagan ceremonies around trees the sacrifices the strong must make for the weak.
on high places. Most of the leaders are educated In some cases they say that it would be better to and are men of clean, moral lives. The movement allow the weak to perish, and in many cases men makes a strong appeal to certain young men who and women should be sterilized so that they can- made the Hitler revolution. Hauer and his friends not reproduce their kind. The individual counts claim that the religion they preach is the true for very little, the State is everything. The Ger- spiritual and philosophical basis of the Nazi revo- man Faith approves of war and the joy of battle lution. This movement is now not only tolerated for the nation's honor. Along with courage there by the Nazis, but is even allowed privileges which goes a certain fatalism. The German Faith man the churches cannot get. They are permitted to does not desire the rewards that Jesus said the use the large Sportpalast in Berlin for their meet- heavenly Father would give to the righteous.
ings which neither the Protestants nor the Ro- The German Faith rejects the idea of human man Catholics can use at present. sin. While admitting that not even the greatest These Neo-Pagans have so far refused to put German heroes attained their highest ideals, there in print anything like the creeds of the Chris- is little place for any real doctrine of sin, of re- tians. But from Hauer's writings and other pub- pentance, or forgiveness. They acknowledge the lications, it is possible to gain some idea of what need of no mediator to bear our sins. Each must they believe. bear his own penalty. Men conquer sin in their Great emphasis is placed on race. It is claimed . own strength since the essence of every man's that there is an inner, spiritual side which cor- soul is divine.
responds to the outer distinctions of the various German Faith people profess to honor Jesus, races. There has been an age-long struggle be- but they state boldly that they do not take Him tween the civilization which Hauer calls West as model and leader. They simply do not see the Asfatic-Semitic and the Nordic Indo-Aryan which need of the Christian religion. Some may think has found its finest flower in the Nazi state. No they need Christianity just as some think they effort is made to revive the paganism of the past cannot do their work without tobacco. But they in its ancient form, but it is claimed that Chris- could do their work better without this artificial tianity is alien to the German race and blood and stimulation. The German Faith does not claim the period of over a thousand years in German to be universal and valid for all mankind, but does history between Charles the Great and Hitler is claim to offer something better to Germans.
an interlude. The ancient paganism must be mod- Hauer asks, "Have those who believe in Christ ernized and brought up-to-date. Eckehart and more power to overcome the difficulties of life?
Nietzsche are often quoted with approval. Have they more courage to face danger, to risk The conception of God seems to be a sort of position, income, life; yea to look death in the mystical naturalistic pantheism. He is the hidden face? Have they more joy than the men of the background of all things who reveals himself in German Faith 'z Is their life more real, more nature and in men. His highest manifestation is genuine, cleaner? Are they willing to serve their in the fighter and in the German culture. The nation with _more self-sacrifice? Do Christians German faith god is hardly a personal god. The have more peace in fellowship with each other?
world which is the manifestation of God is not to Let the Christian prove his faith by his works."
be despised. It is infinite and eternal. Man's Whether they will or not the Christian people spirit is a spark from the eternal. But there is of Germany must accept this challenge. Those no separate conscious immortality. who know Christ have no doubt as to the out- When it comes to the ethical side, it is denied come. There can be no neutrals in this struggle.
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home ~,~================E=D=IT=ED===BY==M==RS=.=E==ST=E=LL==A=S=.==A=IT=C=H=I=SO=N='=G==RA=N=V=I=LL=E='=O==H=IO================~.~~ NEW PLANS FOR PRO- ning lamp; Look and Read-an tian Ideal for America," with open book with a pair of spec- the Spirit of Home Missions, an GRAM BUILDERS tacles on it; Look at Your Indian, a mountaineer, a Span- THE LOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB Church-rays from above fo- iard, a Negro, an Alaskan, a cused upon a church building; Puerto Rican, etc., in vivid pan- Under this title the Forward and Look at Yourself-in the Looking Committee of the Meth- orama, and a ribbon visualiza- odist Episcopal Woman's Home looking glass, of course! tion of ties brought from Europe Mission Society has brought out This last volume is really the to various sections of the New a year's programs of a unique first, being intended for use in World by explorers and pioneers. character, the calendar being co- August, as a personal preface The leader next dials on a radio ordinated with a tiny "library" of 12 pamphlets enclosed in a wherein all officers and chairmen as if in search of station WHMS shall take an early look at them- from which The March of Time neat case, each pamphlet cover- selves in relation to the impend- is broadcast, short musical intering the material for a month's ing task, with the plans, goals, ludes being used between the program. The "club" is launched courses of study, organizational brief talks of people hidden be- "with the high hope that in the specifics, etc., thoroughly out- hind a screen and speaking as abstract study of the develop- lined and explained. Each de- if from a number of fields on ment and progress of home mis- partment of missionary endeav- which the society is working. sions, the understanding and de- or has the mirror held up for its The closing announcement is, votion of our sisterhood may be accurate reflection. As it is im- "The WHMS Marches on!" The deepened and broadened." The possible to follow the details of organization of the society is specific theme is, of course, "Pi- all the months, a general survey next illustrated in a large Temoneering Today in Home Mis- of the September booklet is here- ple Chart placed on an easel and sions," each month's "look" be- with given as a sample of the explained by the leader-founing at some phase of the task. development, the worthful sub- dation of Jesus Christ, organiza- Thus the first month is a "Look ject matter and its practical ap- tions, conferences and boards as Forward" at the magnitude of plication. As with all its succes- the steps, missionary education, the work. The cover design sors, the devotional service is Christian citizenship, departbears a clear cut telescope. The fully outlined even to the text mental bureaus, etc., as the pilensuing months are: "Look and for the leader's talk. Then fol- lars of a Greek temple. The Act," with a spotlight turned on low "The Look of the Month"- central pillar is finance. This Race Hatred, Intemperance and 20 minutes' study of the home feature covers the second divi- Juvenile Delinquency; Look at mission textbook (which is thus sion as outlined in each program the Work, a pair of eyes being completely covered in the course and is followed by the social focused at long range upon the of the year); a period on Wom- hour in which a recreational' map of the United States; Look an's Home Missions, which is a "Before and After" stunt is per- Up-Peace on Earth, with a specific study of some phase of formed. With the women distar; Look Ahead to Youth, the denomination's work–dti- vided into groups of four or five, with a pair of field glasses on zenship, conference institutions, or eight or ten if the audience is whose two lenses appear a boy Christian center activities, coop- large, leaders are chosen by each and a girl respectively; Look at erative projects and the like; group and a certain amount of Your Neighbor-an open win- while the last period is devoted time is given for planning. dow revealing a group of people to a social hour whose details fit When ready, a group depicts a of various nationalities inside; in with the preceding study. locality before and after the mis- Look at New Occasions-a ba- Thus in September the devotion- sionary society began its work, rometer, the sun and a cloud; al service takes a far and wide the audience in each case trying Look Far in Cooperation-a look at the task through God's to guess what institution or misyoung woman looking through a eyes; the textbook study pre- sion has been represented. The surveyor's transit; Look To- views "Toward a Christian best demonstration is then acgether-mother and daughter America" in a dramatic sketch claimed as decided upon either scanning a book under the eve- on "Home Missions the Chris- by judges or popular vote.
[543 ]
Posters suggested as adver- ination may be laid upon this by 11. What can a Christian individual tisement for this meeting fea- officers or chairmen of corre- and member of a group of Christian tured pioneer scenes, the invita- sponding committees who then young people do to improve motion tions being on a sunbonnet give their outlines for the open- pictures in your community? pasted on a postal card, and cov- ing year's work. The president ered wagons made of match cements all together, naming the 12. Can you subscribe to the stateboxes to be used as favors. binding material as "the helpful- ment on p. 162 beginning, "The fre"!- ness of each woman in the tier of the new day is largely social" While the specific details 'of this attrac- church." If the boxes are cov- as expressive of the whole task? tive series are denominational, its funda- ered with gold, silver or other mentals are of so unique a character and fancy paper, the design will be 13. Record somewhere what you so universally applicable that any Intelligent most attractive. This plan lends have definitely determined to do about program builder could adapt them to her itself to an annual meeting in the matters listed in this course. own use. It is issued by the Woman's Home which otherwise dull reports are Missionary Socitey of the Methodist Epis- to be presented. "So Built We From the Editor's Scrapbook copal Church, 420 Plum St., Cincinnati, the Wall" is the title suggested. Ohio. Price 50 cents. Capitalizing a Popular Hobby: Christian Youth in Action Hannah P. Miller, secretary for Another Year Book young women's work in the To an unusual degree this M. E. denomination, writes in a The program theme for the study for young folks may be new leaflet regarding capitalizwoman's society of the Alham- cast into the form of questions, ing the collecting hobby which bra, California, Baptist church discussion topics and the like. A enthralls all normal you t h was "Builders with Him" and few of Mrs. B. P. Heubner's as- sooner or later. Progressing the key verse "Come and let us signments as she taught this from dolls, pictures, books, pilbuild up the wall," Neh. 2: 17. book at the Lake Koronis, Minn., lows, spoons, elephants, etc., she The following is a brief outline assembly last summer were as proposes to call a halt on all of the meetings: follows: other accumulations until June 1935, the climax of the girls: Topic, "L a yin g Foundations 1. List some of the things wrong in Golden Year, meanwhile major- Through Reading." Presentation of America today. ing on "our little yellow envelnew books and the magazine Missions. opes" (containing the special 2. What are the attitudes of youth personal dues or gifts); $50 Stewardship, with the bricks of of your acquaintance toward the in- gifts from individuals or organ- Time, Money and Talent. ability to enter upon their life work? izations; names of new mem- What seems to you to be a Christian bers; subscriptions to Woman's Civic program, "Builders with Him attitude toward the situation? Home Missions, etc. Two prime for Good Citizenship." A temperance values stand out: (1) Friends program was given. 3. In what respects can the Church learning of the girls' new quest be said to have conformed to the will lend a hand to help make of Missionary program, "Building with standards of a pagan world? their favorite a Champion Col- Him Through Schools for Negroes." lector in the local or associa- 4. Arguments pro and con for sub- tional organization, and (2) Evangelism-"Winning New Work- sidizing or endowing churches to leave that whereas other collecting ers for the Wall." them free for their main task. hobbies are only for self-cen-· tered gratification, this one has Missionary program, "Building with 5. What is your community provid- an altruistic object in benefiting Him in Burma," Baptist literature ing for the leisure time of young peo- others. Even "collecting girls" and the Rangoon printing press being ple who cannot be in school? What for the membership may result featured. more might be done? in fine, lasting and serviceful friendships of far-reaching con- "Builders with Him Through White 6. From your own experience or ob- Cross Work," with dramatization servation, cite examples of interracial presented by the corresponding com- friendship. State obstacles and benemittee and a display of the work done. fits.
"Builders with Him in Our Church" 7. Would you patronize a Japanese -a workers' conference. dentist? A Negro physician? Enter- Various other special foreign fields were similarly considered.
"The luncheon feature for the year," says the Year Book, "is known as Birthday Partners. Each woman is given the name of a missionary whose birth date is the same as hers, and at the luncheon table (taking the tain a Mexican student in your home? sequences. Magazine subscripmonths successively) the women cele- Room with a Chinese at a conference? Are your answers free from race prej- tions result in a widening interbratin~ bring some news item or let- est with all its possible sequelre. ter from their birthday partners." udice?
Building the Wall 8. In the light of Chapter 2 analyze "Ships" for Toasts: The Col- your own community, considering its lege Ave. Baptist Church in Tois another widely adaptable needs, what the church or other agen- peka, Kansas, held a "covered theme based on the same Scrip- cies are doing to meet these, over- dish" luncheon using this theme, ture. The corner s ton e, of looked needs or situations, and formu- the table decorations featuring a course, should be Christ (repre- late recommendations for your young centerpiece representing a lake sented by a box of say 12 inches people's group and yourself. (silver paper) with a sparkling square), laid by a charter mem- beach, on which floated three 9. In parallel columns record facts regarding war which cause you to oppose it and why peace enlists your ber if possible. Then smaller active support. kindergarten – style s hip s of boxes labeled Prayer, Reading, 10. Has the attitude of young peo- heavy paper. Two were black Missionary Education, etc., ac- ple toward liquor changed since re- pirate ships with white masts peal? State evidence. Propose a pro- and sails – "Indifference" and cording to the departments of gram of action in dealing with the "Neglect," these being later run. work in the church or its denom- liquor situation.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
down and overturned by the Mounted on heavy material, the ties, and dividing the crowd into third, "Friendship," flying the back of each picture contains es- groups of from three to five each, American flag. Small boats sential information about its give each group one biography. carrying cargoes of nuts and subject. Mounted on heavy ma- The groups then repair to dif- other foods were used over the terial, the pictures are suitable ferent rooms or different corners table. The leader's talk showed for framing and using as visual- of the same room and read tohow neglect and indifference izations in missionary meetings, gether their leaflets, returning must be overcome and replaced study classes or Sunday school after ten minutes and putting on by friendship in dealing with teaching and give personal in- their demonstrations, playing "New Americans." The toasts terest to descriptive or biograph- charade-fashion upon the names .w ere on "Interpretership," ical material. of the missionary subjects. The "Friendship," "F e 110 w s hip," counselor then collects the biog- "Citizenship"and "Partnership." Birthday Partners: A good raphies and asks of each group A selection from "the Ship of luncheon feature for the wom- any ten questions (except exact State" was read. The plan lends an's society is to assign to each dates) answered in its sketch, a itself to the theme for home mis- member the name of a mission- point being scored for each sion study this year-"Toward a ary whose natal day is the same query answered cor r e c t 1y. Christian America." as her own and have these wom- Should the other groups be un- en, month by month during the able to guess the charade in the A Missionary Reading Room: year, give some news item or course of the quiz, the perform- The methods department in Mis- read a letter from their birth- ing group scores ten points so sions tells of a plan used in day partners at the luncheon that its maximum score is twenty White Temple (Baptist), Port- table, thus affording a double points. "You see this makes a land, Oregon, going a step far- "celebration." plain game into a purposeful ther than the common use of a game in which some learning literature table in the church Business Around the Maypole: processes must be going on or vestibule, or some other easily some very low scores will be accessible place. Miss Nettie Johnston writes of a made. The game may be played plan used at the May meeting in through several meetings." "Ours," writes Mrs. J. Fred Bell, the Pittsburgh Branch of the secretary of literature, "is a down Methodist Women's Auxiliary "Missionary Footsteps in Ja- town church, and when the family car for livening up the reception of pan." This apropos program takes the young people to the B. Y. branch reports. It was in the was prepared by Pearle Bourne P. D., fathers and mothers must go setting of a dolls' maypole party, and is described in The Window then and wait an hour for the church the "dolls" being pieces of mail- of Y. W. A., organ of the Wom- service. So we feel that this room ing tubes about five inches long an's Auxiliary of the Southern fills a real need. It is a small S. S. dressed up in ruffles of fluffy Baptist Convention: room, easily heated and comfortably crepe paper and drooping hats furnished. We (the board of missions framing faces cut from maga- Poster suggestion, an outline map of the church) started a library with zines. As each secretary read of Japan with Japanese shoes (clogs) books bought for the school of mis- her report, she rolled it up, marching across it. Dse some such sions. We are subscribing to Missions pressed it into a tube and at- wording as this: "March with Mis- magazine so there will always be the tached the doll to a streamer of sions across Japan at (time and current issue on the table, as well as the pole. This pole was set in place)." Japanese shoes made into 'A Book of Remembrance' and free the midst of a lawn of green folders in which is printed the pro- leaflets. We are asking for donations paper and had a yellow paper gram will be effective. Hymns: of missionary books." "flower of happiness" for China, "Footsteps of Jesus"; "Follow, Fol- a real iris for Japan, a rose for low, We Will Follow Jesus"; "Where Forty Missionary Stories is India and America, etc., at the He Leads Me I Will Follow." Devothe name of a new book by Mar- top. The gay streamers of the tional: "Ye Should Follow His Steps," garet W. Eggleston-"true tales pole and dresses of the dolls re- 1 Peter 2: 21b. Talks on "Getting that have the heart touch and lieved the monotony of the re- Our Footing," "Our Footing in 44 that carry their morals without ports. Years," etc., according to the subject words. They are not of equal matter to be covered in the program. stimulus but they cover a sur- Charades for Fellowship: A Special music, "Beautiful Japan," or prising range and few readers writer in The World Call sug- "Hail to the Brightness." Other fea- will escape their emotional ap- gests after looking over the bi- tures may be: "Footfalls that Pre- peal. The book is particularly ography sets of the United saged Great Events," "Footprints on adapted for use among boys of Christian Missionary Society the Sands of Time," "Turning Shoes the hero-worshiping age. (Har- that charades should be impro- Around" (changing old non-Christian per's; $1.50, or through your vised to familiarize people with ways through missionary influence). own literature department.) the names of missionaries and "Getting Our Footing" may be a True- impart information as to what and-False test, the leader either hand- Portraits of Missionaries: The each one did. Selecting from ing out a written test for each mem- Baptist Department of Mission- the leaflets such names as Trout, ber to mark or reading the items and ary Education has a large collec- Palmer, Hunter, Weaver, etc., letting the organization indicate the tion of 10×12¥2 portraits of its having dramatization possibili- correct reply, as: "The name, Japan, missionaries to which it keeps was given by Perry when the country adding from time to time. was opened to trade. (b) By the Chinese since the sun came from its direction. (c) Because of its beauty," the second being correct.
~~I====~============~========~I~
BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY Jesus said, "When thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; they have not wherewith to recompense thee."
Peter in writing "to the elect" urged them to practice "hospitality one to another without murmuring." Paul, in letters to the Roman Christians and to Timothy, his "true child in the faith," repeats the charming words, "given to hospitality."
The Rune of Hospitality I saw a stranger yestreen: as it unites us to Him and makes congregations who have listed I put food in the eating place, His prayers one with ours, will the members who would be the Drink in the drinking place, lead us to intercessory prayer first to leave and who would Music in the listening place; for all men." doubtless afterwards have "gold And in the sacred name of the Triune, stars" on another flag to be hung He blessed myself and my house, *** in the church. My cattle and my dear ones. And the lark said in her song, Let us thank God for the growing In helping its members "to Often, often, often, and deepening consciousness of the seek peace and pursue it," the Goes the Christ in the stranger's guise, need for peace, and for the personal Broadway Tabernacle Church in Often, often, often, knowledge of Him who brings peace New York City has made use of Goes the Christ in the stranger's guise. on earth.-From the Call of Prayer, the following anti-war declara- announcing the observance of the tion: -Old Gaelic Rune. Recovered by World Day of Prayer, February 28, Kenneth McCleod. 1936. "I have quietly considered what I would do if my nation THANKS BE TO GOD MAKING UP OUR MINDS should again be drawn into war.
Luke tells how Paul on his last Strange how we strong- "I am not taking a pledge bejourney "thanked God and took minded Americans who usually cause I do not know what I courage." know where we want to go, and would do when the heat of war straightway go, are now fum- mood is upon the country. But Paul in writing to his Chris- bling and stumbling along in in a mood of calm consideration tian friends in Philippi and making up our minds how to I do today declare that I cannot Colossre combined the giving of keep our nation out of the hell reconcile the way of Christ with thanks to God and steadfastness of another war. Evidently too the practice of war. in prayer. many of us keep our minds on the possible war rather than on "I do, therefore, set down my Father Fabian says: "Our our probable strength to find the name to be kept in the records own interests drive us obviously Way of Peace. I have heard of of my Church, so that it will be to prayer, but it is love alone which leads to thanksgiving. [546 ] There is little enough of prayer but there is still less of thanksgiving."
"Our knowledge of the Love of God to us calls us to pray for ourselves that we may be worthy of His Love. Our love for Jesus,
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOlv.lE MISSIONS
for me a reminder if war should thority of the Foreign Policy As- sciences have performed a valcome; and will be a solemn dec- uable function in conducting relaration to those who hold to sociation, which has gained wide search which increases our recognition as a source of un- knowledge of human relations, this conviction in time of war biased information on interna- but their findings do not reach that I believe them to be right; the masses, and therefore have and I do desire with my whole tional affairs, but the facts are too little influence on public presented in popular, non-tech- opinion. The Foreign Policy Asmind and heart that I shall be sociation believes that the most among those who keep to this be- nical language. Each book con- useful service which it can perlief. tains about forty pages and is form at this time is to develop a new means of public education "I set down my name to make illustrated with unique pictorial which will secure a wider disconcrete my present thought charts or graphs. tribution and more effective use of the knowledge derived from upon the question of war, and The series is especially suited research. declare my purpose to think and to the needs of discussion groups, The project is being carried talk with others about it, that current events clubs and forums. out by a new Department of my belief in the way of Christ Study outlines and supplemen- Popular Education organized tary material are available to this fall under the direction of shall become operative in this William T. Stone, Vice-President and in other questions which teachers, ministers, and club of the Foreign Policy Associanow confuse our thought and leaders using the books for dis- tion. Mr. Stone is assisted by action." cussion groups. The books are Mr. Omar P. Goslin, as educa- tional secretary, and Mrs. *** published in two editions: a Phyllis A. Goslin as editor. Mr. paper covered pamphlet edition and Mrs. Goslin are authors of Since June, 1934, the General for organizations and study Rich Man, Poor Man, a graphic Council of Congregational and survey of our economic dilemma groups at 25 cents a copy; and which has received enthusiastic Christian Churches has author- praise fro m educators and ized preparation for "a plebis- a book trade edition bound in critics. boards on sale at all bookstores cite of our denomination to de- at 35 cents a copy. Released by Foreign Policy Association, termine the mind of our people" S W, 40th St., New York, New York. on four propositions or others The gravity of the world crisis relating to the question of war is one compelling reason for this and peace. The vote is being new venture. If society is to taken this month. solve the fundamental problems May God be praised that of our times without resort to under his guidance some Chris- violence, it must apply knowltians will be led to make up their edge and understanding more minds concerning the Way of Peace. successfully than it has in the past. In recent years the social NEW VENTURE IN ~.
POPULAR EDUCATION I Headline Books Offer Popular I Material on International Problems I The Foreign Policy Associa- FLANDERS FIELD tion announces an interesting The float, shown above, entitled Flanders Field, was a unit in the Peace Demonstration experiment in popular education, prepared by Mrs. J. H. Callister, and directed at the Northfield Missionary Conference, initiated this month with the Northfield, Mass., in July. For particulars regarding such a demonstration for Peace, publication of Headline Books. The first volume is entitled "War refer to the B1IIletin for November, or address tbe Editor. Tomorrow: Will We Keep Out?" a survey of the proposals for keeping America out of the next war, written against the background of our participation in the World War.
The object of Headline Books is to present the complicated and difficult problems of our times in a form so simple and interesting that they will be understood by the millions of Americans who don't normally read "serious" books. The material which goes into each book carries the au- ! Our World–wide Outlook ~ ~II,~,=====A=M=issi=ona=ry =Ne~ wsp~ape=r o=f C=urr=ent=Ev=ent=s =====~~ NORTH AMERICA Interior, and is expected to take can be a Scout or receive a com- from five to ten years to com- mission unless he believes in Human Relations Institute plete. The work will employ God. In 1917 a special edition of the Bible and of the New The Williamstown Institute of about 4,000 men. Rev. Roy H. Testament, bearing the Scout in- Human Relations meeting at Murray has been appointed by signia and readings on the Scout Williams College in September, the Washington Co un c i I of brought together Jewish, Cath- Churches and Christian Educa- law, were issued.
olic and Protestant representa- tion for this work. The culminating "daily good tives with a frank and deter- turn," which is the capstone of mined purpose to create a better Chicago's Kingdom of God the movement, came in 1934, understanding. The 680 mem- Fellowship when the President of the United bers of this Institute, while not States broadcast a request for a forsaking the cardinal principles Chicago is developing a "King- nation-wide good turn during of their own religion, feel bound dom of God Fellowship," with Anniversary Week. In response together in a common task of aims akin to those in the Fellow- to this call, the boys gathered combating the forces of national- ship sponsored by Kagawa: "(1) 91,863 pieces of household furniism, secularism, intolerance and The deepening of spiritual life. ture, 22,206 pieces of bedding, materialism which are alarm- (2) An educational program to 268,716 pieces of clothing for inform the churches and inter- men, 276,423 pieces of clothing ingly on the increase. The Institute was based upon pret for them the life, the Chris- for women, 266,160 pieces of recognition of the fact that while tian experience and social pro- clothing for children, besides fundamental religious differ- gram of Toyohiko Kagawa, and 79,617 miscellaneous pie c e s. ences must remain, m u t u a I to relate ourselves to the Chris- These supplies were given to ununderstanding and a working tian International Fellowship employed persons. cooperation can be established in that is coming under the impulse Now, after twenty-five years spite of them; and that interest of Kagawa's Christ-like life and of the Scout Movement, almost in mutual problems can sur- teaching. (3) The study of and 800 men are devoting their mount respective differences. the relating of ourselves to the whole time to its leadership. A outstanding social action move- training school is carried on Are Country Churches Dying? ments within our own churches near Mendham, N. J. and the cooperative movement This question is often heard, -The Christian Advocate. as a technique for world brotherand a Louisville Baptist minister hood." Quaker Branches United has worked out an answer in the following figures for Kentucky: A booklet entitled "Kagawa A breach of more than a hun- dred years' duration was healed City Country and the Kingdom of God" has when the two branches of the been prepared and is being dis- Religious Society of Friends, Churches Churches commonly known as Quakers, tributed. Dr. Kagawa expects talked, prayed and were silent in Membership ….. 18,677 18,675 to be in the United States dur- Baptisms ……. 570 1,045 ing the winter.
Pastors' Salaries. $39,573 $33,883 Total Gifts …… $201,606 $69,723 S. S. Enrolment. 14,897 11,692 Scout's Silver Anniversary the same New York meeting house. More than a century ago -Watchman-Examiner.
Another Cooperative Project About half the Boy Scout the followers of Elias Hicks, calling themselves liberals, broke Seven denominations are coop- troops in the United States are erating in the support of an in- connected with churches. Of the off from the orthodox section, terdenominational religious pro- organization's twelve laws, the and each Suriday since then gram at the site of the Grand Coulee Dam in the State of most fundamental is the twelfth, these Quakers went their sep- Washington. This support pro- which reads: "A Scout is reyvides for a religious worker and arate ways. The reunion, which helps toward the erection of a erent toward God. He is faith- took place at Gramercy Park chapel building. The dam is being built by the Reclamation ful in his religious duties, and meeting house, was character- Bureau of the Department of the respects the convictions of others ized by a quiet service. When in matters of custom and reli- the service and announcements gion." This has been embodied were over there was a filing out, in the constitution of the Boy a shaking of hands, a little nod- ding across the meeting house. Scouts of America, and no one [548 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Danish Lutherans Take Washington Chinese Church religious. The "Socialist" teach- ing of Mexico is planned to a Stand The organization of a Chinese remove all religious preconcep- Community Church among the tions from the minds of the peo- The Danish Evangelical Lu- 800 resident Chinese is one of ple. In one of the most populous theran Church in America, with the most interesting recent de- states, all school teachers must a baptized membership of 18,- velopments in Washington, D. C., sign the following document: 000, assembled in convention in and is a brand new enterprise. Danevang, Texas, June 14-18, The recent visit of Dr. P. C. I declare that by all the means in passed the following resolution: Chua, head of a private hospital my power I will fight the Roman Cath- in Canton and an earnest Chris- olic religion and other religions. I Be it hereby tian, has initiated this move- declare that I will not take part in ment. The purpose is to con- private or public in any ceremony of Resolved, That the Danish Evan- duct a communuity church with the Catholic Church or any other regelical Lutheran Church in America educational, social and recrea- ligion. in convention assembled fully en- tional features in connection dorses other church bodies and peace with the religious services. The Many mission schools have organizations in their efforts to se- church will seek affiliation with been closed and it is expected cure full publicity concerning the the Church of Christ in China. that, by the end of the present facts and forces of armaments, and The pastor is Rev. C. C. Hung, school year, the few remaining in their efforts to create an enlight- of Detroit, who has had experi- schools will close. ened public opinion against the out- ence in similar enterprises. rageous increases of current appro- Mr. Grubb found the followpriations for the war and navy de- Quarters will be selected ad- ing is a Socialist Lord's Prayer partments. . . . jacent to the Chinese residential being taught in one school: area. Subscriptions promise We condemn the traffic in arma- adequate finances for the year. Our Socialism which is on the earth, ments, the diversion of money from The few Christian Chinese are Respected be thy name; public funds to channels indirectly en- all behind the enterprise and are Thine influence come, larging the power of the military es- represented on its board of man- Thy will be done as in the cities so tablishments, the subtle basis of the agers. Many other resident militaristic setup and spirit in vari- Chinese have shown their in- in the fields. ous public activities such as R. O. terest. -Christian Advocate. Give us this day our daily bread, T. C. colleges, relief organizations, Do not pardon us if we pardon our and economic agencies of control, and the taking of excessive individual and enemies, corporate profits in the production of And lead us not into the hand of armaments. clergy, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Anti-Race Discrimination Moravians in Alaska It is useless to contemplate sending more missionaries to Christians who believe with The Moravian Alaska Mission Mexico, but Mr. Grubb calls at~ the Apostle Peter that God is no is celebrating its jubilee this tention to the fact that as the respecter of persons must re- year. The most encouraging prayers of God's children turned joice in the action of Pennsyl- feature of the work has been the the tide in a similar situation in vania in passing its anti-race- eagerness to read, and learn the China so will prevail today discrimination bill. This law Bible on the part of the young prayer, and spiritual life canprovides that there shall be no people, the best proof being the not be destroyed by governments discrimination "because of race, frequent and intelligent ques- today. creed or color," in inns, taverns, tions they ask. Often the midroadhouses, hotels, restaurants, week services are entirely given Mexico's Women for buffets, saloons, barrooms, ice over to Bible readings. Eng- Temperance .cream parlors, confectionaries, lish is being used more and soda fountains, drugstores, dis- more; no new translations of the South of the Rio Grande, as pensaries, c 1i n i c s, hospitals, Bible were made by the Mora- north of it, the saloon or tavern bathhouses, theatres, motion-pic- vian Mission last year. is a focus of crime and delinture houses, airdromes, roof quency. Mexican pulque and gar den s, music halls, race -Bible Society Record. tequila are as cheap as beer and courses, skating rinks, amuse- wine in the United States. It is ment and recreation parks, fairs, LATIN AMERICA with real satisfaction that Presibowling all e y s, gymnasiums, dent Cardenas, of Mexico, welshooting galleries, billiard and Education in Mexic9 comes the women of his nation pool parlors, public libraries, in a fight against alcohol. "It is kindergartens, primary and sec- The new system of education up to them' more than anyone ondary schools, high schools, in Mexico is closely allied to its else to solve the problem," he academies, colleges and universi- religious life. By a recent said recently, "for the sake of ties, garages and all public con- amendment to the Constitution, their children and homes, and to veyances. This seems to cover "Socialist teaching" is obligatory see that their husbands and the ground pretty thoroughly. in all schools, including mission brothers make good use of the schools. Mr. Kenneth Grubb, money they earn. Women will -Presbyterian Tribune. who examined Government text- be gratified to know that they books prepared for primary schools, found them to be anti-
have undertaken a great work. prisoners throughout the world. "Christ-Believing Jews" In the case of extreme necessity," he warned, "I may even For the coming Christmas some For several years there has have to prohibit the manufacture been in Hungary a group of of intoxicating liquor, so that 25,000 English, and over 5,000 Jews who have never severed this work will not be in vain." their connection with their peo- The National Revolutionary foreign letters, each handwritten ple, but who, as Jews, believe Party is conducting a series of that Jesus of Nazareth is the radio programs against the and decorated and containing a Messiah promised in the Old traffic in strong drinks. Testament. The leader of this clear Gospel message, have al- group is Dr. Deszo Foldes, who Ecuador Nationalizes Churches is the president of the Hun- ready been prepared. Two garian Hebrew – Christian Al- A decree was issued on Oc- liance. He has just published a tober 15th· nationalizing Ecua- prisons in the United States each book in which he relates his exdorean churches. It was an- perience on entering the Chrisnounced that another dec r e e are to receive 5,000 letters; the tian life, and his later efforts to would be issued nationalizing the advance Christ's cause among clergy. total number sent to North his own people. Among the rea- sons given for the establishment In 1869 tithes on farm produce America is over 24,000, while of "The Union of Hungarian for the support of the Roman Christ-Believing Jews" are the Catholic Church were abolished, about 600 in Spanish go to following: and a tax was substituted. In 1902, civil marriage was per- South America. Weare Christ-believing Jews bemitted and two years later the cause we believe in Jesus Christ. Church was placed under State Letters in several languages With all the strength of our soul and control. with all conviction of mind, we be- are being prepared for India. lieve and confess that He, Jesus of Plans for Amazon Basin Nazareth, is the one who, in accord- There are also requests for sev- ance with the promises of God through The vastness of the Amazon the great and holy prophets of our basin, and the apparently un- eral hundred Christmas letters Jewish people, was to come, and, by limited possibilities of its future His own sacrifice, to save His own bedevelopment have engaged the for use by prison wardens in loved people as well as all other sinattention of missionary agencies. ful lost souls, from their condemna- . It is said that this basin could India. -The Christian. tion, the death of sin. support 500,000,000 people, so immense are its natural re- Italy Needs Help We call ourselves Christ-believing sources. It seems beyond ques- Jews because we are children of the tion that its development will The Spezia Mission in Italy Jewish people and remain so, for we come within a generation or two. scrupulously keeps outside all are not willed to loosen the ties of With such possibilities in mind, political and military questions. union with our Jewish brothers, but Presbyterian forces of Brazil Its hands are full caring for rather desire to cultivate and foster have been contemplating the in- souls in its many sided work. It these ties. We cannot see a solution auguration of an evangelical is anxious that in the present of the Jewish question except by spirwork along the river, in order to crisis the needs of orphaned chil- itual renaissance through acceptance gain the advantage of being on dren should not be forgotten. of the New Testament without the the scene from the beginning. The Girls' Orphanage has been surrender of Jewish individuality. The plan calls for the coopera- at work for more than half a tion of the Brazilian Presby- century, while an orphanage for -Alliance Weekly. terian Church and the Northern boys is nearing completion. and Southern Presbyterian mis- While Rome, using the political Evangelism in Norway sions joining in itinerary work crisis, is seeking to crush the that would carry the Gospel up Spezia Mission, the workers feel About twenty-five years ago and down the river by boat to that the present situation fur- a revival in Norway laid the the widely scattered communi- nishes a definite opportunity to foundations of the greater evanties. -Christian Observer. proclaim the cause of Christ to gelical and missionary z e a I the Italian people. shown by that country as com- EUROPE pared with the other two Scan- -The Christian. dinavian lands. Today a strong Christmas Letters for evangelical movement is in evi- Prisoners Campaign in Corsica dence, especially among the stu- dents. Two years ago a Swedish Great Britain has groups of The Camps and Tours Union evangelist set up a Gospel tent voluntary helpers engaged in has held a series of ten evan- in Oslo for a series of meetings, preparing Christmas letters to gelistic meetings in isolated and the demand for evangelist'ic mountain villages of the Island services has been so sustained of Corsica. So far as known, that he is still there. The people not one Protestant was present; hunger for the Gospel. the average attendance of 30 was entirely Roman Catholic. Nearly all the population (2,- French Testaments, Gospels and 649,775) belongs to the Lutheran tracts were accepted readily by all those present, most of whom had never seen a Bible. At one meeting the people asked for an explanation of the difference be- tween Catholic and Protestant belief. Personal talks, explana- 1:!ion of texts and prayer had definite results among those of every walk in life.
-Life of Faith.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Church, within which this evan- Rev. G. Guenod, which deserves Missionaries Help Ethiopia wider circulation. We quote: gelical movement finds its home. American missionary doctors The country is strongly Prot- The steamer which is taking and nurses are planning to reestant, having only 3,000 Roman us to the Cameroon made a stop main in Ethiopia, in case of war at Algiers and then at Casa- Catholics. Only 800,000 of the blanca. In the first named place with Italy, in order that they population of Norway live in we passed the Depot of the Brit- may aid the wounded and ill. cities. The country population ish Bible Society. In 1934 there is very scattered, the average were distributed and sold, copies Dr. Robert W. Hockman, a density being only twenty-two of the Bible and New Testaments medical missionary, is reported to the number of 66,614 copies. people to the square mile. recently to have left for the -The Christian. frontier with five tons of Ethio- pian Red Cross supplies, includ- This work employs seven colpor- ing operating tables, stretchers AFRIOA teurs, both among Europeans and tents. He was accompanied and natives. The agency in Al- by Dr. Malaku Bayen, Ethiopian Changes Under Way giers is able to supply the Word husband of the daughter of the Nothing that is happening in of God in nearly 60 different President of Howard Univer- Egypt, and, in fact, in all Mos- languages. sity, Washington, and 100 native lem countries, seems more sig- Casablanca is a prodigious assistants. nificant than men's awakening city which was not in existence Dr. Tom A. Lambie, field dito the desirability of educating before 1907! It contains so rector of the Ethiopian Mission, women for a place in society many things to see, among them a part of the Sudan Interior Missimilar to that in the West. "Bidonville," the "zone," the sion with headquarters in To- Arabic papers frequently pub- name of which indicates its mis- ronto, is organizing the Red lish articles on the subject, some erable appearance. of which have been translated Cross. Dr. Esther Bergman into English. At a Rotary Club "ladies night" recently in Cairo Contrary to appearances about and Dr. Tesla Nicola, both of Los there were several Mohammedan 10,000 Moslems swarm about the Angeles, and other missionary members present, including the place. Our arrival was marked doctors, will convert their hospresident of the club; but not by the Aid-el-Kebir, the great pitals into institutions for war one Mohammedan lady came day of the "mutton feast." wounded. American w 0 men with her husband. The example Every family kills a sheep, and have also volunteered their servset by the Palace, where the everywhere from u n d e r the ices in making bandages and Queen is kept in complete se- doors of the little yards flow splints. clusion so far as mixed com- little streams of blood which feed pany is concerned, tends to keep the ill-smelling mud of the Foreigners in Addis Ababa back the older leaders of the streets. This does not prevent (pronounced A'ddis A'hwahwa) community from following new the crowd from strutting about fear air raids and gas attacks social ways. in magnificent holiday attire. It most; except for a few anti- happens to be at the same time aircraft guns, the capital is un- -Wilbert B. Smith. the Jewish Sabbath. prepared for such attacks. Few are equipped with gas masks The Gospel Welcomed At the "House of the Bible" which an enterprising German we had the good fortune to meet merchant is selling at $40 each. The Church Missionary So- Mr. Dugald Cam p bell, the ciety reports a marked change in The British Legation, which is Omdurman, Egyptian Sudan, in Scotch colporteur of the desert. on a full wartime footing and is the attitude to Christianity. For more than thirty years he equipped with subterranean dug- There is a growing interest and outs; the German Legation has readiness to listen, evidenced by has been traversing the Sudan bomb-proof shelters but the the large attendance at meet- and the Sahara in every direc- United States Legation has no ings where the speakers included tion. He is particularly inter- such protection. an Armenian, an American, an Egyptian, an Englishman and a ested in the Tuaregs and has French Government Donation Sudanese. Simple Christian teaching is welcomed in the hos- written about them and his After the aeroplane accident pitals, although not a few draw trips some gripping stories. in Congo BeIge, which cost the back when they realize what is lives of Governor General and involved in an open acceptance Mr. Campbell was just about Madame Renard, the French of Christ. -Life of Faith. Government acknowledged the to start on a new tour. It takes service rendered by Baptist Mis- him about two years and a half. sionaries at Bolobo and Tshum- He needs to buy eight or nine biri by sending a donation to- camels on which he will load his small parcels and hundreds of kilos of Gospels (which are pub- The Bible in North Africa lished in his own Targui trans- ward the work of these stations. lation). He is always in danger After paying the costs in- The Journal des Missions of a bullet from a fierce, but un- curred, the missionaries plan to Evangeliques publishes a letter seen Chleuh, but the cover of apply the money toward ur- gently needed new buildings-at from one of its missionaries, the God will protect him.
Bolobo, new classrooms for Ayia Sofia, is to be turned into a zation. An Indian lady from teacher training and girls' dor- public library. Lucknow has been elected chairmitory, and at Tshumbiri improvement of missionary dwell- Persia Makes Radical Changes man of the united organization. ings. -Southern Workman. Three Indian delegates were sent In addition to other changes Another Jubilee Offering in Iran has come the introduc- to the World's Student Christian tion of music (forbidden by the Federation, which met in Bul- From the chief and oldest Koran) with military bands and garia last August. While angrandmother to the youngest singing taught in schools. Relichild, everybody helped to make gious leaders have been stripped other contact is with the newly bricks, bringing timber from 30 of old perquisites, such as the organized Student Christian miles and sand from five miles right to witness all deeds for fat away to build an addition to the fees, the control of the huge Movement of Java when four church at Qanqu, South Africa, lands and possessions of the representatives of the Indian and thus worthily celebrate the church, and the right to inter- movement visited Java last Augchurch's fiftieth anniversary. fere in political affairs. Many Seventeen hundred people at- who have protested the change ust. India is also looking fortended the opening service, 700 have been imprisoned or exiled. ward with great interest to the of them communicants. Besides visit of the American Negroes the offering, a special gift was Marriageable age for girls has also been raised from nine to six- who are planning to tour most of teen, and the consent of the first the important student centers in India, Burma and Ceylon in the coming winter.
-The Christian Century.
presented to the Bishop, includ- wife is required before a second Revolt Against Hinduism ing seven oxen and several sheep, can be taken. Modern schools 400 pounds of potatoes, 200 have been established for girls The Associated Press reports pounds of sugar and several as well as boys; moving pictures that on October 15th ten thoupounds of tea. The Bishop gave are used in government schools; sand "untouchables" revolted all this back to the people and and policemen have been ordered against Hinduism by resolution a grand feast followed. The to tear up every old style hat after they had been addressed by building fund was sec u red they see. Recently the leading Dr. Ramji Ambedkar, at a meetchiefly by the Bishop of Aber- mosque in Hamadan was com- ing of the depressed classes at deen, after his visit to South mandeered by the department of Nasik. education, and the dome was Dr. Ambedkar urged them to Africa a few years ago. used for the suspension of a abandon Hinduism and adopt WESTERN ASIA Foucalt's pendulum, showing the "any other religion which gives Changes in Turkey revolution of the earth on its you equality of status and treat- axis, thus proving that the world ment." He continued: "I had the misfortune to be born with The Moslem W 0 r l d (New does move-in more ways than the stigma of the untouchable, York) reports that further rad- one. -The Presbyterian. ical changes are taking place in but it is not my fault. I will not Turkey. Bahaism Under Fire die a Hindu."
The new Parliament proposes to Iran is using governmental His audience heard the adtransfer the weekly day of rest from authority to suppress Bahaism, dress with marked enthusiasm.
Friday to Sunday. Primarily this is one of the greatest of peace or- Practical Christianity a change due to commercial, and not ganizations. This sect, perseto religious reasons. Money and time cuted in Turkey, found freedom Ten boys from a mission are lost on the Continental Bourse by in Iran, the land of their birth, school in North India put their Constantinople being closed on ,Fri- but an official proclamation has Christianity into effect during days. At the same time the change is now closed their schools. The the hot season by providing railworking to the advantage of the reason for this persecution is way passengers with drinks of Christian, and is another blow to the that their spiritual leader peti- cold water. They also helped old Moslem. However hard it may be for tioned the League of Nations to men and women, some of whom Christians in Turkey today, their secure for them the right to elect had never traveled before and position is in no way so difficult or a representative at the Persian were glad to have cheery lads distressing as that of Islam. Out- Parliament. help them with their bundles. wardly at least, Islam is crumbling. -United Presbyterian. These same boys, during an The Muezzins are forbidden to call to prayer from the minarets in Arabic; epidemic of malarial fever, went into the villages and distributed it must be in Turkish. But the call quinine, encouraged people to brings no general response; the old keep their bodies clean and to take other health precautions. In imam's voice, breaking on a top note, INDIA AND SIAM only calls forth mocking laughter. Student Christian Movement Ayia Sofia (formerly a Christian Church and then a mosque) has been The Student Christian Movereopened as a museum. The great ment of India is entering upon a discs bearing the names of the first four Khalifs and other like decora- new phase of its history, as it some places they showed lantern tions of a Moslem character have been removed and the old atmosphere has has been found possible to unify slides which suggested ways of gone. It is rumored that the mosque the men students' and the wom- maintaining good health.
of the Sultan Achmed, the one nearest en movements into one organi- -The Christian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Toward Christian Unity Learning to Live In and Around Malacca Dr. E. Stanley Jones is setting Rural reconstruction is mak- The missionary history of up in Lucknow a new ashram, ing headway in Burma. The for the special study of service Malacca (Malaysia) contains the and evangelism. He is an ear- Methodist Anglo – Vernacular names of three famous men. nest advocate of Christian unity, School has a rural bias in its cur- St. Francis Zavier worked there riculum. Boarding pupils pay and would combine all Christians 20 baskets of rice annually for for some time, and stories of his in one "Church of Christ in miraculous power are still cur- India," with many "branches"- their board, and do outside man- rent among his followers. Milne Syrian, Lutheran, Methodist, ual work certain hours. Weav- ing, carpentry and the like are started the Anglo-Chinese Col- Friends, etc., each branch keep- lege in Malacca toward the end ing for the present its old or- additional. Girls are instructed ganization. Over all would be in poultry raising. In the dor- of the 18th century. It was later an All-India General Assembly mitories, the students practice moved to China. Robert Moror Synod, meeting at long inter- housekeeping in groups, buying rison set up his first printing vals, the National Christian and preparing the meals on one press in Malacca, and there his Council acting as an executive rupee a week. first translations of the Bible committee. At Chaungwa is an S. P. G. into Chinese were printed. Shel- -Christian Advocate. rural center which is similar in labear Hall commemorates the aim and method. Literary work Methodist pioneers in this field, Dr. and Mrs. Shellabear. Mrs.
Telugu Convention is done at both schools and the Shellabear founded the Suydam manual training appears to In Bezwada, India, was held make the pupils more alert. Girls' School, and the boarding recently the great Telugu Con- school which accommodates 100 vention, which was attended by -Burma News. girls. more than twenty thousand native Christians, saved from A Problem in Siam Malacca has a Tamil congreheathenism. A huge structure was built for the occasion. The Dr. Barnhouse, writing in gation and one for the Hokien delegates slept on the ground. Revelation, after a recent visit, Chinese. Daily Vacation Bible Their wants were few-a little tells us that the Siamese have a rice and curry. REVIEW readers tendency to accept Christianity Schools are conducted in eight are familiar with the beginnings by households. Families are so outlying districts, as well as in of this work among the Telugus bound together that if any indi- -how for years no opening was vidual considers becoming a Malacca. One new outstation Christian, it is a matter for the has been opened recently, also a new Sunday School in Malacca.
-Woman's Missionary Friend.
gained, until some Boards were household to settle. He goes to CHINA on the point of recalling their his parents, his brothers and workers. At last the break Missions and Philanthropy came, and 2,222 were baptized sisters, and even households of Cooperate in a single day. Since then the cousins are consulted, so that work has steadily developed. The Spirit of Missions gives a when a man becomes a Chris- striking example of cooperation -Alliance Weekly. tian, frequently his whole house- between a mission hospital and hold is brought in, and some- a benevolent society. This was In the Assam Hills in Anking, where not long ago a times two or three collateral crowd of forlorn women and Rev. W. G. Supplee, Baptist households. This explains one children, driven in by famine worker in Assam, reports that from outlying farms and vilchurch membership is growing of the great difficulties that has lages, invaded the city, grabbed faster than it can be cared for. been prevalent in the work of the wheels of jinrikishas and At the present time the Christian membership of the churches the schools. A student from a non-Christian home who comes under the influence of Christian- ity, and who perhaps really has among the Serna Nagas is well become a Christian at heart, will pulled at coat sleeves, begging over 5,000; the past year 800 were added. The Association of consult his parents before con- food. the Christians of one section of sidering baptism. More often Anking has a group of Chinese than not, permission will be rethe field was held at Alaphumi, business men who call thema village 100 miles from Kohima. fused, and the student will obey selves a "Fellow Benevolence the parents. There have been Society." They are not all There were 4,400 people there. many cases where, years after Christians. When this invasion The Gospel of Mark is the only graduation, students have writ- took place, a committee of the part of the Scriptures available ten to their former teachers say- society went through the streets ing that parents having died, or after midnight and picked up all in the Serna Naga.
The missionary motorcycle other obstacles having been re- the children between six and traveled over 1,000 miles on the moved, they have decided pub- twelve years who were sleeping paths of the Naga Hills, Assam, licly to become a Christian. on doorsteps in the rain-139 of during the past year. Through the years they have them.
-Watchman-Examiner. continued their Bible reading. The men's society then ap-
pealed to St. James' Hospital in ference held recently at Kuling, hundred centers the Chinese Anking. The staff got into ac- Central China. Nanking Theo- Government is offering treattion and vaccinated for small- logical Seminary expects to re- ment for addicts of the drug and pox; scrubbed, dosed, treated, ceive about $3,000,000 from the before the end of 1935 all are redressed wounds, shaved heads Wendel estate, all of which will quired to report for treatment. and deinfested. The mission's be reinvested and the income Those who are discovered using religious education workers took used in augmenting the equip- drugs after they have been turns going over to teach tooth- ment and personnel of theolog- treated will be subject to five brushing, handscrubbing, and ical schools the country over. years' imprisonment; those who other pleasant "games"; also are compelled by force to submit put up posters from the Chinese As a first step toward reduc- to treatment and then relapse National Health Administration. ing the number of theological will be put to death. Beginning Pupil nurses took up a collection schools in the Gountry in the in- next year all persons found using to buy 139 toothbrushes and terests of greater efficiency of narcotics will be given five years' drinking cups. operation, nine institutions-in- imprisonment, and after that cluding four union theological year the penalty will- be death. More Trouble in China colleges, three union theological training schools and two post- -Christian Advocate. Dr. Susan Waddell, an Amer- graduate schools of theologyican Presbyterian Medical Mis- have been singled out to receive JAPAN-CHOSEN sionary who went out to China direct financial assistance from in 1921 and later married a Chi- the Wendel bequest. Hokkaido Calls nese Christian, Hsu Shih-chu, was murdered (probably by rob- -Dayton News. There has been both material bers) in Hanking on October and spiritual progress in Hok- 14th. Bandit Invasion kaido since the first C. M. S. missionary settled there in 1874, Dr. Waddell was born in Iowa The Missionstidning for Fin- the diamond jubilee having been and served as missionary doctor land publishes the following celebrated last year. In the at Cheeloo University, Tsinan, telegram from ones of its mis- early days the Japanese re- Shantung. sionaries: garded Hokkaido almost as J. foreign country-the land of the Another despatch from China Aug. 29 the Mission Society Ainu. Today, Hakodate is the on October 8th says: received a telegram from Pastor ninth city in the empire, the Meeder in China containing the agricultural college at Sapporo Twenty-eight missionaries, in- distressing news that the entire has become an imperial univercluding fourteen Americans, be- mission field was occupied by sity, and nearly every part of gan a hazardous 600-mile Yellow communistic bandit troops. All the island is accessible by rail. River flight from Chinese Com- the missionaries are safe. The munists, as they began to move government troops were re- By degrees, the Christian nearer to Lanchow, in Kansu ported in command of the situa- Church has spread over the Province, from Szechwan. tion over the whole field early in island. Well educated Japanese July. The society had learned clergy now have full charge of The Christians were heading that Yungshuen, the most west- their districts. But missionaries for Paotow and thence for ern of its mission stations, had have been reduced in number so Peiping. , fallen into the hands of bandits. that there has been no marked This deprives the mission for increase in the number of Chris- Wendel Bequest at Work the present of the opportunity tians, although the population to continue its work in China. has trebled. There are the large Missionary leaders in Shang- It is all the more discouraging, centers, cities of over 150,000, hai say that the Wendel bequest since after great trials endured inadequately occupied; and vast of millions to the missionary during recent years, the Society untouched areas in outlying cause in China is bringing coop- was beginning to see the dawn areas. Of the 15,000 Ainu proberation among the Christian of better days. The Finnish Mis- ably five or six hundred are agencies at work. Gradually, sion Society deserves the prayer- Christians.-C. M. S. Outlook. they predict, foreign mission- ful sympathy of all Christians in aries in China will be supplanted this new affliction. "Retreat" at Chungju by Chinese pastors whose education will have been made pos- End of Drug Traffic by 1937 Some lights and shadows in sible by the Wendel millions. Korea are given in a letter from Dr. John R. Mott declares that Rev. Harry J. Hill, Presbyterian A far-reaching program for for the first time he feels that missionary in Pyengyang. "A the coordination of all Protestant the drug evil in China is under fifteen-year-old g i r 1, meeting theological schools in China control. General Chiang Kai- with the session in preparation under the leadership of the Nan- shek is determined to "stamp it for communion, was asked by a king Theological Seminary, ac- out" as is shown in a report of Korean elder: 'What is your tual beneficiary of the Wendel the National Opium Suppression moneys, was tentatively ap- Commission. At more than six proved by the heads of the various schools concerned at a con-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
greatest sorrow?' I~ tears she Solomon Island Christians go from. jungle villages, where replied: 'The unbelIef of my life is primitive and religion father.' This father had once The Evangelical Christian crudely animistic, to jungle vilbeen a church officer, but had lage schools and churches – so lapsed, while his family re- says of the Solomon Islands: simple and crude as scarcely to mained faithful. "The outstanding characteristic of the native Church in the Sol- seem such at all-thence to town "Another little Korean girl omons is their acceptance of the churches of beauty where real whose father, though professing Bible as the inspired Word of fellowship in worship may be ex- Christianity had sold her to be- perienced, and finally to the come a da'ughter-in-Iaw in a God, and their application of it heathen home, led her h~sband to their own lives. The Bible center at Medan where excellent ana mother-in-law to ChrIst. becomes their rule of life, and is schools for boys and for girls are conducted and where, in a b~a':l "Over 130 Koreans and 18 always the final court of appeal." tiful church building, worshIp IS missionaries recently held. a One of the native teachers had conducted in four different lan- Bible study retreat at ChungJu. guages for that polyglot city. For some years there has been two children, who died within friction between nor t hand Here one sees the entire range south but in this Retreat, a one week. Much to the amazespirit' of love and reconciliation ment of the heathen, who could of missionary activity from the were clearly manifest. There not understand that a Christian early approach to the jungle was earnest Bible study and a wonderful spirit of prayer sorrows not as those without dwellers on up to the self-reamong the Koreans." hope, this teacher went on w~th specting and largely self-sup- his daily work. They asked hIm ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC porting church and school work why he and his wife were not wailing as the heathen do. He in the city centers, as a pano- told them of the Father's house rama of what the Gospel can do.
with many mansions, and of the -FRANK T. CARTWRIGHT sure and certain hope he had of in Christian Advocate. , seeing his children again.
World's Smallest Kingdom To the missionary he said with Evangelism in the Philippines a smile: "You know that verse, Tonga is one of the smalle~t 'And God shall wipe away all E. K. Higdon, Executive Seckingdoms in the world and .IS tears from their eyes'? God has retary of the Philip~ine. Nathe only independent country III done that for me already." tional Christian CouncIl,. IS ac- the Pacific. It is located 400 M. 1. M. in Australia customed to write a ~etalled r~ miles southeast of Fiji, and 36 port of each field trIp. In hIS of its many islands are inhabited, The Methodist Inland Mission latest report he says: the total population being about is doing for the settlers of West 29,000. The people are Poly- I am increasingly convinced of. the nesians, closely akin to ~al!103;ns and North Australia what "cir- value of educational eva~gehsm. and Hawaiians. ChrIstIamty cuit riders" in America did for Anyone with a degree of skIll as a was introduced by British Meth- the frontiersmen a century ago. public speaker and with a knowledg.e odists in 1826. of mob psychology can secu~e .decI- In two immense areas, which sions in mass meetings. But It IS an The Tonga Church has sent have a sparse population of entirely different story to meet young pioneer workers to Fiji and people one by one, or in sma!l gr~>u~s Samoa, to New Bri!ain and the miners, cattlemen and sheep- with the purpose of an~werlll:g mdl- Solomon Islands. SIxty per cent herders the mission has ten or- vidual questions and dealmg WIth p.erof the Tongans belong to the sonal problems. The plan of sp~ndm.g "Free We s ley a n Church," dained workers. With the help three or four hours each day m prd: of automobiles they cover large vate or small group <:onferen!!es an formed by the union of two one hour in the pubhc meetmg h!l-s fields otherwise cut off from civ- proved fairly satisfact.ory. We dldsbranches of Methodism effected ilizing influences. Roads are cuss any vital questIOn presente , mere tracks; trains on the few such as: railways run on weekly or biin 1924, and affiliated with the weekly schedules. Schools and How may I continue my e.ducatio?? Methodist Church of Australasia. hospitals are rare. Heat and What openings are there m ManIla The church is self-supporting, drought make living conditions although its income has been re- hard. Airplanes carry the mails; for a work student? Is there any future for a young man in the fishing industry?
duced by more than 50 per cent camels are used for transport. Would you advise me. to., stud?, in the past few years. The The Mission's monthly bulletin, nursing? Home economICS. Agn- Tongans are noted for their The Methodist Inland Link, gives eagerness for an education and one a new sense of the vastness culture? Tubou College trains young peo- of Australia. ple to serve Church and State. How should I make love? Religious and academic training -The Christian Advocate. is supplemented by work on What are the bases for a happy plantations. The Gospel Panorama married life? -Missionary Review In Sumatra one may see al- (kustralia) . most the entire story of Chris- Give us some methods of birth con- tian missionary effort. One may trol. ., How may I keep my mind clean.
How may I overcome temptation?
It is natural for young people to have sexual desires. What is wrong about satisfying them promiscuously?
Is the Roman Catholic Church the sinia, liquor and drugs, gam- faith movements and condemning in- original church? bling, the economic situation, the fluences stifling individual religious churches and the totalitarian liberties; Was Luther justified in starting the state, the freedom of conscience, Protestant Church? evangelism, education and Chris- 2. To demand justice in human re- tian unity. The convention de- lations by presenting facts free from Is there a judgment? plored "the revival of anti- prejudice; semitism, the denial of funda- Mr. Higdon reports that there mental human rights to men and 3. To interpret public affairs has been a marked change dur- women because of race and through an editorial policy of coning the last four or five years in color." Apprehension was ex- structiveness; the type of question asked by pressed at "the growing menace students regarding life work. of the liquor and drugs traffic." 4. To suppress crime by punishing Now, they are more interested criminals and supporting mental hyin earning a living than in be- The next Disciples' World gienic education that will avert crimcoming lawyers or professors. Convention will be held in Tor- inal-producing, nervous complexes onto, in 1940. among children; MISOELLANEOUS -The Christian Century. 5. To sponsor open forum columns Armenian Bible 1,500 Years where readers may present diverse Old The Jew and Ohrist views on controversial subjects; Catholicos Papken, of Antel- Claude Montefiore, England's 6. To give greater space to reliias, Syria, writes: outstanding Reformed Jew, de- gious features that emphasize inter- clares that the Christ of Scrip- faith cooperation; According to the tradition of the ture has a greater appeal for the ancient Armenian Church, Christian- modern Jew than a Unitarian 7. To encourage civic conditions ity was introduced into Armenia be- Christ. "The Jew," he says, conducive to improving public phystween 60 and 66 A. D. by the Apostles "cannot find God in a man. ical and mental health; Thaddeus and Bartholomew. It was God's righteousness, God's goodproclaimed the State religion in 301- ness, God's love are to him in- 8. To sponsor charity for all who 302. Armenia was divided into two comparable with man's, because, need it, but to insist that charity be sections in the 5th century and since even if he cannot understand distinct from political patronage; and Syriac (the Persian language) dom- how, the Jew always conceives inated one section, and Greek the them as so infinitely deeper, 9. To support vigorously those other, the unity of the Church was wider, wiser and more pure than highly important principles of harendangered. As a result it was de- man's righteousness, goodness monious international relations seekcided fifteen hundred years ago (436- and love. That is why, I sup- ing to supplant war with permanent 37) to translate the Bible into Arme- pose, he is unable to call any peace and amity. nian, the common laJ!g'uage of the man his Master. That is also people. As this had not been reduced perhaps why the Jew, if and Religion as it applies to human reto writing, the preparation of an when he does in honesty aban- lations involves these nine points: Armenian alphabet was necessary. don Judaism, can more easily freedom of worship, justice, construc- The period that immediately followed become an orthodox Christian tiveness, crime control, open discusis called "The Golden Age of Ar- than a Unitarian." sion, interfaith concord, hygiene, charmenia." Seven hundred years later, ity and amity. in one province (Sunik), there were -The Hibbert Journal. 10,000 manuscript copies of the Bible -The Churchman. and in all Armenia there were 150,000 The Press and Religion Biblical manuscripts-all translations Sunday School Teachers' Debt from the Septuagint. Horace D. Crawford, editor of the Indianapolis New s, and An instructor in Boston Uni- The American Bible Society is teacher of journalism in Frank- versity School of Religious Eduplanning to commemorate the lin College, believes that news- cation asserts that every Sunday 1500th anniversary of the first papers may serve religion in school teacher should pay $1,000 translation of the Armenian other ways than by printing toward Christian work for the Bible, and Catholicos Khoren I, church notices. Said he: "Edi- privilege of teaching the Bible in of Armenia, has issued a call to tors, like many others, fre- any well organized Sun day all Armenians to celebrate this quently believe religion is more school. Here is his logic: It is important event. deeply concerned with the way worth $250 to acquire a pure people live than with their par- English vocabulary, such as any Disciples Take a Stand ticular beliefs. I believe that habitual Bible student will ac- newspapers serve the cause of quire. The habit of careful, Last August more than 800 religion when they strive for the systematic study is worth $250 Disciples, from all quarters of following objectives: more; and still another $250 the earth, joined with more than represents the value of prac- 1,200 members of the Churches 1. To fight for the maintenance of ticing the precepts of the Bible of Christ in Great Britain and constitutional rights of free worship which lengthens one's life. Fi- Ireland, to hold the second world and expression by commending inter- nally, $250 is owed by the convention of the Disciples of teacher who develops h i g h Christ in Leicester, England. moral ideals, consistent with ac- Resolutions adopted included ceptance of Bible teachings. declarations on race relations, peace and war, Italy and Abys- -United Church Record.
God, give us sense,-God-sense of life's new needs, A nd souls aflame with new-born chivalries- To cope with those black growths that foul the ways,- To cleanse our poisoned founts with God-born energies.
~====~~==========~~i~
I Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The Foreign Mission Enterprise and quate message. (2) There are of nearly 100 years to work in Its Sincere Critics. By Cleland B. objections to the present mis- Asia and who delight to travel McAfee. 8 vo. 190 pp. $1.50. sionary enterprise and its rela- in unfrequented and dangerous Revell. New York. 1935. tion to governments and non- ways, among brigands, in peril, Christian cultures and religions, toil and pain, not merely for the The work of foreign missions the treatment of native converts thrill of new experiences but to and the churches on the field. pioneer for Christ. They are has been under fire from critics (3) Other criticisms relate to British members of the China ever since Jonah went to Nine- methods and results on the field, Inland Mission and two of them the use of non-Christian teach- have spent over a quarter of a veh. There are critics and ers, dependence on subsidies, re- century in northwest China and critics-those who object to the liance on governmental protec- the deserts of M 0 n g 0 I i a. tion, lack of unity and the few- "Through Jade Gate" has been claims of Christ and the Chris- ness and weakness of converts. likened to Homer's Odyssey. It tian message; those who claim (4) He considers other criti- is as fascinating as the voyage cisms relating to home boards, of Captain Cook. that non-Christian religions are overhead expense and complex good enough and that heathen machinery. Even well-informed, Anyone who enjoys adventurdo not want anything different; idealistic students of missions ous travels will have a thrill in may not always agree with Dr. reading these journals (1928 to those who criticize the mission- McAfee in his diagnosis and 1932). Those who are interary personnel, the expense, the remedies but every fair-minded, ested in carrying the Gospel of intelligent reader will be im- Christ to the uttermost parts of methods and the administration; pressed with the author's hon- the earth will find here stimulus others object to the unsatisfac- esty and Christian views in har- for faith and courage and loyalty mony with New Testament to Jesus Christ. tory results abroad or to the neg- ideals. Many of the points lect of "heathen" at home. There raised might be dealt with much Living Triumphantly. By Kirby are critics who see only faults more fully-such as the place of Page. 304 pages. $2.00. Farrar and are deaf and blind to all evi- evangelism, the dan g e r s of & Rinehart. New York. 1934. dence in favor of missions and "modernism," the objections to others who are friendly critics expensive institutionalism and This is the author's companion seeking only to improve per- the problems of union work- volume to "Living Creatively" but every candid critic who is a which the Hazen Foundation sonnel and methods and to bring believer in Christ and is in sym- ranked first among 436 books the work into closer harmony pathy with His mission in the considered as being the most with New Testament ideals. world will be greatly helped and helpful to college students on the encouraged by this statement of subject of religion. Dr. McAfee has studied mis- the unshakable foundations on sions at home and on the field which Christian missions rests The author's pur p 0 s e is for fifty years, as teacher, pas- as a victorious and divine enter- stated: "To be teamed-Up with tor, lecturer, traveler and execu- prise. God in seeking to banish pain tive secretary of the Presby- and strife and misery is the terian Board of Foreign Mis- A Desert Journal. By Evangeline highest privilege that can come sions. He does not claim that French, Mildred Cable and Fran- to any man." From an extensive the work is above criticism but cesca French. Illus. 12 mo. $2.00. tabulation of scientists he shows China Inland Mission. Philadelphia clearly that science has not as gives clear, frank and convinc- and Toronto. 1935. yet overthrown the spiritual ining answers to some of the criti- terpretation of the universe. cisms he has heard from men Adventure and physical en- durance are usually linked with With the thesis of his book and women who believe in Christ youth. Here are three elderly thoroughly established, the auand His Gospel but who object women who have given a total thor then proceeds to the followto the way the work is conducted. ing eight definite methods for The list of over fifty definite the transformation of personal- ity and society: criticisms is an evidence of the author's vital contacts wit h many conscientious objectors.
Among the criticisms are those that have to do with (1) the missionaries – their arrogance, their aims, their lack of understanding, defects of habits and character and their inade- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[557 ]
1. Intensify the Vividness of the Ideal. sis of these great themes. He undertakes to point out some of 2. Probe to the Roots of the Present Economic Order. tells what are God's methods of its glories by comparing it to the producing in us purity of hearts, Grand Canyon. 3. Struggle to Supplant Capitalism. shows the difference between Such Grand Canyons he finds 4. Strive to Abolish War. 5. Refuse to Sanction or to Partici- "peace with God," and "the in different stages of history, as, pate in Any War Among Nations peace of God," and at the end, for example, in the life of our or Between Classes. he shows a sympathetic and ef- own nation, "which, in 1789, 6. Seek to Uproot Racial Enmity and kicked off England's heavy and fective understanding with sin- Exploitation. cere souls seeking more power. suffocating taxation covers and 7. Take Time for Worship.
8. Live with Joyous and Triumphant These blessed gifts of grace and cooed in a cradle oft rocked by Abandon. experiences of the truly saved, stormy winds."
The sections on "War" and are what are greatly needed in In twelve chapters rich in "Worship" are perhaps the best. pulpit and pew today. Grand Canyon phraseology, Dr.
Mr. Page points out that war is The language is beautifully Lee takes up the several verses not caused primarily by the clear, the paragraphs stand out of the chapter under considera- "fighting instinct" or by the so- like the lobes of an orange, and tion. One marvels at his rhecalled "mad-dog nation." Most the book is well printed with torical versatility and at the of his readers, however, will not large type. FRANK LUKENS. same time admires his loyalty to agree wi,th him that the first the Scriptures and the deep step toward peace is to "abolish A Grand Canyon of Resurrection evangelical fervor which perthe system of private property Realities. By Robert G. Lee, D.D., vades page after page of this exas the chief means of produc- LL.D. $1.00. 172 pp. Wm. B. traordinary book. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand J. R. S.
tion and distribution." A defi- Rapids, Mich. 1935. South China Folk. By Mary Brewster nite attack on capitalism is a distinct strain throughout the book. This book embodies the studies Hollister $1.25. 141 pp. Revell. The unique and most helpful of the twentieth chapter of New York. 1935. part of the volume is the an- John's Gospel by the eloquent Another book by Mrs. Hollisthology of one hundred daily pastor of the Bellevue Baptist ter! One hundred forty pages readings on the main thoughts Church, Memphis, Tenn. in good-sized type, full of the set forth in the early part of the Dr. Lee recognizes the human spirit as well as fact of the counbook. On the who I e, this limitation of thought and speech try always so warmly interthought – provoking discussion in any attempt to adequately preted by this author. Adults leaves one convinced that to live describe one of the great chap- will enjoy reading it with chiltriumphantly one must follow ters of the Word of God. BatHed dren and even young people will the brave and unselfish way of as he believes himself to be, he find excellent material here. HOWARD A. ADAIR. inquires, "Who, by word and by There is the frequent sparkle of Christ. pen, by sermon and by song, by Chinese humor, the steadiness The Sufficiency of the Cross. By W. painting and by philosophy, can of patience, the pathos of aspira- W. Marlin. 12 mo. 1s. net. Pick- explore all the corners of this ering & Inglis, London. 1935. vast continent of Scripture? One tion, and a delightful sketching of personalities. One regrets These are Keswick addresses, had as well hope to haul to the that the first two chapters are therefore they are sure to be threshing machines in a wheel- quite unconnected with the rest biblical, searching and convert- barrow in one day all the wheat of the book though there is, in ing. Let every reader give trib- grown on a Kansas prairie as to Chapter 2, definite background ute to the mighty effort of Kes- expect to place within the limits for the ensuing story. The book wick, like the springs in the hills, of one book all the marvelous is neither profound nor great; upon the finest Christian life of truths of this chapter. One had there are rather too many Chi- England, A mer i c a, and the as wisely expect to put in a one- nese expressions and also too world – for over fifty years. acre garden all the flowers that much repetition of religious These addresses embody truths bloom in America as to expect phrases, but the interest is lively, which have become increasingly to write with pen and print on the pictures vivid and the imreal to the author and have paper an adequate description of pression fully worth the couple brought peace and power to all the glorious truths in this of hours spent in reading. The many. chapter. One had as well hope coming of light into a far-off vil- The four chapters concern to put all the diamonds and lage simply through a little girl four truths that are like stars of rubies in the world in the and the innkeeper's wife, with the first magnitude. "Pardon thimble of a seamstress as to ex- the help of a mission school in a through the Blood of the Cross," pect to give in anyone book an neighboring city, and some and then "Purity," "Peace," and adequate appraisal of all the friendly cooperation, convince "Power," also through the blood. Scriptural wealth of this chap- the innkeeper that he was right This is not present-day specula- ter." However, though confess- when he said, "We obey the tion, but exposition. The author ing that his "mental tent can Heaven-Father, and then He marched calmly and confidently cover only a small corner of this will bless us." through his illuminating analy- vast scriptural continent," he MARY W. HUMPHREY HADLEY.
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
The Use of Material from China's lowship in the consciousness of the ineffective humanism of Spiritual Inheritance in the Chris- pardoned sin, imparted life and their long history. tian Education of Chinese Youth. perfect provision. By Warren Horton Stuart, Ph.D., Limits of space do not permit Kwang Hsueh Publishing House, That more use than in the of detailed specifications. Shanghai. 1932. $2.50. past should be made of China's great ethical inheritance – per- C. H. FENN. The book is a dissertation presented at Yale University for haps the greatest in the world Hot Hearted. By F. I. Codrington. the degree of Doctor of Philos- apart from Christianity-and of Illus. 12 mo. 111 pp. 2 8. Church ophy, the theme having been what she possesses of the spir- of England Z. M.. S. London. 1935. itual in her early, unique, simple chosen with a definite purpose worship of a personal Heaven, Christ offers to women the' to provide "a guide and source greatest hope for liberty and ad.. book for Christian teachers in and in her emphasis on a benev- vancement. Moslem, H i n d u , China." As a "source book," olence among men which some- Buddhist and pagan women have times approaches the Christian little to hope for in this world or Dr. R. S. Smith, of Yale, says idea of Love, is certainly true, the next. Here we have eight truly, in his Introduction, "Dr. stories that show what Christ and Dr. Stuart's dissertation has done for Chinese women and Stuart has brought to his task a should serve a very useful pur- how Christian faith and life are brilliant and ingenious mind and pose in that regard, both in the helping to bring about new and the competence of a well-trained better social conditions. Mrs. hands of the Christian teacher, Ahok, a little Chinese lady of scholar and workman." Born Chinese or foreign, and in those rank, a Christian with "lily feet," and bred in China and for years of the intelligent seeker after came to England in 1890 to plead a missionary, he possesses spe- Truth. The Chi n e s e unac- for her sisters in China who were cial equipment for the task, evi- quainted with English, however, still "under the power of the idols," Mrs. Chitnio Ling was a dently a labor of love. As a will be in less danger than the Chinese girl, born in a heathen "guide," however, one's com- English reader of the book, of family, who attended the Chinese mendation of Dr. Stuart's work drawing the conclusion that, in Girls' School in Singapore and then went to China as a Christian must reluctantly be tempered her "Three Religions," China al- missionary. They are all inspirwith the caution that a sym- ready possesses so nearly all ing sketches that reveal the purpathetic translator from a for- that Christianity offers, that he pose and power of the Gospel of eign tongue, with a theory to Christ. may content himself with what demonstrate, rarely avoids an his own inheritance affords and Ethical Issues Confronting World unconscious reading into his leave to the West its own spir- Christians. By Daniel Johnson texts of more than they were Fleming. 273 pages and an Index. itual inheritance. As a matter Price, $2.00. The International ever intended to express. "With of fact, there never was a time Missionary Council, 156 Fifth Avebut little persuasion," Dr. Stuart when thinking Chinese were less nue, New York, N. Y. "would fain make Christians" satisfied than today with their own "spiritual inheritance." This is a carefully written and out of Confucius, Lao c ius fairly exhaustive treatment of (Laotze), Mencius, and espe- Some of the most intelligent some great problems. Certainly Christian leaders are urging the Christian of today, in the cially Micius (Motze). He has new missionaries not to give light not only of the melting of gathered together a remarkable geographical barriers because of much time to the study of modern communications but also collection of quotations from all because of the Great Commisthe Chinese sages and philos- China's old man-developed reli- sion, must have a world outlook. ophers, ancient, medireval and gions and philosophies, when And the issues discussed by Dr. modern, to exhibit the "Chris- China's need for the presenta- Fleming are timely. Christians, especially those in administratian values in Native Experi- tion of a God-revealed secret of tive positions in the church, are ences," and "Units of Indigenous a new life is so pressing, and the now unavoidably confronted Moral and Religious Literature," with the ethics of soliciting need for its general understand- funds, of the acceptance of as a wonderful "Spiritual In- ing and acceptance is so widely armed protection by missionheritance" which China herself felt. Dr. Stuart's purpose to aries, the population problem, has contributed as a foundation "indigenize the religion of Christ the meaning of true religious lib- erty, and similar questions. to the Christian education of in China" is manifestly sincere her own youth. To much of it and truly laudable, and his com- Dr. Fleming faces these issues we may, with the author, attrib- squarely, making a genuine efute a "high ethical and spiritual pendium of quotations forms a fort to grapple with difficult quality," the ethical, however, most valuable book of reference; problems, and at the same time one's only fear being that its standing far higher than the spiritual, because even the prim- use as a textbook in Christian Schools in China may lead some itive monotheism of Chi n a to accept the shadow for the subposited no infinite Creator, no stance, to look upon Christ as absolutely holy and righteous merely a wiser sage, a mor~ per- Ruler, no perfectly loving Fa- fect pattern, acceptance of whom as such constitutes the whole of ther, no sacrificial Redeemer, Christianity, thus condemning with whom the common man and woman, as well as the sage and themselves to little more than emperor, may enjoy eternal fel-
endeavoring to preserve a fair noncoercion on the left . . . ,vio- Evangelical Christian missions impartiality of s tat em e n t. lence has long been the weapon will first cho.ose the "vague" Moreover, there are some things of conservatism." project of preaching the Gospel, in the book that will search the This is only one example of the not forgetting the field mice as a heart of any thoughtful reader, extreme difficulty of maintaining subsidiary activity. whether he is conservative or detachment when writing upon There is, finally, one great inliberal in religious outlook. Par- the ethics of great economic, po- adequacy in this volume and the ticularly strong in this respect litical, and religious issues. In- school of thought it represents. is the section (beginning on deed inconsistency is inevitable The whole discussion proceeds page 117) regarding individual as in the case of Dr. Fleming's on an extrascriptural basis. Ocresponsibility for the use of references to "tainted money" casionally there is a fair statemoney. "We vote," writes Dr. and his citation of cases where ment of the Evangelical point of Fleming, "with our doll a r s. certain gifts were refused be- view, as on pages 80 to 82, but Every expenditure is voting for cause of scruples regarding their the whole book is almost devoid the character and quantity of source. Yet he frequently and of references to the Bible. Much goods that are to be produced; with seeming approval relies is made of missionary planning and the proportion saved by the upon the Layman's Foreign Mis- and statesmanship, we miss the purchase of simple goods in or- sions Report and the Rockefeller references to the essentiality of der to help various measures of Foundation for impressive ref- prayer in finding a solution to uplift is a measure of the inten- erences. One is tempted to ask, great ethical issues. Does the sity of one's vote for human re- "Were the Standard Oil millions Word of God have nothing to lief and reconciliation. . . . Love amassed in accordance wit h say about the problems which which expresses itself in philan- Christian ethics? To what de- Dr. Fleming treats? If the book thropy without revealing itself gree do such funds represent a leaves the reader with an imin sacrifice finds difficulty in be- 'tainted' background?" ing either creative or redemp- pression of inconclusiveness, it tive." From another point of view, is because it represents a purely In his treatment of Economic one notes that Dr. Fleming's human endeavor to face issues Reconstruction, Dr. Fleming oc- most effective cases of nobility on which God has something au- of conscience regarding the casionally lapses into what would indemnity question are drawn thoritative to say in the Person appear to be an uncritical admiration for communism. To from the experience of the of Christ and in the Book from one who recalls that, according China Inland Mission, a funda- mentalist mission of reactionary which all Christian ethics are to reliable figures, the Red attitude measured by standards regime in Russia has been in- of the Layman's Report, yet in drawn. FRANK E. GAEBELEIN. 'these instances acting in accord strumental in the slaughter of with the most advanced social Lowell and Abigail. A Realistic Idyll. about 11,000,000 human beings, By Mary Dillingham Frear. Illus. the unspeakable persecution of S vo. 325 pp. Privately printed. New Haven. 1934.
Hawaii (The Sandwich Is- countless others (cf. Tcherna- conscience. lands) , the land of beauty and of vin's "I Speak for the Silent"), Other examples chosen by the romance, furnishes the scene of the erection of a system of mili- author are less con v inc i n g. this life story of Rev. Lowell taristic tyranny, and in addition, Those who believe that the Gos- Smith and his wife, Abigail, a recognized sub rosa propa- pel is still "the power of God early missionaries of the Ameriganda for the overthrow of for- unto salvation" and that the can Board. The period covered eign governments, these sen- world needs to be converted, is 1809 to 1891 and the material tences cause some won d e r : will, if they are not too deeply is gathered from journals and "There are bounds beyond which distressed, have to suppress a letters, with additional not e s a foreigner may not go in advo- smile on reading page 40, where from their daughter, Mrs. B. F. cating changes in another cul- Dr. Fleming frankly says that Dillingham. It is first hand doc- ture or in an alien system. Some "the conversion of the world," umentary evidence of the spirit, might be willing to risk death in "preaching the Gospel to the purpose and power of the pioneer the same way as have the com- most degraded, neglected and missionaries – b e aut i full y munists whose martyrs number despised people," "the establish- printed, well illustrated and with into the thousands. It is moving ment and development of an in- a full index. Much is of personal to read the simple unadorned digenous church," these aims family interest rather than of sentences with which a commu- "are too comprehensive or vague general importance but the story nist manual for 'Calls' in China to be called projects" for the use has a fascination, human inter- lays down the duty of a party of foreign money in missions: est and a message for every member to give up his own life As an example of a missionary friend of missions and every when called upon to do so. Out- project he proposes the distribu- lover of God and man. Many fa- doing the communists may in- tion of poisoned grain in twelve mous people and events, as well volve just such a risk…. From villages to combat a scourge of as information about Hawaii and one standpoint the use of vio- field mice. Preaching the Gos- its people, find a place in the rec- lence belongs on the right and pel vs. exterminating field mice! ords.
Books T B FOR SECOND
HEOLOGICAL The Origin of Religion. Samuel M. OOKS Zwemer. 256 pp.. $2.00. Cokes- bury Press. Nashville, Tenn. Largest Stock in America. Over half a million theological Books Our Response to God. William E. -Classified by subject. Catalogues free. Correspondence and Wilson. 85 pp. 2s. 6d. Allen & Unwin. London. "Want Lists" invited. Please mention The Missiona" ReWw of the World The Four Hundred Million: A Short SCHULTE'S BOOK STORE History of the Chinese. Mary A. Nourse. Illustrated. 375 pp. $3.50. 80 and 82 Fourth Avenu. =: N•• York, N.Y Bobbs Merrill. New York.
Indian Nationalism and the Christian Colleges. Paul J. Braisted. 171 Blood-Drenched A I tar s: Mexican Obitulry Notes pp. $2.00. Association Press. New Study and Comment. F. C. Kelley. York. . 521 pp. $3.00. Bruce Pub. Co. (Concluded from page 618.) An American Translation. J. M. Milwaukee, Wise. in field itineration, in teaching, and Powis Smith and Edgar J. Good- White and Black in Australia. J. S. in literary work. spMd. 1128 pp. $2.00. University .of Chicago Press. Chicago. Needham. 174 pp. 2s. 6d. S. P. ·Elizabeth Ma*ry *Ca*dbury, who died C. K. London. ' in August at the age of 77, was among Truth and Tradition in Chinese Bud- the foremost religious and social lead- Coupectus of Cooperative Mission- dhisin: A Study of Chinese 14a-' ers in England, and had served as ary Enterprises. Chas. H. Fahs. hayana Buddhism. Karl Ludwig president of the National Council of $1.25. I. M. C. New York. Reichelt 415 pp. $4.50. Commer- Evangelical Free Churches. She was Cooperation and the World Mission. cial Press. Shanghai. the widow of George Cadbury, who Jphn R. Mott. $1.00. I. M. C. New York. The Idea of Salvation in the World's died in 1922, and a sister-in-law of Religions. J. W. Parker. 259 pp. Mrs. Helen Cadbury Alexander-Dixon, The Furtherance of the Gospel. Wil- Macmillan. New York and London. founder of the Pocket Testament liam Owne Carver. 145 pp. 60 *** League.
cents paper; 40 cents cloth. Bap- Directory of Protestant Missions- Mrs. Margaret Weaver Beahm tiBtSunday School Board. Nash- 1935. $1.50. Kwang Hsueh Pub. Denning, wife of the Rev. J. O. Denville, Tenn. House. Shanghai. ning, retired Methodist missionary to India, died at her home at Pacific D. . Over Samarkand: The Rebirth Education in Fiji. Cecil W. Mann. Palisades, California, on August 16. . of Central Asia. Joshua Kunitz. 138 pp. 6s. Oxford University The Dennings served in India from 848 pp. $8.00. Covici, Friede. ,Press, London; University Press, 1890 to 1926, being stationed for va- New York. . Melbourne, Australia. rious periods at Poona, Muzzafarpur, :traq: From Mandate to Independ- India's Womanhood: Forty Years' Gondha, Allahabad, and Ootacamund. ence. E. Main. 267 pp. 16s. Work at Ludhiana. Christine I. Mrs. Denning led in evangelistic and Tinling. 119 pp. Is. 6d. and 2s. 6d. educational work for women, and as- . ,;,',,.Ulen" Unwin. London. R. T. S. London. sisted her husband in organizing the The Land and Life of Africa. Mar- first Epworth League in India. She God and the African in Kenya. H. was national secretary, and for ten p!'¢. Wrong. Illustrated. 144 pp. R. A. Philp. Illustrated. 189 pp. years national president of the India 28. Edinburgh House Press. Lon- 2s. 6d. Marshall, Morgan ~ Scott. W. C. T. U., and for three years was ton; London. international superintendent of the Department of Prison Visiting and From Fetish to Faith: The Growth The Meaning of Shinto. J. W. T. Reformation. She wrote "Mosaics Mason. 252 pp. $2.50. Dutton. from India," "The House Beautiful," :of til" Church in West Africa; W. "Short Poems," and "Dainty Cookery J; Platt. 159 pp. 2s. Edinburgh for the Home." Mrs. Denning Souse Preu. London. New York.
was born in Harrisburg, Pa., TWO SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE SPECIALS October 17, 1856, and attended Illinois Wesleyan University. Robert R*. S*erv*ice, regional secretary of the Young Men's Indil Piper Edition, Lelther Cover Christian Association for Shan- 33X. This superb Scofield Bible, leather bound, on genuine Oxford India tung Province, China, and a sec- paper, at the lowest price ever offered. All who have seen this book have retary of the International Com- been delighted, and have asked, "How can you sell so fine a volume at such a mittee of the Y. M. C. A. for low price 1" Contains all the wonderful helps for which the Scofield Reference twenty-nine years, died sud- Bible is famous. Pocket size 6~ inches by denly in Shanghai on Septem- 4U inches, 1116 inch thick, weighing only ber 29. Mr. Service went to . Specimen of 7Ype 14 And-tbe–~ord was-made 16 ounces. Only $5.00. China for the Y. M. C. A. in fbleesbhd.danhdisdl1woerlyt;a.&meon1g10u1sY. a(sanodf twhee W·Ith I.mproved 1. 0dex, 50c extra. 1906 and did pioneer work in Name stamped in gold, 50c extra. Chengtu for fifteen years. Later he went to Shanghai to join the national staff and served as re- Popullr $1.25 Edition gional secretary for Western 30. This is the lowest priced Scofield edition ever made, but contains the China. For the last year Mr. earne complete unabridged helps as the most expensive. Clearly printed on Service had been assigned to the excellent paper, and strongly bound. An excellent volume for pew use, Bible Chinese International Famine classes, and for the study table. Relief Commission, located in Shanghai. He retained, how- Cloth board binding, size 7×4~ inches. Only $1.25. ever, his post as secretary of the Shangtung region. REVIEW OF THE WORLD, Third and Reily Sts., Haul.burs, Pa.
~ibt tltbt .mi~~ionar!
for ~bri~tma~ Is there a gift more fitting than the 'one which keeps coming throughout the year?
THE MISSIONARY REVIEW would be such it reminder of your thoughtfulnenss to a FRIEND. PASTOR. MISSION-' ARY LEADER. TEACHER. CHRISTIAN WORKER.
It would enable your friends to enjoy the fellowship of a host of Christian writers whose messages will appear in the REVIEW' during the coming months. .
It is a gift that would remind them of Christ and the meaning of Christmas as well as being a source of inspiration and instruction.
Surely. there is no better way of solving YOUR gift problem.
CHRISTMAS OFFER GOOD ONLY UNTIL DECEMBER 25th We offer our present subscribers an opportunity of giving the REVIEW to ONE or more friends for TWELVE MONTHS at the special price of $2.00 each.
In other words send us $4.00 and we will send the REVIEW for 12 months to TWO of your friends and will mail an attractive card announcing the gift as coming from you.
(Regular yeady subscription price is $2.50) -OR- You may send the REVIEW to ONE friend and extend your own subscription for 12 months.
BOTH FOR $4.00 (Foreign, SOc extra, each) BEAR IN MIND-OFFER GOOD ONI.Y UNTIL DECEMBER 25th ===(FiIl blank below (or similar order) and return at once)=== MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY, Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa. Dat:e-e- – – – – DEAR FRIENDS: Enclosed $4.00 for one gift subscription and one renewal or, Two gift subscriptions. Send REVIEW to addresses below. Pleasemail card announcing gift from me. (Add 50c each for additional postage to foreign countries.) GIFT SUBSCRIPTION (12 months) Name Street ———- .————- . – – – – – – – – – – City and State ————————-.—- – – – – – GIFT OR RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTION (12 months) Name Street —————————————— City and State – – – – – – – . – – –