The Missionary Review of the World — June 1938
1938
The Modern City Number Christ at the Center of City Life Aubrey S. Moore Meeting the Modem City Problems Herbert E. Eberhardt. The Youth Problem in the City What Church Federations Can Do Robert V. Russell God and Company……Unlimited Walter R. Mee Serving Christ in Crowded Streets M. W. Pullen Preaching the Gospel to City Folk Putting the Gospel to the Test Robert A. McKibben Contacts with Industrial Workers Harry A. Ironside When a Policeman Is Transformed J. F. Harrison The Inner and the Outer City A. J. Muste A United Church Project Paul Buffa What a Suburban Church Can Do Best Books on the City Problem Ernest G. Guthrie G. R. Larson 25 Cents a Copy Frank A. Fitt Charles H. Sears $2.50 a Year '
to Remember September 21-28 – General Council, PARENTS~ ••
United Church of Canada, Toronto, June 2-General Synod, Reformed Canada. In the Foreign Mission Field Church in America, Asbury Park, N. J. October 5-12 – United L u the ran Endorse Calvert: School Church in America, Biennial Con- Home Study Courses June 2-Fiftieth Anniversary of the vention, Baltimore, Md. Women's Missionary Society, Gen- Eor Childrel!l eral Synod of the Evangelical and October 14-20 – American Lutheran Reformed Church, Akron, Ohio. Church, Biennial Convention, San- Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- dU!lky, Ohio. tion Department, will give your child a superior elementary education ••• by mail, June 7-27-Indian Workers Confer- regardless of where you may live. Modences. Four Regional Conferences ern, approved courses from this famous of the National Fellowship of In- , Personal Items school are being used by parents allover dian Workers. (1) The Oklahoma the world with outstanding success. Conference, to be held at Dwight Mr. Robert L. Latimer for 45 years Training School, Marble City, Okla., treasurer of the Board of Foreign Give your children the advantages of these June 7-9. (2) The Southwest Re- Missions of the United Presbyterian interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, gional Conference, at the Navajo Church has retired and his place has and attractive materials. Instruction is Methodist School, Farmington,N.M., , been fill~d by Dr. R. W. Caldwell, Fi-, under the personal guidance of teachers in June 14-16. (3) Pacific Northwest nancial Secretary of the Board. Calvert's prominent and successful private Regional Conference, at the Nez day school in Baltimore. Perces Camp Meeting Grounds, *** Craigmont, Idaho, June 20-22. (4) Write today for booklet of complete in- The Midwest Regional Conference, Dr. Mills J. Taylor, Associate Sec- formation. Costs are low. at the College of Agriculture, Uni- retary of the United Presbyterian versity of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., Board of Foreign Missions plans to CALVERT SCHOOL , June 24-27. These Conferences are visit the mission fields, leaving Ameropen to all friends of the Indians. ica about May first, with Mrs. Taylor ISOW. Tuscany Road ' and returning in January, 1939. Baltimor. + Maryland June 8-Synod of Christian Reformed *** United States. At Amarillo, Texas, Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 6,500 persons heard the Gipsy, and Dr. Paul J. Braisted, General Sec- many more were unable to get into the June 9-15-Norwegian Lutheran retary of the Student Volunteer Move- auditorium. Synod Convention, Mankato, Min- ment, has been elected Campus Sec- retary for the University Christian Sir Wilfred *T. *Gr*enfell, who has nesota. Mission to succeed the Rev. J. Max- served 45 years as a voluntary med- June 15-22-General Council of Con- well Adams. Dr. Braisted will give ical missionary in Newfoundland and gregational and Christian Churches, only a portion of his time to his new Labrador, recently celebrated his 73d office. birthday on an island off the coast of Beloit, Wisconsin. Georgia. Because of a chronic heart *** ailment, he may never be able 'to re- June 16-24 – Winona School of Mis- turn to Labrador, where hospitals, sions, Winona Lake, Indiana. Mrs. . Bi~op Henry,W. Hobson, of Cin- schools and nursing stations bear his Wm. Eckert, 1612 South 11th St., CinnatI, has been elected president of Maywood, Illinois. the "Movement for World Christi- name. anity," an interdenominational organ- June 18-25 ~ Geneva Summer School ization created in 1934, as a result of Obituary Notel for Missionary Education, Geneva the Laymen's Commission Report on Lake, Wisconsin. Write for infor- Foreign Missions. Bishop Hobson has The Rev. Dr. Eddy H. Greeley, for mation to Mrs. Paul H. Wezaman, attracted wide interest by literally fifty years a missionary of the Meth- 177 So. Humphrey Ave., Oak Park, carrying the church to the people in a odist Episcopal Church in Liberia and specially constructed trailer, called Rhodesia, died on April 8, at; Old Ill. Umtali, Rhodesia, at the age of 80 years. He was born at Owakonna, June 22-29 – General Synod, Evan- "St. Paul's Wayside Cathedral," re- Minnesota, in 1857, and was a cousin gelical and Reformed Churches, placing the cathedral in downtown of Horace Greeley. After graduation Columbus, Ohio. Cincinnati, as reported in the REVIEW from Hamblein University, St. Paul, he sailed for Liberia in 1888. He June 25-27-National Council of Fed- for April. *** introduced new plant life into Old erated Church Women, Eagles Umtali to add to the variety of native Mrs. J. P. White, editor of the foods. He was known especially as a Mere, Pa. Women's Missionary Magazine of the hymnodist and translator and for United Presbyterian Church. who has some years wrote the Sunday school June 25-July 2-Mt. Hermon Feder- been touring the foreign field of the lessons for missionaries and teachers. ated School of Missions, Mt. Her- Church, arrived in America on April mon, Cal. 14. Miss Anna A. Milligan, former C. Luther Fr*y, P*h.D* ., who did con- Educational Secretary of the United June 26-July 1- Church Conference Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- siderable work on the census of re- of Social Workers, Seattle, Wash- ligious bodies in the United States ington. and for five years was professor of Sociology in the University of Roch- June 28-July 3 – International Con- sions. who has spent the winter in ester, died on April 12, after a brief vention of Christian Endeavor, Egypt, will make a wider visit of for- illness. From 1922 to 1933 Dr. Fry Columbus, Ohio. eign ,missions before returning to was Director of the Bureau of Stand- ards of the Institute of Social and Re- July 11-19 – Northfield Missionary America. ** ligious Research of New York. He Conference, Northfield, Mass. Miss H*. was the author of "American Vil- Corona Rayle Cook, 16 Farnham Dr. James Rushbrooke, Execu- lagers," "The United States Looks tive Secretary of the Baptist World at Its Churches," and other volumes. St., Portland, Maine. Alliance, went to Bucharest to study He was born in Philadelphia, the'son the situation faced by Baptists in July 12-August 17 – Winona Lake Roumania, ana was granted an inter- (Concluded on 3d cO'IJer.) School of Theology, Winona Lake, view by King Carol and the Rou- Indiana. manian premier. The difficulties now seem to be under control. August 23-29-World Conference on International Friendship Through the Churches, Larvik, Norway. Evangelist G*ips*y *Smith. now 77 September 6-20 – World's You n g years old, declares that he has never Women's Gh r i s t ian Association, addressed greater crowds or more Canada. , September 11-16-International Con- eager young people, and has never vention of the Disciples of Christ, seen greater results of presenting the Gospel than in his latest tour of the Denver, Colo.
MISSIONARY I want to express a word of appre- Malwa-the Great
REVIEW OF THE WORLD ciation for the REVIEW and what it means in the program of missions. When Ihe good wOl'k VOL. LXI JUNE, 1938 No.6 Leaders in our missionary societies and groups throughout the country p.o calls yo. Basi … sail Publication and Business omc_ subscribe to it regularly. During our Third and Reily Sts., Harrlsburc, Pa. annual convention in June, when our This year marks a full century of P & 0 new program of missions is inaugu- service to the lands beyond Suez! When- Editorial and Executive omc_ rated, special prominence is given to ever you are called to the other side of the 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. the place that the REVIEW has in help- world, choose this traditional route. Cross Entered as second-class matter at ing to create effective missionary pro- to England by Cunard White Star … and grams. It is our sincere wish that the then embark in a great liner of the P & 0 Post Omce, Harrlsburc, P•., under REVIEW will continue to hold this im- and British India fleets, led by the new Act of March 3, 1879. portant place in the program of mis- 23,500-ton Stratheden and Strathallan, sions. featuring air-conditioned dining saloons 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. in first class, hot and cold running water Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. ADAM W. MILLER, throughout, built-in out-of-door swimming Published monthly, except August. Secretary of the Missionary pools, children'.s playrooms! Regular ser- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. vice to Egypt, Sudan, Persian Gulf, India, British agents – Marshall, Morgan Board of the Church of Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, China, and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, God. Japan, Australia, East and South Africa, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Mauritius. Special reductions and gener- 10 shillings • year. *** ous baggage allowance for missionaries.
MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- I have been reading the February Convenient through bookings can be ar- LISHING CO., INC. REVIEW today. Have greatly enjoyed rangedbyyourtravelagentoranyoffice of it. It is filled with material that helps BOARD OF DIRECTORS the missionary hope and spirit. The CUNARD WHITE STU UNE ROBE'RT E. SPEBR, Pre••dent articles are helpful and discerning. A. L. WABN8HUl8, Vice-Prerident "The World-Wide Outlook" pages are General Agents W ALTBR McDOUGALL, Treasurer especially helpful. The Moslem Num- DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secr8tarll ber has also been very useful to mis- 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. sionary groups. PAUL J. BRAl8TBD SAMUEL McCruu. CAVlIBT REV. STEPHEN J. COREY, D.D., Secretary of the United Christip,n D. J. FANT )lR8. ORRIN R. JUDD Missionary Socie·ty, Indianapo- WM. B. LIPPHABD lis, Ind. ERIC M. NORTH SAMUEL M. ZWEMII1I *** Editorial Chat I read THE REVIEW with great in- terest and profit and wish you all suc- "We have the honor to present"- cess in the conduct of this fine magaour City Mission Study Number of the zine. REVIEW. As usual, more papers came in than one issue–even a larger one H. D. DAVIES, –can accommodate. But it is a large Chicago Regional Secretary, Misand important subject, and worthy of careful study. Other articles on the sions Council of the Congrega- City and the Church will appear in tional and Christian Churches. the July and September numbers. They are some of the best-do not THE PRESBYTERIAn miss them. See the list of held-over articles mentioned on our back cover. -:- The only weekly in the Presbyterian Church. Previous spec*ial *mis*sion study num- .:- Its message is based upon bers have been in great demand, and the Revealed Word of God. some have been sold out before late orders could be filled. Order early. .:- Goes into every state in the Uni6n, U. S. possessions *** and many foreign countries.
The following are some unsolicited Subscription rate – $2.50 comments on the REVIEW recently re- Ministerial rate – – $2.00 ceived: SOc. exfra–Canadian postage *** $1.S0 extra– Foreign postage I follow the articles published in THE PRESBYTERIAn the REVIEW with great interest. Last week I wrote up a note for the Evan- 121 7 Market Street gelical and Reformed Messenger Philadelphia, Pa. recommending the REVIEW to our pastors and general readers. Nothing [257 ] would please me more than to learn that it had won new subscribers.
F. A. GOETSCH, Associate Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions,Evangeli- cal Synod of N. A.
*** The REVIEW is so valuable to us in our Mission Study that we are turning to you for help in planning our program for next year.
MRS. W. J. GOODWIN. Louisville, Kentucky.
Aerial Surveys
THE MODERN CITY – LOWER NEW YORK – AND ITS TOWERS (One building may accommodate 15,000 tenants and employees) Wide World Photo HUMANITY IN A MODE,RN CITY – TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE RPVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1938 Topics of the Times CHRIST AND THE MODERN CITY their parks, or with their night life; with their Two American cities (New York and Chicago) commercial activity and culture or with suffering each has a population larger than the whole of humanity; with their magnificent houses or with the United States in 1780. Fourteen of our cities their slums; with their educational institutions contain more people than the estimated popula- or their jails; with their rapid transit or their tion of the whole Roman Empire in Europe at rapid moral decline; with their churches or their saloons and brothels? We know how He dealt the time of Christ. New York City has a larger with Jerusalem, the Royal City. He came there population than Central America, or Arabia, or the whole of Australia (which has nearly the area to teach and to heal, to rebuke and to warn; He wept over the sin and hardness of heart of the of the United States). people; He suffered indignities at the hands of There are ninety-six cities in the United States the chief rulers in Church and State, but He de- with over 100,000 each and 500 cities each with lighted in the children; He loved even His eneover 15,000. These cities represent not only a mies and gave His life to save them from sin and great mass of humanity but here we find, in al- death. Would Jesus look differently on the cities most any large city, men of all races and lan- of today with their mixed multitudes? guages, in all degrees of poverty and wealth, of ignorance and culture; almost every type of reli- 1. If Jesus Christ came to America today, we gious faith and superstition is represented- know that He would first of all look on our city voodooism and theosophy, spiritism and demon- with clear discernment. He would delight in true worship, Islam and Hinduism, Shinto and Confu- beauty but would distinguish between the tawdry cianism, as well as every kind of Christian sect. material things that pass away, and the beauty of life and character that abide. He would see What elements of good and evil are contend- clearly the difference between the wealth that ing for the mastery in these centers of population men seek after and the riches that abide; between -banditry and honest business, commercialized the power that politicians and magnates crave vice and purity, selfish capitalism and philan- and the power that brings life out of death. He thropy, self-seeking labor and sacrificial service, would distinguish between the churches that can anti-God activity and Christian missions! boast only of wealth and social prestige, with What a field for Christian witness and activity beautiful equipment and elaborate ritual, and is presented in the modern city! How would Jesus those churches that may be worshiping only in a Christ look on our American cities if He should transformed saloon but where Christ is exalted, visit them in the flesh today? We know how God where the Gospel is preached and where men, looked on Sodom and its wickedness, and on Baby- women and children are being born anew through lon, the "mother of harlots," in spite of its pal- the power of the Spirit of God. He would disaces and hanging gardens; on Nineveh with its tinguish between empty eloquence and the quiet godlessness and ignorance; on Jerusalem, the testimony of some obscure saint. backsliding city over which Christ wept. How would He look today on New York, Chicago, De- 2. Jesus Christ, today, if He visited our city, troit, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, St. Louis, would look on the multitudes with compassion as He did in ancient Palestine. He would weep with New Orleans, Los Angeles? Would He be most those who weep and rejoice with those who have ~1JlJ?ress~d. w~th ~heir skfline and the beauty of true cause for jOf. H;e would s~I!athiz~ wit.l1.
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the sufferers and with those who are oppressed lowering standards in morals and in legislation, by money-getters or political bosses. He would the mad rush to increase armaments and growing distinguish between those who are sinned against, threats of international wars-all these and other and those who lead others astray; between the troubles tend to make men so fearful and full of "bandit" who has had little chance to know a bet- self-pity that many of us are tempted to forget ter way of life, and the honored "bandit" in high the more critical condition of others. As a result places who sins against light. He would denounce we neglect to help them in their hour of need. the hypocrites of all names and stations, and Many appeals have been made to bring help to would say to the misled and underprivileged, "Go, the suffering Chinese in this devastating, unjust sin no more." and cruel war that has been thrust upon them. The Red Cross and other philanthropic and mis- 3. Jesus Christ today would come to our city to sionary agencies are appealing for help for the give instruction and encouragement where they millions of Chi1tese sufferers-the vast hordes of are most needed. He would cheer the struggling wounded, the famine stricken because of war, pastor and the troubled parents. Where the truth those suffering from venereal disease (due largely of God is proclaimed and the love of God is mani- to the invading soldiers), and from cholera and fested' His presence would give light in darkness other epidemics. Doctors, nurses and funds are so that people would flock again to His standard. sorely needed to care for these wounded and dis- He would give hope to the faithful who are eased, to supply ambulances, medicines, bandages, tempted to discouragement, and would point out food and general hospitalization. The need is the way of victory through sacrifice. He would greater than ever and yet the response from make clear again the spiritual forces by which America has been smaller than in any previous He will overcome the world, and would call men crisis. Only about one-third of the $1,000,000 for to "leave all and follow" Him. which appeal was made, has been given. There is need for $5,000,000 from America. Chinese We have every reason to believe that if Jesus doctors and nurses and missionary forces are do- Christ came to our city today-unless He came ing their utmost, but they are hindered by lack In power to wipe out all evil and to establish His of supplies. Relief funds are now practically ex- Kingdom-He would look with compassion on the city and its inhabitants, and would preach and hausted.* The accompanying map shows how teach and work to make the Father known, and to bring new life and godliness to fruition as widespread is the area of conflict and how gener- He did nineteen hundred years ago. Would we ally the missionaries have remained at their posts receive Him differently than men received Him to minister to sufferers, in spite of personal disthen? tress and danger.
But if Jesus Christ is God and meant what He The Chinese Christians are also doing their utsaid then He is here today-not only in our city most. The following extracts from a letter from but in every city; not only in our cities, but in a Chinese Christian, Rev. Andrew Gih of the ,our towns and villages; He is in every home and Bethel Mission, Shanghai, shows how the work of church, every shop and factory, every school and Christ goes on, in spite of difficulties. Mr. Gih office, and in every individual where He is re- writes: ceived and is given the right of way. Today, as then, "to as many as receive Him" to them does When the war broke out in Shanghai, our people (of He give the right to become Children of God- Bethel Mission) had to flee to the International Concesfrom every class and tongue and nation. Would sions for safety. The hospital staff (in four hospitals) He offer any other remedy for sin and misery to- went right on with their work for wounded soldiers and day than He offered in the first century? Would our Christian nurses had the joy of serving and witness· He not tell His followers today in our cities to ing to the wounded; our evangelists were also busily enfollow Him and to make known the Way of Life gaged in preaching in many of the 200 refugee camps. to others by teaching men in private and in pub- The largest of these camps had fifteen thousand refugees, lic to know Him and to observe all the things He the smallest several hundred. Many broken hearts were has commanded us? Only when Christ is recog- bound up with the healing Gospel of Christ. We could nized and received by all the multitudes in our not carry on our schools as the section where our Bethel cities, will they truly become cities of God. What Compound is located -was badly bombarded, our Orphanage are we doing to help fulfil the purpose of God and was burned, and other buildings were damaged. All our the command of Christ to make known the Good belongings were looted and the Japanese still occupy our News and the power that He came to proclaim? beautiful Compound. The Hospital workers are still car- rying on in our branch Hospital in Shanghai but our OUR RESPONSE TO CHINA'S NEED Orphanage, Publishing Department, Bible Seminary and Evangelistic Bands have all been moved to Hongkong. • Rising taxes, increased cost of living, unemploy- ment, strikes in industry, depression in business, We thank God that He has preserved all our lives and we are able to carryon the work. Some evangelists are now preaching in the interior; one Band in Yunnan, another in Szechuan and others in Kwangsi, Kweichow • Contributions should be sent to mission boards having work In China. or the National Red Cross. Washington. D. C.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
There is only one way to overcome evil, and that is with positive good. There is only one truly good and that is God. Love is the only remedy for hate; life is the only effective antidote to death. Jesus Christ is the only salvation for in- dividuals and for the world. Therefore mission- aries go into all the world to spread the truth, the love, the life of God. as these are made known in Jesus Christ.
• .N _' JEWRY IN DISTRESS! WHAT OF IT?
, ;HE~~I ' …, American Jews, 4,500,000 in number, are out . .. . .. .. . ,—",""–. to raise $9,600,000 in 1938. This vast sum is for . –. ,-) relief of os,tracized and persecuted Jews in Europe and to aid in their settlement in Palestine or else- .. . " where, as circum.stances permit. -"~' -.: .: ~…~ The tidal wave of anti-Semitism has spread to Ii.~- Germany, Austria, Poland, Roumania and begins even to inundate Great Britain and America. The 'QR zons (8'-4"") OF CHlM essential cause of this widespread anti-Semitism is the economic distress in the world today. In UIlLOCUIOIOPAJIIIIllW prosperous times anti-Semitism rarely occurs. Hitler's racial ideology is another factor, as is the PROf'IstAJlftllS8101SWIOlS unfortunate behavior of some individual Jews. Business shrewdness, and in some cases dishon- kebdot "'p""e1Ittaoit,. esty, are other factors, but who persecutes all wtth_o…….. p"rlUU>ellt Gentiles because of shrewdness or personal dis- honesty? =:::~~"tl::~:nt In Poland there are 3,500,000 Jews, of whom .~. . .NU) …U.t …rIt. 1,000,000 are starving, who are involved. Rou- mania has 1,000,000 Jews while Germany has WHERE JAPANESE AND MISSIONARIES ARE OPERATING- only 350,000 and Austria about 200,000. All these DIFFERENTLY are menaced and for them American Jews are seeking to raise $9,600,000 this year. Incidentally and Chehkiang Provinces. They have been facing danger!; since 1914 American Jews have provided $87,- from air raids, but all witness to the power of the Holy 000,000 for the relief of European Jews. Spirit in changing many lives. Owing to the abnormal conditions, the traveling is difficult, so that it took sixteen In Germany, in addition to the Jews, there are days to reach the place of the first campaign in Kweichow. about 1,000,000 non-Aryans, and in Austria 600,- Another Band is going to Hunan and the fourth to the 000 or more. Any man, woman or child with at northern part of Kwangtung Province. We do not know least one Jewish grandparent, or one who is marhow long we will be allowed to preach unmolested. We ried to a Jew is classed as a non-Aryan and theremust spread the Good News before it is too late. The fore receives the same treatment as a Jew. Japanese give no liberty to the Chinese preachers in occupied territories. Pray that God will grant peace in the Thus there are approximately 7,000,000 folk in Far East and pray for those who are lifting up Christ Europe who, because of Jewish ancestry near or among the Chinese. There are wonderful opportunities, remote, are unwanted by their fellow citizens. especially in the interior of China. People are receptive And partly because of anti-Jewish sentiment, but to the Gospel and they realize life is uncertain and prop- more largely because of unemployment crises, erty is not dependable. Thank God "we know whom we they are not wanted anywhere else. Even in Palhave believed and we are persuaded that He is able to estine the number actually able to enter there in keep that which we have committed unto Him against one year has been reduced from 61,000 in 1935 that day." to less than 10,000 in 1937. Moreover, the Jew- Arab conflict in Palestine, coupled with the British It is more and more evident that it is impos- Partition proposals, has served to arouse the Mossible to carry out any isolation policy-either lem world and to increase the anti-Semitic sentinational or individual. War in one country will ment there. involve other nations, however much we may strive to prevent it. Famine and economic The net result of all this is a growing fearfultroubles in one land affect others. Disease will ness, uncertainty and insecurity in the hearts and spread in spite of sanitary measures. Immoral- minds of Jewry throughout the world. ity, selfish ambition and false philosophy cannot be confined within any national boundaries. Irreligion and anti-Christian, or anti-Jewish, propaganda spreads from party to party, from class to class, and from country to country, when not checked by positive faith and by the dissemination of God's truth.
Why should Christians be concerned with the ous in providing hospitality to these victims of fate of Jewish and non-Aryan victims of anti- a present day cruel autocracy? We especially need Semitism; why should we take upon ourselves to be on guard lest this unchristian racial dis- the responsibility of caring for these non-Aryans? crimination gains a foothold here. Propaganda is First of all because we are Christians and many a vicious thing and is powerful in formulating of these non-Aryans are Christians by faith. J ew- public opinion. We should strenuously oppose the ry is aiding admirably and sacrificially the Jewish anti-Jewish propaganda in America; we should victims, and has even helped non-Aryan victims, pray for persecuted Jewry and for a change of though the latter are definitely Christendom's re- heart in their persecutors. Here is a great op- sponsibility. But up-to-date, Christendom has not portunity to show the spirit of Christ and to do, been as generous as Jewry. The result is grievous individually and collectively everything we can distress and suffering among the Jewish, non- to combat the causes and consequences of anti- Aryan and Christian refugees. What right have Semitism. Tli'e-se are inescapable responsibilities Christians in America to protest against anti- of all who claim to be Christian.
Semlitism in Europe while we do nothing effective- CONRAD HOFFMANN, JR. ly to aid the victims of such racial discrimination?
We need to be reminded of the good Samaritan as weU as of the Levite and the priest in our Lord's FOURTEEN POINTS FOR FOREIGN parable. There is an American Committee* to aid MISSIONS Christian refugees from Germany and this committee needs financial help to meet the growing 1. Every book in the New Testament was writdistress. A few instances of the flotsam and jet- ten by a foreign missionary. sam of human wreckage in the wake of the present tidal wave of anti-Semitism, are the fol- 2. Every letter in the New Testament that was lowing: written to an individual was written to a convert of a foreign missionary. 1. Mr. F- is a pharmacist, non-Aryan, but a Christian by faith having won the Iron Cross, the Front Trench 3. Every epistle in the New Testament that was Fighter's, and the wounded-in-service medals. As a non- writteB to a church was written to a for- Aryan he was no longer allowed to run his private phar- eign missionary church. macy in Germany, and was forcibly compelled to sublet. Now he is in America looking for work and hopes later 4. Every book in the New Testament that was to be joined by his wife and two sons as soon as he is written to a community of believers was able to support them. Before he could leave Germany he written to a general group of foreign mishad to pay 81% of his funds as a "flight tax." sionary churches.
5. The one book of prophecy in the New Testa- 2. Mrs. U- was a Christian Gentile woman, married ment was written to the seven foreign misto a Jew in Vienna; her husband is no longer allowed to sionary churches in Asia. work. She is a teacher of Germanics, but being married 6. The only authoritative history of the early to a Jew she, too, is not allowed to work. Christian Church is a foreign missionary journal. 3. Mr. T- was a government expert on Social Security 7. The disciples were called Christians first in and Socialized Medicine; a non-Aryan Christian, and a a foreign missionary community. member of the German Confessional Church group of which Dr. Niemoller is the leader. Now he is in America 8. The language of the books of the New Testaas a transient but hopes soon to be admitted on the quota ment is the missionary language. and then to find work. 9. The map of the early Christian world is the 4. Rev. F- was a non-Aryan Protestant clergyman in tracing of the journeys of the first mis- Germany. Not being allowed to preach there, on the advice of his pastoral colleagues, he went to Vienna to work for a Swedish Society and did remarkably well. sionaries.
Since Hitler's annexation of Austria, this pastor has been 10. Of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, every compelled to flee to Prague and then to Sweden. apostle except one became a missionary.
We might go on and cite case after case of 11. The only man among the twelve apostles who people who need help, financially and above all did not become a missionary became a spiritually. In New York City, the Jews have traitor.
established a reception service and a center for 12. The problems which arose in the early Church Jewish refugees, but nothing of the kind has yet were largely questions of missionary pro- been done by the Christians for the Christian cedure.
refugees. 13. Only a foreign missionary could write an Should not Christians of America, the: strong- everlasting gospel.
hold of liberty, equality and democracy be gener- 14. According to the apostles, missionary service is the highest expression of Christian life.
• Mr. Frank Ritchie. Secretary, American Commlttl'le fOr German WILLIAM ADAMS BROWN. Refugees. 287 Fourtli Ave.. New York City,
at the Center of City
By AUBREY S. MOORE, Chicago Superintendent of Chicago Home Missionary Society, Methodist Episcopal Church A YOUNG man, a college and theological ent languages. The first church has a fine build- school graduate just beginning his minis- jng with more than fifty rooms, including a large try in the city, came to discuss his work. gymnasium, a swimming pool, a cafeteria, an as- As he sat in my office, looking out across the roofs sembly hall that will accommodate more than one of the buildings, and yet seeing not the buildings thousand people and a beautiful chapel. This but the streets filled with boys and girls and men building is filled afternoons .and evenings. More and women, he said with something of compas- than one hundred and forty classes, club meetings sion in his voice as well as in his gaze, "The Peo- and group meetings, exclusive of devotional meetpIe! The People!" jngs, are held each week. The total registered at- tendance for March, this year, was 10,623. The I instinctively turned to a picture which hangs program includes classes in sewing, cooking, on my office wall-the picture of another young printing, dramatics, bookkeeping, stenography, man looking across a valley at another city more vocational guidance, knitting, playing the harthan two thousand years ago. As this other monica, first aid, etc. These boys and girls are Young Man looks at the city He weeps and says: kept off the streets, which of itself is worth while, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this and at the same time they are learning something thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!" of value under leaders who know the importance I breathed a prayer that this other young man, of character development in the lives of young with his splendid preparation for service might people. be held steady, that his vision might be kept clear, his heart be kept pure, and that his enthusiasm In some Institutional and Community Churches, might be inseparably joined to the purpose of that one finds a program that is broad enough in scope other Young Man who will ever weep over the and sufficiently varied in character to appeal to city until it shall become like unto "the Holy Jeru- all age groups. Last summer one pastor gave a salem, descending out of Heaven from God." series of open-air Gospel addresses with a stereop- ticon. He reported an attendance of over 8,000 "Home Mission Work in a City" seeks to place per week. Early in March one church office re- Jesus Christ at the center of the City's life. Home ported twenty-two baseball teams already regismissionaries are not primarily interested in any tered for the coming season-one of the sure signs particular creed, but rather in making Christ of Spring. dominant in the lives of individuals and groupsthe determining factor in their conduct. The task The city is becoming disturbed over the alarmwill not be completed until politics, industry, so- jng increase in Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile cial life, and religious life shall acknowledge Him Crime. Two weeki; ago, in one issue of a daily as Lord and Master and seek to do His will. paper, there were the names of forty boys, with the average age under sixteen years, who were There are certain types of work in the city to arrested for crimes all the way from petty theft which those who are in any way responsible for to murder. It has been estimated that six thou- Mission Work today must of necessity give sand six hundred Protestant boys and girls will thought. appear before the Juvenile Court of Chicago in 1938, and that of this number more than two The Institutional Church is perhaps the most thousand will be there for the first time. In conwidely known agency of the Church in the con- ference with a Probation Officer a few days ago gested centers of the great city. One such typical I was told of the attempts being made to save church, with a seven-day and seven-evening pro- these boys and girls from the careers towards gram every week, is located in the midst of a which they seem to be moving so rapidly. By the group of many thousands of people among whom time many of these boys come before the Juvenile more than twenty different languages are spoken. Court it may be too late to do much for them. Another typical church is said to be the only Eng- The difficulty is farther back. lish-speaking church in a community of more than 250,000 people speaking more than thirty differ- [263]
The first evidence of a wrong tendency in the to perpetuate the use of any language other than boy or girl that comes to the attention of the au- the English language in churches that must ulti- thorities outside of the home is truancy. This is mately minister to English-speaking American said to begin at seven years and reach its "highest citizens.
incidence" at thirteen or fourteen. Truancy! Among the problems which we face is that of Delinquency! Crime! This is the order. The the slowly dying church in the downtown or nearone leads naturally to the other. In a careful downtown district. In one denomination in a study, covering a period of several years, it was typical city more than twenty churches have been found that more than half of the Juvenile Crim- either closed outright or merged with other inals had been truants. In an effort to get to the churches during the past twenty years. The root of the matter students are finding themselves merger plan is frequently resorted to as a faceface to face with home situations and community environment. A Protestant representative at the saving devic~t It has its appeal. However, in so Juvenile Court and at the Juvenile Detention far as the merged church is concerned the results Home, a highly trained, consecrated young are about the same. A 'group of members are transferred to the strengthened organization but woman, follows the cases assigned to her to the many scatter and find new homes, if at all, elsehomes and to the communities from which they where. The churches at the heart of the city die come in an attempt to cleanse the fountain at its first. And then slowly but surely the circle is source. Case after case could be presented that enlarged until in due season one can scarcely find would bear eloquent testimony to the effectiveness a "going" concern among the few remaining of this program of Mission Work in a great City. churches in or near the downtown section. And No longer do immigrants fill the already con- this is true in spite of the fact that the population gested centers of our cities. With the decrease in in the neighborhood of these churches may have immigration that problem is giving us less con- doubled or tripled or even quadrupled in the meancern, although in some of our largest cities more time. It can all be explained, but to explain it is than seventy percent of the people are either foreign born or the children of foreign-born parents. not to solve the problem. The "mixing bowl" is at work but its task has not been completed. The children of these foreign- Thirty years ago a certain large church in the born parents attend our public schools, they play near downtown section of a great city was packed in our streets, and breathe the atmosphere of our to the doors-gallery and all. The city authori- American cities until their very freedom creates ties were said to have stationed policemen at the an unhappy situation. In some localities our mis- doors to prevent dangerous overcrowding. This sion worker's chief task seems to be that of a church included among its members men and mediator who seeks to enable these alert children women from every walk in life-railroad executo adjust themselves to the demands of their for- tives, financiers and men prominent in the busieign-born parents and to assist the parents, with ness and professional life of the city. Today a an "old country" background, to understand their mere handful of good but discouraged people own children as they react to their new environ- carryon in a building that is rapidly deteriorat- ing; and yet there are more people per square ment. mile in that neighborhood today than ever before. The families of wealth have moved to the suburbs Lost Moorings and the local group can no longer support a resi- Many thousands in these groups, if they ever dent pastor. This church would be pronounced had a vital religious faith, have broken from their near dead. And this is but an extreme example religious moorings and are helplessly afloat, dere- of what one finds all too often in our large cities.
lict fashion, or are openly disregarding all moral What had really happened in this case? Slowly and religious claims upon their lives. Work but surely the people who had supported this in- among these people is fascinating. The young stitution died or moved from the downtown sec- people form a most inviting and responsive group, tion to the less crowded areas or to the suburbs.
while a right approach to the adults will assure a As the older group moved out another crowded in.
heartening measure of success. For many years But this new group was made up of renters and it seemed to be necessary to provide a foreign- roomers who were incapable of carrying the finan- born leader for these people. Today, however, cial burden if they had been willing to do so. So with few if any immigrants to deal with, and with with the steady decrease in support came a cor- an increasing number of young people, American responding retrenchment in the program until to- born and trained in our public schools, it is be- day there is none. Had it been possible for the coming less and less necessary to present a bi- members of this church in the heyday of its pros- lingual program. The day has come when many perity to have created an endowment, and thereby believe it to be not only unnecessary but unwise made possible an income sufficient to provide a
CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF CITY LIFE
continuously effective program, might there not The Social agencies are doing excellent: work. have been a different story to tell today? Or, sup- In our own city there are said to be twenty-two pose there had been funds available from the districts with a population of 50,000 to the square Mission Boards to supplement and stabilize the mile in which the environment is detrimental to decreasing income of this church, what would the best interests of the· growing boy and girl. have been the result? Community projects under the guidance of the de- partment of Research Sociology of the Institute We must face our responsibility for these down- for Juvenile Research have been located in three town areas. Just so long as there is a constituency of these districts and in each of the three truancy, for which we are clearly responsible in any com- delinquency and crime have steadily decreased. munity, just so long must we remain in the community adapting our program to the needs of the The Christian Church has ever pioneered in people whom we seek to serve. And in order to needy fields until an awakened Social conscience do this it becomes equally clear that funds in in- came to recognize the responsibility of the comcreasing amounts must be available from outside munityas a whole. But after the city, through its sources to supplement the decreasing incomes of various agencies, has done its best will there not these churches until, if possible, a local supporting remain for the Church the task of evangelizing constituency can once again be developed. successive generations? This, after all, we may find is its primary function. Indeed the chief In our thinking of Mission Work in a City, at- task of the Church seems to be to work itself out tention is often fixed upon the so-called blighted of a job. In the Seer's vision of the Holy City areas or areas of deterioration which are usually there was no temple. It was no longer needed. the truancy and crime centers.' Frequently too However, that day in the modern city seems to be little attention is focused upon the Boulevards. a great way off. "The Kingdoms of this world Slum minds are not all confined to so-called slum are" not yet "become the Kingdoms of our Lord, areas. The "certain rich man" of the parable and of his Christ." Until that takes place there was farther from the Kingdom of God than Laz- will continue to be a place for "Home Mission arus. We have also a mission to the Boulevard Work in a City." sections of our cities. Many Boulevard dwellers are heart-hungry for a little disinterested friend- PERCENTAGE RURAL AND liness and for a sane interpretation of the Word of God. A surprising number of them would be URBAN POPULATION willing to render a high order of sacrificial service for their Lord and Master if given an opportunity. 8Y 10 YEAR PERIODS We have no more right to neglect them than we have to neglect any other group. Jesus was per- 1c!&O – 1930 fectly willing to have "the Rich Young Ruler" use his money to aid the poor. Is it not reasonable to '''Dr. 5H 4167. suppose that the wealth of Boulevard friends would be acceptable to Him if given in the proper 1900 13LO 1.9Z0 1.9"0 spirit? The consecrated wealth of the Boulevards could be used to transform the slums. RURAL In the field of Social Service and Charity uBB"50? 514 56.2. changes are rapidly taking place. Community Chests and Community Funds are used to support l~OO J6.90 1900 1910 1920 H30 the more elaborate rather than the less highly organized forms of ministry. These funds are URBAN usually not available for religious work or for programs too closely connected with the religious activities of the church. The tendency appears to be to divorce social and charity work from the religious program and to place it under the direction of trained social workers who are responsible to their own organization. If social agencies and civic organizations are to assume responsibility for the physical and economic well-being and for the social adjustment of the underprivileged, what is to be the future of Christian Mission Work in the City? Will it mean that the churches must withdraw or confine their efforts to a technically spiritual ministry?
Modern City
By REV. HERBERT E. EBERHARDT, B.D., Indianapolis, Indiana President of the International Union of Gospel Missions DISTANCE lends enchantment, even in mis- product of tlte groups to be considered later. It sion fields. When we hear of poverty, of is to these youth that the city missionary must squalid homes and dirty children, of dis- appeal, by games, playgrounds, picnics, singing, ease and sin in India, many feel a peculiar thrill! class work, vacation schools and summer camps. Describe the same conditions in India-napolis and we shudder; we draw our skirts about us and A mission visitor in Rochester, N. Y., calling are tempted to "pass by on the other side" as we on underprivileged homes, invited a girl to the cry, "Unclean!" How oft we have heard it said, mission Sunday School. The child asked, "What "Well, they don't need to live that way," or "They kind of a show is it?" In that she typifies thouought to know better," or perhaps, "If they had sands of other children. But she came, and to saved as I have"! the surprise of all, won first place in the vacation Bible school. That may be true, but the conditions are here and we must face them. Every great city fur- Ira Smith, superintendent of the Children's nishes a real missionary field, one that most di- Gospel Mission of Newark, N. J., led a child to rectly affects all of us. We have often said of the Christ in an open-air park service. That child crowd of transients in our city missions, "If we later brought the entire family into the mission don't take care of these men, they'll take care of and in time the mother, of foreign descent, was us." At the mourner's bench of one of our rescue employed by a large church as its city missionary. missions a penitent surrendered a loaded revolver, confessing that he was on his way to commit a A New England Methodist pastor, graduate of robbery when arrested by the music! Most mis- Union Seminary, came to Christ in the Wheeler sions have in their "museums" guns, billy clubs, Mission at Indianapolis when a small boy, the blackjacks, whiskey bottles, dope and what not, first of an entire family.
There probably is no field so promising and so productive as this among the boys and girls whom as evidence of the direct bearing which city mis- the church often cannot reach except through the sion work has on the lives of all of us. city missions.
These home-mission groups are varied, and Some Problem Homes much larger than one might suppose. Let us consider briefly six such groups. They represent Closely related is the American problem home, more than one half of our population, when we the result of poverty or heredity, divorce, irreconsider that the total church membership of the ligion, sin and unbelief. No prayer, no Bible United States includes only about one half. Many reading, no worship – God's Name used only in an election has been "swung" by a minority group profanity! This is becoming an increasing probholding the balance of power. Skilled politicians lem. It is known that many of the boys on the know the importance of winning the colored vote road today are the direct result of broken homes. -many times enough in itself to secure a victory Social workers hear over and over again, "Dad in election. This same principle applies in the and Mother separated." Some one has aptly said field of missionary service. Special populations, that we ought to sing, "Where is my wandering large or small, may vitally influence the welfare mother tonight?" of the entire community. The city missionary has an entree into these The Non-Churched Children homes, sometimes through death, or arrests or a child in the vacation Bible school. A social We consider first the thousands of children and service contact, such as is made possible by the youth in our cities who are not under the influence Council of Federated Church Women of Indian- of the church and do not attend Sunday School. apolis which employs its own representative in a In them lies the future of our cities; they are the city mission, often proves an open sesame to an seed-bed of our future problems, and hence should otherwise impregnable heart or home. A table or be considered first. They are also the direct by- chair, or garments, or a friendly visit may inspire [266 ] confidence and awaken interest, when all else employed, always welcome and specially well fails. "I was hungry and ye fed me." These treated, the mission says, "The church does care, people are not dressed for church; they have no we are interested in you, Christ has a place in money to give; they are not concerned; often His program for you." This attitude is of practhey do not feel wanted. The writer was once tical value in that it proves its faith by its works -meals, beds, clothes, free service of many kinds.
There is no better preventive of radicalism and atheistic Communism in America than this quiet, Christ-like influence of our Gospel missions and other Christian social service. It is unob- trusive, not heralded with banners, but no one can estimate the amount of preventive work ac- complished. A lighthouse is not only to be cred- ited for rescues made, but for the many more wrecks prevented. Every city mission is a veritable and effective lighthouse.
It is a known fact, demonstrated repeatedly, that there are far fewer arrests or calls for police aid (if any at all) in mission shelters than in gov- ernment or purely charitable shelters. The unem- ployed respect and respond to the kindly attitude of a Christian. .The "cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple" has more than one reward!
The Drink Evil in Our Cities Social workers know that repeal of the Eight- eenth Amendment has brought marked increases WHICH WAY ARE THEY HEADED? PhDtography by H. E. Gray. Waifs-not in India but in Indianapolis. THE OLD DOOR AND THE NEW pastor of a city church where considerable ob- The mission stands on the spot where stood the old saloon. jection was felt because these folks were coming into the church as the result of a schoolhouse mission service.
If the home is the foundation of our nation, then surely here is worth-while missionary service. We remember that Jesus accepted an invitation to the Pharisee's house, and that the Scribes said, "This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them." He knew the importance of such work.
Among the Unemployed This group, numbering several millions, possibly 12,000,000 today, has been too much neglected, and is potentially the most dangerous, forming a natural hotbed for radicalism. Any failure on the part of our missionary program here may prove disastrous. When the priest and the Levite "go by on the other side" and an anti- Christian Samaritan proves the true neighbor, the results are not so good.
For many years the only agencies caring for these unfortunate classes were those with a religious motive or impulse, particularly our Christian rescue missions, which Bishop Freeman once termed, "The Church in Overalls." To the un-
in the inevitable results of liquor; prohibition Has the church cared? Has she prepared worktimes at their worst were remarkably better than ers for this special field? Has she offered youth under license; the evils of the old saloon are back a vocation here? The Church Federation of Cinwith multiplied dangers, supported by radio, auto- cinnati maintains a prison chaplain, a unique mobile, the modern press, lowered moral stand- work. The Indianapolis Federation supports a ards, and the changed status of women. full-time Christian social worker for court service.
The tavern, the dance hall, the "new deal" Above all, the Gospel provides the needed and gambling mania, the false concept of morals, all only remedy. But preparatory to that, kindly tend to produce a tremendous challenge to the guidance, appreciated letters, sympathetic parole, wisest and most intense missionary program- changed environment, medical and psychiatric missionary, because the power of Christ, and not treatment, fellowship groups, all have a curative reform or legislation, is the ultimate solution. as well as :q!,eventive value. A survey might re- veal two thuigs: that most missions are engaged Beginning 65 years ago with the establishment in some form of prison service, and that most by Jerry McAuley, himself a twice-born man, of prison services, in and out of prison, are conthe now famous McAuley Water Street Mission in ducted by gospel missions. New York City, much of the work of rescue missions has been made necessary by liquor and its Transients in Our Cities naturally attendant evils. When a man has been A great army, thousands of them, men, boys, of "beaten and robbed" where else can he go? When all ages – not tramps – are wandering over this no one else cares, when he has no funds, where country. Many are seasonal laborers traveling to can he go but to a Gospel mission? If he does not go there, what is his future? A MISSIONARY LEADING A SERVICE IN A CITY JAIL But, thank God, when he goes, often a miracle find the next temporary job. Many are the prodtakes place and a new man is born. "If any man uct of the divorce evil-increasingly so! Most of be in Christ, he is a new creature," and indeed them are unemployed. Mission records show he is. Recently we met a man who has been an among them college graduates, business men, proactive member of a Methodist church for forty- fessional men, and all classes and types. The dethree years. He staggered into a small rescue pression has greatly increased their number. mission hall some years ago. Now, seventeen years later, he is a Sunday School superintendent. There have been three stages in their treatment. There are thousands like him-once drunkards, First, the care offered solely by missions, the Salor worse, who are now ministers, evangelists, song vation Army, the Volunteers, and other Christian directors, honored laymen, mission superintend- agencies, for many years. They have been fed, ents, missionaries. "Oh, say but I'm glad," and housed, clothed, but above all, evangelized, with many other Gospel hymns have come from the marty happy results. fervent pen of such a twice-born man! Here surely is a field for missionary specialists-and Second, the strictly social or community shelter how productive! "I was sick and ye visited me," of recent yeirs, often with no religion, but with said Jesus, our Lord. boxing, movies, games, and other diversions. This has proved expensive and nonproductive. The Prison Population Third, and more recent, the Transient Pro- J. Edgar Hoover's recent figures as to the num- gram of the United States Government, the first ber of men and women incarcerated in the United national effort to solve this problem. It only in- States are staggering. Even worse are the records creased the problem, however, and was abanof potential criminals, paroled men,· and affiliates doned. Thousands of men, particularly young now on our streets. But we are thinking here of men and boys, welcomed the opportunity of beanother larger group whom we mission folks know all too well-the families of these men and women form a much, much larger group. They comprise a larges~'tion of our population but they obviously tryt6 conceal their identity. They are out of touch with and probably beyond the reach of the church.
To neglect them is to fail Christ and to endanger ourselves. "I was in; prison and ye came unto me" still carries promise. of reward. At such a time hardened hearts are often tender; homes are lonely and open to a kindly word. Here is a rich and ready field for Christian service.
MEETING MODERN CITY PROBLEMS
coming the guests of Uncle Sam. The complete people from every state in the Union may be lack of any religious program also proved de- touched in a short period in one locality. "A moralizing. stranger and ye took me in" becomes a reality here. They literally come from "the highways Now we are in a fourth stage wherein the tran- and the hedges," often to receive more than the sient problem is again being handled, in most proverbial "pie-in-the-sky," the knight-of-the-road cases, by the Christian agencies with the coopera- slang for religion. THE UNION CITY MISSION BUILDING, MINNEAPOLIS We have enumerated briefly six of the most tion of Central Registration Bureaus to avoid needy and most promising of special populaduplication of effort. There seems to be no ulti- tions in our key cities. There are others, of mate solution of the transient problem, but there course, but seventeen years of direct contact, are certain desirable steps that may be effective- handling more than 100 men each day, toa careful case-work program, the outlawing of gether with hundreds of problem families, hitchhiking, a thorough work program, and the have indicated that these fields are probably correction of social conditions which create tran- the most neglected and yet perhaps the most siency. But most promising of all is a strong productive. The city missions that specialize evangelistic approach, with the belief that chang- with these groups have been rightfully termed ing the man himself is the surest way of changing "The Churches at Work Downtown." Their conditions. This has been proven in sixty-five interdenominational character, practical apyears of mission services, where it is believed that proach,city-wide appeal, and combination of "placing a new man in the suit is better than relief plus, offers the Christian church an placing a new suit on the man." Here is a great immediate and most vital open door for anmissionary field for the church, with most unex- swering the age-long question of the Old Tespected possibilities. Take at random, for example, tament, "Am I my brother's keeper?" and of a few cases in one Middle-West mission. Among the New, "Who is my neighbor?" the thousands of men apply.ing for aid we find a Perhaps this rapid survey will at least be sugminister's son who had "hot-footed" from a col- gestive and will stimulate a new interest in anlege where his father was formerly treasurer; a other phase of "home missions." Study groups college professor who had formerly taught one of the directors of the mission; the brother of a very JM ' THE JERRY MCAULEY ' ,MISSION, NEW YORK CITY prominent social worker; the black sheep of a f~mi1y whose name appears on a county court- maybe led to seek further knowledge of the facts house cornerstone; the son of.a member of a state and some day there may be a mission study course legislature; .the son of a form'er American consul on this specialized field. The possibilities of direct at Bremen; an escaped convict who voluntarily Gospel preaching and witnessing may be carried returned to a state's prison; a former pastor, an back to the church with a fresh emphasis. Epworth League president. The field for service is unlimited and the opportunities are amazing;
Youth Problem of the
By REV. ROBERT V. RUSSELL, New York Director of Religious Education, Baptist City Societies THE youth who lives in a modern city is never because they are overwhelmed they tend to turn entirely free from congestion. He is subject to the more sltperficial, the more obvious things,. to a kind of machine-gun rat-a-tat-tat of ap- Into the midst of all this is set the Christian" peals-to pleasure, to material gain, to various Gospel, mediated to youth of the city in various groups or enterprises in the body politic. In his ways. Set down in the midst of his community world he is always at the edge of – or possibly is a church. It may be a big city church with under-a kind of smoke-pall of futility, emanating more edifice than program or itll~y be a center from the slow-burning fires of disillusionment or of activity under Christian auspic~s 'with a seventhe ashes of cynicism. day-a-week program crying. <;>u.f for adequate He needs room, psychological room, for his self equipment. Or it may lie somewhere between to expand, his soul to grow. He needs criteria for these two. But the church represents the voice his choosing, a norm for living amid changing of the Christian Evangel, however weak or stam- codes and conflicting standards. He needs a cause mering it may be in the midst of the city clamor.
(oh, how he needs a cause!) that is not restricted Those who know the life of the city are likely to to one arc of life, but which gathers up all of life say, "If that were only true, but are there not when he gives himself to it, that integrates all great stretches in the city, where the message of the phases of living for him in one resolve, that Christ is needed most, that are practically un- answers youth's question, "What am I to live churched?" This is so-and even more than this for?" -for according to delinquency maps the areas of Moreover, today's youth lives in a not-normal highest incidence of juvenile delinquency are world. Not that it is abnormal or crazy; nor is often shown to be those areas from which the it necessary to hope for "back-to-normal," but churches have most consistently moved away.
to the young pe'rson from fifteen to twenty-four But this is not all of the answer, for church socie- years of age, things do not seem to be what he is ties and city mission societies have made it pos- told they once were. Half of the people seem to sible to maintain churches in places where the be wishing for the return of something that once community itself could not possibly support a was, and the other half seem to be looking for- minister and staff to carryon the type of pro- ward, with varying degrees of eagerness, to some- gram that is needed.
thing that is to be. Youth wonders. One phase of the youth problem is this matter Asked about his outlook upon life recently one of communities of special need. One cannot look of these young people said, to the writer: "Well, upon the city without recognizing that in most the future is not clear because things seem to be cases the distance between streets that are proudly all changed around. We hear about the days of shown to visitors and areas that are shamefully prosperity-high wages, plenty of jobs-but we below the standard in living conditions is only a do not know about that by experience. Most of matter of a few blocks. Neither can one look the friends that I had in high school are looking upon the youth of the city as all set in a one-tone for some kind of a job, or are working at any pattern. They constitute a variegated design- kind of a job for very low wages. We wonder a kind of kaleidoscope of interrelated back- what the prospects are ahead." grounds, national, racial and cultural. In New "Youth of the city," according to another speak- York City, for example (where probably this is ing as a member of a discussion panel, "is looking more pronounced), a study of the 1930 census for a good time (considering it as a birthright); figures shows that of the youth living in the five looking for a job; and looking for something to boroughs who are between the ages of fifteen and believe in." twenty-four, 73.2% are either themselves foreign A denominational adult leader of youth re- born or one or both of their parents come from marked recently that the youth of today are over- oth_er lands. In the Bronx the percentage is 82.6 whelmed by the complexities and the difficulties and in Brooklyn 78.8, while in Manhattan, alwhen they try to look objectively at their world; though the percentage is somewhat lower (63.3ro) [270 ] another element is introduced in the 12.2% of tional. One of those whom the writer has ques- Negro youth in this borough. What varieties of tioned regarding this problem replied that he felt social heritage, national customs and behaviour that youth's most acute need was for a meaningpatterns are represented by figures like these! ful fellowship in which his own individual life There is also the youth who come from "the may count for something. It was the opinon of this man, a youth leader, that youth are not able farm," which gave up 40 % of its youth (in the to feel always the sense of this larger fellowship in their own church. It may be because the youth group from ten to twenty years) to the city in group in the church is quite small or it may be the decade between 1920 and 1930. In New York because the adult members of the church do not City again the religious pattern is varied. The appear to give sufficient place to youth in the life Welfare Council reports in its publication, Better of the church and the management of its affairs. Times, of April 5, 1937, a study in which it was Every field worker in the area of youth activities found (by visiting each hundredth residential ad- is familiar with the complaint of the young people, dress in the city and questioning the youth from after they have had an experience in a city-wide sixteen to twenty-four years of age), that 49% re- fellowship or camp or summer conference, that when they return to their own local church they ported themselves as Roman Catholics, 31 % as do not seem to be able to make the church people understand their desire or to comprehend their Jewish and 1870 as Protestant. No doubt these situation. It is here that the city-wide or regional figures would be different for other cities but it is groupings of young people function from time to obvious that for any city of significant size there time, in youth councils, week-end conferences, or may need to be a considerable revision of former larger gatherings. The smaller groups of youth assumptions as to religious majorities. realize that they are part of a larger fellowship; they meet youth of other churches or of other de- Here again, the Church Society or the City Mis- nominations; they are inspired by a leadership sion Society has been the carrier of the Christian that it may not be possible for the local church to message. Many immigrant groups have colonized provide, and they meet and plan with leaders who are in constant touch with youth, know their probin areas consistent with the economic limitations lems, and "speak their language." There is a placed upon them, and it is almost impossible to growing fellowship-growing somewhat slowly it picture the conditions of physical congestion and must be said-around the United Youth Program spiritual depression under which the children projected by the Christian Youth Council of North grow into their youth. Here is set down the bi- America. This is related to the International lingual church under the ministry of a foreign- Council of Religious Education representing a speaking pastor, oft-times with a staff of one or large number of denominational groups and remore workers trained in religious education and lating itself to the major Christian youth orsocial service. A dramatic illustration of the re- ganizations. sults of this kind of work was given at a recent dinner meeting of the Baptist Social Union and Youth and the Local Church New York City Baptist Mission Society when some forty young people, both men and women, Of course the most effective and most direct representing a dozen different national groups work with youth will be done in the local church, from these by-lingual churches, sat upon the platform. Five young people gave responses to the especially in the suburbs or semi-suburban areas. theme of the evening; one of them (Czechoslovak) For while the suburban youth is not city-bred in was engaged in banking; one (Italian) was a the truest sense, neither is he rural- far, far teacher in a city high school and the others were from it! He has been infected with the cynicism, either studying or held positions in business es- disillusionment and unrealities of urban philosotablishments. All had found opportunity for phies without knowing personally so much about growth – psychological room – in a Christian the conditions of city life whch have given rise to church supported by a city-wide organization. these attitudes. This type of youth must be caught The writer knows of one instance in which a by an attractively presented, intelligently con- "gang" of what some might call "hoodlum" youth, ceived and largely youth-directed set of activities was invited by the pastor of the neighborhood which leads him to recognize the church as the church to transfer its activities from the street best place for him to spend a good share of his (where it was causing some annoyance) to the leisure time. A typical program of this type is inside of the church building. Subsequently this being followed in one of the churches in New group became one of the "clubs" of the church York City. A Sunday evening program consists and some of its members found places of service of a supper, a chapel service, and interest groups. in the program of the church itself.
Another phase of the youth problem is being attacked from another angle – that of youth fellowships, both denominational and interdenomina-
The terminology is that of the sea with "courses" There is also an imperious demand for a listed which may be "charted" under the direction changed philosophy of human relationships-ecoof a "crew" of leaders and with "cruises" begin- nomic and social. The survival of the fittest thening on certain dates, continuing for a number of ory when applied to human relations is untenable. weeks, and then terminating, to be followed within A disturbing phase of the life of the city youth is a week or two by another "cruise" with a different the seeming tendency to forget one's idealism set of interest groups. One virtue of this program when one begins to prosper materially or is reis that the interests are selected by a group of the ceiving some special recognition. Jesus met it in young people of the church and are built around the Rich Young Ruler. Here was a personable, their own suggestions. There are such topics as : "successful" young man, confronted with the "Choosing One's Life Work"; "Social Problems charge of disregard of his social obligations. At of Our City"; "Love, Courtship and Marriage"; the close of the interview the young man "went "How Can I Find God?"; "Boy and Girl Relation- away sorrowf-ul." One wonders whether he was ships"; "Science and Religion"; "The Art of not saying also in his heart, "The man must think Praying." Each interest is carried for a few I'm a fool!" weeks and the young people are invited to remain each Sunday evening as long as there is a hot-spot This insidious thing that we might perhaps call of interest to hold them. This church is a magnet a personal-prosperity-inspired unconcern is apt of centripetal force every Sunday evening for to become a part of the maturing process of the from one hundred to one hundred and forty young most promising individuals among city youth and people. youth will respond to a program in which it must be recognized not only as a characteristic they have a part with informed, dynamic leaders. of the urban psychology but also as a moral chal- lenge which, if it is not met adequately, becomes One of the most acute needs of youth is for en- a spiritual defeat. One of the most decisive op~ terprises in which they may have the opportunity portunities of the Christian church is the inspirfor the practice .of democracy-in which they may ing of the youth of the city by helping them to feel themselves factors. Unfortunately in many share the comradeship of adults who are themchurches this is what they do not find. selves successful-"men among men"-but who are also Christ-inspired persons, engaged in a mu- If it is true that youth is "looking for something tual quest for the highest realization of the "statto believe in," then the church stands on the thres- ure of the fullness of Christ"-not for themselves hold of an oportunity – the opportunity to con- alone, but also for the other-the "forgotten"- vince youth that here is a democracy in microcosm man. in which he can have a part, a cause to which he may dedicate himself, a Master who will not let What is this if it is not the missionary motive, him down. the witnessing urge, the continuing determination of those who have "been with Jesus" to share that Two or three things need to be emphasized in which we know. The youth problem in the city Christian work with city youth. There must be is a challenge to the Christian forces for the dea larger place for youth in the program of the velopment of a spiritually adequate leadership. church. It is a truism to say that the church can- "The blind cannot lead the blind," for to those not live unless it can succeed in holding its youth, who "study to show themselves approved," God yet it seems to be recognized generally that one opens many doors. of the church's outstanding problems is its youth problem. On the other hand churches that are Youth time is decision time. Through the home, most successful in work with youth are those who give to youth a voice in the councils of the church the Sunday School and the communicant's class, and present an interpretation of the objectives of the church in terms that youth can understand this important work of teaching and winning and claim for himself. must go on perennially. In one large city of New There is need also for a comprehending and sympathetic adult leader·ship for youth. It is a York State, which is an important educational question whether youth comes more in contact with the minister, trained and consecrated to his center, an interview program is being carried on work, or with an adult lay leadership which has not been trained and whose consecration may this winter in behalf of youth. Over nineteen leave considerable to be desired. In spite of what has been said for the larger recognition and par- hundred written applications were sent in by ticipation of youth in its own program the youth problem will never be solved by youth themselves. youth within thirty days after the plan was in- The most serious aspect of the youth problem is an adult problem. augurated, requesting interviews with some Christian person – pastor or teacher – to help them with personal problems. These interviews are being conducted on Saturdays and Sundays by a group of devoted individuals who know the prob- lems of youth. When we work with childhood and youth we are not "saving the lost but saving from loss." JESSE M. BADER.
CLERGYMEN LOOKING INTO INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AT CARNEGIE-ILLINOIS STEEL CO
What Church Federations Can Do By WALTER R. MEE, Chicago, Illinois Executive Secretary of the Chicago Church Federation THE story of one great American city is, in of labor relations, strikes and struggles for power its general phases, the story of every large between labor and capital. metropolitan center in the country. Rapid growth, expanding industry, improved transpor- These are some of the city's characteristics tation have all combined to produce, in the last which confront the modern church. These are a five decades, characteristics in every American few of the practical problems upon which the city which challenge the Church and confront its church must strive to bring its Christian influministry. ence, while, at the same time, discharging its su- preme responsibility for the Christian life and There is in every large city the tendency of spiritual growth of city men and women. populations to shift .rapidly as more prosperous families move out to finer residential areas or sub- To Christian leaders faced with such changing, urban districts. Into the abandoned central wards ever-troubled and needy communities, there has of the city there come, on the other hand, great become increasingly evident the conviction that numbers of foreign-born, with large families of individual churches or even individual denominalower economic status, seeking the city's cheapest tions cannot make any great and lasting impreshousing. In complex,conglomerate patterns they sion on such city problems. Here is a need that settle close to the business district; later they too can be adequately met only by programs of cooppush outward into adjacent areas as soon as their eration uniting the resources, the ideals and the economic fortunes permit. Thus population tides energies of every church, every denomination, of a city constantly ebb and flow. The result is within the city's limits. Where the Christian community disintegration, deteriorating housing, church is most staunch and where its program is delinquency and racial conflicts, as central areas most effective today, we find a strong Federation of the city lose their more substantial members of the city's churches, maintaining a widespread and receive newcomer groups. program under a single leadership, unitedly doing the work of Christ in the city. . There are the political aspects of a great city, with the apparently inevitable tendency in every In Chicago one finds these characteristics of the urban center toward political corruption, ineffi- large city in some of their most pronounced ciency and vice in greater or less degree. stages. Here is a Federation of Protestant churches that effectively illustrates wh,fltchurch There is the vast industrial life which all cities Federations can do to save the city. The Chicago have in common, with its ever-present problems Church Federation was org.anized in 1907 and [273 ]
4~; I[I[!rt·~; (I) ;t3;11 ~ I] ~:l?1 i e,l ~ II 77 WEST WASHINGTON STREET 18 DENOMINATIONS 1049 CHURCHES Denominations which are Members of the Chica80 Church Federation BAPTIST CHURCHES North LUTHERAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMI CHURCH Of THE BRETHREN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES AFRICAN METHODIST [PISCOPAL REfORMED EPISCOPAL DISCIPLES Of CHRIST AmlCAN MEntODI5T [PIS. ZION REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH METHODIST PROTESTANT 'UNITED BRETHREN I EVANGElICAlSt REFORMED PRESBYT£RlAN CHURCH INU5.A UNITED PRESBYTERIAN fRIENDS The purpose offhis organization is founile IJewrious branches of the Christian churches in Chicd80 and vicinitv in d continuous co-operative endeavor to bring the Gospel to all the people and to promote the application of the law of Christ in every relation of life ,——-~ – -, I OF"F"lCE:RS I I BOARD of TRUSTEES I I OF"F"ICE fTAF"F" I I EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1 • DEPARTMENTS I CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOMANS DEPARTMENT "I"SocIALRELATIONS COMMITTEES Co-ordinating DIVISIONS COMMITTEES Ludership Traininll Vacation Schools -!1jviHes inthe Field Missionary Rtli~ious 'I15tructiOll W"kdaySchools Education Drama, Recreation Social Service and Interracia I – – – – DIVISIONS Welfare Children Social Action. BeHerFilms YounS People …. r -. — – — Adult meetmg. delegates from churche .Metropolitan Chicagos onlq Month/I} of '.Innttehredefnieoldm.mofa.CtlOhrnisatliaonr8Eadmu.czaa.ttiloonn. Workers – Boys Parental School Park Ridge School for Girls Criminal 'Court – fide/is Inn COMMISSIONS I • -. I I WORLD F"RIENDSHIP I I I 1 I R~~~~,T,NS I I~TEELRATRIAOCNJ~L I I PUBLICITY I I I I I I 1 I L I • CI.HNUDRUCSHTRAYND COMITY EVANGELISM MINISTRY IN THEd STANDING.COMMITTEE: I PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS Armistice Day J M• •t l n i i '
STANDING CQt:1t:1ITTEE~: Outdoor Evangelism Emploljed Workers:- county Jail FiElds Foreign Origin Groups and Lenten Noon-day Meetings Bridewell Communih" service Geneva School for Girls Unified Evangelistic- Juvenile Court Strategy Program Juvenile Detention Home -Survey Oak Forest Infirmary -Chaplains City Council MeetingsI–… Hines Memorial Hospital ….. Undenominational Churches …..BOY~Rdo~rhter Institutions -=– COMMITTEES l I CHURCH I FINANCE 1 1 I PROTEST AND APPROVAL DIRECTORY .
I ENDORSEMENTS I . I UNION MINISTERS MEETING 1 C.H.KETCHt.
HOW AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL CHURCH FEDERATION IS ORGANIZED
WHAT CHURCH FEDERATIONS CAN DO
today is directing a program involving the inter- More directly related to the task of "saving the ests and assistance of 1,049 churches of eighteen city" from its own evils and destructive tendencies denominations, representing a membership roll are other aspects of the Federation's program. of 750,000. It is a program carried on by over The annual report of 1937 records enlargement 500 religious workers serving gratuitously on and development of a new department of Social eighteen commissions and committees. The board Service with a paid staff to correlate the work of of trustees consists of 110 influential religious and Federation committees and commissions in this social leaders of the city. field and to relate more closely the churches of Chicago with the social service and medical agen- The work of this Federation shows how closely cies of the city. Under the leadership of this dethe organization is matching the stride of the partment the Federation has maintained for some church to the growth of Chicago. To undergird years a supervision service in the Boys' Court of its work with factual knowledge, and to direct Chicago. By means of this service hundreds of more intelligently its comity program which boys brought into the court are placed under the strives to eliminate competition and duplication care of the Federation's case workers instead of receiving jail sentences. A FI L IPINO COMMUNITY CHURCH GROU P , CHICAGO One of the activities sponsor ed by the Ch icago Church Federa tion. The second major concern of the Federation is the friendly, constructive, religiously-motivated among churches while seeing to it that no area service rendered by chaplains and other paid goes unchurched, the Chicago Church Federation workers in the public institutions of Chicago. has for some years maintained a United Religious This has been a significant ministry to the inmates Survey. The survey attempts to bring together of hospitals, jails, prisons, courts, the county data of a statistical, sociological, economic and farm and other institutions for the destitute, the religious nature about each sector of the city. Against this background the Comity Commission sick and the erring. has analyzed the history, the program and the fu- What of the many human problems and civic ture service of the Protestant churches in each area in order that such information may enable dangers which arise from the racial composition denominational leaders to eliminate more intelli- of large cities, from its labor crises, from its gently competition between churches while better political complexities and its immoral influences? adapting programs of stronger institutions to the Here, too, the church must have a militant, united particular needs of their communities as indicated voice. In Chicago active departments, commisby the surveys. sions and committees of the Chicago Church Fed- eration bring to a focus the concern of ministers For the first time in history a group of metro- and members of all denominations, providing politan churches is basing its effort to "save" a media for investigation and dissemination of incity not alone on spiritual fervor and theological formation to every church, and offering a recogtechnique, but on a careful study of the facts con- nized organ through which protest or approval of cerning the life about them, replacing a policy of the city's churchmen may be expressed in effeccompetitive drift with one of cooperative inten- tive manner to city officials and law enforcement tion. The Chicago Church Federation is combining, it has been said by a prominent denomina- agencies. tionalleader, "the method of the scientist and the An annual city-wide observance of Race RelaviaiQn of the prophet." tions Sunday, including an interchange of pulpits between scores of white and colored ministers, and numerous meetings throughout the year, in- crease the understanding and brotherhood that must ultimately prevail between all men, regard- less of color or nationality.
A special commission of the Federation closely studies industrial problems and the role the church should take in industrial conflicts. In many instances the standards and practices of Christianity have influenced the trend of the city's industrial life and affairs, outside of the tradi- tional vista of the community church. Frequently the City Federation of a large urban center, in behalf of hundreds of city churches, can speak challengingly and vigorously for arbitration, for the privileges of labor or the rights of capital, for the improvement of working conditions and the passage of satisfactQry laws.
Through letters, conferences, interviews with thousands of human souls living in its congested city and state officials and by means of the city's neighborhoods. In the end it will be the building newspapers, the Federation may lead strenuous of more religious cities which will ultimately prove fights upon undesirable elements of city life. Last to be the most valuable contribution of Church year the Federation led in the movement to repeal Federations. an ordinance licensing gambling establishments, to close offensive theatrical productions, to stim- Surely, in the fields of evangelism, of Christian ulate more aggressive citizenship, and to protect education, and of spiritual life, the value of coopthe honesty of public elections and the security of eration between evangelical denominations by the ballot box. means of central leadership becomes clear; for the city presents a tangled, sharp animosity to the Because the school system of Chicago-with its practice and teachings of Christ. apparent political influences, the tendencies of its curriculum, and some of the standards of its op- When individual churches unite, when denomeration – recently became a civic issue, it was inational lead'ership cooperates in city-wide relicharacteristic of Protestant leadership in this city gious mass meetings, in interdenominational days that the united denominations s,hould turn atten- of prayer, in downtown Lenten worship services, tion to this phase of urban life. A committee on in far-reaching Preaching Missions and Schools Public Education was organized to provide a of Christian Living, in radio broadcasts and clearing house for churches which take public edu- young people's conferences, as is true in Chicago, cation seriously, and to point out channels through then our Christianity assumes a dramatic appeal, which both churches and individuals may render a magnitude and a forcefulness which enable it to useful s'ervice. arouse the indifferent city.
In addition to these activities, which some may In these two phases of city life-its practical, consider as' "extra-curricular" tasks of the church everyday problems and its great s,piritual needin its work in the great city, there remain the City Federations of churches continue to provide fundamental religious needs of thousands and effective leadership and dramatic techniques to save American cities of this generation.
"God. & Company, Unlimited"
By MILTON W. PULLEN, New York City Pastor of the Central Park Baptist Church, New York CAN you imagine a business house that would ten lepers who asked for cleansing "Only those of bar the door to its neighbors, or a com- you who have been baptized are eligible for heal- mercial firm that would insist that all of its ing." The only credentials the dying thief on the customers become members of the company? The cross presented were in the form of a prayer and Church, which is the biggest business in the on the strength of it Jesus promised him "Paraworld, is doing exactly that. The Founder of the dise." Church proclaimed "My House shall be called the House of Prayer for all people." Too often this In any great city a local church in a community has been changed to read: "Accept our creed and of homes may consider itself the center of a posyou will be welcome in our church." sible "100,000 customers." So long as human hearts are incurably religious and so long as men "God & Company, UnIt'd." needs to be written and women and children sin and suffer and seek in large letters over the doorway to every church -just so long the Church has a responsibility to building. After 1,900 years the vision of the every person within reach of its doors. Founder of the Company has been lost. Hospitals do not require patients to "belong" Jesus did not require a certificate of church before they may be admitted to the Operating membership from the 5,000 before they could Room. The simple fact that a man is sick opens share in partaking of the loaves and fishes. The every door and puts at his disposal the skill of the Sermon on the Mount was preached to the dis- surgeons and the facilities of the institution, often ciples, but we hear no protest from the Great without money and without price. A hospital con- Preacher when the multitude listened in. It siders itself, and is considered by the community, would be difficult to imagine Jesus saying to the a health Mecca for folk of all races, creeds and
"GOD & COMPANY, UNLIMITED"
cultures. On the other hand, a church in the neighbors, many of whom are neither Protestant same block is usually considered the personal nor Christian. The attitude of the neighborhood property of the Methodists, or the Baptists, or the originally was one of apathy and of suspicion. Catholics or of some other proprietory group. It Our problem at first was to build good will; to does not take the 100,000 possible customers long that end we set about getting acquainted with the to learn that their need is not necessarily a guar- folk round about us. We visited every store withantee of help. The Church seeks to make new in a radius of several blocks, but we did not ask members who will become regular "sitters" at the business people for anything except their worship services and regular contributors to the friendship. We offered to give them the names budget; consequently, the average Pastor gen- and addresses of our Church Members and sugerally must busy himself with the routine matters gested that they circularize these church neighinvolved in keeping the church solvent and suc- bors of theirs by mail as often as they liked. We cessful. This too often means just one thing- joined the local Chamber of Commerce and atperpetuating an institution largely for the sake of tended meetings regularly. Officials of the the institution. Chamber were used occasionally as special Speak- ers at Church Suppers, club affairs, etc. We ac- Many a conscientious minister rebels and longs cepted an invitation to sit on the dais between the to be the Pastor of the whole community. He Mayor and a United States Senator at a testiloves the people outside his church about whom monial dinner to a local politician and we are inno one else seems to care. The tragedy is that in clined to think that it was our presence that made too many cases the Church no longer exists for the dais the only table in the hotel dining-room the community-rather, the community must that was not drenched with liquor. "support the Church." The problem is too largely "Come, Get Acquainted" one of money since churches have bills to pay, repairs to make and salaries to meet. Many a An approach to the rank and file of the neighpastor is placed in the embarrassing position of borhood was made through the distribution of feeling obliged to spend much of his time and attractive cards with a "Come Get Acquainted" energy in raising money. A rich old vestryman invitation. We sent out members of the Church with a grouch thus often has first claim on the who went from door to door with a smile and a pastor, rather than a gang of street boys shooting friendly invitation that was seldom rebuffed. "craps" on the church steps. When there was a death near the church, we An increasing number of ministers are rising went to express sympathy, and upon the invitato protest against the old order – young fellows tion of the family we remained to conduct a brief just out of Seminary, middle-aged rebels of ex- funeral service. When a fee was offered, we gave perience, and old veterans with vision-are say- it back saying, "We want no money for help and ing to the churches of America, "The Church was sympathy in times of death." The news spread made for Man, not Man for the Church." They that here was a church that did not have its hand are insisting that the raising of money is inci- out for money and that only wished to be friendly. dental, while a ministry to the sick and the suffering and the seeking is the real work of the Church. Our next approach was to the children. This is They are insisting "Open wide the door and say a prolific neighborhood and the coming generation with Jesus 'Whosoever will, let him come' even is everywhere under foot. We built a gymnasium though he comes only for what he can get and may with shower and locker-rooms and said to the never join or give the Church a nickel." "But," children, "Come in and play." When they dissome official of the church may say, "this is sui- covered that a Jew and a Catholic and an Unbecide. What about the money we need for local ex- liever were as welcome as any of our own Sunday penses and for our Missionary Budget?" As a School children, they literally laid siege to the matter of fact, if the Church has done its work church pleading for a club and a Leader. We well it will have fewer financial worries. A Chris- advised them to ask permission at home and at tian who is thoroughly Christian is a generous church to join a club in our building and we urged Christian, but an unregenerate Church Member them to make it clear that, although every club who can "take his religion or leave it" must be would be led by a Christian Leader and would feaeternally urged to give to the Church and its work. ture a brief period of worship at each session, no Or a church may have a top-heavy budget. boy or girl now attending another church would be asked to join this church. Next we purchased The church I serve is attempting to render a a moving picture machine and once more circularcommunity service to its 100,000 possible cus- ized the neighborhood with news of the "Chiltomers. Located on the congested East Side of dren's Hour," with the two-cent Movies each Manhattan Island in an area of deterioration, this Thursday from 6: 30 to 8: 00 p. m. From 250 to church is the center of· much of the life of its 300 children come to this activity each week.
They sing lustily patriotic and religious songs, A Library is maintained where decent books listen to the Bible or hero story, bow reverently are loaned. Sunday School, Sunday morning and during the prayer and laugh uproariously during evening Worship Services, Church Prayer Serv- the four reels of motion pictures. At intermis- ices, Apartment Prayer Services, and all kinds of sions invitations are given to the children to at- religious meetings are regular weekly activities, tend Sunday School and to join various clubs. and everyone who comes into the building is in- When they leave, the children are given a letter, vited to attend.
signed by the Pastor, inviting the parents to vari- Why did this church, twenty years ago, attempt ous church meetings and activities if they do not this sort of an approach to its neighbors? Partly attend another church. We send home also "Hello, because its Leaders believed the church possessed Neighbor" cards inviting the parents to come to a treasure too valuable to be selfishly hoarded the neighborhood meetings in the Church Audi- within its walls for the benefit of its Members torium each Sunday night, with moving pictures only; partly~-because of a small Spanish boy and as the attraction and a twenty-minute worship his gang who were trouble makers. They almost service and sermonette as a feature. always found the church door locked and so they Young people were invited to join dramatic pounded on it, threw rocks at it and even cut their initials in it. They found a can of paint and covclubs. The girls were organized into cooking ered the front door with specimens of futuristic classes, sewing classes, singing classes; children art. Decidedly out of patience, the church-worker were put into children's choirs, a week-day school in charge hid just inside the church and, when the of religious education and, during the summer, a gang returned again to the fray, the worker gave Daily Vacation Bible School. Down through the chase. After running a block he caught the years many have shown themselves ready to join leader, a Spanish lad of about ten, and brought instruction classes in preparation for Church him back to the church in righteous wrath and Membership. virtuous triumph. "Now," he chortled, "now we will deal with this gang of rowdies." He was just Women have been organized into Mother's calling Police Headquarters when he thought to Clubs, Bible study groups, and a White Cross ask the boy his name and why he and his gang Sewing Circle. The men are invited to join a hated the Church. The boy replied tearfully,"My Men's Club and have fitted up the Tower Room name is Emanuel Jesus. We do not hate the of the church with fresh paint, new furniture, a Church. We come to play on the church steps bepool table, checkers and chess and a radio. The cause there are no playgrounds and we find exciteroom can scarcely accommodate the growing ment pounding on the locked church door." The group of neighborhood men. worker was stricken to the heart. Suddenly he saw a great light-it was not the gang of boys Young people, with no possible privacy in their who was guilty, rather the church that kept its "railroad fiats," have enthusiastically painted and door locked against the neighborhood. He realfurnished a "parlor," just inside the front door ized that he had kept "Emanuel Jesus" loc~ed outwhere they enjoy clean social contacts, and where side the Church of the original Jesus who once upon occasion they may even do their courting. said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and Dozens of them have gravitated to the three Sun- forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of day-night Societies. Here, under competent Chris- Heaven." tian leaders, they spend an hour in worship and in the discussion of topics vitally interesting to them. Some of these topics follow: "Is War a Necessary Evil?"
"Can Crime and Poverty be Cured?"
"What Has the Church to Offer to Youth?" The ninety-six metropolitan districts of 1930 "Is a Lie Ever Justifiable?" contained almost 801'0 of the total urban popula- "Who Is My Neighbor?" tion. "What Is the Value of a College Education?"
"Is Jesus the Answer to World Confusion?" In view of the nearly 301'0 increase of urban "What of Love, E'ngagement, Marriage and Divorce?" population during the last census decade (from The charm of these meetings is their frank and 54,305,000 in 1920 to 68,955,000 in 1930 or a gain unrepressed discussion. in urban population of 26.91'0) and in view of We also set ourselves to find jobs for the job- the American assumption that all cities grow, one less, so far as possible to feed the hungry, to give is quite unprepared to learn that many cities fared friendly help to the juvenile delinquent and to se- badly during the decade. Nearly one-half of cities cure scholarships for young people interested in with 10,000 population or over-354 out of 746- a college education. Everyone with a problem or failed to keep up with the population increase of a heartache is encouraged to talk it over with the the nation as a whole, while 512 cities from 25,000 workers. For years the Pastor's Office has been population to 100,000, actually lost population in- thronged by lines of troubled folk. cluding four cities in the 100,000 group.
Christ in Crowded
By DR. ROBERT A. McKIBBEN, . Los Angeles, California Superintendent of "All Nations Foundation"
I F JESUS were to walk the streets in the neigh- laundry workers were started, a girls' club, a borhood of "All Nations" in Los Angeles, he boysl club, and a small library to make possible a would find forty thousand people crowded into closer acquaintance with those less fortunate. one square mile, descendants of almost every race As new needs were revealed, new opportunities on the face of the globe; these include thousands were recognized. With Christian faith and intelof unattached transient men, ten to fifteen oc- ligence, a ministry was begun to that community cupying a room built for two; young women which outgrew the buildings and facilities of the forced to ply their trade as prostitutes or prefer- church. The old property was sold and two apartring that manner of livelihood to other personal- ment buildings and a play area were purchased. ity-destroying trades; mothers seeking to protect A "Church of All Nations" was started, and by their daughters amid conditions of vice and crime; those who disapproved it was called "The Church residents who have sought this area hoping to of All Notions." hide themselves in such surroundings; aged persons barely eking out an existence; children try- The need for additional workers and for new ing to play Indian or tag and barely escaping buildings became apparent. The site selected was death as they dodge in and out among trucks and justified when later studies revealed that more autos; youth wondering how they are to get a boys and girls per thousand population were gostart so as to marry. ing to the juvenile court from this area than from any other in the entire city. After Dr. and Mrs. In this part of the city, Christ would discover Oxnam had completed ten years of Christian minno house built in the last forty years, no home istry in this area, and had successfully led in a with less than two persons. per room (including campaign to build, equip and staff a Christian kitchen or dining room), no lawns or parks, no service station in the heart of the city, he was playgrounds other than one connected with a called to the Episcopacy of his church. small school. He would find one liquor establishment on the average to every two hundred and Today the All Nations Foundation includes the seventy of the population; here the theaters Church of All Nations, the All Nations Boys' Club, schedule "strip-tease dancers" for the benefit of the All Nations Community House, the All Naunattached men; here are quack doctors and heal- tions Clinic, Hollenbeck Center and Sunset Center, ers, night missions that deal out bread and soup and the All Nations Camp. All of these are owned as, bait not only for those whose souls need sal- and operated by the Methodist Episcopal Church, vaging but for those whose money support such some units being supported by the Community proje~ts. Jesus wept over the City of Jerusalem Chest, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs, and and He would have just cause to weep over this women's organizations. Service is rendered with- "City of the Angels." The church in the city out regard to class, creed, or color. today must fight and fight hard alongside other organizations if the many degrading influences af- The second ten years has now been added to the fecting the life of individuals are to be overcome, record of service. Houses are twenty years older; if conditions are to be altered, and if the city the population is transient; the problems of unbeautiful is to be created where there may be life adapted men, prostitution and liquor have inabundant. creased with population; play area has lessened by incoming warehous-es and industry. These Twenty years ago a young minister, the Rev- hardly indicate progress but in this neighborhood, erend G. Bromley Oxnam, later a Bishop of the where juvenile delinquency was at its worst, the Methodist Episcopal Church, came fresh from the Judge of the Juvenile Court has said, "All Naseminary and, with his wife was assigned to the tions is spoiling my business." area described. His church was rapidly being deserted by "We Americans" as they moved into After the completion of the new buildings and better communities. Noonday luncheons for the equipping and staffing for the larger program, the public school authorities noticed a decided change for the better on the part of the youth who [279 ]
were participants in the activities at All Nations. for folk from our neighborhood to adjust to new There was a change for the better in attitudes and communities and to life in a new church. Their habits of the children and in personality traits. habits and attitudes are not readily accepted by A study under the Department of Sociology at the the new group; they are not given social status University of Southern California revealed that and there is often a lack of warmth in the wel- in five years time juvenile delinquency was re- come accorded them. Thus much that has been duced 65% within a mile radius of "All Nations." gained may be lost, but there have been gains for A View of All Nations the Master individually and socially. It is recog- nized that one can point out individuals about The work at All Nations was registering effec- whom a thrilling story can be told-ignoring the tively in the area of life with which Jesus was hundreds with whom we have failed. There have most concerned and upon which he placed the been failures, particularly among the adults. All greatest value, the personal life and character of Nations has,been more concerned with youth. In an individual. The All Nations Foundation is one of our offices there is being accumulated "be- community rather than institutionally centered. fore and after" pictures. Boys and girls are seen Its program aims at the individual and his needs as they have come into activities – with their rather than the mass ap.proach. A glance at All clothes in tatters, dirty, physically retarded in Nations as an organization may most clearly de- school and dwarfed in outlook on life; somehow scribe how its work is carried on. they have caught something best described by the Each of the seven units of service has its, own word "spirit" that has changed their personality executive board which is responsible to the board and purpose as they have grown with us. The of trustees for devising programs and activities, "before and after" pictures show something of recommending its personnel and its budget. The what has taken place. The Gospel of Jesus and Church of All Nations is a completely organized the Spirit of Christ have registered outwardly as church which seeks to link individuals and fam- well as inwardly in the life of the individuals.
ilies to the church of their own choice. If that is Some time ago an anonymous donor made not possible and there is no choice, then every ef- available $40,000 to make a -scientific and thor- fort is made to link them with this Church of All oughgoing study of the youth of our community.
Nations'. Because of the transient population the The first 200 youth studied revealed that they had church membership will always be small and no 1,154 problems – mental, physical, social, spir- stable membership can be built up. itual. We at All Nations, the school authorities, The Boys' Club and Girls' Club each has a three- the family, and other organizations who might be story separate building to house their activities. serving the family, recognized less than 20% of Hollenbeck and Sunset Centers are located two those problems. In other words, the youth of our miles from the main buildings, while the moun- community were facing an 80'10 handicap.
tain camp is ninety miles away. About two hun- For instance, there was a young Japanese lad dred volunteers serve in varying capacities in the who never participated in the normal group or several units and there are twenty full-time paid club life other than merely attending. He was staff members and twenty part-time staff. Dur- never elected to office and could not even read a ing the past ten years there has been an increase verse out of the Bible. Now that nationality is in the budget-from $35,000 to $65,000 a year. in no wise retarded mentally. As we studied this During the past five years a $20,000 camp has youth we tried from every angle to discover what been constructed. These facts are further evi- was wrong. Finally a very simple test was given dence that this type of approach to anti-Christian which revealed a slight speech defect. Six months and anti-social life is not only recognized by in a university speech clinic eliminated that de- church members but by non-church members an~ fect in a lad who had been retarded four years in folk of other faith, who do not hesitate to con- school. Another lad who was rapidly developing tribute to its support. There has been no financial an inferiority complex eagerly entered into life drive nor is anyone in the field for finances. The within his own age range, was elected an officer program and its results in terms of Christian per- in his club, and was one of the first to request a sonality is its own credential. high school young people's organization. The Christ would not find in this area a large num- simple defect might have wrecked the personality ber of persons connected with the church within of this youth, but his growth was advanced by a this organization. As soon as a family begins to slight Christian service.
show promise of reconstruction, we urge them to Another youth, a half-breed from Texas, was move out of the coinmunity. It is not a good place kicked out of his home at the age of nine, and to raise their children, thus we cannot build up arrived in San Diego via a box car, determined to a large church membership. We find it difficult become a newsboy. Finding that the only way to
SERVING CHRIST IN CROWDED STREETS
occupy the most remunerative corner was by fight- bully leader finally turned in a gangster's revolver ing his way to the top, after twenty-three battles which he had stolen from an automobile. These in twenty-eight days he occupied that corner. two groups of youth pledged us that they would Then he moved to Los Angeles to "conquer a call off the gang warfare. Finally, as the five larger world." He was so successful as a fighter older fellows were about to leave, the boys' leader that the prize-fight ring offered him a contract. suggested that when they arrived at the high On his way to the eastern part of the city to sign school tomorrow somone would probably slip up a contract, he dropped in to our Boys' Club and behind them and call them "yellow." They disbecame interested in talking with the Director. cussed such a situation rather thoroughly. To He stayed on as a member, finally became a volun- this same bully, who professed to be a Christian, teer leader and later a part-time staff member. we suggested that here was a place where the He decided to enter the field of Christian service Master would help him. That was four years ago to youth and began an uphill fight to educate him- and not one act of hatred has been observed in self. Graduating from high school at twenty-five, these four years between these two groups, as he then went to the university, and for two years they have met one another on the street and in was young people's director in one of the city school. This former "bully gangster" last year churches. Upon graduation he became assistant served as president of his high school student head of one of the large boys' agencies and today body, winning a univerity scholarship, and today is a prominent and successful Christian leader. is studying for the Christian ministry.
There was a time when we were bothered The old Seventh Street Gang, with some fifteen with petty stealing and finally discovered that "Frenchy," one of our boys, was being used by a members, was one of the worst gangs in police clever pickpocket and thieving gang. When anything was stolen all we needed was to tell him history. They robbed, stole and were accredited things must be brought back and then more was returned than we had missed. Three years' mem- with burning down one of the school buildings in bership in the activities of this human service station brought about a transformation in the life of the neighborhood. A young lad was forced to this young man. One day he approached me, saying, "You know, I'm different." There was a new move into the neighborhood because of the famspirit in that youngster. When his club was offered a very elaborate Thanksgiving dinner he ily's financial difficulties. Like most boys he was the one who led in the movement to see that wanted company and went out into the street to what was to be provided for him and his pals, find it. Without knowing it, he became a member should be given to those who needed food much of this old Seventh Street Gang. He had never more. As chairman of the committee after he robbed or stolen before. He was a natural, norcame back from his first jaunt out into human mal boy wanting excitement and he got it. So helpfulness his remark was, "That's the first kind able was he that he became the leader of this old deed I've ever done." Seventh Street Gang. One day he dropped in at the All Nations playground and laughed and Some time ago we became aware of a feud or sneered at what was going on. He came again gang warfare among some of the youth. It grew another day and still another. Finally he joined to rather serious proportions before we discovered in the activities and soon brought one of the memwhat it was all about. A bully, an older boy, had bers of the gang with him. He too laughed and been mistreating three younger boys until they sneered and refused to participate but it was not finally determined they would stand it no longer. long until the appeal of fun got the best of him One evening they ganged up on him in the alley and he followed the leader. All fifteen of that gang joined All Nations and were later baptized. and when he came out of the hospital he decided That leader of the Seventh Street Gang became to retaliate and formed a gang with the help of a member of the board of trustees governing All four other fellows. The three youngsters, discov- Nations. ering this, organized a gang Qf ten. We called the boys in singly and collectively, even summon- These are evidences of a change in attitude, a ing the parents in most cases. When we were change in habit, and a change in personality which through, on the desk of the boys' leader there were we believe that Jesus Christ would recognize as deposited pieces of pipe a foot long, nicely taped a part of the Kingdom of God movement which he on one end in order that it might not slip while sought to create in this old world. being used, brass knuckles, pieces of steel that would fit into the palm of a hand and knives. The The Church is most effective as it translates the Gospel of Jesus Christ into practical forms of hu- man helpfulness. Such evidences of Christian love and understanding eventually find a response in the hearts of those who reside "on the other side of Main Street."
the Gospel in a City
By H. A. IRONSIDE, Litt.D.
Pastor of the Moody Memorial Church, Chicago THE new dispensation was ushered in on the wide to welcome people to hear the Gospel and to day of Pentecost in a city, and that the enjoy Christiftn fellowship. The main auditorium guiltiest city in the entire world. John Bun- has seats for 4,040 people and there are some yan has well used the term "a Jerusalem sinner" seventeen other halls and rooms used every Sun- for the very worst kind of an offender. In Jeru- day (many of them much more frequently) for salem, Ghrist had demonstrated His deity by Sunday School work, young people's meetings and many marvelous works. There He had proclaimed other 'gatherings of various kinds. It has never His wondrous message of grace. Even the chil- been found necessary to use unscriptural methods dren had welcomed Him enthusiastically and in order to draw people. From 3,000 to 4,500 many joined with them as they cried, "Hosanna people are found in this church twice every Sun- to the King that cometh in the name of the Lord." day, listening to plain, simple, Bible preaching.
Yet it was in the same city a few days later that In the morning service we endeavor to expound He was rejected, and outside the gate of that city the Word for the building up of the people of God, he was nailed to a cross. But when he appeared going through book after book of the Bible and to His disciples as the Risen One, he commanded finding constant interest in this method of presentthem to go into the entire world, beginning at ing the truth. The Sunday night meetings are Jerusalem, and to preach to all men the Good evangelistic gatherings where the Gospel is pro- News of remission of sins through faith in Him. claimed with no uncertain sound. The three R's And so the first great revival took place in that are continually insisted on: man's Ruin by sin, very city where fifty days before He had been so the necessity of Regeneration by the Holy Spirit, cruelly and wickedly crucified. and Redemption by the precious. blood of Christ; T.oday the grace of God is as truly sufficient for almost invariably there is definite response in the the city as for the rural community. In spite of way of anxious souls coming to the inquiry room, the varied attractions which the average metrop- seeking for light and help. It is my firm convic- olis provides – its theaters, its cinemas, its tav- tion that wherever these methods are followed, ems, dance halls and kindred places where every under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, people will possible appeal is made to the lust of the flesh, the find their way to the church that refuses to know lust of the eye and the pride of life-the Gospel anything among men "save Jesus Christ and Him is still the power of God unto salvation to every- crucified." one that believeth, in the city as elsewhere. Eight Not for a moment do I mean to imply that we years in the largest evangelistic center of the City should ignore men's social and economic needs. A of Chicago have demonstrated this beyond a department for ministering to those in financial doubt. There is abundant proof that men will tr.ouble is maintained in this church, and through still come to hear the Gospel and will respond to it many poor, distressed .ones have been helped that Gospel if it be preached in dependence on and numbers have been won to Christ.
God, in simplicity and in the power of the Holy Personal evangelism is emphasized and it is Spirit. Dwight L. Moody began his work in this doubtful if there are many wh.o make public pro- great city more than seventy-five years ago. His fession in this church who have not been spoken little church was largely made up of poor, neg- to personally by some friend, inviting them to the lected people wh.o had been won for Christ by meetings and trying to lead them to Christ.
Moody's faithful testimony and kindly interest; The Sunday School work has a pr.ominent place, today there stands in close proximity t.o the city's for we believe that the instruction of boys and great business district, a massive temple erected girls in the Word of God, even before they have in memory of the evangelist and to the glory of definitely decided for Christ, is like setting every- the Christ he preached. The Moody Memorial thing in order for a fire in the stove or furnace.
Church is a building which, as we often announce, Then the match of evangelism often starts the has over three hundred doors and all swinging flame which burns brightly unto eternal life.
[282 ] DR. IRONSIDE AND AN AUDIENCE IN THE MOODY MEMIORIAL CHURCH, CHICAGO Moody himself began as a Sunday School worker their courtesy the Moody Church uses this station and the Moody Sunday School today is an out- to broadcast the Sunday morning services which standing testimony to the value of his methods in thus carry the message into places we could otherdealing with young and old. wise never contact. The Christian Business Men's Committee uses another station, and so reaches In many cities, since the advent of the automo- many more. bile, open-air meetings have become alinost taboo. It is difficult to gather people together to hear the In the neighboring town of Cicero there is a message on the streets when parking space is at a splendid work of evangelism carried on from the premium and it is well nigh impossible to find a Cicero Bible Church. In fact, time would fail me place where a crowd can be gathered. But for to tell all that God is doing through many of the years every summer, open-air testimony has been independent tabernacles, as well as recognized given in various places where it is possible to over- evangelical churches and Gospel halls, the Salvacome these obstacles. Many a wanderer has been tion Army and other groups, who are constantly reached in this way. at it, not only reaching the submerged classes, but the higher-ups as well, with the glad, glorious mes- In this great city there have been other remark- sage of God's free salvation for sinful men. able movements throughout the years, and God has owned them in a marvelous way. Downtown One thing is very striking. When some in the heart of the loop, theater meetings have churches close their doors for the summer, or give been carried on by a Christian Business Men's up any attempt to hold a Sunday night meeting, Committee at the noon hour for nearly eight the churches that stand for a full, clear Gospel years, with the exception of the hot summer find that the crowds will come,and that there is months when outdoor meetings take their place. no occasion whatever to relax their activities in These meetings have resulted in the conversion of the sumWIer months. In many"instances they remany, numbers of whom return from time to time double them. to bear testimony to the reality of the change in their lives. As a result of an experience of nearly fifty years preaching Christ I have no note of pessimism to Radio ministry has proven to be a great help sound. I do not find, as some insist, that there is in giving the Gospel to the city. The Moody Bible a decrease of interest in spiritual realities. On Institute maintains its own station WMBI, carry- the contrary, I can say honestly that there has ing on a continuous evangelistic testimony, which never been a time, excepting during the special reaches tens of thousands of homes. Through great awakenings which have occurred at dif-
ferent intervals in our history as a nation, when drunkard out of the slums, get him to sign the people were so ready to listen to the Gospel, if pre7 pledge and if possible to keep it, clean him up and sented in a kindly and gracious manner by men give him a good suit of clothes, remove him and and women filled with the Holy Spirit, who have his family to a nice, little home in the suburbs, no axes of their own to grind, but who are seeking give him gainful employment, and then let him to make Christ known to those who need Him. die and go to hell unsaved-really, it is not worth while, and I for one would not attempt it." These As to the social gospel-this term which is so are serious words that we may well take to heart. widely used today is, to say the least, extra-scrip- Our great business should be preparing men for tural, and often means "putting the cart before eternity, and when they close with Christ, their the horse." Our Lord Jesus did not say to his dis- outward circumstances will soon undergo a marciples, "Go ye into all the world and seek to clean velous change. Our Lord's words are still apup the slums, to introduce better sanitary condi- plicable, "Seeks.-ye first the Kingdom of God and tions, to improve the environment of the poor and his righteousness and all these things shall be relieve the wants of the needy, to build hospitals added unto you." and endow schools and universities." He did say, "Go'ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to Let me add a word as to Christian education. every creature." But wherever that Gpspel goes, The term "Religious Education" is one that I it proves to be not only the power of God unto abominate. It savors too much of a carnal con- Salvation to everyone that believeth, but it brings ception of religiousness, as fitting a man for untold temporal blessing in its train. The best heaven, in place of emphasizing the importance social work is that which is definitely linked with of a new birth. But Christian education, if really evangelistic testimony. It is true that it would be that, is of great importance. To start with the folly to preach the Gospel to a starving man when youngest children and seek to bring them up in it is possible first to provide him with a good meal, the nurture and admonition of the Lord, ever inbut, unfortunately, the great danger is that phi- sisting on the importance of their own definite lanthropists will be satisfied with giving him the acceptance of Christ, but making them acquainted meal and forget that the need of his soul is far from their earliest days with the great outstandgreater than that of his body. I remember hear- ing truths of the Word of God, will go far toward ing old General William Booth of the Salvation building a substantial Christian constituency in Army talking to a large group of officers when their later years. The danger comes, however, lecturing on "the submerged tenth" in connection if Bible knowledge and catechetical instruction is with his "Darkest England" project. I can see substituted for a definite work of the Holy Spirit the flash in his eye and hear that powerful voice of God, producing conviction and leading the soul yet, as he exclaimed, "Take a poverty-stricken to personal decision for Christ.
Putting the Gospel to the Test By REV. J. F. HARRISON Director of Practical Work, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago HERE are some of the many experiences of large for his age, eleven, with a serious little face those who are putting the Gospel to the and quiet, dignified manner. Just as the meeting was to be closed with prayer Robert said, "I'd like test in our cities. to have Jesus for my Saviour but I've never heard In the Bible class in homes-At the close of the this story and I don't quite understand it all." Bible story the teacher gave, as usual, the invitation to any child present to open his heart and He was asked to stay and talk it over after the ask the Lord Jesus to come in. Several in the others had left. As the other children were obclass of twenty-five expressed the desire. While taining their assortment of caps, coats, mufflers, the other children bowed their heads and closed mittens and galoshes, Robert and the teacher went their eyes, those wishing to accept Christ stood up, into the kitchen to be alone. There Robert told her confessed their sins and their need of a Saviour. that his mother and father were separated and One boy, Robert, there for the first time, seemed he had been sent to a home for unfortunate chiltouched but he did not express a desire. He was dren. "The worst of it is," he said, "that Daddy
PUTTING THE GOSPEL TO THE TEXT
MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENTS STARTING OUT TO CARRY THE GOSPEL TO THE CITY and Mummy seemto have forgotten me. I haven't In the jail-The following is from a letter writeven heard from either of them in over three months." Robert's big brown eyes filled with ten by an ex-convict: tears and lips tried hard not to tremble. "I have just returned from the South and There was unspeakable joy in telling Robert that God has said: "When thy mother and thy thought I had better answer your letter. I was father forsake thee, then the Lord will take thee up." He learned that God, the Heavenly Father, over at the Institute on Sunday and I heard a very wanted him to be .His little boy; that God so loved him (Robert) that He sent His only begotten Son helpful service. I am now a very devoted reader that if Robert would believe in Him he should never perish but have a loving Father in Heaven of the Testament which you so kindly gave me. watching over him day and night. He listened so eagerly as he was told how he might be taken into lt gives me great strength and courage to carry the family of God. He asked Jesus to take away all his sins and to adopt him for His own little boy on. forever. "You were a great comfort to me while I was in In the mission–One evening during the testimony meeting a man came forward to say that he prison. God bless you for helping me find the wanted to take Christ as his Saviour. He was a typical bum, intoxicated and filthy. At first the Light. My entire life and way of living have been leader thought he was a "moocher" (one of the kind that profess to accept Christ and then ask changed and I praise Him daily and pray cQnfor a dime to buy a drink) but after taking him into the back room and praying with him we tinually for further guidance and comfort. I hope found that he was sincere. you will always remember me in your prayers. He had spent twenty-three years of his life in a peniteritiary and had been out only a few Sometime I should like to have you make arrangemonths. He was lonely and despondent. As he passed the mission he heard the singing and came ments for me to be baptized." in. He felt that he needed God and accepted Jesus as his Saviour, giving his testimony publicly. In the .hospital-On a Sunday afternoon as I was visiting in the Hospital I stopped beside .the bed of a Jew. After speaking with him for a few minutes I offered him a tract. I never saw a man change so suddenly. He cursed me and he cursed God and Jesus Christ. I opened my Bible and started to read from the Old Testa- ment certain things pertaining to the Jews. He listened until I referred to Jesus Christ. After he had agreed to the fact of God, the truth of the Old Testament, and to the laws and ordinances of the Old Testament, I asked him if he ever took a lamb or a bullock to the priest for a sacrifice for his sins. Of course he had not. I read to him from the Gospel of Matthew without telling him
where I was reading. He agreed to the truth of sands of dollars in intoxicating liquor. For some the portions that I read and when I told him they days he had been under conviction of sin and this were from the New Testament he would not be- night, in desperation, he had been walking the lieve me. I left a Gospel of John and some tracts, streets seeking God. He passed a mission, and telling him I would call again in a few days. going in, explained his desires. They prayed with him but he received the idea that until he could When I returned he had read the Gospel of either speak in tongues or prophesy he was un- John and said that he believed it was true. To saved. make sure that he understood, I went back through the Bible, showing him that Jesus Christ was "the For the greater part of an hour we stood behind Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the a schoolhouse near a street lamp where we were world," and that He was the eternal sacrifice. The undisturbed, and here this man found the Light. man finally prayed and wept for joy that he had He has been a gangster, and had associated with found the Messiah. some of the bi~est politicians in Chicago, and had a great battle to fight. Later I brought hjm aNew Testament with the Psalms, and he took them as ,a man grasping for One Sunday afternoon I walked up to his apart- a life line. He fairly "ate the Word" and in three ment and found him in a very low frame of mind. weeks his Bible was almost worn out. The remedy prescribed was the confession of Jesus Christ before his associates. In the open air-One evening, after a prayer service, we drove to our district and scouted The next Wednesday evening he came to see me around for a good location. We decided that the and the first thing he said was: "Well, I have Lord wanted us to speak on a corner in a neighbor- done it. I have burned every bridge I had." After hood where Germans, Poles, Russians, Serbians, two days of thinking and praying and reading the Italians and Roumanians reside. We started with Word of God he had come to the conclusion that the song service and in a few minutes over 125 it had to be a clean break. Wednesday morning people had gathered from all directions. Three he went out to the gangsters' headquarters where special songs followed and then the message was he requested that his name be taken off the list. given and those who desired further information The men thought at first he was drunk; then, that and help were asked to step out from the crowd. he was crazy. He was offered whiskey and money About two thirds did so and personal work lasted which he refused, telling them that all the money for half an hour. We knew that the Lord had he got from them was fools' money. He then told given a special blessing and we were jubilant. them of the step he had made and that he was all We found that 63 people had been dealt with and through with them and the kind of life they led. 38 had professed conversion. Nearly four hun- dred tracts had been distributed and people had After convincing them of his sincerity he went taken twenty-one Gospels of John. Other names to several places where he owed bills, paid them . were taken and Gospels were mailed later. so as to have nothing to draw him into the temp- tation of his former life. When he had made the In the street-One evening I had a feeling that slate clean he had ten cents left which he used I must go for a walk. After about twenty minutes in calling up a former friend. I turned the corner to go to my ,apartment, but felt that I should cross the street. As I stepped "Broke but happier than in years," he said and up on the walk a man passed me and I held out a felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoul- tract which he took. After walking about twenty ders. Without a job and no connections, he faced steps he turned and said, "May I talk with you?" life with more confidence than he had ever known. This man has since been sorely tried as he has His first question was: "Must I speak in sought work. However, God has now graciously tongues to be saved, or believe in any other of provided his need. these things, such as prophesying or healing?" Does the gospel work today? Moody Bible In- I learned that this man had drunk down thou- stitute students say, "Yes."
Why cannot the young people's groups and the church congregations, unite to meet the common task of taking the Gospel to the whole community without disturbing the forms and the confessions of the individual church and the individual denomination? If we do not do this and do it quickly, how can we hope to make our city part of the kingdom of God? .
Let these be our three objectives: 1. To minister as Christian individuals in so far as possible to all whose condition is a challenge to Chris- tian friendliness. 2. To bring the common conscience of the church to bear upon community conditions that are unjust and that degrade life. 3. To carry the preaching and the teaching functions of the church out to those who are at present unreached. ROBERT W. SEARLE.
with the Industrial
By REV. A. J. MUSTE Director of Labor Temple, New York I GNAZIO SILONE is the foremost Italian nov- quisitive, pseudo-scientific, materialistic indus- elist of today. Being an anti-Fascist he does trialism which has been the "respectable religion." not reside in Italy. A few years ago he at- But none of these faiths is meeting the world's tained fame with a novel entitled "Fontamara" needs; on the contrary, under their leadership (Bitter Stream) which pictures village life under and amid their clashing, the world is headed for Fascism. Later he published another novel, catastrophe. "Bread and Wine," which is his portrayal of how Fascism may be overcome. The hero of the book The basic reason why these rival faiths are failwas in the secular revolutionary movement in ing to meet the world's needs and are leading it Italy before Mussolini came to power. Now, ac- to catastrophe is that they are built upon rotten cording to the story, he is back in Italy working moral and spiritual foundations; they deny some in the underground movement for a free regime, of the most fundamental concepts of the Christian but with a very different approach and methods view of the world and of man. from those previously employed. Here are some typical utterances which Silone puts in the mouth We briefly mention three points at which Chrisof his hero: tianity stands in opposition to materialistic indus- trialism, Fascism and Communism. First, the The dictator's henchman must be opposed not with other three systems all hold degraded and degrading henchmen who merely spoke differently, but with men who conceptions as to the nature of the individual, in lived and acted differently…. The evil I see around me contradistinction to the Christian view that the is deeper than politics. It is a canker. . . . There is the human being is spiritual, a child of God, having class-struggle, the struggle between the town and the moral dignity and worth. Let us illustrate. To country, but underlying all these things there is man, a the pseudo-scientific world-view of the pre-war poor, weak, terrified animal. The canker has penetrated period which saw everything in terms of mechanto his marrow. . . . All that remained alive and inde- ism, the human being is "a highly temporary structible of Christianity in me was revived: a Chris- chemical episode on a most petty planet" or "a tianity that neither abdicates in the face of Mammon, nor tiny lump of impure carbon and water." To a proposes concordats with Pontius Pilate, nor offers easy certain kind of industrialism, man is a mere cog careers to the ambitious, but rather leads to prison, seeing in a machine. Henry Ford once said, in effect, that crucifixion is no longer practised. that it is the duty of management to take the load off the worker's back and put it on the machine, For anyone who is acquainted with the modern and to take the load off the worker's mind and literature, especially that of "the Left," which has put it on the office. From the spiritual and moral influenced the thinking of industrial workers in point of view, what is left that is human in a the western world even though not many of them creature with nothing on its back and nothing on . read it, these sentences sound a startlingly new its mind? And practically, of course, this creanote. Yet dozens of quotations could be cited from ture ends on the scrapheap of industry, lucky if recent essays, poems and novels of such impor- the state adopts him as a ward. tant figures as Aldous Huxley, Edmund Wilson, John Dos Passos, Sidney Hook, Josephine John- In Fascism the human being is degraded to a son, W. H. Auden, Andre Gide, Eugene Lyons mere pawn in the hands of the totalitarian State. and others in which the same approach is implicit In Communism the proletariat, idealized in the if not quite so explicit as in Silone's book. People abstract, is in the concrete subjected to the dicin this mood are likely to be much more receptive tatorship of an absolutist Party, and in the Party to the Christian message and philosophy than the member is a pawn: if the Party says that a they have been until recently. man must steal, lie, spy upon and betray his What has brought about this new trend in mod- closest friend, he has no alternative. ern thought? We may put it in this way. The Second, all of these systems, as might be inthree modern faiths which have been rivals to Christianity on the soil of Christendom itself are ferred, regard the system rather than the indi- Fascism, Communism and the get-rich-quick, ac- vidual as important. "Keep this system, with all our marvelous inventions and progress, just as it [287 ]
is, and all will be well; we shall progress auto- man is a part. For obviously, man is a dependent, matically and forever"-is or was the naIve faith a contingent being. We did not create ourselves. of a materialistic capitalism. "Smash it all and Weare the product, the creation of something- put another system in its place and all our prob- Some One. lems will be solved"-is the equally naIve faith of the secularist Marxist. Christianity knows that Of what, then? Of whom? Creatures of mat- any "system" is only human beings living in cer- ter? "Tiny lumps of impure carbon and water"? tain relationships; unless something happens in How then can we, out of "mere matter," produce the human being, nothing has happened at all. creatures who can make moral decisions and re- spect themselves? Or is man the product of some Third, all of these systems believe in power and vast cosmic mechanism? How shall he then be- domination. They reject and despise gentleness, come more than a cog in that impersonal machine? meekness, love. They believe that "the end justi- fies the means." They think that the world can No, if our problem is what so many are coming somehow, by violence, ruthlessness, repression, again to see, what "high religion" has always _ dictatorship, reach the goal of peace and democ- known it to be, then must we not conclude that racy and brotherhood. The civilized, capitalistic there is no salvation for us from suicide, indi- world believed this doctrine so firmly that twenty vidual and collective, no means of maintaining or years ago it spent directly and indirectly thirty recovering the self-respect without which man million human lives and four hundred billion dol- cannot go on living, unless man can know him- lars' worth of wealth in a war that was to make self as the creation of Spirit, living in a universe the world finally "safe for democracy" and put which is somehow governed by moral and spir- an end to war. Having observed the results, this itual law? Is there then any escape from "the capitalistic world cannot yet make up its mind to gods many and lords many" who rule this age save renounce the method of war, even though that too in "the one God, the Father," whose very nature involves a bit of risk, any more than Russia is it is to produce sons and daughters who can re- prepared to renounce the method of dictatorship, spect themselves and love each other? Can there chekas, espionage and repression, though all it be then any Lord save the "one Lord, Jesus seems to lead to is more dictatorship, chew, Christ," who thus saw man and God and lived in espionage and repression. the light and power of that vision?
Obviously on the terms of any of these systems How else, furthermore, shall we find the dy- life becomes meaningless at last; human beings namic for building a sane and brotherly world? cannot respect themselves; they cannot make It is a question of dynamic. "Never higher than moral decisions because they do not think there in our time were the vital advantages." The vis- is such a thing as morality apart from expediency. ion of a new order has never been clearer; the Men who really think thus of themselves do not material resources are at hand. But confusion, worship God, do not create great art, do not build cynicism, ruthlessness, oppression, terror stalk democratic societies. To do these things we have the earth. "When hatred promised an immediate to believe in the dignity and moral worth of man. dividend all of us hated." We have to understand that the basic question is the nature and quality of the human being. We, who stand on Christian ground and who share the Christian experience, are alone able to The Christian message may again receive a speak with confidence to the "Wise Men" of our hearing which it has not had for some time, since day and to the industrial masses who have been 'a growing number of important writers, particu- under their influence; as Paul spoke to the men larly writers of "the Left," are beginning to pro- of Athens: "I observe, wherever I turn, that you claim again the great human and Christian truth are a most religious people. As I passed along that we must know whether human beings are and scanned your objects of worship, I actually creatures of spirit and so are capable of building came upon an altar with the inscription and living in a free fellowship; changing systems is not enough; the means that men use inevitably TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. determine the ends they achieve. I proclaim to you this God whom you worship in If we really become desperately concerned about your ignorance." the nature and quality of the human being; if we are convinced that we cannot build a new world The Church of Christ today is confronted, as merely by changes in external arrangements, that in its first days, with dictatorship, absolutisms, we must have first of all people capable of making modern Cresarisms – persecuted and hounded by moral decisions and living in a free society, then them. It will probably become increasingly diffi- inevitably the argument will have to be pushed a cult in all lands for the Church to meet the de- step farther back. We have to ask what is the mands of the State for an absolute allegiance and nature and character of the universe of which .retain its own soul. The Church may well be put again in the position of a small minority spiritual fellowship in a hostile world, driven to carryon
A POLICEMAN TRANSFORMED
its worship in the catacombs, "in deserts and Christian evangelism to the industrial worker mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth." must meet him in the arena of his intellect. It On the other hand men everywhere are sensing must prove itself competent to demonstrate the that such a world is doomed and are raising their inadequacy and falsehood of materialistic indusvoices again in the cry for the help which is to trialism, F,ascism and Marxism. It must meet be found only in the Eternal Word of God's re- the worker in the arena of his needs as a cog in deeming love, which by grace is ours. the machine of industry. It must be the voice of a church which does not attempt to defend, much A church which is not prepared to undergo the less to identify its own fate with that of a selfish terrific intellectual and theological labor involved economic order, based on acquisitiveness and in translating its Gospel into the language and strife or with a political order based on violence thought-forms of our day-as Paul, John, Origen, and dictatorship. It must be a church which Augustine, Luther and Calvin did for their day brings the economic order under the judgment of -will not be able to "speak to the condition" of Christ and must insist that in all relationships His these people. A church which, like the Russian spirit and teaching shall be the standard. On church under the Czars, becomes a mere bulwark these terms the Church will also be able to proof the existing order, deaf to human needs, bless- claim to the workers the prophetic truth that they ing or condoning the war-system, a mere tool of will reap nothing but disillusionment and despair the Cresars and the economic and political Cresar- if they seek to achieve freedom and peace and ism of our day-such a church will not be able to brotherhood by the way of dictatorship and vio- "speak to the condition" of troubled and seeking lence and hate. modern men. But a church which is prepared to think through and state the Christian faith in the Modern Christian evangelism must also prolanguage of the present age; a church that is claim to industrial workers the personal Gospelready to be indeed an international fellowship, the eternal message that each man must settle his animated by and obedient to the spirit of Jesus, own account with God; he can by no means pass ready to break loose from entangling alliances on to ,another the responsibility of his own sin or with the Cresars and Cresarism of today, and eager to "society" or "the system"; nevertheless he canto seek to realize the will of God on earth as it is not himself settle that account nor carry that in Heaven – such a church is in a position to burden; God himself by grace wipes out the accall upon modern "Wise Men" and masses alike count and takes upon His own redemptive love the to follow Christ and not Barabbas. This church burden, and so sets man, His child, free and makes will call today with more likelihood of being him a member of the church – the fellowship of heeded than for many decades past. the Redeemed.
A Policeman Transformed By PAUL L. BUFFA, New York City A CERTAIN Christian worker has taken ad- Meadows, where the new Exposition Grounds are vantage of the dearth of candidates in all being landscaped, the policeman drove his car off Fraternal Orders and made it part of his the road and stopped it on an ash dump. To his astonished companion he began to speak of his responsibility to give some of his time to large own spiritual problem. After being confirmed in his mother's church, he never entered a church. groups of men who are always looking for inter- He had tried to live a clean, upright life; he was esting speakers. He has found that the plain happy in his family life, his mother making a story of God's redeeming love, told without an- home for him. Being ambitious and capable, he thropomorphic "gaucheries," without mythology was studying with a view to advancement and and ecclesiastical trappings, always secures the therefore had not yet given thought to getting rapt attention of many rather sophisticated audi- married. He was popular with the "boys" with ences. whom he worked but, said he, "I am not popular with myself. I wish I could become different. I On one such errand, during the first week of am not at rest when I am alone with myself." last November, after he had delivered his message and while putting on his overcoat in the ante- The police officer stated he had talked with sevroom, dismally considering the long street car and eral clergymen-"all very nice men; but some subway journey from Brooklyn to the Bronx, he were too learned for me and said things which was approached by a tall man in a police officer's sounded lovely but did not mean anything to me. uniform who offered to take him home in his car.
While the two were crossing the Flushing
Others treated me like a Bowery tramp and ex- she had gained hope and that the Holy Spirit was horted me to give up my 'wickedness' ; others gave at work in her heart. me easy assurances that I was all right and all I needed was to join their particular church." He New Year's Eve came around and with it the was neither learned, wicked nor desirous of Watch-night service in the Christian worker's church membership, but he was hungry and parish. It was a Candle Lighting Service and, thirsty for new incentives and new motivations after everyone had gone home, he made his cusand a new drive. tomary rounds to make sure all was right in the building. At about one o'clock in the morning, The Christian worker, who does not believe in there was a terrific pounding on the main door of argumentation but in the unfailing power of the the church. The worker opened it and was sur- Word of God when "fitly spoken," quietly asked prised by the sight of his policeman friend accomhis heavenly Father for guidance and was led to panied by over a dozen of the toughest and shadquote (Ezekiel 36: 26), "A new heart also will I iest characters,;irom his neighborhood, together give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; with a generous sprinkling of the "caulyflowered and I will take away the stony heart out of your ear," punch drunk "punks" who love to be conflesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." sidered dangerous, without being really criminal at heart. The policeman apologized for the late- Having slowly repeated this word of promise ness of the hour but he had to finish his day's three times, he felt compelled to silence. For sev- work. He had received the Pastor's circular aneral minutes an atmosphere of tenseness and ex- nouncing the Candle Lighting Service and had depectancy pervaded the car. Then the policeman cided to come and place his candle on the Altar. spoke: He had conceived the plan of inviting the hangers- on, who, at night, are always loafing in front of a "It may be inconvenient to kneel in this car; certain saloon in the vicinity. He remarked: but I feel there should be prayer here. If I stick "They were not in a position to say no; so here my knees in your eyes, just forgive me; my legs we are!" are rather long." Having lit a candle and placed it in the proper He then asked the Christian worker to pray. place he turned to the motley crew who, in the The worker told him to pray for himself. An- penumbra of the church, looked like some of other silence followed, when there took place the Dore's damned; he told them the laws of man most beautiful thing which can happen on earth had touched many of them but evidently had -that which causes the Angels in Heaven to re- helped them very little. He asked if, like himself, JOIce. In simple, sincere language, the young any of them would give the Saviour a chance. policeman started groping for the hand of the Father, which was stretched out to him in his Three of those boys have since come to the darkness. Before the two arose from their knees, Christian worker for spiritual guidance. this valiant young man had taken his oath of allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. To the verse quoted in the car on the Flushing Meadows, the worker now would add the marvel- Thanksgiving Day came around and with it ous words of Ezekiel 36: 29. joy was brought to many, and silent, bitter sor- "And I will call for the corn and I will increase row to others. Our police friend was cruising in it." a Radio Car with his Irish partner, when the screams of women and children from the windows "The greatest church in all the land, of a tenement drew their attention; upon inves- With wealth and power in its control, tigation, it was found that a young mother had tried to commit suicide by inhaling gas and to Holds naught but ashes in its hand, asphyxiate also her little children. The Irish Unless it guards the city's soul. officer went for the telephone while our policeman proceeded to administer first aid. He succeeded in What means this stately granite pile, reviving the woman when, in a hysterical fit she To Christian worship set apart, badly bit his finger, cursing him for bringing her back to life. When he saw her physical life re- If crowded streets, mile upon mile, turning he felt immediately concerned for her Feel not the throbbing of its heart? spiritual life and, disregarding his own hurt, he raised his heart in prayer to God on her behalf. "Respond, 0 church! these myriad calls After completing his day's duty, tired and hungry, Appealing, come from street and mart, the officer, before even taking food, made it a point to pick up the Christian worker and take Where every man whom sin enthralls, him to see the woman who had been snatched from Expects a welcome to thy heart. such untimely end. He found that, in her despair, Reach out, 0 church! this is the hour To make thy ministry complete!
God waits, to furnish thee with power, To lift the city to his feet."
A SKETCH OF THE CONCENTRATION
THE GOODS AND ILLS OF . URBAN LIFE / INNER CITY AREA OUTER CITY AREA RESIDENTIAL SUBURB~ " FOREIGN BORN MINGLING OF NATIONALITIES NATIVE AMERICAN POOR HOUSING APARTMENTS-HIGH RENT SPACIOUS RESIDENCES —……… ~ Af~ POOR HOME FURNISHINGS LOW RATE OF HOME OWNERSHIP LOW AATEOF HOME OWNERSHIP1HIGH RATE OF HOMEOWNERSHI! , DOWNTOWN MUNICIPAL COMFORTABLE FURNISHINGS 'f/<-P~.~ ~ . CROWDING LIMITED SPACE MUCH SPACE PER PERSON POOR LIGHT AND AIR LESS SMOKE AND DIRT PURER AIR BUILDINCS (:)", ('" POOR PLA'1 FACILITIES LIM1TED PLAY FACiliTIES GOOD PLAV FACILITIES LIBRARIES .~.~, – MUSEUMS NO TREES AND GRASS FEW TREES-SMALL VAROS TREES AND CRASS 0~ DIRTV STREET~AlLEYS CLEAN STREETS THEATRES ~ti;E§~<~:_:> IHIGHHIDHGEIHAGTHHINRFBAATIRENTBTYHDTUREBAAETTREHCURLOASTISE I BIG STORES LOW BIRTH RATE lOW BIRTH RATE LOW INFANT DEATH RATE OFFICE BUILDING CENTRAL BANKS LOW DEATH flATE BY TUBERCULOSIS TRANSPDRTATIO CENTRE ~~ ~'yZ HIGH DELINQUENCV RATE JINCREASING DELINQUENCY RATE, LOW DElINQUENCV RATE -' ~'~~~,,»'/INADEQUATE FOOD AND CLOTHING/ADEQUATE FOOD AND CLOTHING / PLENTY OF FOOD AND CLOTHING/ I MUCH UNEMPLOYMENT I I LITTLE UNEMPLOVMENT ;/ I I I MEDIUM RELIEF ~ATES ~ HIGH REUEF RATES LOW RELIEF RATES LOW WAGE II I MODERATE INCOME HIGH INCOME I I '"' "OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF' LEADERSHIP RAPID MOVEMENT FROM / LOW "MOBILITY RATE CONCENTRATION OF -ILLS" PLACE TO PLACE / ICONCENTRATION OF "GOODS"j The Inner and the Outer City By REV. ERNEST GRAHAM GUTHRIE, D.D., LL.D.
General Director of the Chicago Congregational Union I T IS impossible to describe a Modern American ulation, an accumulation of problems of poverty, City in terms that would be true of all, for they delinquency, and crime. So hostile is this environ- differ widely in what they do to and with hu- ment to human life that, no matter what racial man life. Nor is it easy to describe in general group takes up its aoode in these areas, no matter terms. the varied relationships of the Christian how good the stock from which they have come, Church to these differing patterns of life. We sooner or later the same signs of deterioration becan, however, recognize certain facts that create come starkly revealed. And yet out of these very one of the major problems with which the Church areas have come some of the best life we have, has to deal. There is a flight of human life to- rising on ladders visible and invisible to high wards the suburbs, under the drive of the home- place in industry and commerce, in the arts and making instinct, carrying with it many of the religion, in the public life of the city and the naablest citizens, and much of the wealth and other tion. The outer area of the city, with singular resource that was formerly available for the In- exceptions, in industrial suburbs, and even "subner City. The ultimate result is, that the city has urban slums," is marked by the power of wealth, two sharply contrasted areas. The one is marked the advantages of education and superior trainby poor housing, suffocating densities of pop- ing, and, often by a" deep ignorance of, and de- [291 ]
tachment from, the massed disadvantages to is never primary, although often it grows with human life in the central area from which they the growth of all the rest. This means that every have escaped. suburban church has one such relationship to an The resources of the Christian Church have in institution of the Inner City, and the strongest the main followed the course of this economic and churches may have four or five. On the other social drive. The great churches of the suburbs hand, every institution in the Inner City has, in are, in the first instance, the products of this turn, some three to six suburban churches as an movement, and it would not be difficult to substan- inner circle of dynamic fellowship. This Plan is tiate the thesis that these churches have not only fostered within the general organization of the been built up at the expense of the old mother church for the whole city, and is guided constantly churches of the Inner City, but are still dependent by a Cooperating Committee of eighteen repre- upon them for much of their best Christian lead- sentatives of the suburban churches, but the point ership. This movement of the Church life leaves is that these relationships are direct. They grow behind it a situation that is tragically familiar. at both ends through deepening understanding The older fortresses of the faith and service are, and knowledge, and above all by mutual respect with outstanding exceptions, being constantly de- and mutual service, as common participants in pleted, not only in financial resources but in the one faith and one Christian trust.
character of their ministerial and lay leadership, The various strands of this fellowship are all at the very moment when they are facing new important and for different reasons: and often alien populations and the vast complexity of human problems that are the result of the (1) The local boards of the Inner City institubasic movement referred to above. The total re- tions are drawn from the several churches to sult is that the Christian Church is weaKest, in which they are related, and are so carefully chosen every form of resource, in the very area of the that it is not too much to say that many of these most bitter and complex human need. institutions have a calibre of Christian men and women directing them that is, on the average, But that the Christian Church is not satisfied higher than that of anyone of the suburban to leave this situation as it stands, that it is seek- churches related to them. Nor are these men and ing a way and is finding a way to return in the women concerned with finances and bills alone. power of its faith and service into the Inner City Here is one powerful enough to change the whole there is abundant evidence. It is the purpose of attitude of the police to a foreign group the instithis article to briefly indicate some of the ways tution serves. Another caused even a Judge of a in which this is being, and can be increasingly court to be disciplined for unseemly reference to done by a si.ngle communion, by a united Prot- the race for which the Center was maintained. A estantism, and by the still more comprehensive third reaches into the City government, to correct action of the religious leadership of the city as a the menace to health of open drains and sewers. whole. Still others, of the right training and gifts, help the institution to evolve from simply doing am- The Strategy of a Single Communion The first necessity is for any given communion bulance work for those wounded by hardship and to establish an adequate stake of its own life and evil into a powerful center of thought and action, service in the Inner City. If we leave aside, for striking constructively to eliminate the sources of the moment, the older original churches, this stake misery at their origin.
is represented by a group of institutions that (2) A second and a golden strand is the stream range all the way from Rescue Missions and For- of volunteer assistance in the service of these in- eign-Speaking Churches, to Neighborhood Houses, stitutions. The original settlement movement was which are the Church's forms of the Settlement an effort to give to the blighted areas of our cities Movement, and smaller churches of the conven- the kind of intelligence, high moral character, and tional type. One of the vexed questions within trained service and leadership for education, several of our communions at the present time is recreation, and community reconstruction, of to determine in what proportions its resources which these areas had been depleted. To the set- should be divided between churches that build the tlements of London came some of the best life of fellowship and institutions whose ministry is Oxford and Cambridge Universities. In these poured forth, without hope of any kind of return, training grounds were created some of the great out of the chalice of a self-forgetting service. Proconsuls of the empire who, like Milner in Af- Our problem is to create a vital sense of fellow- rica, however highly placed, never forgot how the ship between these two arms of the Church's serv- other half lived and the high trust they held for ice. In one communion what is known as the Fel- that other half. 'From these suburban churches lowship Plan binds these two groups together in have come volunteers, equaling and sometimes a multitude of strands of which the financial bond surpassing in number, the regular staffs of these
THE INNER AND THE OUTER CITY
MEXICAN BOYS AND GIRLS ENACTING THE CHRISTMAS STORY IN FIRMAN HOUSE, CHICAGO institutions, who have given their talents freely ways consciously and wisely kept subordinate, to communities which yesterday they did not even nevertheless grows in a myriad ways. Equipment arrives, from baseball bats to an organ, for the know existed. institution; boys and girls are given opportunities (3) A third important strand is the leadership to recover their health; scholarships are founded by which the more talented may climb towards at both ends of the relationship. The fellowship high careers; golden ladders are let down into the is conceived to be mutual, and it is increasingly darkness, not one, but many. And when any great becoming so. The business of the leader of the single undertaking for some desperate need of a Inner City institution is to enlarge the social con:" single community is set before the communion as sciousness and quicken the social conscience of a whole, it is not the four or five suburban the suburban church; and, where the leader of churches that are its inner circle of fellowship the suburban church rightly uses his opportunity, alone, that respond, but the entire fellowship of his church, at meeting after meeting, in group churches, rising in a single year to contributions after group, is exposed to the cruel pressure and amounting to $75,000, beyond all that is given by the disfiguring results of the city's pitiless forces, the central organization of the Church. As one on other neighborhoods. But always these tragic of the active leaders in this plan has said, "Its scenes are depicted by a leader who offers through basis is found in the fact that fundamentally each his own institution an arm of Christian service one of us regards himself as a part of this great and power that day in and day out is battling city and the city a part of himself." against these evils for human life. As a consequence, many of these churches are beginning to We turn, for a 'moment, to the old mother ask for surveys of the neighborhoods in which churches in the heart of the city. Some of these their related institutions work to go beyond vague are still strong in membership, in resource and impressions and face directly the bitter facts. influence. They have maintained themselves, amidst the currents and the tides that have swept (4) We can hardly wonder that, where these, others into weakness or oblivion. They are susand other strands, of direct fellowship are grow- tained by the loyalty of members who live in the ing in strength, the financial exchange between these two arms of Christ's service, which is al-
suburbs, but whose spiritual home is in the heart bankruptcy and moral and spiritual treason that of the city. And how greatly some of these old it is? Are no great spiritual questions being churches are maintained, a center of tranquility asked,if not in the churches of the suburbs, then amidst the increasing perturbation, full of deep in the souls of suburban men and women as they and great ministries to myriads of lives otherwise drop off, at their quiet stations in the evening, without close human ties, sanctuaries of all forms and pass, through long avenues of beauty to their and moods of worship, on whose altar, as one of homes, or as, in the morning, their train stops their ministers has said, "will burri unobtrusively for a moment to give them a close sight of the but perpetually, a flame symbolizing the everlast- blighted areas of the great city's life?" ing presence of a Friendly God." Perhaps there is no greater service rendered by the suburbs to In one of our great cities the united religious the Inner City than by those who maintain such leadership has set itself to analyze the forces that loyalties, as long as life lasts, and who are sup- make and mar the city, to give a synoptic picture ported in their loyalty by the approval of minis- of the vast orga'frism, as a whole, and this picture ters and churches in the suburbs who look not at is being painted by economists, by industrialists, their own things alone. by politicians, mid all that great company who know how the segment of its mighty life with On the other hand, is' there anything more which they are familiar came to be, what exactly tragic, and, in a great sense, more unnecessary, are the sources of its evils, and from which directhan the dying back of these great centers of wor- tion its salvation must come. ship for lack of support? One by one they perish within their own little denominational fellowships It is only as the organic wholeness of the city that can no longer maintain them. Will the day slowly forms itself in the minds and hearts and never come when these things will be counted challenges the wills of the total leadership of the among the scandals and the high crimes of our Church, in all its branches, and in all its locations, divided Protestantism? Is there not sufficient that the great Kingdom of cooperative life, topower, despite the tribal spirit that still infects wards which the true Church ever lives and them, working with the rising tide of protest serves, will come to pass. In Elizabeth Goudge's against their divided and composite futility, for "A City of Bells," it is said of the old Canon of the Protestant churches to take their stand on the Cathedral, as he moved, one Christmas eve, this at least, and determine that, no matter who through the slums of that Cathedral city: "He comes or who goes, as long as human life inhabits hated segregation, inevitable though he knew it these inner areas, there shall be enough great to be. He hated the barriers of time and age and churches to give a united witness, a united serv- class and language. He longed for the time when ice, and enduring expression to the high resolve all the different lights carried by man in the pagthat, under God, it will not let the heart of the eantry of life should grow into one." city go. No greater service could the churches of the suburbs, as a whole, of every and all commun- Enough has been said above of the active and ions, render than to take an unbroken stand that serving church in the city to show that those diftheir gifts shall not be made to the Inner City ferent lights have grown into one, wherever privexcept under the high policy and technique of, a ilege has shared with those who lack it, wherever United Church. love has found the way to blend life's myriad lights together, in the fellowship that is of, in, Different Lights Grow Into One and through Christ. But these things, of which we dream, and for which we work, in the great- But these are at best but superficial movements ness of our hope, will never come to pass until the towards the greater solidarity of life, that must power of God in Christ so invests His Church be realized in the Modern City. The church in the that we shall learn anew what the Church is and suburbs must delve deeper into its owngonscience can be when it becomes in reality "the act of God and ask, of those who can answer it, "How came in Christ in the midst of time." these things to be?" What industry was it that enticed these 200,000 Negroes from their cabins There are churches which say to their people in the Southland and hurled them, helpless, into the great maelstrom of the city? By whose mor- that one of the requirements of Christian fellowtal and human enactment do both Church and City have on their hands, this multitude of ap- ship is service for which no material reward is parently insoluble problems? paid. One church has, in addition to those who "By whose retreat from citizenship of the great city into the toy citizenship of the beautiful sub- give service in its own program, nearly one hunurban village, does municipal government become the combination of graft and cloaked crime of dred and fifty members who regularly each week are working in the community as volunteers in Christ's name. They are teaching the blind, work- ing in hospitals, calling on the aged, leading groups in boys' and girls' clubs, helping out in other churches. ROBERT W. SEARLE.
A United Church
By the REV. GORDON R. LAHRSON, New York Minister of the Henry Street United Church I NTERDENOMINATIONALISM has often been greener pastures. Why move as long as the com- an interesting subject for speculation and de- munity is filled with human beings whom the bate. The recent conferences in Oxford and Church of Christ is supposed to serve, regardless Edinburgh indicate certain avenues of cooperative of their social or economic rating? effort upon which all Protestant groups may travel. Too frequently, however, the much-ado These two churches have had a flexible minisabout denominations getting together has been try which has sought to interpret the message of like Mark Twain's observation concerning the Christ in light of the human problems and condiweather, it is a subject of much talk but nothing tions in the community. No church can long exist is done about it. While a feeling of helplessness in Manhattan with a static program. Traditional may be justified in the attempt to bring about practices must often yield to newer methods; and ecclesiastical union between certain denominations, church union is being successfully attempted yet, is not the glory of a rich tradition for any .inon the common ground of Christian service. stitution a ministry of service with enough viSIOn Two of the oldest churches in Manhattan, the and understanding to adapt itself to the deepest Mariners'Temple (Baptist) and the Sea and Land needs of men? (Presbyterian), have now joined forces in a united Christian program. The ministers and Mariners' Temple was built in 1795 as the workers in the two churches have been brought Oliver Street Baptist Church and is the oldest together and a coordination of activities has been Baptist edifice in New York City. It was rebuilt affected. While each church maintains its eccle- in 1844, and since that time has been known as siastical identity, all worship and service enter- Mariners' Temple. It is frequently referred to prises have been combined under one adminis- as the "Mother of Churches," several Baptist churches in the city having sprung from it– tration. American, Chinese, Danish, Italian, Norwegian, In evaluating this significant step of church Lettish, Swedish and Russian. Baptist work in Sweden, Norway and Denmark was begun by seaunion, one must recognize the drastic changes men who were members of Mariners' Temple. which have taken place in downtown New York, During the pioneer days, other members of the affecting every aspect of community life. With "Mother Church" were instrumental in organizing the shifting of Anglo-Saxon populations away churches in Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. A very from the downtown area, the vast majority of impressive work was carried on among seamen in churches have joined in the exodus. This commu- the early days and from this ministry came the nity upheaval, however, has not resulted in a name by which the church has been popularly dearth of human beings. Great masses are forced known. The daily and nightly ministry to hometo live in these congested areas, in a setting which less men has been an outstanding feature of the lacks many cultural and spiritual advantages. work, and throughout its history this church has People with small incomes must dwell in these opened its doors to people of high and low degree. deteriorated, tenement districts. The same has been true of the Church of the Only a few of the old churches have been able Sea and Land. The present building goes back to to remain to interpret Christ's way of life to the the year 1817. It has had a dramatic history. throngs of human souls who must live in these Frederick Bruckbauer's book, "The Kirk on "haunts of wretchedness and need." Among the Rutgers Farm," portrays the thrilling story of few the Mariners' Temple and the Church of Sea this church up to the year 1919. George Alexand'Land are outstanding examples. Facing the ander, in his introduction to the book, made this social changes of more than a hundred years in revealing observation: the lower east side, these churches have stayed on the job, adapting their ministry to meet the needs In its first half century it sheltered a worshipping conof the changing population. They did not run gregation of staid Knickerbocker type, which, though blest away when their leading members moved to with a ministry of extraordinary ability and spiritual power, succumbed to its unfriendly environment and per- ished.
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In its second half-century it became the home of a flock who come for aid. A large number have been of God, poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith, to whom the environment even when changing from bad to given a new hold on life through this work. worse, was a challenge to faith and valiant service. ("The The week is filled with many activities, includ- Kirk on Rutgers Farm," Frederick Bruckbauer, page 5.) ing movies for children, Weekday Church School, The Sea and Land has carried on work not only Boys' and Girls' Clubs, Greek Service, Spanish for English-speaking peoples but for Italians, Service, meetings of Italian groups, Women's So- Greeks, Russians, Spaniards and Jews. At pres- cieties, Gymnasium Classes and Socials. ent, the Italian congregation ranks as one of the strong, foreign-speaking Protestant groups in the The work with children and young people is one city. For many years Sea and Land also had an of the most challenging aspects of the program, important work with seamen when such a minis- for the building of Christian character in childtry was vitally needed. Always the purpose has hood and adolescence constitute a major function been to serve the people of the community. Mr. of every Christian church. Bruckbauer fittingly expressed the spirit of the church. The lower ea~ side is rapidly changing. The new Knickerbocker Village, with its 1,600 fam- ilies, has already made a difference. It is like a lovely oasis in the midst of a desert. The Henry Never has this been a selfish, self-contained organism, Street United Church is providing a place in its but a living, throbbing influence that went out beyond the program of worship and service for the unshadow of its gray walls, prodigal in giving to others the churched people who live there. At present, good things of the gospel that were fostered there. Many scores of old tenement buildings are being torn a church at home and abroad has cause to bless Market Street for the men and women that she brought up in the down, and a re-zoning of the entire district is benurture and admonition of the Lord. ("The Kirk on ing proposed, making it predominantly residential. Rutgers Farm," Bruckbauer, page 105.) If these plans are carried out, a new community Today, the Henry Street United Church brings will come into being. Whatever the changes, together these famous institutions. Once again, Henry Street United Church will once more seek they have met the need of a change which means to adapt its ministry to meet the needs of the more effective service. Each group discovered people.
that it was seeking to do alone that which could be Many hope that there will be enough social accomplished more effectively in a cooperative imagination to provide the kind of housing that enterprise. There has not been the disposition on will be decent and respectable and at the same the part of either church to bemoan the loss of de- time within the economic means of families now nominational glory. Rather, there is a sense of living in the tenements. Those who work in pride in being a part of a denominationalism that underprivileged areas are keenly aware that has the glory of an interdenominational spirit and Christianity must do more than extend the hand a cooperative movement for the common good of of personal kindness. These people need also a the community. social and economic environment with the kind of This Union has made possible stronger leader- soil in which the seeds of personal character can ship and the interchanging of ideas and the fel- grow. When such conditions are provided, the lowship under a united staff of workers. Both beauty and power of the Christian life will find buildings are used: Mariners' Temple (at 3 Henry the best opportunity for expression. Then the Street) and the Sea and Land (at 61 Henry missionary efforts of the church will count for the Street) are only one block apart and the two most. "Men do not gather grapes of thorns or buildings provide adequate equipment for the figs of thistles." Truly this principle applies to work. The Sunday program includes Church social as well as to personal living.
School, Morning Worship, Italian Service in the The vision and support of this united enterprise afternoon, Young People's Meeting and Evening come from the New York City Baptist Mission Worship. Society, the Church Extension Committee of the The ministry of the United Church to homeless New York Presbytery and the New York City men is unique. A Service is held for them every Mission (interdenominational). The work of the night in Hubbell Hall of Mariners' Temple. Food Henry Street United Church is indicative of the and free lodging are provided daily for as large a indispensable part which City Societies have in number as can be accommodated. During the win- bringing the Christian message to our crowded ter as many as 200 men are kept for a single night. urban communities. The splendid way in which Friendly counsel is given to individuals as young these societies have been working together in and old pour out their heart-breaking stories of sponsoring the work reveals a significant phase misfortune. The purpose of this ministry is to of interdenominational cooperation. We have dis- aid in the rehabilitation of manhood. Frequently covered that such church union is a great success men of fine education and culture are among those when expressed in terms of Christian service.
"What Can a Suburban Church Do?"
By the REV. FRANK FlIT, D.D.
The Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan T HIS church is situated three miles from the applies to all of life across the whole world, the official limits and nine miles from the chief groundwork is laid for a vital and intelligent serv- shopping center of the fourth largest city in ice to the multitudes who live in the near-by city.
the United States. It stands on the rim of a half- The condition of the world since 1914 has been circle of twenty square miles containing nearly compelling us to loosen and to thrust away our two million people. Within that half-circle are theological strait-jackets. Now, in this year gathered races and religions from all the world. 1938, as all of us are compelled to gaze at the very We have almost a thousand adult members, per- pit of hell by the terrible course of events, we see haps fifteen per cent of whom would be reckoned clearly, as never before, the true meaning of in the well-to-do class. A similar proportion Christ's message of salvation to mankind. That would be counted at the other end of the economic message means redemption for a man's nature, scale. The remaining seventy per cent of the for his home, for his school, for his shop and members belong to the middle-class group, neither store 'and factory and for his local and state and rich, nor poor. All local groups are represented, national government. It is a message for a man take part in the services and sit on the official and for the society in which he lives. It is for the boards. We have a very adequate church house individual and for all men. This is the conviction in which a program is carried on seven days a by which we Christians truly live and serve. week. In its tradition and opportunity there is nothing in what this particular church may offer Bonds of Service and Understanding to the near-by city which cannot be offered by al- Such a conception of the Christian Gospel is most any of the thousands of Protestant suburban certain to bear fruit in a process of education and churches surrounding the ninety-four cities of the service between the suburban church and the city. United States which in the 1930 census had a pop- It is quite incredible that such a Gospel should be ulation of over one hundred thousand. Some proclaimed and accepted without a constantly inchurches, more favored by resources and per- creasing interchange of information and effort. sonnel and opportunity, can offer more, and some Like other churches this church has its regular churches, less favored, can offer less. services of prayer and praise and instruction.
Th~ First Essential Here are some sample speeches addressed to groups in the interests of the city in recent weeks. Surely the first essential of such a church in its In their aggregate they were heard by the maoffering to the city is that the Christian Gospel jority of the adult members of the church. proclaimed from its pulpit, believed in by its members and assumed in its program from begin- "Making a Department Store a Civic Institution," by ning to end, is as broad and deep as human life the publicity director of a large department store; and its varied needs. Although the Grosse Pointe Farms church must of necessity bear certain "Mosaic or Melting Pot," by a member of the Detroit labels, in the sense that it is Presbyterian in its Council of Social Agencies; connection and witnesses to evangelical Christianity, there is nothing denominational in its offering "Life in a Settlement House," by the director of a setto the city. We believe that the Christian Gospel tlement; is greater than anyone parish or any single denomination, and that the flow of a redeeming and "Security amidst Uncertainty," by the special supertransforming Divine Grace can come down all visor of the Detroit Edison Company; channels that minister truly to mankind in the name of Christ. When such a conception of the "Cooperatives in Michigan," by an authority on coop- Gospel is proclaimed and believed, when the as- eratives; sumption of the entire parish is that the Gospel "The Church and Youth Delinquency," by a member of the Social Service Department of the Detroit Council of Churches; "The Negro of Detroit," by an authority; "Human Interest in Industry," by the personnel director of a large automobile company; "Bargaining between Employer and Employee," by an official in a large industry; [ 297]
"The Christian Approach to the Jew," by a Christian perance organization. Again the list might be minister, formerly Jewish; considerably extended. Almost every man and woman who holds an official position within the "Detroit's Challenge to the Churches," by the director membership also holds some official position in of the Church Extension Board, given before the the agencies which minister to Detroit's need, and Sunday morning congregation. many other men and women in the membership, holding no special responsibility within the parish, In the yearly program of activities there are are giving hours of their time each week to some many carefully planned service projects. The var- outside service. ious groups within the parish are brought into contact with the city needs and institutions. Some Two decades ago a distinguished English samples of this in recent weeks are listed. preacher who exercised a remarkable ministry on New York's Fifth Avenue is reported to have said The Married People's Class visited the Florence that one of his major problems was that he did Crittenton Home on a Sunday afternoon; not have sufficient tasks to offer to his people. That can only be true if the tasks are limited to The Women's Association visited a Community the local church organization. After all, there are House in an underprivileged district directed only a limited number of services within the local by our denomination; church, and the larger the parish the less is the proportion who can serve. But outside the church, A Professional Women's Club sponsored a Sun- particularly if that church be in or near a city, day night story hour at a Protestant Chil- there is no limit upon the opportunity for service. dren's Home; The mission Sunday Schools, the hospital boards, the settlement houses, the Y. W. C. A., and the Sunday School classes visited Negro churches, Y: M. C. A.-there is almost no end to the open- hospitals, old peoples' homes, settlements, ings. Heroic workers among the underprivileged bringing toys, clothing, etc. are sighing for the active personal assistance of the men and women of the churches. Let it be The list could be made much longer. Through- understood that every church member is expected out the year numerous organized trips take place. to serve his fellows by attaching himself to some The effort is made to give every member of the agency which ministers to human need. church a chance to become acquainted with the needy phases of Detroit's life and to appreciate The Offering in Money the methods by which the Christian forces are meeting those needs. It is safe to claim that no The question of the financial responsibility of adult member of the parish has any excuse for the suburban church is left to the last. That is pleading ignorance of the open sores of civiliza- where it belongs. First must come the proclamation in the city so close at hand. tion of the Christian message and the obligation to shoulder the responsibility. Then must come The Offering in Personnel the education in vivid terms of the proportions of the responsibility. Then must come the actual When such a Gospel is proclaimed, and when working amid the need. Then, last of all and with such an inter-related program of education is af- this careful preparation, is the' basis laid which forded, it is to be expected that earnest-minded makes the financial appeal compelling. Convicand devoted men and women within the church tion, education, participation, giving-those are membership will offer themselves for service and the four steps in the full rich contact between the accept positions of responsibility in those religious suburban church and the city. And the methods and philanthropic organizations which minister by which the money will be collected will be nudirectly to the needs of the city. A trustee and merous. Who can chart them? In the local treasurer of our church is the active head and church there is the official treasurer of benevoldirector of the Detroit Community Fund under ences. There are the gifts from Sunday School which some eighty agencies minister to the life classes and other groups. There are the appeals of the city, many of them under Christian aus- from the agencies outside the church. There is pices. The president of the trustees is also presi- the Community Fund through which most givers dent of a leading hospital board, and a former in these days prefer to donate their largest subpresident of the trustees is president of another scriptions. In addition, there are the ,anonymous hospital board. The teacher of a woman's class offerings which keep coming in, the private exin our Sunday School is president of the Detroit pressions of an earnest generosity which the giver Y. W. C. A. The president of our Women's Asso- would reveal only to God. Who can measure all ciation is also president of Detroit's Women's City of these? After all, it is not the method, but the Club and a former president of our Association motive behind it, which counts. is president of Detroit's Colony Club. A woman member of the church is president of Detroit's Protestant Children's Home. Another member is treasurer of the same institution. Still another member is president of the Allied Youth, a tem-
It would be quite impossible, even if it were de- of the evicted family into their new home. After sirable, to reckon up the giving in money to the that he slipped away without even stopping to tell needs of Detroit by the members of this parish. his name. Adding together amounts that are known, through the church treasurers, through the Detroit Com- Just as there is courage and practical kindness munity Fund and through other channels, it would so, too, there is happiness and love. But the handequal several times the budget of the local church. icaps are too great-the blight and misery and In all probability it should be much greater than waste of life are tragic. it is. There are few among us who really give away money to the point where it means personal The people whom you have met in the foregodeprivation. Let us be grateful for the number, ing pages are not creatures of the imaginationfound among rich and moderately circumstanced they are actual human beings. In some instances and poor, who really give to the point of sacrifice the details of their stories have been somewhat and set the standard for the rest of us. altered. In no instance has a story been exagger- ated. And they are not all dwellers in one city. This is a brief report of what one suburban Moreover, their counterparts may be found in any church is attempting to accomplish in the direc- one of the 6'06 communities in the United States tion of the great city on the border of which it having a population of 1'0,'0'0'0 or more-part of an stands. Undoubtedly other suburban churches are aggregate population of more than 64,'0'0'0,'0'00. doing more. Some suburban churches, because of limitations beyond their control, are not able to Has not every city its lonely aged, its physicaldo as much. The point is that every suburban ly, socially, and economically handicapped, its negchurch must do what it can. The order and lected and delinquent children? Are there not in method of procedure, as it has been found fruitful nearly every city one or more groups which suffer in at least one such church, has been pointed out. from prejudice and discrimination? It has been The Christian Gospel, wide, deep and high, in its said that "every American community has its New Testament power and glory, for every aspect slums or substandard area." And every city has of human need; the carefully planned, educational its impoverished families whose income is less connection between the agencies of the church and than the amount necessary for the maintenance of the agencies of the city; the going forth of con- healthy life. secrated men and women within the church to minister where they are needed, offering their These then are neighbors to us all! varied talents to the varied opportunities; and lastly, and as a natural result, the giving of money MARK A. DAWBER. to support the good causes. Surely this is what any suburban church can do for any city. What we Christians have to give is Christ and NEIGHBORS IN THE SLUMS what we have to tell to this urban world is the It is well to remember that there is probably story of Christ. We want to give to the present more courage to the square foot in the slums than on the avenues. And there is abounding kind- world once again the teaching of Christ. One of ness among the poor. Dickens said, "What the poor mean to the poor only God and the poor the reasons why some of the strong and powerful know." people in our big or little communities have been I remember a man who, coming home after a fruitless quest for work, found an unknown neigh- so hesitant with respect to what their duties are bor's goods upon the sidewalk. The evicted family were just sitting there, dejected and helpless. in a modern world, with its constantly demanding The returning job seeker took the situation in at a glance, rolled a barrel to the middle of the side- social changes, is that they have not paid adequate walk, placed a pan upon it, and appealed to everyone who came along the street. When money attention to the teaching of Jesus Christ. The enough had been secured he searched the neighberhood until he found an available fiat, paid a most sure approach we have to make to the people month's rent in advance, and then recruited a gang of men who moved the household possessions in our churches, when we wish to impress upon them the real significance of what is called the social gospel, is what Jesus himself taught. We begin with the assumption that when the Lord Jesus spoke He knew that He was speaking with authority. We are having to begin to present that argument all over again. I heard one person, who was engaged in the marvelous task of religious education, teaching the Christian religion to chil- dren and young people; one of the first things he told them was that they "should not assume that what Jesus said was right," but that they must hear Him critically. It is a help to me to know that Jesus was right, that He really spoke with authority. J. V. MOLDENHAWER.
MONEY IS MYSELF – IS IT MINE? * How can we raise a generation of men and women who will understand the truth about the stewardship of money? Here is a financial creed for Christians who wish to be good stew- ards: 1. Money is not "filthy lucre"; it is not the "devil's coin"; it is stored-up power. Money is much more than a standard medium of exchange. Money represents coined manhood. The five or ten dollars or more paid me for a day's work represents so much toil of my hand and brain. Through money I can also employ men to toil for me. Thus it sets me free from the limits of place so that I can heal the sick in China, or teach the children of India, or light up the dark places of Africa.
2. My money is mine only in trust; it belongs to God, sinc~I myself belong to Him. He created me, and created wealth. Christ redeemed me-purchased me with His own life- blood.
3. God is expecting me to use this money-this stored-up power-to build His churches and preach His gospel, to train His workers and send them out to teach and heal, and to save His children and help establish His rule of righteousness and brotherhood and peace.
4. To use my income aright so as to please God is one of my first responsibilities as a Chris- tian. Until I make up my mind to do this, my prayers and confessions and claims will be like saying "Lord, Lord," while not doing the will of my Father.
5. God tells me to set aside a definite proportion of my income for His work. By this I acknowledge my debt to God and His sovereignty over all my possessions. By acting on this principle, I also guard against selfishness. Giving away money on impulse and without prayer and regularity is not in harmony with the importance of God's work.
6. The proportion of my income set aside for God's purposes should be not less than one- tenth and may be much more, according to the standard given in the Old Testament. I am re- ceiving far more from God than did the ancient Hebrews or the men of any former generation, and God expects me to give not less than one-tenth and more if I am able, for my debt is great and the need is great.
7. I should seek to use money for God as carefully as I use my resources in my ordinary business. I should study the needs of the Church and the world-wide work of Christ so that I will give wisely. If I give systematically and pray with my giving, God will multiply my gift and bless the results.
8. But money is not only a means of service, it may also be a dangerous weapon. It com- mands so many things that men often forget the real values which it can never purchase: the riches of righteousness, love, happiness, a clear conscience and fellowship with God. Three rich men stand forth in prominence in the Gospel pages. One was a fool who bartered his soul for barns and acres; one was a man hard of heart and blind, who saw neither God nor his beggar brother at his door. The third lacked the courage to leave his wealth and choose the higher good by following Jesus.
9. Money spells opportunity. Today, when money offers men so many chances for self- indulgence, it also brings great opportunities for loving service. Never were doors, at home and abroad, so wide open and so appealing. Never were the forces for education and evan- gelism and Christian service so well organized. Never were there so many men and women waiting to be put into service through the use of money.
10. Money also spells obligation. Not only are the Church and Jesus Christ saying this, but the State is saying it, and so are conscience and common sense. Christian faith and loyal- ty are not shown by those who leave large gifts to heirs who have not earned it, who do not need it, and who cannot be trusted to administer it wisely. But the greatest responsibility is not in leaving money behind when we can no longer use it; the greatest obligation is in the use if it while we live. What a tremendous obligation rests upon the man who has been entrusted with wealth or the ability to get wealth. The war against poverty and suffering and igno- rance and sin is with us all the time; money is one great weapon against these, when entrust- ed to wise heads and loving hearts. It is a powerful means by which my life may be given to God and made more fruitful and beneficial to mankind.
• Adapted from the United Ohurch Reoord.
Ways of
'fested Met1wds for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO NEW HOME MISSION women will have a part in writing the reading up on the subject will BUILDING MATERIAL programs for the eleven meetings of convince you of its significance the year. .. . Mrs. Dan Brummitt, and its possibilities. Program The Department Editor is national vice-president, will plan the handicapped, as always at this lessons and point out "The Skyline of builders will be interested in the City." Bridges in History and Legend, time of the year, by the fact that "Widening Horizons" will be a two- by W. J. and S. R. Watson, a book brimful of poems, stories, the program builders to whom months' study of the fields and projshe usually turns for "Effective quotations, etc. Ask for it at Ways of Working" have not yet ects of the women's missionary enter- your public library." (Suggested prise of the M. E. Church:. this 'U!i~l include both home and !oretgn actwt- had opportunity to familiarize ties. for reference only.) themselves with the new study "New Horizons in Christian Relabooks and incorporate them into "The function of bridges may workable plans in time for the tiohs" will be a two-months' study of be described as the starting of a June issue, copy for which must the missionary work of the women of stream of human traffic hitherto be sent weeks in advance of pub- the M. E. Church South and the Meth- impossible; the surmounting of lication. Some of the denomina- odist Protestant Church. This is to a barrier, the linking up of two tional magazines ann 0 u n c e give understanding and preparation worlds divided by a gulf." (Enfrankly that "While information for future relationships with all the cyclopredia. ) as to themes and titles of text- women of United Methodism. books can be furnished, the "There can be little doubt that study courses cannot be ready An Achievements Poster upon which in many ways the story of bridge earlier than June." Hence it goals accomplished may be marked building is the story of civilizawill be necessary to supplement will again be included in the study tion." (Franklin D. Roosevelt.) 'our material on the Home Mis- course. sion topic, "The City," with Most of these programs verify other timeless plans which can Bridges the theme in that they disregard be adapted to any program pres- the invidious distinction between entation, and await the harvest This has been chosen for the the "home" and the "foreign" from summer conferences for theme of the women of the sections of the world-field and more specific outlines. Northern Baptist Convention present a blended and unified for 1938-39. It is a particularly theme. Much abbreviated, they "Forward Looking Plans" fertile and adaptable one. run as follows: Under this title Woman's The builder who first bridged Ni- THE INTER-BOROUGH BRIDGE Home Missions says: agara's gorge, The Bridge which Connects Our Before he swung his cable shore to City with God's City shore, "A Prayer for the City," from Sent out across the gulf his venturing kite Bearing a slender cord for unseen hands To grasp upon a farther cliff and draw The ,Forward Looking Committee A greater cord, and then a greater Prayers of the Social Awakenfelt that the task they faced this year yet; ing, by Rauschenbusch. was somewhat different from that of former committees. Naturally, they Till' at last across the chasm swung Ten-minute Talk, "The City" should be forward looking in offering The cable-then the mighty bridge in (its growth in the last decades, plans for the year's study in methods its importance in our civilization and achievement. They should also air. today. The sociology teacher in cultivate a spirit of readiness for new So we may send our little timid near-by high school or college adjustments that would help every would have material for rewoman to look farther in her own mis- thought sponse. See "City Man," chapsionary service and relationship than Across the void, out to God's reaching ters 1 and 2). she has ever done before. "New Horizons" therefore was the theme chosen hands, Ten-minute Talk, "What Our for the coming year. Send out our love and faith to thread Church Can Do for the City" (t h r 0 ugh establishing new Mrs. Merle English, secretary of the deep, churches, through the Christian Wesleyan Service Guild and a mem- Thought after thought until the little ber of the "Spiritual Life Committee cord Has greatened to a chain no chance can break, And-we are anchored to the Infinite!
EDWIN MARKHAM.
will write the devotional book, "New "If on first thought 'Bridges' Center, by helping our bilingual Horizons in Worship." Conference women, missionaries, seems an unusual theme for mis- neighborhood church. If you sionary programs, even a hasty live in a city secure a map and national officers and local auxiliary [301 ]
locate the projects of its city means the professors as well. every woman into the church, in mission work). Education must be evangelized." friendship, getting our neigh- Ten-minute devotional. (The Bible begins in a garden but (E. Stanley Jones.) bors, in evangelism, getting the soon drives man out. It then tells about cities. It ends with Panel Discussion: Why Is strength of united effort in orthe City of God coming down out of heaven. Gen. 1: 1-5, 27-31. Education a Legitimate Interest ganized missionary work, to get Amos 5: 4-24. Rev. 2'1: 1-7. Pray that our cities may become of a MissionarySociety? (Choose power for all in Jesus Christ God's cities.) at least five intelligent persons (the devotional). THE PEACE BRIDGE seated around a table discussing ON THE BRIDGE The Bible in Many Languages this question. They might con- Missionaries, reaching the sider (1) need of trained work- This program is on the responpeople, had to become the philologists and translators of the ers in local churches, (2) train- sibility of each individual for world, in order to supply the Bible. Thus they built the lexi- ing of future lay readers in our Christian Citizenship. It lends cons and grammars and translated the Bible into over 100 lan- home mission fields, (3) need of itself especially well to another guages in Africa and more than a score in India-more than 600 trained native leaders in the for-'" consideration of "The City." A living languages the world over today. Thus they surmounted eign field, (4) our contribution round table discussion on "The the lingual barriers and built bridges of intercommunication as (insert name of the denomina- Needs of Your Community" is and possible understanding. tion) to denominational schools suggested, with sub-topics as Through the printed word, inclusive of magazines and papers, in America, our educational follows: we are helping to build the foundations for Christian literature work abroad, to union Christian (1) The Temperance Advocatein lands where reading will be colleges. Other suggestions are What is being done in temperance one of the chief methods of edu- (1) a reception to the graduates education, the number of local places cation. Acts 2: 5-12. Psalm 19: 1-4. Dan. 7: 13, 14. in the local church, (2) presenta- dispensing liquor, etc. t I·On f the work f th e IocaI st u- Ar(e2)thTehekinMd ootifonpicPtiucrteusreshSowcnouitn- Five-minute talks on (a) the your community the kind you want American Indian Bible, (b) the 0 0 young people to see? etc. Spanish Bible, (c) the Burmese Bible, (d) Bible translations into dent counsellor, (3) arousing the language of India. interest in some near-by denom- Review the work of the Com- inational college.) (3) The Reporter on Gamblingmittee on Christian Literature Closing prayer for youth What is being done to obliterate it for Women and Children in Mission Fields, as this is the project around the world. This program locally? for the World Day of Prayer. Iends 1·tseIf to theCl·ty t heme. you(4r ) grTohuep, Pyeoaucer cPormompaugnaitnyd,istta-kinIgs In advance, ask the member- THE SILVER BRIDGE part in the study of international reship to bring Bibles in other lan- This is a meeting for exhibi- lations? In the Peace Movement? guages. tion of White Cross gifts (for mission hospital work) , and (5) The Member of the League of THE BRIDGE IN BUILDING Women Voters-The voter's obliga- tion in community and national af- Our Students suggests that they be arranged fairs. "The Christian Church must set· its own house in order and as for a shower, with ribbon tied THE OLD COVERED BRIDGE get ready for the greatest crisis to each hidden gift. Give each in history. . . . It must win the Village Work in India students. The students have member a ribbon and let her changed. Never have they been hunt for the "shower gift." On With masses of India crossing more open and responsive than each gift has been fastened a tag the bridge from ignorance and now to a message that is sincere, containing a fact or two about superstition to new life, the topic real and adequate. . We must the missionary for whom it is in- symbolizes the old ways giving launch a" nation-wide movement tended, the tags to be taken home place to the new. to win the high school, the college, the university students to as souvenirs. When all packages 1. Describe life in villages of India. have been found, group them ac- 2. Review work of our Christian centhe Christian Way. And this cording to their destination ready for presentation by the ters in that country. president to the guests of honor 3. Ten-minute discussion of the values (impersonated by members of of Christian centers in rural com- the society), each such "guest" munities. responding with an account of 4. Moving picture or stereoptic·on lec- her work and the joy the gifts ture on "Village Life in India." 5. Base devotionals on the villages in which Christ lived and worked.
will bring. A summer Christ- THE TOWER BRIDGE mas tree or an umbrella ar- ranged like a tree with gifts tied The Ministry of Healing a Tower on may be substituted. of Strength to All Nations Prayer that the gifts may Arrange program specific to bridge the distance and carry the medical mission work of the love of Jesus to those receiv- your denominaton, having "A ing the articles. Consultation of Doctors in In- dia," contrasting hospital work THE SWING BRIDGE used by missionary pioneers and ours today, impersonating actual HTo-geth-er-to-get-her"
This may consist of five-min- medical missionaries nQW Qn ute talks in regard to getting their felds.. etc.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
THE FOOT BRIDGE books, to be hunted for and read "I also knew a Methodist; He couldn't sing, he said. It Connects Our Neighbor's when all are found. He'd holler 'glory' loud enough, Home with Ours The missions end of the en- To almost raise the dead. "Seeing You r Neighbor," velope tells the story of life But as to his apportionment, "Loving Your Neighbor," "The Neighbor's Response," might be abundant or its lack. Though his barns were waxtopics under which to consider Stewardship ought not to be ing fat, this theme, the last being by women in the old-world costume thought of primarily in terms of His s h 0 uti n g wasn't loud and the new. enough possessions. Neither can it be thought of apart from posses- To ever help raise that!
sions. Charity that begins at home, THE TOLL BRIDGE and stays. at home, dies of close "God bends from heaven above confinement. . A Visualization.of the Budget and says: MARION LAWRANCE. 'I gave thee the gift of Life; On a map of the world mark *** Art thou not blessed in many your location and church, then William Allen White, in mak- ways?
from this take bright ribbons to ing a magnificent gift to human- Are my heaven and earth at the countries in which your home ity, said that there are three strife?
and foreign missionaries are la- kicks in every dollars: one kick I gave thee of my seed to sow; boring, giving number of mis- when you earn it; one when you Bring thou Me thy hundredsionaries in each country, the save it; and one when you give fold.' high lights of their work, etc., it away. *** Can I look up with face aglow closing with a meditation on And answer, 'Father, here is "Are We Faithful Stewards." Give more if you would have gold?' " Opening of gift boxes. more, Spend less and you will want *** THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE Time: A recent Sunday morn- less, "Christ – the Invisible Bridge Keep all and you will lose all. ing. Place: A near-by drug store. that Leads from Earth MAE ROTHROCK. Customer: "Give me change for a dime, please." to Heaven" *** Clerk: "Certainly, and I hope Reading of Longfellow's poem One of the biggest and short- you enjoy the sermon!" on "Follow Me." est sermons ever preached was *** Solo, "Were You There When that by Dean Swift on an occa- They Crucified My Lord ?" sion when a special appeal was Dramatization-"The Proces- being made for funds. The The Miser: sion of the Ages," covering wom- Bishop of London had been in- "Pity that poor old man whose en of Christ's day, saints of the vited to give the sermon of the golden store, middle ages, frontier women, occasion, but when he failed to If stacked, were high as foreign-speaking neighbors in appear, Dean Swift was called yonder minaret; America today, women of other upon. He mounted the pulpit Yea, pity him; he covets lands, women of the Church to- and said, "My text is, 'He that more and moreday, etc. (This is to be secured giveth to the poor lendeth to the His soul has never had a from Baptist state promotion Lord.' Those who believe in the birthday yet." offices, but could readily be im- security, down with the cash!" *** -From "The Window of provised as desired by those out- Y. W. A."
side the denomination.) "We can do more than we've The Secret of Power The suggestion is made that ever done, this meeting be held in the form And not feel a whit the The secret of Christianity is of a Spring Breakfast, asking worse; that you can have Power if you women to respond briefly to the Loving never emptied a heart, are willing to accept Jesus Christ topics of Love, Joy, Peace, Go- Nor did giving empty a as a Lord and yield the absolute ing, Coming, Getting, the last purse." allegiance to him. Do you think talk being on "Christ." Each *** St. Francis or Luther or Carey woman lights a candle in a "Once I knew a Baptist; or Wesley did what they did in seven-branched candlestick as He had a pious look, their own power? These men she finishes, the central candle He had been wholly im- were certain that they did not. representing Christ. mersed- And so were Moody and Philips Sayings on the Subject Except his pocketbook. Brooks. So in fact are all those of Giving He'd put a nickel on the plate who really produce abiding re- And then with might and sults. One and all, they say, "It Arrange the s e attractively main is God who worketh in us." And and let members of the circle He'd sing, 'When we asunder God will work in you if you de- read them. They may be in a part sire to have him.
basket, on flowers, or hidden in It gives us inward pain.' ROBERT W. SEARLE.
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BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, Nmv YORK, N. Y.
——-~·-.–I~ THE CITY AND OLD face the inevitable and do all in ting acquainted. The Indian our power to help in the adjust-" school and the missionaries could AMERICANS ments which must be made. help by letting city churches know where their people "go There is much discussion re- Although the majority of the garding "minority g r 0 ups." into town" to live; then be will- Who are they? A Mashpee Indian young men and women ing to go nine-tenths of the way. (American) ,Indian boy on Cape from the schools return to their The Indians are reserved and Cod was refused work recently home communities or take posibecause he was an alien. An fear they are not wanted. Give Oneida woman in Milwaukee tions in the government service them a place in the church and was asked how long it was since there are many who are seeking a share in its work. Do not treat her people came to this country. education, professional or busi- them as novelties. They make She answered, "several years"; ness training or work in the not wishing, she told me, to em- true and loyal friends and it is barrass those kind white ladies towns and cities near or far worth much effort to secure this by telling them who she really from the reservations. In some loyalty and friendship for our- s tat e s, Oklahoma especially, selves and our churches. was! many Indian families live in the "But how do they happen to As proof of what can be done towns which have grown up on we can look at the clubs of Inbe in the cities?" is a question their former reservations. They dian girls in City Y. W. C. A.'s. often asked. And the next one are at home and yet are pracis, "Are there any in my town?" The oldest club in the Oakland, For many years some of us have tically strangers in these new California, Association is the had countless opportunities of communities. Children are en- Four Winds Club. Reno, Neintroducing our friends to the tering into all phases of public aliens among whom they as a vada, has two clubs, the newest minority group have come to school life but few of them have one for the Indian girls in public find work and to live in the found their pIa c e in the school. The Los Angeles Club is strange new world which has churches. grown up on old camp grounds perhaps the oldest. It was where the deer and the buffalo Studies of various kinds and around 25 years ago that Cynare no more. Why do they come? in various cities have been made thia Big Tree was president. regarding their Indian citizens Years ago I asked Miss Julia Her husband posed for the Lathrop what we could do to and transient dwellers. The statue, "The End of the Trail," keep Indian young people from most complete is that made by but as he had short hair, Cynthia going to the cities. "Nothing," Mr. G. E. E. Lindquist, of the posed for the long braids. They she answered quickly, "Why Society for the Propagation of should they differ from any were beautiful as she presided at young people in feeling the lure the Gospel, of Oklahoma City, the club meetings. Syracuse, of the city?" This was even be- with the cooperation of the Min- New York, has the most eastern fore the movies were as wide- isterial Alliance, the Y. M. C. A., spread as they are now, with of these clubs, which are to be their pictures of the wealth and the Y. W. C. A., and the Indian found in many cities east, west, wonders of the city, and before Service Employment officers. It north and south. Then there drouth and dust bowls and grass- is impossible to give even a sum- are the cities in which the Inhoppers were driving all before mary of the report in this arthem. dian girls have become so much ticle, but it shows that other a part of the community and the Miss Lathrop did not mean cities should be studied in the Association that they join clubs that we should not make every same manner, and ways opened effort to keep Indian Youth from and classes with girls of all races the economic struggle to which by which the churches can serve and no longer feel happier in they were wholly unaccustomed, this group. It was found that segregating themselves. but she did mean that we must the majority of the Indians in Oklahoma City were members of This transition from segrega- the Mission churches at their tion to complete friendliness homes-the very missions prob- with all, is taking place in the ably to which these city churches public schools and should con- were contributing. tinue and increase. But most of What can be done about it? all it should be encouraged and First, look about you-a scien- fostered in our town and city tific study or just a friendly get- churches. There are few reser- [304 ]
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
vations left; the number of "full and an appeal from an American opposite a great school center. blood" Indians will continue to citizen brought action. Then, I Disquieting rumors of events godecrease. They are fellow citi- ing on in the school were conzens, fellow Christians with all found that the property was stantly brought to the men and our church people. Let us do owned by one of the large women of the community. Peoour part in making them feel ple spoke of the high school and that all are one in Christ. schools in the East-a Christian shook their heads. Some of the college which sounds a fine mes- leading officers of the church Prepared by Miss Edith M. Dabb, member sage of social reform; I found, sent their boys away to acadof the Committee on Indian Work of the too, that this was one of the emies. But what about poorer Home Missions Council and the Council of school's investments which had families who could not afford W'omen for Home Missions. never paid. There are other private schools? Had the' church any obligation for these chil- Making Your City God's City problems in connection with bet- dren? In our country with its ter housing. Recently elaborate separation of church and state, Did you ever think what housing programs in many cities has the church performed its your city would be like if it were have replaced slums with large full duty to the school by its God's City? Sunday services in the commu- spacious buildings, but have they nity? John, the Apostle, had such a ministered to the need of poor vision on a Sunday afternoon people, or made a little more God's city will be a city of long ago-a vision not alone of comfort for families of the mid- neighborliness. Many an urban his city but of all the world. dle class? Is Italy making more dweller of today might ask the "The kingdoms of this world are progress in housing than Amer- age-old question of the lawyerbecome the kingdoms of our "and who is my neighbor?" I Lord and of his Christ, and he ica? What must your city do to live in a community of 5,000 peoshall reign forever and forever." house its people in a way com- ple, housed in two blocks. After It was a distraught world that six months there, I am ac- John faced. His own city, mensurate with abundant liv- quainted with only two of the Ephesus, was rich and beautiful. ing? 5,000 people, and I have met It contained one of the greatest them in connections outside the libraries in the world and a uni- If your city is to be God's city, community. In earlier days oldversity which was a famed cen- it must have every provision to fashioned neighborliness solved ter of Greek culture. But John many relief and health problems. knew also of the distressing need make sick people well and to Are our substitutes today as efof its poor people, of the many keep well people from getting fectual? youth in that city who had no sick. What wonderful things opportunity for abundant life. God's city will be a city of Was he thinking of his city on philanthropists and doctors have that Sunday afternoon when in done for the poor of our genera- w 0 r s hip. We do not lack a vision he saw "The new Jeru- tion! What fine laws we have salem, coming down from God, to help maintain health! But churches in our cities.. If you out of heaven, made ready as a even yet the middle-class man bride adorned for her husband" ; who cannot lay claim to a free will look out of the window as and when he heard voices say- hospital bed must spend in a ing, "The tabernacle of God is few months of illness the earn- you ride along on the train, you with men, and he shall dwell ings of a lifetime-his security with them and they shall be his will be surprised how often on peoples"? Have you, a Chris- for old age. tian of today, any such vision of the skyline, the steeple or the your city becoming God's city? God's city must be a place of economic justice. First Avenue, tower of a church may be seen. In God's city abundant life must be possible for everyone. with its lines of miserable tene- Exquisite in architecture are Can that be true in the housing ments leans heavily against the the churches in our cities. But conditions of your city? "You beautiful modern buildings of what proportion of the people in can kill a man as easily with a the city attend those churches on house as with a pistol, only the Second Avenue. anyone Sunday? How far does process is longer and more pain- There are other forms· of jus- the influence of the Master reach ful," someone has said. A few outside the walls of those years ago, in calling among some tice in the city of God: political churches to the children playing Italian friends, I found them liv- justice, legal justice. Does your on the streets, to the brokening in a tenement the sanitary hearted or distraught cooped up condition of which was so un- city boast of these? What a in apartments near by? It is wholesome that it was affecting dream Israel had when the peo- not more churches or more beauthe health of all the families liv- ple believed that their God might tiful buildi~gs that we need, for ing there. Intensely disturbed be their king, and that their worship, but more of the spirit by the dreadful condition, I ap- prophet who guided their actions of the Christ. "And I, if I be pealed to the Board of Health, on earth might be God's repre- lifted up, will draw all men unto me." How can you make your sentative. Will we ever have city God's city? political justice until some of that conception comes to Amer- Prepared by Miss Alice W . .s. Brimson, ican cities? member of the Executive Committee of the If your city is to be God's city, Council of Women for Home Missions.
it will be a community where education is carried on in a way to lead young lives into rich, in- telligent social living. In a cer- tain city, a large church was just
r OUJM!n?:~~;sp';!~:cu5?t~~Ok
~~~J~.I~,===============–==E=D=IT=E=D=B=Y==M=R=S'=H==EN=R=I=ET=T=A=H=='_F=ER=G=U=S=ON_,_X==EN=I=A_,_O=H=IO==================~ AFRICA when the waiting room is full at an end by the Italian conquest, Medical Work in Morocco 7: 30 in the morning. a party of the workers were Conquest by Healing tells the "Each morning w hen the '. able to take up their quarters story of the beginnings of med- women have gathered we have a in Khartoum with a view to ical work for women and chil- short service of prayer, gospel starting fresh work in an entire- dren in Fez. In 1888, Miss teaching and hymn-singing. The ly new field on the Ethiopian women generally listen well; we border, in the Anglo-Egyptian Emma Herdman, of the North know that some of them come Sudan.
Africa Mission came to Fez to only to hear the teaching, and A considerable delay has oc- start work. There were no make the need of medicine an curred before any effective work roads, 0 n I y cam e I or mule excuse for coming. After this can be done, but now, after the little service we take about twen- necessary negotiations h a v e tracks; no inns or hotels. Trav- ty-five women into the dispen- been concluded, permission has elers were obliged to car r y sary and attend to their ail- been given by the Sudan Gov- ments. Teaching and hymn-sing- ernment for a station to be everything they required. Miss ing goes on in the waiting room opened in the Maban tribe, at a Herdman and her two compan- with those who are left behind place called Boin. The area ions had to consent to being accompanied by a Moorish soldier, till the first lot have passed out north of this is dominated by as a sign of authority for the by a second door. There are not Mohammedanism, and permis- great results to be seen from all sion has not been given to beundertaking. He was so old and this fifty years' work; but we gin work there. Permission is infirm that the ladies had to believe that the old Indian Mo- being sought to open a mission help him mount his horse, but hammedan was right when he for the K 0 mat rib e. The said, 'In the Day of Resurrec- Maban and Koma people have he served as notice to all they might meet that they were un- tion many Christians will arise much in common. They are pader protection of the government. from Moslem graves.' " gan, wholly uninfluenced by Mo- When they arrived in Fez, Unusual Methods hammedanism. they found that no one would The difficulties that have to be rent them a house, so they had to put up with a caravanserai. Here is the way one foreign overcome are the cost of maih- Later, the Sultan let it he known missionary in Africa obtains a taining a base so far from civithat anyone who wished to rent hearing for the Gospel message. lization, the hardships of travel, them a house had nothing to fear the home building problem and from the government. S 0 0 n The natives were timid, and not learning the unwritten lanafter that Miss Herdman and easily approached, so when mis- guages.-The Christian. her fellow workers opened a dis- sionaries trek softly through the pensary, which is still going on. For several years, two days were jungle to a cluster of huts there Uganda After Sixty Years given to men; now, there is only is usually a quick exodus of the Women's Dispensary. Miss S. M. Denison has this to say women and children in panic at Prebendary W. Wilson Cash, of the work: sight of a white face. Cupping Secretary of the Church Mis- sionary Society, closed an evan- "There are now s eve r a I his hands over his mouth the gelistic mission in Uganda with French Government Dispensa- missionary shouts after them; a sermon in the great Namirries and two Hospitals for na- "Have you heard the goo d embe Cathedral, with over 2,000 tives in the city, but this has news?" Fern i n i n e curiosity reverent Africans pre sen t. not lessened the numbers of causes them to halt cautiously, Looking down from the pulpit those who come to us. We still and the speaker adds, "About have from 800 to 1,000 patients God's Son?" This has often he saw, in review, the work of each month. There would be proved to be the beginning of a sixty years of the Uganda Mismore if we could manage to at- new group of believers.-Alli- sion. Here are some of his imtend to a greater number; each ance Weekly. pressions: day people are turned away New Field of Work (1) Every tribe in Uganda was represented at the service, When the promising work of tribes that for hundreds of years the Sudan Interior Mission in had been incessantly at war. Ethiopia was rudely brought to (2) All the people present [306 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
were free, men and women. man was referring to a solar great family, and cook their Forty chiefs had liberated every eclipse of a few years before. meals around the same fires. slave because they were fellow- This proved to be the case, and Often a patient comes with his Christians. he was greatly interested in the whole family, that he may have scientific explanation. The mis- company along the way. (3) Many in the congregation sionary then went on to say that had formerly been haunted by he had come to tell him of the At the larger hospitals are superstition, had tried to propi- true God, who made the sun, training schools for nurses, and tiate evil spirits by human sac- and the moon (which they call here the mission has an imporrifices; now they all worshiped the sun's wife); as well as the tant part to play. If a native God as revealed in Christ. stars, the world, trees and nurse has not been brought up rivers; the God who, in His under the influence of the mis- (4) This self-supporting and love, had given His Son for our sion and learned to know Jesus self-governing c h u r c h raises salvation. A young man who Christ, the chances are that he more than 9,000 pounds every had listened intently, said: "The will degenerate into a practitionyear for the maintenance and old men in this country would er, doing things not much differextension of its work. greatly rejoice if you would ex- ent from the old witch-doctors. plain this affair to them. It Christianity has indeed taken would be well for you to tell us -Congo Mission News. root in Uganda, and church about the true God." members are reaching out in all Greater Freedom in Angola directions to witness for Christ. Medicine in the Bush They have carried the Gospel His Excellency, the Governor not only to all parts of Uganda, Modern medicine in the Con- General of Angola, in reply to but members are serving as mis- go is being practiced along sev- an appeal by the missions for a sionaries in the Sudan, the Bel- eral lines. There are the hospi- ruling on the question of evangian Congo, the Pigmy Forest, tals in large centers, for the na- gelism, in which work they have in Ruanda and Urundi. Recent- tive as well as for the white been hindered by officials in ly, some men walked 300 miles population; the bush station certain parts of Angola, has sent to appeal for more missionaries. hospitals; the rural dispensa- the following communication: They were not thinking of white ries and the visits of doctors and men but of Africans as mission- sanitary agents in the villages. "Doubts have arisen as to aries for their fellow-Africans. whether foreign missionaries The large hospitals compare may do evangelistic work out- -C. M. S. Outlook. quite favorably with the average side of mission stations journey- hospital in Europe; and the ing through the native villages. When God Died rural dispensaries where native It is understood that as evangel- nurses are in charge might be ism is the way in which mis- R. V. Reynolds, a writer for compared with first-aid stations. sionaries propagate their reli- World Dominion, visited the The bush station hospital serves gion, they may, as many as are Marakwet tribe in Kenya, a as a sort of approach in reach- competent for such work, carry region which, so far as he knew, ing the native sick. These latter on such among natives in their had not previously been visited are usually in the charge of mis- settlements." by' any missionary. An old man sion doctors, and are carried on said to him: "I am very much as regular missionary w 0 r k; This permISSIOn does not puzzled over God's death." Al- and while the greater part of mea n that missionaries may most as much puzzled as the old the work is done for the natives, build, or own houses for evanman, Mr. Reynolds asked, "Did there is always a certain amount gelistic work in the villages. God really die?" "Oh, yes," was to be done for other mission- That would require special authe answer, "several seasons ago a r i e s, and occasionally for thorization. at the second hour of the day white traders. At these bush God became very ill and died." hospitals, the x-ray, special lab- -World Dominion Press. As he said this he indicated the oratory procedures, all the modtime by pointing where the sun ern mechanical appliances and Education of Women would be at eight o'clock in the sometimes even electric lights morning. He was then asked are in most cases things to be "Educate a man you educate whether God remained dead. desired, but not obtained. an individual, but educate a "No," said he, "after a while he woman and you educate a famgot better and came to life A bush hospital is a very ily." This axiom governs the again; but I am overcome to democratic p I ace. Here are Native Administration Commisknow about this affair. It is a gather.ed· people of many tribes sion in regard to the education bad thing when God dies; so and languages. Knowing that of women in South Africa. The many things go wrong. Locusts they may have to stay some time Commission urges a more thorcome, and famine." at the hospital, they bring with ough training of women teach- them things to work with, such ers, the establishment of more Remembering that this tribe as the making of mats, baskets, primary schools, the opening up has an undue reverence for the etc. They live together as one of secondary education to girls, sun, amounting almost to sun- the training of nurses and teachworship, it occurred to the mis- ers of domestic science; also, sionary that possibly the old the thorough teaching of domes- tic arts in all schools for girls.
However, the Commission turns tiniest village may have a place American missionary organizathe cold shoulder to the idea of of meeting. co-education, in spite of the suc- tions are at work there, the cess of the Church of Scotland Here is an extract from a let- largest single cultural and reli- School in Kikuyu. ter of one of Mr. Gale's con- gious investment being the Jeru- -South African Outlook. verts: salem Y. M. C. A.
The Malagasy Church "We think of the work of the The fact that the work in Gospel achieved here by our fa- Who Are the Alaouites? Madagascar continues to progress in spite of the fewness of ther. More than a hundred A sect of Islam, followers of European workers there indicates that the Malagasy have de- churches he has built in our Ali, are known as Alaouites. veloped considerably of late in the matter of self-control and land, and year by year each of They are illiterate, and under self-support. these churches beheld his face the bondage of powerful over- The 14th of August last was and heard ~rom his own lips the lords. From these people came the centenary of the death of Word of LIfe. W~er~ver. there . patients to the Kennedy Memo- Rasalama, the first Malagasy Christian martyr. The whole of was a human habItatIOn In the '> rial Hospital in Tripoli, and to the Malagasy Protestant Church remembered this great event in Marofotsy land.. even to the them went evangelists to follow the i r church history. About 40,000 people gathered on the smallest hut bUIlt of grass and up the contacts made in the hoss pot w her e Rasalama was speared to death, remembering leaves, the;re he stooped to.enter pital. Young women from the with gratitude her faith and all that it had meant to them; and that. he mIght lead our trIbe to Junior College tried for several at the same time proving that her death had not been in vain. ChrIst. He showed l?ve to the summers to raise the social level The task of the Malagasy most debased, and kIndness to of the women in a needy Alaou- Church is one of the first mag- those who ,oppose<l: the Gospel, ite village. Throughout the ennitude. A spirit of materialism and nationalism is affecting the that. he mIght brIng them to tire district colporteurs toured, life and outlook of the people, C~rIst. ~ar G,od se.nd us a man giving out portions of the Scripand additional w 0 r k e r s are WIth a spIrIt lIke ,hIS. M,ay the tures, and proclaiming Christ. greatly needed. work of redempb?n wh~ch he Pastors worked from two cen- be.gal!, be accomplIshed. I~ our ters, and later the British Syria Friends Service C.ounsel. trIbe. -World Domtnwn. Mission sent a nurse evangelist, Church Planting in WESTERN ASIA and a young convert from Islam. Madagascar Following all this seed-sowing, W. Kendall Gale after leading Hard Pressed Palestine the Presbyterian Mission has some of the Malagasy people, opened a new center in Massyaf, step by step, to a realization of Writing in the New York Sun a government center to which sin, and from that to a Saviour on "The Truth About Palestine," Alaouites come to transact their from sin, asks: "Would you like Mr. Phelps Adams says that business. Except for the family to have a church and learn more four opposing elements are in of the evangelist, not a single about God and this Jesus; to the unfortunate clash in the Christian lived in this town of know what is really sin that you Holy Land, One is the pressure 3,000. may not be wrong before Him, of 16,000,000 Jews seeking to and about the way of salvation make Palestine their national Within two months the evanand eternal life?" home; another, the 100,000,000 gelist had made amazingprog- Arabs who know that the coun- ress. He had gained the friend- An eager "Yes" is the usual try is too small to accommodate ship of the best people and of response, for these are strange all the oppressed Jews in the government officials. His wife things they have heard and they world today; the third, the had enlightened the women in wish to know more. Then out British Empire, which finds Pal- various phases of family welcomes a sheet of paper; every estine essential as a military fare. Already, there is marked name is taken down, with age base in the eastern Mediterra- improvement in behavior, cleanand name of village. French law nean and fourth, the expanding liness and a spirit of helpfulpermits worship in a hut, if ten Italian Empire. The situation ness. Here is pioneer evangeladult si2'natures are secured (or is complicated by the ambiguous ism that promises large returns. crosses in lieu of signatures). promises made to both Jews and Eighty signatures assures the -Syria News Quarterly. erection of a church, so that the Arabs. In return for Arab aid Christianity in Iran to the Allied cause, the British promised to recognize Arab in- Rev. H. H. Riggs, accompa- dependence; while to the Jews nied by representatives of the they promised to establish for Near East Christian Council, them a national home in Pales- the British and Foreign Bible tine. Thus the final fate of Pal- Society, World's Sunday School estine depends upon reconciling Association and some other or- these two promises, or the vic- ganizations, made a visit to the tory of one of these four oppos- missions of Iran, and has record- ing forces. ed some of their impressions.
About 10,000 Americans are First in importance was the living in Palestine, of whom unity of s p i r it noticeable 9,000 are American Jews. Eight throughout the country between
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the missionaries and members There is ready sale for the Bible, good. Women from the four of the local c h u r-c he s; also and small groups of people are corners of India came to the among the different elements of meeting regularly to study it in latest session in Nagpur. The the Iranian Churches. An evi- many places. resolutions dealt with primary dence of this unity was seen in The Bishop of Iran gives a education, the main emphasis a communion service attended typical incident. being for free and compulsory by the group. The five elders "About two years ago nine education throughout the land, were an Assyrian, a Kurd, an people came to an important and that these primary schools American, an Armenian and a town and were accepted by the be open to both boys and girls Hebrew Christian. The same church council the r e as in- of every caste and religion. Res- spirit was seen in many of the quirers. Last autumn a colpor- olutions on soc i a I questions churches visited. In some of teur visited the place, to find formed another large group.
these the majority of the mem- about twenty men who all con- Subjects dealt wit h included bers of the church are converts fessed .to their faith in Christ. rural uplift, condition of women from non-Christian religions of They said that no one had been in jails, prohibition, d rug s, Iran, but in perfect fellowship out to visit them, and that they cruelty to animals, equal rights with them are others whose an- had not been able to get teach- for women, age of marriage and cestors have for centuries been ing; and so they had decided to many other things.
Christians. While in some places appoint one of themselves as a The conference stands square- differences of language have led leader, and to obtain a sp€cial ly for prohibition and for peace.
to separate churches, act u a I place, to which they could in- Here is a message from Nagpur union in some others and the co- vite new inquirers." for American women: "We are operation of all these different The newspaper Iran reports a convinced that increasing armaelements everywhere, are proof great advance in adult educa- ments of warfare by land, sea of the strength of the Christian tion. In June last there were and air, and the harnessing of movement in Iran. 1,597 classes and an enrolment the knowledge of science for the Another striking fact in the of 93,371. The Institute of purpose of destruction are not Preaching and Public Speaking going to bring peace to a strickchurch situation in Iran is an received 4'00 students. Primary en world. We feel that it is element of both strength and school enrolment also increased through the weapons of love weakness. Relatively few of the by 15,255, and that of middle alone that a new order can be churches have full-time ordained schools by 3,271. Teheran Uni- ushered in. Standing on the ministers; but the leadership of versity enrolled 1,549 students, the Church is nevertheless Iran- of whom 86 were girls. Boy threshold of another year we ian as to administration, and Scouts are popular and number dedicate ourselves to non-viomuch of the preaching is being 18,354. lence in thought, word and deed, and appeal to women throughout done by laymen who feel that the world to join hands with us, the responsibility rests upon INDIA, BURMA, SIAM for we are confident that this them. doctrine alone can quell the de- sire for possession, can save the The visitors were also im- All-India Women's Conference nations from racial jealousies pressed by the fact that while and communal strife, and pro- Thirteen years ago the Di- tect humanity from oppression some converts had been cast off rector of Public Instruction in and exploitation." by family and friends, for others Bengal called on the women of the acceptance of Christianity India to "tell us with one voice -World Call. had not necessitated a break of what they want, and keep on family ties; and few seemed to telling it until they get it." This Woman's Place question the right of any indi- challenge led to the formation of the All-India Women's Con- Woman's place is not in the vidual to choose the religion he ference, which has from its be- home in rural India; it is in the thought to be the true one.
Inquiring. Minds in Iran ginning concerned itself with field, to supplement the family education and social reform. income. In the rainy season Better roads, more rap i d Political activity is taboo. The when field work is impossible, transit, increasing number of Conference has been laughed at she has her only chance to break schools, a wider outlook through and called futile, but has accom- the monotony of her life by gosnewspapers and new freedom plished a great deal. No one can siping with her neighbors. "Cotfor women, all are having their estimate how much it has helped tag~ Industries" seemed to be influence in opening the minds to shape public opinion. the answer. A special fund proof Iranian villagers. With these There are now 118 branches vided by three rural missions changes has come a spirit of in- scattered over India. The an- paid for the training of a teachquiry, followed by a readiness nual meetings of these branches er and she in turn taught three to listen to the Gospel. Public have d eve lop e d leadership g i r I s what she herself had preaching is not permitted ex- among women, trained them in learned. Two of them, with a cept in the few villages where public speaking and in service. Bible woman, went to a near-by there is a church, but Iranian Women of all religions plan and village to teach the women some Christians may teach their faith. work together for the common simple crafts, while the third
stayed at home to teach her the depressed classes, and social that one of its number has been neighbors. At the end of the six reforms on many other lines. appointed as Chairman. He has weeks' experiment a number of long been recognized as an able women not only had tangible re- The thought of educated peo- and responsible statesman. His sults of their efforts in handi- ple is arrested, and centers for wife has also been honored by work, but passed a creditable the cultivation of deeper spir- being chosen President of the examination on the Gospel of ituality are multiplying. There All-India Christian Association. Mark, which had been taught are multitudes of followers who them as they sat weaving. The are reading the Bible and other -The Indian Witness. whole project turned out to be a Christian literature who do not "seven days wonder" to the com- call themselves Christian, but Industrial Project at Cossipors munity. who are influenced by His life and teaching. The India Industrial Mission -Presbyterian Board News. Beautiful churches, 0 f ten at Cossipors, which is training Century's Work for Girls somewhat adapted to Indian ar- chitecture, are r i sin g every- ~elf-supporting evangelists, has An ancient Ahmednagar prov- where. Many congregations are erb said: "A woman's wisdom seated on the floor in Indian sent out a traveling workshop should not extend beyond the style, and use Indian music and oven"; and an Indian gentleman Indian forms. Christian gather- wit h f 0 u r trained mechanic was heard to remark: "To teach ings are notable for order, cleana donkey is just as possible as to liness and attractiveness of ap- preachers. It undertakes to reteach a woman." The refuta- parel, especially notable among tion of this idea can be seen in the women. Many village wom- pair metal work, overhaul mathe 76 girls who have just en come to meetings with bright passed their examination at colored or clean white saris. The chinery, do general repairs in Ahmednagar Girls' High School, men and boys show commendaas well as in the happy homes ble care in their appearance and the line of cement, wood and presided over by girls trained in clothing. Followers of 0 the r India's Christian schools. The faiths, attracted by such gath- paint work. This is done during secret lies in the fact that conse- erings, are increasingly attencrated educators have passed on tive, respectful and approacha- the day. Evenings and Sundays to the women of India the story ble, undoubtedly impressed by of Christ's redeeming love, dur- the influence Christianity' is are devoted to evangelism. ing this School's hundred years' having upon the masses, and history in training several thou- seeking to know the reasons for A second-hand Ford van and sand Indian girls. it. The cumulative effect of a century or more of intensive trailer were fitted up with living -Dnyanodaya. evangelization is manifest to ob- servers who are able to look be- accommodations, tools and weld- Christianity's Growing low the surface. Influence ing p I ant. The preacher-me- Two Reforms Undertaken "One cannot travel widely chanics work on various repairs throughout India and Burma in The United Provinces Govthese days without being im- ernment is undertaking two spe- along the way, in order that pressed by the enormous sweep cial reforms w h i c h have the of Christianity in one way or support of all the better ele- they may be entirely self-sup· an 0 the r," says a Methodist ments of the country. A prohi- Board Secretary, who recently bition program is being worked porting. Excellent results are made a visit there. He found out, and is in the experimental strong, well-equipped central stage in a number of districts. reported. -So S. Times. churches, colleges, high schools, It should be noted that the liquor middle and primary schools, evil has not yet gained the hold Sangli Movable School theological and other training on the general population that it schools, hospitals, dispensaries, has in occidental countries. Having seen the Booker T. asylums for the treatment of Was hi n g ton "Agricultural leprosy and tuberculosis, centers The other proposed reform is School on Wheels" actually at for the reclamation of criminal the abolition of bribery among work in a small village, Dr. J. L. tribes. Christianity has been government officials. This vice the leading force in rural and has a very deep hold, and little Goheen was moved to secure a agricultural experimentation, in or no effort has heretofore been similar one for the Sangli In· village reconstruction, in special made either to create public dustrial and Agricultural School forms of work for women and sentiment against it or to pass with which he is connected; and children, in the production of laws to eradicate it. An Anti- this hope was realized in 1931. literature, in the attack on illit- Corruption Committee is to be It is not an exact duplicate of eracy, the relief and uplift of appointed, and the Christian Washington's School, but in the community rejoices in the fact main, the idea is the same. It has been fitted up so as to be of special use in the way of prac- tical teaching and demonstra· tion to the people of village In· dia, through the use of charts, posters and pictures on all kinds of subjects pertaining to village life. It carries samples of seeds of improved and tested varieties of field and garden crops and specimens of potatoes and sweet potatoes, groundnuts, wool, cot- ton, etc. There are books on ag- ricultural and similar subjects in Marathi and English as a ref· erence library, and there are simple and useful books on many subjects for sale. There is a medicine chest with much need·
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ed remedies, a gramophone and limit the number admitted. The us. What our inherent powers a magic lantern and cinema total enrolment of the entire of endurance, philosophy and paprojector with small special elec- School was 328 at the close of tience have enabled us to do in tric generating unit. last year. Most of the appro- the past they will fortify us to priations from the Board went do in the present, as well as in The school will stop from 30 into scholarships for children the future." to 45 days in any given place, from out-villages, and sixty boys this depending on the size of the and girls w ere helped, who The Church and War Relief place and interest shown. otherwise would not have been able to attend school. Even with The National Christian Coun- -Indian Witness. this help, parents are required cil, representing sixteen Protes- to pay something toward the ex- tant denominations in China, has Medical Outposts penses. The chief problem is to been ever since the recent Sino- secure sufficient funds to main- Japan war began, a clearing- On the northwestern frontier, tain the kind of school that can house for information both in five hospitals guard as many successfully compete with the securing news from almost all mountain passes, and receive pa- government schools. parts of China and in forwardtients from countries which, for ing news. It has constantly rethe most part, do not acknowl- -Siam Outlook. ceived detailed information reedge Christ and where Chris- garding conditions in the war tianity may not be preached. CHINA area, such as has not come to any Most of these patients, if they other agency in China. It has embraced Christianity, would Spiritual Mobilization sifted this material and prepared meet death upon their return. for publication in the foreign Slowly but surely, medical treat- In an address made on March daily press in China as well as ment and the kind atmosphere 15, Madame Chiang Kai-shek in a considerable number of Chiof a Christian hospital are work- said spiritual mobilization is of nese church papers. ing changes. Suspicion is giv- the most vital consequence to ing way to friendliness, sullen- China, and announced a move- In addition to its work of pubness to smiles, until the patients ment to stimulate public interest lication, it has conducted a leave with a new outlook on life. and active participation in three weekly broadcast both in Eng- Sometimes patients are entirely major national requirements: lish and in Chinese since Sepchanged even in a week, and for the practical application of the tember 5, to support the morale such results these frontier mis- tenets of the New Life Move- of the Christian Church. When sion medical centers are worth ment; the continuance of reso- news of indiscriminate aeroplane while. lute and unfaltering resistance bombing b e cam e generally against the Japanese invaders, known, there was panic in many Chiengrai Christian School and the planning of realistic church centers, and these broad- measures for reconstruction and casts helped many Christian Definite progress has bee n rehabilitation in the vast areas groups to stay at their posts, made in improving the standing that have been deliberately laid especially when associated with of this School during the past waste by the Japanese. hospital and refugee work. year. The English and Bible departments have had the help of Here are a few extracts from Perhaps the one Christian ora teacher who spent five years her address: ganization in China with the in the Philippines preparing for greatest difficulties to face is the such leadership. It is difficult to "Our barbaric enemies have Y. M. C. A. This is because of include much religious teaching boasted that they intend to beat the hatred of the Japanese army during regular school hours, be- us to our knees and break our toward Chinese students. All cause of strict rules laid down spirit. We shall show these the big patriotic movements and by the government, but in the enemies, as we shall show our disturbances in China have been boarding department and the friends, that in the blood of our initiated by students. A large Christian Endeavor Soc i e t y fellow men and the ashes of our number of schools and universimuch of such teaching is worked burned homes has flowered a ties in the occupied areas have in. All the teachers are active new national spirit. suffered damage or complete dein the religious work of the com- struction, and several of the munity, and many of them help "We shall show them that the leading institutions have moved in the out-village churches on new China that was in the mak- far into the interior. Sunday. The School furnished ing, before war was invoked to the superintendent and several destroy it, is still marching on- Southern Methodists Lose teachers in the Sunday School, wiser, more patriotic, and un- Heavily officers of the King's Daughters a!raid. We Chinese, .in our long and Christian Endeavor leaders. hIstory, have survived great nat- Before the outbreak of hostili- Thus, the School might be called ural and political calamities; we ties last August, the Southern the backbone of the church in have triumphed over prolonged Methodist Episcopal Mis s ion Chiengrai. adversity, and we have carried maintained 60 churches, over 30 our culture and civilization and chapels, three large hospitals, There is also a kindergarten, our nat ion a I entity safely one un i ve r sit y, ten middle which has become so popular through the ages, no matter that it was found necessary to what nations rose or fell about
schools and more than 30 pri- that last year in two places the looked about for ways to cause mary schools in the populous Band left behind groups of from his houses and lands to be con- Shanghai – Nanking – Hangchow thirty to forty inquirers, and fiscated on the ground that he area. Today, as a result of Ja- this year in another place a had no legal right to them since pan's invasion, all but one of the group of some twenty-five. Of he became a Christian. A few churches, all but two of the edu- these a few already have been of the leading Buddhists in the cational institutions, and all baptized. Foster states that he country went so far as to say three hospitals, which had taken is particularly impressed by the that they would rather a whole 89 years, considerable sums of extensiveness and thoroughness village became Christian than money, and the enthusiasm of a of the Band's house-to-house vis- that one of his rank should re- large number of American mis- itation. Their presence has been nounce the faith of his father. sionaries and Chinese to build an inspiration. Still, this intelligent and cul- -The King's Business. tured young man with two years up, have been either completely destroyed or partially damaged Outlook in Tibet '>of Christian experience tells his by shell-fire and aerial bombs. fellow Christians that when he Material losses alone, accord- In spite of a relatively slow was suffering the intrigues and ing to a conservative estimate, rate of progress and many dis- persecution of his erstwhile relareach the figure of over $300,- appointments, the Superintend- tions and friends, his greatest 000. All enterprises, religious, ent of the Moravian Mission in support were the words of the medical and educational, under- Tibet reports that the outlook is text he had chosen: "Rej oice taken by the American Southern bright, and work among the in the Lord alway: and again I Methodists in this region are at Tibetans exceedingly w 0 r t h say rejoice." present at a standstill. It will while. One most encouraging -Moravian Missions.
take several decades to restore feature is the sense of responsithe losses sustained. JAPAN-CHOSEN bility that has developed in the organized churches, with their Thirteen Commandments "Spreading Light Mountain" ordained native ministers, evan- Japanese leaders, threatened The Biola Evangelistic Bands gelists and elders. by fascism and distressed by the are groups of from six to ten Tibetan evangelists are mani- continuance of the war which was expected to speedily reach a men, trained at Hunan Bible In- festing greater readiness for victorious end, have formed a stitute (which is the China self-sacrifice. Two have recently "Central Federation of General branch of Los Angeles Bible In- Spiritual Mobilization," and this stitute). Many have questioned left their homes to serve in has promulgated the following lonely places; one to open up thirteen "commandments": whether these bands are still at new work and the other to take work during the present strug- charge of a difficult field when 1. Every morning give prayers to gle. Dr. Frank A. Keller, of the missionary goes home on the Imperial Grand Shrine and pray Changsha, writes that five of for the safety of the Imperial Family. furlough. Another wishes to these bands are now at work in learn rock carving, so that he 2. Hoist the National Flag properly peace and safety. Small self- may carve wayside pulpits. At on holidays. supporting churches are being Leh, all the Christians from var- 3. Worship the deities and endeavor formed in districts where the ious stations assembled to con- for the harmony of the family. Gospel was unknown previously. fess their shortcomings, and to Band number 4 began work in pray for renewed spiritual life. 4. Live on a budget, pay cash, save October from Liu Kuang Ling regularly, and buy National bonds. -The Indian Witness. 5. Wear simple clothes and avoid foreign-style hair-dressing. as a center, the name meaning Tibetan's Maiden Sermon 6. Observe wedding, funeral and "Spreading Light Mountain"- a prophetic name, for in eleven Not long ago a member of one other home affair!! simply but sol- emnly. weeks the Gospel story was told of the oldest and most aristo- 7. Reform the mad custom of late to bed and late to rise. in 4,265 homes where it had cratic families in Western Tibet 8. Economize on metal, wool, cotton, never been heard before. Fifty conducted the Sunday service in inquirers came to a definite de- the small church at Leh, Ladak. paper and fuel and utilize wasted and His text, "Rejoice in the Lord other buried things. cision; two sorcerers were con- 9. Endeavor to prevent fire and prepare for air raids. verted and two homes were alway; and again I say rejoice," cleared of idols. Before the seemed paradoxical for most of 10. Rear the children to be strong band left, a little self-supportng his experiences were of the sort in mind and body. to make o.ne weep rather than church was established. A well- 11. Have bodily exercise every day to train the mind and body.
to-do convert is supplying a rej oice. Two years ago he be- 12. Economize in drinking sake. 13. Be friendly to neighbors and room for the services. came a Christian and his Bud- help one another. Reports from other bands are dhist relatives contrived to equally gratifying. Their work involve him in a charge of em- This may be regarded as pav- is appreciated by missionaries, bezzling state funds. The fact ing the way for making the sacas well as by the Chinese. Rev. that he was acquitted only served rifices the government expects J. N. Foster, the superintendent to make them more determined to demand. -Christian Advocate. of the Yiyang Circuit, reports to bring about his ruin, so they
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Urged to Keep Silent a building that will head up the work satisfactorily become A Japanese writes to Amer- Christian Endeavor, Y. M. C. A. voluntary leaders in the local ican friends: and Junior Boys' work, and also village churches from which serve a-s office space for mission- they come. Under the auspices "I would urge you to use the aries and nationals in the vari- of one Mission alone-the Amerutmost caution as regards what ous other activities of the ican Presbyterian – nine such you say or do concerning this Church. It will be operated schools are held each year. One crisis. At this juncture Japan under the management of the for girls reached its high water is taking action at the peril of Bible Institute, so there will be mark last year, with an attend- her future destiny, according to no competition and fullest coop- ance of 67 for the five weeks'
whether she succeeds or fails. eration, especially in educational work. It is not surprising that As a matter of course, the whole facilities. in numbers and spiritual force nation is aroused. Without this the Korean Church is one of the feeling of intensity Japan could Education in Korea strongest.
not fight the war, though our The Evangelistic Farmers' AUSTRALIA AND government does not declare it School at Masan, Korea, has THE ISLANDS a war. The whole of Japan is bought ten acres of very rich soil now resorting to a procedure for experimental farming; the New Field Opening unanimously supported by our income is to be applied to the people, and not a single soul is maintenance of the S c h 0 0 1. The decision of an Australian suffered to protest. If anyone Buildings to be erected will be of you feel inclined to protest according to Korean rural style. firm to search for oil in Papua against this course there may be no other way than for you to re- Since there are more than ten has made possible a considerable main silent. At any rate, I do churches in this vicinity, the stuheartily request you to remain dents will have opportunity to do extension of the work of the completely silent. religious educational work. The Unevangelized Fields Mission "On the other hand, if you ob- School will also send out wellject to this course, you may ex- trained farmers whose influence there. This company will shortly press your attitude on the will do much to improve farm ground that you are a foreigner, send out a large number of men but please bear in mind that life. such liberty of speech, if exer- The only Christian college for to prospect, and their equipment cised by you, will not be acceptable nor will it be recognized in women in all Korea is Ewha Col- will include six large launches; this country. Still I hope that lege. At present, it fairly brisnothing unhappy will come and where prospectors go, the about between you and our peo- tles with great ambitions from ple. It is our urgent prayer that within and great expectations missionaries can go. Hitherto in our relations to each other we may get along smoothly and with from without. Graduates are they have been greatly hindered the utmost friendliness, without expected to enter the field of any ill will and with no mis- church and community service because of poor means of transunderstanding until the present trouble is ended." or rural welfare. This calls for port – small and dangerous an extension center for commu- -Bulletin of English Meth- nity work; also, a course in canoes. -Life of Faith. odist Mission, Canton. nursing and public health. Em- C. E. Convention in Melbourne phasis must be placed more upon the Christian nature of the The first Christian Endeavor School, since the secular and hos- Society in Australia was founded tile forces continually multiply. in 1888, resulting directly from a Christian Endeavor Constitu- -Korea Mission Field. tion which a sailor from New- buryport, Mass., had carried in his pocket. In 1893, the United Society of C. E. was formed in Australia, and a year later a World C. E. Union. In 1894, Coordinated Effort Korea Sets Example Australian Christian Endeav- orers had launched their mis- A missionary in Taiku, Korea, In the creation of its Bible sionary program in a most pracwrites that one of the most hope- Schools, the Manchurian Church tical form, when a society was ful projects of the past year has has followed the example of organized among the Aborigines been the effort to consolidate the Korea, a Church which in pro- at LePerouse, New South Wales.
Christian activities of that city, portion to its size is the most This being Australia's na- especially among the young peo- vigorous in the Orient. For tional jubilee year, dating from ple. A man with both univer- years the Korean Church has the first settlement of this com- sity and seminary training was made it a practice to send work- monwealth, it is fitting that the secured to organize this work, ers to its annual schools for spe- fiftieth birthday of Australian and permission was secured cial training. Usually, these C. E. should be observed by en- from the Board to use the Bible schools last six weeks,and stu- tertaining the tenth World Institute compound as a center dents are expected to attend Christian Convention. This is from which to work. Earnest them for two or three years in to be held in Melbourne, August efforts are being made to erect succession. Those who complete 2-8 of this year.
New Hebrides Mission LATIN AMERICA Negro Missionaries to Indians The New Hebridean of today Evangelizing the Firemen Negro missionaries are workis a different person from his forefathers, who murdered the Doors do not open easily for ing among the aboriginal Inpioneer missionaries, John Wil- the Gospel in Mexico, but Mr. F. dians of Central America, the liams and James Harris in 1839. J. Huegel writes of one that Valiente tribes, who live in the His environment and manner of forests of Panama. There are living have altered, largely opened in Mexico City when he about 10,000 of these, and their through outside forces; some became acquainted with the fire mode of living is hardly changed have been for the better, but chief, with four stations and 250 sin c e Christopher Columbus others have been disastrous. landed on their coast in 150l. Depopulation has gone on stead- men under his charge. He is Mr. E. S. Alphonse is a Methily, until no longer do crowds eager for his men to have the odist pioneer among these peoline the beaches when a vessel ,.ple. When he first went there arrives. But amid changing con- Gospel. In all four of these sta- twenty-one years ago, the Inditions, the upbuilding of Chris- tions systematic Bible study has tian character goes on. The begun. Says Mr. Huegel: missionary has a two-fold task; first, to bring Christ into the "One afternoon in the hall at dians called him a crow, because hearts; and second, to stand as Santa Julia just as I came to the of his black skin, and were suspithe natives' friend against harm- close of the message and was cious of him. Now there is a ful outside influences. If it were about to make a call for the men Christian community of 500, and not for these influences it would to accept Christ as their Saviour, a number of Christian schools. be possible for native Christian the fire alarm rang. You can Mr. Alphonse was the first to leaders to hold their people in the imagine my feelings, for nat- study their language and reduce Way of Life. These natives very urally every man leaped for his it to writing. A grammar, sevquickly learn foreign ways- boots and helmet and before I eral books of the Bible, a hymn whether they be right or wrong. could catch my breath, was gone. book and a catechism have been They had gone to put out a fire produced in the Valiente tongue. -United Church Record. and I had come to kindle one. -The Life of Faith. Filipinos Seek Union "Some 200 Testaments have Last February Philippine been given out and the eagerness Opening Doors Christians made another significant advance on the road of co- of the men for study promises a In Colombia, a number of facoperation and union by forming tors are contributing to wider the Philippine Federation of harvest of souls for the Kingdom opening doors than ever before Evangelical Churches. This is the third in a series of three or- of God." -World Call. ganizations set up since 1901 to guide the Christian movement in Santo Domingo on the Air to the entrance of the Gospel. the way of unity and peace. The Improved methods of transporfirst was the Evangelical Union. It grew into the National Chris- For two and a half years the tation, especially the building of tian Council organized in 1929. Now the federation marks a still Evangelical Church of the Do- highways, are making many new further growth and the pros- minican Republic has been regions accessible. Fanaticism pects of comparatively early preaching the Gospel over the is gradually giving way, even in organic union of all major denominations are hopeful. air. In all this time, except for the isolated areas; and the new The object of the federation is two nights when the government constitution adopted in 1936 as- "to unite various Christian bodies and agencies in the Philip- shut off all the radios in Tru- sures liberty of conscience in the pines for the twofold purpose of securing comity, cooperation and jillo City, the capital, the weekly matter of religion. Two selfeffectiveness in their operation, and searching out possible bases program has gone on. From supporting and self-governing for organic union with the view to bringing the churches to such Venezuela, Colombia, Central churches were organized last union in due time." America, Cuba, Porto Rico, even year in the state of Tolima. -Christian Century. from the United States and as Missionaries and national far away as Maine, have come workers are constantly meeting requests for special hymns. new problems. There is a greatly Worship groups meet in the awakened interest in education homes, and follow that broad- on the part of the people in gen- cast; one group in Venezuela eral; parents are pathetically writes that this broadcast is the eager for their children to have only worship service they have. the opportunities which they did A group of Cuban Christians not have. Parent-teacher meet- who lost their church building in ings, enlarged libraries, im- a hurricane meet for this serv- proved equipment of schools and ice, and a restaurant proprietor philanthropic projects sponsor~d in Porto Rico sent a small con- by students all indicate a pro- tribution from his patrons who gressive trend.
listen to the restaurant radio. Two new buses added to mis- He is confident that there has sion equipment will greatly aid been at least one definite decision in evangelistic work, and the for Christ as a result of the pro- Spanish publication Evangelista gram. Colombiano will bring the Gos-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
pel to many living in isolated "To study the possibilities of the simpler and more efficient the areas. The bookstore has in- foundation of a daily newspaper and working of the Federation. creased its stock, and doubled its a press association; These plans for a greater meascirculation. ure of cooperation have yet to be "To prepare a worship manual; approved by the churches con- -Colombian Clippings. "To promote a revised translation of cerned. When this approval has the Bible; been given the Federation will Indian Ohurch in Peru "To study social problems in the enter on a new era of usefulness light of the Gospel, and to the whole evangelical cause in Such a work has been estab- "To disseminate information con- Brazil. lished among the Indians of cerning the work done by the intersouthern Peru, after seven years national movements. -World D.ominion Press. of progressive evangelism. In 1931, these people had never MIGUEL RIZZO, JR." NORTH AMERIOA heard the Gospel message; today, there are 500 Christians in Gospel Boat on Amazon A Return to Ohrist? twelve communities, eight of which are properly organized Medical relief w 0 r k has An Episcopal Bishop of Chichurches, with their own leaders, proved to be a valuable entering cago sees, in the recent unpreceelders and deacons, conducted wedge for the Gospel message in dented church attendance during quite independently by the na- Brazil. A Seventh Day Advent- Lent, a return to religion to face tionals. In spite of the fact that ist missionary writes: the challenge of the present day. 95 per cent of the people are Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyteilliterate, the converts have "During the flood season the rian, Baptist and other churches manifested a steady spiritual Amazon and its tributaries rise are also reported to have had growth. This the missionaries about fifty feet above normal, larger congregations than in attribute to three factors: the and when these waters subside many years, with a marked deepvital prayer life of the churches; each year, there is an epidemic ening of reverence and earnestthe persecution through which, of fever. This year the govern- ness. as individuals and as communi- ment furnished us with $1,000 ties, they have had to pass; and worth of medicine, and in a five- Said the Chicago Bishop: the very high standard of con- month period we were able to duct, supported by strict disci- treat 5,800 sufferers. We have It looks as if the great religious pline, which prevails in the an electric light plant on our awakening for which the Christian churches.-Life of Faith. boat and every night we hold Church has been praying to meet the services somewhere along the spread of paganism and the defeat of The Ohristian Task in Brazil river. The light attracts the na- worldliness, is at hand. Worshipers tives for miles around. In one are revealing a new earnestness, a The Evangelical Congress of village where we were stoned new devotion to their faith which Brazil which met in Sao Paulo in six years ago we this year bap- comes only from a sense of frustra- December, 1936, was composed tized twenty-five people. tion and helplessness. It has often of official commissions from six been that man's extremity is God's different denominations. The "These Christians along the opportunity. declarations of the Congress are river believe in the 'Win One' proof of the attitude of the movement. Three of our boys I believe the hour has struck. This churches toward the ideal of co- go out each Friday night to a Lenten season should bring joy to the operation am 0 n g Christians. neighboring village where they hearts of all true Christians every- Here they are: "The situations have organized a Sabbath school, where, because God is again being enof the Brazilian Protestants, di- and the latest report received throned in human hearts. vided in various churches, is a from them tells of thirty-nine problem to be solved. It is neces- members being present." -Living Church. sary to make an effort in favor of the union of the churches Evangelical Federation Why Honor Ingersoll? through an ample formula Progress which respects principles and In March, 1937, a resolution established practices. The Con- The Evangelical Federation of was introduced in the House of gress committed to the Federa- Brazil has drawn up a modus Representatives proposing the tion the following tasks: vivendi for the churches and erection in Washington, D. C., of missions which are affiliated a monument in memory of Rob- "To investigate what is the religious with it. This has been prepared ert G. Ingersoll, the famous insituation of the zones occupied by the by a special committee in order fidel lecturer. The First Baptist churches; to solve problems arising from Church of Paso Robles, Cali- over-occupation of some fields, fornia, protests to the Govern- "To organize a general plan of evan- to ensure the adequate occupa- ment that since the plan is gelization; and to organize the pro- tion of regions not yet reached, sponsored by an atheist organigrams for teaching religion in the and to eliminate friction in inter- zation, and that organization has public schools; denominational relations. At alleged affiliations with the In- the same time, certain Articles ternational Freethought Union "To promote the Qrganization of the of the Constitution of the Evan- of Europe, and that the monuyoung people; gelical Federation of Brazil have ment is proposed as a "recogni- tion of Robert G. Ingersoll's been modified so as to make most noteworthy contribution to the emancipation of mankind
from religious superstition," A New York Church "The colony will be a place where more than 1,000 homes, they are unalterably opposed to "Resolves" built in the Moorish style of architecture, will be set up in the any legislation of that character. Christ Church, New York, very near future. Land in the Further reasons for their objec- Dr. R. W. Sockman, pastor, is Gardens Heights section has altion are expressed in these discussing world topics at the ready been purchased with mid-week services; and the con- funds representing contributions words: sensus of opinion is gathered to- to the Moorish Science Temple gether in a set of resolutions. of America, and construction on "That we recognize the impor- Sometimes these are transmitted some of the houses was begun tance of Christian faith and to the groups concerned. Some about a month ago. We feel that practice in regard to the safety of the topics already discussed the colony we are anticipating and well-being of democracy. are the religious situation in ,will provide better housing con- That we believe the enemies of Mexico; the boycott of Japanese ditions for the persons in this .Christianity seek to express goods, and more recently the De- country of Moorish descent, and their contempt for God, the pressed Classes in India. The will permit them to practice the Bible and our Christ by the erec- resolutions adopted in this in- customs and religious tenets of tion of· this glorification of Rob- stance were: Morocco. It will establish a defiert G. Ingersoll. That it is our nite religious center for us." opinion that this would encour- WHEREAS, The outcaste millions of age the youth of our land in India for centuries have been disfran- New Church for Hoopa Indians atheism, materialism, radical- chised by the Hindu religion of their ism and revolt against God and rightful position as "sons of God and The Hoopa Indian Reservation established government." in California has a population of approximately 2,000; 1,100 of -Christianity Today. joint heirs with Christ"; and these are children between the WHEREAS, 3,000,000 or more of the ages of 6 and 18. About 3,000 acres are under cultivation, but Religious Education Council outcaste people have responded to the the average per capita income of Gospel as presented by Christian mis- these Indians is only about $120 The 20th Session of the Inter- sionaries and have accepted the Chris- a year. national Council of Religious tian faith; and Education is to assemble in In the Hoopa Presbyterian Columbus, Ohio, June 28-July 3. WHEREAS, Christianity has brought Church there are 83 members, The theme for this convention is to these hope instead of despair, free- with 115 in the Sunday School. "The Christian Challenge to the dom instead of endless slavery, knowl- There are two outstations, the edge in place of ignorance, self-respect most promising of which is instead of self-degradation; and Weitchpec, where the interest has been growing steadily, espe- WHEREAS, Leaders of the outcaste cially during the past two years. A fine constituency has been de- Modern World," and eight out- classes seeing these changes have veloped and upwards of forty . urged their 60,000,000 fellow outcastes church members are enrolled. comes are hoped for as a result to abandon Hinduism and seek a new They are ready to effect a forof the deliberations: religion; and mal church organization. Mrs. Nellie Masten, a devoted Chris- 1. An improved a t m 0 s p her e WHEREAS, It is our belief that such tian Indian, has deeded the Board a site for a church, and throughout North America in which a reconstruction of the social order money is available to put up the building. The Indians will take to carry out a steady and continuous can only be carried through on the care of practically all the labor involved. program of Christian education. lines of Christ's teachings and that any other possibilities seem to be di- Alaskan Leaders All 2. A clearer understanding of the nature of Christian education and its rectly in the line of revolution or civil Graduates of Sheldon Jackson responsibilities. strife; therefore, be it School in Sitka qualify for posi- tions that call for excellent train- 3. An increased recognition of the Resolved, That we, the members of ing. One of them is responsible existence of many practical steps Christ Church, New York City, up- for organizing cooperatives in which may be taken by lay and pro- hold and support our missionaries and Alaskan villages; two are nurses fessional church workers in fulfilling their work in India in their self-sacri- in government hospitals; three the Christian challenge through Chris- ficing labors for these· needy and re- are teachers in government tian education. sponsive people, millions of whom will schools. Others are in mission undoubtedly turn to Christianity for work; one is the minister at 4. Help on specific problems which release from their present captivity each delegate faces back home which into the new liberty of the Gospel of will put new zest into the work of the Christ; and be it further churches from which they come. Resolved, That we send a letter to 5. A deepening of the religious ex- the bishops of our church in India asperience of every delegate which will suring them of our sympathy and inprovide the dynamic without which all terest in these inspiring days. of our efforts will be in vain. -Indian Witness. 6. A great stimulus to the work of Christian education in every part of the North American continent through Moorish Colony in America the publicity, before, during and after Plans are under way for the the convention.
7. Greater unity and closer coopera- establishment of a Moorish Coltion of Christian forces. ony at Yaphank, L. 1., which is 8. Delegates to the convention will to serve as a mecca for the 20,- return to their local communities to 000 Moors in Greater New York and surrounding area. The form an informed nucleus of local Grand Seik Turner-EI, spokes- leaders who understand more fully and definitely the basic principles and outreach of Christian education. man for the Moorish Council, -Advance. explains the plan:
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Wainwright Pre s b y t e ria n in two or three decades. When and Work, issues this warning; Church, another is nurse at reminded that thousands of no protest should be made on a Sheldon Jackson School. The gatherings of Christians were political basis because this would two native organizations, the being held throughout Germany, increase the danger in which Alaska Native Brotherhood and with no interference from au- Pastor Niemoller stands. It is the Alaska Native Sisterhood, thorities, Dr. Barth explained important that churches should whose objectives are competent that at such meetings the only state clearly that the reason for Christian citizenship, have al- message allowed was one which their protest is that he has taken ways been under the leadership Hitler considered "harmless." A his stand entirely on the basis of of former students of Sheldon spiritual gospel is permitted, but the rig h t of the Christian Jackson School. only so far as it does not affect Church to proclaim the Word of the actions of men on earth. God. Expressions of sympathy -Monday Morning. There is no toleration at all for on any other basis would only the teaching of real Christian increase his danger. The Ger- EUROPE ethics, which mean something in man Government should be in- the present situation in Ger- formed in no uncertain terms Something Alive in Denmark many-for example, "race wor- that concern for Pastor NiemOl- ship," anti-Semitism, the cult of ler is very widely felt. Here are some characteristics hatred, etc. of student Christian work in Dr. Henriod also calls atten-. Denmark: -Religious N eW8 Service. tion to the gravity of the present world situation, manifested by (1) The emphasis of instruc- Fascist Youth Niemoller's continued imprisontion is upon the awakening of ment after being cleared in a the spirit rather than upon the There is something ominous trial. Christian churches should acquiring of knowledge or skill. in the official report that Ger- be awake to the danger at the (2) The method of instruction many's juvenile crime record has root of such a situation in its stresses the "living word." increased 40 per cent in the past religious and ethical implica- (3) The historical approach three years. In the depression tions. characterizes a 11 instruction, years of 1931 and 1932 there was even the sciences, and history is a rise in juvenile thefts, but then Pastor Niemoller's spirit rea living subject. (4) The sub- they were driven to crime by mains unbroken, as is shown by ject matter is confined largely to poverty and hunger. Today, the the following extract from one those subjects which are useful record shows that less than 10 of his letters to his wife: to the average man in his per- per cent are motivated in lawsonal or civic life. (5) There lessness by poverty. Somehow in these last six months are no grades, credits, degrees or the ship of the Church has got afloat examinations. The primary em- Brutality has been the pop- again. The color is dimmed, the masts phasis is upon instruction and ular word of Nazi leaders, and are broken, the whole appearance is not on competition among stu- violence their approved method. not handsome; but the Lord Christ dents. (6) The fact of a group German youth follow their lead- still sits at the helm, and the ship of students living together is ers. Two or three afternoons moves forward. . . . utilized as a fundamental edu- and Sunday belong to the Hitler cational medium. The teachers You t h, irrespective of the And I think my imprisonment also utilize this opportunity by living schools. During this period they belongs to the holy humor of God. with the students and using their are trained in Nazi ideals, which First the mocking laughter: "Now influence to create a cooperative include the "instinct of freedom" we've got that fellow" and then the community. (7) The schools are against the school and the fam- imprisonment; and what are the conalso dominated by a high ethical ily. The result is now evident. sequences? Full churches, a praying purpose. They seek to give the Only the more serious crimes community. student the opportunity to know ever come before the courts. himself, and to supply him with The report says that moral of- To get bitter about such things the motivation to exert a con- fenses increased over 150 per would be shameful ingratitude. structive influence in all rela- cent, and that all crime is most tionships of life. flagrant among college students. Anti-Alcohol Museum Thus Fascism bears its fruit. -Intercollegian and Far With all the fanfare the Poles Horizons. -The Churchman. like so much, the Minister for Social Welfare recently opened German Youth and the Church Pastor Niemoller's the Anti-Alcohol Museum in Imprisonment Warsaw, one of the first of its Dr. Karl Barth, addressing a kind in the world. There are group of church leaders in Lon- In regard to the petitions pre- twenty-four departments dealdon, said that it is Hitler's inten- sented to the German Govern- ing with as many phases of the tion to cut German youth off ment on behalf of Pastor Nie- alcohol problem. Arresting disfrom all church connection, so moller, Dr. Henry L. Henriod, plays trace the history of the that the Church, becoming a so- general secretary of the Univer- battle against alcohol. Photociety of old people, will die with- sal Christian Council for Life graphs and diagrams show how alcoholism is treated. The tech- nical use of alcohol is described. The discoveries of science about alcohol are set forth. The value
of propaganda for and against disturbed by the Soviet order are where there are no 'Keep Out' alcohol is assessed. The problem of alcoholism in art and among the church members. signs against the inquisitive and caricature is presented, with abundant illustration. There is questioning mind. Disinterested a display of non-alcoholic drinks. Some fourteen departments in MISCELLANEOUS research cannot survive in an the museum are given to exhibits Good Will Commandments atmosphere of compulsion and on alcoholism in relation to repression. Particularly in the health, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, child welfare, school Dr. Walter W. Van Kirk of broad range of subjects covered life, the family, suicide, acci- the Federal Council has pro- by the social sciences, and in the dents at work, sports, business posed "Ten Commandments of humanities as well, the world and many other interests. Ap- Good Will." They reflect a spirit has recently witnessed in several propriately enough, there is a sorely needed in the present countries the progressive disinfrank appraisal of alcohol as a tegration of creative scholarmeans of raising national and world crisis: municipal revenues. ship." 1. I will respect all men and women '" -The Christian Advocate. -Christian Advocate. regardless of their race or religion.
Christians Resist Soviet 2. I will protect and defend my Pressure neighbor and my neighbor's children Salvation Army Year Book against the ravages of racial or reli- Moscow has opened a new gious bigotry. This Year Book for 1938 indrive to curb the churches. The arrests of clerymen during the 3. I will exemplify in my own life cludes a list of outstanding Salpast year, culminating in the arrest of twenty-five on Russian the spirit of goodwill and understand- vation Army events of 1937, Easter on treason charges, fo- ing. with much interesting informacused attention once more on the tion as to nationalities among status of religion in the Soviet 4. I will challenge the philosophy which the Army works, the lan- Union. It would be hard to of racial superiority by whomsoever parallel in modern times the per- it may be proclaimed, whether by guages in which it preaches and secution the Church in Russia has had to endure during the kings, dictators or demagogues. twenty years of the Bolshevik regime, yet one finds religion 5. I will not be misled by the lying a glossary of Army terIns. holding on with amazing te- propaganda of those who seek to set nacity-both holding and carry- race against race or nation against Under the heading, "Signs and ing on. According to a despatch nation. Wonders," M a j 0 r Reginald to the New York Times, great Woods, of International Headnumbers of young people still at- 6. I will refuse to support any or- quarters, describes the begintend church, as was strikingly ganization that has for its purpose evidenced by the overflowing churches on Easter Sunday. the spreading of anti-Semitism, anti- ning, in London, of work among Catholicism or anti-Protestantism. the deaf. There were 120 peo- Factors in the renewed activi- ple present at the first meeting. ties against religion are the un- 7. I will establish comradeship with Similar endeavors have, for expected stubbornness of the all those who seek to exalt the spirit many years, been a feature of people, and the signs of progress of love and reconciliation throughout in the Church. The Soviet gov- the world. ernment now frowns upon the anti-religious excesses of earlier 8. I will attribute to those who dif- the activities in Sweden, Noryears. Freedom of religion is fer from me the same degree of singuaranteed by the constitution, cerity that I claim for myself. way, Finland, Denmark and the but in actual practice the Soviet Near East. can close any church it sees fit 9. I will uphold the civil rights and on the grounds that the building religious liberties of all citizens and The Home League, a work is needed by the State. Widening of the streets has caused groups whether I agree with them or among women with 100,000 many prominent churches to be not. demolished. Recent arrests are members in the British Isles, is based on alleged plots against 10. I will do more than live and let the government. The code for live; I will live and help live. described. U n d e r the title, treason is broad and loose, so "From Fetish. W 0 r s hip to that the greater number of those New Barriers Christ," Col. Ethelbert Grimes tells of fourteen years' work in Rockefeller Foundation is West Africa, where there are finding them. Operating in fifty- 20,000 Salvationists, located in two countries, from Norway to 350 centers. An article on "Mi- the Fiji Islands, the Rockefeller gration and Settlement" reveals Foundation has been encounter- that more than 200,000 persons ing difficulties as it has tried to have been taken from over- spend something over $9,500,000 crowded areas to lands overseas a year in the dissemination of since this department of the knowledge. In some fields where work was started. It is said that they formerly went it is now fewer than 1 per cent have useless to go because the search proved failures.
for truth has been made impos- -The Christian.
sible by local conditions. While the Foundation works without Said the Robin to the Sparrow, 'I regard to political doctrines, should really like to know creeds or sects, it has become Why these anxious human beings harder and harder to follow this rush about and worry so?'
ideal. Says Dr. Raymond B. Said the Sparrow to the Robin, Fosdick: "Objective scholarship 'Friend, I think that it must be is possible only where thought is That they have no heavenly Father free t and fr~edQm ~IHl ~{CJst onl~ such as qare}) for you and w,e.,' "
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information BOOKS ON THE CITY AND THE CITY CHURCH RECOMMENDED BY THE REV. CHARLES H. SEARS, D.D.
Foremost among these books The Crowded Ways. By Charles sions. (Home Missions Council, are those announced by the Mis- Hatch Sears and The City's Church, New York City, 25 cents.) sionary Education Movement of By H. Paul Douglass. Two book'! the United States and Canada, published by the M. E. M. in 1929. City, The. Robert E. Park, Ernest designed particularly for mission W. Burgess and Roderick D. Mcstlldy courses. We list in the The Movement announces Kenzie. Chicago, University of order given by the Movement; manuals to assist in the study Chicago Press, 1925. $2.00. they may be secured from of the major books, guides for Friendship Press, 150 Fifth community and church surveys, Our Cities. Their role in the Nation- Avenue, New York City. and other helpful materials. al Economy. June, 1937. Report of the Urbanism Committee to The The American City and Its Church. It is possible for any group National Resources Committee. The basic study for adults. By Sam- to greatly extend its study of Washington, U. S. Government uel C. Kincheloe, is a careful analy- the city by use of biographies Printing Office, 1937. 50 cents. sis of city environment and adap- and autobiographies such as (Especially useful in this study be- tation of the program of the church "The Story of a Varied Life," cause of its striking maps and to this environment. Both from !:tis by W. S. Rainsford, (Double- charts.) academic and practical approach day, Doran & Company). "Ed- Dr. Kincheloe speaks with author- ward Judson, Interpreter of City Church, The. H. Paul Doug- ity. God," (Judson Press). Dr. H. lass. New York, Friendship Press, Paul Douglass' books remain of 1929. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 25 City Man. By Charles Hatch Sears. permanent value, "The City cents. A new imprint edition, recently Church," "How to Study the published by Harpers. This is a City Church," "1000 City Church City Planning. Charles Hatch study of the intensive form of ur- C h u r c h e s," and particular Sears, editor. Philadelphia, The ban development, the metropolitan church surveys, Springfield and Judson Press, 1928. $1.25. community, with particular empha- St. Louis notable, (Harper & sis upon the eife<:!t of this environ- Brothers) . We call particular Suggestions to Leaders of Study ment upon the city man himself. attention to Dr. Wilbur C. Hal- Classes using "The American City (M. E. M. 75 cents.) lenbeck's study of Church City and Its Church"; by Kenneth D. Societies "Urban Organization Miller. Paper 15 cents. City Shadows. By Robert W. Searle. of Protestantism." Finally, ev- For the senior high school age, ery student of the city should My Community, My Church, and Me I equally valu,able for others, here is secure a copy of "Our Cities, by Wilbur C. Hallenbeck (Study a revealing series of true stories of Their Role in the National Econ- and Action Series). Paper 35 cents. city life. omy," a publication of the Na- tional Resources Committee, for Urban Scene, by Margueritte Har- Street Corners. By Harold B. Hunt- sale by the Superintendent of mon Bro. (A pictorial book for all ing. As a source book for juniors, Documents, Washington, D. C., youth and adult grades.) Paper this is particularly valuable for its at fifty cents a copy. 25 cents. portrayal of the work of churches arid social agencies. OTHER BOOKS ON THE CITY A Course for Young People on the Church in the City, by Owen Geer. All . Around the City. By Esther City Challenges the Church. Ad- Paper 25 cents. Freivogel. For primary children. dresses made at an Interdenomina- A story of how two children from tional Conference on the City A Course for Seniors on the Church the country find friendly places and Church, January 13 and 14, 1937. in the City, by Donald Gordon Stew- friendly faces in the city. Under the auspices of the Commit- art. Paper 25 cents. tee on City and New Americans of City and Church in Transition. By the Home Missions Council and the The City I Would Build, by Emily Murray H. Leiifer, published by Council of Women for Home Mis- Gaither. For intermediates. Paper Willett, Clark & Co. The book is a 35 cents. (A work book for both in- definite outgrowth of the request termediates and their leaders.) made by the Committee on City and New Americans for a study of A Junior Teacher's Guide for study- the medium-sized city. It summa- ing the Church in the City, by Nina rizes results of a four-year study of Millen. For elementary grades. Pa- 140 cities which have a population per 25 cents. of from 50 to 150,000. A Primary Teacher's Guide for Studying the Church in the City, by Esther Freivogel. Paper 25 cents.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
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OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Joe Lives in the City, bv Jeanette tions, substitutions and correc- make a modern village; he in- Perkins Brown. (A picture book tion of the text are not always troduced the bicycle into Borneo for primary children.) Paper 25 easily grasped. Dr. Jeffery of and organized river fleets and cents. Cairo is preparing a critical edi- little holding companies to keep tion of the Koran text, which alive the commercial life of the (Above publications obtainable from when completed will be of great community. At the same time Missionary Education Movement, value to all missionaries to Mos- he was winning them to God, New York.) lems. It will facilitate their task spreading the Gospel of Christ of interpreting the Gospel to farther and farther into the Churching the Small City, by Wil- those who have, in their own Dyak-head-hunter filled jungles. bur C. HaIlenbeck. (A method of sacred book, countless stumbling Finally in 1935 in Sarawak, at study and survey of a smaIler city.) blocks against a' right under- the age of 63 he passed into the Paper 25 cents. Home Missions standing of the Holy Scriptures. greater Glory Beyond, but not Council, New York. 'ttntil he had seen a large part of S. M. ZWEMER. his ambitious plans mature and The Qur'an. By Richard BeIl, B.D., bear fruits. D.D. Volume 1. pp. 343, $6.00. T. Tuan Hoover of Borneo. By Frank & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1937. T. Cartwright; 186 pp. $1.75. Ab- Dr. Cartwright, the Secretary ingdon Press, New York, 1937. of the Methodist Episcopal There is no lack of English Board of Foreign Missions, was translations of the Koran. Those The work of the Christian himself a missionary for eleven by Sale, Palmer, Rodwell are missionary has never been easy, years in China. His personal well known, and each is distin- but even so, unusual difficulties contacts with Hoover left many guished for special points of val- were encountered by Jam e s memories which are brought out ue. In addition, we have had in Matthews Hoover, the stalwart in glowing, moving biography recent years four translations bearer of the Gospel into the that depicts true Christian adby Mohammedans. Nevertheless, steaming jungles of Malaya. venture as well as inspirational this is the first t.t~anslation with achievement. a critical rearrangement of the "Tuan Hoover," a Pennsylcontents of the chapters and it vania village boy, shortly after MARSHALL R. HALL. therefore fills a gap. One cannot the turn of the present century, state more clearly the justifica- heard the call to the foreign Ship East-Ship West. By Elizabeth tion for this piece of scholarly field; he obeyed and spent thirty Miller Lobingier. 87 pp. $1.00 work and its character than by years as a real pioneer mission- Friendship Press, New York. 1937. quoting from the preface: ary of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Blest with an un- This is a children's book with The translation goes frankly on the usually rugged physique and a definite purpose-to train the assumption that the Qur'an was in ability to withstand hardship, he youthful mind in the way of written form when the redactors was the ideal type for the par- peace among nations. In six difstarted their work, whether actuaIly ticular work he was called upon ferent stories, children are told written by Muhammad himself, as I to do. How well he did it, and that nations need not fight when personally believe, or by others at his how enduring are the results he they have disputes to settle. War dictation. This conclusion also has left behind must stand as a is shown to be foolish, and in been forced upon me in the course of monument which all Christians summing up a list of war's evils my work. The translation itself must may well admire. is contrasted with the blessings furnish the proof. If, by the hypoth- of peace. The book deserves a esis that the present form of the Mr. Hoover began his work wide reading among our chil- QUr'an rests upon a careful repro- in Malaya with only a moderate dren, seeing how important it is duction of a confusion of written doc- preparation, but it was soon de- that right ideals should be conuments, that confusion has been in termined that he was the man stantly set before them. any considerable number of passages to take over the difficult task of cleared up, the hypothesis will have carrying the Gospel to the Chi- Little Talks to Little Folks. By C. justified itself. All the possibilities nese immigrants from Foochow A. Puncker. 92 pp. Is. Pickering of confusion in written documents who were settled in Borneo. He & Inglis, London. 1937. have had to be considered-correc- accepted the challenge and went tions, interlinear additions, additions to work among them-on a The author has given chilon the margins, deletions and substi- crocodile-filled river in the ma- dren's talks for over 25 years, tutions, pieces cut off from a passage laria rid den jungle. Here he and the stories in this volume and wrongly placed, passages written found them, miserable, afraid are the ones that seemed to im- on the back of others and then read and alone, overwhelmed with press his small hearers most. continuously, front and back foIlowing home-sickness for their home- Realizing that the only way to each other. It is to this, rather than land. get the children's attention is to to textual defects, or to confusion in interest them, he introduces a Muhammad's own thought and style With all the strength of his va r i e t y of subjects – ants, that the dreary welter of the Qur'an huge body and stout heart he set watches, escalators, and for the so often deplored by Western writers to work. Among the material cur i 0 u s – "bent sunbeams." is due. advantages he brought to them These talks are a practical help were electricity, an ice plant, to those who would lead the Dr. Bell of the Edinburgh lights and other conveniences to "lambs into the fold." University has unraveled many of the puzzles that confront the reader, but he has also left un- solved a still larger number. His translation is accurate but not always literal, as we have in Palmer's translation. The de- vices used to indicate altera-
Book. Cbe. Upper
Church Comity. A Study of Cooper- July, August, Now READY FOR DISTRIBUTION ative Church Extension in Ameri- can Cities. H. Paul Douglass. Se tember The Daily Devotional Guide Garden City, N. Y., DoubledaYi of 1,000,000 People – Issued Doran & Co., for Institute of Socia Quarterly in English, Spanish, and Religious Research, 1929. (Out and Roman Urdu of print.) THE UPPER ROOM is beinq distributed in 25,000 churches. Church in the Changing City. Case representing every evangelical denomination. We have evi- Studies Illustrating Adaptation. dence of thousands of family altars beinq established and New York, George H. Doran Co., daily devotions in the home beinq conducted. with the aid of for Institute of Social and Religious THE UPPER ROOM as a devotional quide. The best help Research, 1927. (Out of print.) available for individual devotions.
Community Survey in Relation to Church Efficiency, The. Charles E. Carroll. New York, Abingdon Press, 1915.
Negro Problems in the Cities. Subscription price, 30 cents per year" postpaid. Pastors may secure ten or Thomas Jackson Woofter, Jr. New more copies on consignment to be paid for, when sold at 5 cents per copy. York, Institute of Social andRe- ligious Research, 1928. (Out of Send all orders to THE UPPER ROOM, Doctors' Bldg., Nashville, Tenn. print.) 1000 City Churches. Phases of Adaptation to Urban Environment. H. Paul Douglass. New York, George H. Doran Co., for Institute of So- Types from City Streets. By Hutch- troduced the pension plan of the cial and Religious Research, 1926. ins, Hapgood, New York, 1910. (Harper & Brothers. $2.50.) • • Presbyterian Church. Redemption of the City. Charles Christian Message in a Non-Chris- Hatch Sears. Philadelphia, The tian World. Hendrik Kraemer. • Griffith & Rowland Press, ,1911. 455 pp. $3.00. Harper Bros. New Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 35 cents. York. 1938. Dr. George B. Winton, missionary, , Social Characteristics of Cities. editor and educator" died March 11, William F. Ogburn. Chicago, Inter- Fun and Festival from India. Rose in Nashville, Tenn., in his 78th year. Wright. 48 pp.' 25 cents. Friend- Soon after entering the ministry of ship Press. New York. the Methodist Church, South, he went to Mexico, where he served as pastor, national City Managers' Associa- president of the theological school in San Luis Potosi, and as editor of tion, 850 E. 58th Street, Chicago, Obituary Not.. E1JQ,ngelista Me:mcana,. From 1926 Ill., 1937. Paper, $1.00. until his death he wrote regularly the (Concluded from 2d cover.) "Watch Tower" column of the No,sh- ~trategy of City Church .Planning. 'ViUe Christian Advocate. Ross W. Sanderson. New York, . . '. a of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. L.Fry and Institute of Social and Religious Rev. Harry *Co.m'p.ton, one of the Research, 1932. (Out of print.) was graduated from Muhlenberg Col- The Shame of Our Cities. By lin- lege in 1916. earliest educational evangelists in coln Steffins. South America, died December 30, in Mr. Cecil Henry Polhill, member Delaware, Ohio. He had been on the of the original "Cambridge Seven," retired list since 1919. He first served died at his, home at Hempstead, Eng- in Chile, then in Montevideo, and land, March 9. Two other members of later was president of Quito CoIIege, .!,mn~ this "Cambridge Seven" are still liv- ing, Sir Montague Beauchamp and D. in Ecuador. • * • E. Hoste of the China Inland Mission. of tbe Mr. Polhill was educated at Eaton Miss Emily L. Peterson, Presby- School and was converted and led to terian missionary in India since 1913, €bri~tian offer his life to Christian service where she was principal of the Girls' through the late Dwight L. Moody. Middle School in Saharanpur, died in He sailed for China in 1885 and served India, March 17,at the age of 58. as a missionary in Shensi, Kansu and Miss Peterson worked in the New Szchwan, where he did effective work York City Mission for five years be- fore going to India. There, in addi- lLift among the Tibetans on the western tion to directing the Indian faculty and aQout 150 students, she spent cA BOOK of worship in song, com- border of China. He retired from many hours visiting in homes, going China in 1902 but continued to give into areas where cholera and small himself and his means to promote the pox were raging in order to bring work of the China Inland Mission. comfort to the suffering; helping in community projects and working for •• • the better .education of women. Rev. Charles Scott Deming, an American Methodist missionary in •• • bining a hymnal for general Mrs. Isabel Edgar McFarland, wife church use, and a song book for evan- of Rev. A. J. McFarland, D.D., passed to the Heaven Home, in February in e;elistic purposes. Oitly songs sOund Latakia, Syria. Here they began their m the faith and inspirationaf in char- work on the Mission Field in 1906, acter included–.emphasizing Evan~el at Mersine, and at Latakia after the war. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland were ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Manchuria and Korea for thirty- among that band of veteran mission- Many of the new—the best of the old. three years, died in a Brookyln hos- aries of the Reformed Presbyterian pital on March 15. For a number of Church. Dr. McFarland is retiring 504 Songs Responsive Readings years he was an officer of the Chris- and returning to America this sum- tian Literature Society of Korea, and mer. Topical Index Gold Embossed Published in round notes and Roxite cloth had translated several theological edition only at $65.00 per lOO-an especially books into Korean. He returned from low price. Single copy, SSc postpaid. Manchuria on furlough last December. Writ<! today f<rr ~etumable sample copy ••• CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. Dr. W. Courtland Robinson, for- mer editor of The Presbytrian, died in 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET HARRISBURG, PA. Delhi, New York, Marc:h 15. I!e w:as chairman of the commIttee whIch In-
LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF
By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the inBuential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character, forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book is now ready for delivery. .
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. From 1850 to 1855. IV. Life in New York, 1840·1844. XIV. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. TenYears of Independent Work. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. The Bombay Guardian. VIII. ftisMissionary Appointment. XVIII. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XIX. Relations with the American Board. X. Beginning Missionary Work. Association with the Methodist Church.
Bowen as a Writer.
Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin.
Closing Testimony. • This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY IS6 Fifth Avenue. New York MORE ABOUT THE MODERN CITY and HOW THE CHURCH CAN MEET ITS PROBLEMS Coming in the July and September Numbers The Church Challenges the City Dwight J. Bradley Looking to the City Tomorrow Charles H. Sears Religious Problems of a Mid-West City L. Merle Rymph What a Downtown Church Can Do The Privileged Helping the Underprivileged Frederick B. Fisher A Charge Rather Than a Retreat Samuel E. West Responsibility for a Whole Community What Does Outdoor Evangelism Accomplish Richard E. Scully WiUiam C. Munds . J. Arthur Springer ORDER COPIES OF THESE NUMBERS FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SOCIETY 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrilburg, Pa.
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The Missionary Review of the World — August 1927
OPEN-AIR SCHOOL, HELD WHEN ITINERATING IN THE
The NEW SOUL IN CHINA By Bishop George Richmond Grose Reside"t at Peki"g "HERE is a small book with a big message from a mIssIonary 1 statesman.' Bishop Grose's stirring statements founded on years of experience and observation will be read by thous~nds with great profit. His fine understanding of the pres~nt situation in China will do much to clear up misconceptions."
-International "Journal ~l Religious Education.
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America in 1877 and 1927 For detailed information write to Rev. lIenry K. CarNll, LL.D. ERNEST F. HALL, Secretary Department of Annuities Home Mission Enterprises-Then and Now The Board of Foreign Missions Rev. Charles L. 'Vhite. D.O. of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. What Christians Were Reading 50 Years Ago 156 Fifth Avenue Prof. John C. Archer New York China-Fifty Years Ago and Today Rev. Arthur H. Smith, D.D.
Japan in 1877 and Now Rev. Villiam Elliot Griffis, D.D.
What We Have Learned in Cooperation Rev. James L. Barton Has the Missionary Appeal Changed?
Rev. Stephen J. Corey Also Articles on changes in India, Africa, Moslem Lands, Latin America, etc.
Please mention THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD in writing to adVertisers. THE MISSIONARY Review of the World DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Eelitor CONTENTS FOR AUGUST, 1927 Page FRONTISPIE(''E-OHRJSTIA.NS ENLIGHTENING DARKENED UNDERSTANDINGS THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF T'HE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE ……… . • • . . . . . • • . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . • . • • . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dOHN McDoWELL 565 A clear statement of the author's conception of the es.•"ntial ohara"ter of the Christian message according to the New Testament.
INTEREST IN FOREIGN MISSIONS ………. HELEN BAR.RETT MONTGOME1W 57U A setting forth of reasons why some Christians are not interested in missions, with some interesting figures on the per capita giving of church members in the United States to the foreign mission enterprise.
]'IFTY YEiARS OF FRUITFUL SERVlCE ………….. MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD 573 An interooting account of what the Woman's Amerioon Baptist Home Mission Somety haB aooomplished since its founding.
A CHINESE MESSAGE TO MISSIONARIES ………………………… . 58t CHINESE CHRISTIANS IN T'HE PRESENT CRISIS ………………….•. 584 Rec{}1lt reports from China containing striking evidences of the loyalty and de· V'Otion of the Chinese to their Christian faith.
THE CRISIS IN THE CHINESE CIDJROH …………………………… . 589 Extracts from an address to missionaries in Siw,nghai made by T. Z. Koo, lead· ing memblllr of the National Christian Council of China.
INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF A WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL-II ……………… . … … .. . . .. …. . . .. ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.NNA BELLE STEWART 591 FRANCIS E. CLARK-A WORLD·WIDE CHRISTIAN . . . . . . . . R. P. ANDERSON 590 The story of the founder of the Christian Endeavor movement as told by the EiUtorial Secretary of the Society.
WHY A BRAHMAN BECAME A CHRISTIAN ……. 'lEE LATE d. C.·R. EWING 599 A brief record of the life and work of Dr. Kali Charan Chatterjee, tor forty· eight years a Christian missionary atlWng his own people in the Punjab, WHY IT IS DIFFICULT TO LEAD MOSLEMS TO CHRIST-II .. E. M. WHERRY 6(}3 WHY ONE SOHOOL CLOSED IN OHINA ………… THE AMERICAN TEACHER 606 A CHINESE REICOMMENDATION AS TO MISSIONS ……..•……•…… 609 THE EVACUATION OF SZECHUAN PROVINCE ………. GEORGE W. SPARLING 611 WHAT PIONEER WORK IS LIKE IN CHINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MARJE PARK: 612 MISSIONARY HISTO!ty TEST FOR AUGUST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BELLE M. BRAIN 615 WOMAN'S HOME AND FOREIGN BULLJ<;TIN .. EDITED BY ELLA D. MACLAURIN A.ND FLORENCE E. QUINLAN ………………………………….. . 616 WORLD DAY OF l"RAYER FOR MISSIONS.
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS ……………………………………… . 624 THE MISSIONARY LIBRAR.Y ……………. . 639 TERMS: $2.50 a year. ($2.00 in clubs of five.) Foreign postage, 50 cents. Single copies, 25 cents. Published monthly.. Copyrighted, 1927, by MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY, INc. All rights reserved.
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New York Bible Society Dept.34 5 East 48th Street New York City PERSONALS Francis E. Clark REV. WM_ R. KING, D .D., secretary of th" FRANCIs E. CiLAIl>K was born at Aylmer, DiVision of Promotion of the Presbyterian Board of National Missions, has been elected Quebeq, on September 12, 1851. He was executive secretary of the Home Missions the chPd of American parents. His father Council. Rev. Robert S. Donaldson, D.D., was Charles Carey Symmes, of Winchester, of San Francisco, succeeds him in the MasS;'; '~nd his mother Lydia Fletcher Olark. Presbyterian Boar~. lIe wali, orphaned at the age of eight and REV. RoBERT A. HUME, D.D., missionary went to live in Auburndale. Mass.• with his of the Americau Board in its MaraUd Mis- maternal uncle, Rev. Edward Warren Clark, sion in India from 1874 to 192'6, is attending and adopted his foster father's n..me_ On the World Conference on Faith and Order his father's side he was descended from Rev. in Lausanne. Zechariah Symmes, who Was driven out of ** England under the persecution of Arch- bishop Laud. His mother came of old Puri- REV. R. A. TORREY, D .D., after an absence tan stock, Francis E. Clark was educated at a small academy at Claremont, N. H_, of nearly twenty-five years, has rejoined the then in famous old Kimball Unlon Academy, faculty of the Moody Bible Institute in and at Dartmouth College. He received his theOlogical education at Andover Theological Chicago. 'Seminary. On February, 1881, Dr. Clark, then pastor of Williston Congregational ** Church, Portland. Me., organized the first SADRU SUNDAR S1NGH, who started out in Christian Endeavor Society with abont fifty the spring for a three months' preaching tour in Tibet, was obliged by illness to re- members. N eWB of this society and its aims turn to his quiet retreat in Sabathu. spread abroad, and other pastors tried the same methods. Thus the Christian Endeavor •** movement was born. At the Christian En- deavor Convention at Portland, Oregon, in REV. DAVID R. GORDON, of the United July, 1'925, Dr. Clark resigned the presidency of the United Society of Cllristian Endeavor, Presbyterian Mission at Gurdaspur in the and wa.s elected President Emeritus. Punjab, India, has received the Kaiser-i- Hind gold medal. Note the crowd of pagan ohUdren standing, watching in wonderment at Borne of their own tribe reading (1926)-Swran United Mission-Rev. T. L . SuffHl.
A NATIVE CHRISTIAN TEACHING THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE TO OTHER SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS CHRISTIA.NS ENLIGHTENING DARKENED U NDEBSTANDlNGS
AUGUST, 1927
L EIGHT The Essential Character of the Christian Message BY THE REV. JOHN McDOWELL, D.D., NEW YORK O UR conception of the essential character of the Christian mes- sage depends on our authority, and hence we hasten to state that from our point of view .Jesus Ohrist is the final authority on all matters pertaining to the Christian religion and the New Testament is the only authentic record of the facts and truths of the Ohristian message.
What, then, is the essential character of the Christian message according to the teachings of the New TestamenU By essential we mean that without which the message is not Christian. Fortunately for us the New Testament is not silent or indefinite on this vital question. It is clear and positivl:l and consistent in its teaching. The writers of the New Testament insist that the Christian message is not a mere discovery of a few devout seekers of truth, or a brilliant invention of a gifted young Jew of Nazareth, who in a moment of spiritual exaltation dared to think of God as his father and man as his brother and died a martry's death in loyalty to these convictions.
Nor is the Christian message an induction reached by the careful study of reverend and profound minds, gathering a truth here and a truth there from the religious ideas of Egypt and India, Greece and Rome.
The New Testament asserts the reverse of all these and affirms clearly and constantly that the Christian message in its essential character is a distinct and definite revelation. In a word, it is a message from God Himself, making known to men that which they can absolutely depend upon but which they could never find out by their own natural and unaided faculties.
5&5
Of course, it is true that every religion purports to be a revelation. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament remind us that" God has not left Himself without a witness. " When, therefore, we say that the Christian message is a revelation, we are not making a statement unreasonable in itself, or making a claim for the Christian message that is peculiar to it. But the New Testament does not stop here. It goes further and insists that the Christian message in its essential character is a distinct revelation of God in and through a person and that person. is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Son of man, and the Savio~~r of the world.
This is the essence of the Christian message and constitutes its essential character. Was not this what Christ Himself meant when he said: "I thank Thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them unto babes" (Matt. 11:25)7 And was not this what Paul meant when he wrote in his letter to the Ephesians these words: "Whereby when ye read ye may understand my knowledge, in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men; as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph. 3: 4-5)? Such passages as these and many others that might be quoted make it clear that the Christian message is not only a revelation in the general sense of this term, but that in its essential character it is a special, distinct and definite revelation.
It is not enough to say that the Christian message is a revelation as some are doing today and thereby classifying it as on a par with the so-called revelations of other religions. Loyalty to the New Testament makes it necessary to go further and to maintain that the Christian message in its essential character is a direct piece of supernatural information concerning God and His relations to man revealed in Jesus Christ.
No one who knows the New Testament message will doubt for a moment that it is rooted and grounded in a Revealer, and that Re- vealer is Jesus Christ. Apart from Christ, the Christian message has no distinct light, no distinct life, no distinct foundation, no distinct power, no distinct love. Eliminate Christ from the Christian message and its essential character disappears. Its words are empty and its vitality and reality vanish. In these days when there is a serious and sustained attempt to remove Christ from the Christian message, when we are being told that "God's relation to us would be simple enough if Jesus Christ had kept out," we need to tUTn back again to the only authentic record we have of the Christianity of Christ and there learn that the Christian message when true to its essential character is not a discovery or an invention, not an induction, but is a clear
J927] ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF CHRISTIAN MESSAGE 5ti7
and definite self-revelation of God in and through Jesus Christ. This makes the Christian message more than a system of ethics, though it has revolutionized ethics; more than a method of worship, though it has furnished a new interpretation of worship and given it a new character; more than a philosophy of life, though it has given a new interpretation. In its final terms the Christian message is a revelation of a new life fo'unded on certain historic facts, namely, "That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures." (1 Cor. 15: 3-4.) Take these facts away and you rob the Christian message of its essential character; you make it merely a message of "good advice" rather than a message of "good news" to a sinful, sorrowing, suffering world.
Granted that the Christian message in its essential character is a definite and distinct revelation, we ask "Why do we believe it to be so?" We answer: FIRST: Because it gives 1(S the highest known conception of God. The idea of God always determines the character of religion, and nations are always like the God they worship. The ethical andmoral life of a people rises out of their conception of God. To the Jew God was a judge, to the Greek God was a teacher, to the Roman, God was a ruler. To those who receive and believe the Christian message God is the Father, who is everlasting in His love. God in the New Testament message is first and foremost a Father, then a Sovereign, anxious to assert His authority, not for the sake of the law, but to save His children. God, the Father in the Christian message, loves man in spite of his sin, in the midst of his guilt, loves that He may save and even should He fail in saving He does not cease to love. This conception of God is not found in any other religion and it is our first reason for believing that the Christian message in its essential character is a distinct and definite revelation unknown to all other religions. It is true that there are seven references to the thought of God as a Father in the Old Testament, but in five of these passages He is represented as the Father of the nation, while in the Christian message, as revealed in the New Testament, God is called Father about two hundred times. A little blind girl, on being told that the Being she worshipped was called Father, said: "I did not know his name, but I knew Him." The Christian message reveals to men not only the name of God, but the nature of God, which is love, and the character of God, which is perfect. If the Christian message had given the world nothing but this one conception, it would be entitled to be regarded as a special revelation to mankind.
SECOND: Because it places the greatest valuation on man. The extraordinary elevation of the idea of God in the Christian message does not stand alone. It affects every region of thought, feeling and relationship. The first thing it touches and ennobles is the worth
of man. Man must rightly conceive himself in order to respect himself and his progress may best be measured by his successive ideas of his own nature. Man in the Christian message is primarily spirit, for God is spirit. He is more than a body, more than a mind, more than a conscience, more than a will; he is a soul and Jesus Christ set such a high value on man's soul that He died for it.
This is the essence of the Christian message and our second reason for believing that it is a distinct revelation. No other religious message tells of a God who died for man. No other religious message has a Calvary in it.
THIRD: Because it offers the only solution of the world's three unsolved problems, namely, the problem of sin, the problem of suf- fering, and the problem of sorrow. To each of these problems the Christian message gives a definite and satisfying answer. Its answer to the problem of sin is "forgiveness through Jesus Christ"; its answer to the problem of suffering is that suffering is discipline for the sake of character; and its answer to the problem of sorrow is the assurance of the Divine Comforter. By satisfying the three passionate desires of the human soul, namely, the desire of pardon for the past, power for the present and peace for the future, the Christian message proves beyond a doubt that it is a distinct and special revelation. No other religion has offered the world a solution for these problems. In no other religious message do we find such words as these: "Be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee"; "Thy faith hath made thee whole"; "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
FOURTH: Because it makes known to men the best uses of life. Life in the Christian message is not an end in itself: it is a means to an end and that end is the glory of God through saving and serv- ing men. Sacrifice and service are the keynotes of the Christian message. The servants of the world are its real sovereigns today. The Christian message teaches men that the best use of life is found, not in self-indulgence, or in self-culture, or in self-aggrandizement, but in self-sacrifice. No other religion tells men that "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honor." (John 12: 25-26.) FIFTH: Because it provides men with a comforting and satisfying view of death and the hereafter. Death, according to the Christian message, is not defeat, it is victory; it is not loss, it is gain; it is not a curse, it is a blessing; it is not going from this world with its home of love into a homeless world without love; it is not going from the presence of a loved father here into a world that is fatherless. According to the Christian message, death is going to be forever with those who have loved the Father and have gone on before. One seeks
J927J ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
in vain to find in any other religious message such comforting words as these: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14: 1-3.) "Draw a line," says Bruce Barton, "through human history at the time of the birth of Christ and compare the last words of men who died before that date with the words of those who passed on afterward. The contrast is illuminating. Before He came, men went shuddering into oblivion. After Him, the great souls of the world passed through the gate as conquerors, merely changing their armor in preparation for a more glorious crusade.
"Sir Henry Havelock, approaching his last hour, called his son to the bedside. 'Come, my son,' he cried, 'and see how a Christian can die.'
"The object of Christianity is to teach men better how to live; but it would have justified itself a thousandfold had it done nothing except to teach men how worthily to die: not as victims, not as players in a game where all must finally lose, not as angels, but as men-faithful, self-confident and unafraid."
In the last analysis the Christian message is a revelation in Christ of the God of salvation and the salvation of God. Face the facts of life and the Christian message assumes a momentous significance for the individual and for the world. When true to its essential character it reveals to men not only God as their Father, but Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as their Comforter. If the Christian message is to retain its revealing, saving and enabling power in our day, it must hold fast to the great historic facts of the birth, life, ministry, passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ essentially as they are now narrated in the New Testament, and also to the great spiritual fact that in the God, whom Christ has revealed to us, there is abundant forgiveness for all the past and abundant life for all the future. 'Anything less than this is not true to the essential character of the Christian message as given to us in the New Testament.
* * '" '"
"The more I see of America, and the World, the more convinced I am that the Home Missionary holds the key to the situation. "-Francis E. Clark.
in Foreign
BY HELEN BARRETT MONTGOMERJY, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK Author of "Prayer and Missions," etc.
W ELL are some Christians not interested? The growth of contributions to Foreign Missions from five to forty millions in one generation might seem to indicate that many Christians are interested, and that the number of such Christians is growing.
Yet as one studies the local church one is forced to admit that the giving to Foreign M.issions in the average church is confined to about twenty-five per cent of the members, and that even that fraction does not for the most part make sacrificial gifts. If we based the per capita giving upon the church membership of the United States and Canada, it would seem that we give annually about one dollar and a quarter per member. But even this estimate is fallacious, for it does not take into account the large amount of the gross income of Foreign Mission Boards received through legacies and annuity funds. If we estimate upon the twenty-five per cent of the members giving, we have the noble figure of about six dollars a year-fifty cents a month or about twelve cents a week. This represents the equivalent of one cigar, one cheap ice cream soda, one weekly or cheap monthly magazine, one half of one movie entrance fee, or two street car rides. Surely this is not an impressive sacrifice for something in which Christians are presumably deeply interested.
Then why are Christians not interested in Foreign Missions 7 There are many reasons, some petty, some grave.
First, some Christians are affected by hostile propaganda picked up in steamships and hotels throughout the Orient. Many thoughtless tourists repeat random remarks and chance impressions on their return home, and their report is taken as truth by many uninformed Christians. The reasons for this generally hostile attitude of the foreign community in Oriental lands toward Foreign Missions are not hard to find. Many are engaged in exploiting the natives, and the presence of the missionaries is a hindrance to their schemes; many of them are ignorant of the real facts; though they may have lived years in the same city with missionaries, they have never spent one hour studying the missionary work which they presume to criticize. Many others reflect the imperialistic and hostile attit!lde of their governments that are frankly not in the Orient for any altruistic motive. Some hate the missionaries because their loyal lives are a reproach to the easy and low standards of the lives of many in the foreign communities.
Second, many Christians are ignorant of the commands and 570
INTEREST IN FOREIGN MISSIONS o7l
obligations of their Ohristian faith. They are loyal so far as they go, but they do not go far. Ohristianity is to them simply a resource of good and helpful emotions. They have never faced the last, the supreme command of the Ohrist whose servants they profess to be – " Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. " They have never studied the story of the Ohristian Ohurch which is simply the account of the outreach of fresh waves of missionary impulse taking control of land after land. They have never had it brought home to them that missions is not an "elective course" to be taken by a few; but a "required subject," the concern of all who matriculate in the School of Ohrist.
All that such Ohristians need to transform them from missionary liabilities to missionary assets is instruction and education of both head and heart.
Third, some Ohristians lack imagination, and without imagination the long flights of Ohristian faith, unaided, are impossible. The ability to enter into the experience of alien races, to conceive what it would be to live in a world without Ohrist, to carryon life in an environment untouched by the New Testament, to go through the experiences of childhood, marriage, fatherhood, motherhood, with no Ohristian Ohurch to minister to their needs; to be in and of a country where" there ain't no ten commandments," no settled justice, no modern medicine, no libraries, no free education, none of the institutions that have developed because of Ohristianity-there are many who are simply lacking the sensitive imagination needed really to grasp such situations.
Of course, they are not interested in Foreign Missions. They jog along their days of conventional religious life, absolutely unstirred by the divinest, altruistic enterprise of the centuries. They always will, unless some one helps these less gifted folk, rouses their sluggish imagination, awakens their altruism, summons their dormant heroism. Stories, biographies, dramas, moving-pictures, real experiences of real men and women are some of the spiritual tonics that such Ohristians need.
Fourth,. there are some who are held in the tenets of a false theology: the theology of those who do not believe that Ohristianity has any vital message for the world; the theology of those who hold that there is nothing very much the matter with mankind; the theology of those who hold that one religion is about as good as another; and the theology of the few who believe that to make any attempt to reach and save the non-Ohristian world is to interfere with the sovereignty of God. "Young men, when the Almighty gets ready to save the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine" said one of this hard persuasion over a century ago.
Such Ohristians need to have the great challenge of a great Englishman brought home to them; need to realize that they must
either give up their Christianity or accept Christ's teaching with aU its implications: "I am asked," he said, "if I believe in foreign missions. Ireply, do you believe in the Gospel? For be sure of this, if Christ has no message for the men in Shanghai that it is worth giving my life, if necessary, to get to them, then He has no message for the man in London that I need bother about. He is either Saviour of the whole world, or He is no man's Saviour."
Fifth, there is a great multitude of Christians in whom the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches have choked the good seed of the Word so that it becomes unfruitful. In a life brim full of dress and amusement, of travel and business, of personal interests and lu..mry, there is no room for Foreign Missions to take root and grow. How many distractions there are claiming our attention-many of them good, but all at war with the supreme good. Our social" duties," a round of functions and teas and dinners, our clubs, our bridge parties, our tennis, golf, skating, dancing, our beauty parlors-their name is legion. Is it not time to call a halt, rearrange 'our schedule, give first things the first place in our time, our interest, our contributions of money and of service'
And last, there are those who are members of the Christian Church, but not members of Christ. They have never known the joy of forgiven sin, never turned their backs on self, never yielded the sovereignty of their lives to the Master, Christ. They have never risen with Him to walk in newness of life.
There is nothing to appeal to with this class in their present state. They do not respond to any Christian motive because they are not Christians. They are not interested in Christian missions because, primarily, they are not interested in Christ. Of them, Christ must say, "Depart from Me. I never knew you."
The only way to reach such is to pray for them until they are made new creations in Christ. One of the first manifestations of the new life will be a new interest in things which before they despised.
We have considered among Christians not interested in Foreign Missions, the misinformed Christian, the untaught Cliristian, the stolid, unimaginative Christian, the warped Christian, the worldly Christian, and the unconverted, formal Christian. There are, doubtless, many more types to be included in the class of the uninterested; but these are certainly some of the causes of uninterested Christians. Uninterested Christians! uninterested in the cause that is dearest to their Lord! Uninterested in the greatest international enterprise of our day! Uninterested in the progress of the Kingdom of God.
KINDERGARTEN, FRESNO
Fifty Years of Fruitful Service BY MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK What the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society Has Accomplished .n.AS" A TREE planted by the rivers of water" is .the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society, wh.i.ch this year celebrates its golden anniversary. This society continues the work of four groups of women organized for a common purpose, tjuaintly expressed by one of them, in New England, as "the evangelization of the women among the freed people, the Indians, the heathen immigrants and the new settlements of the West." Michigan women formed the first of these in April, 1873, in the Women's Baptist Home Mission Society of Michigan. In J uhe of tbe same year the Free Baptist Woman's Missionary Society' was organized for the promotion of both Home and Foreign Missions. On February 1, 1877, several hundred women from the northern states organized the Women's Baptist Home Mission Society with head- C]uarters in Chicago.. New England women effected the organization of the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society in November, 1877, with headqnarters in Boston. For thirty years these groups maintained a separate existence. The Chicago society emphasized evangelization, while the New England society stressed education. In 1909 a union was effected under the name of the New England Society with headquarters in Chicago, where it remained until 1920 when it removed to New York upon the opening of the offices there of the Northern Baptist Convention.
573
G74 THE l.HSSIONARY R,EVHJW OF THE WORJ..D
Work Among the Negroes-The society had the honor of pre- senting its first missionaFY commission to Joanna P. Moore. She was a veteran in 1877, having gone to the contraband camp of 1,100 Negro women and children on Island No. 10, in the Mississippi, in 1863, authorized by an appointment from the Federal Government which assured shelter and soldier's rations, a commission of the American Baptist Home Mission Society (without pay) and a "salary" of four dollars a month from her Sunday-school class in Belvidere, Illinois. Her appoint- ment by the 'Woman's Societyas- sured regular support and was shortly followed by rapidly in- creasing reenforcements.
The methods were simple but varied. Children were gathered into industrial schools and taught how to apply their hands to use- ful arts. Sometimes the elements of "The Three R's" were taught.
Always the evil effects of alcohol were shown. Mothers' meetings gave opportunity for instruction in the cutting and fashioning of garments, in various domestic arts, and in the care and feeding of children, as well as in Bible MRS. GEORGCE W. COLEMAN study.
President, Woman's American Baptist Home Fireside Schools.-From her Mission SOCiety experience with the needs of the homes, Miss Moore evolved the idea of the" Fireside School," which is a glorification of the family altar, where parents and children meet for systematic Bible study and helpful courses of reading. The outline for this family study she supplied in her magazine Hope which since its first .appearance in 1885 has grown from an edition of 500 to a monthly circulation of over 35,000 and reaches probably four times as many readers.
Missionary Training School.-By 1881 "the necessity of a special training for those about to engage in missionary work had grown into a settled conviction." Accordingly the Baptist Mission- ary Training School, in Chicago, was begun in September, 188L From this school, distinguished as the first of its kind, over a thou- sand young women representing thirty nationalities have gone out as Christian workers.
Missionary training courses have been maintained by the So- ciety in several Negro mission schools, and in connection with the Colegio Bautista Howard, at Puebla, Mexico, the Villa Robles, at
FIFTY YEARS OF FRUI'l'l<"UL SERVICE
Rio Piedras, Porto Rico, and since 1924 in the Woman's Department of Berkeley Divinity School, Berkeley, California.
The Indians.-From the Negroes the Society turned its attention to the Indians, who with quick and intelligent response to the Gospel passed the torch from tribe to tribe. The. Choctaws and Chickasaws under the inspiration of the missionary opened work among the Kiowas, who in turn carried the glad tidings to the Hopis on the arid mesas of Arizona. With a courage born of faith the Hopis sent Christian teachers from their own number to their traditional enemies, the surrounding Navajos of the plain.
With avowed admiration the Indians rewarded the women who went alone, unafraid to live among them. "Aim-day-co," they called Maryetta J. Reeside. "Our sister saw us on the wrong road: she SEWING MEETING OF INDIAN WOMEN. ARIZONA saw our great danger and called to us, 'Turn this way! Turn to Jesus!' Therefore we call her' Aim-day-co.' "
A second station among the Kiowas, established in 1893 by Miss Isabelle Crawford, became a beacon light of the Gospel to the Hopis. ']'hough worshiping in a tent and struggling to accumulate funds for H suitable house of worship the Kiowa church not only disdained to accept help for its own project but regularly set aside a sum as a "God's Light Upon the Mountain Society," to send the light to some tribe unacquainted with the Gospel.
To the Monos of California, the Crows of Montana, and the Piutes of Nevada the heroic missionaries penetrated, often laying foundations for the churches since established among the tribes.
Kodiak Orphanage.-In far-off Alaska the only beacon set up by Baptists is that planted by the New England Women's Society in the orphanage on 'Vood Island, near Kodiak, thirty-five years ago.
With the Immigrants.-When immigration from northern Europe deposited thousands of Scandinavians and Germans upon our shores the noblest of their young women enlisted under the motto of the Society, "Christ in Every Horne." Two and three score were in service among their countrymen from California to New York in many towns and at danger points in Utah and at the landing places. These Nordic groups have outgrown the need of help and, strong and self-reliant, are contributing of their; stalwart young men and devoted young women to the missionary forces of the denomination.
Through its messengers of peace the Society has reached more than a score of nationalities-in cities and in rural communities, in mill and mining centers, among the furnaces of the steel industry. North, south, east and west they have gone to every part of our land and beyond the border into Mexico, Cuba, Porto Rico and to Central America.
Education-Negro Schools.-Enduring monuments to the devotion and wisdom of New England's Christian women are the schools which they established. From a small beginning in the cellar of a Negro Baptist church in Atlanta, Georgia, has evolved Spelman College, the only" A" grade college for Negro girls in the world. Overlooking Beaufort Bay, South Carolina, is Mather Industrial School, established at the close of the Civil War as a primary school for the most destitute of Negro girls, now a junior high school. In Richmond, Hartshorn Memorial College fits young women for various positions. In addition to these schools a score of others started either liy home mission interest or Negro initiative have received financial grants from the society, and hundreds of students have been assisted to honorable places in life. At Storer College, Harper's Ferry, Virginia, fifteen buildings adorn the campus of a fine coeducational institution founded, and for years maintained, by the Free Baptist Woman's Missionary Society.
Indian Schools.-The teachers in Indian schools have reached nlany tribes-Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasavs, Cherokees, Seminoles, Wichitas, Arapahoes, Piutes, Crows. Bacone College near Muscogee, Oklahoma, is an institution of junior high school grade, rapidly adding new strength to its curriculum to keep abreast of the awakening ambition of Indian youth. Its graduates are finding their way into colleges and universities and returning to their people as teachers. In Murrow Orphanage which shares the campus with Bacone the Society has had a continuous interest.
Schools for Chinese.-Schools for Chinese boys and girls have been conducted at various points. An unfailing source of satisfaction is the Chinese School in San Francisco which has been in continuous existence since 1884. From it have gone colporteurs and
FIFTY YEARS OF FRUITFUL SERVIOE
missionaries, strong Christians, whose testimony in life has borne rich fruitage. . Schools for Spanish-Speaking N eighbors.-The Spanish-speaking schools in Mexico and Porto Rico are training camps for the development of native leadership. The eight teachers at Monterey are all Mexicans. At Puebla a normal and missionary training department has prepared young women to be teachers. A training school for nurses is attached to the hospital.
In Cuba the Society has had primary schools at many points. These lead to the Colegios Internacionales, at El Cristo, where a normal department fits the most advanced of the girls for teaching.
In Porto Rico where the U. S. Government maintains excellent schools, efforts are concentrated upon primary classes and upon mis- UPPER BIG HORN SCHOOL. ST. XAVIER, MONTANA sionary training in the Villa Robles, at Rio Piedras, close by the University of Porto Rico.
School work in Central America is of recent origin, the three republics of El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras having been assigned to the Baptists as a result of the Panama Conference of 1916. Schools opened in Managua and Santa Ana are overcrowded and children are constantly being turned away. iManagua school has attained the standard grade for that country and now confers degrees upon its graduates. At Santa Ana a training class prepares for teaching.
Hospitals and Nurses' Training Schools.-Since 1886 nurses have been trained at Spelman. MacVicar Hospital grew out of the school. The Hospital Latino Americano, established by Dr. Charles Conwell at Puebla in 1918, also offers a nurses-training course. 'l'hrough clinics and home visitation the school at Santa Ana has re- 2
lieved suffering in many homes and recent special gifts give fair prospect of an improved hospital service in both Salvador and Nicaragua.
Kindergarte'l'bS.- Kindergartens are maintained in Los Angeles, Ran Francisco, Phoenix, Puebla, Kansas City, Brooklyn and New York.
Christian Centers.-In the establishment of houses of friendliness, commonly known as Christian centers, the society has worked in close cooperation with the American Baptist Home Mission Society and the state conventions and city mission societies. Only four of these centers antedate the World War. No work is more fascinating or more challenging. Twenty-six centers now extend hospitality to groups of Indians, Mexicl;lns, Chinese, Negroes, Ital- ians, Slovaks and Japanese, as well as in the crowded ways of San Juan, Porto Rico. All but five of these have resident workers. The standards set up by these Chris· tian homes become the models for the community. Bible study is the very heart of the work at Aiken Institute, Chicago, and so at- tractive that for thirteen successive DISPENSARY OF THE ITALIAN BAPTIST years the Daily Vacation Bible CHURCH AND cO~~M[l,Wll HOUSE, PHILA- School, which last year numbered 1,375, has made the world record for attendance. Brooks House, opened in 1919 at Hammond, Indiana, has so commended itself to the community that three fourths of $50,- 000 needed to supply an addition containing a gymnasium and apartments for the workers has been contributed by local business men under the leadership of a committee of which the chairman is a Jew.
At Brooks House and at Katherine House, Roumanian, Hungarian, Croatian, Mexican, Russian, Polish and Lithuanian groups are gathered in Christian fellowship. To the influence of Rankin Christian Center, at Braddock, Pittsburgh, the burgess publicly paid tribute in the words, "The schools have helped, but by far the greatest influence for good has been the Third Avenue Mission and what its women workers have done for the people." The Chinese Center at Locke, California, was begun in 1922, in response to a request from the Chinese themselves, who provided a building for the work. "The center has meant a renaissance of life to me," said a brighteyed Christian girl from Judson Neighborhood House, New York, and her words would find an answering echo in the heart of many
another Italian boy or girl who has found Christ in one of the Chris- tian centers.
'l'he Japanese 'Women's Home in Seattle has been to many a city of refuge. Its influence has extended to the homeland through those who have returned to it, ufter having adopted as their own the motto: "IDvery one ever ready to serve our Saviour."
"Lovers of Truth," "Los Sembradoras," the women's organi- 7.ation at the San Juan Community House, Puerto di Tierra, Porto Rico, have named themselves.
The Community House for the Hopi Indians provided them with a laundry with tubs and running water and also with shower baths for the refreshment of their bodies. There Christian Indian women commend the Water of Life to their non-Christian friends as they work side by side.
Christian .Americanization.- The conviction that it would never be possible to provide a staff of salaried workers sufficiently large to reach with Christian influence the multitudes of foreign-speaking people of our country led to the adventure in friendliness known as Christian Americanization. This is nothing less than a challenge to the women of the churches to return to normal Christian living, neighborly, friendly interest in those who can be reached in per- COOKING Chi~E, JtIA~'E~E WOMEN'S son, In this venture as in others the Society has been a trail-blazer. Under the capable direction of Miss Alice W. 1. Brimson, the work was organized with regional specialists to instruct the women of the churches how to establish contacts with foreign-speaking homes, especially with the mother, commonly the most neglected and lonesome member of the family. The volunteers receive instruction in methods of teaching English to individuals or groups and in conducting citizenship classes for those who desire to be naturalized. The ideal is to enlist every woman in the church. Over 3,000 volunteers have been secured. Churches are beginning to look upon their communities to discover foreignspeaking homes to be befriended or American homes that need to be Christianized.
Interdenominational Cooperation,-One of the first Boards to
engage in interdenominational cooperation through the Council of Women for Home Missions, the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society contributed Mrs. George 'V. Coleman, who, as the first president of the Council, was for eight years the gu~ding hand in shaping its policies.
Growth in Numbers.-From weak and struggling beginnings the Society has become a strong organization, enlisting women in 10 districts comprising 36 states and 420 associations of Baptist churches in 4,375 societies, with an active membership of 127,931. Young women are enrolled in 2,401 VYorld Wide Guild chapters, and children in 1,816 Children's World Crusade bands. During the past year there have been 337 workers on the field, of whom 181 are missionaries to a score of nationalities in 100 stations; teachers number 156 in 35 schools and kindergartens. A special Golden Anniversary Fund of $500,000 has just been over-subscribed by the women of the churches, the actual amount gathered being $592,000.
Christ in Every Home.-Through evangelism, education, the emancipation of life from the bondage of illiteracy, intemperance and unbelief, the enfranchisement of disadvantaged peoples, emphasis upon the principles underlying the Eighteenth Amendment and unremitting efforts toward the elimination of race prejudice and pride, the Society continues to cooperate with all other organizations designed to extend the kingdom of Ohrist on earth and seeks to realize its goal of "Ohrist in Every Home," believing that it has been proven to be "a planting of the Lord."
,!
HOW MUCH SHALL I GIVE THIS YEAR TO MISSIONS!
A Little Argument with Myself 1. If I refuse to give anything w missions this year, I practically cast a ballot in favor of the recall of every missionary, both in the home and foreign fields.
2. If I give less tkan keretofore, I favor a reduction of the missionary forces proportionate to my reduced contribution.
3. If I give tke same as formerly, I favor holding the ground already won, but I disregard any forward movement. My song is, "Hold the Fort!" forgetting that the Lord never intended that His army should take refuge in a fort. All of His soldiers are under marching orders always. They are commanded to "Go!"
4. If I advance my offering beyond fO'f"mer years, then I favor an advance movement in the conquest of new territory for Christ. Shall I not join in this class ?
Resolved: I do believe in greatly increasing tke present number of missionaries; th6'f"efore I will increase my former offerings to missionary work.
A Chinese Message to
Issued at a Mass Meeting of Chinese Christians He~d in Shanghai, February 6, 1927 The following open letter to missionaries was adopted by a recent meeting of Chinese Christians in Shanghai.
1. THE SITUATION China is at present going through a gigantic upheaval, the main characteristics of which can be summarized as follows: 1. A struggle for a stronger and freer national life. 2. A struggle for a fuller and richer content in the life of the masses. 3. A struggle for a more worthy place in the family of nations. 4. A struggle towards a new cultural expression which will unite the best in our intellectual and spiritual life with the best in modern scientific civilization.
This fourfold struggle has penetrated every phase of Ohinese life today and in its onward sweep profoundly affects every form of organized effort in the country. We, Chinese Christians in Shanghai, feel acutely the challenge of this present hour. Already among us two definite trends have been greatly accentuated: II. OUR ATTITUDE 1. More than ever before, there stirs in the heart of the Chinese Christian Church the desire to find its own soul and to live its own life.
2. More than ever before, the Chinese Christian Church is experi- encing a compelling sense of obligation to assume responsibility for carrying on the Christian movement in China even though its leaders are fully conscious of their unpreparedness for the task.
Christian workers in China have reacted to the present situation in various ways. Some regard this upheaval as a temporary manifestation of unrest which will soon pass away. These believe it will then be possible again to resume their life and work very largely under the conditions which prevailed before. Others have been so discouraged by the continuance of one trouble after another that they have become extremely pessimistic and can see no hope for the future. But there is another group whose hearts, while frankly filled with anxiety and perplexity, nevertheless are moved also with hope and with a spirit of adventure because they have seen the guiding hand of God in the present situation. The future of the Christian movement jn China will depend very largely upon whether this small group of Christians will be able to maintain a faith, courage and wisdom equal to the superhuman demands of the hour.
581
In this crucial experience through which we are passing, we need the continued cooperation of the older Christian communions of the vVest and of our missionary coworkers in China. None better than ourselves realize our unpreparedness to carryon a Christian movement which thus far has been fostered largely by the churches of the West.
Our Convictions In this cooperation, may we share with you our convictions as to the spirit in which we are called upon to undertake our common service?
1. As followers of Christ all of us should persistently endeavor always to let our love triumph over any sense of being misunderstood or unjustly treated, over considerations of national prestige or personal safety, over differences of opinion and over pride and prejudice.
2. Whatever happens to our institutions and programs of work, we still stand in need of your best contribution, which is the sharing with us of your deepest personal experience of God through Christ.
3. We 'invite you to identify yourselves fully (1) with the Chinese people, in accepting the risk involved in the voluntary surrendering of your extraterritorial status and (2) with the Chinese Church, by merging your present mission organizations with it, thus bringing directly to the Church the gift of all your knowledge and experience.
4. As followers of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Goodwill, shall not missionaries and Chinese Christians unite in undertaking the ministry of sympathy, understanding and reconciliation in the midst of strained relationships of all kinds?
Above all, let us unite before God in a humble and penitent spirit and examine ourselves as to: (1) How truly Christian our own individual lives are and, (2) How well prepared we are to make a worthy Christian COlltribution to the great human needs around us today.
III. SOM~~ PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS 1. '1'he Christian Church, if it is to make its contribution to the unfolding life of the Chinese people at the present time, must have in its own fellowship that triumphant spiritual life which is rooted in a vivid cOllsciousness of God through Christ. Shall we not see in this period of forced interruptions to our normal work, an opportunity and call to find for ourselves, individually and in groups, a deeper experience of God1 2. In the midst of the profound political, social and economic changes now going on in the country, we feel greatly perplexed as to what constitutes for us the Christian way of life today. Can we not in the coming year come together all over the country in little
A OIDNESE MESSAGE TO MISSIONARIES
groups which will in a spirit of prayer and fearless inquiry seek an answer to these all-important questions 1 3. Extraordinary occasions in life call for prompt and adventurous adjustments. The whole Christian movement in China is today facing such an occasion. We, therefore, urge: (1) That immediate representations be made by missionaries, either through deputations going back to their home countries or through other means, calling for an immediate readjustment in treaties with China on the basis of economic equality and mutual respect for each other's political and territorial sovereignty.
(2) That the mission boards send immediately representatives to China to work out with Christian leaders in this country definite measures for the placing of all branches of Christian work under the administrative charge of Chinese Christian bodies.
(3) That responsible missionary church leaders in China, in the meanwhile, get together to work out ways and means toward this transfer of responsibility.
4. ShoHld not a meeting of responsible Christian workers in China be called immediately to study the present situation and fearlessly examine into their work with a nation-wide perspective and across denominational lines, in order to determine which enterprises within the Christian movement should at all costs be maintained, with a view to the concentration of our resources in men and monev on those enterprises which are making the most vital contribution's to the life of the Chinese people?
In concluding this word to our missionary co-workers, we wish again to express to them our deep appreciation of the noble work which they have been carrying on in China, to assure them of our continued trust and affection, and to record herewith our conviction that they have a permanent and fruitful place in the service of Christ among our people.
WHAT TRIBE IS THATl T RIBAL distinctions are marked among the people of Cameroun, West Africa. Sometimes Christian evangelists of one tribe meet many hardships in presenting Christ to the peoples of other tribes. One afternoon three women went to visit a Presbyterian missionary, who, beginning a simple effort at evangelization, asked them if they were Christians.
"Oh, no, we are daughters of the Njem tribe. We have never heard of that strange people. They do not live here."
The missionary, with a heart of deepest sympathy, in writing to friends at home said: "Ah, my friends, how true that is at present, but what a golden opportunity there is bef.ore us, because everywhere the people are thirsting f.or the knowledge of Christ."
Christians in the Present
Some Reports from China "WHEN the final record is written" says Mr. Stanley High, who was in China during the sack of Nanking, "no modern period of Christian history will be more inspiring than this present period in China. The loyalty of the Chinese Christians to the faith they have owned-their loyalty during these times of the Nationalist movement-takes one back to first-century Christianity for a parallel." A few incidents, quoted by Mr. High, will help to tell the story: In West China, according to Mr. Lewis Havermale, "the Chinese preachers have organized themselves into a' Flying Squadron' whereby they can report immediately at any point where the pastor is becoming overwhelmed by anti-Christian propaganda-by means of interviews, public meetings, and tracts or posters, encouraging Christians and effecting reconciliations. They have taxed themselves to provide for the budget. They have, by written contract, bound themselves to provide funeral expenses for any who may be slain by fanatics, and to provide for their widows and orphans."
At a recent meeting in Chungking when salary cuts were imminent many said, "If we were in the employ of some other institution, the Post Office for example, we would now call a strike. We have talked the matter over. We have decided not to strike. The job of preaching the Gospel is not that of the missionaries but of us Christians. We will, therefore, return to our tasks even though we scarcely have enough on which to live. We will do our utmost, God helping us. "
Bishop Logan H. Roots, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, tells many incidents of the devotion of the Christians. Here are two: A pastor in a city near Hankow was taken by the "Reds," bound, beaten and carried in disgrace through the streets of the city. He was placed upon a platform before a jeering crowd.
"If you will renounce this Jesus," said the tormentors, "we will let you go."
"I am a Christian," said the pastor. "You may kill me, but until death I cannot cease to preach. And if I am killed my spirit will remain in this place as a witness to my Lord."
In the face of such courage and such a testimony he was released. Two other pastors were imprisoned, after having been badly beaten. They were told that they would be released if they renounced their faith. It happened that the day on which they were imprisoned was, in the Episcopal Church calendar, sacred to the memory of St.
584 Stephen. The two Ohinese pastors stood up in the midst of their fellow prisoners, and preached the story of Stephen. "We need men like Stephen in Ohina," said the prisoners-and together the whole company knelt and prayed that God would send more Stephens to the aid of Ohina.
"This is a day of spiritual rebirth in Ohina," said Bishop Roots.
Most striking of all these examples of Ohristian devotion come from Nanking. Last March, during the entire day of terrors, when escape for the missionaries seemed unlikely, little groups of Ohinese boys and girls and preachers and laymen-between frantic efforts to save their foreign friends-slipped into hiding places and held im- promptu prayer meetings for the safety of the missionaries.
"It was a day of tragedy," says one missionary, "but also a day of prayer." It seems almost certain that few of the missionaries could have escaped but for the sacrifices of the Ohinese Ohristians.
These men and women have been forced to remain to pay the price for their devotion. When the soldiers came to kill Miss Lulu Golisch, the girls of her school made a circle, three deep about her, knelt down in prayer and then told the soldiers: "If you kill her you must first kill us." The Ohinese dean of that school remained all day, at his post, suffering the abuse of the soldiers. He refused to leave even when his own home was looted and his wife and children were driven away. .
"Until this tragedy," said Miss Golisch, "we never knew how deeply Christ had taken hold upon the lives of our believers. "
One of the pastors at Nanking took his accumulated savings in order to buy soap, towels, toothbrushes, etc., for the missionaries who were in hiding vear his home. When they left he gave to each a bar of chocolate "in case you are delayed." The Ginling Oollege girls were dispersed, but organized little groups and spent the day, in the backs of shops or hidden in the cemeteries, in continual prayer.
When Dr. Price, an aged missionary, was told that he must pay several hundred dollars or forfeit his life, a group of Ohinese Chris- tians banded together and raised the sum, an almost impossible amount for Ohinese Ohristians to give.
Dr. H. F. Rowe, head of the Theological School, was beaten and dragged through the streets of the city. Chinese clothes were pro- vided by his Ohristian rescuers and he said; "It was worth the price of admission. Now we know, as never before, the reality of the faith which our Ohinese Ohristians have professed. "
"THE ORDEAL OF NANKING"* BY SEARLE BATES The suddenness of the outburst at Nanking has been such a shock to those who were in it and to the press of the world • Extracts from the World Call, May.
that there is a revulsion from Ohina bound to hurt the right relations of Ohristian people with the Ohinese. Many missionaries are returning to America immediately, some from necessity and some from discouragement-all of whom will more or less consciously justify their rdurn by emphasizing the evils from which they are withdrawing. I am continually hearing that "We must tell the churches the truth regarding the awful conditions in Ohina.'" Yes, but let it be the whole truth, faced in a Ohristian spirit, never forgetting the good in the midst of the bad. Things may grow worse instead of better. But did Jesus and Paul demand ideal conditions for their ministry, and say that they would quit if they did not get them' If we have to flee into the next city, all right. But we will go back when we can, meanwhile sustaining the Ohinese who bear the burden and cannot enjoy the luxury of escape.
Of the active agents for deliverance, three were of especial importance. Chinese friends appeared from every side to render all possible help at great peril to themselves; they were of every sort and class, f:rom the humblest to the greatest. They hid foreigners in their own houses; they guided them to places of concealment; they provided information and food for those completely cut off; they paid scores of ransoms from petty sums to hundreds of dollars; they pleaded with soldiers who were in the act of shooting; they stepped between missionaries and their attackers. These actions endangered them, and, as they well knew, marked them for later persecution. Perhaps the most conspicuous heroism was shown by the students and Ohinese faculty of the University, who gave abundant individual aid, and through twenty-four hours gathered all foreigners from the interior of the city into a university building for such protection as they could provide. Hundreds of Ohinese helped at great risk and gave impressive evidence of what Ohristian work meant in Nanking.
Everyone who passed through these days has a new assurance of the things that abide, of faith, and hope, and love. Each has seen the inability of death to conquer spirit, and has lived in peace in the face of those who took up the sword. Little or no personal property, whether the irreplaceable pictures and keepsakes, or the furniture, books and clothing, slowly gathered through years of economy, remains for scores of homes. But for most, the pain and the losses can be forgotten in the devotion of Ohinese, and in the fellowship of suffering which united them with the thousands of Ohinese who are victims in each campaign of brutal soldiery. If only love and helpfulness can continue between the Ohristians of the West, and the Ohristians as well as all who need help in the crisis of China, the wounds can be healed and the temporary breaks restored. Each man and woman who shared in this experience is proud to be one of the group in which he saw so much fortitude and good cheer, such for-
1927J CHINESE CHRISTIANS IN THE PRESENT ,CRISIS
getfulness of self, such complete restraint in the midst of utter provocation, so little bitterness or complaint. Not one woman became hysterical; not one man let slip the timely blow which would have been natural but would have increased the danger to all; none, even the youngest, caused others to be unhappy because of his own sufferings or discomforts. Each can testify of his fellow-workers that there are still missionaries ready to bear all things and to carry one another's burdens without fainting. Chinese and Westerners revealed to each other and to themselves depths of character too seldom realized in daily duties; and when the common life can be restored, there will be yet richer fruits of Christian effort.
SOME LOSSES IN NANKING In addition to the great loss that came through the murder of Dr. Williams and the driving out of the missionaries from Nanking, much personal and mission property was stolen or destroyed. Losses of $302,100 were incurred by the University of Nanking, and its staff, when Nationalist soldiers looted the school buildings and the residences on tlie campus.
The trustees of the University have made an appeal for $174,100 from American Christians to cover losses and emergency needs. Additi01ial items of loss for which no appeal is made at the present time include: five residences burned, $30,000; damage to university buildings and equipment during looting, $30,500; loss of personal property by members of the staff who are supported by the cooperating mission boards, $124,000.
The University of Nanking had a staff of nineteen families who were appointed by the mission boards supporting the University: the Baptist, the Disciples, the Methodist Episcopal, and the Presbyterian denominational mission boards; of twelve families and twelve single missionaries supported by university funds; and of nearly two hundred fifty Chinese staff members-deans, professors, and instructors and assistants.
Two parts of the Nanking story have not been fully told. The first is the thrilling story of the loyalty and devotion of Chinese teachers, students, servants, and citizens to their foreign associates and friends on the university staff. Again and again they risked their lives and their possessions by hiding foreigners in their houses and by remonstrating with looters and soldiers. One member of the faculty reports his life saved by a' young university graduate who stepped between him and levelled rifles saying: "If you must shoot someone, shoot me." On the second day, when the refugees were gathered for safety in the attic of one of the university buildings, hundreds of Chinese of all classes-teachers, students, business men, servants, coolies-streamed in and out all day, thrusting on their foreign friends money, clothing, food, necessities of one kind and
another, and expressing with tears on their cheeks-an evidence of depth of feeling seldom seen in China-their profound sorrow at the indignities, destruction and death that the soldiers had caused.
One Chinese Christian secured, during the day, pledges of $10,- 000 silver from Chinese business men to buy off the soldiers. Others sought aid from authorities or joined in endeavors to protect properties. Tragic, brutal, and sad as were the events of those days, there stands out shining clear the record of hundreds of deeds of unselfish kindness by the poor and the well-to-do-a tribute in itself to the place in the hearts of Nanking's people.
The Chinese people of Nanking were greatly shocked at the destruction and damage that have caused so much sadness. Hundreds express.ed deepest sorrow at the tragic closing of Dr. J. E. Williams' missionary service. Many, out of their poverty, gave all they could to relieve the needs of their friends who had suffered so greatly while guests in their land. It is a small thing to ask American Christians to give money to help make good some of the losses suffered by these men and y.'"omen and to enable the work to go forward.
Each of the mission boards is appealing for aid from friends in America to meet the present emergency. Many expenses must go on, even though the work has temporarily been interrupted. Missionaries and their families must be transferred to other places and their living expenses must be provided. The Chinese Christian workers, also, must not be deserted in this crisis. At least one million dollars extra contributions will be required by the Mission Boards to meet this emergency.
MODERN HEROES OF FAITH A Missionary Version of Hebrews 11: 32-40 And what shall I more say f for the time would fail me to tell of John Williams, who through faith subdued kingdoms; of John Paton, who wrought righteousness; of Hudson Taylor, who obtained promises; of Mary Slessor, who out of weakness was made strong; of George Mackay, who waxed valiant in fight; of Robert Moffat, who turned to flight the armies of the aliens; of Henry Martyn, who was tortured, not accepting deliverance; of Adoniram .Judson, who had trial of bonds and imprisonment; of Raymond Lull, who was stoned at Bugia; of .James Chalmers, who was sawn asunder by cannibals; of Horace Tracy Pitkin, who was slain with the sword; of David Ilivingstone, who wandered about destitute, afflicted, tormented; of James Gilmour, who wandered in deserts and in mountains, and of Robert Morrison, who obtained a good report through faith, but received not the promise, and who through us is made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.-Missions.
Crisis in the Chinese Church *
M R. T. Z. KOO, one of the brilliant young men of the New China, addressed a meeting of missionaries at Shanghai, on February 10. Mr. Koo (who was one of the contributors to the book, "China Through Chinese Eyes") is a leading member of the National Christian Council of China. The subject of the address was "The Christian Church and the Present Crisis." He said in part: "What, after all, is our aim in China7 We are today in the process of nation making. China as a nation does not exist today; she is merely a collection of families. The unit is the family, not the nation; loyalty to a family is much more real than loyalty to a nation. The conception must be broadened from family to nation. The revolution of 1911 was just a change of political laurels. By contrast the revolution of 1927 is a mental process, a thinking through educative processes of particular manifestations. If any group of people are suspected of being in the way of the onward progress of this Nationalist movement they will have their usefulness and even their very existence endangered. God is leading China today as He led the children of Israel through the wilderness into the Promised Land. We, too, have our wilderness to go through-our temptations; we, too, make false friends; but we shall get through to our Promised Land, or our children will."
Turning to the relation of the Christian Church to the present crisis, Mr. Koo said that this was an even more difficult matter to face than the political phenomena. "I want to dig into the intellectual problem created for the Church," he said. "I myself have been trying to grasp the spiritual significance of this movement. May I ask that we probe into our hearts? Have we heard God's voice? God is testing the Church in its capacity to love-'Lovest thou Me?' If we can answer 'Yes,' then who can take away from us that commission, 'Feed My Sheep'? Some missionaries have been forced to leave their work; doubtless many are full of anxiety. Do we reali'ze the spiritual significance of what is happening? Do we love J esuslove Him more than anything else? Then, 'Tend My Flock.' Where is His flock right now? We have given thought to our mission finances and to our property. Are we taking thought for His flock? If we are prepared to answer that question in the affirmative-good! God is testing the Church in the inward things; but we are thinking of property. The Church has in China property running into millions of dollars. We have great mission equipment-schools and hospitals. All have been created with the idea of foreign leadership. We are so possessed with an idea of our own importance that when the breath <From The Methodist Times of London.
589
of criticism blows we fear, and immediately want to close down this or that piece of work. This is to say that you come out not because you are interested in the people, but rather that you are interested in running a particular institution. Now that the conditions in which we find ourselves render our institutions useless, and cause us physical dangers and sufferings, we should be brought to realize that our task is a spiritual task-the task of saving souls, a, task that was lost to us in the midst of our instit'utions.
"God is testing us in our capacity to identify ourselves with the life of the common people. 'rhe attitude of the philanthropist is resented; it recoils on ourselves. To identify ourselves with the life of the common people would find practical expression in opposition to social abuses. There is a desire to swing ourselves into the popular current. But when we try as a Christian Church to ally ourselves with the popular movements, simply because they are popular, we make a great mistake. God will use the Communists as an instrument; He will use the Kuomintang. Instruments go forth blindly and often go forward to their own destruction; but while useful they' will be used by God. Alexander and Napoleon were instruments used by God, but they were destroyed. The Church here is God's divine instrument; it is indestructible, and should not desire to be merely the tool of any lesser instrument."
ANTI-OHRISTIAN OHINESE ANSWERED D R. CLELAND B. McAFEE, of the McCormick Presbyterian Theo- logical Seminary, Chicago, talked to a group of anti-Christian Chinese students who inquired about the C!Jristian movement in general, and Christianity in particular. He defined the Christian movement as the voluntary effort of Christian believers to make Jesus Christ known everywhere. As voluntary, it has nothing to do with governments or with social programs. It is a movement of ideas, forming its own institutions as it goes along in each land. The four details are: 1. It is an effort of Christian believers to fulfill the wish of the Founder of our Faith; 2. It is an effort to share with others the best that Christians think they have; 3. It is an effort to express the universal nature of the Christian Faith; 4. It is an effort to help in unifying the world. A brief statement of the Christian faith also was in four items. It is a religion which teaches that: 1. God is a holy, loving Father. 2. In Christ He has provided complete forgiveness. for all sins and a perfect example of life; 3. He calls us to a brotherhood around Christ which makes the world good and helpful and happy; 4. He has provided an eternal home of complete holiness and happiness to which He wants us all to go.
GIRLS MAKING' WALKS TO EARN MONEY FOn THANK-OFFEnING
Intimate Glimpses of a West Virginia School-II E;dracts f rom a Series of News L ett ers Sent Out Dt/,ring the Last Eight een Months from the Pattie C. Stockdale Memorial S chool, Colcord, West Virginia, Supported by the Board of National Missions of the Presbyt erian Church, U. S . .A.
BY ANNA BELLE STEWART, DIREOTOR (Concluded from J 'uly iss~te.) Our hearts swell up with joy for the outpouring of rich blessing in ansver to prayer. For many months we waited for the Lord to send us a pastor who would love and understand our people and have an evangelistic spirit. In November there was sent to us just the man. Even before his household goods were unpacked he was engaged in a series of meetings in our chapel. For two weeks he labored and prayed among us, during which time fourteen young people accepted Christ as Saviour and publicly confessed Him. Some of the young men we have longed so much to reach were drawn into the meetings, and many of them for the first time seemed to be attentive as our pastor told the gospel story. Can you imagine our happiness the night the last of our school family accepted Him and we were thus made "complete in Him'"
591
The prayer life in our home grew more precious than ever before and several of our girls had their first experience in leading a comrade to Christ. They became so concerned that one night after they had been tucked into bed and while the faculty was meeting for prayer downstairs, by common consent they slipped from their beds and on their knees made confession of their own sins and prayed earnestly for the salvation of others. The next day they asked that in addition to the many daytime gatherings for prayer they might have half an hour each night for the united outpouring of their petitions. We were much touched by the prp,yer and efforts of two of our girls to bring to Christ the young men who were interested in them. Both of these boys made the decision, and one very frankly admits that it was due to the prayers and influence of the student he admires. How powerful for good among our young people are friendships which are built on Christ! This boy has been used of the Lord to bring a worldly sister to a realization of her need and to a ringing testimony to the new-found power in her life.
How we wish words could convey to you the atmosphere in all the work here! New avenues for training and influence are constantly opening. A flourishing young men's reading club has come at the solicitation of the young men themselves. Frequently groups come without special invitation to listen in on a radio service or for a sing. Students clamor for the privilege of teaching a Sunday-school dass.
However, school duties and evangelistic meetings were not alone in claiming time and prayer, for November is the month of expressing concretely the gratitude of our hearts for opportunity for training and service. Late in. October announcement was made of the approaching Thank Offering and ways and means were devised by which our girls might show through labor exchanged for gold their heart-felt thanks and desire to spread the Gospel. It was a difficult task to teach our inexperienced girls the joy of sacrificial giving. But prayer and untiring effort linked to the influence of one student, who in another mission school had learned this joy, brought encouraging results. Every nook and corner of time was claimed by money-earning activities, even to the giving up of the few recreational hours in our life here. Walks were laid, logs carried and stored for winter use, nuts cracked, mice caught, teachers' rooms cleaned and kept in order, wrinkles chased, new garments made, and 8tockings darned. Hands and feet which at first moved reluctantly from a sense of duty moved more swiftly and lovingly as the true meaning of the offering was understood. A request came that the making of the offering be postponed a week so that a few more hours of work would make their expression of thanks a little more adequate. With tenseness we awaited results, and found that the total offering was $140.00 and that our own girls averaged $3.00 each in their
INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF A WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL-II
contributions. Small perhaps, but a forward step for girls who never knew the joy of giving.
Our Ohristmas activities included a dinner for the girls, caroling, a candlelight service on Ohristmas night, and programs in our Sunday-schools. The opening event, which was both educational and social, was a holiday dinner served before the family separated for vacation. Generous friends sent decorations and goodies. The table decked with Ohristmas candles, place cards, and favors created the atmosphere and was declared by the high-school home-making class to be the most beautiful they had ever seen. This occasion gave suggestions to our girls of ways to brighten their home celebrations. On ONE GROUP FROM THE ALL-BIBLE D. V. B. S. AT FULTON; : AUGUST, 1926 Ohristmas Eve a band of singers braved the rain and storm to bring the spirit of Ohristmas to many homes. In the silence of the night this vaUey for the first time rang with the voices of a caroling band and echoed the gladness of the performers, mistaken by one family for angels coming to carry away their sick child.
We assisted in the program at Ameagle and were wholly responsible for the programs in the other three Sunday-schools. According to the materials at hand, adaptations were made at Lawson and Fulton of the program which was first presented at Oolcord. Everywhere the hardships of travelling with all the properties and "cast" in large springless wagons over muddy, bumpy roads were forgotten in the joy of the hearty response of the people. Knowing 3
the power of the Bible story of the first Ohristmas in its beauty and simplicity, and the efficacy of the Word of God, the account of the shepherds found in Luke and the story of the Wise Men from Mat- thew were selected as the material around which our exercises were built. These passages were illustrated by appropriate carols and tableaux, which introduced the characters in costumes of Bible times. The junior high school recited the Scripture and led in the singing of the carols.
**** The work grows rapidly. The junior high school has left behind its inconvenient two-room structure and is now housed in a sub- stantial four-room brick building. From the community has come a petition to the local school board to establish a senior high school, and this together with.the strong hope of another dormitory on our •campus this year gives promise of a larger educational program. The lives of the girls in the school family have been unfolding with a rare beauty. They have learned the power of prayer for themselves and for others. From community and school come requests for Bible study and prayer circles. Every Tuesday night a group of young men meet to study the Book of Acts. In a meeting every Saturday afternoon for teacher training and for preparation of the coming lesson our young Sunday-school teachers reveal not only an interest in learning to present the lesson in the most telling manner but a concern for the spiritual growth of the little ones entrusted to them. This training is definite preparation for service in their home com- munities. The three Ohristian Endeavor societies are thriving. If you could step into a Senior meeting you would find our uneducated farmer serving as president and taking part in the meeting while by his side one of the high school teachers, a college graduate, listens intently and awaits his turn to participate. The Intermediate group comes from ~;.soul-searching prayer:service into its larger meeting. With the'bacltrows filled with youngl men and women who are there because they' know of nowhere else' to go there is a challenge to prayer and per~onal work for these zealous youngOhristians. Almost every week there is response to the invitation that is given to accept Ohrist. The earnestness of the Juniors is shown as a group of them meets daily to pray for the welfare of the society and that hearts might be touched. These three organizations have given $300 to missions this year.
Ameagle, our most promising station, after being open to us for only six months, boasts six services a week. A Tuesday night sing, a Thursday night Bible class, preaching or a stereopticon lecture on Saturday night, Sunday-school, a prayer meeting for girls on Sunday afternoon, and a Sunday night prayer meeting are the, services in- cluded in its program.
Japan was the country studied and portrayed in the School of Missions which opened early in February and met every :B'riday night for six weeks. Interest ran high in making decorations and in presenting plays and pageants, while the social instinct was satisfied in meeting together day after day for rehearsals. The most outstand- ing benefit, however, came in the knowledge acquired of the need of the Gospel and ·of the work of missions in other lands. Hustle and hustle in preparing decorations preceded the first session. All hands were busy. Little boys gathered pink fruit wrappers, high school young people cut and pasted them to make cherry blossoms and . labored over a wisteria lattice, while staff members nailed, glued, and painted until a fine torii and beautiful Japanese screen were finished. Sewing machines hummed as kimonos were made and later re- modeled, and daily during the entire course the chapel was the scene 0f one or more rehearsals. :B'or hours the typewriter clicked out copies and revisions of plays. The chapel became a veritable Jap- anes"e bower, for added to the Colcord-made decorations were pictures, parasols, fans, lanterns, flags, and dolls from the Sunrise Kingdom. About one hundred and thirty people gathered each week for the devotional service, separated for nine classes which used all the graded study material available, and came again to the chapel to learn from play or pageant more of our yellow-skinned brothers. At the closing session an offering was made for missions. Our faithful farmer (who contributed $5.00) was much disappointed when he learned that only $40.00 had been given. He had expected that there would be at least $100.00. His testimony to the appeal made to him through the study of missions and to the joy of giving stirred our hearts. The pageant of that last night was wonderful in setting, ~ostuming, and presentation. In the hush of the closing moments one of our workers stepped forward and made the appeal for life service. Prayerfully we awaited the response for this was the climax to our weeks of work and prayer and we knew of the days and nights of struggle which had gone before in many young hearts. One girl who' became ill from the conflict tried to get away from the insistent repetition of the lines "Behold how many thousands still are lying bound in the darksome prisonhouse of sin." She found no peace until her heart echoed the words of that beautiful hymn "Take my life and let it be consecrated to Thee." This girl was the first of thirteen young people to respond to the appeal.
Little by little our young people have come to know the joy of sacrificial giving; they have learned to work and pray for the salvation of souls and the advancement of the kingdom; and now twenty of these precious lives have been give.n for His service wherever He may call. Cannot you who from afar share in the work and we who labor here lift our hearts together and rejoice because "great is our Lord and of great power?"
E. Clark-A World-Wide
Christian* BY REV. R. P. ANDERSON, BOSTON, MASS. Editorial flecretary of the United Society of Christian Endeavor T HE founder of this world-wide, international, interdenom- inational society ?f young and activ~ C~risti~n workers,. was the most unassummg of men. A prachcalldeahst, he was gifted with a Napoleonic mind, allied with the Christ spirit. He thought in continents, and in terms of the Church Universal. During his life he saw the emphasis of the church's teaching ministry changed to take up the training of adolescent youth for Christ and the Church. He placed the young people in the midst. He discovered the potentialities of the youth of the world. He saw young people of the Church drifting away because they had nothing to do that interested them, and he organized them on the basis of loyalty to Christ and His Church. In the forty-six years of the Society's existence more than twenty million young people have passed through its training, and today there are scattered throughout the world over four million active members of the organization.
This is one of the largest societies in the world, the members of which give voluntary service. The paid officers of the Movement in all lands probably do not exceed between forty and fifty, but there is a host of ten thousand officers of Chrifltian Endeavor Unions, not to speak of a multitude of officers of societies, all of whom give time, energy, and money to the tasks they undertake. What this release of energy, loyalty, and devotion has meant and still means to the Church, no one can estimate. Roger Babson, the well-known economist, has said that he owes more to a little Christian Endeavor society in Gloucester, Mass., than to any other organization. This is characteristic of the effects of Christian Endeavor upon the minds of many.
From the first Christian Endeavor has been interdenominational. The unions are composed of societies belonging to different denominations in a given community, and are united on a platform of service. Long ago Dr. Clark saw that in the present state of things there could be no interdenominational fellowship on a basis of creeds. Christian Endeavor, therefore, has never stressed doctrinal matters but has consistently referred Endeavorers to their own denomination- • Rev. FranciS E. Clark, D.D., LL.D" founder" of the Christian Endeavor movement, died on May 26th, at his home in Newton. near Boston. Massachusetts,. at the age of seventy-five years and eight months. He lived to see the Christian Endeayor society, formed in 1881 in his church in Portland, Maine, spread into all thf'l world and become a mighty organization, approximating eighty thousand societies in e1ighty different denominations. This host of young people looked to him throughout all these years for inspiration and leadership. TWo years ago he resigned. the presidency of the United States Society of Christian Endeavor, which includes the societies in the United States, Canada and Mexico. HiS: Auccessor is Dr. Dp,ni~l A. P()1ing, minister of the Marble CoJleg!at. Church, New York City. and editor of The Christian Herald.
596 al teachings. But Christian Endeavor has helped to break down prej- ..udices and to build np the spirit of brotherhood.
Christian Endeavor is also interracial. It is as well adapted to Chinese and Japanese and to Negroes in Africa, as to the white man in America. The largest Christian Endeavor society in the world is in Bolenge, Africa. IDvery member of the great church there is an Endeavorer. The society has branches in every prominent province in China, where it was started in .
1885. In connection with the cele- bration of the fortieth anniversary of its founding there, an "Increase Campaign" was started, which raised the number of societies from twelve hundred to twenty- five hundred. Christian Endeavor is especially strong in Great Britain, in Australia, and in Ger- many. Before the war there were only some five hundred societies in Germany. Today there are more than sixteen hundred. The Society is also found in the new countries created by the war in Europe, and it is serving missionaries in practically every mission field.
Dr. Clark was a great traveler.
His first journey in the interests of Christian Endeavor was made to England in 1888; since then he has travelled five times around the REV. FRANCIS E. CLARK. D.D. world, besides making innumerable journeys to Europe, Africa and the Orient. One of his trips took him to the cities in which St. Paul ministered, and the result is a large volume, "In the Footsteps of St. PauL" He was one of the last men to leave Peking, China, before the Boxer rebellion broke out in 1900, and was the first to undertake the long journey overland across Siberia, by rail and boat, from China to Petrograd, R~ssia. Again and again he visited every state of the Union, encouraging, inspiring, and cheering the young people in the work of the Kingdom.
Few men ever had so wide an opportunity to promote the spread of the Christian religion as Dr. Clark. The Society has never swerved from its religious ideals. The pledge which the members take sets before them the highest of all ideals, the life of Christ Himself: "Trusting in the Lord J eS'lts CMist for strength, I promise Him that I wiU strive to do whatever He would like to have me do."
'rhis idea has become ingrained in the consciousness of multitudes in all lands, and has made the religion of Jesus very practical.
Since his hand was upon all lands, Dr. Clark was naturally interested in the whole world. He was a peacemaker. The brotherhood of Christian Endeavor not only helped to break down racial prejudices, but also helped to heal even the wounds of war. Everyone knows the bitterness that existed between Boer and Briton after the Boer War. It is not generally known that the first time Boer and Briton met in friendly manner after the war was in a Christian Endeavor union meeting in Capetown, South Africa, when they sangin Dutch and in English, together, the hymn, "Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love."
After the world war, largely through Dr. Clark's influence, German Endeavorers in their convention in Hamburg invited some British Endeavorers as guests. There again the bitterness of war was forgotten in the spirit of Jesus Christ. British Endeavorers each year invite groups of German young people to British Holiday Homes; 'and this year German private families are inviting British Endeavorers to spend a vacation in their homes in Germany. We do not know of any international organization which is so well adapted to create the spirit of brotherhood and peace as is Christiau Endeavor. In international Christian Endeavor gatherings the love of Christ proves stronger than that of nationality. During the World's Christian Endeavor Convention in London last year the British societies entertained as guests groups of German Endeavorers without a trace of bitterness on either side, and no one who was present at that great gathering will ever forget the sight of Dr. Clark on the platform, while representatives of forty nations planted their flags around a Christian Endeavor monogram, as a tribute of the world to what Christian Endeavor has done for peace and amity. . Dr. Clark made religion popular with young people. He showed them how they might do religious work on their own initiative; and in their societies, in their committees and in their unions they learned how to organize and how to get things done. The spiritual side, however, was not forgotten, The Christian Endeavor meeting is a prayer meeting, and is held in the atmosphere of worship. In these days, when the family altar is fading away, Christian Endeavor, through its Quiet Hour, has put needed emphasis upon the necessity of feeding the spiritual life in private through prayer and meditation.
The influence of the life of Dr. Clark will live through many generations. While no monument may be erected to his memory, the living monument of his impress on the lives of the young people of the world abides. He was one of the best loved men in all the worldloved for his work's sake, and for the spirit of humility and Christlikeness that he manifested throughout his seventy-five years.
a Brahman Became a
The Story of Dr. Kali Charan ChattM'jee* BY THE LATE J. C. R. EWING, D.D., LL.D.
KALI CRARAN CHA'I'TERJEE was born as a Kulin Brah- man into a social rank second to none in Hindu society. As a winner of medals and prizes during his college course, and as teacher of English Literature, he might have attained eminence as a college professor; and as a devout Hindu he would have won the respect and reverence of his countrymen. In his childhood he lived with his aunt, a widow from her childhood, who devoted much of her time to memorizing the religious books of her faith, to prayer and almsgiving. She delighted to tell her little nephew the stories she had gathered from the Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. At the age of eight he was invested with a sacred thread, called Upanayana, the symbol of the dwija, or twice born. Long years afterwards he referred to the profound impression made upon him by the ideas then emphasized that he should renounce the world and consider himself as the temple of the Divine Spirit, and that he should abstain from everything low and degrading. While a pupil of the Anglo- Vernacular High School, conducted by the C. iM. S. at Agarparah, Bengal, a distance of two miles from his father's house, he was greatly impressed by the life of the headmaster, B. Guru Charan Bose, and of one of the Christian teachers. He began to compare the life and character of the Lord Jesus Christ with those of the gods he had been taught to worship. He spent much time in the reading of the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Puranas; and became greatly interested in contrasting their contents with those of the Bible. As a result of this study he soon arrived at the definite conviction that Jesus is indeed" holy, harmless and undefiled," adopted His precepts and made them the guiding principles of his life. He won the first place in the Scripture examination of the school, and received as a prize a beautifully bound copy of the Bible. Joining with three fellow students in the careful reading of this volume and in prayer that God might show them the light and guide them into His truth, this group of students of the Bible early became impressed by such passages as the following: He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree (cross) that we being dead unto sin might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes we are healed.
He gave his life a ransom for many.
• Condensed from A Prince Of the Church in India: Being a Record of the life of the Rev. Kali Charan Chatterjee, D.D., for forty-eight years a missionary at Hoshiyarpur. Punjab; by J. C. R. Ewing, n.D., LL.D., late president of the Forman Chri~tian College. Published by the Fleming H. Revell Company, New York and London.
599
Of this group of seekers after light, Dr. Chatterjee in after years left this record: •Passages like these convinced us that Christ's death and sufferings were vicarious-He died for our sins and in our stead-so that it is not enough to receive Him as our Teacher and Guide, but also as our sin-offering to reconcile us to God. This doctrine became a stumblingblock in the path of our progress for a time, and we hesitated to accept it, feeling satisfied to follow Christ as our Guru and Leader. It was not until we carefully studied the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, especially verses twelve and eighteen, that all our hesitation was removed and we accepted Him in all His fullness as our Teacher and Saviour. We prayed over this discovery and thanked God for it. We determined to make an open profession of our faith in Christ."
At about this time a senior student of the school made public profession of his faith in Christ and was baptized. A strong persecution burst upon him. Driven from his home, separated from friends and relatives, he was at once esteemed an outcast from society and was abused and mocked wherever he went. The pressure put upon him was overwhelming and at last human weakness triumphed so that, abandoning the struggle, he recanted his faith in Christ and returned to Hinduism. The fall of his fellow student seriously disturbed the mind of young Chatterjee. The temptation came–which has assailed many-that he might remain a secret disciple and try to serve Christ, though nominally a Hindu. But the words of Christ could not be driven from his mind: "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father who is in heaven; but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Finally a public profession of faith was seen to be necessary. Baptism must be received at whatsoever cost. This was the mind of Christ and it must be fulfilled in a simple dependence upon His grace and power for that help without which even the strongest will surely fall. Realizing the serious nature of the many obstacles which would inevitably confront them in their determination to be baptized and: unite with the Christian Church, were it to be carried into effect at Agarparah, in the midst of acquaintances and relatives, the four young friends resolved to seek entrance to the Christian College in Calcutta. In the early part of 1854 they were admitted as students in the school department of the college and not long after this Kali Charan made known to his father his purpose to become a Christian and to be publicly baptized. At first the father could not believe in the seriousness of his son's intention, but when he came to recognize that his son had formed a definite purpose he became greatly troubled and solemnly warned him that if he took this step he would be cast out of his home and cut off from all his friends and relatives. No words can tell what sorrow and suffering these words cost the
927] WIHY A BRAHMAN BECAME A CHRISTIAN
heart of this young believer, but none of these things moved him and on the eighth of November, 1854, he was baptized by the Rev. David Ewart in the Free Church situated in Wellesley Street, Calcutta. His relations and friends cast him out from home and regarded him as dead and worse. Every purely worldly and human consideration would have led him to determine upon a life of hidden discipleship, but such a life cannot long be lived; in time it withers away.
The ability and diligence of Kali Charan during his college course was marked by his being awarded a silver medal for an essay on the best mode of carrying on female education, a prize for the best essay on the social characteristics of the Mahrattas, and also a mathematical prize for the best solutions of one hundred problems in Conic Sections, and still another for the highest proficiency in English history.
In October, 1860, one of his teachers, Dr. David Ewart, was stricken down by cholera. The entire student community was profoundly stirred. A group of Christian young men spent the night preceding the funeral by the body of their honoured and beloved teacher. It was to them a most solemn occasion, one on which more than one of them after' earnest heart-searching and prayer, solemnly dedicated themselves to the service of Christ. This was the first formal dedication on the part of Kali Charan of his life to missionary service. The solemn vow then taken was never throughout the long life that followed forgotten. Before the vow was made, God's Spirit seemed to impress upon his mind and heart words which he loved to quote as the basis and encouragement for all effort to win men to Christ: " Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in JJO nr spirit, which are God's."
The life of Dr. Chatterjee is a record of the fulfilment of that solemn vow of dedication to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. When offered by the Head of the Government Educational Department the post of headmaster in more than one high school he declined the offer upon the ground that he had resolved to serve God as a Christian teacher or preacher. When early in 1868 a call came to go as an evangelist to Hoshiyarpur Mr. and Mrs. Chatterjee felt it to be a summons not from the Missionary Society only, but from God Himself, and on March 4, 1868, they came to Hoshiyarpur, to use his own words, "fully consecrating themselves, their bodies and souls, to the Saviour of mankind, being determined to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified, and imploring the blessing of God upon their work." They so lived and so taught and so spread the knowledge of Christ throughout the Hoshiyarpur District that at the time of Dr. Chatterjee's retirement. from active supervision of Christian work in that district the Christian community numbered 3,106 persons, organized into five churches, scattered in 118 villages.
Dr. Chatterjee was held in the highest honor by all classes of the community. Sir William Mackworth Young, Lieutenant Gov-
ernor of the Punjab, 1897 to 1902, writes: "I had the privilege of Dr. Chatterjee's friendship from March 1869, when I was stationed at Hoshiyarpur; we became fast friends and remained such after we ceased to be near neighbors. He was one of the most attractive men I ever met. He always seemed to be the most perfect embodiment of Oriental Christianity known to me during my Indian experience."
In the year 1910, he was given the degree of Doctor of Divinity by the University of Edinburgh and later was elected moderator of the Presbyterian Church in India.
Dr. Kali Charan Chatterjee said: "It has often been asked why I renounced Hinduism and became a disciple of Christ. My answer is that I was drawn almost unconsciously to Christ by His holy and blameless life, his devotion to the will of God and His works of mercy and benevolence toward suffering humanity. The excellence of His precepts as given in the Sermon on the Mount and His love of sinners won my admiration and my heart. I admired and loved Him. The incarnations I had been taught to worship, Rama, Krishna, Mahadeo aml Kali were all incarnations of power-they were heroes, sinful men of like passions with ourselves. Christ only appeared to me as holy and worthy to be adored as God. But the doctrine which decided me to embrace the Christian religion and make a public profession of my faith was the doctrine of the vicarious death and sufferings of Christ. I felt myself a sinner and found in Christ one who had died for my sins-paid the penalty due to my sins. 'For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.' 'Not of works lest any man should boast. '
"This was the burden of the thought of my heart, Christ has died, and, in doing so, paid' a debt which man could never pay. This conviction which has grown stronger and stronger with my growth in Christian life and experience has now (1910) become a part of my life. It is the differentiating line between Christianity and all other religions. I felt it so when I became a Christian, and feel it most strongly now. A God all mercy is a God unjust continues to be my creed to this day."
This message of God sending the Lord Jesus Christ into the world to pour out His life unto death on the cross for our sins won the heart of Kali Charan Chatterjee and constrained him to become His disciple openly. He judged that if Christ gave up His life for him he should not henceforth live for himself but for Him who so loved him. He felt that it was not enough to remain a secret disciple, or even openly praise Christ as a great Teacher, or as a holy Prophet, but he must come to Him as a great Saviour able to deliver him from the penalty of sin and its power in his heart and life.
It Is Difficult to Lead Moslems
Christ *-11 BY REV. E. M. WHERRY, D.D. Formerly a Presbyterian Missionary in India In the second chapter of Dr. Zwemer's book, the author refutes the statements of these modern champions of Islam, who deny the deadly penalty visited on apostates from Islam. The following passages from the Koran are mentioned: Chap. IX: 90, "Take ye not patrons from among them (unbelievers) until they too fight in God's way; but if they turn their backs, then seize them wheresoever ye find them, and take from them neither patron nor help."
"0 ye who believe, whoso is turned away from his religion-God will bring (instead) a people whom He loves and who loves Him, lowly to believers, lofty to unbelievers" …… (v. 59).
The commentator, Baidhawi, says on the first passage: "Whosoever turns back from his belief openly or secretly, take him and kill him wheresoever ye find him, like any other infidel. Separate yourself from him altogether. Do not accept intercession in his regard."
Many Moslem authorities are quoted to show that the Koran imposes the death penalty upon all apostates. The many volumes of Mohammedan tradition teach the same doctrine concerning apostates.
"Whosoever departs from Islam …… let him be cut off or crucified or destroyed from the earth."
Al Bukhari says: "Whosoever changes his religion kill him."
In the face of such plain teaching of both the Koran and the Traditions, the Moslems of the Ahmadiya Sect in Britain, with headquarters in Woking, circulated a paper in the House of Commons dealing with apostasy in Islam in which the following paragraph occurs: "In the days of the prophet all the reliable records of his life are silent on the subject. There were many apostates doubtless, but no one was punished, for it is, and has ever been the watchword of Islam, that there shan be no compulsion in religion."
The author shows from history the absurdity of such claims. He further quotes passages from the laws of Islam showing the disabilities of converts from Islam. The convert's brothers are forbidden to give him help of any kind-forbidden to buy an animal slaughtered by him; to sell him wood from which a crucifix: might be made, or copper from which bells could be cast; to alienate a house in order that it may be used as a church. A Moslem is forbidden to lend or hire to a convert the services of a slave or an animal to ride. He is forbidden to give his personal services to a Christian • Second part of a review of "The Law of Apostasy in Islam,'1 by Samuel Y. Zwemer. Marshall Brothers. Lt. London and New' York.
603
without payment. A Christian may not bear witness against a Moslem, though the Moslem may bear witness against a Christian. No Moslem can be put to death for the murder of a Christian. No Moslem woman may marry a Christian. Difference of religion bars inheritance. Besides these there are many other disabilities.
Under pressure by the ambassadors of England, France, Russia, and Prussia, the Sultan of Turkey on March 21,1844, gave a written pledge that "The Sublime Porte engages to take effectual measures to prevent, henceforward, the persecution and putting to death of the Christian who is an apostate." Two days later Abdul Medjid, in a conference with Sir Stratford, gave assurance "that henceforward neither shall Christianity be insulted in my dominions, nor shall Christians be in any way persecuted for their religion."
Later history shows, how futile were all these promises. rrhe persecution and slaughter of the Nestorian and Armenian Christians upon one pretext and another make clear the fact that religious liberty does not exist under Turkish rule. The Turk says, "There is the fullest liberty for the Armenian to become a Catholic, for the Greek to become an Armenian, for the Catholic and the Armenian to become Greeks, for anyone of them to become Protestant, or for all to become Mohammedans; there is the fullest and completest religious liberty for all the subjects of this Empire."
In response to the question, "How about liberty for the Mohammedan to become a Christian ~" he replied, "That is an impossibility in the nature of the case. When one has once accepted Islam and become a follower of the Prophet, he cannot change. There is no power on earth that can change him. Whatever he may say or claim cannot alter the fact that he is a Moslem still and must always be such. It is therefore an absurdity to say that a Moslem has the privilege of changing his religion, for to do so is beyond his power."
The law of apostasy is still in vogue. Any Mohammedan who embraces Christianity thereby forfeits the protection of Islam and the sentence of death is upon him and in any Mohammedan country he would be put to death unless he succeeded in making his escape into another country.
When earnest souls are persuaded of the truth of Christianity many dare to receive baptism and thereby openly confess their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Interesting and intensely thrilling as these stories are, I must forego the narration, for want of space, of more than one or two.
"The story of Henry Martyn's earliest Moslem convert is an illustration of the swift application of mutilation according to the law of apostasy: 'Sabat and A<bdulIah, two Arabs of notable pedigree, becoming friends, resolved to travel together. After a visit to Mecca they went to Cahul, where Abdullah entered the service of Zeman Shah, the famous Ameer. There an Armenian lent him
WHY IT IS DIFFICULT TO LEAD MOSLEMS TO CHRIST-II
the Arabic Bible. He became a Christian and fled for his life to Bokhara. Sabat had preceded him there and at once recognized him on the street. 'I had no pity,' said Sabat afterwards, 'I delivered him up to Murad Shah, the King. He was offered his life if he would abjure Christ. He refused. Then one of his hands was cut off, and again he was pressed to recant. He made no answer, but looked up steadily towards heaven, like Stephen, the first martyr, his eyes streaming with tears. He looked at me, but it was with the countenance of forgiveness. His other hand was then cut off. But he never changed, and when he bowed his head to receive the blow of death, all Bokhara seemed to say, "What new thing is this ~'" Remorse drove Sabat to long wanderings, in which he came to Madras, where the Government gave him the office of mufti, or expounder of the law of Islam in the civil courts. At Vizagapatam he fell in with a copy of the Arabic New Testament as revised by Solomon Negri, and sent out to India in the middle of last century by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. He compared it with the Koran; the truth fell on him 'like a flood of light,' and he sought baptism in Madras at the hands of the Rev. Dr. Kerr. He was named Nathaniel. He was then twenty-seven years of age. When the news reached his family in Arabia his brother set out to destroy him, and, disguised as an Asiatic, wounded him with a dagger.
"It is the same story in Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Persia, Algeria, India-no mercy for the apostate and no equality or liberty for Christian minorities."
Dr. Zwemer has demonstrated the truth of his claim that the Moslem law of apostasy is the strongest deterrent to the open confession of a Moslem inquirer that he is a Christian. Undoubtedly the dread of persecution and death keeps many a man from even seriously contemplating such an act. The prospect of losing wife and children more than physical pain keeps men and women within the Moslem fold: The claim of the Ahmadiyas that no punishment is ever inflicted for apostasy is absolutely false.
There are other obstacles in the way of the Moslem, who may be intellectually sure that Christianity is the true religion-racial and social prejudices and even hatred of Moslems by native Christians, and suspicion of motive, born of long periods of Mohammedan tyranny. Perhaps no one has run through a narrower gauntlet of criticism and question, in order to test motive for seeking baptism than the Moslem inquirer. The serious struggle to cut loose from the social and family ties, the danger of becoming an apostate with its sentence of death, which may be executed by any Moslem zealot, who would travel hundreds of miles to accomplish his purpose, the possible loss of wife and children and property; all these united account for the general high standard of the converts from Islam in the Christian Church.
One School Closed in China
BY THE AMERICAN TEACHER The pupils in this school range in age from about ten to fourteen. For obvious reasons the name of the writer of this article and the location of the school are withheld.
E ARLY in December the Anti's began to get in their deadly work. I was utterly unprepared for the destructive policy which the Southern Army has encouraged, or, at least, allowed.
The :first time our own walls were placarded with posters showing what a menace we were to society I felt badly about it, and when ill-mannered students rushed in the compound, putting posters on our blackboards and walls, I went after them, tearing them down and removing those on the outside walls. But when I found that none of the pupils paid any attention to their absurd accusations I let them alone.
The three menaces to our peace were the Teachers' Union, the Servants.' Union and the Students' Union. Such pressure was brought on all sides, that, for a brief space, the loyalty of the teachers seemed to waver. They came to ask whether I allowed them to join the union. If I said yes I was practically committing myself to follow the rules of the union, while if I said no I was being "imperialistic." So I was diplomatic and replied that they were perfectly free to join any society, so long as it did not interfere with school duties.
"But if we join the union what will you do about its rules f"
To that I replied that I could not be responsible for any rules that were incompatible with a Christian institution, and that if any such were presented to me I would either disregard them or close the school. The next day the teachers told me that they had carefully considered the matter, and had decided not to join the union.
The Servants ' Union had become both insolent and impossible in its demands, but fortunately both the school and house servants were loyal. The house cook said, "Why, we couldn't strike; we are all one family." .
The school servants sent me a message through the matron to the effect that I could promise the union anything it asked, and then pay them anything I pleased. They said they had always been treated both justly and kindly in the school, and they had every confidence that such treatment would continue.
The pupils seemed happy and contented and we said to ourselves, day by day, "Now, if the Students' Union will only let us alone, we ask for nothing more." One day I was called out of class by an excited and zealous "From The Spirit Of Missions. 606 Ohinese friend who offered to take us away in her automobile, because she had heard that a gang was coming to kill the foreign staff before six 0 'clock that evening. Another day I had been called out to stop the elopement of one of my favorite girls with a man who already had two wives living, and who neither needed nor deserved another. And on another day (this was all within one week) I was sent for because one of the girls was trying to commit suicide, as she was afraid the school would not open next term, and that she could not endure life without the school!
But things like that are all in the day's work and as, in spite of having declined the joy ride, we were not slaughtered, and as the elopement was squashed and the would-be suicide survived, we felt that life was treating us very well!
Then, ten days before school closed, the deluge came. Three pert young men from the Students' Union, claiming that they had the sanction and authority of the Government back of them, came down upon us and we were helpless in their hands. I was obliged to call the school together and listen in mortification to this glib young mail as he told his distorted tale.
He said that he had no objection to missionaries, but that foreign governments had always used them as decoys to gain a footing in Ohina, and then as a pretext for stealing Ohinese territory; that they were responsible for all the poverty in Ohina because they had introduced manufactured goods into the country and driven out hand work; that pupils must no longer be slaves, but must rise and organize; that no one had any right to impose any rules upon them, so if there was anything in the school to which they objected, whether as to discipline, curriculum or fees, they need only mention it to the Students' Union and all would be changed!
He then proceeded to organize the pupils and presented his demands. Every objection that I raised only served to bring out a fresh tirade. As, for instance, when I suggested that certain things ought to be referred to parents for their decision he turned on me in a burst of anger and said, "You do not seem to understand that now we are all free and equal and parents have no authority over us!"
So I decided to practice nonresistance to the nth degree; and to the surprise, and somewhat to the consternation of the pupils, I said" Yes" to everything he asked! We had finished all our Scripture courses for the term, including the final reviews; and to the credit of the pupils be it said that they showed no inclination to take advantage of their newly acquired so-called" freedom. " He not only demanded a holiday in honor of the arrival of Gen. Ohiang Kai Shek, but came around that morning to see that they got it! .
This incident decided me that it would be the height of folly to attempt to reopen the sehool. In spite of flood, famine and war we
had had an average attendance for the year of two hundred and sixtythree; our fees had amounted to $11,400 (Mexican); we had had a confirmation class of sixteen; our Chinese staff of teachers was the best we had ever had; patrons were most anxious for the continuance of the school; and owing to the paucity of girls' schools in this center the community could ill afford to lose us. I was willing to carryon under almost any circumstances, but not under the domination of the Students' Union which is determined to make our schools both anti-educational and anti-Christian.
CHINESE COLPORTEURS AND BANDITS O NE of our Chinese Christian colporteurs in his travels met eight different bands of robbers. One of the band leaders asked him, "What is your business ~" He replied, "I am working for Jesus, spreading His Gospel, I tell good news of great joy and the way to happiness. "
The bandit leader immediately replied: "What business do you think I am engaged in Y" "I cannot guess," said the colporteur. " I am a true robber," said the man. "We kill the rich in order to assist the poor" (Sa Fu Dji Pin).
This motto with the following ones, were written on their red flags in white eharaeters. "Praetiee righteousness- as a substitute for Heaven." (Ti Tien Hiring Tao). "Dark and gloomy world" (Ming Ming Kien Kuen). "Bright, blue sky" (uJ.ng Lang Ching Tien).
These bandits inquire :from poor peasants where the rich people live, how much property and money they possess and then kidnap the rich and hold them for a ransom. As a result: practically all the well-todo people from the country villages have deserted their property and homes and have fled to the walled cities :for protectkm.
At another time when our colporteur met a band of robbers, he said to them, "If you follow me you will spread the Gospel and enjoy happiness." The robber leader did not respond but invited him to an elaborate meal in a first class inn. After the meal the colporteur presented him with a gospel portion and some tracts and they each went their way.
At another time the colporteur was asked, "What books do you sell Y" He replied, "I sell books containing stories of present and future happiness. I also sell the 'Book of Beginnings'" (Genesis). The robber replied, "Give me a Book of the Beginnings for myself and fifty-three copies on 'Happiness' for my band-members." The colporteur gave him the books, and received one thousand cash.
Two Bible-women traveling on a wheelbarrow from one village to another were met by a band of robbers but were not disturbed. They had learned the secret of perfect trust in the Master and prayed while traveling. The village people were greatly astonished at their bravery and when they learned that Christian faith and prayer had kept them in safety, they begged the women to stay in their village and teach them about the Saviour of Faith and Prayer, the One who is able to save. Thus the door of opportunity was opened for the Message of Salvation in this village and today many are daily studying the blessed Word.
O. BRASKAMP, Ichowfu, China.
A Chinese Recommendation as to
A THOUGHTFUL article appears in The West Chi'IUJ Missionary News, written by Mr. Leung Siu Choh, General Secretary of the Canton Y. M. C. A., and Chairman of the Kwangtung Divisional Council of the Church of Christ in China. Mr. Leung begins with a recognition of the indebtedness of the Chinese people to Christian missions and missionaries, for bringing the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Chinese Church could not have come into existence, nor could she have reached the present stage of development if it had not been due to the untiring efforts that missionaries have put forth.
Reviewing the stages of development in missionary work he calls attention to three stages: (1) The Pioneer Stage, "when there was no native Church, and the missions at work had to be the whole thing."
(2) The Tra.nsitio'n Stage, "when missions and churches are parallel to one another. The Native Church is beginning to be self-conscious and wanting to be doing things herself."
(3) The Established Stage, "when the Chinese Church has been well established. In contrast with the first stage, the Chinese Church, instead of following, must now take the lead. The Chinese workers, instead of considering themselves as mere helpers to the missionaries, must possess. the sense of ownership and responsibility for the Christian movement in China."
He gives the reasons for concluding that "the present time is nearly ripe for the final stage of development. " In the light of the facts as he sees them he makes several suggestions.
I. "It seems to me that the time has now come when the missions and missionaries might well consider the question of reorganizing themselves on a different basis so that the missions and the Chinese Church will hereafter not appear as two parallel organizations, and that all activities, initiated, maintained and financed by the missions should be expressed only through the Chinese Church. This means the recognition of the Chinese Church as the chief center of responsibility, the transfer of the responsibility now attached to the missions to the Chinese Church, the willingness of the missions to function only through the Chinese Church, and the willingness of the individual missionaries to function as officers of the Church, and no longer as mere representatives of the Mission Boards, who are entirely beyond the control of the Chinese Church."
II. A second suggestion is: "That the Chinese Church, through the highest Ohurch Council, should be encouraged and given the privilege to deal with the Mission Boards in matters of mutual interest, so that a closer fellowship, and a more direct relationship between the Chinese Church and the churches in the.West could be established. At the present time the missions do all this for the Chinese Church."
III. "That such things as determination of policies of work; allocation of Chinese workers as well as missionaries to various fields; the appropriation of funds from Chinese sources, as well as from Mission Boards; the official presentation of appeals to the Mission Board for help; and the holding of property in trust, should be placed under the complete control of the Chinese Church, through the highest Church CounciL"
IV. With reference to the standing of the missionaries in the Chinese Church, Mr. Leung Siu Choh says: "1 think they ought to be treated equally as the Chinese workers. They could be elected to the highest office, on the 609 4
highest Church Council, just as any Chinese worker might be elected, without any distinction."
V. With regard to the question of mission funds, "the salaries, allowances, personal expense and residence accounts of the missionaries should be handled either by the Mission Boards direct or through a mission treasurer on the field, but kept entirely apart from the rest of the mission funds." On the other hand, "Whatever financial help the Mission Board would be ready to give to the Chinese Church in the form of a subsidy should be turned over to the Chinese Church Council for appropriations."
These suggestions suffice to show how the mind of the Chinese Church is moving in these days, and they will stimulate prayer for all concerned that this movement of thought, with all it may involve in the way of change, may be directed and controlled by the Holy Spirit of God of whom the Founder and Head of the Church spake saying: "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of 'l'ruth, is come, He shall guide you into all the truth."
HOW MRS. YI FOUNDED CHURCHES BY REV. F. S. MILLER, CHUNGJU, KOREA T HE wealthy Yi family used to rule these villages with a rod of iron. They owned all the land the villagers farmed and all on which their thatched roof cottages stand. To disobey meant to move and find farmland elsewhere-a very difficult undertaking in an over-populated country.
When uprisings and wars occur, the wealthy families of Korea are apt to flee to Seoul with their treasures. On one of these visits the mother of this family came into contact with Christianity and was baptized in one of the Presbyterian churches in Seoul. She was a strongminded woman or she could not have overcome the restraints of her self-willed husband who burnt her Bibles and hymn books every time he discovered them.
He brought her from Seoul to this village, probably to get her away from Christianity but she started a church here and asked me to take charge of it. Among the attendants were the wife of the old gentleman's brother and her household women. The Christians raised money to build a church, but the old man was determined that no church should be built in his village. He moved to a countyseat fifteen miles away and she started another church there.
Later her husband heard that his son was allowing the Christians to hold meetings in the old homestead and, old and weak as he was, he called chairmen, came home, and threatened to disown the son if he allowed it again. So the Christians built a church in a village a mile away, where the son was teaching a village school for the improvement of his neighborhood.
A few years later the old man died. Since then the church has been meeting on the porch of the old gentleman's house because the church that was built is so far away. Soon the Christians expect to move the church to this Village.
The shrine in which the old Confucianist kept his ancestral tablets stands empty and neglected back of our Christian meeting place and hears the prayers that are replacing ancestral worship in the Far East. The old lady has gone to her reward where she can worship God without slipping away after her husband has gone to sleep. She has left three little groups of Christians, all with church buildings.
Evacuation of Szechuan
BY REV. GEO. W. SPARLING, CHENGTU, WEST CHINA President of West China Union University W HEN one begins to describe conditions in any part of China he must make it clear that what he is stating applies at a particular time and may not hold after a few months have elapsed. China is in a state of transformation and some of the changes come very rapidly so that what is said today may not be true after a few weeks have gone by.
For the past year, a great many people have considered Szechuan Province unsafe for foreign residents, especially for women and children. Pressure was constantly brought to bear upon the missionaries by the consuls of America and Great Britain to have all women and children leave for the ports of the lower Yangtse. But moving meant depleting the band of workers and it was only after nearly a year of urging that evacuation began.
The unsettled conditions were due to the civil war which has been raging here periodically for several years and which has increased in intensity in Eastern China during the past few months. As long as it continues, there is little hope of any improvement in the province in respect to safety and comfort.
It was decided that all missionaries should be withdrawn temporarily and at the end of January the exodus commenced. In one month all but a mere handful of the five hundred or more missionaries of this province had left for Shanghai. This has been a very difficult experience for our missionaries and a very severe shock to the work. This will also be a testing time for our young Chinese Christians. We have been trying for some time to put larger responsibility on the Chinese, but now suddenly conditions are forcing the Chinese to take authority. It has been very gratifying to see the earnest and determined way in which they have set themselves to the task. In almost every case when the missionary was about to leave the Christian people promised to be true to the trust and to put forth their best effort to continue the work. In three or four places mobs have entered the property, and have looted and those in charge have been forced to leave, but when appeal has been made to the authorities orders have been issued that church, school and hospital property must be protected. The new Nationalist Government has also issued orders that there must be no violence or misappropriation of church property.
A new era in church work is coming in this province, an era which will see the work centering in the Chinese Christian body rather than in the missionary. During the past years the mission- 611
ary has had almost the full authority in all matters. But such a day has gone. The past few decades of missionary work have resulted ill the raising up of many capable and well-trained Chinese Christian leaders, both workers and laymen, and our hope for the future rests in them and in God. The absenee of the missionaries will reveal the reliable and trustworthy elements of the Church and will demonstrate both the weaknesses and the strength of our Christian body.
The Chinese offieials and people are everywhere friendly and there seems to be less anti-foreign feeling than a few months ago. The necessity for insisting continually on the rights of religious liberty is bringing home the people both inside and outside of the Church the nature of our work and is revealing the fact that the Church is solely a spiritual institution. 'rhe present movement in Ohina has spiritual significance and we believe will be reflected in the strengthening and deepening of the life of our Ohinese Ohristians. God rules in the affairs of nations and we believe that we shall yet see Him using the Christian Ohurch as the great moral and spiritual guide of this people.
What Pioneer Work Is Like in China A LCttC1" tram, a Presbytcria.n Missionary in Yttnnan YUAN KIANG, YUNNAN, OHINA, Feb. 23, 1927.
My DEAR FRIEND: T HE Oampbells were in l1osha their first year, then went to Yunnanfu to study Ohinese. Three weeks ago they came to this place, where we are making our headquarters, and moved into the -two little rooms put up for the many sick that come to us. They have three children, just as young as they can be, but they are nice children. Being young people and having so many things to get used to and not having a house to go into, we think they are made of good stuff. Real houses are going up but they are not done by a good bit though they were started a year ago.
We are glad to be offered $5,000 gold for a real hospital for this station. There are not huge cities here but we need a small hospital. You ought to see the patients we have these days! Yesterday a crowd of eleven came in from the mountains and last month we had four groups like that. They are beginning to know that we are here. Some we can help a lot but others are hopeless. The day after Mr. Oampbell and Dr. Park left, a man was earried in on another man's back. The patient was carrying a pony load of tea and fell and broke his leg. Mrs. Oampbell is a trained nurse and fixed the leg in good shape, but the fellow got tired of the splint and took the things off. She was quite put out. A woman with a neek full of pus pockets came
1927J WHAT PIONEER WOHK IS LIKE IN CHINA
in and we took care of her. Of course there are many eye cases. All the nineteen patients are sleeping under two old tents. One you would not call a tent, I am sure. We hear that the Hunan missionaries are requested to move out, but we know of no trouble in our little station though Yunnanfu is unsettled most of the time.
Our eleven year daughter, Wilma, is to go to the States this summer. We do not talk or think of whether we shall like it or not but we know that it must be. She will be quite able to take care of herself although she wi1l go home with Miss Moninger of Hainan.
Our work is very interesting these days. This village has had THE PARK SHACK-"OUR REAL HOME IS IN THE BUILDING"
three new interested families this year and two other families in another village. In a new place we were invited to go and start four households on the right road but by the time we got through there were fourteen. 'We went to the village and were asked to go to a house. We always gather at the family table and ask if the household want to throwaway all of their spirits. We then sing a couple of songs and tell them what we come to teach and then pray. They have heard that we put our heads down and that seems to tickle them a good bit. After the prayer we write the names of all in the house and then ask the people to show us where the spirit doings are. They take us to the kitchen first where the corner has a low bamboo screen two feet high. On top of this screen are the jaw bones of all of the pigs
that have been killed to feed the spirits. In one house we found twenty-one jaw bones. Then there are wine dishes, rice-bowls and baskets, leaves, incense sticks, and woven things at the windows. All houses have a spirit that looks after the rice. There is not a clean thing to be found.
At the new village we were taken out to the tree spirts, a thing that I had never seen before. The people themselves took straw out and went to five trees and burned the straw at the trunk where there were tied pieces of string. One home had two old people who had married their daughter to a man she did not like so she hanged herself in the house. They took her spirit to a tree and feed it there. ",Ve had no idea how many homes were. interested, but as we got through at one place some one would ask us to go to his house. It took two days. On Sunday we were on our way to the meeting place when a woman called from her house-top that we had not been there. Our throats were so tired.
In one place there was a spirit woman. The people said that they would get rid of all but the spirit of the medium. After we thought every thing had been taken out in baskets to the front door and burned, the people of the house told us to go to another building to take down more things used to help cure the sick.
The people are most friendly. A group of people down the river two days want us to go and teach them. When Dr. Park comes back from Mosha we hope to find some one who will go down and stay and teach. Most of these Christians know nothing of the Bible so they must be taught as small children.
There are about two hundred cattle in the village but none have ever been milked. The bullocks are used for work but the cows are never used for any thing except to eat at funerals. We found one that had her little calf stolen from her last night so we got the people to let us have her for milk for the children.
There is so much for us to think of out here that we can not keep up with things at home. We could easily use some of the money that is used in America for pleasure. I wish that people at home would understand it but they never will.
Your friend in China, MARIE PARK.
(Mrs. Ohas. E.) In an address delivered in New York City, Thomas R. Marshall, when Vice-President of the United States, said, "The early home missionaries and evangelists have done more to set this country right than all the Congresses of the United States."
History Test for
Prepared by BeUe M. Brain, Schenectady, N. Y.
WHAT IS YOUR SCORE?
T HE following twenty questions may be used to test your knowledge of missionary history. Grade yourself and your friends by the percentage of correct replies. Twenty correct answers score 100 per cent, ten correct answers 50 per cent, and so on. The answers will be found on page 638. Do not consult them until you have tried to answer the questions.. You will be interested to discover your score.
1. Who was called "The Mother of a Thousand Daughters" in Ceylon?
2. What converted Jew became a famous Bible translator in China?
3. When Adoniram Judson was asked concerning the prospects of mission work in Burma, what did he reply Y 4. Who discovered Kilimanjaro, the great snow-capped mountain peak in Equatorial Africa?
5. Who was the inventor of the Cree Syllabic Alphabet by means of which many Indians were easily taught to read the Bible?
6. Who is said to have opened the zenanas of India" at the point of an embroidery needle" Y 7. What was the first Protestant king to originate and support a mission to foreign lands T 8. What famous colonial family engaged in missionary work for the American Indians through five successive generations, from 1646 to 18061 9. Who was the first Protestant missionary to Japan 1 10. Why is Erromanga called" The Martyr Isle" ¥ 11. What notable building occupies the site of the Old Slave Market in Zanzibar which was closed in June, 1873, one month after the death of David Livingstone at IlaIa 1 12. Whose first task on reaching the mission field was burying the heads, hands and feet of eighty victims of a cannibal feast T 13. What Austrian nobleman of the 17th century renounced his rank, gave up his estates, and went as a missionary to Surinam? 14. Who invented a system of characters in China by means of which the blind can easily be taught to read T 15. What English missionary laid the foundations of Christian civilization in Germany? 16. Who wrote "From Greenland's Icy Mountains," said to be the greatest of all missionary hymns? 17. Who founded the first Christian college for women in Asia 7 18. Whose memorial tablet bears this inscription: "When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here; when he left, in 1872, there were no heathen" f 19. Whose last act, before martyrdom in China, was to tear off the hem of her dress and bind up the bleeding head of a boy in the crowd T 20. Why did the children of the Tuscarawas Valley in Ohio decorate the grave of David Zeisberger, Moravian missionary to the Indians, on the lOOth anniversary of his "laying away" in God's Aere at Goshen T 615
Woman's Home and Foreign
FEDERATION OF WOMAN'S BOARDS OF FOREIGN MISSIONS AND COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS EDITED BY ELLA D. MACLAURIN, 419 FOURXH AVE., NEW YORK AND FLORENCE E. QUINLA.N, 105 EAST 22ND ST., NEW YORK WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR the reign of Jesus Christ in the live~ MISSIONS of men, women, children and na- Mrs. S. S. Hough, Chairman of the Joint tions? Surely brotherhood and world- Committee on Day of Prayer for MissiollR, mindedness will displace race prejuhas kindly compiled this issne of the Bul- dice and all sense of race superiority, letin.-Tlte Editor8. for when people pray together they On March 4, 1927, for the first learn to love each other and peace is time, women and girls of every race ushered in.
and color, speaking many languages Beginning and Growth and scattered in countries the wide The beginning of the Day of world around, were united in a great Prayer for Missions and early devel- fellowship of intercession in behalf of opments are shrouded by time and Christ's work in the world. The fol- definite data has not been procurable.
lowing excerpts, culled from personal The March, 1887, issue of the Home and unsolicited letters, indicate wide- Mission Monthly tells of the setting spread and enthusiastic participation apart of "the third Wednesday of everywhere. We wish space would Mayas the annual day of prayer for permit us to quote from many more. woman's work for Home Missions,"
These voluntary testimonies prove and calls the attention of officers of that this interdenominational inter- Synodical, Presbyterial and local so- racial service can be successfully car- cieties to this fact, asking that special ried out in small towns and rural dis- meetings be held at 3 p. m. Thus, tricts as well as in large metropolitan apparently, was begun denomina- centers where frequently simultane- tional observance by the women of the ous meetings are held in different Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. It is parts of the city. They also prove said that Mrs. Darwin R. .James was that young girls and little children responsible for inaugurating this can be enlisted in a meeting to pray day.
for and with others just as enthusi- It has not been possible to obtain asticaHy as they share in meetings information as to whether other de- with spectacular features. nominations preceded, or whether Letters from different parts of the denominational observance of a Day world indicate that plans are already of Prayer for Foreign Missions goes under way for a much wider observ- back to an earlier date. Recollection ance on February 24, 1928. Who can of one prominent leader places the estimate what God will do when the origin of interdenominational observ- Christian women, girls and children anCe of a Day of Prayer for Foreign of the world-red, yellow, black, Missions "back in the 1890's in con- brown and white-women of varying nection with the old Triennial Con- grades of culture, education and op- ference of Women's Boards of portunity, but all loving the same Foreign Missions" j another says, "be- Father and Saviour-kneel, not in tween 20 and 25 years ago" j others separate racial groups, but together, that "Mrs. Henry W_ Peabody and before a common Father to pray for Mrs_ William A. Montgomery thought each other and to pray together for of the matter and started the ma- 616 chinery a year or so after the Jubilee use during the months preceding the meetings-about 1911."" observance. For the 1927 observance, a retreat was also printed for the cor- Fifty Golden Years, just published porate use of leaders in spiritual by the Baptism women, tells of the preparation for the public meetings. origin of the interdenominational Day of Prayer for Home Missions: "The Realizing that many in other large first interdenominational Day of national women's organizations are Prayer was observed in 1897. At this also church women and interested in time, the Society entered into an missions, in 1926 and 1927 letters were agreement with the representatives cf sent to the presidents of the American the Congregational, Methodist, Pres- Association of University Women, byterian and other denominations to General Federation of Women'8 observe annually the last Thursday in Clubs, National Board, Y. W. C. A., j<-'ebruary as a day of humiliation and ~ational League of Women Voters, prayer. In accordance with the rule National Women's Christian Temthat the programs were to be prepared perance Union, National Women';; by the denominations in turn in Trade Union League, inviting particialphabetical order, the Baptist So- pation of members and organizations ciety prepared the first program." in the observance. Cordial coopera- tion was manifested by several of Later, interdenominational observance for foreign missions occurred an- these organizations. nually on Friday in the January Week of Prayer and the observance Only a few of the hundreds of for home missions in connection with places-large and small, urban and Home Mission Week in November. rural-all over the United States that These separate days continued until have been heard from in connection 1919 when the first Friday in Lent with the ]927 observance may be here was selected for the annual united cited. observance, the first being on IFebruary 20, 1920. That same year Cana- Typical of many statements are the dian women began interdenomina- following: From OhiO': "Weare all tional observance and, two years later, looking forward to a greater year in joined with the United States in ob- our missionary work the coming year serving the same day. on account of our spiritual help on the Day of Prayer for Missions"; A joint committee representing the from a Long Island, New York, town: Federation of Woman's Boards of "It was a beautiful service, most in- Foreign Missions of North America spiring and uplifting. At the close and the Council of Women for Home of the hour and a half, we were re- Missions plans the material which is luctant to depart. The Spirit of God jointly printed by the two organiza- was apparent; many expressed themtions. In 1920, 50,000 programs were selves as desirous of having similar used. Each year has shown increase, meetings more often' , ; from New as the following figures indicate: .Jersey: "There was a very fine spirit 1921, 63,000; 1922, 75,400; 1923, manifest and we think the prime pur- 79,700; ] 924, 90,000; ] 925, 102,000; pose of the meeting was realized-in- ] 926, 111,900; 1927, 179,000. tercommunion in prayer of groups, some of whom rarely step outside Each year a Call to Prayer has been their own confines" ; and Iowa: printed on a small card and used in "While I feel that lots of good was quantities frequently greater than the done and each one present went away program. For 1927 the card included wanting to do more for missions than a weekly Cycle of Prayer for daily she had ever done before, I think one of the greatest blessings was the meet- * Reliable information in regard to the be- ing together of the different women ~inning or early observances of either inter- who are working for the same thing denominational day will be appreciated. When but who never get together to get acwriting either editor, please state deftnite source of information.
quainted with each other. Each so- a quarter of an hour each day at 7 ciety will push forward feeling that a a. m. for over one half a year precedgreat army is working with them." ing the day.
Frequently the organization of a Beginning in faith that it could be local Council of Church Women re- done even in a rural communitv with sults from observance of the Day of widely scattered churches, one society Prayer for Missions, as Lansing, in eastern Pennsylvania decided to Michigan, witnesses: "We had seven- try it. The womep. of five missionary teen different organizations representing eight different denominations rep- societies and two churches with no resented on the program, all of the societies were enlisted. More than 150 churches in our small city and also all attended the meeting, which was one of the country churches near by. The ofthe most impressive ever held in the service was well attended and a very community. Result: special missionwonderful spirit of devotion and con- ary programs in the Sunday school secration was felt. At the luncheon table we effected a permanent organi- of a church which never before was zation and everyone is agreed that interested in missions. this day must be kept every year." A rural community in Ohio with A town in Indiana tells of inviting the clerks and all business women and five churches of different denominagirls to the luncheon held between ses- tions held a union meeting, each siQUs. At Raleigh, Norih Carolina, denomination having part on the prom., there was a service at 3: 30 and an- gram. Out of the spirit of this meet- ing was born a missionary society in other at 5 p. the latter for business women primarily. Unfortunately one of the churches which heretofore a very deep snow prevented large at- was indifferent to missions. tendance but "both services were a benediction to all present. " Roanoke, Virginia, reports "a won- derful prayer service in which all de- Each community adapts its plan and program to meet the local situa- nominations joined, including some tion or needs. A small city in Jews. The morning meeting was held Indiana reports that all shut-ins were in one of the white churches and the visited in the morning before the afternoon session in the colored meeting. In New York City several church, both races joining in both simultaneous meetings were held in services. It was decided to hold such each borough, totaling more than a an interdenominational prayer service dozen meetings. The morning family every fifth Friday." prayers daily broadcasted over WEAF were that day led by Mrs. Waterloo, Iowa, reports over 500 John Ferguson, President of the present at their all-day prayer meet- Council of Women for Home Missions. ings. For weeks afterward the women At Alexandria, Virginia, a meeting were still talking of the "beautiful, ,was held at 10: 30 a. m. in a hotel and in the afternoon at a Home for the helpful day" they had together. One Aged, while Clifton Springs, New Catholic young woman who was pres- York, held its meeting in the Sanit~rium chapel attended by representa- ent said she was "almost transported tIves from the Sanitarium and the during the Retreat." All meetings of three village churches. church organizations were called off for that day and all united in this one Erie, Pennsylvania, feels that the service. "delightful service" was in large part due to the prayers of the Executive From a town in Illinois comes this Committee of the local Federation for word: "All the churches were rep- re~ented, Methodist Episcopal, Cath- ohc, Evangelical, Lutheran, Congre- gational. An interdenominational committee has been formed composed of one from each church."
Jefferson, Iowa, writes: "We ar- ranged club programs and so forth so as not to conflict and were rewarded
WOMAN '8 HOME AND FOREIGN BULLETIN
as there were no other meetings, so- but with a glance at the need of the cial or otherwise, in Jefferson. We whole world, has come a new vision had a good crowd and splendid meet- of the privilege and power of ing. " prayer. "
A correspondent from Pennsyl- "We at Koohi were glad to join in vania writes: "The World Day of the world-wide prayer circle. We fol- Prayer for Missions was an interdenominational celebration with a con- lowed the suggestions and had a tinuous service from 3 p. m. until prayer meeting for all the world. We 8: 30, broken by box luncheon and could not but emphasize the needs of round table discussions. The denomi- China, and God's faithful children national feeling in this section is quite intense; a pastor's wife who has there. And we were thankful that served congregations for thirty-five many were praying at the same time years, said t.hat this was the first interdenominational meeting she ever for this country so much in need of attended. She made the motion that prayer. " will foster the service next year. The afternoon session had sixty, thirty- "At Tokuskima we had one of the four staying for luncheon, with one best women's meeting that it has ever hundred and twenty-five. at the eve- been my privilege to attend. The ning service':' program was used, and each one took At Honolulu, Hawaii, there was a part." joint service of the Congregational, Methodist, Episcopal, and Christian Korea: "Tonight the North Gate Churches. Church at K wangju will observe the great Day of Prayer for Missions, and FLORENCE E. QmNLAN. 0, how earnestly we hope that God will pour out the needed blessing. Observed in Mi..lon Lands The Yang Nim Church will meet this Ever since the Day of Prayer for evening, and the other congregation Missions became an annual event in held its prayer meeting this after- North America, many in our mission noon.'·' fields of the 'Orient, South America and Africa have longed to join with China: "We hope to have a servthe women of America in its observance. To new Christians in mission ice for the women, from 1 to 4 fields prayer is the greatest factor in o 'clock on Friday at the church in the development of their work. They Sutsien, and one for the school girls hailed with joy the invitation sent to in the school. One of the editors of them a year ago to join in making it the North Kiangsu church paper is a WorId Day of Prayer for Missions. Mr. Chien Tsaim Tien, an elder in the In Africa, India, Japan, China, Sutsien Church. He reads English, Burma, Korea, many European coun- but asked me to translate the program tries and South America, tens of so that he might understand it all. thousands of women and girls enjoyed He printed it later. The North this fellowship. Here are just a few Kiangsu church paper is read of the reports received: throughout our Missions, and Mr. Chien has requested that it be copied Japan: "The Day of Prayer was by the Christian Intelligencer, which remembered here in Kobe and was, we g,oes all over the Republic." believe, a day which has seen a 'step in advance' in the lives of many Japa- it Suokowfu is holding today as a nese Christian women. Heretofore it has been so easy for them to confine special day of prayer. In the city and or limit their prayers to the circumference of their own Island Empire, all over our country field the women are meeting in little groups to pray.
Our service in the school was held this morning for the first two bours of the day; it was given over to prayer and praise. I believe this day will mean much-we did need it so. There were 60 women present at the meeting in the West Gate Church.
REV. LEE (CENTER) AND TWO MEMBERS OF CHURCH Cooks Gn Day of Prayer for Missions in Sbenchow '1'here were also services in the taut churches in Shenchow translated Women '8 Hospital, Girls' School and at South Gate Chapel. We hope there the suggested program into Chinese were many groups praying today in and followed it very closely. '1'he out-stations. " meeting lasted from 10 to 12 a. m. and from 2 to 4 p. m., with a Chinese "At Tenghsien we translated the woman in charge of each hour. Near the close of the last hour special time program for the Day of Prayer. Pas- was devoted to prayer for the Church tor Ding-Li-Mei took the program to of Christ in China. The committee Harbin and said he would observe the expressed a desire to have a similar day there. March 4th this year fell meeting next year. Rev. Lee sugon the :first day of the Chinese second gested that since the women had month, which is a great worship day charge of the entire program, the men with the Chinese-a day for burning cook the rice and vegetables for the women's noon meal. A good Chinese incense. The pastor and Christians meal was served to the 66 guests." seemed to appreciate this day of prayer, and entered quite heartily , 'The Day of Prayer was a real into the idea. Our :first meeting was hlessing to us all in Chinkiang. We at 5 a. m.; about 100 were present. held a meeting for women and girls The women met at 3 p. m. A semi- at each of our three day schools, innary girl showed all the countries on viting the women of each neighbora globe, and made the women und er- hood to come to the school building. stand more clearly the meaning of the About 250 Chinese women and girls day. There was also a night service. attended. In the afternoon we had a I imagine Tenghsien was the first to meeting for all the foreign women in start the Day of Prayer. Japan and town. All denominations here were Korea get the suu before us, but we represented-Methodist, B apt i s t, began long before the sun. When I Church of God, China Inland Mission entered the church at 5 a. m. the pas- and Presbyterian." tor was already there upon his knees on the brick floor in a cold church." "The Christian women in Canton joined with the other Christian "A joint committee of Chinese women of the world in prayer for miswomen representing the two Protes-
927] WOMAN'S HOME AND FOREIGN BULLETIN
sions on March 4th. We had two lands. Thirty women and girls and meetings, one in English, the other in twenty men attended." Chinese. Copies of the program were sent to the principals of the various Mexico: "We had a fine prayer girls' schools so that during chapel meeting on March 4th at Zitacuwro. hour they could unite in this World Surely Mexico needs the prayers of all Day of Prayer. A notice of the Christian people at this time. " World Day of Prayer for Missions appeared in our Chinese church pa- British Guiana.: "I do not know per which goes to all the churches in when the women of New Amsterdam t he province of Kwangtung. " spent such an enjoyable hour and a half praising and worshiping in God'~ Africa: At Yonibana the Day of House as they did on the Day of Prayer was observed in the homes of Prayer. Five races were represented the people, the church bell being rung -East Indian, Chinese, white, black, to remind all to pray. and what is known here as 'the col- ored class.' Everyone left greatly At Sembehu 30 women and girls inspired, with the thought in mind were present. Many voluntary pray- that these meetings would take place ers were offered for missions in dif- annually hereafter." ferent countries. Poland: "Most of our women's At Moyamba the teachers and girls circles in Lodz-Polish, German, of the Lillian R. Harford School held Russian and Bohemian speaking a meeting early in the morning be- Baptist women-joined in prayer for fore school hours. missions on March 4th. In some places, where the country people are At Roruks the people gathered with living at great distances from each much interest for the prayer meeting. other, the prayer meeting was held on "We thank you very much for enlist- Sunday, March 6th." ing us in this world-wide intercessory day." India: "It was good to meet here in lovely Amkhut on March 4th and At Ro-tifunk there were about 40 feel that we were just one of the little present and the meeting lasted two groups of praying women met all over and one half hours. the world to plead for the coming of His Kingdom. Over 30 women met at "We had a fine prayer service at four 0 'clock and spent a very blessed F,'eetown. Some of the missionaries hour of prayer." at this station were at a rest cottage on Mt. Leicester at the time, so they "On March 4th we had two meethad their own little prayer service ings at Jhansi in which many took under a mango tree." part. In our first meeting the ques- tion asked was: 'How far are we pre- From Jiama, an interior town pared to receive the blessing which which has had the Gospel just a few must follow this great volume of years, the missionary writes: ' , We prayer ~' At both meetings most of took a globe to the meeting and ex- t he time was spent in prayer." plained about sun, moon, stars, and earth, then showed the continents, ELLA D. MACLAURTN. pointing out Africa, countries where other peoples live, those from which Girls Hold Meetings the missionaries come. After this we had nine prayers, five by mission peo- Special meetings conducted by and ple, four by Kono women. One Kono for girls were held in many cities and woman prayed for the homeland of towns. The following is typical: Jesus; then one prayed for England; another for all American women, etc. " 'I wish I had known it was to be Three mission children prayed for the such a beautiful service. I would missionaries, native Christians and have brought my friends,' remarked those who do not know Jesus in all one of the girls after the girls' service held in Dayton, Ohio.
"This was the first time the girls singing during the service. A group of all denominations in the city were of young people dressed to represent called together in the interest of mis- countries for which prayer was to be sions. The plans were made by a offered entered the church· at the rear committee composed of a representa- and slowly marched to the front while tive from each denomination and from the children sang "Fling Out the the Young Women's Christian Asso- Banner. " As each country was pre- ciation including the Colored Branch sented, the children read a prayer in and the International Institute. Be- unison for that country, being led by ing a WorId's Day of Prayer we different denominational groups, the wanted the group who did the plan- African M. E. group leading in the ning, as well as the group who ob- prayer for Africa. The leader writes: served the day, to be international. "The children were so happy to have "The program as outlined for the a part in this beautiful service for day was used. Of special interest was 'the children of the world.' "
the' Pilgrimage of Prayer Around the Day of Prayer OftenJ1g_ World,' which was very simply pre- sented in pageant form. The' Spirit While the <>bservance is primarily of Prayer' spoke of the importance lind fundamentally for prayer and of prayer, then called representatives not for the raising of money, certain fr<>m various nations to make an ap- causes noted below have been espepeal for prayer in behalf of their cially designated as objectives for countries. After these pleas she gave freewill offerings of grateful hearts.
a call to silent prayer and led the en- Undesignated gifts received by the tire group in their prayers. This Federation or Council are divided simple presentation was very impres- equally between Home and Foreign sive, especially because in it were Missions. girls of many nationalities-a Russian, two Greek, one Hungarian, an What The,. Mean Armenian, a German and a colored To Christwn Literature. This year girl representing Africa. These, in the Committee on Christian Litera- the native costumes, together with ture has received over $2,325 as its American girls dressed to represent share of the Day of Prayer offerings.
other nations, presented a very pretty Because of sacrificial giving on the picture. part of thousands of Christian women " At this meeting the committee was all over our country the Committee given authority to make plans for a is able to double its pledge for Happy Childhood in distracted permanent Federation."
Ohildren Answer the Oall China; to authorize starting two new vernacular editions of the Treasure Special children's meetings were Chest, a magazine for boys and girls conducted in many places as part of the community plans. Rochester, in India, thus providing Christian New York, reports one. Groups of reading in the Gujerati and Hindi children between the ages of 9 and areas where there is great lack of lit- 12 from every church with their spe- erature for young people; to add cial leader met at a central place and $500 to its pledge for the Japan C. L. at 4: 20 formed a processional to the S. where Miss Amy Bosanquet, in church to pray for all the little children of the world-"black and yel- charge of the department for women low, red and white, all are precious in and young people, finds II "crying God's sight. " A special program con- need for easy gospel reading for silk taining hymns and a prayer for the children of each country had been factory working girls and uneducated handed each child. A children's country women." Without this gen- erous amount from these offerings all these great needs must go unmet.
choir led the processional and the ALICE M. KYLE.
WOMAN'S HOME AND FOREIGN BULLETIN
To Union Christian Colleges. Just and promoting the religious activities what do offerings given on the Day of the Protestant students, including of Prayer mean to the seven Union Wholesome soeial and reereationallife. Christian Colleges for the Women of the Orient Y Practically all of these To Farm and Carnnery Migrants. colleges are operating on budgets The offerings mean real education and which have been cut and cut again to vision in little towns, hamlets, and come within amounts which the col- large metropolitan cities which is lege committees feel can be made translated into intelligent prayer and available. So far, the total amount giving. The amounts range all the of gifts from the Day of Prayer fund way from 70 cents to $100. They this year is about $2,500-$350 for mean opportunity for expression on each college, designated gifts making the part of the Chureh in helping it a little more for some, less for with the problem that lies at its door others. "Breathing space within the and strengthening the service among budget "-I can think of no better way the groups of Poles, Italians, and Neto express what this money means to groes working in the crops and canthose colleges. Breathing space neries of the East, a very definite within the budget for workers who are furthering of work on the Pacifie doing their best to make every cent Coast especially in the Imperial Valdo the work of two, who have cut out ley of California among Mexicans and so many little things that they had in Oregon. They mean the building hoped would be possible to put in this into the lives of these "families on year-a much-needed microscope, a wheels" the basic idea of Christian little shrubbery to make grounds citizenship, an extending of the hand more attractive, one more course to of fellowship to this group, often exstrengthen the science department, a ploited but so necessary to our agrilittle more furnishing to make 'Fac- cultural life, to the feeding of the ulty House a bit more comfortable, a nation. new operating table for the hospital, and then for those who even after The call of the children who often cutting could not make the budget realize they are "different" is the come quite within the appropriation, loudest. Said a little migrant Mexia relief from the strain of knowing can girl to the Sunday-school superthat debt was accumulating. This is intendent, "Does Jesus love only what your gifts mean to the Union American children 1" "No, indeed. Colleges. FLORENCE G. TYLER. He loves all the little children of the world. " To his utter surprise, she To Religious Work DiIr€dtors. An then walked deliberately out of the unparalleled opportunity is offered church. In a few moments she rein the Government Indian Boarding turned leading four other Mexican Schools for reaching thousands of the girls and boys! finest Indian boys and girls-potential leaders of their race-through "If a stranger sojourn with thee in Religious Work Directors. The Home your land, ye shall not do him wrong. Missions Couneil and Council of The stranger that sojourneth with you Women for Home Missions have shall be unto you as the home-born placed Directors in eight of the among you and thou shalt love him twenty non-reservation schools. This as thyself. " LAURA H. PARKER. is the first year that this work has been designated to reeeive a portion Writ. to Miss MacLaurin for set ot 1000IIets of the contributions from the observ- prep…..d by Christian Literature C<>IDinittee to ance of the Day of Prayer for Mis- accompany third chaPter ot Mrs. Platt's book. sions. These funds will help to make "A Straight Way Toward Tomorrow." The.e possible the service rendered by Re- are free for postage only. "Mother Treasure ligious Work Directors in organizing Chest." an Illustrated pamphlet, Is $2.00 per 100. Write to Mis$ Florenc. G. Tyler. 419 F<>urth Ave., New York City. for furth.r Infor- mation and late letters regarding the Union Colleges. Write to the Council of WDmen lor Home Missions for HOur Greatest Crop" and other lea:H.ets on Farm and Cannery Migrants and rDr "Unified Thinking" and "Why Educate Him" which tell of Religious Work Directors.
fROM MANY
EUROPE compelled to conduct services in British Miasionary Finances Swedish. Under the recess, bishops were deprived of their fortified castles, T HE receipts of the Church Mis- where they had been able to defy the sionary Society for the year end- King, and church estates were coning March 31st amounted to £558,000, fiscated. a sum exceeded only once in the Society's long history, and £95,000 Russiau "Anti-God Society" Anxious ab~ve. the figure for the previous year. ThIs Increase is partly due to £77 000 WORD has come, by wireless from received in legacies £31,000 of which Riga, that a religious revival in is placed this year in the Legacy Russia is causing concern to the Soviet Equalization Fund, and remains out- authorities. A special report on the side the year's income. The expendi- anti-religious situation in town and ture amounted to £486,000. By country was considered at a plenary keeping open the special appeal for sitting of the committee of the Com- £150,000 until December 31st, the munist party in Moscow in June. Society hopes to remove all existing The official spokesman, Barkanoff, deficits. said the anti-religious organizations unquestionably were suffering dis- The Wesleyan Methodist Missionary comfiture and a sort of religious re- Society is not hampered by debt and vival had occurred among the masses. Various kinds of religious. organizahas met its expenditure out of its re- tions and sects have come into being, ceipts for the year. This happy con- and their influence has penetrated the factories and even the barracks of the dition was due to the gift of £15,000 Red Army. This revival was parby an anonymous contributor who has ticularly apparent at Easter. Baralso paid the interest on the Society's overdraft.
Swedes Lutherans 400 Years kanoff complained that the 29,000 members of the "Anti-God Society" T HE four hundredth anniversary had proved unable to stem the re- of the establishment of the ligious tide. The society, he said, I~utheran Church in Sweden was cele- must, .therefore, be reorganized and brated in the cathedral in Vesteras, agitators specially trained on a mass Sweden, on June 21st. Bishop E. scale to meet the new "menace." Billing officiated in the presence of particular attention being devoted to King Gustav and the Governor of the propaganda among women, children province. The celebration was in com- and adolescents. memoration of that June day in 1527 when King Gustav Vasa summoned a THE parliament of representatives of the Sunday Schools in Austria nobility, clergy and peasantry at this Austrian Sunday School As- place, and promulgated two laws, the sociation is one of the newest na- Vesteras recess and the Aesteras ordi- tional organizations on the continent nance, aimed at growing Catholic of Europe. Since 1925, Rev. G. Lun- temporal power. By the ordinance towski has been supported as a full- the King became head of the Swedish time secretary by the World's Sunday Church, which adopted the Bible as School Association for the active pro- the sole religious guide. Priests were motion of Sunday-school work through- 624 out the country. During 1926 he undertaking il1issionary Voice comorganized forty-two Sunday schools ments: "The fact that a man seventyand visited every Protestant parish, eight years of age, who was for holding conferences with the pastors twenty-six years a Roman Catholic and the adult leaders with the view priest, and who has been a Methodist of stimulating the Sunday-school preacher twenty-seven years, should method of teaching Christian truth. make the long journey across the There is a total of 148 Sunday schools ocean, travel and preach unceasingly in Austria with a membership ap- for six months, is of thrilling interest. proximating 16,000. An annual con- But it is more thrilling to know the vention was held in Salzerbad in June. truth that thousands heard the mes- Mr. Luntowski is untiring in his ef- sage of salvation, listened to this man forts, and is holding conferences in all of God as he related his experience parts of Austria with the view of through long years and told how the training a Sunday-school leadership. Spirit of God has led and blessed him, The Sunday School Association and that nearly 3,000 souls were led publishes a paper for leaders and to decide publicly for Christ." Many teachers with articles on Sunday- say that the most signal victory of the school work. This is a new venture campaign was that of preaching the and is providing a great help to those Gospel in the old priest-ridden city of who are responsible for promoting the Braga. Sunday-school. Roman Catholics in Germa.ny Modern Church-Goers in England AN AMERICAN Jesuit declared A CANADIAN journalist, who re- not long ago, "It is true that cently spent a dozen Sundays since the end of the war there has in London during which, he says, he been a mighty accession to the covered "not only most of the more Catholic Church in Germany." Such famous Church of England parishes a statement, if allowed to pass unof the metropolis, but also some ten of challenged, might create a wholly the leading nonconformist pUlpits" false impression……. " IJet us go to makes this optimistic observation: the facts," says Dr. Schneider, whose article appeared in Das Evangelische To say that the evidences of widespread Deutschland on April 30th. "In the and intelligent interest in religion were years If23, 1924 and 1925 respectiveastonishing, when compared with the con- ly, 7,245, 6,955 and 6,938 German ditions of twenty years ago, would be stat- Protestants went over to the Church ing the case very mildly. It would probably of Rome. These figures are based on not be true to say that the churches were the official report of the Catholic on the average fuller; but they were much central office for church statistics in less full of the kind of people who obviously Cologne. In the same years, 9,547, attend merely because it is the proper thing. 10,880 and 13,591 Catholics passed and the congregations were much more into the evangelical church. These largely made up of young, alert, intellectual. figures are given according to the ofand earnest ]leople of both sexes. In a good ficially confirmed declaration by the many cases, I was myself taken to the church bureau for church statistics of the by young people of this type who were German Evangelical Church Alliance. regular attendants, and whose parents, when Both lists represent the indubitably they were the same age, would certainly not existing facts. The number of Proteshave gone to the services with anything like tants who are joining the Church of the same keen and personal motives. lliJme is actually declining, in spite of the Winfried League and the ultra- Brazilian Preacher in Portugal montane boastings. The number of Catholics who change to Protestantism H OW Christians in Brazil had sent is steadily growing, and last year's one of their outstanding leaders on a six months' evangelistic tour in Portugal was told in the November 1926 REVIEW. 'On the success of the 5
report (1925) shows a striking in- be known as the Gold Coast Presbycrease from 10,880 to 13,591. Includ- terian Church. It is to be served ing the affiliated churches of Memel, jointly by the Scottish and the Basel Danzig, Posen, etc., which belong to missionaries, the former in the old the old Prussian State Church, the territory and the latter in Asante. In figures are 13,996, in round numbers, 1928, this mission will celebrate its 14,,000." The converts to Rmnanism centennial. The celebration is to inlast year were less than half that cIude the opening of the new seminumber.-The British Weekly. nary, the cornerstone for which was laid recently. It is to be located in AFRICA Acropung, and is to cost about £30,- 000, of which the Government has Africans Secure School Pernlit given a large part. It is to accom- modate 300 students. Six graduate AMERICAN Board missionaries Scotch missionaries and some native have been trying in vain for instructors will constitute the faculty. years to secure government permission to open a school at Gogoyo, New Schools in Kenya Colony Portuguese East Africa. This, according to The Congregationalist, has REPRESENTATIVES of the now been accomplished by two young American Friends' Board of African men, Kamba and Bede Foreign Missions in Kenya Colony Simango, both born in the "bush" report that, during their absence fr·om and products of mission schools. Bede their field, Roman Catholics obtained went to Lorenzo Marques, a Swiss from the Mohammedan chief of the mission school, where he fell under district permission to open schools in the influence of Papera, a teacher, several places. They continue: and himself a graduate of Congrega- "Where the headmen have been tional schools. Papera has done a anxious about the encroachments of . remarkable work in the school. the Catholics, they have asked us to Several years ago he had a Christian open new schools. These requests have congregation of 150 boys, fifty of them been presented to the native Church trained by him and given certificates and the Christians have responded showing their education. Approach- right well in taking on the support ing the question of the new school for of these new schools. Twenty-four Gogoyo, Bede and Kamba went to the old schools and seven new ones are Comnwndante, who asked them to now supported by the native Church. show their certificates-Kamba's from This means they must raise about $80 Columbia University and Bede's from every month. It is quite a load for the Lorenzo Marques School. When the Church to carry, but, with the the Cabinet of the Portuguese Church at home supporting the re- Colonial Government had seen the maining eighteen schools, we believe certificates, they issued the necessary they will be financially able in a few permission, and the school will now years to take over the support of all become a fact. their educational work."
Basel Mission on the Gold Coast Medical TreatJnent for a King THE last annual meeting of the K ING KWETE, of the Bakuba Synod of the Gold Coast took place people in the Belgian Congo, is in November, 1926. For the first time, undergoing a long course of treatthe Basel missionaries who have re- ment at the Southern Presbyterian turned to Asante have taken part hospital at Bulape. C. T. Wharton along with the Scottish missionaries. writes: "The king reached us, ac- An important resolution of this Synod companied by a great horde of folwas the one which determines that the lowers and a chain gang of hundreds old Basel Mission is henceforth to
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
of pitiful prisoners. He gladly con- housing, health, recreation, education. sented to having classes in the cate- At the same time, the Council could chism started in his camp, one for the also consider the larger issues which free Bakuba men, one for the were before the country and in this prisoners, and a third for the harem way help in the discussion of the and for the royal women. The women, measures now before Parliament. The of their own accord, insisted on hav- general discussion showed a keen deing two classes daily. The king gladly sire in all present to cooperate in welcomed the snggestion that I come these matters, and it was, clear that and read to him the Gospel of Mat- the convener had been most fortunate thew in his own tongue……. Twice in gathering together a body of men on Sundays he has had himself carried exceptionally well-equipped to do efinto the church to attend the services fective work, not only in Bloemfontein and has afterwards made comments itself, but also throughout the Orange showing that he attended carefully to Free State." what was being said and done."
THE NEAR EAST The Moslem as "A Good Sport" Many Kinds of Pulpits in Persia H ERBERT MERCER, of the l/rR.s. WM. A. SHEDD, widow of Egypt General Mission, writes H'.l one of the most loved and as follows of his work: " Although honored missionaries in Persia, writes the :Moslem is a tough customer, he is of the evangelistic work which she is a lovable one and a courteolL<; sports- doing: "Rabi Yosip and I start out man. He loves his Koran, and holds about nine each morning and tramp wildly erroneous views of what the until late afternoon, visiting two, InJil (Gospel) is, but he admires three or four villages, mostly Moslem. good humor and honesty. If one can …… One finds many kinds of pulkeep smiling under severe provocation pits. In the village of Nivli, I sat on and 'stick to his guns,' the Moslem the tongue of an ox-cart, while a yery rarely refuses to yield to the crowd of women gathered about me sporting offer: 'Yes, I am a mission- and I talked to them. At another ary, and this is the Injil. Some place, we sat outside in the sun on a Moslems say it is corrupted, and grass mat, and had an audience of others that it is unnecessary. I come about a dozen. At the next village, here today to offer it to you, in your a dozen men were repairing the own spoken language and at a tri- mosque, some mixing the earthfling price, so that you can find out for plaster, and others carrying it up to yourself what it is. Will you buy it the roof, to give it a new cover before and read it before you condemn it 1 the rains come. We asked the women That is all I ask.' Older missionaries to gather, but none appeared, so I sat say a great change has come over down on a log, and the boss gave per- Islam in Egypt these past few years. " mission to the workmen to stop and listen for a while." South African Race Councils } 7 IMBERLEY and Bloemfontein Refugees Make Good Farmers ~ each have now an interracial T HE Refugee Settlement Commiscouncil, organized along the lines sion in Syria, which began its work in January, hopes before the end of which are proving so successful in H28 to clear out the camps where 22,- 000 refugees are concentrated, 15,000 the United States. In describing the of whom are in Beirut, and to place them on the path to normal living organization of the one in the second under decent and permanent housing conditions, chiefly in agriculture, incity, The South African Outlook points out the importance of the Council '8 "educating public opinion -both European and Bantu-upon the questions with which it dealt, e.g.,
stead of permitting them to remain sought to answer those needs. There huddled helplessly in congested and were not enough workers, and there unhealthful quarters in the main we were in prayer and conference trycenters of population. The hopeful- ing to find a way of making five men ness of this work is shown by the do the work of ten or fifteen. First, agricultural outplacement already be- there was the new book room or readgun. Charles W. Fowle writes of six ing room down in the bazaars of families on a farm near Tyre: "The Teheran. This had been opened only Frenchman who is the lessor of the a few weeks and already forty or fifty farm testified that in five weeks these men were coming each day to talk Armenian farmers had ploughed and about the things of Christ. Only one planted about three times the acreage man was there to meet them all, and which would have been worked in the now we need him to go to Demgon, a same period by a similar number of village in the interior where recently the neighboring peasants. " ten men had been won to Christ."
Moslems Ask fol' Mission School INDIA AND SIAM THE United Mission in Mesopo- A School Pl'epares the Way tamia reports: "Increasingly the schools are attracting and welcoming ENGLISH Baptists, reporting on Moslem pupils. Especially do we note the boys' high school which they the need' for boarding facilities. conduct in Agra, say that it is the ex- When, as at Mosul, influential Moslem perience of all who have the privilege parents come and beg us to take their of teaching Scripture in schools of this children into our home life for train- character that greater interest is being ing in righteousness, the responsibility shown in it than ever before. Only for refusal may not be lightly dis- recently some boys have eome to the missed." Rev. Roger C. Cumberland principal asking for Bibles that they writes of a specific instance: might read for themselves. The principal had an unforgettable ex- One of the prominent Moslem merchants perience in a visit to the village home of Mosul, speaking for a small group of of some of the boarding pupils. A his confreres, requested us to open a special royal weleome, in true Indian fashion, boarding school for their boys, so they was given him. The boy who had sent would be continually under our influence, the invitation asked if he might join promising full financial support for what· him in morning and evening devoever might be necessary. Can you imagine tions. The people were all Hindus. how that stirred us in fanatical Mosul, The day after his arrival, a crowd of where we have been praying for open doors ~ villagers and retainers gathered, and But what could we say~ We simply have an address was asked for. "Tell them not the personnel to handle more than is about God," the host said, and Mr. now unrrertaken; we regretfully told them Reynolds had the joy of telling them, that we are not now prepared to meet their the talk being based upon Luke XV. request, but that we hope to be in the A more eager and attentive audience, future. An open door, and those within could not have been found. Thus a calling: who will answer ~ school of this kind loosens the hard soil and prepares it for the seed. New Opportunities in Teheran When these boys havfl the moulding of the village in their hands, what REV. R. C. HUTCHISON, Ph.D:, kind of impress will they make 1 writes from Teheran, Persia, of a meeting of. the evangelistic com- Traveling with a Governol' mittee of the church, five Persian Christians and five Americans, at AT THE invitation of the governor which plans were under discussion for of Petchaburi, Siam, Niels Nedthe coming months. "One by one the ergaard, M.D., accompanied him on great needs were brought up and a twenty-three day tour to the upperbalanced against each other and ways
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
river country, going, he says, about of the gathering Dnyanodaya com- twice as far as any missionary or ments: "One of the most encouraging governor had ever gone before. Dr. signs of solid progress in the Chris- Nedergaard made the unprecedented tian movement in Western India is suggestion that an evangelistic unit the awakened and widespread interest from the mission station should ac- that is being taken by the Indian company the party, and the governor Christian Church in Christian litera- supplied an additional boat. He re- ture. Hitherto, the preparation and ports: "Each evening pictures of the distribution of Christian literature life of Christ were shown to the people have been mainly regarded as the where we camped. The governor, business of missionaries and a hand- when necessary, would send mes- ful of Indian Christian leaders. That sengers around the near-by village to a distinct turn in the tide is discern- ask people to come and see the pic- ible is proved by the fact that the tures, and he and his family and other rank and file of the Indian Christian members of the party would join the Church are showing more and more crowd to see and listen. There was interest in this whole subject."
at no time the slightest sign of ir- ritation or friction. Nor was the mes- A Brahmin's Dramatic Testimony sage subdued or sugar-coated." A BRAHMIN village chief, who is described by Rev. Charles W. Ninety Years 'in Saharanpur Posnett, of the English Wesleyan Mis- T HIS year marks the ninetieth an- sion at Medak in the Nizam's niversary of the beginning by the Dominions, as "a man of good posi- Presbyterian Board of F'oreign Mis- tion and great influence," traveled sions of its work in Saharanpur, in 120 miles to give his witness at his the Punjab. "The pioneers who came baptismal service. ]1[1'. Posnett says: to this place nearly a century ago," Aner the baptism, he asked me if he says one of their successors, "were might take P"ashathmn, the feast of friendmen of large vision and great expecta- ship, with me. He was a Brahmin who had tion. They laid the foundations well. never in his life touched water from a Chris- The station includes a compound of tian hand or drunk from a Christian "s glass.
sixty acres, situated in the most fa- Yet when I poured out the water, he vorable section of the city, enclosing begged me to ddnk first, and then he quietly took the glass and drank it to the bottom, the theological seminary, with its com- ponring tbe remaining drops upon his head. modious quarters for students, both Then, kneeling down, he asked me to bless married and single; the stately church him. Anyone who knows India will not wonder at my amazement. To drink after building, overlooking the entrance anyone from the same cnp is anathema, but from the road; the industrial school, for a Brahmin to drink from an outcaste 's with its ample provision for workers in wood and iron; four dwellings for glass is simply amazing beyond words. This missionaries; and homes for teachers, man had in one moment broken away from preachers, Bible-women and other Hinduism at a stroke and had acknowledged Jesus as his only Master. Christians. "
More Indian Christian Literature Reaching Men of Many Faiths REV. NICOL MACNICOL, D.D., A PREACHING tour about seven Secretary of the National Chris- weeks long, during which seventy tian Council of India, presided over different services were held in ten difa two-day conference recently held in ferent villages, aroused interest in Nasik, Bombay Presidency, on the representatives of the various resubject of Christian literature in the ligions of India, as this report from Marathi language. On the significance Rev. W. W. Duff, of Kasur in the Punjab, shows:
In Kaleke, the Sikh Sardar of the place Fourth Avenue, of the early opening brought out his men and set up OUr tents. of a training school at Shanghai for He then saw to it that most of tho Sikh Protestant missionaries now in China. landownel's of the plare attended the night It is planned to have all of the mis- meetings. They listened to the Gospel with sionaries who are temporarily con- great interest. In Makhi Khurd, the Hindu centrated at Shanghai attend the school teacher sent us a table to use in school. Advanced courses in the showing lantern slides, and a big crowd of Chinese language and literature, Hindus, Sikhs and Mohammedans turned the religions of China and mission- out to see pictures of the life of Christ. ary methods to be adapted to the The next day a Mohammedan officer, an changing conditions would comprise educated man, came to my tent and asked the curriculum, it was stated. for further instruction about Jesus Christ. Tn Jodh Singhwala, the Christians had Ginling Oollege Oarrying On largely become indifferent and had gone back to worshipping idols. But now some ASISTER of T. Z. Koo is a memof the younger men have gotten the spirit ber of the faculty of Ginling of reform. College, Nanking, China. In a letter written in May, she gives a picture of OHINA AND TIBET the way in which the college is being carried on in the absence of all the Nanking University Has Reopened foreigners: T HIS well-known union university Soon after the foreign faculty members in Nanking, China, which was the left Nanking the Chinese faculty members center of the attack upon foreigners and the students got busy and organized by certain' Chinese soldiers late in different eommittees, dividing the various March, resulting in the killing of the kinds of the work of the college……. A vice-president, Dr. .Tohn E. Williams, new administrative eommittee has been has reopened with a complete Chinese formed, consisting of seven alumnre, two staff. President Arthur .T. Bowen, C'hinese faculty members and two students. recently arrived from China, reported I am one of them (to the surprise of mythat the University was being ad- self.) …… We are having chapel every ministered by a committee of seven morning and services every Sunday. The Chinese, of which Dr. T. S. Kuo, dean student religious committee is taking charge of the College of Agriculture and and making out programs. On Easter Day Forestry, is chairman. Of the 500 we had a service and a Scene at the Tomb former students, 350 were in attend- in the early morning, and a song service at ance, and 40 or more of them were to eleven 0 'ciock; both were very beautiful, be graduated with bachelor degrees which brought us real peace of heart and at the end of .Tune. There is a Chinese more strength to conquer evil. …… Ginling faculty of more than 100, several hav- must live. Ginling has a real contribution ing been added to take the place of to make for society and must help to lift up the missionary professors now tem- the public. Ginling has not failed. Ginling porarily out of the city. 11ost of the must live for the new womanhood of new American faculty are still in Shanghai, awaiting permission from the China in the future. American consul to return to their posts. Dr. Bowen stated that the Oanton School Has Oelebration College of Agriculture and Forestry, the College of Arts and Sciences, the CABLED reports to the Presbyprimary schools, and the middle terian Board of Foreign Missions school were all open under the guid- state that Canton is quiet. The misance of this Chinese Administrative sionaries who are not on furlough are Committee. at the station. Schools are continuing. The women's hospital and medical Shanghai Missionary School school are open. The school for the blind is continuing its work. The ANNOUNCEMENT was made early hospital for the insane has been loaned in June by the Foreign Missions to the Government for a year, and Conference of North America, 419 there are still several hundreds of patients. The Canton hospital re-
1927J NEWS FROM :MANY LAKDS
mains closed. The True Light Middle their own initiative, they have recent- School has held an enthusiastic cele- ly formed a League of Christian bration of the tenth anniversary of its Workmen, consisting of about fifty existence as a separate institution, men and boys of the shop (out of a though its history may, in a real sense, total of seventy-five), whose purpose be said to run back sixty years to the is the evangelization and education of time when Miss Harriet Noyes estab- other workmen. So far as we know, lished a school of that name in Canton nothing like this has ever been done for girls and women. With a student before. The regular activities will body almost two-thirds Christian, and consist of a weekly prayer meeting, a graduating classes almost entirely Sunday afternoon preaching service, Christian, this school is now sending and a night school five nights a week. Their pledge contains the following forth a far-reaching influence into the points: prOVlllce.
A Tibetan "Gospel Inn" Ewry day to read some portion of the Scriptures and pray; to give not less than REV. F. DOGGETT LEARNER one hour each week to the service of other has been at work under the China workmen or apprentices through evangeEstic Inland lHission for thirteen years at work, preaching, leading in religious sing- Siningfu, Kansu Province, on the ing, teaching classes in Bible, "thousand Kokonor border of Tibet. It is a characters, " arithmetic, drafting, English, cosmopolitan' region, and colporteurs etc.; or visiting sick workmen and rendercarry the Word of God in five ing assistance; to give one per cent of languages-Chinese, Arabic, Mongol, salary each month for the finaneing of the Kulmuk and 'l'ibetan. Five years ago, work of the Leagne." Mr. Learner opened a "gospel inn," of which he writes: "The inn is Peking Union Medical College entirely free. Any Tibetan can come and stay as long as he likes. Every T HE latest report of the Rockeconvenience possible is supplied, such feller Foundation has this to say as sleeping accommodation, kitchen about the place occupied by the room, stable requisites, and last but Chinese in this institution: "In spite not least, a beautiful little chapel of disturbed conditions in China, the which will hold about a hundred Peking Union Medical College, a guests. We have two faithful Tibetan modern teaching and research center, evangelists who do their work well. built, equipped, and maintained by No guest comes who does not hear the Foundation, continued its work something about the love of the Lord without interruption. The aim has Jesus, and for those who stay over- always been to develop a wholly night-and the great majority do-a Chinese teaching staff, and, ultimatelittle service is held in the Tibetan ly, to transfer the college and hospital chapel at dark at which the pure to Chinese auspices. This plan has Gospel is preached. It is at this serv- been so consistently followed that the ice that many Tibetans hear of the first step could be taken safely in the Lord Jesus for the very first time." early future. Even now, should an emergency arise, there would be enough Christian Workmen Organize Chinese staff members to constitute more than a skeleton organization. C C. STEINBECK reports from The plant could be operated and the • Peking: "A most interesting ex- hospital kept in service. Even the periment is being tried by a number instruction of students could be of iron-workers and plumbers, boys creditably continued in almost all deand men connected with our high partments-in a few, on quite the school, in the department known as present basis, for the hospital superthat of engineering practice. Upon intendent, the superintendent of me- chanical operation, the heads. of two departments, the second men III
others, promising juniors in the rest, Andong district. He and the Bible a large group of the nurses, many of woman associated with him have been the secretaries, practically all the doing some earnest, faithful preaching typists, and the subordinate personnel to the unbelieving patients. Recently are Chinese." the hospital staff has organized a preaching society, the aim of which is JAPAN-KOREA to send an evangelist or Bible woman to preach in heathen villages where Japanese Give for Africa the medical work has made an open- ing. " WHAT he calls "a unique ex- perience" is thus described by Give Up Sake for a School S. M. Erickson, of the Southern Presbyterian mission in Takamatsu, T HE little village of Hakui-gun, in Japan: "During all these years in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, now Japan as an agent of our church, I has a schoolhouse because the village have been distributing funds from fathers were willing to give up the the home-land. Today I called at the drinking of sake, the Japanese wine. home of the pastor of the little self- Of thc 1,600 inhabitants, the majority supporting church at Samban Cho are farmers. Most of them are poor. with a Christmas gift. The pastor ex- Their children were taught in the pressed his thanks and then said, 'I local temples. Parents desired better have something for you,' and handed educational facilities for the youngme thirty yen. He said, 'Please for- sters, hut the village budget could not ward this to the Executive Committee be enlarged-it was burdensome of Foreign ·Missions for the work in enough as it was. The head of the Africa. The people in Africa are village found that the nearly 500 poorer than we are so our little church gallons of sake which the villagers wants to help them through our were drinking cost them about $4,000 church, as we have no foreign mis- a year, and he proposed that they sions of our own.' This is my first give up the sake and use the sum so experience of this kind, and perhaps saved to pay interest on and to the first in the history of our mission amortize a bond issue for the conwork in Japan…… The little church struction of a school. The other ofthat makes this gift has an average at- ficials and the people in general tendance of about fifty. There are no agreed, and even the proprietors of rich people in the congregation and the eight sake shops signified their they have also a building program." willingness to go into some other line of business. The school building was DR.. E.-angelism in Andong Hospital completed last July, and 470 pupils BERCOVITZ, who is in charge are now in attendance. of the hospital in Andong, Korea, gives these two illustrations Ability of Korean Leaders of the evangelistic emphasis which characterizes the work of the hospital: REV. CHAR,LES A. CLARK, D.D.. of Pyengyang, has seen many "One of the most interesting things which takes place all the time is the changes in Korea since he went there preaching of the Christian patients as a Presbyterian missionary in 1902. to the ones who do not know of Christ. Perhaps the greatest is the way in So frequently is it that a Christian which Koreans are carrying responsiwill be in the bed next to an un- bilities. Some illustrations of this he believer, and, as they lie there days gives as follows: "At our medical coland days, the preaching .goes on….. . lege, a critical mastoid operation was The hospital evangelist is one of the performed upon one of our missionmost spiritual native leaders in the ary children. A Korean doctor,
NEW'S FROM MANY LANDS
specialist in such operations, did the which is that fifty-four students, work while the professor who taught representing every year but one in the him acted as assistant and handed college and academy groups, received him the instruments. In the thirty baptism at one time. This followed a or so academies, two colleges and week of special meetings, conducted theological seminaries of Korea today, by Rev. Saburo Imai, of whom Miss not much OVf>r a score of missionary Charlotte De Forest, President of the teachers are ~orking. Koreans fill the College, writes: "He is a scholarly places cum laude. The Moderators of and warm-hearted Christian, with the Korean General Assembly, with years of experience in meeting the one exception, and nearly all of the needs of young people." other officers and committee members since 1915 have been Koreans. Three The second event is the incorporahundred national Presbyterian pastors tion of the College under a board of are caring for churches, some of them trustees, resident in Japan. The with 2,000 attendance." significance of this is twofold; first, it gives permanence to the institution, Christian Students in Tokyo enabling it to function as an inde- pendent legal entity through an un- T HE following account of the limited future; second it secures activities of the Student Christian public confidence by concentrating re- sponsibility in a board of trustees, Association .in Aoyama Gakuin, subject to government supervision and standardization in financial manage- Tokyo, is quoted from the Bulletin ment.
published by the organization of Eager Village Women in Korea Japanese Christian students in the T HIS picture of a scene in a Korean village is taken from The Korea United States: "Once satuwdeenetk~ dur- Mission Field: "'Puin (lady) why ing the noon hour, the have doesn't the moksa (pastor) come ? We have waited two years to be baptized.' a large Christian meeting on the Thus the question is thrust at the lady missionary. while her loads are being campus in which members eagerly tell placed in a tiny room where she is to eat and sleep for a week while holding of their experiences. Once a week also a women '8 Bible class, in the village. She had been met by a large group of Bible study and a prayer meeting are women and children a mile from the village. One old lady had said, 'My, conducted. On Sunday evenings, they we are glad to see you, and just think how glad we shall be to see Christ assist the work of the Aoyama Galmin when He comes.' They followed her in, an eager, spiritually-hungry group, Church and bring in students by hold- all waiting for what she has to give in the Bible lessons which she and ing outdoor meetings previous to the the Korean Bible woman will teach. They have been waiting long for the chapel service. At least one student messages of comfort and cheer, mes- sages straight from the heart of God al~ participates in the meeting itself, through His word, for few can read. And when they know more about Him, tellmg of his religious experiences. joyfully they can go out winning souls. " At first, these members were more or less persecuted, but they gradually rose to the top and many of the lead- ing members today are heading their classes in scholarship and in activities.
In the summer they form several evangelistic teams and, go to various parts of the country."
Progress in Kobe College TWO important events have recent- ly occurred in the life of Kobe College for Women, which began as a Congregational sehool for girls in Kobe, Japan. The first of these is a real spiritual awakening, one proof of
ISLANDS OF THE SEA An Unusual Teacher at Kusaie Not Head-hut Heart-Hunters NEARLY twenty years ago a politi- cal prisoner was brought .to the A N ORGANIZED campaign of American Board mission statlOn at young Christians in Kwato, New Truk, in the Caroline Islands. His Guinea seeking to bring their fellows offense was that he had prevented the to the point of decision for Christ, is carrying off of boys from the island. thus described by Rev. Charles W. For nine months his troubles seemed Abel of Papua: ,. The Papuan is most relentless. An epidemic carried off his notorious to the outside world for his w:fe and two sons, as well as five of head-hunting propensities; it is some- the boys he had rescued from virtual thing for which to praise God when slavery. Now he comes as a new we find the first generation of teacher to reinforce the staff of the Papuans, from actual savagery, ~n school at Kusaie, carried on for gaged in heart-hunting for ChrIst. twenty-nine years under the devot~d They met together for prayer ~ith leadership of Miss Elizabeth and Mlss this purpose in view, and, .from tlJ?e .Tane D Baldwin. The island of to time they brought thelr trophles Ponape, 'from which he comes to join to their'fellows amidst great rejoicing. them, is the scene of remarkable co- Following this awakening, much of operative work run by Japanese Conour time had to be spent in the all- gregationalists, the Amerlcan Board, important 'York of engaging in private and the Japanese Government. There, interviews with those who sought the as in Kusaie the school and church opportunity of beipg e~ligh~ened; of work is steadily growing in spite of all confessing some hmdermg sm; or of difficulties, and serves to lay foundaseeking help in some difficulty; and t:ons for a better future among the the result was a remarkable ingather- people in their far-off, s~a-bound ing of men and women to the fold of island.-The Congregatwnaltst. Christ. "
A Filipino Evangelistic Tour NORTH AMERICA RRV CHARLES N. MAGILL, Conference Registration by Radio D.D., writes from Tayabas of a zealous Filipino elder who has recent- THE thirty-first int~rnation~l con- vention of the Umted Soclety of ly bought a gasoline launch for ev~n Christian Endeavor, held in Cleve- land, Ohio, July 2nd to 7th, was gelistic touring: ' 'This man, wlth marked by some unusual features. On four days at noon a radio co~ another elder and five members of the ference was broadcast from the mam auditorium to the Christian En- Calawag church, on their own initia- deavorers all over the country who had found it impossible to attend this tive, and at their own expense, and great religious gathering of young people. It was announced in advance without the presence and help of the that to each person who sent to the United Society of Christian Endeavor pastor, made a long evangelistic ~our Headquarters, in Boston, a stamped and addressed envelope together with along the coast of North Camarmes. a report that he had listened-in on the convention a certificate of registra- They held services almost every night tion would be issued. Dr. Poling, President of the World's Christian for a whole month and conducted Endeavor Union, was the speaker at these conferences. On the afternoon eclladsesres~heospdeicdiamllyosftoor f children. The of July 7th a memorial service was the preaching wrote us three letters regarding the work, and they remind us of the mis- sionary zeal of Paul, as he pours out h:s heart '.s yearning for souls. He said that many would have been baptized, if a pastor had been with them. This is a voluntary and joyful effort to win others for Christ."
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
held in honor of the founder and late reading. A special and successful ef- President Emeritus of the Society, fort had been made to promote memo- Rev. Francis E. Clark, D.D., affection- rizing of Bible verses by children in . ately known all over the world as the Southern mountain districts. " Father Endeavor Clark. " The Books and booklets had also been sent mornings of the convention days were to India, Latin-American countries, given up to classes, forums, and group the Philippine Islands, and South discussions. Africa.
Congregational Reorgani.ation An Indian Pastor's Reply F OLLOWING the merging of seven T HE eightieth annual report of the of the national boards and agencies American Missi()nary Association of the church at the biennial meeting tells of a conference of all the Indian of the National Council, recently held pastors on the Cheyenne River Reserin Omaha, Neb., the final steps in the vation, South Dakota. At this time reorganization of the Congregati()nal occurred the ordination ()f Clayton Home Mission Board were taken late Hold, the Indian pastor of the in June. Under the new plan all Con- Cheyenne River Congregational gregational missionary work, foreign Church. The council consisted of and national, is placed under a re- past()rs and delegates from neighbororganized Cqmmission on Missions ing Indian arid white churches, about which includes all the directors of three quarters of the membership beboth the new home and foreign boards. ing Indian. One of the latter asked The unification of the foreign boards the candidate where the devil lived. was completed earlier in the year. He replied that a long time ago he The Rev. Dr. William Horace Day, could have answered this with prepastor of the United Congregational cision, but for many years now he had Church of Bridgeport, Conn., was had no dealings with that gentleman, elected Chairman of the Board of and he therefore advised his ques- Directors of the unified Board of tioner to ask somebody who had as- Home Missions. Professor Luther A. sociated with the devil more lately. Weigle of the Yale Divinity School was chosen First Vice President, Mrs. New Recruits for Ma.ny Fields B. J. Newman of Philadelphia Second Vice President, and the !kv. Dr. Wil- T HE thirtieth annual conference of liam V. Leete of New York Cor- the Board of Foreign Missions of responding Secretary. the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. with its newly appointed mis- Colportage Association Report sionaries was held at 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City, from June A T THE annual meeting of the 8th to 14th. For several years, the Bible Institute Colportage As- Board of 'Foreign Missions of the Resociation of Chicago, founded thirty- formed Church in America has cothree years ago by Dwight L. Moody, operated in this conference and this the secretary's report for the year year the American Baptist Fmeign showed that 226,986 colportage books, Mission Society also cooperated. 137,477 evangelical booklets, 380,246 Seventy-two missionaries have been Scripture portions, and 992,633 gospel appointed since June, 1926, about tracts had been published; also, that fifty of whom attended the conference. 3,896 shipments of gospel literature A number of those appointed are alfor free distribution had been made ready on the field. In addition, there to hospitals, lumber and mining were, at the conference, sixty-six furcamps, prisons and jails, Southern loughed missionaries, representing mountaineers, and vVestern pioneers, nine different countries. The group totaling 433,680 pieces of evangelical of recruits is made up as follows:
Ordained men 14, men physicians 4, of Chile. This is the only Protestant men teachers 5, wives and fiancees 24, school in Chile which has this, double women evangelists 6, women teachers recognition. Its graduates occupy 7, women physicians 2, nurses 7, positions of leadership and trust printer 1, architect 1, dentist 1. throughout Chile, and include mem- bers of Congress, Ministers of State, G.tin in Interracial Cooperation physicians and lawyers of prominence.
I N THE opinion of the monthly More Bibles in Latin America magazine published at Hampton Insbtute, The Southern Workman, T HE American Bible Society rethe annual meeting of the Commission ports increasing sales in practicalfor Interrac~al Cooperation recently ly every Latin American country. held in Atlanta, Ga., "gave fresh During the last three years the proof of the freedom with which white average number of readers of the and colored leaders of the South can Bible in the West Indies has increased now discuss the questions and dif- twenty-five per cent and among the ficulties growing out of the daily con- intellectual classes sixty-three per tacts of the two races. Though cent. In Peru, the entire country ominous tendencies to crowd skilled is open to the Gospel. "What," says Negro workmen out of certa;n profit- the secretary, "would the late Francis able employments were noted, and the Penzotti say if he knew that, during continuance' in several states of un- the year 1926, 1,932 Bibles, 3,314 New just restriction of voting privileges Testaments, and 21,162 Scripture was regretfully recognized, the pre- portions were circulated where, not ponderant emphasis was laid, as it many years ago, he suffered nine should be,on the steady and wide- months in prison in Callao for the spread improvement in interracial crime of circulating the Scriptures ~" 'attitudes. ' …… The reports of the In Brazil, the population has infield secretaries left one in no doubt creased two and one half times in that in Georgia, South Carolina, fifty years, while the circulation of Kentucky, Texas, and elsewhere, the the Scriptures has increased twelve determined, unremitting push of the and one half times for the same faithful few who are actively work- period. ing for tolerance, justice, and kindness is winning substantial results. Newspaper Evangelism in Bra~il Better schools for Negroes, and more of them, are especially in evidence." T HIS method, which has proved so successful in Japan, is being LATIN AMERICA adopted by the Central Brazil Mis- sion of the Presbyterian Church in An Important School in Chile the U. S. A. Rev. Peter G. Baker of Bahia writes: "Small advertisements THE recent earthquake in Santiago, are put in the papers announcing Ch;le, damaged seriously the build- that Christian literature will be sent ings of El Instituto Ingles, Presby- free to anyone who will send his name terian mission school, which this year and address. Upon the receipt of the is to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary request, a small package of tracts and of its founding. EI Instituto Ingles a Gospel are sent, with a letter, tellis the only Protestant school for boys ing the reader that if it is his desire to in the capital city of Chile, and the know more about the Bible and the only Presbyterian institution offering life of Christ, he has the privilege instruction of high school grade in the of joining the reading club by paying whole country. Its graduates are ad- a very small sum each month. By mitted to American universities, and becoming a member of the club, he are also eligible to enter the profes- will have the privilege of withdrawing sional departments of the University
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
a book at a time from the circulating troduce the lawlessness of Soviet communism, library of the club. Among the books so that, upsetting the order in these Spanishlisted are the Bible, religious stories American countries, they may make them an and books on the life and teachings easy prey to foreign domination." It was of Christ. Should a reader fail to confidently heralded abroad that at least join the club at once, literature is three thousand men with banners would sent to him for six months in an en- march in the procession. But a bare three deavor to capture his interest. After hundred, at the utmost count, turned up and this plan had been in operation for many of these were recruited from outside four months, 185 requests had come in parishes. This was the biggest blow the priests had sustained, and there were many signs that it made a deep impression.
from five different states."
GENERAL Evangelistic Methods in Mexico Conference on Faith and Order REV, GEORGE B. HAMMOND, AN AMERICAN, Bishop Brent, is appointed in 1924 to the Presby- to be cha:rman of this great interterian mission in the Federal District national gathering at Lausanne, of Mexico, asks for special prayer for Switzerland, August 3rd to 21st. Bethree forms of missionary effort which fore sailing from New York, he made now seem to him to be most impor- a statement to the press on the signiftant ; namely, ., going out into the icance of the conference, in which he said: "The Lausanne Conference is places where the Gospel has never been the most representative religious aspreached, work in the old centers with sembly that has been held since the people who have never been in- division of the Church centuries ago. fluenced, and radio broadcasting of I believe the era of church conevangelical messages." Of the second troversy is over. We are living in an and third of these he writes: In the old towns and cities] instead of era of church cooperation. Five hun- dred representatives of nearly 100 waiting for people to come to the churches, churches in all parts of the world, men arc working in the streets and markets, from Norway to New Zealand, will selling literature and using the exCUSB of assemble at Lausanne. While Church something to sell as a means of explaining unity is the subject and aim of the the contents of the Bible. The best worker meeting, discussion and recommendais the man who can tell the gospel story tion, rather than legislation, are the to the moet people and there are always means through which the leaders of crowds in the markets who have never heard these denominations hope to advance it……. I am working now with the head the aims of interchurch harmony." of one big institution in the States trying English, French and German will be to persuade him to broadcast sermons in Spanish. That sort of thing would go all Over Mexico.
Costa Rican Men Disobey Priest the official languages of the con- AMANY-sided and lasting impres- ference, with interpreters and trans- sion is said to have been made in lators on hand to make mutual Costa Rica by a recent eight-weeks' understanding easier.
evangelistic campaign, in which the principal speaker was a Porto Rican, World's Evangelical Alliance Don Angel Archilla, a converted THE eightieth anniversary of the founding of this widely-known Jesuit. One of the results is thus de- organization was celebrated with apscribed in The Latin American Evan- propriate ceremonies in London, June gelist: A "solemn peregrination" of men to the H'th to 22nd. While the gathering was not an international one, represhrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe was sentatives of some of the foreign organized by the priest, who has been most branches of the Alliance, especially violent in his opposition to the meetings; those on the Continent, brought greet- , 'to protest against the Protestantism which ings. The activity by which the Al- attempts by its propaganda to tear the faith from Costa Ricans that they may in-
liance is most widely known is the felt in many lands, and has fought many World's Week of Prayer, with which battles in support of spiritual freedom. To· each year begins, and the topics for day there are ominous signs that the old whieh are sent out in advauce from intolerant spirit is not dead, whether it find the London headauarters for use expression in state tyranny or in ecclesias· throughout the world. On one aspect tical exclusiveness. Even on the Continent of the Alliance Evangelical Chris- of Europe there are many proofs that the tendom comments: will to crush conscientious dissidence from either state policy or ecclesiastical narrow· The work of spiritual liberation may seem nesS is still strong. The Alliance, thanking accomplished, for the progres8 of liberty has God for what has been done in the past, been rapid in recent times. To the World's with its unrivalled experience is ready to Evangelical Alliance, religious liberty has step into the breach and fight for freedom been a passion. It has made its influence of conscience finding expressi.on in Christian worship whether the foe be Bolshevism Or church tyranny.
Answers to Missionary History Test for August (Questions on page 615) 1. Eliza Agnew who taught three generations of Cingalese girls in Uduvil Seminary, Ceylon.
2.. The Rt. Hev. Joseph Schereschewsky, Protestant Episcopal 13ishop of Shanghai.
3. "The prospects are as bright as the promises of God." 4. John Rebmann, a missionary of German birth working for the Church lIissionary Society. 5. The Rev. James Evans, missionary to the Indians of the Great Northwest. 6. Mrs. Hannah Catherine Lacroix Mullins, daughter of one missionary and wife of another, both of Calcutta. 7. King Frederic IV, of Denmark. 8. The Mayhew family, of Martha's Vineyard, including Thomas, first governor of the island. ~. The Rev. John Liggins of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 10. Because five missionaries were martyred on it: John Williams and J'ames Harris in 1839; George N. and Ellen C. Gordon in 1861; and James D. Gordon in 1872. 11. Christ Church, "The Church in the Slave Market," the altar of which stands on the exact site of the old Whipping Post. 12. J ames Calvert, missionary to the Fiji Islands. 13. Baron Justinian Von Welz, of Ratisbon. 14. The Rev. William H. Murray, of the Mission to the Chinese Blind at Peking. 15. Boniface (also called Winfrid), "Apostle of Germany." 16. Reginald Heber, the "Poet-Bishop of Calcutta." 17. Isabella Thoburn of the Methodist Mission at Lucknow. 18. John Geddie, missionary to the island of Aneityum, South Seas. ]9. Dr. Eleanor Chestnut, Presbyterian medical missionary at Lien-chou. 20. Because he built the first schoolhouse in the state of Ohio at his Indian settlement, Schonbrunn on the Tuscarawas River, near the present site of the town of Goshen.
books mentioned in these columns will be forwarded by us on receipt of price.-
THE REVIEW.
The Revolt of Asia. The End of the White Amer;ca's relation to the revolt, an ]fan's Vvorld Dominance. By Upton "old China hand" thinks, should be Close (Josef Washington Hall). 325 pp. that of a leader stemming the tide $2.50. );cw York. 1927. of revolt, "because she has so little at stake, and because of the Chinese The publishe~s' blurb, "An Ad- venturous Career," not only interests attitude toward the United States.
the reader before opening the volume, Also both Japan and Great Britain but justifies the author's attempt to would find it easier to cooperate under cover so much of Asia in a first-hand American rather than any other lead- way; just as Professor Gowen's ership." This same Briton holds that choice of Prof. Hall as collaborator Washington's unwillingness is due to in his recently published "Outline the missionaries to whom the State History of China" evidenced his his- Department listens" and acts on their torical ability and his novels and con- advice, instead of being a realist in tributions to' the Atlu,ntic Monthly facing this China situation." Hall's fascinated the general reader. attitude toward the Christian propa- The Asiatic revolt is mainly three- ganda is found in Chapter XII, where fold, and condensed into a sentence varying opinions of Chinese leaders "it is against the white man's political are set forth, with the author's opin- Tule, the imposition of his culture and ion that" indigenous Christianity has religion, and, most deep seated of all. broad-minded leaders, such as Dr. T.
the arrogant assumption of social '1'. Lew, and devout supporters among superiority." In August, 1914, the the new intelligentsia and rising in- oonviction began to grow in the minds dustrial plutocracy who will carry it of Asiatic leaders that the day of the through the temporary wave of feel- white man's reckoning had dawned. ing. "
A jaunt with our author from Tokyo " Asia and the ]Taking of America"
to Cairo, with glimpses of such heroes shows our obligations to that conti- as Mahatma Gandhi, "a little naked nent, including our Asiatic trade man," and a delightful-to the reader amounting to $1,966,000,000 in 1926; not to Upton Close-auto excursion while the same chapter touches upon into Persia, Iraq and the land of the our delicate relations in the Philip- "touchy Turk," enable us to see in pines, with the added query, "Are outline the portion of Asia involved. Americans big enough to recognize, Then more intensively we listen to even to the point of sacrifice, the log- ·our author's exposition of conditions ical workings of the ideas they have in China, "the spearhead" crux of implanted 1"
the situation. Professor Hall's ac- lJany of Professor Hall's positions count of how the white man came to are open to violent debate, but on the dominate, how he lost his dominion, whole it is a volume well worth read- how the revolt stands related to the ing and carefully pondering. Prob- British Empire, and less seriously to ably those who know most about Asia Japan, are all illuminating. So, too, will agree with his closing declara- are his chapters on Russia's. "essen- tion: "Weare passing from the era tially Asiatic" relation to the Chinese of Empire by Conquest into the Era republic, and on Chinese differences of Empire by Attraction, Service and and sympathies and the growing com- Business that asks only a fair field ity between Japan and China. and no favors. We have come to the 639
time when any prolonged attempt interracial commissions and the Chris- of any race or nation or class or sex to tian churches. Such organizations, he dominate another can only bring de- believes, are approaching the problem struction to both. It is let live and with increasing open-mindedness and live. It is tolerance, or death." will ultimately bring about a more friendly relation between the races.
The Negro in American tife. Willis J. As a way out of the difficulties King. 154 pp. 75 cents. New York. which the presence of two races in 1926. America has precipitated, Mr. King points to the "way of Jesus "-a way With the :introduction in recent towards which we shall be led by years of courses in race relations in "those crusaders, iYounl!" and old, American colleges and the organiza- white and black, who will dedicate tion of other groups for the study of themselves anew to the principles of race problems it was inevitable that Jesus, resolving to forget the things the facts, figures and opinions on this that are behind-prejudices, tradiperplexing sub.iect be organized sys- tional dislikes, inherited hatreds and tematically in textbooks for the guid- stretch forward to the goal that is ance of students. The valuable before-the Christ conception of hupioneer work of W. D. Weatherford man brotherhood.' '-R. R. M. in this field has now been supplemented by the present volume written from the point of view of the Negro. NatLon Builders. J. Lovell Murray. 12 Mr. King has undertaken a com- mo. 184 pp. 75 cents. Toronto. 1925.
prehensive, but not detailed study of Canada has a rich heritage from the Negro. He treats topically the the noble pioneers who conquered the various phases of Negro life: the his- frontiers and established Christian tory of the Negro, his social land ~hurch()s and schools among the Angloeconomic background; his contribu- Saxon settlers, Indians, Eskimos and tion to American civilization, artistic, imm'grants; . who built up the ideals spiritual and economic; his present and customs of the great territory. status, and the problems which have These brief sketches, by the secretary grown out of the presence of black of the Canadian Council of the Misand white folk in North America. sionary Education Movement, tell of The evident impartiality should thirty ,men and women who have recommend this volume to any stu- rendered distinctive service to Candent beginning a study of race rela- ada. Their lives and activities will tions. The· Socratic method of inspire every earnest, ambitious young instruction by questions and answers man and woman who is responsive to is used but the reader is apt to wish patriotic and Christian example. that the answers were fuller and more original. The book is in a large A New Approach in Missionary Education: measure composed of quotations from A Parish Project. John Clark Archer. other sources from which both ques- 12 mo. 160 pp. $1.75. New York. 1927.
tions and answers are made. There The author is the head of the De- is no bias shown in the selection of partment of Missions in Yale Uni- sources, for Stoddard, Grant and versity, and is a man of practical Josey, exponents of Nordic superior- ideas and experiences.. He here en- ity, are Quoted quite as frequently as deavors to show how adherents of non- Monroe N. Work, W. E. B. DuBois, Christian faiths may be approached James Weldon Jhhnson and other without traditional prejudice and prominent Negroes. without ar()using unnecessary antag- A cheering optimism enables Mr. onism.
King to see four influences working With some fresh and more novel for the amelioration of the confusion ideas, Professor Archer tells how to known as the race problem: study use the pro,ject method to interest a commissions; organizations of youth; whole parish in the subject.
The Missionary Review of the World — January 1924
~UMEXl,.VII . NUMBER
JANUARY, 1924 THE OVERFLOW AND THE PAS~ION S. D. GORDON .
A BUSINESS MEN'S EVANGEUSTIC CLUB W. G. M. THOMAS A LAYMAN'S VISIT TO THE MISSION FIELDS FRED G. MACMlLL'AN . THE BIBLE AMONG THE BLACKS DAN CRAWFORD ~ WINNING UNCHURCHED .BOYS AND GIRLS ADEUNE GUENTHER BEST METHODS FOR PUBLICITY MRS. E. c. CRONK.
II.sO·A YEAR 25 CENTS A COPY MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBUSHI..N. G COMPANY ad and REILY STS., HARRISBURG, PA. 156 FlFnI AVENU,E, NEW YORK
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THROUGH CHRIST TO CONVERT Selfishness into Service Suspicion into Faith Discouragement into Hope Hatred into Love AMONG The foreign born in whose homes 21,000,000 children are grow- ing up with almost no knowledge of American ideals and institutions. .
The Negroes, of whom only one child in ten ever enters a Sunday School.
The Southern Mountaineers, whose county school term is often no more than five months.
The Latin Americans, fifty per cent of whom are illiterate.
The Jews, about eighty per cent of whom have forsaken the syna- gogue and are religiously adrift.
The Mexicans, whose habies have one-fourth the chance of white children to reach the age of two years.
The migrant laborers, most of whom are prey to radicalism and exploitation, "homeless, voteless, jobless."
The Indians, two-thirds of whom attend no church.
The Alaskans, whose very existence is jeopardized by disease.
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8tmd raul' Gifts to VARIAN BANKS, Acting Treasurer 156 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.. _ , -Plea8~ mention THID MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD in writing to advertisers. January Sale of Linens Send for Catalog Housewives all over the country fancy cloths; Household Linens, have been waiting for this yearly sheets, pillow cases, towels; Blankets opportunity to buy McCutcheon and Comfortables; as well as charm- Linens at reduced prices. ing collections of Lingerie, Blouses, Laces, Sweaters, Hosiery and Chil- This popular annual sale includes dren's Dresses. hundreds of much-needed Linen articles, all of which are taken from All these articles are described and McCutcheon's regular, highest-qual- priced-many of them illustratedity stocks. There are liberal selec- in the new McCutcheon "JANtions of Table Linens, damasks and UARY SALE CATALOG No. 20."
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You are giving regularly of your income. After death your principal will have potential power; You can provide for its use in advancing the Kingdom, and have a secure income during life. Ask about the ANNUITY PLAN Write to: George M. Fowles, Treasurer, Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal II A.,."" 150 Filii> A,…… N.w Yod c;,y, ., w. J. Elliott, Treasurer, Board of Home Missions and Church Extension of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, I 70 I Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
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CONTENTS FOR JANUARY, 1924 Page F'RONTISPIECE ……………….. THE CHRISTIAN OCCUPATION OF THE WORLD EDITORIALS …………………………………………………….. 5 AT THE TURN OF THE YEAR DOCTRINES, DEBTS AND THE BOARDS SAVE AMERICA FROM RUIN RELIEF WORK IN JAPAN A PROPHEOY FOR INDIA THE OVERFLOW AND THE PASSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BY S. D. GORDON 15 A consideration of the place that Christia,n service and giving should have in the lite at a conseerated layman.
A BUSINESSMEN'S EVANGELISTIC CLUB ………… By W. G. M. THOMAS 19 The story of the remarkable work done in Chattanooga, Tennessee by a group of busin~ssmen who have been spiritually awakened.
A LAYMAN'S VISIT TO THE MISSION FIELDS ….. "By FRED G. MACMILLAN 25 An impress<ve description of what a business man saW in his recent visit to Egypt, the Sudan and india, with, 8Gme of his conclum.ons.
THE BIBLE AMONG THE BLACKS . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . BY DAN CRAWFORD 29 A chara.cteristic letter from the author of "Thinking Black," decaribing the arrival of the first copies of the Bible in the vernacular and its effect on the black men of CentraL Africa.
WINNING THE UNCHURCHED BOYS AND GIRLS …. BY ADELINE GUENTHER 33 The story of the important work be'ing done through the Daily Vacation Bible Schools to reach negLected boys and girls of foreigners in America and the children in mining districts, mill towns (lind other frontiers.
WHAT THE MISSION BOARDS HOPE TO DO IN 1924 ………………… 41 A series of letters from the leading denominational Mism.on Boards describing some of their objectives at home and abroad.
BEST METHODS FOR PUBLICITY …………… EDITED BY Mas. E. C. CRoNK 46 WOMAN'S HOME MISSION BULLETIN …… EDI'l'EJ) BY FLORENCE E-. QUINLAN 54 WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSION BULLETIN………………………….. 57 NEWS FROM MANY LANDS ………………………..•…………….. 60 THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY …….• '> • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 75 TERMS: $2.50 a year. ($2.00 in clubs of five.) Foreign postage, 50 cents. SingJe copies, 25 cents. Published monthly. Copyrighted, 1924, by MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. All rights reserved.
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Robert E. Speer. President Willam 1. Chamberlain, Vice-President Delavan L. Pierson, Secretary Walter McDougall, Treasurer Publication office, 3d & Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Editorial and Business Office, 156 Fifth Avenue, Pa. 25c a copy $2.50 .. year New. York City Entered as secondwclass matter a.t the Post Office, HarrIsburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. P£RSONAL REv. B. M. TIPPLE, D.D., has resigned, on WillSodomand Gomorrah the ground of ill health, as President of the Now Be Dug Up?
Methodist College in Rome. That is one of the next big events archeology is hoping for. And if this *" * spectacular discovery is made, you can be sure of knowing all about it if you suh- REV. WM. C. COVEaT, D.D., pastor of the scribe now for The Sunday School First Presbyterian Church, Chicago, is to Times, for the Archeological Editor of this live journal, Prof. Dr. Melvin Grove be the General Secretary of the Board of Kyle, sails this winter to join the ex- • Christian Bdncation. • pedition of the American School of REV. DR. DONALD FRASER of the Livings- Oriental Research in Jerusalem for this quest. You keep posted in arche(}logy's tonia Mission, ex-Moderator of the United thrilling achievements by taking the Times. . Free Church of Scotland, was warmly wel- " wmed on his recent return to Africa. REV. E. W. SCHMALZREID, mhlsionary of the Reformed Ohurch in the United States at Shenehowfu, Hunan, China, was kid- napped by bandits While on his way in No- vember from Changteh, Hunan, to Tungien, .. Kweichow.
REV. MAIK MATTHEWS, D.D., pa…tor of "Gordon'sWork is Superh- the First Presbyterian Church, Seattle, hi his digest is one of th~ finest features of any periodical I see. It is worth a mint of trying to sell a million one dollar bricks, money," writes an enthusiastic minister about Earnest Gordon's monthly "Survey with which to build a new Bible School in of Religious Life and Thought" in The .. Sunday School Times. This brilliant that city. Harvard graduJte, who holds the old faith and knows Europe and the whole REV. S. RALPH HARLOW, formerly of the world intimately by travel and study,. gives you every month the throbbing International College iIi. Smyrna, has become heart of the religious life of the world.
Professor of Biblical Literature in Smith . .. . College.
REV. HAl!.RY B. MCOORMICK of Detroit has gives you also in each week's issue more been elected a secretary of the United than a dozen of the greatest Jiving Bible Christian Missionary Society. teachers on two great Sunday-school Lesson Courses, the International Uni- * .. * form and the Who:, Bible Lessons. True BERT WILSON, one of the secretaries of to the whole Bible as the infallible Word tI, e United Christian Missionary Society has of God, and the shed blood of Christ as resigned to accept the presidency of Eureka the only way of salvation, it is an every- Oollege. week interdenominational journal for adults in Bible study and teaching, Sun- *** day-school management, and the Chris- tian Ii fe and service. ARTHUR T. UPSON, the Literary Supel'in- r.endeut and Director of the Nile Mission The subscription rate is $2.00 per Press has recently returned to Oairo after a brief visit to England. Mr_ Upson is very year. In clubs of five or more deeply interested in social purity work copies, eitht;r, to separate ad~ among the soldiers in Cairo, and has shown great courage in combatting the social evil. dresses or In a package ~~ 37 to one address, $1.50 ** " ~a ..::p.tj6 DR. DANlEL J. FLEMING of Union Theo- each per year. o>a:'~/ THE logical Seminary, and author of "Building SUNDAY SCHOOL with India" is this year to give the Graves TIMES COMPANY IJectures on Foreign Missions at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. The general :Sox 1650, Philadelphia, Pa. topi" will be "Imminent Changes in Missionary Attitudes and Policies." For the 25 cents enclosed please send The Sunday """ School Times for 10 weeks to DR. ABRAM E. CoRY, formerly a Secretary of the United Christian Missionary So- Name ••••••.•••…•..•.•.••••••••• ciety, has recently been made president of Address ..•..••.••.••••••••••••.•••• the International Convention of Disciples of Christ, to be held in Cleveland in 1924.
"** REv. ARTHUR LEE GruNNELL, M. D., of KiHsien, Honan, China, for twelve years a missionary of the l!Tee Methodist Church, died of heart disease at Kaifeng on the twenty-eighth of November, on his fortythird birthday.
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'" EVIEW1fe VOL. JANUARY, 1924 NUMBER XLVII ONE AT TRill TURN OF THE YEAR n .ANY DAY may bring a crisis though we may not recognize it. In the fullness of time, Christ came to redeem men, but most of His fellow countrymen did not recognize Him or the hour of their visitation. Humanity seemed to be on the down grade, but He started men going the other way–from defE'at and death to victory and life. One who sees and is dissatisfied with the evil tendencies and failures of the day is not a pessimist if he is not discouraged but expects victory through the power of God. Truth is mighty and must prevail- but truth is not always pleasant.
As we turn over the first leaf of a new calendar, opening up a new year, a backward look over the main events and tendencies of the months through which we have pasRed is not altogether enheartening, but it gives no cause for despair, for onr hope is in God.
In America, home mission circles have been studying" The American Boy and Girl" – a truly fundamental subject and one that calls for serious thought and prayer. The Horne and Foreign Mission Boards have almost universally reported a shortage in funds needed for missionary work, with deficits from $100,000 to over $600,000. This is in spite of general prosperity and free spending throughout the country. The need for enlarged giving is great, the success of the work has been marked and there is a call for more extensive and intensive Christian service. The International Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. are also facing serious financial shortages. Some leaders are convinced that this lack of adequate financial support is due to doctrinal disputes in the denominations. This, no doubt, has had its effect, for internal strife will ever hinder united advance in a common task. The great need is for unswerving loyalty to Christ and His Word, sacrificial devotion to His cause, and unselfish service to our fellowmen. Those who put the things of this world first-whether it be in self-indulgence or in social service-will not make such large I?acrifices as do Christians who believe that man's eternal, as well as Q
temporal, welfare depends on a right relation to Christ and His Gospel.
'The" Save America Campaign" has been started to prevent the nullification of the Eighteenth Amendment for prohibition. The President and state executives have held conferences to promote better citizenship and law enforcement. The thirty-seventh Student Volunteer Movement convention was held in Indianapolis during the closing days of the year. Movements have also been started in favor of morally clean literature and clean amusement;,.
In Canada, further progress was made toward Church union be- tween Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists and the final step awaits the action of the Dominion Parliament to make a "United Church of Canada."
In the West Indies, Porto Rico has celebrated a quarter century under the "Stars and Stripes" and of evangelical mission work. Haiti and Santo Domingo have become fields for united evangelical mission work under the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America.
South America has been generally quiet with the exception of an uprising in Paraguay and minor political disturbances. The cause of temperance is progressing, especially in Chile, and religious liberty has won a new victory in Peru with the defeat of the "concordat" between that government and the Vatican.
In Europe, the progress toward political and industrial normality has been almost unnoticeable. France and Germany have become increasingly suspicious and unfriendly; Italy has established the Fascisti dictatorship; Austria has made steady material progress with the help of a loan from the Allies, and Russia has been obliged to return to some degree of private ownership as distinct from radical socialism. The opposition of the Soviet leaders to religion, especially Christianity, is as bitter as ever, but has taken the form of ridicule and of efforts to divide the Russian Church. At the same time, spiritual movements are reported in many parts of Russia, in Czecho- Slovakia, in Poland, in Belgium and in Great Britain. Many important world conferences were held in Europe during the summer, among them the Baptists in Sweden, the Boys' lVorkers in Switzerland, and, most important of all, the International Missionary Council in Oxford, England. This Council united on resolutions that seek to give a basis for harmonious cooperation among societies and workers who had been disrupted by doctrinal disputes in Great Britain, as well as in America.
The Near East has continued a hotbed of trouble. The Angora Government of Turkey, after burning Smyrna and murdering Christians, has again secured from the Allies possession of Constantinople, the abrogation of the "Capitulations" and a recognition of their full control in Asia Minor. Syria is restive under l!'rench rule and Palestine is the scene of strife between Arabs, Syrians and Jews.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
The Near East Relief and the Ohristian missionaries who are still at work seem to be the only constructive forces in the Moslem lands.
In Mesopotamia, the Kingdom of Irak, American Presbyterians and Reformed Ohurches are undertaking a new cooperative mission work with headquarters at Bagdad and MosuI. '1'he Presbyterian missionaries have also reopened their station in Urumia, Persia.
India has been more quiet, outwardly, since Gandhi's arrest, but the people are restive and dissatisfied. "Oivil disobedience" has developed from "non-cooperation" and Moslems and Hindus are in open rivalry for leadership in politics. From a missionary stand- point, important progress has been made in the development of the Indian Missionary Oouncil, and further steps have been taken in Ohristian unity and cooperation in South India.
China has deposed one president and installed another during the year, but little, if any, political stability has been gained. War is still waged between the North and the South, and bandits have been active, even capturing and killing foreigners. Opium cultivation and trade is reappearing and there is evidence of the social and political influence of· Bolshevist propaganda. Christian missionaries and strong Ohinese Christians are the most outstanding force for righteousness and peace.
In Japan, the outstanding event of the year has been the devastating earthquake and fire that blotted out Yokohama and overwhelmed Tokyo on September 1st and 2d. The destruction in property and life was greater than the moral and spiritual loss, since the Japanese themselves have nobly risen to the occasion; the British and Americans, and even Chinese, have sent generous sympathy and help; no Japanese Ohristian pastors or outstanding leaders lost their lives, and only three missionaries are reported missing out of over 400 stationed in the earthquake area. Efforts are Deing made to learn lessons from the disaster and to introduce better buildings, moral reforms and closer missionary cooperation. Korea has reported some spiritual revivals and Formosa has celebrated fifty years of OanadIan Presbyterian missions there.
Africa is gradually emerging from bondage and darkness. Egypt has been given independence (still under British protection), but has not proved herself capable of self-government; Abyssinia has opened her doors to missionaries of the United Presbyterian Ohurch; new mission stations have been opened in the Cameroons, on the Congo and elsewhere; revivals are reported at variollS points; and earnest allpeals come from heathen kings and chiefs for Ohristian teachers and preachers. The report of the Phelps-Stokes Oommission has proved an illuminating document on the needs and methods of missionary work in the continent.
At the beginning of a new year, the world field reveals widespread unrest in politics, in industry, in society, in religion. Men are
cutting loose from old moorings and have not yet found a more satisfactory anchorage. They are doubting the value of their old forms of government, their former industrial methods and their inherited faiths. But those who really know God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, and who have tested the truth and practical value of that faith in daily life – yes, these are standing firm, contending against evil, working to establish good, and confident of victory through the Leadership and Power that are not their own.
DOCTRINES, DEBTS, AND THE BOARDS W HAT, if any, is the relation of doctrine to debt in the mis- sionary work of the churches? It is exceedingly unfortunate, in the face of tremendous need for cooperation and for a whole hearted forward spiritual movement on the part of all evangelical forces, that the churches at home should be divided by doctrinal controversy, and that in the midst of prosperity and ample funds for private enterprises, the mission boards should be burdened with debts. The relation between loyalty to the Church and gifts to His work is the same as between the spirit of patriotism in time of war and the response to the call for volunteers and for subscriptions to national loans.
The time of crisis in the conflict between the forces of God and those opposed to the program of Christ is not a time for dissentions, accusations, party disputes and suspicions among: fellow soldiers and servants of God. The real issues should be clearly distinguished and if any men are disloyal to the cause they must be won over or evidence of their disloyalty must be clearly presented. Only God can clearly judge between wheat and tares.
Among others, the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions has been subject to criticism in certain quarters because of the alleged lack of sympathy of some of its members and missionaries with the doctrinal standards of the Church. In order to allay this suspicion and win the loyal cooperation and support of all sincere Presbyterians, the Board has sent out on November 19th a carefully prepared statement from which the following extracts are taken: All the members and officers of the Board clearly understand that, having been appointed by the General Assembly as the authorized agency to represent the whole Church in its foreign missionary work, they Rhould discharge the obligations imposed in entire obedience to the instructions of the General Assembly, and in fuU loyalty fo the Standards of the Pr-esbyter-ian Church, and the whole system of doctrine contained therein. In these and in all other respects the Board has sought to administer the trust laid upon it by the General Assembly with absolute fidelity, and it is determined to hold this trust inviolate …
. "All missionaries, prior to their appointment, are asked the following ~~: " 'Have you any religious views which you believe to be at variance with the teaching of the Presbyterian Church?
1924J EDITORIAL COMMENT
" 'Do you believe that in every form of mission work the paramount duty of every missionary is to make Jesus Christ known as Saviour, Lord and Master?
" 'Is it your purpose to make such efforts the chief feature of your mis~ sionary career, no matter what other duties may be assigned to you?
" 'Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?
" 'Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures?'
"No missionaries are appointed who do not satisfactorily answer these questions. After apppointment, all missionaries are amenable to the missions to which they belong, and all ordained men to presbyteries as well. The Board has considered every definite complaint regarding missionaries, and has not found a single instance of unfaithfulness… While the Board is not an ecclesiastical body and cannot· trench upon the jurisdiction of presbyteries over anyone's ecclesiastical standing in the Presbyterian Church, the Board is the judge of the qualifications of missionaries, and it deems sound views of the Gospel a vital qualification. The Board cannot withdraw confidence from devoted missionaries, on the basis of impersonal and unsupported charges re- garding unnamed and unidentified missionaries, and the Board believes that further rumors or suspicions should be resolutely discountenanced …
"Regarding union enterprises, which are said to be opening the door for unevangelical teaching by missionaries of other denominations, the demand for them has come from the field. .. Such union effort has been repeatedly and explicitly approved and advised by the General Assembly. . . Such unions have been entered into only with sister evangelical churches which are recognized as such by the General Assembly. .. 'I¥benever difficulties and problems doctrinal or otherwise arise in connection with these institutions, it is the policy and purpose of the Board to take them up with the institution concerned and the Boards of the other denominations associated in it. If agreement cannot be reached on a strict evangelical basis, the Board will recommend withdrawal from further participation …
"The Board entreats the churches in the name of the General Assembly whose agency it is, in the name of faithful missionaries whose life work is menanced, and in the name of our divine IJord and Saviour, to remember that withholding or diverting gifts penalizes not the members of the Board but the devoted missionaries and their work … "
The unfortunate doctrinal controversy is causing unbelievers to blaspheme, is weakening the Church, is bringing the cause of Christ into disrepute and is hindering the work at home and abroad. The issue should be kept clear and the followers of Christ united as closely as possible.
First, the great question is not loyalty to the doctrines of a denomination, but loyalty to Christ, His teachings and program. We may differ as to policy, as to personal convictions, interpretations or forms of expression, but loyalty to .Jesus Christ and His teachings is essential to unity and power.
Second, there must be an acknowledged authority for the missionary message and program of the Church. There may be room for differences of interpretation, but there is nO unity in a movement where the credentials and book of instructions are discredited. A dispute as to the loyalty of messengers and of officials to God's mes-
l(} THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [J3Jluary
sage and plan must be settled before there can be full confidence and cooperation.
Third, there is need for humility on the part of those who claim the right to judge. The spirit of hasty criticism and of suspicion must be eliminated and other followers of Christ considered as honest and earnest in their words and acts.
Fourth, we must be careful not to do irreparable damage to the cause of Christ by words or deeds that unjustly discredit mission boards of the Church and seek to punish individuals with whom We may be in disagreement. In refusing to cooperate with Boards we may be refusing to cooperate with Christ.
Fifth, the spirit of prayer, of love and of earnest and unprejudiced seeking for light is necessary so that personal pride and bitterness may be entirely eliminated.
God has wonderfully used the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions and the Boards of other Churches to carry His message to men all over the world; He has also given rich spiritual fruitage as a result of the work. If mistakes have been made, they should be corrected, bl,lt while God Himself cooperates with any branch of His Church, we may designate the direction iu which our gifts will be nsed but we cannot afford to hamper the work by withholding prayerful and generous support.
SAVE AMERICA FROM RUIN NOT LONG AGO, a leper in an American city was discovered selling fruit to school children. The deadly germs of this horrible disease are carried into the blood, not by heredity or contagion, but by infection-through food or in some other way directly introduced into the blood of healthy persons. Public sentiment immediately demanded that the leprous vendor not only cease his traffic but that he be sent to a leprosarium lest he contaminate the healthy. A wave of horror passes over parents lest their children become subject to the dread disease, and a leper, if discovered in a healthy community, is promptly expelled.
Such is the dread of physical corruption! But what shall we s'ay of public sentiment that seems so callous and indifferent to moral corruption that purveyors of pernicious literature and immoral plays are allowed, for financial gain, to scatter broadcast their moral disease germs among youth and adults of all classes! Moral contamination is infinitely more to be dreaded than physical disease – deadly as that may be. It was moral decay that brought about the downfall of Babylon, Greece and Rome, and it is moral and spiritual disease that brings eternal death.
For money some men and women already morally diseased are putting before the public contaminating theatricals, dances, movies,
EDITORIAL COMMENT
books and pictures, and yet even Christian parents are not fully aroused to the evil results. Theatrical managers and publishers have been growing bolder and bolder, because their unsavory and deadly wares find a market among the weak, the foolish and the degenerate. Remonstrance and pUblicity bring no remedy, and appeals to the courts and public officials are ineffective, for money and personal influence are powerful. One supposedly reputable publisher is printing obscene and lascivious magazines that are said to be especially damaging to boys and girls of high school and college age. Under seemingly harmless titles, books are published containing passages, the reading of which is to the character, what eating diseased meat is to the body. One judge declared that he did not dare to go to the theatre today because of the difficulty in selecting clean plays.
The Clean Books League (New York) has taken up the fight locally because of the :flood of impurity that is coming from the presses today. Judge Ford, of the Supreme Court of New York, was aroused when a pestilential book came into his daughter's hands through a circulating library. Ilis eyes were opened to the widespread evil and he declares that to quote passages and send them through the mail would immediately subject him to' prosecution. Newspapers would not dare to print the stuff, but books and magazines spread the disease with impunity. Those who devour this contaminating literature and see these demoralizing movies and. plays, lose their healthy faculties of taste and smell so that they defend their course; their standards and their lives too often become degenerate and themselves a menace to the community. The result is weakness, immorality, divorce, robbery, and murder.
Judge Ford says: "Those of us who believe in the exalted mission of our democracy … may well take serious thought of the growing toleration by the public of the shockingly immoral publications that are put into the hands of the rising generations. I have no language strong enough to adequately picture the depths of infamy to which certain publishers have descended in issuing for general circulation obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, indecent and disgusting books, magazines, pamphlets and other prints."
What is to be done about it ~ Certainly high-minded people, whether Christians or not, must not sit still and allow purveyors of such literature and dramas to spread contagion in order that they may reap a harvest of "filthy lucre" while the public reap moral disease and death!
1. Christian people and other patriots should awake to the danger and unite to root out the evil by arousing public sentiment and by passing adequate laws adequately enforced. High-minded officials must be put into office and those who prosecute offending publishers should be supported by upright citizens.
2. Through the hamel the school and the Ohurch, our youth
must be educated as to moral contamination and its damaging effects. They should be given a taste for clean literature and wholesome amusements by precept and by the example of parents and teachers. Moral fitness should be required of teachers quite as much as intellectual ability and freedom from contagious disease.
3. Above all, we must recognize the fact that, while social and industrial reforms are important, nothing can take the place of individual regeneration. Unless parents and children, officials, teachers and other citizens are purified and empowered individually by coming into right relationship to God through .Jesus Christ, they cannot help to make a strong, clean and godly nation. Give our young people and their elders a taste for the Word of God and that will drive out the desire to read or scatter devilish literature. "Either sin will keep you from this Book," said Bengel, "or this Book will keep you from sin."
.NCHRISTIAN SUFFIGRING A~D RELIEF IN JAPAN OTH;ING that has been written to describe the suffering in Japan has probably exceeded the reality in the experience of tens of thousands. Even now there is not much relief for many of these sufferers. There are temporary "barracks" in which families can find refuge, but many have no changes of garments or warm clothing. The storms have caused much suffering for many have no shelter except the trees.
There is danger lest Christians spend all of their energy in their efforts to supply the temporal needs of the people. Women of the Church are devoting much time to selling steamed sweet potatoes and buns, and children in some of the Christian schools are making garments for new babies, four thousand of which will be born in the barracks this winter.
Kimura, Kagawa, Kanamori and many more Christian leaders are taking this opportunity to arouse the people to see their need of repentance and righteous living. The Japanese Woman's Christian Temperance Union has sent out a petition, signed by thousands of women all over the country, entreating the Government not to allow the rebuilding of the prostitutes' quarter in Tokyo. They also appeal for comforters for the poor people, many of whom sleep only uuder matting. .The Government is providing 150,000 of the comforters needed and is asking the people to supply the remainder. Money, tracts and books are also being sent by Christians in an effort to make up for the great loss of good literature.
We are thankful to say that no Christian pastors or evangelists were killed, with the exception of two Salvation Army workers who lost their lives-so that there are trained workers to go on with the work and they are doing it very effectively.
EDITORIAL OOMMENT
The Japanese Ohristian churches are also getting records of Ohristians and are helping those who apply and have established a union work; the Y. M. O. A. has put up tents and Japanese ministers have come from different places to help, holding daily preaching services for people at every place where there are "barracks." Both government and Christian bodies have taken hold quickly to help in every way. St. Luke's hospital staff have put up a host of tents which are thronged. Mr. Kagawa has opened up work in a temporary structure in the worst part of the city. He visits the barracks every day to see what needs to be done and gives out bedding, food, etc., where most needed. Dr. Uemura's church has "barracks" in which they meet and Mr. Hirotsu thinks that he will hold his theological seminary there at present.
The people show a great deal of fortitude. The Japanese Secretary of the Synod, who came home to Tokyo and found his wife and five children burned to death, has taken up his cross of suffering with a rare spirit of Christlikeness. In a recent letter he writes: "This is a heavy cross but I have come on thus far and pray that I may be enabled to do better service for God and men." He has plunged into various forms of relief work. An evangelist, after visiting the refugee barracks in Tokyo, said that he had not heard one word of complaint among Christians but that all were manifesting a spirit of thankfulness. There is great need to unite in prayer for governments and nations and especially for the people of Japan.
THE RELIGIOUS SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES T HE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS seem to be destined to assUme a high place in the affairs of the Pacific, for if Europe commits suicide, the Pacific will become the center of the World's affairs. The Philippines will not excel Japan in military power, nor China in industry, but they may excel both Ohina and Japan in spiritual progress. Many of the Filipino people are determined to make of their nation a model of Ohristian democracy for the Orient and for the world. Many have the sublime audacity to dream of making their Islands a nobler country than the United States or any other so-called Ohristian nation has ever been. '['here is an ever-increasing number of young men and women who possess the qualities which will make a superior nation in every sense of that word.
In these Islands there is a strong demand for an indigenous: Filipino Church, and the movement has begun. People have been eager for Protestant teaching but have not been eager to be controlled religiously by foreigners and they do not like denominational differences. At the same time, they have not made any successful attempt of their own. The Aglipay movement has not been successful in spite of its great numerical strength because its leaders were trained in
the old Roman Catholic Church or else not trained at all, and they do not know how to conduct a Protestant Reformation. The way has now been paved for a rapprochement between Aglipay's church and the evangelical forces and missionaries feel more tolerantly toward him and his movement.
Gradually there is growing up a group of educated Christian young men who have the qualifications necessary for leading the new church which has already made its appearance, and is meeting with great enthusiasm. The United Brethren Mission has a church and dormitory in a strategic position in the heart of Manila's student district, and has agreed to change this into a United Ohurch-inviting representatives of the American Board and members of all other churches in Manila to participate in the new church. A constitution has been adopted which makes this church congregational in government, adopts the statement of faith of the National Council of the Congregational Church and calls itself by the name "The United Church of the Philippines." The leadership is Filipino. Only three Americans had any part in the organization or conduct of the church. The president of the largest university in the Philippines and one of the three or four greatest Filipinos, President Camilo Osias, was one of the first to affix his name to the Constitution of the Union Church.
On the first of November, the first congregational meeting was held to elect the first church council. The membership campaign is in the hands of Mr. Isaac Barza, the leading Filipino in the Y. M. C. A. of the Philippine Islands, and his prospective membership list includes nearly all of the greatest men of Manila-Protestant, Aglipayano and even Roman Catholics. Many of the leading people of Manila, who are still nominally Roman Catholics, are Protestants in everything excepting name, and have never joined any Protestant denomination because of their unwillingness to submit to religious denominations and their dislike of denominational names. This Union Protestant Filipino Church is the thing for which they have been waiting and already other congregations and prospective congregations desire to unite with this church.
Responding to the demand for union, the Presbyterian, United Brethren and Congregational Missions have agreed to meet and endeavor to find common ground upon which they will adopt the name which has been adopted by this United Church in ~£anila. Baptists also may find that the constitution is acceptable to them. The most difficult problem to handle is the adoption of a Statement of Faith which will be broad enough and yet strict enough to meet the desires of all Evangelical Christians.
Thank God for the privilege of living in these Islands and of dreaming with this young nation the dreams of their great spiritual future and of the coming of the Kingdom of God.
FRANK C. LAUBACH.
Over-Flow and the
A Quiet Talk with Laymen BY S. D. GORDON, NEW YORK Author of "Quiet Talks on Power," etc.
T HE" spill-over" of a strong man's life, steadily turned so as to get other men into touch with the Man Who died-this is what "layman" means. I do not mean that this is the diction- ary meaning. No, it gets nearer than that to the meat and marrow.
Look at it a moment or two. He must be a strong man or there isn't any spill-over. He is distinctly above the average. The average man of the race has no spill-over. The fact of a spill-over indicates the sort of man he is.
He's a strong man in the double sense. For there is the weak- strong man; strong in that he is getting a spill-over, weak in the way he lets it slip through his fingers.
There is a spill-over. That means that the man has ability and energy. He fits into things. He has become necessary. If he slipped out unexpectedly it would mean a slow-up for readjustment. He has been successful. The in-come has piled up over the out-go till there's some surplus, for most normal men earn their way by their ability and effort. The man with an ample inherited income is the exception.
This man has responsibilities. He is the center of a personal group, smaller or bigger. His group looks up to him. They depend on him. He delights in having it so. It brings the best in him out, and helps put the best in him too. This is the first charge on his energies and earnings.
Now, that is cared for, and there is something left in his hands. There is a surplus of money and time and ability and strength. And this must be disposed of. He is conscious of this surplus, keenly so. For there is nothing we are all so conscious of as a surplus over and above necessities. The only other thing we are more conscious of, or as conscious of, is grim necessity itself, the lack of what we really ought to have.
Here is where the crowd splits, this way and that. With some, the spill-over slips quickly and easily out through the fingers, an uncontrolled spill-over. At the year's end there is little, if any, of it left. The year has had more comforts. There has been more leisure. The speed has been swifter. There has been a bit of a feverish flush. And that is the year's story. But the man himself is weaker in character than he was.
With some, a spending-hoarding process goes on. The scale of living is changed, maybe radically. The apparel, the sort of house, 15
the home appointments, the general up-keep is on an elaborated scale. There may be donations to various demands pushed so persistently into his face that he must respond to keep his good standing with his fellows. And there may even be more, given with utmost good heart, to good things, and to the church things. There may even be mem- bership in the goodly fellowship of tithers. And that is blessed.
But the striking thing to mark is that all this sort of thing still remains a detail, maybe a substantial detail, but yet proportionately a detail. It is distinctly the small item in relation to the whole spill- over. Then there is the hoarding process that goes hand-in-hand with the increase of the reserve surplus. The capital one controls grows bigger. This is the spending-hoarding process as regards the ma- terial part.
The spill-over of time and energy and accumulated experience and skilled judgment and the like, this has been spent in things, maybe good enough in themselves, but it has not been under the thumb of the finer passion and purpose. And so there is a distinct loss in character, in the essence of life.
That is one way the road forks. And the crowd going down that fork is not a scanty, scraggling crowd. Many of them are lovable, cultured, earnest, religious and, in a good measure, consecrated people.
Then there is the other road leading from the forks. And here is where the passion comes in. Here is a man who finds the overplus of his energies and activities filling his hand, maybe quite beyond what he had dreamed possible. It makes a difference in his personal life. He can make better provision for personal items, for home and recreation, for more leisure, a deeper culture, and a broader outlook and for the future.
But there is a touchstone that guides him in all this. And it is a touchstone that reany controls. There is a sharp line drawn between comfort and luxury. "Whatever makes him stronger for life's task, stronger in the fine broad sense, stronger in character, that is now included, even though it may take in what was once classed as luxury, because not strictly necessary for actually getting along.
For, of course, whatever does not really add to one's strength, and that of the. personal group, character strength, as well as other strength, actually lessens strength. It saps strength. It leaves him and his really weaker in character than before. Here is the true dividing line between necessity or comfort (that which strengthens), and luxury. Whatever makes for strength is properly classed as necessity. It helps one fight better at his post.
Whatever does not make for strength in most cases actually detracts from strength. It is properly classed as luxury, or a hindrance. It is to be vigorously ruled out of the strong man's life. Yet no man may set a·standard for his fellow here, though brothers may advise
THE OVER-FLOW AND THE PASSION
together. The man himself off alone on his knees must make his own decisions. Only he can.
Here is where the strong man of the skilfully guided spill-over, the true layman, reveals himself. Whatever is left over after all this personal part is cared for, all this becomes the spill-over. Thought- fully, intelligently, deliberately, he so guides the current of that spill- over that it helps men get into touch with the Man Who died. That does not mean merely a matter of dollars and checks, though it in- cludes this, for this is immensely more than a money affair.
It includes also the spill-over of strength, growing ever finer- grained, and more of time, of accumulated experience in life's affairs, of seasoned judgment and culture and of the influence of one's person- ality in direct contact with his fellows. Regarding the money part it does not mean, of course, that he checks it all out to this Board or that. It means that this is the principle that governs him in its administration.
Of course, that word "layman" has other implications than the religious. There are laymen in the banking world, in law and medicine, in pedagogy and journalism, and so on. It is the old line of distinction between the professional who devotes his first strength to the specialty in question as his life work, and the non-professional who is so deeply interested in something quite apart from his regular vocation that this becomes the particular outlet of his surplus.
But in common usage, the religious is the first thought of the word layman. It is taken at first flush to mean one who devotes his spill-over to religious activity. The common contrast is between clerical and lay, the professional church leader (using professional in the fine good sense), and the non-professional.
Now, the spill-over of the strong man is turned steadily, skilfully, with an ever-growing skill of manipulation toward this end: getting men into touch with the Man Who died, and lived again, and lives. If once contact can be set up, that wondrous Man will :fix the rest. I mean that this is the ultimate objective under the intricate network and maze of activities of all sorts involved.
And now we come direct to the main thing. It is the thing all a-throb with exuberant abundant life, the thing under that skilfully manipulated spill-over-the passion. But it is more than a passion. It is a love passion burning as steadily as anthracite fed with oil. It is a passion for some One, the passion for a Man, the Man Who died-for the love passion always has a personality at each end of it.
This simply means that this strong man has had some touch with Jesus. That touch, that Man, has gripped him, grips him, and grips him hard. It means this: Jesus actually gave His life clean out for me when He didn't have to, except the have-to of His love. In the tightest of tight corners of my life, when no one could help, He died for me. And the realness of the thing has swamped my heart, even 2
while I hold the tight fist of control on the driving reins of my life.
It is swamped till it controls my control of those driving reins.
It means this: He has kindled His flames on the hearthstone of my heart till the heat and light have gone through the whole house of my life, pervading, mellowing, shaping, dominating as an atmosphere.
That is what passion means, the love-passion, the Jesus love-passion, that no other passion gets anywhere near in power, nor can.
That fire-passion once kindled, and not smothered out, nor smoked out, but allowed to burn, and kept a-burning, will bring four things into one's life. These things will certainly come in. They will stay in. They will get fuller, steadier recognition and place. They will shape the life, both in its regular channels and in its spill-over.
There will be a bit of quiet time every day alone, over the Book, with the Man Who died. His hand reaches out of that Book. He will keep the fires burning, ashes cleared out (quite a job with most of us!), fresh fuel put on and fed in gradually so as to get best fire re- sults, the drafts turned on, and so on. That's item one.
Alongside the Book, there will come to be something like a. map or chart, a literature or memoranda, of the outer world. The world of God gets in close to the Word of God when that world-sized Man, Jesus, gets in and is in control. There is intelligent touch with things outside, the facts, the needs and the strategy. It takes in one's own immediate contacts, church, business, social, neighborhood, city, na- tion, and then the greater, wider world.
That bit of daily brooding time, unhurried (even though your watch faces you), grows the quiet unhurried brooding spirit, through the day, in the tug and drive of things. There is the steady, un- swerving purpose, the poised judgment, the clear-seeing eye that looks under the surface and discerns; the keenly alert ear, the sym- pathetic human feel in personal touches. That is item three, the dominating purpose. .
There comes, too, to be a firm grip on one's self. For the strong man knows self-discipline, steady, poised, sane, sometimes stern, al- ways keenly alert. He must know it. The counter currents are so tremendous. The undertow is so treacherous and sudden, with such a terrific suction. Many a man is gone before he knows it, engulfed in the riotous waves, and then, maybe, boisterously, piteously, laugh- ing, to hide his defeat from himself. This is the fourth notch on the stick, the strong, thoughtful, self-discipline.
Such a man, a common man, in common touch with common life, uncommon only in the uncommonness of his devotion to the uncom- mon Man Who died, with such a passion kept at a fine normal blood heat by the same touch that started it-he is the true layman. He belongs to the Order of Laymen whose head is the Carpenter of Naz- areth, whose human spill-over will yet work out fully the redemption of this old world. '
BUS INESS MEN'S EVAKGELISTIC CL UB AT THEIR WEEKLY LUNCHEON
A Business Men's Evangelistic Club The Organization, Object, A ctivit'ies, ana Some R esults of the Business Men's Evangelistic Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee BY w. G. M. THOMAS, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSE.E T HE business hours of the business man are busy hours. He seeks to concern himself with things worth-while and does not willingly waste these hours, or idle them away. What subject-matter, not professional, commercial, financial, or industrial, would attract fifty men and move them to form themselves into a group to meet every week at noon from 12: 15 to 1: 30 ~ 'i¥hat would cause fifty busy men in any city, in different lines of business and professional life, to carve out of their daytime an hour and a quarter each vVednesday and to continue this course for more than two and a half years, the interest increasing from month to month, and filling the lunch-hour with a good fellowship, with discussions, personal experiences and projected service ~ This hour and a quarter has yielded rich returns and high enduring values for a body of men in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Organization. In November, 1920, as an outgrowth of the city-wide evangelistic meeting held by Mr. W. A. Sunday, fift y business men organized the Business Men's Evangelistic Club of Chattanooga. Eight denominations of evangelical churches-including Episcopal, Baptist, Disciples, Presbyterian, and Methodist-are r epr esented ,in the membership. The single object of the organization is to lead men to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and to enlist them in Christian activity. Any layman who is a member of an· evangelical church, and engaged in business or professional life, is eligible. Through its officers, committees and groups, the Club has been in operation for two and a half years.
The Membership includes manufacturers, city officials, merchants -wholesale and retail-schoolmen, lawyers, physicians, newspaper 19
men, bankers, insurance men, salesmen, and men of other avocations and professions. Every member is a busy man. Prior to their Clubmembership, a few may have had some training or experience in Christian service, others were from the ranks of the inactive professing Christian, while others were converted to Christ in Mr. Sunday's meeting-their Christian life having had its beginning shortly before the organization of the Club. Probably ~ot more than four or five had ever attempted to speak face to face to another man on the subject of his relation to Jesus Christ and most of the men would have been in consternation at the mere suggestion that he approach some other man upon any such subject. "Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh!" was Moses' exclamation when God told him to bear a message to the Egyptian monarch! Gideon's excuse for not wishing to obey God's call to service was: "My family is poor, and I am the least in my father's house." 2 God's assurance to each of these two men was: "Surely I will be with thee." • Moses was herding sheep in the mountains; Gideon was thresh- ing wheat; Elisha was in a field plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; Matthew was in his tax-collector's office; Peter and Andrew were seining in the Sea of Galilee; and John and James were in their boats mending their nets, when the call came to them. This sheep-herder became the great leader of the Israelites; this farmer, the general-inchief in the most remarkable victory in history; this plowman succeeded Elijah as the prophet of God; this tax-collector and these four fishermen were five of the twelve men selected by Jesus to spread His Gospel over the whole world; and the one great event in the life of one of these fishermen, Andrew, is his act in bringing his brother, Peter, to Jesus Christ.
The Group and Team Work. The Club membership is divided into twelve groups; and, unless volunteers be called for, all assignments to service are made to the group. At the weekly lunch hour, reports are made, experiences are exchanged, work is planned and assigned. The teamwork of the men is cooperation in service. The weakness of each man is supplemented by the strength of all. Each member's faith is reinforced by the faith of the others. The Club has the value of the collective wisdom of all. In organization and association, there is heightened efficiep.cy and working power. One man may be able to plant, but not to water; another may water another's planting. God gives the increase.
OPEN AND WRITE FIELDS The Club covers Chattanooga, and the work extends into the country and towns thirty or more miles distant. Found everywhere is a soul-hunger that presses itself upon the hnman heart. This bunger is no respecter of men. It is in country, town and city; III 1 Exodus 3: 10, 11; 2 Judges 6: 15; 3 Exodus 3: 12; Judges 6: 16.
A BUSINESS MEN '8 EVANGELISTIC CLUB
cabin and palace; at the work-bench and in the counting room; in squalor and affluence. It is not intensified by poverty, nor is it satisfied by worldly gain.
Day by day it becomes clearer and clearer to the members of the Club that the most popular name in all the earth is the Name Jesus, and that the outstanding need of today is to make it plain to men-all sorts and classes of men, inside and outside the Churchwhat kind of an adversary (the Devil) is seeking their destruction, and what kind of a Saviour (Jesus Christ) is seeking their salvation. No system of ethics, no philosophy, no science, no mere reform Can answer this soul-hunger of the heart. Men need to get right with God; and the highest and richest service in which men can engage is to help other men to get right with God.
The Club discovers other facts: that the church pew is not as busy as it ought to be; that the professing Christian is sometimes A NOON-DAY SHOP MEETING HELD BY THE BUSINESS MEN'S CLUB At this meeting more than twenty men accepted Christ not the practicing Christian; that church membership does not always mean church activity; that a man's daily life speaks louder than his words; that in church membership, profession and practice do not always walk the same pathway hand in hand; that example and influence are far-reaching and more powerful than some men appear to consider them; and that a human life may be a stepping-stone, or a stumbling-block.
Over and over again, those approached have said to Club members: "I am sixty-two years of age, and you are the first person to speak to me on the subject of my soul"; "You are the only person in twenty years to invite me to Jesus Christ"; "I thank you, Sir. Often this subject has been on my mind, but no one ever before mentioned it to me."
The Club has no prescribed rule covering the amount or methods of personal work, but the members are urged to make it their practice to speak each week to at least one person upon the subject of his
personal relation to Jesus Christ. In thirty months there have been 8,331 of such interviews reported, and 1,532 conversions. No record is kept of a conversion unless the Club itself, through a member, or a group, or in a shop, or other Club-meeting, has been the instrument used of God to lead the man to his Saviour.
Sometimes-indeed, often-the seed-sowing has no visible harvest. The Club tries to follow up this, and the seed-sowing is done as wisely as the sower is able to do it.
Other Club Activities. Invitations and calls come to the Club from laymen, pastors, evangelists, church congregations, manufacturing plants, and others. No attempt is made to take the place of a minister of the Gospel but members undertake to serve as Christian laymen. They have their own personal experience as saved men through the atoning sacrifice of J esns Christ; and they are ready to stand as witnesses to the all-sufficiency of His''power to save from sin, and to transform into full-rounded life a man's inclinations, desires and powers.
Some activities are initiated by the Club, as for example, where a church was without a pastor, in a farming community twenty miles or more out from Chattanooga. The Club arranged a three weeks' meeting with three ministers-a Presbyterian, a Baptist, and a Methodist-to do the preaching and a group from the Club going in automobile to each service. As a result, there were more than one huudred conversions; and in follow-up meetings, these converts took the vows of the Church of their choice.
Whenever and wherever the Club, or anyone of its groups or members, holds a service, there is always an invitation extended in some form, and an opportunity is given to any person present to yield himself to Christ Jesus.
There is an Extension Committee, the duties of which are to promote the organization of personal workers' groups or teams in the churches of the city, suburbs and neighborhood; and the establish- Jllent in other towns and cities of men's evangelistic clubs similar to this Club. Many of the churches have set up such clubs in other towns and cities.
THE BIBLE In their own experience, and in what they witness day by day, these men have convincing evidence of the supreme authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God, and as an all-sufficient guide to a man in his faith and life. A pocket-Testament is carried and the Club keeps itself supplied with copies of the Gospel of John to give away.
The Word of God is living, active, powerful; and the Bible gives God's aSSurance that as the rain and snow come down and water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud "that it may give seed to the
1924J A BUSINESS MEN'S EVANGELISTIC CLUB
sower and bread to the eater, so shall my TVord be that goeth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void." (Isaiah 55: 10, 11.) At the time of the preparation of this paper, 2,861 copies of the Bible, the New Testament and Gospels have been given out by the members. Sometimes nothing is done but to give a copy to a man with the request that he read it; and instances are not rare wherein this led him to give his life to Jesus Christ, and to join His Church.
WHY SUCH A CLUB?
Membership in the Club helps to train and develop a man for larger usefulness in his church. The Club's activities help these men to become better men and citizens. The Christian business man will not deliberately turn away and say "No" when his eyes are opened; he faces facts and conditions, and sees for himself the needs of men. Out in the world's highways and hedges are hosts of men. And all the hedges are not on back alleys, or on a country path, nor are all highways paved boulevards. There are hedges along avenues; and paved streets are- highways.
Not now.and then only, but often-unhappily, often-statements such as these have been made to members of the Club: "Sir, I do not see any difference between my conduct and that of many professing Ohristians."
"The church-members here exhibit no interest in me." "I am acquainted with professing Ohristians in this community, and I am a sinner and I know it, but their life is about like my life." "If what I see in these members of the church be Christianity, then I fail to see in it anything of value to me. " But concerning Jesus Ohrist, these same persons invariably answer: "Ah, Sir, that is a very different question! I find no fault in Him." The members of the Club meet men of all classes–classes of intellectual influence, education, property, occupation, and habits of life, but Jesus Christ and His Gospel appeal to all classes, attract them, and hold their thought and attention like nothing else in the world. In the Southern States there are 150 or more similar Men's Clubs. These are organized into an Association of Business Men's Evangelistic Clubs, and this general Association meets annually for a conference. In 1921, the meeting was in Atlanta-150 men attending from the different Clubs. The 1922 meeting was on Signal Mountain, a few miles out from Chattanooga, and 300 men from eleven states attending this conference. In October, 1923, the meeting was in Columbia, S. C. The 1924 conference will be held in Oolumbus, Georgia. A member of the Olub made a small purchase at a drug store. Because the package accidently slipped and fell, the druggist uttered
an oath. The purchaser said: "My friend, do you know you frighten me¥" "Why¥ What do you mean1" ""Vhen that package dropped, I heard you swear; and God says: 'The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.' You frighten me." "Yes, I believe I did swear; but no one will ever hear me do it again."
Today that druggist is in the church, an official, and the teacher of the Men's Bible Class.
A Club member, passing a hospital in his automobile, saw another machine run up and stop with a man, pale and bloody, stretched upon the running-board. He overheard a third person ask, "What's the matted" The man on the running-board opened his eyes and said: "I was acting the – – – fool, speeding."
This calmness of the injured man, his language and desperate injuries, impressed the passer-by; and the next day he called at the hospital but the patient was too ill to be seen. Weekly thereafter for some weeks he continued to call, leaving reading matter such as pictorial magazines and the like. Finally he met the man and later, when the man was recovering, a copy of the Gospel of John was left with the other reading matter. The man was removed to his home and two or'three calls were made there. One day, the man on crutches walked into the office of this Club member to express his thanks, and when, with no crutches, he came the second time, a personal talk resulted. There in the office he accepted his Saviour and the following Sabbath he took his stand for Jesus Christ in the church of his choice.
On a business trip in his automobile, Mr. A—, a member of the Club, stopped in a to"",'ll and in "B's" office was engaged in a business transaction. A man of apparent education and culture, but thinly clad, and bearing marks of dissipation, entered, and asked financial help. "B, " in refusing assistance, all but ordered the man out of the office. " A," completing the business transaction, left the office, and found the man standing outside on the sidewalk. Engaging in conversation, he found that the man was out of money, had pawned his coat and other possessions, and was trying to reach the city of – – – where his mother lived. As" A's>t home was en route to this city, he invited the man to go with him in the auto. Arriving at home, " A" and another Club member gave the needed clothing to the man, took him to a hotel, and arranged for a room and meals until the next day. That night the incident troubled" A"; and the next morning he went early downtown to the hotel and found the man still in bed. The two had a conference, personal and direct, in which the man was led to Jesus Christ. Then" A" purchased a ticket, handed him a copy of the Gospel of John; and the man took the train to his mother's home. A few days later a letter came from the man's mother, and today the man himself is in the church with his mother.
A Layman's Visit to the Mission
Where Christ Is at Wark in Egypt, the Sudan and India BY FRED G. MACMILLAN, DES MOINES, IOWA Treasurer of the Central Iowa Fuel Company n;FTER sailing from New York, our first stop was Egypt, on the way to the Sudan and Abyssinia. When I saw the dirty, black Nile River, the twelve million people up and down this dirty, black Nile River, the women carrying the bundles and the men riding the donkeys, carrying blue parasols, in many cases the women leading the donkeys, these men and women and children anq donkeys all tak- ing a drink out of this same Nu.le River; when I saw men and women and children and donkeys all taking a bath at the same time in this same Nile River, women doing their weekly washing in this same Nile River-all this was too much for me, and I felt that I never wanted to see Egypt again. But we did return to Egypt, for Dr. Hart of the United Presbyterian Mission met us at Assuan and went with us to Luxor where we saw the great girls' school and the great school for boys that are doing so much in the way of transforming the lives of Egyptian youth. Every day they are being taught to read the Bible and to understand more about .resus Christ. In some of the Christian homes in Luxor we saw fathers and mothers who had come out of those schools; then I began to look on Egypt in an entirely different light.
From all over the world people go to Luxor to see the "Tombs of the Kings" and the temples that have been standing there for six thousand years, and they go away marveling at the wonderful monuments of past greatness, but many of these travelers never turn to see the great monuments that every day are being built in the lives of hundreds of the young boys and girls of Egypt. The iniiuence of these monuments will last thousands of years.
In Assiut we found the great college of the United Presbyterian Church with 1,200 boys who are being taught the Bible and about Jesus Christ. They told us that in over twenty years there has not been a graduating class that has not been 100% Christian. In the girls' high school in Assiut, over six hundred girls are also being taught the Bible and about Jesus Christ. Also there is the great hospital established by Dr. Henry, filled full to overflowing with the sick who are not only having their bodies cured but their souls as well. The Christian homes that have come out of those schools, and the Christian fathers and mothers, show what Jesus Christ is doing for Egypt. Two of the brightest spots in all Africa are the Assiut College for boys and the Pressley Memorial Institute school for girls. All up and down the Nile River in Egypt we found fathers and mothers of young men in high government and railroad positions, 25
who had come out of the Christian schools and colleges. What would Egypt be without the graduates of those schools ~ In Cairo we found the A_merican Mission College filled with girls being taught the Bible and about Jesus Christ. The American University in Cairo is attended by many high~class Mohammedan boys learning about Jesus Christ and being taught the Bible as well as general branches of education. The same kind of work is being done in the high schools of Alexandria, Tanta, and Cairo, and in the primary schools in many cities and villages of Egypt, with similar results. When we saw these things taking place so that lives are being transformed, the Nile did not look nearly so black or Egypt so uninviting. How. can anyone go to Egypt and see what Christ has done for Egyptians without believing in Jesus Christ and His transforming power 1 IN THE SUDAN What a wonderful place is the Sudan! It is worth a trip to Khartum just to see the sunrise in the morning and the wonderful sunset in the evening. But when Lord Kitchener captured Khartum and Omdurman after the death of that great Christian soldier and statesman, General Gordon, the British Government turned over the North Sudan to the Mohammedans, and today North Sudan is one of the darkest Mohammedan spots in all the world.
After traveling up the Nile River for days and days without seeing a living person, all at once we came to a great tribe of black people living along the banks of the river. Animals of all kinds, crocodiles, hippopotami and lions are found in the tall grass and along the river's bank. Thousands and thousands of men, women and children live there just as they were born, raising a little corn for their food, not one able to read or write and with no missionary there to tell them about Jesus Christ. As we rode along the river and waved at them from the boat, the children began to jump up and down. We waved them good-bye as we passed and left them to their desolate, neglected life, looking curiously at us. Those black people have fine-looking faces and bodies, but they will never be more than they are, unless we take to them the Bible and give them a Christian education and tell them of Jesus Christ.
When we came to Doleib Hill, we found a mission station that was established twenty years ago, five hundred miles from Khartum. Here we found a mission station, a school, a dispensary and a church. We found Christian men and women who have come out of the darkness, who have been baptized, and who know Jesus Christ. Although they have no Bible and no written language, and are just out of the darkest ignorance, yet their faces show the difference between those who are Christians and those who are not Christians.
We traveled for days, passing tribe after tribe of people with no missionaries~allliving along the banks of the river in ignorance and
1924J A LAYMAN'S VISIT TO THE MISSION FIELDS
darkness. Finally at Nassar, another United Presbyterian mission station, we found a great work going on under Dr. and Mrs. Joe Maxwell and Rev. and Mrs. W. J. Adair. We found too what Christ can do with those ignorant black people. Nothing but the Gospel of Jesus Ohrist, and the Bible, and a Ohristian education for those other tribes will ever stem the great Mohammedan tide that is sweeping on southward into Africa.
After many days of travel we reached Abyssinia, a wonderful country flowing with milk and honey-honey in the trees and cattle on the hills; a country that will grow anything that will grow in the United States-the finest coffee in the world, cotton, wheat, corn, potatoes, all kinds of vegetables, strawberries, and blackberries; with a most wonderful climate, an altitude of 7,000 feet and bordering on the Red Sea! There are perhaps twelve million people. It is nominally a Christian nation, with a Queen who boasts that she is a descendant of the tribe of Judah, and a Bible nearly like our own. But the people have fallen very low in sin and ignorance, and only a very few can read or write!
The day we were at Sayo, the Queen's brother told us if we would give every boy and every girl between the ages of six and eig'hteen an opportunity for a Christian education, they would promise that within twenty-five years Abyssinia would be a Christian nation, and that they would furnish missionaries for all that part of the world. This great country, with millions of people, is standing with outstretched arms, calling to us to come to tell them about Christ and to teach them to read and write, and to give them the true Bible.
WHAT INDIA OWES TO ENGhl.ND What shall we say about India~ A great land of 325,000,000 people-a great people, and a great country! Without the British Government and what it has done, it seems as if there could be no India today. Great irrigation systems. They have simply put water over millions of acres of gTound and transformed deserts into great beautiful gardens. We saw their wonderful gardens, highways, thousands of miles of railroads, and other benefits all given to India. The British Government has also given great help to the missionaries in their work.
But Jesus Christ has done infinitely more for India. Come with me to see the schools in which thousands of boys and girls are getting a Christian education, and know that these boys and girls are being taught the Bible and about Jesus Christ every day. The beautifullives of these Christian people show what Jesus Christ has done for India. Meet the Christian fathers and mothers with their children and see their happy faces as we speak of Jesus Christ. It is hard to realize that 92% of all the Ohristians in the churches of India come from the "sweeper" class. 'What else but the transforming
power of Jesus Christ could pick up these people from this dirt and filth and transform them into the beautiful lives we now seeT No one can go to India and see what .Jesus Christ is doing for India and not believe in Him.
GREATEST POWER IN MISSIONS What is the sum of the whole matter? As I was leaving India, one of the young missionaries, still in her language study, as I was saying good-bye, took me aside and said, "Pray for me." Then one of the oldest missionaries in the field said to me, "vVhen you go back home, tell the church and the people at home that we want more missionaries and more workers and more money, provided they are going to pray for us. Without Divine power and Divine guidance, we can do nothing. So, unless you are going to pray more, do not send anything more-missionaries or more money. " It is prayer that our missionaries value most of all.
As I came home on the boat, the question came to me: since I have had this opportunity of seeing all of these wonderful mission fields around the world, what of my duty~ First of all I determined to pray more for the missionaries and the native Christians. I determined that I ought also to be more interested in the Christian colleges and in work in America than ever before, for without our colleges and the training of the Christian young people in the home and Church we will have no leaders or preachers, no churches, and no missionaries. It is our duty and our privilege to strive more than ever before to live every day as we will wish we had lived when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
EGYPT BACKSLIDING W ITH the gradual withdrawal of the British from control of governmental and educational affairs in Egypt, there are many indications that the country is not in reality ready for enlightened and effective self-government. Bribery, favoritism and weakness are becoming evident in appointments to office in the courts and in the enforcement of rules for civil service examinations. Moslems and Copts are not as friendly as appeared when they were uniting in the movement for independence; rivalry and lack of mutual confidence are manifested in many ways. Land has dropped in value with the exit of many Britishers, for Christians fear that they will be unable to collect mOIley from Moslems through courts presided over by Moslems. More than education and a desire for independence are necessary for an effective government. Moral character, industry and a great objective, with unimpeachable honor on the part of high officials, are essential to keep the ship of state from going on the rocks.
Bible Among the
BY DAN ORAWFORD, ELIZABETHVILLE, CENTRAL AFRICA T AST month saw us going southwest to Bunkeya Conference and L all along the route we had roaring campfires in the forest.
Such welcome breaks into the more sedate life on a Mission Station and stirs up your sluggish blood. Your preaching, praying and palavering is much more real because much more in tune with reality. Then it is you see, and expect to see, sinners knocked over by God's power in the plain preaching of a simple line out of the Gospel. No frills, no fancies, just plain plenitude of power among plain people. Looking back I perceive now, better than I did then, that Pentecostal power is only available for souls on the move. Christ is moving on, "Visiting the Gentiles." And to fail to move on is to break with power in breaking with the moving-on-Christ. It was Gospel, Gospel all the way.
Myself. an old man, I sat down with six older ones. So being "the latest from the nursery" I waited for their wise" saws and certifications" on such a bed-rock business as old age and the inevitability of its end. And truly this rude forefather of the hamlet business is a soul-searching affair. This preaching of mine to such a crowd of burnt-out old fellows certainly presents no easy problem. Moot question: how to make the means mate with the manner1 It is by no means a matter of what they were or are or should be. If they cannot come to God with repentance they certainly can come for repentance. The best attribute of Christ is (how I read it out to them with relish!) "to give repentance and remission of sins." Yes, give it, the very repentance their dried-up souls have not got, lo! this is what Christ was exalted as a prince and Saviour to give.
Like a drowning man coming up for the last time, one old African shouted "no, itava" (I believe!). There was a broken noise in his throat, a sound that signified the crashing down of his old citadel of resistance. The old glaze had left his eyes, and these two were now a pair of fire-pits burning with intense intention. The word for believing is. the self-same form for" an echo." The picture is from one of their own resounding canons here, a whispering gallery, where one cry sends it echoing up and down the deep defile. Thus it is they make "faith" merely the echo-answer of the Voice, God's voice, speaking into, and receiving its own echo from all the crooks and crannies of the empty human heart. This is "faith," the Voice of God answering itself back from man's hollow heart. Same tone, same volnme simulating God's own. A loud exclamation means a loud ccho, and the more pronounced the Voice of God, the more pronounced the faith.
29
The return was a long journey over a new stretch of country. We passed Mushidi's grave and later we passed village after village heading for the great Ohuvo Falls. For one solid week we traversed more desert than oasis. Not a soul saved. Then came the conversion of a hard-mouthed but manly old fellow whose hair was white. Pictures have frames, have they not ~ Diamonds have a setting, and books have a margin. Well, this great conversion happened a la belle etoile. The great white moon was our only lamp. ,Vhite the foam of the Falls. White the hair of the stout old convert. And white as snow the soul of the old sinner washed in the blood of the Lamb! This negro Niagara thundered an accompaniment, like God's organ, as we sang the words: "Dear dying Lamb thy precious blood Shall never lose its power Till all the ransomed Church of God Be saved to sin no more."
Glad at heart we left, leaving word for a pastor to follow him up and diet him pro rata from milk to "strong meat." Next we struck Ohalwe's, the town of an old friend who wanted a Bible School. Then on to Mufunga's where we strike our great blue Plateau. Then we enter Ohona's ("The Destroyers") where we strike our own outlying folk, a choir meeting us five miles out from town, singing us in with dry throats, singing all that distance "I'm redeemed." Now ahead it is welcoming choirs all the way home to Luanza. At Kanswa, at Ohinkonka, at Tambe, all choral welcome until we sleep at the bottom of the Luanza range. Our idea is to slip in surreptiously to our great town for (being headachy and feverish 1) we want no more choirs. But someone betrayed us: a tell-tale boy at sundown tiptoed down the range walling Luanza on the west and lo! the secret was out, and next day here they come, choirs and more choirs, singing us in with, "Our Jesus hath done all things well." We smiled, headaches forgotten, clouds of dust ignored, and so we came home for God as we left for Him.
Over the next few weeks I pass briefly; then we come to the day of days. Two perspiring couriers came up the Palm Avenue, and the sun shining on their spears afar off heliographed their approach. Down goes the brown sack from· their brown shoulders and there they are at last! our long-lived, long looked-for New Testament published by the National Bible Society. It was the crisis of the century in our churches' history. I stood bound in every muscle, for the moment, by a sort of paralysis of pleasure. Then I sort of sobbed. One of our preachers sort of sang. Then all of us prayed t It had been the talk of a thousand campfires more than one thousand times. The arrival had been preached about and prophecied. Now at last, when it comes, we are awed into a childlike, uncaDlly contrition. Are we going to be worthy of it~ Are we now going to translate The
THE BIBLE AMONG THE AFRICANS
Word into Deed ~ The Bible now substantiates all we will say for God: liquid speech substantiated by printed page. But will we truly tmnsubst'arntiate all of it1 The News spread. Straight as the topography of Luanza would allow, it spread in a land that never had any book but The Book. No newspaper ever in this land. One oh-be-joyful sort of man gushed out at a street eorner in prayer: "Lord," he cried, "Now I have all: I have a gun to shoot with, bullets to charge it with, arrows for my bow, and a net for catching many fish!" It was all honest hearthunger in a hungry far-off land. :War-off from you and far-off from God.
The only bit of Bible that hits off majestically this heathen Bible hunger is away back in First Samuel 3: "And the word of the Lord was precious in those days: there was no open vision." Now in this new era the open Book means the open Vision. The divine definition of "The open Vision" is found in verse 18 where Samuel tells old Eli "every whit', and hid nothing from him." ResulU God reciprocates and we read in verse 19: "Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and did let none of his words fall to the ground." There you have an open Samuel and an open God. Samuel told every whit of the Word of the Lord to the aged Eli. And God did let none of young Samuel's words fall to the ground. Let us be "not-a-whit-ers" and God will reciprocate by being a "Not-Iet-one-of-your-words-fall-tothe-ground-er !"
At sun-down we had an open-air thanksgiving meeting when my text was: "But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears for they hear. For verily I say unto you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye tlee and have not seen them and to hear those things which ye hear and have not heard them."
Before I rose to expound, a young native rose to ask God's blessing on my intended effort. It was the Mission cook who was praying. Therefore, praying for my yet-future exposition, he said: "Lord, may he cook it well and serve it up well!"
With the Devil so diabolically busy I heard today a real good African say, "Poor God!" (1nmce Lezaf). I could not shiver at the supposed blasphemy when I knew the man, serious, solid man and his manner of life. He meant what we have all burning in our breast. The exasperated reminder that God Most High has a million worlds obeying Him every second, but alas! He can only get a man or two now and then on this planet to do His bidding. "Poor God!" The sleepless Devil spends his endless energy trying to counteract one thing only, the "one thing that is needful."
While we have a great crowd of voluntary workers, never forget that we must have and must support the solid men set apart as preachers and pastors. These are our sheet-anchors, and ensure
service in unhealthy "black man" territory. Listen to this bit of "inside" information from one of my lieutenants far out in the "front line trenches." He writes; "I was reminded very forcibly of the need to help likely young men financially when out in the ·wilds. The preacher Chamunyonge has had two assistants with him or had when Bible school term was on. .And (splendid!) they had stuck on, these 'dependables' did, without a farthing of financial support for months. Then recently one has been really forced to go off to Likasi to get 'a cloth to wear' as he was getting ragged. I am so sorry that I had overlooked them but did not know until I asked Chamunyonge lately and then it came out that he had been getting reaUy nothing. Yet bravely held on! However, he is getting in touch with him again and hopes to send him and another Christian young man to Kalasa's and visit them from time to time as the one who went to Likasi left word that he would return whenever the Bible School term began. So this means three new Bible Schools and with the other two at Koni and Lukoshi's added to our list, IIallelujak! let us keep on praying!!!! Now if we can get two more going between Koni and Ejville we will have that road fairly well' linked up.' 'What more can I say ~ Does not this oh! so eloquently tell its own tale of true who look to God, not man."
This subject of support in the Gospel is a stinger when you recall the very first meaning of the word "Gospel." This glorious word has passed through three philological phases and the second and third are on everybody's lips. The well-known second is "the good news" itself. The third is the equally famous" Gospd of Matthew," etc. But how many people know that "gospel" first of all meant "the reward for bringing the good news" 7 For many a year our native workers gave us more than they ever got and only the advent of this foreign money has embarrassed them. These workers for God give more than we ever do. Only this week a godly man drew his mere pittance of support from me-for could he not get far, far more money from the world 1 ""Vell, that hundred francs he got-what did he do with it1 Humbly (and all atremble with the tension of soul-concern) he actually handed me back twentyfive out of the one hundred francs for God's work. Mark you, more than mere tithes.
Listen to the very first good thing I heard preached by a native from his new copy of the new version. It is a new" slant," a new exegesis of the words, "Peace from Him that was, that is, that is to come." Here is a fine fellow, the color of a cigar, telling us truly that this means "Peace from all points of the compass." Peace pointing to the past for "Peace from His that was" means that He was there when all my sins were sinned in the past! And He it is (both witness and judge) who pours peace over it all. So too with any present or future peace that is my portion. He was, -is, shall be there!
There you have it: God has made good His word that out of the mouth of these anthropological babes and sucklings He can perfect praise.
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THE BIBLE HOUR IN A DAILY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Winning the Unchurched Boys and Girls A Story of What the Daily Vacation Bible School is Doing to Win American Boys and Girls to Christ and His Standards of Life BY ADELINE GUENTHER, NEW YORK International Association of Daily Vacation BibleSehools T HE teacher was completing her record by listing each pupil's nationality, the parents' church affiliation, and other facts. Little Tony was a new member of the Daily Vacation Bible School and almost as new an American. He gave his answers proudly until the teacher asked, "What church do your father and mother goto, Tony~" Then he answered, "IDy, they don't go to any church now, teacher-we're Americans now I"
His answer provoked great mirth among the older pupils, but the teacher took it more seriously. She was spending her summer tryingto bring new-American boys and girls to an understanding of what Ohristianity might mean to them. What does the boy's answer mean to those who look into the future and think of the effect that such indifference to religion will have on the nation of tomorrow? No people can long continue in prosperity if they know little or nothing of the 33
religion upon which the nation has been founded and that is the basis of law and righteousness and peace.
"Since religion and morality are indispensable to the conduct of a republican form of government," began the clause in an old state constitution which dealt with the provision for public education. That was in the day when only those of one faith lived together in a given territory. Now when men of many beliefs live under one government, religious education cannot properly be given by the State, but must be left to the homes and the churches. The State has given secular education but the Church has not fully accepted its responsibility. Too many homes have failed to teach religion and one hour on one day in seven-fifty-two hours a year-is not enough time in which to teach children how to become citizens of the Kingdom of God, and how to live every day in harmony with the spirit and teachings of Christ.
Moreover,. while the children within the Church have a little time devoted to Christian education, it is estimated that fifty-eight millions of children in America have no connection at all with any church or Bible School. Imagine a double line of children, standing shoulder to shoulder from New York almost to San Francisco, and you have a picture of the number who are gJ10wing up in ignorance .of the Church and of the message and power of Christ.
Leaders of churches have gradually come to realize that one hour a week cannot meet the religious needs of children who are in the Church. Moreover, something must be done for the three children out of four that are not in the Church at all. These leaders investigated and found that during a long two months' summer vacation an army of children are free from the restraints of school attendance and study; thousands of competent teachers and other workers are willing and free to serve during the vacation months if the children need them; a billion dollars' worth of equipment and property, representing the churches of the country, have been generally lying idle for six days a week. From these facts came the idea of a new school to give many children the foundations of character and citizenship. The "Daily Vacation Bible School" has as its basic principal the allround development of the child, even as the boy Jesus grew, "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."
Twenty-two years ago the first Daily Vacation Bible School was held in New York City. Last summer about seven thousand such schools were held over the United States, Canada and the mission fields. The plan has spread like wild-fire, for the movement has met, and continues to meet, a very real need of the children and of the Church, and has become a very successful home missionary method. In these schools in four or six weeks the child often learns as much of the Bible message in verse and story as he could get in a year at the ordinary Sunday-school. Thousands of children who would other-
WINNING THE UNCHURCHED BOYS AND GIRLS
wise know nothing of Christian teachings learn here to respect the religion that brought our forefathers to found our American nation. All classes of children are reached in the city and in the country, among foreigners, in coal mining camps and in cotton mill districts. The Daily Vacation Bible Schools are particularly effective in reaching children who are not otherwise reached by the Church.
The cotton mill villages, scattered through the South, are made up mostly of workers who come from the mountain regions. They are of the purest Anglo-Saxon ancestry, with an ingrained love for things religious and are, nominally, Protestant. The states and the mill owners have provided liberally, in a majority of cases, for the physical and social well-being of their workers and the children. They 'fHE OPENING DAY OF A D. V. B. S. IN A MINING 'fOWN IN COLORADO have, in the better-equipped villages, community workers who take charge of the "Velfare House-medical care, social activities and community life. They have public schools with carefully selected teachers. In some cases, the owners have erected church buildings where services may be held when it is possible to secure a minister. But the social workers and the mill owners cannot take charge of the religious activities. Even where there is a Sunday-school with occasional preaching services- a condition which does not prevail in most cases -there is no systematic Christian training for the children. One of the mill owners said: "They have everything but religion here-" If the Daily Vacation Bible School did nothing more than provide 'enjoyable, profitable employment for these children during the summer months, when the public school is closed and fathers and mothers are busy in the mills, they would be valuable. But when they provide distinct religious training, when they teach Bible stories, hY1llIls and
GIVING A "HABIT TALK" IN A DAILY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL. BROOKLYN CHURCH Christian habits of thought to many otherwise neglected children, they become priceless. Wherever they have been organized, parents, mill owners and children have been very happy over the results. A local lay worker writes: "We feel that the Lord used this school to deepen Christian experience and enlarge the vision of both parents and children in our community, where we have been laboring for some years to win souls to our Saviour and train Christians in Kingdom service."
The work that the Daily Vacation Bible Schools have done thus far in reaching the unchurched children of the mill villages needs to be multiplied literaJly hundreds of times in order to touch the lives of those who have all the advantages of citizenship in our so-called Christian country, save only that of learning to know Christ.
The situation in coal mining camps is, if anything, even worse than in mill districts. In many of these camps where thirty or forty families live, there is absolutely nothing in the way of a public building. The children are sent to the next camp to school. There is no attempt to provide for the social welfare of the miners and their families, and there is an appalling absence of anything approaching religious instruction. In the better camps there is often an industrial Y. M. C. A. building, which sometimes serves for the public school, and occasionally even a small frame church building. Many of these camps are somewhat migrant, .and some are almost entirely isolated. In some there is a Sunday-school, but where the teachers are untrained and the Christian spirit is lacking in the homes, more is needed. A worker in a mining territory in Colorado writes that "a regular meeting of a Sunday-school in this neglected camp, where the children must walk a mile to enjoy the share of a friendly tree, is very much needed."
Last summer the Daily Vacation Bible School has demonstrated its value more than ever before in these coal mining camps. In every
WINlI.'1NG THE UNCHURCHED BOYS AND GIRLS
A CHINESE DAILY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOl, IN NEW YORK CITY case the schools have been reported as eminently successful. One small school, in a camp where there were eighteen children, had a perfect record of attendance for every day that the school was held. One supervi.sor of a school, held in an industrial Y. M. C. A. building, said: "We expected to have to use hawsers to get the children to attend, but we found that we would have had to use bludgeons to keep them away." A Home Mission worker in a coal mining section, who had eighteen Daily Vacation Bible Schools in his area, says, "We are all enthusiastic about this work as a practical Home Mission agency. " It can be put on by those who would be otherwise engaged at other tt!TIes of the year, and has thus proven exceedingly practical. The term is long enough to make real education in the fundamentals of Christianity possible, and the results are real and permanent. After a Daily Vacation Bible School is over, the little Sunday-schools which do exist in some of the camps report an increased interest and effect. Boys who had hitherto scorned anything like Sunday-school, become interested attendants, workers and leaders. In one camp a Daily Vacation Bible School was organized by a denominational Home Mission secretary. ·When the term was over, the children continued to hang around the building, so a woman was sent out for parttime religious instruction from a neighboring town. The parents began to attend and were interested. Sunday services were begun and a preacher sent out, directly as a result of the interest of the children in the Vacation School. Today there is a live church in that camp, where before there had been no interest in religion, and no opportunity for such an interest to be aroused. Now foreign and American mine laborers are proud attendants and supporters of the church at "The Christian Centre."
A third group, part of the fifty-eight million children who are outside the Church, is found in the foreign sections of our great cities. One large eastern city has a population of 55,000 Italians of whom only 5,000 are in any way connected with any church. The immigrant
has left his church in the old country and has not connected himself with any church in the new country. Down in a dirty, crowded foreign district, a Daily Vacation Bible School teacl18r had gathered into her kindergarten scores of little children. One morning she told them the story of the Good Shepherd and how He cared for His flock. She brought out the fact that Jesus is our Good Shepherd, "and so," she concluded, "Jesus takes care of us and watches over us, because you see He loves us." There was a long spellbound silence around the circle of children, until one boy, bolder than the rest, but evidently voicing the thought of all, said timidly, "Say, Teacher, is that really true?"
In another city, among a different class of children, the Daily Vacation Bible School laid the foundation of the Bible work in the Old Testament stories. And these stories were so dear to the children MODEL OF TOWN OF NAZARETH MADE IN A DAILY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL that by and by some of the mothers, heavily shawled, and carefully shielded from contamination, came to listen. Day by day the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were unfolded to the group. Then one day, one mother said, "When do you tell the Jesus Story, Teacher1" "Oh, I'll tell that to you by and by." The lessons went on, and still other mothers asked, ""When do we hear the Jesus Story ~ " One day, when the time seemed right, the teacher told the sweetest story of all, the Jesus Story. At the close of the session, one little boy shyly volunteered the information, "vVe didn't think the Jesus story was like that. We like the Jesus story."
One day a teacher came and asked: "vVhere can I get some Bibles for my children? Most of them are little Polish children, and most of them have never been in churches. I wish you could see the way they hang on every word of the Bible story each day. And after school they fairly swarm about me, just to get a chance to hold the Book and read some of the stories for themselves. Where can I get some Bibles? "
WINNING THE UNCHURCHED BOYS AND GIRLS
Parents of these unchurched foreign children are often shy and fearful of the strange churches and strange workers, but when their children have been taken into the Daily Vacation Bible School and have learned to love the Church, the parents are won. One large downtown mission church where such a school has been on the regular program for years, has a staff of Sunday-school teachers, everyone of whom first came into the church and Sunday-school through the influence of the Daily Vacation Bible School. In another city, a little Chinese boy entered a church where the D. V. B. S. sign was hanging. His father became interested and the church more so and before long a class of seventeen adult Chinese was a department of the church. In Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis and other large cities, the Vacation School has found its largest development in the sections of the city unreached by the Protestant Church and in many cases has been the only means of presenting the Gospel of Christ in the districts made up almost entireJy of Catholics, Jews, and those of no religious faith. In San Francisco, and other cities on the western coast, these schools are almost the only means by which the Christian teachings are being carried to the Russian, Chinese and Japanese children.
A fourth group of neglected children without Christian training in America is found in the frontier towns in states like Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. In San Antonio, schools have been conducted exclusively for the Mexican children and have served as the only means by which evangelical truth has been brought to the Mexican families. In the frontier districts of Montana, Idaho, and Arkansas, the district denominational missionary workers have been using Vacation Schools to reach the frontier children whose parents have no church connections and who in many cases were totally ignorant of the Bible. One worker reported: ""Vhen the School opened there was not a child who could repeat the Lord's Prayer or the twentythird Psalm. In fact they did not know a single verSe of Scripture. Vie have many such localities yet to be reached." In these small frontier towns and villages, almost isolated from the rest of the world by reason of the difficulties of transportation, these schools, put on by a corps of workers with their intensive program, often provide the only Bible instruction and Christian training the children have.
More and more the Daily Vacation Bible School is being used as a Home Missionary agency and as part of the evangelistic program of the churches. One Sunday-school, whose average attendance increased from sixty to four hundred within four years, attributes its steady growth to the fact that a Daily Vacation Bible School has been held each summer as a regular part of the church program.
Thus the Daily VacaHon Bible School has been serving the children of America and preparing them to take their rightful places in Church and State. It ha~ increased the time spent in Christian edu-
cation for the child already within the Church; it has brought into the Church many parents and children who would otherwise have remained strangers outside; it has been the means of bringing the Bible and Christian training within the reach of thousands whom the churches have not yet been able to touch. The combination of Bible stories, work and play, whenever possible carried on within a church building, helps them to understand that Christianity is not a matter only of how they pray, but of how they play-that it is not for Sunday alone, but for all departments of life every day in the week. There, in these schools, for a few hours each day for several weeks, the child r eally lives in a Christian community, working with others for the good of those less fortunate, or for the benefit of the whole school. Lessons are learned and experiences gained which help the boys and girls of today to become a truly Christian generation. There the Church is also winning and holding boys and girls, as they develop, "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."
The idea of these Schools has been promoted and the work carried on in new territory through the various denominations, the Religious Education Councils, Clmrch Federations and particularly by the International Association of Daily Vacation Bible Schools, 383 Madison Avenue, New York City, which is the "operating auxiliary" of the International Sunday School Council of Religious Education.
the Mission Boards Hope to
Plans for 1923 to 1924 The Secretaries and members of the llnd operation as well as in origin and Foreign Mission Boards of the vari- goal. Through unseen media, it is ous denominations correspond with easy for us to believe in the release their missionaries on the fields so as of spiritual forces through prayer and to direct their work. They make up through other mt'ans at the command the budgets so as to meet, as nearly as of those in contact with God. A possible, the most pressing demands Church, impressed with the deep need of the work and most of them plan of the non-Christian world and con- carefully to reach certain objectives vinced of its own ability to meet it during the year. These obj'CCtives re- will willingly send overseas the neces~ late to the sending of new mission- sary force and funds. For the pur- aries, the enlistment of the definite pose of establishing better this double cooperation of more churches at home; contact of the Home Base with the the reaching of certain standards in power of God and the need of the education and religion. At our re- world, special campaigns to inspire quest, a number of the Board Secre- and inform the Church are being con- taries have bl:iefly stated these objec- ducted which should lead to more ade- tives as follows: quate support of its great interna- tional task.
Presbyterian Objectives 'l'he Board is placing increased The Post-Vvar Conference of the emphasis upon careful surveys of Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- each misS'ion field, with a closer study sions, with representatives of its and clearer conception of the local twenty-seven missions and of the home objectives as part of a general plan.
Church, stated its great and continu- Probably the largest single element of ing objective as follows: change which our missions are all "The supreme and controlling aim undergoing is that of developing the of foreign missions is to make the Lord leadership and responsibility from the Jesus Christ known to all men as their fOTeign mission to the native Church.
Divine Saviour and to persuade them In many lands, the rapidly growing to become His disciples; to gather competence and consecration of na- these disciples into Christian churches tional Christians are bringing a con- which shall be self-propagating, self- dition where the church must increase supporting and self-governing; to co- and dtheesirmabislesiodnevmoluusttiodnecmraeayspe~· octeheadt operate., so long as necessary, with this these churches in the evangelizing of in the wise and right way is an out- their countrymen and in bringing to standing interest of our Board.
bear on all human life the spirit and Soldiers of Christ enlisted in for- principles 0:1' Christ." ~ign ser~ice need constantly to grow This year the Board has been reor- III eapaClty to meet the ever increas- ganized through the union of the As- ing demands upon them and the Board sembly Board of Foreign Missions, has arranged that the entire first fur- the Woman's Board and the Commit- lottgh and muc7t of later fttrloughs be tee on Work in Europe. To increase spent tn a<lvanced stndy; for this the strength and raise the morale of purpose, the initial term o"f service has the Home B'ase, the Board plans to been decreased to five years and this cultivate intensely the spiritual fac- winter the first five-year group is in tors involved, for the enterprise is the homeland bnsy at further inten- predominantly divine in its motive sive preparation for service.
41 The prospect on every mission field Alliance which took place in Stock- is encouragiJlg and presents a great holm in July. The Board recognized chaHengB of need and opporhmity to that the present moment is one of which we hope that the home Church spiritual awakening and great oppor- will respond in a way which not only tunity throughout Europe.
will preveut any retreat because of HOME DEPARTMENT: The Board is the present burdensome deficit of the rende]'ing its fullest cooperation to Board but also will make possible a the General Board of Promotion which steady and substantial advance wor- is leading the promotional work of all thy of the cause to which our repre- our missionary o]'ganizations. Every sentatives overseas are devoting them- effort will be made to bring about the selves so faithfully and -effectively. successful conclusion of the New GEORGE T. SCOTT. World Movement, now in its closing year. Our budget for the present ADlcrican Baptist Aims year amounts to $1,837,890. It is FOREIGN DEPARTMENT: During the hoped that funds will be seeured to past year the American Baptist For- reduce considerably the very heavy eign Mission Society has reviewed the deficit carried over from previous policies under which it has been oper- years. Measures are being introduced ating for the past decade with a view with a view to securing a larger interto making such modifications or addi- est in the work abroad and a fuller tions as the ,present problems in for- degree of support both on the part of eign missions seemed to render desir- ehurches and individuals. able. The outstanding features of P. H. IjERRIGO.
the policy as now adopted are as fol- lows: Southern Baptist Progr8Dl The intens'ivB development of the Unparalleled opportunities, at home work in sections already occupied and on foreign fields, challenge us to rather than the entrance upon new renewed vigor and deeper consecrafields. tion in efforts and prayers for the missionary enterprise. The effort to develop within strategic areas strong Christian communi- ties which shall be permanent forces The Foreign Mission Board of the for evangelization and will gradually Southern Baptist Convention is, as a assume full responsibility for the ex- primary and supremely important tension of the Kingdom in their own part of its work, reenforcing with all lands. Members of the indigenous its might the Seventy-five Million Christian churches should be called Campaign of Southern Baptists on into positions of leadership as rapidly which it is depending mainly for the as possible. Our missionaries are pre- support of its work. It is our hope pared to welcome the day when they that between now and the end of may stand beside or behind their na- April 1924, when the present South- tive brothers as advisers and helpers ern Baptist Convention year ends, in the great task. this Campaign shall be greatly acceler- Re-emphasis upon the necessity for ated in movement and substantial re- Ch"istian education which the Board lief may thus be secured for the work deems to be at this time a matter of of this Board. As concerns home most pressing importance. finances, this is ou]' chief concern and Cooperation with other Christian shall be our main business for the next groups working in the same field on twelve months. In this effort we ex- such a basis as shall not compromise pect to use not only the office force denominational principles. and Board membership, but mission- Greatly increased interest in the aries at home on furlough and every Enrope(Jjn field has been brought about other instrument and agency at our by the meeting of the Baptist World command.
WHAT THE MISSION BOARDS HOPE TO DO
Our plans and objects vary on the cnred for Roumania her present rating many mission fields of this Board. On some we are seeking to strengthen the among the nations of the world, more cooperati've spirit between missionaries and workers and promote a perfect than 300,000 of their young men. .understanding of the policies of the Board; on others we are seeking to "Moreover Greek Catholics, who are th., strengthen a rather laggard spirit of self-support among the churches; on main instigators of persecution in still others we are endeavoring to stabilize wavering situations, gain a Roumania, are guaranteed all the firm footing and get ready for an assured advance. We are gradually but privileges and protection of Baptist rertainly working out educational pol- icies for all the fields by which we people in America, while their ecclesihope to avoid the unnecessary duplication of educational and other insti- astics in Ronmania are seeking to tutions, the over-emphasis upon institutional features of the work, and to manipulate public officials for the opcome to general understanding as to the class of educational work which pression and persecution of men and this Board proposes to foster, and the limited extent· to which it may be ex- women of our faith. These facts make pected to go in the multiplication of educational institutions of any par- persecution in Roumania more painticular grade. ful to us and the more inexplicable. As always, Southern Baptists are in their foreign mission work as in We protest in the name of millions of their home work seeking as their chief and controlling ideal evangelistic re- Baptists and the Christian conscience stt/ts. Weare persuaded that nothing else can so certainly secure the life of the world. J. P. I~OVE. and succe~s of the foreign mission enterprise as such sound and passionate Disciples' Golden Jubilee Goal preaching of evangelical truth as brings men and women to repentance, The following resolution was ap- faith in the Ijord Jesus Christ and proved by the Executive Committee experience of the new birth. It is and Board of Managers of the United the purpose of this Board in the years Christian Missionary Society, and by to ~ome to let nothing get in the way the International Convention in ses- of this main business of a mission sion at "Winona Lake, Indiana, Sep- board and of mission workers. tember, 1922: The severe, unprovoked and inex- WHEREAS, the 22d of October, 1924, cusable persecution of our Baptist marks the fiftieth anniversary of the people in Roumania constitutes the organization of the Christian Wom- darkest chapter in the history of our an's Board of Missions, therefore be it work for the present year. The connivance of Roumanian statesmen in Resolved, That in fitting recognition this persecution is made the more of this historic event, and to meet the painful to Southern Baptists, and I urgent needs of our work, the womanam persuaded the Christian people of hood of our churches in the United America generally, because America States, Canada and the mission fields has been the ally of Roumania and is lmite in a Golden Jubilee gift of one her steadfast friend. Southern Bap- million dollars, and in securing 50,- tists gave to war service, which se- 000 new members for our societies: Be it Further Resolved, 'I.'hat this sum of one mil- lion dollal's shall be, if it is found pos- sible, used in the erection of fifty of the most needed buildings at home and abroad as the Bxecutive Commit- tee of the United Christian "Missionary Society shall direct. Be it Also Fur- ther Resolved, That the Golden Jubilee shall be furth-er celebrated by a great demonstration to take place at onr ]924 couvention (in Ohio if possible), participated in by all the states an:d provinces and mission fields, at which time this gift shall be presented.
A fifty-dollar bond shall be the unit 4. Two hundred thousand dollars in individual gifts with the major porof our gifts.. . tion for the General Fund.
Each state and province has adopted 5. Stewardship Study Classes in 2,000 churches. its share of the Jubilee aims and is 6. The Budget System, the Every- , going forward with courage and faith Member Canvass, and Weekly Giving, in all of our churches, and monthly that they will be attained. remittances of the missionary offer- ings. Fifty thousand, net gain (through 7. Increased emphasis on the Gennew and already organized societies) eral Fund among all donors.
is the aim in membership. If this aim 8. At least a 10% increase for churches which reached their goals is attained, it will add at ieast $100,- this year, and at least a 15% increase or all other churches, to the General 000 a year to the support of our world- .B'und of the Society.
wide work. 9. A Half Million Dollars for mis- sions, from the Bible Schools. ]<'ive thousand new subscriptions 10. The Golden Jubilee Aims of 500 for King's Builders and fifty thou- New Societies; 50,000 New Members; $1,000,000 Jubilee Gift; 50,000 New sand new subscriptions for World World CaU Subscriptions; 5,000 New King's Builders Subscriptions; 50 Call, which is the Jubilee aim, would New Buildings, to be realized by Sep- tember 30,1924. BERT WILSON. create a new interest in world missions Some Methodist Objectives and a new conscience in stewardship. The period covered by th'8' Centen- It is fully understood that our ary Movement of the Methodist Epis- copal Church comes to a close on June auxiliary organizations will give as 30, 1924. The question is what shall be the Post Centenary program for much for the regular work of the the Church. The council of Boards of BenevolencE', charged by the govern- United Christian Missionary Society ing body of the Church with responsi- bility for a new program, called on in the year ending June, 1924, as they each Board for a survey of its field and a statement of its plans for the did in the year ending June, 1922. next ten years following the Centen- ary period, with special attention to '['he $1,000,000 is to be an expression the first year's need. A survey of the foreign mission field was made on this of appreciation on the part of our basis. This first year program of all the Boards is called the "WORLD great brotherhood for the woman's or- SERVICE PROGRAM" of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The needs for ganized missionary work and what it this nrst year are classified as follows: has 'meant to the local church and to The direct appropriations to the field, pensions, administration and world missions. other general expense items bring the total of what has been designated as One of the greatest needs in our the "Legitimate Needs" of the For- eign Board work to $12,015,900. missionary work at the present time It may be of interest to note that is better equipment. The $1,000,000 the above total for direct appropria- will provide for fifty of the most lleeded buildings in the home and for- eign lands.
GENERAL SLOGANS 1. "As much for others as for ourselves. "
2. Per capita gifts to missions from the Brotherhood increased from $2.95 to $5.00 as soon as possible.
SPECIFIC AIMS 1. Add 100 Living-links, bringing the total up to 450, 30 of these from individuals and 70 from churches.
2. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars in annuity gifts to the United Society by June 30, 1924.
3. An active educational program on the making of Christian wills and the securing of at least $250,000 written in wills in favor of the United Society.
1924J WHAT THE MISSION BOAHDS HOPE TO DO
tions is apportioned $4,116,402 for felt along with other churches follow- evangelistic work, $4,116,125 for edu- ing upon the War and its immediate cational work, $1,014,085 for medical aftermath. Our main and most im- work and $1,670,488 for other and portant objective at present is to se- general departments, making in all a (jure funds that will maintain the total of $10,915,100. regular work of our Missions in the While the prime objective of the grcat fields of Japan, China, India and WORLD SERVIn: PROGRAM of the Meth- Arabia without diminution. The op- odist Episcopal Church is the portunities which the new and strong str·engthenil1.'f of the spiritual life of nationalistic spirit in all these coun- the congregations throughout the tries has made even greater than be- world, the working out of the details fore call for all the resources that we thereof is necessarily committed to can summon. vVe are not for this the various conferences and local 01'- year planning any new enterprises.
g'anizations both in America and on All that can be done in that direction the foreign field. beyond the maintenance of our reg- The only con,~ete statements which ular and progressing work will be can bc readily made are the financial required for the rehabilitation and re- statements here summarized. construetion of our work so seriously WM. B. 'rOWER. affected in Tokyo and Yokohama by Southern Methodist Pla.ns the recent earthquake. We expect to go forward with the 1. The foremost thing in our pro· gram is the collection of our Cen- plans formed last year in developing the Union Mission in Mesopotamia in tenar'Y pledges. There are several cooperation with the otber Boards of millions still unpaid, and this is the tbe Presbyterian-Reformed family of fifth year, when all of these pledges churches. This does not involve an fall due. Weare planning vigorously advance beyond that which was deterfor making a "pay-up canvass" in mined upon last year and wbich will December and January. be more thoroughly realized we expect 2. In view of the fact that we are in the coming year. nearing the close of the Centenary, we have planned a thorough and exten- WM. 1. CHAM;BERLAIN.
sive cultivation program on Missions The Reformed Church in the United Sta.tes for our entire Church.
3. Weare launching a vigorous and The important objective is a $50,- Church-wide movement for the secur- 000 Thank-offering in November to ing of special directed gifts, through build a Thank-offering Hospital in our Bureau of Specials, to aid us in China for Women.
carrying our enlarged missionary pro- An Increase in Membership-" Tak- gram after the Centenary period. ing the Trouble to Double. II 4. A full and complete plan of co- Enlisting the Young Girls-And a operation with the Sunday School Mission Study Class in Every Society.
Board, the Epworth League Board, Every organization to be Front and with onr Conference Boards of Line Societies. The Special Methods Missions, including joint schools of are Institutes in every district.
e11iciency, a Church School of Mis- The incident in Ohio is the merger sions, and the preparation and circu- of two large synodicals into one or- lation of suitable literature. ganization. Will convene September These are the salient features that 27 to October 1. 1923. This means are challenging our attention at the prayer-more efficiency-more coop- present time. W. W. PINSON. erating and larger service for this Reformed Church in America State. Home Mission Budget, 24 workers, Weare bending all our energies to $16,242.80; Foreign Mission Budget, overcome the reaction which we have $18,563.20. ANNA L. MILLER.
MBTHODS
EDITED BY MRs. E. C. CRONK, 721 J'IrTHliIINIlERG BUILDING, PHrr,ADELPHIA, P A.
PRAYER AND PUBLICITY T HOUSANDS of missionary workers all over the world are adop~ing as the basis of their missionary methods the four short words given by Pastor D. IVr. Stearns as the foundation of all successful missionary methods: Ask God – Tell People Prayer and publicity are two of the BEST METHODS for missionary work. There are those who believe most earnestly in prayer who think of publicity only as a rather questionable method adopted by individuals who like the limelight for the exploitation of their personal achievements.
Missionary work is essentially publicity work in the finest sense with representatives sent out into all the world. "Go and tell"-"Go and publish,' '-" Go and preach," are among the commissions given.
First of all our prayer should be "Lord teach us to pray" and after that" Lord teach us to go and tell."
BEST OF PUBLICITY REPRESEN. telephone, telegraph, wireless or radio.
TATIVES – THE TONGUE lie simply told His disdples; they told their own brothers, their kinsfolk, Helen Barrett Montgomery has sug- and friends. They halted chariots gested "Let's talk about our real from Ethopia to tell the retinue of work. It is inevitable – we cannot queens; they walked by the seashore help it if we would. All unconsciously to tell the fishermen; they sat in the our hourly talk is about our daily business. • No more surely does the market place to tell the tradespeople; merchant talk shop, the teacher school, they went to the temple and into the the farme'r crops, the lawyer court, synagogues to tell the assembled multhan do men and women talk of the titudes; even in prison they told their things that most deeply interest and jailers – everywhere they went they engage them. Talk is a touchstone. were publicity representatives, sipeak- Is our conversation most animated, ing of the things they had heard and eager, natural and unwearied about seen. business, clothes, servants, teas and If Christians today talked of Christ theaters r Then in spite of protesta- and the things of His Kingdom; if tions and subscription books these are missionary workers talked missions; our main concern and' busyness.' Out if everyone who is a Christian told of the fullness of the heart the mouth only one who is not, of the love of God speaketh. " and brought him to Jesus, it would not be long until the angel's message When Christ bcgan His Church on of good tidings of great joy would earth there were no great dailies, no really reach "all the pe'Ople."
weeklies or monthlies. There was no Let's talk about our real work.
46 PUBLICITY AND THE MISSION substantially the cost of a leaflet. It is better to tell one interesting inci- BOARD dent in a few words, blending care- fully a graceful mixture of type-hav- By JULIA LINCOLN MILLS ing it hand set when possible – than to write a whole book about the work Secretary of Puhlicity Department of the and cram it all in one leaflet. Board of F'oreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. It is also well to remember that this is a picture age. Our eyes are trained The Missionary Publicity Depart- to convey to the mind a story in photoment is a clearing house of ideas. graphic form; therefore the picture Here suggestions of every nature are in missionary pUblicity has never assembled and put into such form as played a more important part. It is, would interest the various missionary however, possible to use too many organizations of the Church. It also photographs, particularly little one~. acts as a service bureau for the Mis- One or two enlargements that tie up sion Board and for the constituency. the story are worth more than a quan- It endeavors to answer all questions tity of smaller cuts scattered through pertaining to the organization of so- a leaflet. cieties, and when requested selects material for various kinds of meet- Varied are the avenues of approach ings. by a publicity secretary of a mission board and many are the blind alleys, Missionary publicity is classified but in all the great purpose is to prennder several heads: organization ma- sent Christ for" In Christ is Life proterial giving information to various vided for all mankind." groups or societies; promotional material showing the progress of the MISSIONARIES AND THE SECULAR work of the Board; free literature printed in simple form; pay litera- PRESS ture presenting missions in a more attractive manner. Pav literature acts By REV. J. T. BRABNER SMITH, CHICAGO, ILL_ in a meaFmre as a barometer for the general interest in missions through- Division of Publieity, Department of Eduout the Church. Newspaper, graphics, cation, Committee on Conservation and and religious press articles are also Advance, Council of Boards of Benevohandled as publicity. lence, Methodist Episcopal Church The major part of missionary pub- Is it possible to secure space in the licity, however, is confined to leaflet secular press for missionarv activiproduction, and here the greatest care should be exercised that the old mis- ties r Do the publishers and editors sion "tract" be not perennial. For many years there seems to have been of the great me1ropolitan city and a mold for the production of the mis- county newspapers welcome stories or sionary leaflet: tight set-up, small news of missionary activities' Our type, boxed cover, shiny paper, black experience of over eight years in ink; but tim€s have changed, and secular publicity would compel us to those who are responsible for mission·- say "yes.' , We had the assurance of ary literature do well to study modern editors, publishers, and writers of advertising, to know that shiny paper Chicago papers at a recent conferis not essential to reproduce satisfac- ence on church publicity that such tory illustrations; that wide margins news was acceptable. We predict that and open spaces are as necessary as in the near future church news will the text; that soft tinted paper, col- be as welcome by the secular press as ored ink, simple title pages or covers sporting, society, or business news. and blank back pages appeal to an artistic sense and often reach a new What shall we send to the newsaudience heretofore not interested in papers? Most missionaries write perthe "tract." None of this increases sonal experiences in letters from the missionary field to the general offices in the United States. Some mission- aries send parish letters to the home
office which are really the personal throughout the United States, and he experiences of the missionary. The gecures very large audiences to hear editor of a country paper will some- his jungle stories. Human interest times take these parish or personal stories written in newspaper style letters and use them, because the mis- should be submitted with photographs sionary is well-known in the territory to the JVIanaging Editor's desk. The in which the paper circulates, but, in newspaper should be studied to which order that the missionary might make the article is being sent. There are this material acceptable to the news- several newspa.per syndicates in New papers, he or 8he should at least know York and Chicago, but these syndithe first rudiments of writing for the cates prefer to have missionary stories newspaper. sent from the office in the various cities. The missionary should take the most thrilling personal experience and . Mrs. Cora Harris's stories in the write it in the form of a news story in the style of the newspaper to which Saturday Evening Post are suggestive the missionary is writing. It should of what the missionaries or missioncontain either on the left-hand side of aries' wives could write about the the front sheet, or the right-hand side, home life and incidents and expethe name and address of the mission- riences of missionaries. ary and the subject of the article. It should be dated on the first line, The following are stories printed by and the first line should be at least the newspapers: one and one-haIr inches from the top of the page. It should be written by a A Missil:mary Smd China W!ill Become a typewriter preferably, and should be Strong Nation. double spaced. A margin on the paper should be left on the left-hand Chinese Political Disorganization Need f>ide of at least one inch, and a margin Give No Cause for Alarm. at the bottom of the page. This article should be submitted to the Managing The Story of an Eye Witness of the De- Editor, if the missionary sends it struction of Japan Missionary Property.
direct, or, if the article is sent from The Material Loss of the Church in the Japan Earthquake. the United States, it should be submitted to the City Editor. Chinese ProbleIIlll Told by Delegates. Feng Yu-Shiang, thfl Famous Chinese There is always a good local story Christian General, Will Visit the General for a country or city paper when a Conference of the Methodist Episcopal student decides to be a missionary. Chareh. The photograph and a brief personnel Ask Big Sum to Rebuild Japan Missions. of the coming missionary should be Building a College on Monte Mario, Rome, Rent to the City Editor of the paper Italy. where the missionary was born or Interview with Doctor Gideon Draper lives. from Japan_ The Yearly Report of Membership and We know of one missionary who Missionary Activity. wrote a number of thrilling stories in Who Sent the First Money t() Japan' his parish letters to a New York office, Warcloud: Challenge to Missionaries. but these stories lay dormant for a Missi()naries Granted Commission. long time, until a special writer re- Missionaries Pledge Dry Law Aid. vamped the articles, and they were Bishop Urges Dismantling of U. S. Forts submitted to a boys' magazine and in Mexico as Aid tOe Missionaries. were printed and illustrated. Later Missionaries Facing Challenge in Russia. these same articles were printed in Program and Announcement of Names on book form. This missionary now Program for Missionary Meetings. sends brief stories in advance or afteT Airiean Will Address Parley. he has spoken at missionary meetings Missionaries Mnst Help to Make the World Dry. Article with photograph of Two Koreans and One Chinese, with a brief artiele on "Serve Cross in Orient." Photograph with brief article on "Mis- sionaries Going Abroad." Calls Teaching Big Field in Work in China. Salvation, Sanitation and Soap Crying Need of India_ The names, photograph, and copy of the
19240J BEST METHODS
Service of Consecration of Missionaries Who group of heathen people. 'rhitl wom- Are Going Abroad. an had refinement and culture in America. Surely there is a story in Missionaries Who Are Engaged in 1m· this, if rightly written. He're is a proving AgricultlUal 01' Social Oonditions. woman, cultured, a club woman, owner of horses, who goes out to The Effect of Conversion or Acceptance of China and comes back so consecrated the Gospel by the Heathens. that she wants more money to do her work, and she is selling all kinds of The Difficulties of tJie Converts and the hand-work made by the Chinese peo- Sacrifices Made to be FaithfuL ple. There is a story in this.
We remember a good story printed Missionaries on furlough can alby the newspapers in a certain state, ways secure brief newspaper stories in because from the State Agricultural their local papers, and a visit to the School there have gone out students editorial sanctum, with a talk with as missionaries who helped the com- the editor or one of the reporters munity by growing grasses which were would always bring good results; but almost three times as high as the com- the missionaries should be careful in mon grass which the natives grew what is said. They should be very acbefore the seed was imported. We curate, and wherever possible, in givrecall another interesting story of mis- ing figures, they should be written out. sionaries who imported eggs from thoroughbred chickens from the Let the missionary remember the United States, and these eggs de- words: "Go ye into all the world and veloped a larger type of chicken and preach the gospeL" The world ineggs, which enabled the natives to cludes the newspapers. Here is a vast raise themselves from poverty to prac- field of almost unused possibilities. tical independency. We remember The newspapers certainly are ready one missionary found a wolf boy, that to print stories of real human interest, is, a little boy in a pack of wolves, adventure and self-sacrificing service. which he captured, and this boy became a missionary. The story of the PRESS REPRESENTATIVES capture of this wolf boy is equal to any ever told by Kipling. The stories The ,Toman's Missionary Union in of encounters with wild animals, the Kentucky which is auxiliary to the danger in the forests, extraordinary General Association of Baptists in weather conditions, isolation from Kentucky is one of the organizations other human beings, the story of be- which appoints press representatives ing two weeks without mail, the com- as regularly and carefully as it aping of the mail, how it is brought, who points presidents, secretaries and brings it – all make interesting news treasurers.
stories. Several years ago this organization stated to the secular press of Ken- Why should not a missionary tell tucky the fact that there were 1,877 what 'she expected to find in the for- Baptist churches in the state with a eign lands as a missionary, and what membership of more tban 258,663 she actually does find? Or, should people who were especially interested not a missionary tell exactly whether in reading before breakfast eveTY the methods used are being successful morning and after dinner every eveor not in a miBSionary territory-the ning missionary news in general and effect of singing, speaking, visiting, news of Baptist Missions in parreading the Bible, on the people ticular. among whom the missionary works ~ A press chairman for the state was Last night we heard a professor tell appointed with district chairmen in the story of a missionary, a woman, each of the five districts of the state who had a baby in her arms, and her to plan and supervise general pubhands were all covered with chilblains. licity. Each missionary organization She had to be protected by neavy clothing from the cold weather, and in this attitude she was teaching a 4
in ,local churcheos was urged to ap- little of Baptist work and are there- point a press chairman who should fore not familiar with Baptist organi- send notices of meetings and items of zation and nomenclature. For in- news to the local papers, clip the items stance, when writing of an "Associa- when printed and send them to the tion" meeting, few outsiders would district chairman. realize the scope of it, but if the ter- There is an award of merit for the ritory it embraces is mentioned, all association which makes the best rec- will fully appreciate its due impor- ord. The individual church with the taU(~e. Write out in full the nameos of best record in this association is cus- organizations. The same rule applies todian of the award. to any word or phrase peculiar to the denomination. Make it clear.
PEN POINTERS 9. Well-written news items are jUst Compiled for the Kentucky Baptist W. M. U. as much a business commodity to the Secular Press Committee by Mrs. W. H. newspaper as attractive merchandise Matla,ck, Chairman is to the merchant. Whatever helps 1. Write your name and address to make a paper attractive and desirclose up in the left-hand corner of able wHI be welcomed by all Editors. your paper. 10. Simply enclose your news. If 2. Begin your news item wen down your items contain the necessary infrom the top of the page (two and a formation to make them a satisfactory half inche& or more), leaving the blank commodity they will need no explaspace above for the heading which will nation or request.
be added by the headline writer in the 11. Send your news to the news- newspaper office to suit the space and .paper office in good time. Many sec- place given to it. tions of a weekly paper are set up 3. Write on only one side of the several days before its issue and the paper. dailies are compelled to have a time 4. In your first paragraph be sure limit also for news of this class. If to include the four W's-what, who, your copy reaches the- editor even a when, where. If anything unusual is minute after the pages have been set to be done, add another Wand tell up and locked in the forms it cannot why. Whenever possible, include the get in, however much he might like name of chairman or leader and of to have used it. Find out when your those taking part on the program. news should reach the offices of the 5. Write names plainly. If you do various papers on your list.
not use a typewriter, practice using a 12. Your newspaper is literally legible, medium hand with each letter your field glass with a worldwide a completed unit and well-spaced sweep. Read it with your whole be- lines. ing wide-awake. Then rerriember, 6. Give the main point of news first your little item may point the way to -and any other detail in the follow- a safe haven for some other reader.
ing paragraphs-the least important No Pomp nor Power nor Strife nor Sword last. If your newspaper i" crowded Is a match for the Word of the risen Lord I and the item has to be cut, the last Speed the Word!
paragraphs will be the ones removed.
If the gist of your news has been put TRY THESE PUBLICITY PLANS first, even with this cutting, your news A Convention Daily. The Women's item is still effective. Home Missionary Society of the M. E. Church issues an eight-page "Con- 7. Never use "I," "we," "you" or vention Daily" during the days of its "our" when writing for the secular annual convention. 'l'housands of peopress.
8. Try to think of the news item or ple who cannot attend the convention report from the standpoint of those subscribe for the daily so that they who, presumably, know nothing or may read of the proceedings before
BEST METHODS
~he customary long-delayed appear- WHY THEY CAME ance of the annual report, and the There were five hundred people atdelegates have announcements, reso- tending a missionary meeting. Everylutions, reports and convention news one was surprised at the size of the before them promptly. audience but then the new missionary eommittee, with a representative from Missionary Bulletin Service. En- list several enterprising young folks eaeh organization in the church, had in your church to conduct a mission- been aceomplishing a number of surary bulletin service. Arrange mis- prising things. sionary bulletins for the vestibule of the church, for church parlors, class- If someone had gone through the rooms or any other rooms in which audience that evening and written meetings are held. The bulletins may down the answers to the question, be blackboards, charts, sheets of , 'Why did you come 1" the report manila wrapping paper-anything on would have recorded: which announcements may be made. "At the elmrch service Sunday morning Have items of missionary news and I heard an invitation to, the meeting tha,t striking facts of missionary interest rcally sonnded inviting so I accepted it and came."
written on the bulletins each week. "I saw an annonncement in the evening Ready-ta-Use Stories. When yOUI' paper yesterday. The picture of the misdistrict, state or national convention sionary wlw was to speak caught my eye. meets, as the· delegates start home, She wag an old schoolmate of mine." give each delegation a story of the- "I took lunch yesterday with several fel- lows who were talking about this meeting.
most important actions taken, and a They said it would be worth conring to, so I came." statement of the most interesting items of information about the extent "My daughter is taking part in a little of the work of the organization. Leave- dramatization and I had to come to fix her space at the top for the insertion of c.ostume. ' , . an item of local interest of names of "A friend caUed me over the phone and invited me to come. She asked me to phone delegates from specific city or county three other women. Two of them are here, attending the meeting so that the too.' , "Twenty girls and boys from chnrch were story may be given in the form of an invited to sing in the chorns choir." interview, or report from them. "I was shopping with Mrs. Blank last Ask each delegate or delegation to week and she invited me to reserve this evening to go with her to this meeting." call at office of local paper imme- " Judge and Mrs. Blank gave a supper diatelv upon return home and give story "to the editor or reporter. party this evening with one of the speakers as guest of honor. Of course all of the guests came right on to the meeting."
"I am one of the seven hostesses ap- GOOD AUDIENCES FOR GOOD PRO- pointed to S8€ that the church was in good GRAMS ordfrr, attractively decorated and that guests were heartily welcomed."
There are fifteen best methods for "A business man called up the city getting an atrdience, hidden in this editor of our paper and asked t(} have a story. Find them and pnt them to reporter here. I was sent to report the meeting." work in your church. , 'Six high school boys were asked to usher If there is anything more sad than and take up the offering. I came because a poor program for a good audience it I was one of the six."
"Our Sunday-school teacher invited our is a good program for a poor audience. organized class of girls to come to the Most speakers know that it is much church at six 0 'clock for a class snpper and more difficult to speak to ten people meeting, and reserved pews so we could go than to ten hundred. into the meeting and sit together, telling ns beforehand not. to make any other engage- The story or "Why They Came" ments fo1' seven-thirty o'clock." is'an interesting one for anyone who "Saw the poster hanging in chnrch vestiis making programs and inviting bule announcing the meeting." audiences. "A special annonncement was made in Brotherhood Bible Class by the teacher who
knows one of the speakers well and who played. There were a draftsmaIt, said the meeting would be worth eoming to." some carpenters and a number of "handy men" in the class. , 'A friend wrote me a note reminding me of the meeting !1lld asking me to join her If all the members in a church realhere." ized that a child is of more value than a calf or a convict or any other life in Of course the regular "old faithfuls" the world, our leaders of work with who always know 'about the meetings with- the children would have all the equipuut any announcements or newspaper no- Illent they need to help in training tices, or phone calla, or snpper parties or boys and girls. specIal invitations were there too and so 'was the church filled. AN EFFECTIVE COMBINATION A MEN'S BIBLE CLASS THAT The Woman's Society of Grace M. E. Church, Dayton, Ohio, has com- VALUES BOYS AND GIRLS pleted two years of successful opera- tion of a plan which combines in one This year's Home Mission courses organization the membe'rship and acare making plain the fact that Amer- tivities of its former Women's Home ica values a calf in a herd of fine l'lissionary Soeiety, Women's Foreign Holstein cattle more highly than it Missionary Society and Pastor's Aid does a baby in an American cradle. Society. The plan is no longer an The feed, the stabling, pure drinking experiment but has beeome an achievewater and constant eare of the calves ment. A maximum of efficiency and have been perfected so that only one' a minimum of function have resulted calf in every hundred dies, while, be- from its operation. cause of the lack of proper care in exactly the same requisites to child The church has over 1,400 memlife, the death rate of babies is ten bers, more than 400 of whom are enout of every hundred. rolled in this Woman's Society. There is only one women's organization. At '1'h8 fact also is being made known present there are three sets of officers that we pro'Vide more generously for who arrange together for the careful our criminals than for our children. presentation of the work and interests We spend $15,000 a year on the aver- of the three former organizations. age criminal and $15 a year on the There is only one program. Two average grade pupiL meeotings are held a month. The reg- ular offerings go into a common treas- A similar investigation in many ury and are pro-rated according to churches would reveal the fact that a vote of the society. Special gifts may large part of the funds of the church of course be designated for any cause. is spent with especial consideration All the interests – Home Missions, for the adult membership. Foreign Missions and Local Work are presented to the entire membership Recently there is an increasing and instead of enlisting one group for number of churches which vote, from Home Missions and another for Forthe current expense fund, varying eign Missions, and a third to insist amounts needed to provide equip- "There's plenty to do right here in ment for the missionary education of our own church without looking for their boys and girls. any mission work," all of the women are learning to support all of the In addition to furnishing funds for work .. equipment, the men of the Bible class of the First Lutheran Church of WESLEYAN SERVICE GUILD Chambersburg, Pa., met recently for a number of evenings to make some of "The 1'eglllar meetvng of tke Misthe equipment which was neoeded by siona;ry SlJ'Ciety Friday afternoon at the Superintendent of the Light Bri- 3 o'clock" type of announcement can gade, the missionary organization for t.he boys ,and girls of the chureh.
One of the results was a cabinet or table in which sundry supplies may be stored, and on which charts, posters, cut-outs and villages may be dis-
1924J BEST METHODS
not enlist bl6siness and professional Oriental countries. They wanted to women who have 110 leave of absence grow: spiritually. from b11siness or office Jumrs. Simultaneously, dtiferent Metho- The Wesleyan Service Guild wthe dist groups appealed to the two wom- en's missionary societies asking that solution som.e of the young women of they be allowed to pass the splendid .Methodism are proposing for the prob- idea which they had worked out, on lem of how to enlist the young women to other groups of bu.siness women by who are in b11siness and professio'flal means of a joint affiliation with the life. Miss Marian Le,za NO'rris, Chair- 'Voman's Foreign and the Woman's Man of the Central Committee of Home Missionary Societies. Business Women, tells of the plan and its first year of operation. After much question and deep and praye·rful consideration, and a period When the great war caused the of experimentation in a limited terbusiness and professional world to ritory, these various local attempts open up many new avenues to women materialized in the Wesleyan Service they rushed to "do their bit." They Guild of the Methodist Episcopal liked the work. They surprised others, Church. and sometimes themselves, in what they could do. They stayed. In May, 1923, Mrs. Thomas Nichol- son, President of the Woman's For- There were problems other than eign Missionary Society, and Mrs. economic involved in this transition. Wilbur P. Thirkield, President of the The social life was radically changed. 'Voman'!> Home Missionary Society, This in turn afEected the religious life. announced that the official organiza- tion for business women for these two Various local groups, not wishing to Societies was the Wesleyan Service lose all church contacts save the Sun- Guild, which should work jointly with day services and the privilege of pay- the two Societies. ing dues, set about earnestly to solve the problem. 'rhey canvassed the The annual report for the experichurch calendars to find an organiza- mental year of the Guild, ending May tion meeting their needs. In vain! 31, 1923, showed 22 units, 514 mem- So they set about to organize one of bers, and per capita contributions their own. (including double dues) of $7.13.
What did they want? First" a The Guild expresses its purpose in normal social opportunity to meet the a four-fold program; other bu~iness women, a chance to eat a leisurely meal seasoned with the 1. Development of spiritual life. spice of friendly congenial conversa- 2. Opportunities for world service. tion. Then they wanted a chance for 3. Promotion of Christian citizenship and self-expression. Being capable, ma- personal service. ture women holding responsible posi- 4. Provision for social and recreational tions, they were not satisfied to be activities, and use of the regular inter· merely the dues-paying members of denominational study books of the mission· groups with which they could never nry societies. meet and in whose creative work they eould not have a part because of their The Units of the Guild meet once occupation throughout the day – the a month, or more often if the Unit so only time such meetings we're held. desires, with the possible exception of They wanted to study local civic con- the summer mouths, and frequently ditions and be ready to take their have dinner meetings which provide places in the evolving community me. more opportunity for the social needs They wanted to study world condi- of the members. tions and contribute to the great causes doing' something toward rais- The U.nits, which extend from coast ing the standards for women and chil- to coast, are very desirous of spreaddren particularly in Western and ing information concerning the Guild and thus helping other business wom- en to enjoy the fellowship which this new organization has brought to them.
Woman's Foreign Mission
Editorial Committee: MRS. HENRY W. PEABODY, ALWE M. KYLE, GERTRUDE SHULTZ BOYS AND GIRLS AND WORLD and girls learned temperance lessons PEACE in schools and Sunday-schools and, The following address by Mrs. Eo. c. when this new generation came to the Cronk, representing Ev'erylanil, was given at polls, the Constitution of the United the recent Congress for International Justice States of America was amended. and Good Will held in Philadelphia.
The extent of the influence of this We may set high ideals today. This generation may accomplish world ~~~g~~S~t~S l~~::~~~s~nlfo b~e~~:U~:~ peace. It may not. This generation limitations is to increase influence. is uncertain. There is no uncertainty This group of men and women who about the next generation if we give propose plans for international friend- to its boys and girls true ideals of inship and international justice, repre- ternational friendship and world sentative men and women as they are, peace-if we train them as world citiare not the men and women who will zens. How shall we do it ~ make operative throughout the world Boys and girls are not reading the the plans they propose. Whether or official reports of the Proceedings of not this Congress becomes permanently the Congress of America and the Per- operative depends on the babies who manent Court of International Jus- are in the world's cradles today j on tice, neither are they devouring with the boys and girls in the world's avidity the bulletin of the Federal schools j and on the children at the Council of the Churches of Christ in knees of the mothers of the world. America, nor any of the records of the Attitudes and policies of international 'Vorld Alliance for International friendship do not spring full fledged lhiendship Through the Churches.
from the tip of a resolution of even a Ve are giving them for their guidance world '8 congress. They are not in world attitudes and relationships formed overnight in the hearts of men the prejudice-forming headlines and and women who take no account of stories in yellow journalism.
the sessions of such a congress. The Of the making of books and maga- dates of history often show a genera- zines there is no end, yet the only tion between declaration and success- periodical in which the Churches of ful operation. Not until a generation Christ are uniting their strength and after the women of America first influence to enlist boys and girls in faced their responsibility to a non- world friendship and world peace is Christian world did the Student Vol- E1Jeryland. About thirteen years ago, unteer Movement come. The organi- Mrs. Henry W. Peabody, said, "The zation of mothers was not followed by hope of the world is in the children an immediate declaration of students of the world." With that conviction, then in college. Not until a new gen- she started Ev(wyland, a magazine of eration, trained from childhood in at- world friendship and world peace for titudes of Christian internationalism, boys and girls. Later, the magazine had grown up, did there arise the was given over to the Missionary Edu- young men and young women who cation Movement and then to the In- said, "Here am I, send me." . terchurch Movement. Now it is back In 188a. Frances E. Willard found- in its mother's arms-not indeed in ed the Woman's Christian Temper- swaddling clothes, but clad in strength ance Union. A generation of men and and influence, and fostered by the women passed, some ridiculing the Christian women in America. It is very idea. Then a generation of boys helping to make strong advocates for 54 world friendship and international A Japanese Appeal for Helpful Reading justice and good-will. The Wor~d Al- liance seeks to cement friendshIp be- The Woman's Interdenominational tween nations. EveryZand helps to Committee on Christian Literature make the cement by forming under- for Women and Children in Mission standing friendship between boys and Fields has received the following stir- ring appeal from the Christian Lit~r girls of various nations. The World Allianee of tomorrow will have no ature Society of Japan. The CommIt- difficulty in effecting an interchange tee has been interested for some years ogfrowspneaukperst~giefthtehrosaes speakers have in helping to publish "The Light of boys and girls Love" a weekly news-sheet for the of an international family. Interna- coolie women of Japan and has also tional correspondence will not have to made gifts for the translation of be started by men and women. There Christian books, among them Hurlwill simply be a continuance and ex- but's" Story of the Bible" for which tension of correspondence already be- a special gift was received last ye'ar. gun. EveryZand enters, doors no Con- There are no funds in hand to meet gress can enter, and enlists the little the emergency created by the recent sons and daughters of the rich and disaster and it haB been suggested that individuals interested in this importthe poor, the great and the humble.
We Can not have our Secretary of ant branch of Christian service may State with us today, but during the send gifts which will enable the Chris- past year his little daughter wa;;; w.ith tian Literature Society to render valu- Everyland, every month wmnmg apbeoleples.e*rvicMe isasgaAinmyto the Japanese Bosanquet of highest honors for the best Everyland stories during the year. John D. Tokyo writes:- Rockefeller, Jr., cannot attend all the "Since I last wrote we have had a meetings ann answer all the caUs th~t terrible blow. The Christian Litera- clamor for him, but his little son IS ture Society has suffered very much, not too much engaged to be an Every- for Dr. Wainwright's house, with the land correspondent. The citizens of C. L. S. office, my house, where the the world are in the making. special work for women and children We ask three things of this Council: was mostly done, the Methodist Pub- lishing House which managed the 1. The appointing of a representa- tive as a member of the Everyland sales and had most of the stock, and the printer's, with the shells of our Editorial Committee.
2. The commendation of Everyland books and our old picture blocks, were as a magazine of international friend- all in Kyobashi, one of the districts ship and world peace. . which was swept by fire after the 3. The influence of delegates to thls earthquake. It was like a waste des- Congress in the extension of the cir- ert afterwards. One thing we were culation of the magazine. very thankful for: the office safe was Sometimes the ideals for which we a good strong one and the manuscripts are striving seem far of attainment. in it were not injured. Other safes There is only one hope. were not all so satisfactory, or the heat Ho, ye faint·hearted! Ye are not alone in some places was even more intense, Into yonr worn out ranks of weary men Come mighty reinforcements even now. for manuscripts in those safes were Look where the daVl'll is kindling in the east, found quite charred, so we were in Brave with the glory of the better day- A countless host, an endless host, all fresh great suspense until ours could be With unstained banners and unsullied shield; With shining swords that point to victory opened. And strong young hearts that know not how "Dr. Wainwright and I were at to fear- Karuizawa on Se'ptember first and I The children have come to save the weary was just pa<;king up to return when world. oil Checks may be made payable to Allee M. lerle, Treasurer, 14 Beacon St., Boston, Mass.
the earthquake came, It was severe open on a table and read a little whenever but not disastrous there. All the staff she could spare time. Christian books may do a great deal to help people noW to keep are safe. their faith and to win them to Christian faith so that they may have hope and peace "It is difficult to get printing done of heart in the midst of the destruction and stunning ruin in which we are living. but we are setting to work. The lists The practical sympathy shown so swiftly of subscribers to "Little Children of and generously by America has made a great Light" and "The Light of Lo:ve" impression in this country. We feel sure we can count on your special prayers and were destroyed but we are bringing special interest and efforts to uphold us in the struggle we are making now tt> rebuild them out again for No:vember, after a and extend the literature work of the mis- sionsa short break, and hope to collect names ANNUAL MEETING OF THE and orders very soon. FEDERATION Dr. Wainwright has found a house and I am looking for one. We plan to open an It is expected that the authors of office in a part of the city which was not our textbooks on China for 1924 will burnt, perhaps just a little wooden tempo· be present at the annual meeting of rary building, such as are springing up all our F~deration. Mrs. Gamewell has returned from China where she wrote over Tokyo. her intensive study of a mission sta- We have not heard from the translator of tion beginning with the earliest days of missions in China. Her book is Hurlbut '8 "Story of the Bible" yet, but we called "Ming Kwong, City of Morning hope that the unfinished manuscript was not Light." It is now in press and will lost. be published early in March. Mrs. Meyer is writing our book for juniors, It is strange to have to start again like entitled "Chinese Lanterns." This this and it will be uphill work for a While, will prove an ideal book for junior but we want to get on quickly and not lose classes. this great opportunity. All over Japan, and especially in these parts, people have been. A very important meeting, under deeply stirred and shaken, and they have the auspices of the Fed~ration, will be still to go through many trials. They are in held in the Madison Avenue Baptist special need, conscious need, of new light Church, New York City, on Sunday, and new life, guidance and comfort. In the January 6th, at 3: 30 P. M. The cenvast colonies of refugees in the parks and tral theme will be '( Christian Women other open spaces, libraries are being started and International Relations" and the and it is heartbreaking that we should main address will be given by Dr. have so little to contribute just at this time. Robert E. Speer. Mrs. Henry W_ Pea- We must work hard and get books out. body will also speak on " A Federation But we need funds for this, 80 we ask very of the Christian Women of the earnestly that you will bear in mind our diffi- World." This will be followed by a culties and the importance of this critical discus."ion in which Mrs. Thomas Nichtime and will bring the circumstances be- olas, Mrs. Fred S. Bennett and Mrs. fore the people. I am sure if friends know Helen Barrett Montgomery will take they will be glad to help. part. "Messages from Christian Wom- en of the 'World" will be given bv We brought out some little leaflets, "Light in Darkness" and "In the Day of Komarya San of Japan, Miss Sung df Calamity" as quickly as possible after the earthquake, getting them printed at a pro- China, Miss Sorabji of India, and Mrs. vincial press, and we want to bring out more Emerich of the N~ar East. There will for general use. Also we want to reprint be a prayer offered by Miss Emily some of our best books speedily. One great Tillotson and a solo by Miss Hisako disappointment was the loss of a charming Koike. translation of l/ Stepping Heavenward" (abridged) which caDle ont at the end of July and was selling well. The Japanese said that Katharine '8 experiences were sO like what they have often had to go through and it appealed to them very much. The other day I went to see our printer's wife, herself a good tran"lator and at one time my secretary. Her husband lost his two large pTinting estahlishments, one in Yokohama and the other in Tokyo. The one at Yokohama crashed down in the earthquake and then was burnt. Mrs. Muraoka said that in the sad, anxious Q.ays which followed the catastrophe "Stepping Heaven- ward" was a great comf<>rt; she kept it
Woman's Home Mission
EDITED BY FLORENCE E. QUINI,AN, 136 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY IN 1924 ful information in regard to the Fed- Speak to all more kindly eration and Council are printed on Than the year before, the back. The program is priced, as Pray a little oftener, usual, at 2 cents each, $1.50 per 100. Love a little mOI'e, Every local group should procure a Cling a little closer supply of both card and program at To the Father'8 love; an early date. 'rhe demand increases So lif"" behold, shall liker grow To the life above. each year and the placing of orders -Be/cot ca. early is advisable to insure delivery.
DAY OF PRAYER FOR MISSIONS The card "and program are annually ready early in November and may be MARCH 7,1924 obtained from denominational head- The first Friday in Lent is observed quarters.
annually throughout the United If no one has taken the initiative States and Canada as the Day of in your community toward planning Prayer for Missions. The Council of for the observance of the Day of "V Women for Home Missions and the Prayer for Missions, will you not see Federation of oman 's Boards of that the leaders in the various denom- Foreign Missions, through a joint inations are called together by the committee, each year publish a pro- first of February to formulate plans?
gram for this interdenominational ob- All publicity opportunities should be servance, the theme for this year used, such as printed church calen- being "The Spirit of Power." dars, bulletin boards,' pUlpit notices, A card entitled" A Call to Prayer" local press items, posters, arnlOunce- has been issued as a preliminary aid. ments at all meetings and gatherings, This card will be found very useful religious, civic and social. Pen and in preparation for the observance it- telephone should be utilized to invite self. It is small enough to fit com- friends and neighbors to the observ- fortably into an ordinary envelope, to ance. "A Call to Prayer" could be be carried in one's Bible or purse, or enclosed in personal letters to ac- tucked into the corner of the looking quaintances for several weeks before glass on the dresser. Space has been th'tJ observance. Praying in faith for left on the face for local insertion of wisdom in preparation, His Spirit, the place, hour and leadel!O's name, if de- Spirit of Power, will guide and in- sired. On the reverse, suggestive spire. Begin praying definitely now!
topics for prayer are listed, linked to THY STRENGTH the theme of the program. The card is distributed freely by the various Give me Thy strength for my day, Lord, boards. That wheresoe'er I go, There shall no danger daunt me The program, "The Spirit of And I shall fear no foe; Power, " is by Mrs. DeWitt Knox, So shall no task 0 'ercome me, So shall no trial fret, who has so acceptably furnished many So shall I walk unwearied previous programs. In the five parts, The ]lath where my feet are set; So shall I find no burden entitled Praise, Prayer, Purpose. Practice and Power, all hymns and Greater than I ean bear, scripture passages are printed, so that So shall I bave a courage Equal to all my eare; groups not having Bibles and hymnals So shall no grief 0 'erwhelm me, at the plaee of meeting, nevertheless have the full text. Suggestions as to So shall no wave a 'erilowhours, leaders, speakers, etc., and use- Give me Thy strength for my day, Lord, Cover my weakness 80.
. -Annie Joh1t$On Ji'l'fnt, 57
AMERICAN PEACE AWARD sentative women and missionaries are The American Peace Award created sl?e~king at the Loyalty IJuncheons. glv1~g one day to each city. Repreby Edward W. oBfotkhwe ibllesgtivpera$c1t0i0c~0b0l0e "to the author sentlllg Home Mission interests are plan by which the United States may such leaders as Mrs. S. C. Jennings.
cooperate with other nations to achieve ]}frs. ~. S. Osgood and Miss Alice W.
and preserve the peace of the world." S. Br1mson of Chicago. Mrs. Willard Th~ time limit for receipt of manu- H. Smith of New Jersey. and Mrs.
SCripts was November 15th. It is ex- Orrin ~..Judd of Brooklyn, N. Y.
pected that the Jury will be able to Our mlSSIOnal'[Y representatives are announce the selection by January 1st. ~Iiss Hel~m A. ~ainwright, represent- A referend~m of the whole country lll~ MexlCa~s ill the. United States; -the expreSSIOn of popular opinion M1ss ;-lbertme D. B1schofi', Spanish- upon whatever plan is chosen-will speaklllg work; Miss Luella E.
then be taken. It is expected that all Adams, Christian Centers; Miss daily papers will print text of the plan Ethel Ryan, Indians; Miss Mildred ~nd coupon for referendum vote. It Kaminskie, Christian Americaniza- 1S hoped that everyone interested in tion; and Miss ILnoaudisdeitBio. nCtaorttehr~ Cen- tral America. Loythis most siammpeo rttoa n tt hseubjoefcfitcewiollf votthe~ sending alty Luncheons, there are to be ten Award. 'fhe plan will be sent to the echo meetings of each luncheon in United States Senate early in 1924. local churches, carrying back to the churches the messages given at the Eighty-eight organizations – civic Loyalty Luncheons.
business, professional and religious—-': The women are endeavoring to raise CarOelIDccoilopoef rWationmgeninfotrhHe omAewMair~dsiothnse during this year $2,000,000, and it is being one of these. hoped that one ohfalift,omf tahyisbesubmr~uogrhta goodly portion WHAT'S GOING ON in at the time of the Loyalty Lunch- . It is st~mulating and inspiring once eons. The campaign motto for the ~n a wh1le. to scan the outstanding ltems of mterest in one another's lruenR~cihnegoonns is "Our God is awbol~ee"n and work. The following news has been this promise the are eollected from the various Women's going forth to attempt great things in the Master's name.
Mission Boards and Societies. If you GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY find it interesting and helpful, tell The Woman's American Baptist us so and we shall be glad to present Home Mission Society is expecting to such material periodically. celebrate the fifty years of its organi- Baptist zation in 1927. A national committee has been appointed to make plans and LOYALTY LUNCHEONS to carry them forward throughout the Realizing that the year 1923-24 is a constituency. In September, commitvery crucial one in the mterests of our denomination, there have been tees were organized, plans drafted, planned a series of eighty or more luncheons, called Loyalty Luncheons, and a forward look taken. The launchfor inspiring the women of our churches to larger consecration of life ing of these plans in the local churches service and gifts to the cause of is not to begin until the close of the present fiscal year. thus giving three yea.rs, 1924-1927, for inspiration in- formation and publicity. '
Christ, and to the end that He might DEDICATION AT BACONE be magnified and be made known to Mrs. Kath-erine S. WWoemsatnfa'l~l Execthe nations of the world. The lunch- utive Secretary of the Amer- eons are being held in eighty or more ican Baptist Home Mission Society, large cities. Five teams of' repre- recently attended the dedication of
WOMAN'S HOME MISSION BULLETIN
some very fine new buildings which tions, 50 new buildings. A fifty-dollar have been erected on the campus of gold bonel is the unit for the Jubilee Biacone College, Bacone, Oklahoma, gift. and also buildings for the Murrow Baptist Indian Orphanage, which has PROGRAM OF EVANGELISM been, in recent years, located on the campus of the college. The buildings The Disciples of Christ, in their Inare the result of gifts from the Home ternational Convention at St. Louis in Mission Society, the General Educa- the autumn of 1920, voted unanimoustion Board and the Indians. This im- ly to launch a five-year program of portant Indian school, which is of evangelism to add one million to their higher grade than any other Indian churches in all fields, home and forschool in the country, being a stand- eign. Several years previous to this, ard high school, ministers not only to they launched the "J'vIen and Millions the five civilized tribes in Oklahoma, Movement" and were successful in but to students from other sections raising millions for their missionary, and other tribes who take advantage benevolent and educational work of the higher courses. throughout the world. The campaign to add the million new members to The new buildings are absolutely their churches has met with a wonfireproof and well adapted for the derful response eluring the last three purposes for which they were con- years. lJast Easter Sunday was the structed. Those for the orphanage in- greatest single day in evangelism that clude a boys: and a girls' dormitory the Disciples of Christ have ever and a joint dining room in connection known. This last year in evangelism with the girls' dormitory. Each child their net increase above all losses by has a room alone, which is quite un- death and removals, was 78,500. Many usual in such institutions. Splendid new congregations have been organboys and girls are attending the ized during the last year. They are school, many of them giving every evi- expending thousands of dollars upon dence of becoming good citizens. their church maintenance budget. Twelve young people who have gradu- Last year 151 churches were assisted, ated from Barone are now taking col- a number coming to self-support durlege courses in Baptist colleges. Other ing the year. As a part of the fivebuildings are now in prospect, and in year program to win the million, a time it is hoped that Bacone College great simultaneous campaign is being will be in every way worthy of its conducted across the nation. This year name and the purpose for which it 13 states and all Canada are seeking was founded-the Christian education to have an evangelistic meeting in of Indian boys and girls. everyone of the 4,550 churches with- in that region. Many churches in Disciples of Christ cities, counties and districts are begin- ning eVllngelistic meetings on the same GOLDEN JUBILEE day and date and together carrying forward their work. 'V The fiftieth anniversary of the be- THE NEW YEAR ginning of the Christian oman 's Board of MisRions will occur in Oc- A bower unknown; a book unread; tober, 1924. The work of this organi- A tree with fruit unharvested; zation has been merged into the United A path untrod; a house whose rooms Christian Missionary Society and it is Lack yet tbe heart's divine perfumes; by this new Society that this Golden A landscape whose wide border lies Jnbilee is observed. The aims to be In silent shade, 'neath sHent skies; attained in connection with the cele- A wondrous fountain yet nnsealed; bration are 500 new societies. 50.000 A casket with its gifts c{mcea.Ied: new members. $1 ,000.000 Jubilee gifts, This is the year that for you waits 50,000 new World Call subscriptions, Beyond tomorrow's mystic gates! 5,000 new King's Builders subscrip-. -Horatio Ne!son Powers.
FROM (MANY
GENERAL ference whether $10,000 contributed A War-Mad World in America will bring 30,000 rupees A N enumeration of post-war arma- in India or 35,000 or only 20,000 rn- ments and budgets for prepared- rees; and whether $50,000 sent to ness leads one easily, says The Chris- China can be exchanged for $100,000 tian Centtwy, "to believe that the (Mexican) or for 125,000 or only world is war mad. The League of Na- 50,000 Chinese dollars. The change tions' officers tell us that in 1913 in value is due, in part, to the direc- Europe was spending 19.7 per cent of tion of the flow of trade and, in part, its revenues for armaments; and that to a shortage in gold or silver in cirlast year 24.2 per cent was spent for them. This is exclusive of pensions culation, or to the fear of bankers or and war nebts. It represents wholly preparation for possible future wars. of the people in a given country that The preparedness budget of the Unit- trade values are threatened. ed States will almost equal Great Britain's, notwithstanding the Wash- As a result of the fluctuation in ex-' ington conference. And our prepared- change, the missionary societies of the United States lost, during the years ness advocates are still not satisfied. )918 to 1920, hundreds of thousands They want a half billion for new cruisers, the remodeling of battleships, of dollars on the purchasing power of new submarines, a vast airplane fleet money sent to the Far East. Even and new naval bases. They ask for with the return to more normal ex- 26,000 more men in the regular army, change rates in mission lands, the an increase of the R. O. T. C. from prices of commodities have risen so 96,000 men to 784,000, thus making rapidly that the cost of missionary work has greatly increased, even with- out any increase in personnel Ol" equipment. Therefore, give more!
military training practically compulsory for all college men. They have in E:dent of Lutheran Church S mind an increase of the national guard 'l'ATISTICS have been published from 160,000 to 424,000 and of volun- by Dr. Nathan R. Melliorn, presi- teers in summer training camps from dent of the American Lutheran edit- 22,000 to 100,000. If America must ors' association, stating that the Lu- be armed and prepared, it is more in theran Church throughout the world accord with our policy and fiber to now numbers about 75,000,000 per- prepare civilians than to sustain a sons, being the largest section of Prot- great standing army. But it is only estant Christianity. Of this number reasonable to assume that the same 3,500,000 are found in America. The amount of energy and enthusiasm ex- churches on the Western continent are pended in preparing ways to prevent independent of national or political wars would fortifv us and the rest of boundary lines, while the Lutherans of tile world against the extravagance Europe form, in most instances, and hideousness of war, and make us "state" churches. .
the torch bearers in world peace."
Keynote of the Y. M. C. A.
Exohange and Cost of Missions CRITICISM has been made in some THE fluctuation in foreign exchange quarters of the objectives and rates means much to missionaries methods in Y. M. C. A. work. The and their work. It makes a great dif- financial crisis is serious in the Asso- 60· ciations at home and abroad; there- dicapped by drinking beer, The fore it is well to note what Dr. John great labor unions of Germany had R. Mott Igives as the keynote of the begun to think of that before the war.
organization and the one remedy for Since the war they have thought of it the ills of the world, namely "con- more. Again the question is under fronting men with the living Christ." discussion, and to test it out, a refer- The Life of Faith quotes his remarks endum has been taken in one indus- at the Y. M. C. A. conference in Lon- trial district. The Precinct of Biele- don last year: feld was selected and prohibition won "Do we need workers r There is no way by an astounding majority, for out to get them save by confronting men with of 14,069 qualified voters, 12,625 voted the living Christ. Is it money we want' ., dry. " Votes in other districts are We are only at the blne print stage of the work of the Y. M. C. A. We in America are to be taken.
going to spend 100 million dollars dnring the next ten years where we have spent ten NORTH AMERICA million in the last twenty years. What is Social and Religious Research the secret of getting moneyt It is to have people who have it, whether little or much, T HE Committee on Social and Re- ligious Surveys, of 370 Seventh get a glimpse of th" living Christ as Lo'rd and Master. Then the fountains of sacri- Avenue, New York City, which in the fice begin to gush and the streams to flow over the hanks; then the money becomes three years of its existence has made omnipotent. Then there is onr need of many valuable contributions to scienvision, to see why men and boys are perish- tific knowledge in the socio-religious ing; our need, too, for courage and perse- field, has become "The Institute of verance to appJy the principles of Jesus to Social and Religious Research," with modern industrial, social, international and John R. Mott, Chairman; Ernest D. inter-racial life. I know of no other place Hurton, Secretary; Raymond B. Foswhere men get willingness and quiet deter- mination and enthusiasm to take Christ's dick, Treasurer; James h Barton, word and apply it as they may. If we want W. H. P. Faunce and Kenyon L. world-eonq,uering power, the seeret lies in Butterfield as directors. The most getting all confronted with the living Christ, recent and one of the most important and this, thank God., is what the Churches expect us to do." of the Institute's publications is "The Hope of a "Dry" World Religious Education of Protestants in an American Commonwealth, " by T HE general press paid little atten- Prof. Walter S. Athearn, Dean of the tion to the convention of the World School of Religious Education and League against Alcoholism, in To- Social Service in Boston University.
ronto, Canada, which brought together delegates from sixty-three nations on Fasting for Near East Relief'
I six continents, including all the prin- T is estimated that "Golden Rule Sunday," December 2d, was obcipal mission fields. Striking as was the polyglot nature served by more than one million of the assembly, disclosures which re- Americans who ate at least one vealed prohibition as a world force , 'refugee meal," costing about four were little short of amazing, even to cents, and consisting of soup, rice or the studeut of reform. The gathering beans and bread, without butter_ The heard of students' anti-alcoholism difference in the cost of this meal and movements in Germany and Switzer- an ordinary Sunday dinner is to be land, with an enrolment of 2,500,000; sent to the Near East Relief Head- of the near success which met the first quarters and it is hoped that the effort to secnre a prohibition law in amount thus realized will be more Sweden, and of the fact that even in than a million dollars.
wine-producing France the battle be- President Coolidge, cabinet mem- tween the "drys" and the "wets" bers, ex-president Woodrow Wilson had entered on its initial stages. The and very many other leading Amer- efficiency of German workmen is han- icans were among those who observed
"Golden Rule Sunday" in this way. Protestantism during the last genera- It is also reported that the observance tion and whose eminent service as spread to Europe and Asia so that it Church historian and as prophet and is impossible to estimate the number pioneer of Christian unity has been of people who thus showed their sym- recognized by the Christian world pathy with the suffering Armenian generally. widows and orphans. Even Japan took part in this self-denial in spite of Automobiles and Missions its own recent disaster. A BAPTIST newspaper has found Many of the Americans in Athens that Southern Baptists own a ate their Golden Rule dinner with half-million automobiles. Counting 2,000 orphans at the famous Zappeon three hundred dollars as the minimum Palace Orphanage, where a band of cost of maintaining these, the expense American bluejackets from the flag- to the denomination for keeping the ship Scorpion entertained the chil- gas wagons on the road is $150,000,- dren. Twelve thousand Armenians in 000. Recently, the Baptists had a Greece under care of the Near East very hard struggle to secure $75,- Relief ate only one meal, consisting 000,000 in five years, which fact would of vegetable soup and bread. Mr. indicate that in the interest of a Henry Morgenthau, head of the Southern Baptist missions is outstrip- Refugee Loan Commission, sent word ped ten to one by automobiles. Men from Athens that the need for con- of other denominations, warned by tinuation of American relief is only this result, are now trying to find out too apparent to those who are on the what the facts are in their fellowground. ship, as regards missions and automo- hiles. A Christian Unity Building A "Red" Archbishop in New York AUNIQUE building in Americau Church life is the Schaff Office RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH Building in Philadelphia, which was circles throughout the United dedicated in October. It was erected States are deeply stirred over the arunder the auspices of the Philip rival of tlle "Red" Archbishop, John Schaff Memorial Committee represent- Kedrovsky of the so-called "Living ing more than 100 divines and men of Church," that follows the Soviet affairs from various denominations, in regime in Russia. The representative cooperation with the Publication and of the "Red Church," as it is gen- Sunday School Board of the Reformed erally called by Russians, has an- Church in the United States. nounced his intention of seizing all the Russian Orthodox Church prop- This interchurch office building now erty in the United States, amounting houses more than fifteen denomi- to millions of dollars, and of becomnational and interdenominational ing the spiritual head of the 300,000 agencies including the Philadelphia adult members of the communion. He Federation of Churches, Lord's Day will attempt to depose Metropolitan Alliance of Pennsylvania, Philadel- Platon, the acknowledged head of the phia Sabbath Association, Pennsyl- Church in North America. vania Anti-Saloon League, The Presbyterian lfagazine of the Presby- Rev. Dr. Thomas Burgess thus. deterian Church, U. S. A., Boards of scribes the situation: the United Presbyterian Church, Boards and Agencies of the Re- "John Kedrovsky, who was suspended by formed Church, Phihidelphia Chris- church officials in this country several yea:rs tian Endeavor Union, Brotherhood of ago and who has been constantly fighting Andrew and Philip, and is named in the recognjzed church authorities, was called honor of Dr. Philip Schaff who was to Moscow two months ago by the Living an outstanding figure of American Church and appointed by it to head its work in the United States. It is rumored that he will be followed by two Red bishops, four
NE'WS FROM MANY LANDS
Red archpriests and forty Red priests, whom There are 5,826 churches and 857,846 he will appoint in the plaee of the present members. bishops and pastors, if he can get away with the plan. It is stated that he is well sup- Resolutions were adopted in favor plied with Soviet money. This fight will of Sunday observance, against the Ku be a real hardship for the Russian churches Klux Klan, and in favor of the League in this country as they are poor and the cost of Nations. Plans for closer union of defending their rights against this new with the Protestant Episcopal Church body will nearly rnin them.. The com,munion by double ordination have proved fuhas an honorable history of more than one tile and the Council voted in favor of hnndred years." closer fellowship and possible union with Presbyterians on the "Cleveland Statistics for Disciples plan"-even without doctrinal agree- ment. The Philadelphia plan of union T H.BJ year book of the Disciples' de- with all other evangelical denomina- nomination gives interesting sta- tions has been generally approved by tistics for the year ending June 30, the Congregational Council. There 1923. It says: "Our total church was a strongly expressed desire to membership throughout the world is avoid conflict and overlapping among 1,383,247, a gain over last year of 72,- Christian ctmrches. 951; and in the United States and Canada, 1,311,930, a gain of 68,572. The American Board announced its Our Sunday-school enrollment for the determination to go forward with its world is 1,170,148, a gain of 76,310; missionary program in Turkey. the gain in. the United States and Canada being 72,613. The number of Methodist Centenary Gains our churches throughout the world now totals 9,533, a gain of 136." The MISSIONARIES of the Methodist giving of the denomination is at a low level. The year book publishes 1 Episcopal Church, according to figures from Secretary Bert Wilson's the Christian Advocate, "are now addrecent book, "The Christian and His ing 219 Christian converts per week Money Problems," which indicate to the roll of Church members in that in the matter of giving, the Dis- India. During the Centenary years ciples rank twenty-fourth in a list of 1919, 1920 and 1921, there were added twenty-six evangelical bodies. Figur- to the roll of the Methodist Episcopal ing the average income of a Disciple Church in India 34,232 converts over at $586 a membet', the giving is about and above all losses from death. In two per cent of the annual income for China Methodist missionaries are enall religious purposes. rolling 122 per week -19,000 new Christians during the three Centenary Congregational Progress years. Africa shows an increase of 3,947 above all losses for the same T HE American Board of Commis- period; Japan, 3,424; the Philip- sioners for Foreign Missions re- pines, 6,735; Mexico, 1,323; Malaysia, joices in an increased income during 2,476. From all the fields administhe past year, as reported at the meet- tered by the Board of Foreign Mising of the National Council, held Oc- sions of the Methodist Episcopal tober 16 to 23 in Springfield, Mass. Church come reports showing gains in The Home Missionary Society also is Methodist Church membership totalmade glad by a million-dollar legacy. ing 80,519 for the first three years of Dr. Rockwell H. Potter of Hartford, the Centenary period. That means Conn., was elected President of the that Methodism alone is adding to the Council. King's army 516 recruits per week- 74 per day. And those whose lives The statistics reported show 151,395 are changed by the gospel message, new members added to Congrega,tional though they may not join the church, churches, or 12,902 more than in any are many times that number." previous year. Over 90,000 of these additions were on confession of faith.
Y. M. C. A. Budget for 1924 is a cinder path and when school is dismissed, announcement is made of ABUDGET of approximately $3,- the religious school to follow. Often 000,000 to carryon the 1924 Y. it is so made that pupils who do not M. C. A. program was approved by go are marked. (Schoolmates do not the International Committee of Young hesitate to dub them "heathen.") Men's Christian Associations of North Teachers well-versed in the Mormon America, at its annual meeting in doctrine give their time for instruc- Atlantic City, N. J. Of this $900,000 tion in these seminaries. Thus the conwill be apportioned to work in the stant teaching of children begun at United States; $1,400,000 to Asia, four years of age is carried through IJatin-America and Africa; and $700,- the high school period. No wonder 000 for the European division. ' that their growing youth, though in- telligent, are confirmed in the faith. A Jewish COlnmnnity Center LATIN AMERICA I N Newark, New Jersey, the Presby- terian Board of Home Missions A Mexican Baptist Pastor opened, on October 25th, New Bethany Community Center at 165 Court T HFl Southern Baptists have a Street, in the heart of' a large He- church of 150 members in Morelia, brew population. The Christian center Mexico, the pastor of which was once is especially planned to help the Jews a barefoot boy in a mission school in of the cOIllUunity to understand the Toluca. He is doing a strong work Gospel of Christ and its benefits. along various lines. There are assembly rooms, class rooms, social rooms, a dispensary and facili- One of the curses of Mexico is the ties for recreation. Weekly Bible lack, in so many cases, of legal marclasses and services are held in Yid- riage relationship. The majorLty of dish as well as in English, also classes the poor people live together year and meetings for mothers and for chil- after year without being lawfully dren. The work has already been married. This pastor has the happy fruitful in spiritual results and has faculty of influencing just such won many friends in the community. couples to get the lawful right to live It is under the general supervision of together. They listen to his preacha board of trustees in Newark and the ing, become converted, and to join the director is Mr. E. S. Greenbaum, a church they must first get married. A Hebrew Christian. large number of the church members are newly-married middle-aged folks, How Mormons Train Children many of them already grandparents. During the eleven years' pastorate, THE school of week-day religious there has been an average of three instruction ha~ been appropriated such marriages each year. by the Mormons, according to the Presbyterian 11lagazine. In many com- Converts Eager to Preach munities where there are no "Gentiles" to oppose, there is constant and THE story of how Salvador is being unhindered teaching of their faith evangelized by its own people is within the public school building. told by Rev. ,John G. Todd, of the Elsewhere they have had academies or American B'aptist Home Mission Sochurch schools. But with the coming ciety. He says, in M1$sions: "Those of the high school they have abolished who have received the truth of the the academies, they depend on the Gospel in Salvador manifest a sponpublic funds to educate their children, taneous and energetic disposition to but a few feet away they build a spread it. The common method is to "seminary. " 'J'hey have about sixty organize as many Gultos or preaching of these two-room buildings. Leading services as possible in the surrounding from the high school to the seminary country. Some of these are small, but their continued repetition in many
19241 NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
different neighborhoods cannot fail to EUROPE produce much fruit. Of the 130 mem- London and Dublin Campaigns bers of the First Baptist Church of AT t11.e ~losing m~eting of the evan- Santa Ana nine are licensed to preach and others give promise of being ready Rfeervr.egdDehotsuotgJclianscaBtmhreopwmDnge,ncoeinmnebLoefrontRhdeEon~leEarWde~- soon. Many are ambitious to be allowed to conduct these neighborhood ers, commented first on the attendservices. One old man who cannot ance at the meetings and second on ;ead asked to. be licensed to preach. If someone wlll but read the text for the large proportion of young men me, I can use it. I never lack for words. ' Such men have not been li- among the inquirers. In the next censed; albeit none of the licentiates place, he said, the campaign has re- 11.ave any but the most meager educatIon. To them evangelism means long vealed the power of believing prayer. country trips, mostly afoot, and late (hours. But they are at it all the time. He told of a boy of fourteen whom he The preaching services are held in homes, on coffee plantations, and foun~ kneeling. among 350 people, wherever people can be found for an praymg for hls paTrhenatts~erayndnighhist audience: Weddings are always made brother and sister. an occaSIOn for them. " all four were converted, Wherever there had been the most prayer the largest number of conversions had re- sulted. Most remarkable of mael~ltihnogws.- ever, had been the ministers'
He had met altogether some 600 min- Peruvian Leader a Christian isters in conference, and had not TI~E .revolt in Peru against eccle- found one who was not keen to win Slastlcal tyranny was described in men to Christ.
the December REVIEW. Word has now A rem~rkable stiries of meetings was come of two striking facts about the also earned on in Dublin during the leader of itmhpartismonoevdembeyntt.heFGirosvt~rnhe 9.autumn by Captain Gipsy Pat SYm. iMth~ has been the of which the secretary of ment. Second, he had become a fer- A. writes: "About 10,000 people vent disciple of Jesus Christ some time m the aggrega,te have attended the before. Haya de la Torre is the idol services today (Sunday) which of the liberal forces in Peru. His roughly, is one in five of the Protes: strong stand against both the Govern- tant population. This in itself is ment and the Church has brought him rather more startling than the fact prominently to the front as a man to that the aggregate attendance in the be seriously reckoned with. Seemingly whole campaign up to the present is ~e has for a long time past been hold- about 54,000 – more than the entire mg back the forces which might easily Protestant community of Dublin. To become revolutionary. Of course he those who are cognizant of the atmos- is a marked man, and his enemies did phere in which Christian work has not wait long before thev laid hold on been carri~d on here, and the fight for him. The latest word concerning Sr. ProtestantJsm, these figures are won- de la Torre is that he has been ex- derful. It is all of the Lord."
pelled from Peru. He first went to Panama, where he gave some lectures The B. C. M. S. in the Field in the Methodist Church. From there THE. Bible Churchmen's Missionary he went to Mexico, answering an in- Soclety, whose organization as a vitation of the MwionriksteorfotfhEadt udceaptairotn~ to help in the result of doctrinal disagreement in the Church Missionary Society was disment. Pray for this strong Christian cussed in the June REVIEW announces Evangelical leader, that he may re- that it is "in a position ' financially main true to Christ and may be a and otherwise, to despatch without depower in Latin America. lay a number of missionaries to four S
great fields of operation-China, In- were presented to Flemish students dia, Canada and South America. because the Flemish school is just be- ginning its third year." , '1. China.-The unevangelized districts of Kwan Ngan Chow and Lin Shui Shien Refornls in Italy (including populous regions, busy cities and progressive markets), to which Bishops Cas· S IGNS are not wanting of a new sels and Mowll have heartily invited us. spirit in Italy, according to the Record of Chr'istian Work. There is "2. lnd·ia.-The town and district of a movement on foot toward the keep- Saugor (some 4,500 square miles) adjacent ing of Sunday as a day of rest. In to great unevangelized native states of the tramcars are notices warning limitless opportunity. Here two B. C. M. S. against blasphemy, and a crusade havmissionaries (the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Keay) ing for its object the suppression of are already at work, and have purchased vile books is in progress. Unfortusubstantial property, as a central missionary nately, the occasion has been made use station. of by the enemies of the Gospel, who, at a procession held in honor of the "3. Canada.-Here B. C. M. S. has al- Madonna which was described in the ready saved much evangelistic work among October REVIEW, denounced the Protpagan Indians from falling into the hands estant Bible, and incited Roman Cathof militant French Romanists, and has six olics who possessed copies to throw ordained missionaries in this field. But the them on the flames. The Italian news- Bishop" of Saskatchewan, Moosonee and papers recording that occurrence Keewatin aye pressing the society for fur- made no comment, but the Conncil of ther missional'Y efforts among their Indian Evangelical Pastors of Milan took the and Eskimo populations. matter up, and all the papers of the city, with the exception of the Carri- "4. South Ameriaa.-It is now possible to ere de la Sera and the Italia, pubsend a band of missionaries to Ceara, and lished vigorons protests against the from there, as. a base, t() strike out am.ong classification with vile writings of the untouched million s in the Amazon basin. men of the Bible, whose truths are Money, ear·marked for this purpose, is in admitted bv Roman Catholics to be hand; only the men are wanted." the founda'tion of the Christian re- ligion. Belgian Gospel Mission Baptists in Sweden THE evangelistic E!ociety carried on in Belgium under the direction of T HE congress of the Baptist World Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Norton, and Alliance, which met in Stockholm known as La Mission BeIge Evan- during the summer, and which was gelique, reports increased interest in referred to in the October REVIEW, various centers and the securing of witnessed the observance of the sevseveral permanent buildings. "On enty-fifth anniversary of the Baptists September 25th, in the Mission Hall in Sweden. It was a great transat Brussels, a very successful meeting formation that had come over Stockwas held for the opening of the holm and Sweden during this period. Flemish and French Bible schools and The first Baptist was exiled. These the graduation of certain students. were welcomed by the city, and men Mr. de Perrot of the Interior Mission of every Christian faith made them of France was the speaker for the feel that Baptists were the kind of French students and Mr. Teeuwissen, people Sweden delighted to have. One of our Mission, for the Flemish stu- Swedish Baptist in every 600 is a dents. The fact that it was necessary foreign missionary and seven were to have the two speakers is an indica- commissioned during the Congress at tion of God's blessing on the work. one of the most impressive services He is calling out people of different ever witnessed. Although the Alliance tongues to spread the Gospel in Belgium. Mr. Bentley, the Director of the French Bible School, presented diplomas to five students, four men and one woman student; thus signifyjng the successful completion on their -part of two years of study and one year of practical work. No diplomas
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
Congress met in a free church, wel- the village, in all about one thousand, comes were received from the' Prime gathered together for final refuge in Minister, who came in person, from the church. It was their last stand. the Archbishop of Upsala, and from The Turkish soldiers had stationed the city and greetings came from the themselves about the church and were King. waiting, expecting a terrible outcry. B~t no sound was to be heard, not NEAR EAST even the sob of a frightened child. " We could not endure that," said the Churches of East and West soldier. An officer knocked loudly on the church gates, and cried: "Come I N the opinion of Rev. Samuel Mc- out! Accept Islam, and you shall live Crea Cavert, General Secretary of safely here in your fields and vinethe Federal Council of Churches, the yards. " For a time there was no Protestant churches of the West know answer, and no sound from within. far too little of the Orthodox Eastern Then the door swung open, and an Church. "Never," he says, "was a aged Armenian priest stood there, his moment more opportune than the snowy head bowed in prayer upon his present for developing cooperation be- breast. That was his answer. They tween the Orthodox Churches and led him out to death. One by one, Protestantism. Their leaders are now they followed, even to the smallest of turning to us for sympathy and prac- that great company. Not one accepted tical help, grateful for what has al- Islam. "There was something very ready been done by American Chris- strange about it," said the soldier. tianity. . . . As steps in the further "They did not seem to see us at all. development of closer fellowship and They looked afar off, and a light helpfulness it would seem that the shone on their faces. They seemed to Protestant Churches of America, act- see something, but we could see nothing through the Federal Council as ing. What could it have been that their agency for united effort, ought those Armenians beheld Y" to serve as a center for at least the following program: " (1) Interpreting the Orthodox Churches Plural Marriage in Turkey to the West, first of aU, removing the pres· ent ignorance and lack of uuderstanding; I T is reported in the Christian Cen- (2) expressing in every possible way the t1wy that a vigorous campaign is sympathy of the "Western Churches toward being waged for the restoration of the Eastern, and facilitating more personal Turkey's old system of plural mar- contacts and more systematic communica· riages, five successive bills having been tion wIth the Orthodox leaders in the Near introduced in the national assembly East; (3) giving practical assistance to the for that purpose since polygamy was Orthodox Churches in such ways as they abolished a little more than a year ago. may deem helpful; (4) developing a more Mustapha Kemal, himself a monogamregular consultative and cooperative rela· ist, has opposed all such measures and tionship with the branches of the Orthodox caused their defeat. Polygamists Churches ministering to their own people point out that there are nearly a milin America." lion more women than men in Turkey, while the Koran permits plural mar- What Did the Martyrs See? riages to those men who are able to support more than one wife. A TURK soldier told the following story, quoted in the Gospel Ba;n- "New-Born Lambs Among Wolves" ner, to a Near East Relief worker for whom he was acting as bodyguard NINE newly baptized Christians in while they were traveling in Asia the fanatical Moslem city of Tur- Minor. 'They passed the ruins of an bat, Khorasan, Persia, are so described Armenian church along the way, which by Rev. W. M. Miller or Meshed. He recalled the event to his mind. The says of a visit to Turbat: "The most soldier said that during the deportations the men, women and children of
effective evangelistic work was done gelists in villages. who, while giving by my language teacher, Fakr-ut-Taj. primary attention to Armenian and As soon as wc reached Turbat he went Assyrian work will utilize the many boldly out into the city and began to openings for village Moslem work. preach the Gospel to all who would The problem of assisting the Assyrian listen to him. He did not use the in- Evangelical Church and its system of direct method of giving the message village schools back on to their feet, that most Persians follow, but with an is a perplexing one. For the present abruptness that was startling he would the station has employed Kasha Baset forth the doctrines of the sin of billa as evangelist to the Assyrian man, the deity of Christ, the atone- people in Urumia; but beyond this ment, and the resurrection, and his we have done practically nothing conconversations seemed to make deep structive in the solution of the probimpressions. After he had led his lem. The medical work has been very men to accept his message he would popular, and our great regret has been bring them to me for further instruc- that our senior medical man, Dr. tion. As a result, few people came Packard, has been prevented by cirto see me in Turbat, except those who cumstances from reopening the work were vitally interested. Such aggres- in person. It is very apparent that sive efforts naturally provoked opposi- the people of Urumia wish our schools tion from the mollahs, especially as reopened; ~lJ.e obstructions have been Fakr-ut-'raj wore the clothes of a placed by government officials, probsheikh, and- soon it was rumored that ably local officials. It is possible that there was a plot to kill him. Several if the government officials higher up men who had asked for baptism were understood that the Station had not frightened away and for some days contemplated opening new schools, did not come to see us, but Fakr-ut- but simply continuing schools that Taj continued to go openly about the have been in existence for eighty years city and seemed almost to covet per- or more, but which had to be closed secution. However, our inquirers had during the period that the region slipdisappeared and the situation looked ped out of the control of the Persian discouraging for the establishment of Government, they might give instruca Christian group in Turbat. Then tions that our schools should be alit was that God's hand began to do lowed to go on as before the war." wonders. " Mr. Miller then tells how these nine men one by one accepted INDIA Christ. The Man-Power Problem Reoccupied Urunlia I N the area covered by the Telugu URUMIA was re-established as a Mission of the Church Missionary regular station of the Persia Mis- Society, the number of baptisms has sion of the American Presbyterian risen from 2,824 in 1919 to 7,202 in Board in May, 1923, but the reopen- 1922, and now 24,000 are being preing of the work, says Rev. Hugo A. pared for baptism. Rev. E. S. Tan- Muller, "has been of necessity a proc- ner writes of the dangers involved in ess rather than an act." He writes: such growth without an adequate "At no time during the year has any force of workers to deal with it: serious handicap been placed on our "Within the next five years we need evangelistic work by government. au- to employ at least 300 more men and thorities. Our evangelists have been 100 women, to train some of our unfew and we have the more appreciated trained teachers, to replace inferior Tabriz Station's loan of the services workers with better ones. Not to do of Rabi Yosip Sayad for a few months. so means one of two things: Either The :field needs one good Moslem evan- we shall receive adherents and not gelist in the city and several evan- teach them, with the consequence that we should have an ignorant, semi-
NEWS PROM MANY LANDS
heathen Church. or else we must re- brance of that life of loving service fuse to receive them. In that case the had remained with the Moslem and Roman Catholics would accept them, help-ed him to understand something and would dominate the whole situa- of the greater love of Christ.
tion and lead away some of our -The Wayfarer.
immature Christians. At present we have only one European man mission- SIAM ary engaged in educational work, but SiaDlese Graduates to Teach our organization calls for at least five. I N 1922 the Prince Royal's College In 1899 there were seventeen Euro- at Chiengmai, Siam, sent two of its pean missionaries in the field; today first graduates to Manila, P. I., for a there are only four, and the number year's study preparatory to teaching of adherents has risen from 15,000 to in their Alma Mater. Rev. William 70,000. " Harris,. Principal of the College, New Oollege in South India writes, in the Presbyterian Magazine: "This was an expensive proposition; T HE Christian College which has we had to raise privately $800 apiece been opened at Alwaye is likely to for this adventure, including travel, prove a great strength to the Church board, tuition and clothing; and, you in Travancore. Hitherto any Chris- may be sure, we were anxious to know tians who wanted nniversity education how the thing would pan out Well, have had to go to the government col- the lads haye returned wearing the lege which is' Hindu. The Rev. W. same sized hat they went in, and hav- E. S. Rolland, Principal of the C. M. ing gained enormously in their out- S. college at Kottayam, is to lecture look on life, and their desire and at Alwaye, but the staff consists abilitv for service. I don't think the chiefly of Indian Christians from the school ever made a better investment. "
Madras Christian College. The Bishop in Travancore (Dr. C. H. Gill) writes CHINA of them thus; "The Alwaye Teaching Agreement on Wei-hai-wei Fellowship is the finest product of the THE draft agreement negotiated at Indian Church that I have seen. It Peking between the British and stands for the will and ability of sons Chinese Governments for the return of India to do something themselves of Wei-hai-wei by the former to the on a large scale for the Kingdom of latter provides for a Chinese adminis- Christ in India." tration with.a reservation of certain The Mosle:m's MeDlory privileges by Great Britain for the benefit of the British Navy. The AMISSIONARY had been telling a principal features of the agreement as group of people in India about received by the State' Department fol- Christ and His great love, when a low: The British Government agrees Moslem man stood up and said: "I to hand over the administration of have seen that sort of man … He waR I,iu-kung-tao to China, in return for a strange man. When people did which the Chinese Government wiII wrong to him, he did good to them. give precedence to the British NaVY He looked after sick folk, and every- and allow it to use a suitable anchor- body who was in trouble. Many of age for a certain period, which may them had neyer had such a friend as be extended by mutual agreement.
he was. He used to take long journeys T~iu-kung-tao Island shall not be used in the broiling sun to help them. He as a trading port nor as a foreign was just what you said." What did settlement, and it shall be under the the Moslem mean '/ It seems that some control of the Chinese Navy to be used years before in a place five hundred as a naval station. The Wei-hai-wei miles away, he had noticed the life leasehold on the mainland will be re- of a missionary doctor. A remem- turned to the Chinese Government,
but a small portion will be reserved mittee, with headquarters in Peking.
for trade and residential purposes and At a pubLic meeting in Kuling in city quarters will be established. The August the following resolutions were area will be administered by Chinese adopted: offieials appointed bi'the Central Gov- "WHER.EAS, the cultivation, use, and trade ernment. The Chmese Government in opium, its derivatives, and allied drugs will continue to enforce poliee and are again assuming sllch proportions as to sanitary regulations. Chinese mari- form a deadly menace to the life of the na- tion as a whole and particularly to the time customs' officers will collect dues spiritnal life and growth of the Christian and control the port as in other trad- community, we earnestly believe that the ing ports. time has come to summon the Christian Chureh to withstand this evil in the name and power of God. We therefore make the Gifts from Missionaries following recommendations, viz.
A MERICAN Presbyterian mission- "(1) That the National Christian Coun- aries in China have themselves cil set aside a day, or days, this autumn contributed $500 Mex. to the budget when special prayer shall be offered by aU Christian congregations and Bermons of their Board. In view of the serious preached on the drug evil and its menace to deficit which that Board is facing, as the physical, moral, spiritual and national stated in the December REVIEW, the life of China, and that the National Chrismissionaries on the field passed the tian Council be requested to prepare placards and tracts giving the outstanding facts of following resolution at the meeting the drug traffic suitable for placing in the of their China Council in Shanghai: hands of all Christians, if such be not al- ready availa.ble. "Suggestions have eome from several parts of the field as to how we " (2) 'fhat all Christians honestly face the on the field may 'do our bit' toward present conditions with regard to opium, its derivatives, ilUd aWed drugs, and endeavor helping the Board in its present finan- to realize how far they are called by God cial straits. With remarkable unanimity a reduction in the native a·nd are themselves willing to face the COnwork is depreeated, and offers of per- sequences of a decided stand against this evil." -Chi,.ese Recorder.
sonal sacrifice are volunteered. It is The W. C. T. U. in China T surely a time for a careful scrutiny HE work of the Chinese National W. C. T. U. has grown rapidly of all expenditures and a checking up of all possible resources. The prayers since its first national convention in of the Council and the Missions go up January, 1922. Dr. Mary Stone, a on behalf of the Board which at this time is bearing such a tremendous Chinese Christian. as most friends of missions in China know, is the presiburden of responsibility. Is not the dent; Mrs. Renyin S. Mei the general situation, although distressing, still a secretary; Mrs. H. W. Liu the secredefinite challenge to our faith 1… At tary of the young people's branCh, this crisis, the Council and the Missions stand ready to give their hearty and Miss Faith Liu secretary of the cooperation to every effort which the editorial department. The work of the Union is directed against the use Board and the churches may make to of alcoholic liquors and tobacco. There meet the emergency which now con- are at present eight.y-two young peofronts them, and may those efforts all ple's branches in sixteen cities; of look toward an advance iu receipts these Shanghai has seventeen and Canrather than a reduction in the work." ton eleven. A special campaign at the Christians Fighting Opium end of 1922 added 380 general mem- bers and secured $750 in membership A GROWING demand is being re- fees. The W. C. T. U. in China now ported from China for determined has 6,300 members in all branches, Christian opposition to the social men- these being found in eleven provinces.
ace of opium. In the early summer The W. C. T. U. now cooperates with the National Christian Council took the International Anti-Tobacco Asso- steps to organize an Anti-Drug Com- ciation. Besides direct anti-drug work
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
the Chinese National W. C. T. U. has A Christian Mongol several other interesting pieces of work. A day nursery, in which is a WAHl HURLATT, now a student kindergarten and rest rooms for chil- at Antioch College, Ohio, is a dren of workers, has been started in Mongol whose people have for cen- Shanghai; a special financial cam- turies been herdsmen. His father paign secured $3,376.64 toward its ex- owned three thousand sheep, five hunpenses. As many as 120 children at dred cattle, three hundred horses, and one time have used it. A night school a dozen camels; and the familyfor working women has also been es- grandparents, brothers, and sisters, tablished, which has an average at- and their families, fifty in all-live in tendance of forty-five. A temperance tents, and move from place to place quarterly has now b€en issued six over an area with a radius of one huntimes. During the year eighty public dred miles, in search of pasture and addresses were given to audiences ag- water for their flocks and herds. Until gregating 38,800. Sixty thousand let- he was sixteen Wahi lived on a pony's ters were also sent forth. back watching the stock. The ma- jority of merchants and gov.ernment -Chinese RecOI·de1·. officials in Mongolia are Chmese, so that the Mongols are at a great dis- Changes in Western China advantage unless some member of the family can speak and ~rite the. Chi- T HE Rev. A. A. Phillips, of the nese language. At sixteen Wahl was Church Missionary Society, Soo- sent by his grandfather to a school in retary of the. Western China Mission, Peking. Later he entered the Peking Y. 11. C. A. night-school, where he besummarizes the present po§ition there came a Christian and a general favor- ite with all who knew him. as follows: "The work of the Western His und(,1'standing of the Christian China C. M. S. Mission has grown up message gave him a new and larger vision and he moved on to Tokyo, dfourreiing'"~ the various oeriods of anti- wh€re' he met and came to know in- riots between- 1891 and 1900, timately 1,1r. and Mrs. W. R. Stewa~t, Y. M. C. A. secretaries, who took hIm the Box€r uprising in 1900, the polit- into their home, and tau~ht him Eng- lish and especially the New Testaical unrest of the years while the ment. When the Stewarts returned to America on thfir: furlough, Wahi Manchu dynasty was tottering to its came with them. lIe says that Mon- golia has three great needs-s~m€ refinal collapse in 1911, and, most un- liable means of transportatIOn, a school system, and Christia.nity. He certain and difficult of all, the twelve wants to return to MongolIa to help meet these needs.-Christian Endeavor years of the so-called Republic. And World.
today nearly the entire country, and JAPAN. CHOSEN especially Szechwan, is suffering an Earthquake Losses unimaginable amount of killing, loot- ON Sept€mber 29th Rev. W. E. Tow- son, of the M. E. Church South, ing, kidnapping, extortion, and every wrote from Kyoto: "The Home ~e partment of the Government has ISform of oppression. We have wit- sued the following total figures as a result of the latest investigations: nessed the change in the attitude of 'Afflicted population, 2,385,500; houses burned, 350,186; houses colthe people towards us, from that which was implied in the epithet' for- eign devils,' so freely used in former years, to the confidence reposed III us as educators of their children, leaders in social enterprise, almoners of funds for relief of distress, mediators be- tween contending armies, and as those whose word may be relied upon, and whose help will be giv€n readily in all good causes. Better still, we have seen the Chinese Christians, formerly reviled as 'eaters of foreign religion'
and 'slaves of foreigners,' now gen- erallv recognized as worthy citizens- men 'and women who may b€ trusted."
lapsed, 59',843; houses partially col- since the days of the war. Some of lapsed, 69,223; killed, 77,831; injured, the non-Christian leaders are calling 103,100; missing, 42,545.' Terrible the nation to repentance." as is – the total of the dead, it will probably be considerably increased in Further Reports from Tokyo the final report. The 'missing' ones include those who were buried under T HE following messages received in houses that fell and were afterwards England from Bishop Heaslett in burned. Then, too, many of the' in- South Tokyo, give further details of jured' will die and thus help to swell the earthquake situation: "Permathe total. Today's paper states that nent reconstruction of Tokyo and the railway system of the country, South Tokyo, church and mission which is only about 10,000 miles in losses minimum quarter million length, has suffered to the extent of pounds, besides dwellings, schools, $50,000,000, while the Communiea- hospital, dispensary, missions. All tions Department, consisting of the seventeen churches lost. Over fifty postal, telegraph and telephone sys- workers including missionaries, and tems, reports its total losses as $120,- 450 Christian families, homeless, lost 000,000. The total destruction of all. Killed and wounded Christians property by the earthquake and the over 100, many missing. Impossible fires caused by it will aggregate, the calculate losses. Cannot realize gravnewspapers report, somewhere near ity and immensity of calamity. Misa total of $5,000,000,000." sion work back fifteen years. Facing winter intense physical Buffering and Preserved Lives Dedicated much mental and spiritual distress. Christians gathering courage, living REV. W. E. Towson writes from and worshipping in lean-to's made of Kyoto, Japan: "Only last night, broken timbers…… The Government October 7th, I was told this story by has earned nothing but praise for its one of Japan's most earnest and suc- handling of the situation. No one has cessful Christian workers. He and died from starvation. All have been his family had planned to be in Tokyo taken care of as far as possible.- There on the day the disastrous earthquake has been terrible suffering and loss. occurred, but were providentially hin- All that are of anv use of our churches dered. Their escape from harm, and and other buildi"llgs are being used, probable death, so impressed the older with our glad consent, for the relief daughter of the family, who had of families, with the one proviso that mapped out a musical career for her- they allow us to have some use of them self and was already at work on it, on Sundays." that she announced, at family prayers, that she had given her preserved life News from Madame Yajima to God for any field of service for whieh He wiRhed her. 'rhereupon, the ONE of the outstanding Japanese younger sister said, 'If sister does Christians, to whom the thoughts that, I will do so also.' In telling the of many in this country turned when story, the father said, 'The revival news of the earthquake came, is has already begun in my family.' Madame Kaji Yajima. Readers of the lVlany are praying that throngh the REVIEW will recall the article about earthquake and the fire the people her in the October number. On Ocwill hear the call to repentance and tober 11th Miss Halsey, the present consecration of life and service to our principal of Joshi Gakuin, the girls' Lord. The people have been greatly school in Tokyo of which Madame sobered by this terrible experience and Yajima wa!' principal for forty years, they surely needed to be, for extrava- called on the latter to carry the gift gance, luxnriousness, profHgacy and of sympathy that the Presbyterian immorality have been very rampant Board had sent in their first cable to Japan after the earthq'lake. Miss
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
Halsey writes of her visit as follows: lands has fanned into flames the eager- "This dear old lady of ninety had ness for education which the World been carried by the soldiers in a litter War had kindled in tbose countries, Qut to one of the suburbs and she very so long stagnating in an apparently politely said that it was the finest ride contented ignorance. The contact that she had ever had. She lost her with Western civilization brought hom-e and the office of the W. C. T. U. th-em by the war awakened this desire Now she is living in the bakery of the to know; the coming of national in- Rescue Home. I assured her that it dependence has faced them with the is a most appropriate place for one absolute necessity of it. Native lead- who has spent her life in telling ers must be trained. They must have others of the Bread of Life. She all of the learning held by the leaders wished me to say ''l'hank you' for of the Western world, with whom th-ey your kindness to her." have suddenly seemed to be thrust on terms of eqnality. And the only A Korean Boy Soul-Winner sources of that education are Western F OSTER K. GAMBLE writes in colleges. As a consequence, the Amer- The Korea ,"'fission Field: "On a ican University at Cairo has taken on recent country trip, in a village far an importance in their -eyes which we out in the mountains, I met a boy could not have hoped for a decade eleven years old and was told an inter- ago. We have been able to accept only esting story of his work. Less than one third of the students who have two years ago a group of believers applied to us for admisS!ion. We enwas gathered at Twee-tooroo through rolled only 200 of them this past year, the work of the preaching band. Se- but that means reaching into 200 of vere pers'!'cution resulted in increasing the most inHuential families of all the faithfulness of those who had Egypt; and we hope that through undertaken to follow Christ, and there extension lectures this coming year, are now {tbout seventy in regular at- we shaH penE'trate into hundreds more of these homes." 'fhat the way is not tendance. A church building has been all clear, however. is evident from an erected and a school opened. Among article in a leading Moslem newspaper those who attended the school and in Cairo, calling the University sharpchurch is one boy who lives in another ly to task for requiring Mohammedan village two miles away. For months students to attend daily chapel sel'Vhe was th" only one in the village who made any profession of Christi- ices.
anity, and many made light of him.
He never wavered, but was regular at A Christian Headman school and church. and constantly R EV. C. A. CHAZEAUD, who has told his parents and others that they been engaged in evangelistic work too should become Christians. Through under the American Presbyterian the boy's entreaties the father and Board in· tbe Cameronn since 1921, mother have now done so, and all are writes from Elat: "At Ewon, out happy in their new faith. Who from Elat. in the Ntoumou country, where the evangelist has been at work knows but that there is a career of only five months, there is an audience great usefulness in the Church before of ·SOO at the meetings. Th-ey come this bright, earnest boy?"
AFRICA from far and near to hear the words The Opportunity in Cairo of God. Manv new converts were ex- amined and se~eral were admitted into D R. CHARIJES R. WATSON, pres- the first vear catechumen class. The ident of the American University headman' of the town, husband of in Cairo, rec'€lltly said of the oppor- many wives, who has been invested by tunity before the institution: "The the Government of Gabon with a very nationalistic Ulovement in Moslem far-reaching influence and authority,
has lately become a Christian. Ela ANew Station in Cameronn .Nka has I?ut ~way all his wives except MERICAN Presbyterian missionone. Thls wlfe and also two of his . . aries in the Cameroun are emphachildren have become Christians. A slzmg the strategic importance of house of God has been started and Yaounde, the newest mission station meantime meetings are conducted in "Since its establishment as the capitai the headman's big palaver house. Ela of the Cameroun it has become more has shown his earnestness and zeal and more a center of traffic. With the for the things of God by going about French government headquarters as the co~ntry s~bject to his authority, !he center, the population has greatly collectmg febshes of every descrip- mcreased and a steady stream of tion, including human skulls and traders from the coast and the interior bones. He was very proud to show us bring a varied life to the town. The these trophies which filled seV'€ral position of Yaounde as the center baskets lined along the sides of the from which will soon radiate roads in large room assigned to us as sleeping all directions, will enable the Chrisquarters in his new house." tian workers to reach fields that have never before been touched with the Mission Fleet for Congo Gospel-an opportunity greater than h~s .been oered by any of the other ~~NOT every foreign mission board, " mISSIOn stations."-The Continent. says The Continent, "can boast ISLANDS OF THE SEA of so large and so well equipped a fleet of boats as the Disciples of Christ Chaos in New Hebrides now have for their African work. The Disciple missionaries have to travel ARECENT cablegram from Mellong distances by the great Congo bourne, quoted in the Anti-Slav- River and its tributaries, and for ery Reporter and Aborigines' Friend, many years such travel was done stated that the conditions in the New under the blazing African sun in Hebrides under the Condominium crude dug-out log canoes. For the were growing steadily worse, and that past fourteen years the mission has the situation was intolerable. Alcohol had a ~hip of forty tons, the Oregon, is prohibited, but the natiV'€s get drunk and a lIttle motor launch, the Marion, on French spirits. ' 'Firearms and but last February contracts were let ammunition are barred by treaty, but for two 57-feet sternwheel steamers to natives kill one another with such ply up and down the river and carry weapons. Women are an open shame the Gospel to tribes that hitherto the on French plantations, justice is dead, missionaries have been unable to and every effort for the good and inreach. The new boats, which are ex- dependence of the natives is thwartpected to be ready before the end of ed. " The Presbyterian General Asthe year, are the Illinois and the Mis- sembly in Victoria have protested to souri, each named for the state that is Government against the Condominium providing the $10,000 necessary for administration. The British Governtheir construction. Each boat con- ment replied that "the representatains two cabins,. shower bath, toilet, tions are being considered," and it galley stove, foldmg tables, four seat- hopes that the conditions will be more berths, lights and all fittings, and satisfactory when the Joint Court every window is provided not only again begins work. "But we fear," with glass but with copper screening says the editor, "that this is little against the mosquitoes and the tsetse more than a pious hope in a situation fiies that carry sleeping sickness. which under present conditions seems Every part is built for service and yet nearly hopeless." with the utmost economy, and the Illinois is also provided wit.h a dispensary."
LmRARY0_' ~.. THE ·iRHi· iRki" ·LI"UO
.
~ iAki· '" ova·………….. "
China-Yesterday and Today. By Prof. E. sionary enterprise in China. 'fhe au- thor, being engaged in promoting the T. Williams. IUus. and Map. 8vo. 613 interests of the British-American pp. Thomas Y. Crowell. New York. Tobacco Company in China, felt a 1913. de~ire to visit the ancient eapital, HSI-an Pu, where was located the Nes- China is so vast a country that torian Monument, dated A. D. 781. He not only saw the stele, but had it many volumes cannot exhaust the dis- secretly duplicated on the very ground, using the same grade of stone cussion of its peoples, the cities, coun- and copying the inscription as accur- ately as a "squeeze" could make it try>. customs, history, learning, possible. As the reviewer has another "squeeze" of the inscription and rehglOn, politics and possibilities. Dr. writes less than 500 feet from a plaster facsimile of Dr. Holm's replica, he "¥illiams, formerly a resident of gladly recognizes. the accuracy of the work done under his direction. Dr. China, and now professor of Oriental Holm wisely chose the translation of the Sinologue, Alexander Wylie, and Languages and Iliterature in the Uni- of Professor Sael,i, whose "Nestorian Monument in China" is the standard versity of California, has given in this volume on the subject.
single volume an unusnally compre- The account of the author's travels hensive, iniorming and readable de- ~cri"ption of Qhina and its history, its mstItutions and customs, its govern- rmeleingtionasn,ditsinfdoursetirgines~elitastioentshiacns and d re- cent changes.
One marvels that so much informa- tion is condensed into such limited spac~ v:rithout squeezing out the life, the mCldents and concrete facts that make it interesting reading. The through inland China, his dealings with the people and the many diffiauthor does not treat largely of Chris- culties encountered as he brought the tian missions but he acknowledges. the monument to completion and then had debt of China to Christian education and ideals and he shows the condi- it conveyed to the steamer is most tions under which the missionaries interesting, but the narrative suffers work and the need for their work. from the too common weakness of Perhaps the most serious omission is travelers who regard the" natives" as the failure to recognize the influence proper material for flogging with a of Chinese Christians in the making over of China. This volume is valu- Cossack whip, and whose idea of able collateral reading for mission Eelicity is a table filled with abundant study classes on China. supplies of liquor at some club or rne0rch:mt.'sh residence. My Nestorian Adventure in China. maBpy. Frits Holm, LL.D., D.C.L. IlIus., ne WIS es that the volume might have included some further account of 335 pp. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company. $3.50. 1923. the early efforts of Nestorian Chris- Dr. Holm has rendered archlEology tians in the ancient capital, and the and Christianity a great service in later disappearance of their form of sccuring a replica of the most ex- Christianity from the Empire. This tended Christian monument of Asia, ultimate failure seems from the in- first exhibiting it for years in New scription to have been due in part to York and finally sending it to Rome the withholding of important Chris- where it stands in the Ilateran as one tian truth from the public, if not from of the greatest proofs of early mis- their converts. H. P. B.
75
New Lanterns in Old China. Theodora conduct of schools; the opening of a second station at Safed, perhaps "the Marshall Ingli&. 175 pp. New York. city set upon a hill that cannot be hid"; the spiritual clinics of the phy- J<'leming H. Revell Company. $1.25. 1923. sician, so typically set forth; the ad- venturous work afield among the A doctor's wife, whose hospital was Bedouin Arabs; the "dead tired" section, when the Doctor wrote: "The in Peking, tells these thirteen stories, work is very hard, and so is the field, and one is apt to become engrossed in most or them with the hospital for a the dry detail of our daily duties; but we keep pegging away"; the war background. Some are tales of the tragedy of 1914-1917; and the re- Boxer time and its persecution of Christians and all enter into the life of the Chinese. The author's hus- band, Yin Tai-fu, is naturally prom- inent, and the smell and magic of his double-healing are prominent. "The Camouflaged Pill" is a fair sample of construction work beginning in 1919; these are sample chapters of the book. what any missionary doctor in China might duplicate. We wish that the Doctor Torrance never faltered nor healed Buddhist priest, made over in- feared and his dealings with Jews, as prejudiced today as in A. D. 30, were to a witness of .Jesus, were common in modeled after those of the Great Phymission hospitals. Professor Head- lana is right in commending to young sician. The secret of his wonderfully fruitful li.fe is found in these words people and their libraries this volume, with little to criticise – except its of the author: "The supreme lesson of Dr. Torrance's long experience is hardly successful attempt to make Chinese words pronounceable for Oc- that love alone will bring them to Christ. The Jew is intensely human; cidentals. H. P. B.
A Galilee Doctor: A Sketch of the Gareer he is affectionate, with the home sense of Dr. D. W. Torranee of Tiberias. By strongly developed, a man of concord W. P. LivingstonE', Illus., map, viii. 283 and peace, and he responds readily to pp. New York. George H. Doran Com- sympathy and kindness. Through pany. $2.00. 1923. love he can best be drawn to the ap- Every traveler who stops for even a few hours at this city of Herod peal of Christ." H. P. B. Antipas is struck by the plant of the United }<'ree Church of Scotland and The year Book of the Churches. Edited is sure to hear the praises of its famous by E. O. Watson. 8vo. 483 pp, $1.50. missionary, locally known ~s Trance, The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America., New York. 1923. and whose fame as a Hakim has spread over Palestine like that of the Divine This directory of religious bodie'S, Healer of Galilee nearly twenty cen- brought up-to-date, gives a statement turies ago. of history, doctrine and polity for evangelical denominations, and other While the environment of Dr. Laws religious organizations in America. of Livingstonia or of Mary Slessor of The officials, boards, periodicals, ed- Calabar cannot add color and thrills itors, educational institutions and to this story, the author makes the executives are listed under each dereader visualize the Holy IJand of to- nomination. Then follows a directory day-or rather of conditions preceding of interchurch bodies, governmental the British Mandate. The story of agencies and other social service acthis useful life includes the establish- tivities. ment of the Mission by the young 'rhe' statistics of churches, of for- Scotch doctor, sent out by the Jewish eign and home missionary work, and Mission Committee of the Free of the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. Church; the early days of hostility- for 1922, include a study of growth which never really disappeared, de- in church membership as compared spite the fact that Jewish enemies with growth in population in the United St.ates, 1890-1922. A table came and were healed of manifold dis- also shows the relative growth of eases; the establishment and difficult Roman Catholics and Protestants in Church. The real intellectual obstacle the United States from 1890 to 1922. to missionary success is not inflexi- Facts as to prohibition in the United States are given, with tables as to bility or the like, but on the contrary the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment, and the area under pro- the absence of a message. Agnostic hibition by state laws and its results. There is also included a list of impor- Modernism, whether in the Unitarian tant events in Christian Church his- Church or in the churches called tory by Dean 'V. E. Garrison of the ., evangelical," has no message; Paul, Univel'sity of Chicago. This handbook represents a large amount of on the contrary, was a missionary becareful work and is exceedingly valuable for reference. cause he had a pi€ce of "Good News"
The Apostle Paul and the Modern World. which he held to be true for all time An Examination of the Teaching of Paul in Ita Relation to Some of the Religious and for all peoples. J. G. M. Problems of Modern Life. By Francis Greenwood Peabody, Plummer 'Professor African ldylls. Rev. Donald Fraser, D.D. of Christian Morals (Emeritus) in Har- vard University. Pp. xi, and 280. Price Introduction by Jean MacKenzie. Illus. $2.50. New York: The Macmillan Com- 8vo. $1.50. Fleming H. Revell Co. New pany. 1923. York. 1923.
A greater' contrast could scarcely The author, for nearly thirty years be imagined than that which exists a missionary in Nyasaland, British between modern Unitarianism and the Central Africa, was elected last year religion of Paul. Dr. Peabody seeks Moderator of the United Free Church to bridge the gulf by an unhistorical of Scotland. He is one of the truly modernizing of the Apostle; but the great Scotch missionaries and an aueffort, despite the skill with which it is made, was doomed to failure. It is thor of unusual ability. His book quite impossible to force the Paul of the Epistles into a mould that shall has charm and humor as well as inbe acceptable to the modern" liberal" formation and inspiration. Dr. Fra- Church. What Dr. Peabody, despite ser has deep insight into the African '0' all his learning, has failed to under- mind and character, and is familiar stand is the simple fact that the real Paul had a message, which he believed with their black magic and witch docto be not m~rely useful but true. This tors. Each chapter pictures some fact places an impassable gulf between Paul on the one hand and the aspect of missionary life or describes agnostic pragmatism of the modern vividly the church or the African. liberal Church on the other. Dr, Fraser speaks for other mission- 'I'he way in which Dr.' Peabody al- aries in Africa when he discusses the lows his own predilections to color his results of his work-" If arithmetic is treatment of history appears with to be the measure of progress, who will special crassness in what he says flnd for us a table of acts of mercy 1 about missions. "Lack of flexibility," If only we had a register to record he says (p. 270), "incapacity to adapt deepening character, growing knowlone's self to environing and alien edge, faith, Christlikeness I-then we ideas, fixity of mind and condescen- would have a record, true and revealsion of mannE'r – these have been ing, of how the world is moving on, throughout all Christian history slowly perhaps and hirpling, but t.he intellectual obstacles to mission- moving on to the Light and the Image ary success." This sentence is refuted by the entire history of the of God." c. T. W.
On What Authority. By Rt. Rev. Edmund Knox, D.D. 12mo. 284 pp. $2.50 net. Longmans, Green and 00. New York. 1922.
In these days of theological dispute and uncertainty, it is refreshing to :find such a clear, sane, Biblical and constructive statement of the founda- tions of the Christian faith. The late Bishop of Manchester has writtep. a book that will apeal to thinking men and women. Bishop Knox's conclusions as to the authority of the Scrip- ent chaotic condition strikes the less tures and the deity of Christ are hopeful Westerner as unjustifiable.
conservative and scriptural. Ministers The last chapter is of special value will find much help here. to the student of Christian Missions For a New America. By Coe Hayne. 12mo. for in it Dr. Cheng, the man chosen by 173 pp. 75c and 50c. Missionary Edu· cation Mov~ment. New York. 1923. foreigners and Chinese to be the Concrete illustrations of the need Chairman of the great Conference in and the results of Christian work in America are brought together in these Shanghai, reviews in a truly masterly manner the position of the Chinese Christian Church. R. G.
very delightful home missionary Henry Martyn, Confessor of the Faith. By sketches. The author draws from the Constance E. Padwick. 12mo. 304 pp.
life and work of individuals he has $1.50. Geo. H. Doran Co., New York and Student Christian Movement, London. met in rural communities, in cities, 1923. among the foreign born, the Indians, The aim of these brief biographies Negroes, Mexicans and in industrial is rather to give a fresh interpretacenters. There are helpful sugges- tion and a richer understanding of tions for study and discussion, ques- the life and work of great missiontions and supplementary reading. The arie's. In this biography of Henry chapters also are suitable for reading Martyn we have depicted in succesaloud in missionary circles. sion the Calcutta of the Nabobs to Directory of Protestant Missions in China. give the Indian setting of the story; $1.15 (map 25c). Kwang Haueh Pub· the preparation of the future missionlishing House. Shangha.:i. 1923. ary from his early life and schooling This new edition of the very useful in Cornwall, through his under- annual directory lists eighty Protes- graduate days at Cambridge, his contant missionary agencies in China version consequent on his father's with five thousand missionaries. These death, to his Fellowship of St. John's are arranged alphabetically, by sta- and his curacy with Charles Simeon, tions and by societies. The map shows until we arrive at the circumstances the centers occupied by missionaries that led to the call to India. Then we (indicating the approximate number are given his love story; the account of of foreign workers in each center), his nine months' voyage to India; we the one thousand or more unoccupied see him at Calcutta, Dinapore and cities, the rivers, railways, canals and Cawnpore. He appears before us in his trade routes. strenuous studies and work as a lin- China Today Through Chinese Eyes. Dr. guist, with the charge of translating the New Testament into Hindostani T. T. Lew, Prof. Hu Shih, Prof. Y. Y. and of supervising the translations Tsu, Dr. Cheng Ching Yi. 144 pp. $1.25. into Persian and Arabic. In the mat- George H. Doran 00. New York. 1923.
Four Chinese who stand out today ter of linguistic attainment he stands as among the foremost among the brilliant minds in the Far East have as a high ideal to all who would follow written these seven thoughtful, well- him in missionary work. Then folwritten chapters on as many vital low an a~count of his journey to problems which now face rapidly Shiraz, a chapter entitled "A year changing China. The book enables among the Doctors" (of Persia) and finally a chapter on Martyn as Travthe reader literally to see through Chinese eyes. To the student of eler, ending with the vivid scene of his last hours at Tokat.
China and her present complicated In this Henry Martyn will be more problems it is invaluable. The key than ever a recruiter of missionaries, note is "Renaissance." Extreme op- especially to the Mohammedan field, timism characterizes most of the and a source of continual inspiration artic:les, which in view of China's pres- to those-already in this field. P. S. The Religion of Lower Races: As nlus- Moslem and Christian Press in all trated by the African Bantu. By Edwin Mohammedan countries." And it is W. Smith. 7%x5. Pp. xiv Blld 82. $1.00. not a superficial view of the subject, The Macmillan Co. New Ymk. 1923. as the manv names of workers in Mos- lem fields, found on pp. 281-83, abun- " The World's Living Religions" dantly suggest. Weare glad to look Series is prepared under the direction of the Board of Missionary Prep- into the faces of twelve of the number aration of North America. Its aim is at p. 34. Authority, wideness of into furnish students and missionary vestigation, combination of forces in candidates in particular with accur- personal consultation, excellent editoate, trustworthy, brief and popular rial work, differentiate the volume presentations of the actual religious from any preceding volume even relife of each great region of the non- motely treating the subject. We con- Christian world; but if this volume, gratulate the Committee and its Chairwhich is the first of the Series, is a man Dr. C. H. Patton, upon this fore· prophecy of those which are to come, rnnner of what ought to be a series of busy pastors and leaders of mission~ similar surveys of Christian Literaary study classes are likely to find ture in great religious areas of the them even more useful. non-Christian world.
Mr. Smith, son of a South African Naturally the volume partakes more missionary, worked for seventeen or less of an enumeration of works in years as a Primitive Methodist mis- various hmguages, classed by geosionary among the Baila, on the Kafue graphical areas. The average reader River, some two hundred miles north will not attempt to read the many lists of the Victoria Falls (Zambesi). That throughout. Indeed, the work is not he is of the open-eyed variety is mani- especially intended for him, but rathfest from 'l'ke !la-speaking Peoples,'IF er for missionaries and others who nine-tenths of which is from his pen; are studying the distribution and and his culture is vouched for by his character of the printed page for the recent appointment as Literary Superintendent of the British and For- enlightenment and conversion of our eign Bible Society. widely scattered 234,814,989 brothers The Raligion of Lower Races deals with the whole of Bantu Africa. Its and sisters of thfl Moslem faith. They ten compact and readable chapters, which can be easily covered at a sit- are listed under 106 countries on pp. ting, outline Bantu religion, with its twin foci of magic and the cult of the 292-95. For these students of the dead, and close with valuable advice concerning the Christian approach to subject, what better method of presdevotees of this religion; the result of ripe experience, prolonged study, ~ntat~on could be devised 1 Not only and a steady determination to enter into the feelings of others. w. c. w. III POlllt of concrete mention of books I and less ambitious works, but espe- Christian Literature in Moslem Lands. Pre: cially in the many diagrams andmaps, pared by a Committee Appointed by the Committee of Reference and Counsel of they and all others gain impressions the Foreign Mi.sious Conference of North Am.erica Bnd the Committee of Social and through eyegate which no end of let- Religious Surveys. IUus. maps, 306 pp. New York: George H. DorBll Co'. $3.50. ter press could impart. The superb 1923. half-tones add greatly to this aspect This volume carries out with some degree of fulness the claims of its sub- o~ the volume. Its division into spe- title, " A study of the activities of the CIally marked paragraphs is most com- *See article on riA Study ot Souls in Central Africa" in our January number. mendable; anything can be found at a glance. H. P. B.
The Children's Bible. Edited by Henry A. Sherman and Charles Foster Kent. nlns. Large 8vo. 329 pp. $3.50'. Charles Scribner's Sons. New Y(}rk. 1922.
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The Missionary Review of the World — February 1898
CHl'RCH AND CONGREGATION OF THE SOUTH GATE, SHANGHAI
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOl.. XXI. No.2.-0ld Series.-FEBRUARY-VoL. XI. No.2.-New Series.
SPIRI~UAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY.- THE CULTURE OF 'rHE GRACE OJ!' GIVING.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
Paul has apparently rescued from oblivion a logion of the Lord Jesus, more valuable than any of those over which Egyptologists have lately made so much ado: "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ' IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.''' t This priceless oracle seems to be one of those sayings, handed down by tradition, but not embodied in the Gospel narratives. Its unique value largely consists in this, that it lifts giving to its highest plane, and crowns it as the true secret of the most exalted blessing to the giver himself.
Nothing needs reconstruction more than modern giving; in fact, the reconstruction must be a revolution, for the whole basis is wrong. A great German, in a clever epigram, contrasts Socialism and Christianity thus: the former says, "What is thine is mine"; the latter, "What is mine is thine." But as the late Dr. R W. Dale said, "The epigram itself needs correction. Christianity really teaches us to say, , What seems thine is not thine, what seems mine is not mine. Whatever thou or I have belongs to God; and you and I must use what we have according to His will.'''
This is the essence of that sublime truth everywhere taught in Scriptnre: God's inalienable ownership)' man's nndeniable stewardship. This is the one corner-stone of the whole Biblical system of giving; and because it is practically denied or virtually obsolete, WE' ne~d to begin at the beginning, if we are to have a new and a true system in the Christian use of money.
So fundamental is this grace in all holy living and holy serving, that whenever and wherever there is spiritual advance, the standard , • This periodical adopts the Orthography of the following Rule, recommended by the joint action of the American Philological Association and the Philological Society of England :-Change d or ed final to t when so pronounced, except when the e affects a preceding sound.-PIIBLISHERS.
t Acts xx. : 35.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY. [February·
of giving is sure to become more worthy of God's people. When Oarey sounded the bugle call for a new crusade of missions a century ago, one of the first signs of a response was found in the thirteen pounds two shillings and sixpence, laid on God's altar in Widow Wallis' parlor at Kettering on that memorable October day in 1792. And" Oarey's penny," the systematic weekly offering, was the re90gnition of the need of a regular, stated, habitual setting apart of the Lord's portion. From that day to this the matter of giving has been one of the three most perplexing problems of our church life: praying, going, giving, being the three.
Many have been the attempts at solution. Most prominent, perhaps, has been the emphasis laid on the tithe system, which has the grand ad vantage of being of God's own original appointment. – Of this, with all its merits, we can only confess, first, that it is much misunderstood; second, that it belongs to law rather than grace, and third, that it fails to answer the demands of Ohristian equity. Oommonly, the titlie, or tenth, is supposed to have satisfied God's claims and man's needs. In fact, the Jewish tithe repreAented not the maximum but the minimum; and he who carefully studies the whole Jewish economy, will find that in some years the actual proportion given to the Lord's purposes roocht two-fifths, if not three-fifths, of the faithful believer's income. Again, the dispensation of grace teaches us a new and blessed ownership of ourselves by God, as redeemed, regenerated, spirit-filled saints, which includes all we have and are. Under this new order the Sabbath is not less God's time, but all days become Sabbatic; the tithe is not less His, but all our money is to be spent for His uses; and all things and all work become part of a consecrated life for His glory. Moreover, while the tithe may be a fair proportion for a poor saint, it is manifestly out of all proportion for the rich, for our giving is, in equity, to be estimated not by what is given, but by what is kept.
Another prominent plan has been the more apostolic way of laying by in store, weekly, or at stated times, according as God has prospered us, not a fixt sum or proportion, but a variable amount, depending on ability at the time. This has many advantages, most obviously the tendency conscientiously to weigh and prayerfully consider what duty is, and how the measure of obligation varies with increasing prosperity. 'l'he obvious defect is the lack of uniform supplies for the work of God, and the risk of too flexible a conscience in the estimate of one's real ability.
In some quarters much emphasis has been laid on a stated season of special restraint upon appetite and other indulgenc6s, as in the "self-denial week," which has yielded such large returns to various benevolent enterprises. But we must candidly admit that there is no Scripture warrant for a method so spasmodic and sentimental. ']'he
THE CULTURE OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
danger is, that after the special "lenten" season is over, indulgence may run riot, as tho there were some new right acquired to pleasure by the self-imposed restraints.
The various individual schemes for promoting true giving we can only mention, since they have so limited a range of experiment. We know some few who devote to the Lord's purposes, pound for ponnd, or dollar for dollar, an equal amouut to that expended for self. Equitable indeed it seems, to make God the partner who shares alike with ourselves in all the outgo of property. But is not this implying, at least, that the half we spend on ourselves is not His, and that the moiety we hand over to Him equalizes all claims? A very few Christians have limited their accumulations or expenditures to what they deem a reasonable sum, and put the whole remainder at the Lord's disposal-a high example of giving, indeed, in contrast with the low level of most saints. But of these and all other methods, more or less current, the question still arises, and will not down at our bidding: Is this God's standard of giving? We feel forced· to look at this grave matter solely in the searching light of the will and words of God. We have come to accept a method-and still worse a notion of giving, which begins in an issue with the universal Owner. We count what we have our own, not His. We think of ourselves as owners, proprietors, not stewards and trustees. We satisfy ourselves with setting aside the Lord's portion, and consider ourselves entitled to determine what that portion is, and treat the rest as our own, to do as we will with it. Hence comes that avaricious hoarding and selfindulgent spending, which are supposed to be legitimate; and that tardy atonement found in the "munificent bequests;' of which Shaftesbury was wont to speak with such contempt, as tho there could be any real munificence in giving- away what one can no longer use, or even keep. Rightly viewed, it is questionable whether there be even such things as "munificent donations," since a "debtor," a "trustee," a "steward "-which are God's own terms for His human creatures – can not make a donation, he can only discharge a debt, fulfil a trust, execute a commission.
If this truth be drastic, it is God's medicine for the deadly disease of greed, and the fatal selfishness of which greed is only a symptom. The teaching of the blessed Word is unmistakable, and may be briefly stated under the following seven "theses," as Luther would have called them: ]. God owns all things and all creatures, and never alienates or transfers His ownership.
2. God claims us, with all we are and have, as His by creation, preservaion, redemption, and endowment.
3. God teaches us that the one goal of our lives, in every detail, is to be not our own pleasure or profit, but His glory.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
4. Every man is a debtor to all other men, to love and further their well-be'ing even as he love:; and furthers his own.
5. All we possess, being held in trust, is to be used so as to serve the highest, largest, and most lasting ends for God's glory and man's good.
6. Hence the one supreme life of light and love, duty and privilege, houor and blessing, is to lose oneself in the will of God.
7. Giving belongs to this highest plane of privilege. We multiply ourselves in our gifts, as one spring may fill many streams. No miser can be happy, for the very end of reception is impartation.
We do not need to affirm that these laws of giving belong to a code that is practically obsolete with man, yet eternally in force with God, as immutable as Himself. And we feel a conviction as deep as the roots of our being that not only missions, but every other form of work for man's uplifting and salvation, will find its chariot wheels dragging heavily, until the divine idea of giving takes the throne and shrine in our conviction, and sways its golden scepter in our lives. Every cry of retrenchment is an assault on God and an insult to His claims. Even were there the faithful bringing in of the tithes, there would always be meat in His house and boundless blessing on His people. But could His Church once awake from lethargy and rouse from apathy, and feel her debt to a dying world, and see her apostasy in the matter of witRholding what is her's only in trust for the payment of that debt, there would be a river of beneficence flowing into our various channels of Christian service which would overleap all present banks, and demand new and more adequate modes of distribution-a river to swim in.
The fact is that the ministry of money has never yet been appreciated by us. The vast power latent in consecrated wealth is Olle of the great dormant forces ot the moral universe. WeaUh belongs to the material world, but once consecrated it becomes a moral and spiritual motor, a motive power in the realm of the unseen. Out of the mammon of unrighteousness we may make friends; coining money into souls saved, and into good works done for God. Money is the lever of all good enterprises, and represents values of all sorts. It not only provides home comforts, and drives the wheels of industry, but it relieves poverty and misery, promotes education and art, is a great civilizing force, and the handmaid of evangelism. And its abuse is as mighty for evil as its use is for good; indeed, the best, perverted, always becomes the worst.
Who has any conception of the colossal fortunes held by single owners! When a well-known New Yorker died, he left, it is said, two hundred millions of dollars. If that amount were piled up in standard silver dollars, one on top of another, it would represent a column over three hundred miles high. Yet the whisky money of this nation would represent a similar column over three thousand miles high!
THE CULTURE OF THE GRACE OF dIVING
The annual income of the Duke of Westminster would itself support four thousand married missionaries with their families in the costliest fields of the Orient!
And yet, what do these giant fortunes amount to in the retrospect of a selfish life? The vast treasure of A. T. Stewart was all gone, within a decade ·of years after his decease. His body was stolen and his splendid mausoleum is empty. How few to-day rise up and call him blessed! 'fhe inventor of the fire-extinguishing apparatus, called by his name, died in a Oalifornia almshouse at seventy years of age, and that man had received $10,000 a month for royalty on his machines.
Extravagance saps the very foundation of honesty and virtue, and removes all the base-blocks of individual and family life. Decline of marriages, which was one of the chief causes of the fall of the Roman Empire, was due to the cost of living which made it too expensive for a Roman young man to marry. Thus the middle classes were crusht out-which in every nation supply its backbone. The same causes are now contributing to the ruin of two of t.he foremost nations of the earth, and they call themselves Ohristian nations too! The wedding ceremony itself is often an enormous outlay. While Ohina was appeal. ing to the world to help her starving millions in famine, the Emperor's wedding festivities wasted millions of dollars.
Modern extravagance seems to outstrip even ancient waste. An eccentric millionaire was buried not long ago in Massachusetts in a casket which cost $10,000, the funeral, as a whole, costing three times that amount. If the newspapers can be trusted, a banker's wife, in a party at the Oapital, wore a dress covered with one-hundred and fivehundred dollar bills, so as to make it appear one pattern, the waist and sleeves being thousand dollar bonds sewed in ; her fingers were ablaze with diamonds, and she wore a tiara worth $80,000, and the total value her costume represented was, it was said, about $300,000! An English ecclesiastic calls attention to recent art sales in London, where $10,000 were spent for a dessert service, and $50,000 for two rose-tinted vases. Take the single indulgence known as smoking. Nearly twenty-.five thousand smokers are now in the United States alone, and the cost of this indulgence is fifty times what the whole Ohurch of Ohrist spends on missions.
The churches-alas! lead the way in a wrong standard of expenditure. What shall we say of a well-known church that spends $3,000 a year on the choir, and averages $150 a year for foreign missions ! No wonder Bishop Ooxe found a man in his diocese who put five cents a Sunday into the church box, and $800 a season into the opera box. A millionaire could be named who gives a dollar a Sunday, but stops even this payment when he takes his annual winter excursion to the South, where he spends thousands for his own enjoyment!
Where is our zeal for God? The men of this world do not hesitate
SPIRITUAL lVIOVEMENTS 0]<' THE HALF CENTURY
to embark on an enterprise whose profits are at risk, and spend vast sums on an experiment. The ship canal projected from Bordeaux on the Atlantic, to Narbonne on the Mediterranean, would cost $130,000,- 000. When a few years ago 'a new fleet of ninety-two vessels was planned for the navy of the United States, it was expected to call for $20,000,000 a year, for fourteen years! What a work' it was to build the pyramids, employing one thousand men at a time, and occupying twenty years! The Russian war cost England alone $500,000,000. Consider what might have been done in the field of missions with that sum, which represents all that !ws been given ,in the last seventy-five years for world-wide evangelization by the whole Church!
It is a shame that we should find the most munificent givers outside of the Ohurch of Ohrist. Baron Hirsch, of Paris, recently dead, gave to the poor Russian Jews, and their fellow Hebrews in Pol::tnd, Hungary, and Austria, $10,000,000; and shortly after as much more to other charities. His benefactions are yet without a parallel in history. And this famous financier and railroad king, besides giving ten millions to Christian schools and hospitals in Europe, gave $40,000,000 to build commercial schools in the waste lands of the continent for the Jews.
One of the awful facts is that there has been a decline and decay of liberality in the churches. While the membership increast in thirty years three and a half times, there was a decided falling off in the rate of giving, and while the total of gifts increast four times, the amount given by each converted believer went down to about one-half.
God wants self-denying giving. Who can look at the Japanese temple, with its coil of rope,-larger than a ship's hawser, and weighing a ton and a half, made from the hair of Buddha's worshipers, and used to lift timbers and stones to their places in the temple building,-without feeling the rebuke implied to our self-sparing gifts? The wealth of church members in Protestant communions is, by the census, at least $10,000,000,000. Their contributions average onesixteenth of a cent for every dollar, or one dollar in about $l,uOO.
What a sacrifice of vanity was that when the women of Israel gave their metal mirrors to be melted down and recast for the laver of the holy court. As surely as the barnacles ate their way into the oak timbers of the Albatross and sank her, selfishness eats intu and destroys Ohristian character. Mr. Spurgeon had a contempt for all parsimony, and occasionally thundered anathemas against it, and again pelted it with ridicule. One morning he said of some unwilling givers that they squeezed each shilling until the queen's head was well nigh obliteratt3d. The Abbe Roux keenly remarkt, that" It is not as far from the heart to the mouth as from the mouth to the hand," meaning that m:1ny who talk generously give stingily.
On the other side of the sea I found examples of disproportionate
THE CULTURE OF THE GRACE OF GIVING. 8'1
giving very rare in this country-giving which would be thought by most people quite out of proportion to their selfish indulgence. For example: First case-A governess, out of the £100 that she earns, . keeps £50 and gives the other £50 away. Like Zaccheus, she says: "Behold, Lord, the haff of my goods I give to the poor." Second case-" One whose income is £2,000, lives on £200 and gives £1,800 away," thus parting with not only one-tenth, but with nine tenths of what is received. Third case-" Another, who earns £1,500 a year, lives on £100 and gives £1,400 away," and thus £14 out of every £15 are devoted to the claims of religion and charity. Fourth case- "Another, whose income is £8,000, lives on £250 and gives the balance away." What a balance to part with: £31 given back to God out of every £32 received from Him! Mr. Gladstone's brief eulogy of Mr. Peabody was: "One who taught us the most needful of all lessons: how a man may bea master of his fortune and not its slave." There is one lesson even more needful-namely, that we should learn that no man can assume to be the "master of a fortune OJ without virtually disputing the fact of his stewardship.
God wants consecrated capital for consecrated work. When Theresa felt the need of a hospital, she had but three farthings, but she began to build, for while" Theresa and three farthings were nothing, God and three farthings were incalculable."
God wants conscientious and systematic giving. Stonewall Jackson, on the day after the second battle of Bull's Run, in the midst of all the feverish excitement of the war, inclosed his contribution for missions, due on the Sabbath. As he could not be present, he could not neglect the offering.
If one is content to appropriate a certain proportion to benevolent work, let him be sure the proportion increases as the wealth accumulates. More than half a century ago, Nathaniel Oobb sat down in his counting-house in Boston, and wrote the following solemn covenant: "By the grace of God, I will never be worth more than fifty thousand dollars. By the grace of God, I will give one-fourth of the net profits of my business to charitable and religious uses. If I am ever worth twenty thousand dollars, I will give one-half of my net profits; if I am worth thirty thousand dollars, I will give three-fourths; and the whole after fifty thousand dollars. So help me God, or give to a more faithful steward, and set me aside."
This covenant he subscribed and adhered to with conscientious fidelity as long as he lived. On his death-bed he said to a friend, "By the grace of God, nothing else, I have been enabled, under the influence of these resolutions, to give away more than forty thousand dollars. How good the Lord has been to me!"
We should begin the ministry of money when we have but little. As the Persian proverb says:
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
"Do the little things now; So the big things shall by and by Come asking to be done."
Scriptural giving is worship, and so every worshiper of God must be one of God's givers, whether rich or poor. The mites God values as much as the millions, if they mean prayerful, and devout, and worshipful givipg. Dr. Howard Crosby used to say, "The poor man should no more omit giving, on account of his poverty, than the illiterate his praying because of his bad grammar."
It is more blessed to give than to receive. When disciples learn the true ministry of money, the privilege of giving will swallow up the obligation. To ask unbelievers for gifts to carryon God's work, or even to urge believers to give, is not God's way, and neither will be done by a church that is devout and truly consecrated. Nor will a few large givers be permitted to do all the giving, as tho it were by the amount given that the total is to be estimated.
When we understand our stewardship, we shall see that every dollar belongs to God. Dr. William Kincaid says: "A friend of mine was receiving some money at the hands of a bank officer the other day, when he noticed, depending from one of the bills, a little scarlet thread. He tried to pull it out, but found that it was woven into the very texture of the note, and could not be withdrawn. 'Ah ! ' said the banker, 'you will find that all the government bills are made so now. It is an expedient to prevent counterfeiting.' Just so Christ has woven the scarlet thread of his blood into every dollar that the Christian owns. It can not be withdrawn; it marks it as His. My brother, my sister, when you take out a government note to expend it for some needless luxury, notice the scarlet thread therein, and reflect that it belongs to Christ. How can we trifle with the pric8 of blood r"
How beautiful is the myth of Elizabeth of Hungary, the pioneer saint, martyr! How, when carrying in her robe, supplies of food for the poor, when her husband prest her to know what waE the burden she was bearing, and opened her robe, he saw only heaven's red and white roses, and was dazzled by the supernal glory of her face. In God's eyes how many of our simplest gifts for His poor are really celestial blooms, full of a holy fragrance, as the sweet smell of incense I We must be brought into such vital and habitual sympathy with God that we shall see this lost world through His eyes. That would solve every problem. We should then learn how to pray, for we shOuld share in the travail of the Son of God; we should yearn to go, for the want and woe of mankind would draw us as it drew Him; and we should find it easy to give, and correspondingly hard to keep. In harmony with God each soul will say, as Christ said: "Lo, I COME TO DO THY WILL, 0 GOD!"
WORK AMONG THE CHINESE BLIND
WORK AMONG THE OHINESE BLIND.
BY MISS C. F. GORDON CUMMING, CRIEFF, SCOTLAND.
Among the innumerable inventions of the present day, there is one, seemingly so small and simple, and produced by a worker so humble, that it is in danger of being overlookt; and yet so vast are its latent capabilities that' I have no doubt that this small acorn will, in due season, develop into a wide-spreading 'free of Life-a most valu- able handmaid to all missionary effort in those provinces of Ohina where Mandarin Chinese is spoken-that is to say, in three-fourths of the vast empire, and by a population roughly estimated at three hun- dred millions.* .
The results of this invention may be briefly summarized thus: (t) Work for the blind. (2) Work by trained blind for other blind. (3) Work by the blind for illiterate sighted persons.
The inventor of this simple, but valu- able, invention, Rev. William Murray, was the only son of a poor saw-miller near Glasgow, Scotland. When only about nine years of age, while too fearlessly ex- amining the machinery, his left arm was torn off, thus disabling him and prevent- ing him from following his father's occu- pation. This apparent calamity proved to be the first incident in his calling to mission work of a very remarkable nature. REV. WILLfAM H. MURRAY. As soon as he was old enough to earn his own living, he became a rural postman in the neighborhood of Glas- gow, and day by day he beguiled the tedium of his long tramps by the study of two books-the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Tes- tament in Greek-reserving part of his time for quiet prayer that God would make plain to him His holy will concerning his future life.
He soon became convinced that he must find work in some way con- nected with foreign missions, or Bible-work. Again and again he applied for employment as a colporteur of the National Bible Society of Scotland, but tho greatly attracted by the lad, the secretary feared that one so very unassuming might fail to prove successful. Thus a considerable time elapst ere his services were accepted.
Finally, in 1864, he carried his point, and was told to begin work among the foreign ships lying in the Olyde. Soon the society found that it had never had such a colporteur as the gentle lad who made * This may be an over-estimate of the extent to which this system may be used, but by slight changes it may doubtless be adapted to very nearly these numbers.-En. his way among the sailors of all nations, persuading them to purchase portions of the Scriptures in their own languages. During the seveu years of his apprenticeship as a home colporteur he carried on his own education during the winter months, by going very early to bed, and rising daily at 3 A. M. to study for the classes held from 8 till 10 A. M. at the Old College, ere commencing his long day's work of bookselling on the street or the river. In the summer months he was sent through wild districts in the Scottish Highlands, pushing his Bible cart along many a lonely, hilly tract of bleak moorland-a task which often severely taxt the strength of his one arm. All this time he was longing to be employed in carrying the Word of Life to those to whom it was as yet unknown.
At last, in 1871, he obtained his heart's desire; and was sent to North China, being located first at Chefoo, and then at Peking. The same aptitude for mastering crabbed symbols -ivhich had facilitated his study of Greek and Hebrew enabled this diligent student very quickly to acquire a sufficient knowledge of Chinese to begin his bookselling. In fact, in the first four months, he actually learned to recognize, at sight, two thousand of the bewilderingly intricate' Chinese ideographs, or written characters. Between 30,000 and 40,000 of these are to be found in the writings of Confucius, which embody practically all the learning of China. Before one can read a very simple book in Chinese, such as the Bible, he must be able to recognize at least four thousand of the ideographs. It need scarcely be said that the vast majority of the Chinese never attempt to learn to read, still less would they dream of learning to write. As in the early days of the Church, we may ask incredulously, "Have any of the rulers of the people believed?" The vast majority of Chinese converts to Christianity are quite illiterate, ·so that about 95 per cent. of the Christian men, and all of the Christian women, are unable to read, aud can pnly join in hymns which they have learned by heart. They receive instruction only as they listen to what is read or preacht in the mission churches-few, indeed, can carry home books from which to read for the edification of themselves or their neighbors. From this we can understand something of the importance of the invention of a system so very simple that the most illiterate, both blind and sighted, can learn both to read and write in less than three months-many have done so in half that time. The extraordinary simplicity of the system is due to the fact that it was evolved in two distinct stages, the first being only for the use of the blind.
There are in China a lamentable number of these blind, owing to the prevalence of leprosy, small-pox, ophthalmia, and general dirt. In the streets of all Chinese cities it is a common thing to see a dozen or more blind men or women, walking in single file, the blind leading the blind, making a hideous noise with cymbals and other discordant instruments, in order to extract infinitesimal coins from the deafened passengers or shopkeepers, who pay this tax to induce the unsightly and noisy procession to move on.
The majority of the adult blind are the most degraded of the population, but occasionally one came to Mr. Murray wishing to buy a portion of this" foreign classic of Jesus." When Mr. Murray askt, "What is the use to you of a book which you can not see to read?" . the answer was: "If I have the book, perhaps some day some one will read it to me." Mr. Murray told them how, in Europe and America, blind people were taught to read for themselves, but, naturally, he seemed to them as one that mockt. From that time, however, he never ceast to yearn for some way in which to help the blind, and made it his ceaseless prayer that he might be guided how to do it. He had need of truly God-given patience, for eight years elapst ere he arrived at a satisfactory solution, and during all that time he was ceaselessly selling, to the few who could read them, books printed in the intricate Chinese characters.
Ere leaving Scotland Mr. Murray had studied Moon's system of raised alphabetic symbols for the blind, but as musical notes can not be represented by this type, he saw that it could never satisfactorily render the amazingly fine gradations of sound which form the tones, so maddening to the foreigner seeking to learn Chinese. But in the London Mission, where he lodged, was a little girl who had been born blind, and for her books were sent from England in Braille's system of embost dots. This system expresses fine gradations of sound so clearly that the most complicated music can be written for the blind. By taking a group of six dots, and omitting one or more at a time, sixty-three symbols can be produced. By means of these can be rep- resented the twenty-four letters of the alphabet, which so accurately express the forty-one sounds of the English language, and the remainder of the sixty-three may be used to denote punctuation and musical notes. But as the Chinese have no alphabet, the first step toward a solution of the problem was when Mr. Murray realized that, altho there are over 30,000 Chinese characters, there are only four hundred and eight sounds in Mandarin Chinese-the language of about three hundred millions of the people. But Braille provides only sixty-three symbols, how then ~ould these be made to represent four hundred and eight sounds?
There was then vouchsafed to this .patient seeker after the Lord's guidance what he recognized as a divine revelation. In the broad noonday, while resting from his long morning of exhausting toil among noisy Chinese crowds, he seemed to see a great scroll outspread before him, and covered with Braille's embost dots. The thought seemed to be flasht into his mind, "]J£ake these dots represent numerals, and number the sounds." There, in a nutshell, lies the whole secret. 'fhe same group of dots, differently placed, are used to represent units, tens, and hundreds. Thus, symbols representing the numbers 1, 2, 3, °= = 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9,0, stand for units; any two of these symbols (e.g., 4 and 40), represent tens; and any three symbols (e.g., 4, 0, and 8 408), stand for hundreds. Thus it becomes a very simple thing to represent any numeral.
Mr. Murray next numbered the four hundred and eight sounds of Mandarin Chinese. 1 stands for Ah)' 2, for Ai)' 3, for Anj 10, for Chan)' 100, for'Hlwn/ 400, for Yung/ 408, for P'ou. This last sound, which is represented by the highest figure required, has a symbol as surprisingly simple as any of the others. Then, as an aid to memory, Mr. Murray arranged 408 doggerel lines, connecting the numeral with the soundsomewhat as children say: "ONE to make ready, Two to prepare; THREE to be off, FOUR to be there."
The Chinese are all gifted with very retentive memories, and they ••••••• have no difficulty in rapidly mem- I,••••• ••••••••••• .•••••• -.•.••• orizing these lines. Thenceforth they find that the touch of the ."•••,. • .,' .•••• dots representing any numeral .,.'. •••"••.•.••.,,••• instinctively suggests the corre- ..••, :' sponding sound, just as in our • ..,•••• • • own language the sight of a cer- .,••••• • tainletter of the alphabet suggests :: a certain sound.
"• Great was Mr. Murray's joy •• when his years of patient, in- . ' genions toil were thus crowned :. with success. His first four pupils were miserably poor, ignorant MR. MURRAY'S SYSTEM' OF EMBOST DOTS FOR street beggars, whom he brought THE BLIND. to his own lodgings, that he might feed and clothe them, and isolate A portion of a page from one of the Gospels. The dots are raised for the blind.
them from contaminating surroundings. But even these unpromis- ing pupils were able to read and write fluently in three months.
It was at this tirn'e (June, 1879,) that, in the course of pro- longed travels, I was compelled to visit Peking, and, by a totally unforeseen chain of circumstances, found myself the guest of Dr.
Dudgeon, of the London Mission, and heard these blind men, who had been ignorant beggars only about four months before, reading and writing fluently from any page prepared for their use in Murray's numerical type.
After my return to England other matters engrost my attention, so that it was not until the year 1886 that I came to realize that the development of this remarkable and noble work was greatly limited by the fact that Mr. Murray possest nothing beyond his salary as a colporteur. This small amount was intended only for his own maintenance, but on it he was maintaining twelve or more blind students, besides hiring a room in which they could live. This thought led me for the first time to appeal to the public for funds to enable him to extend the work. Tho the amounts contributed have never sufficed to do this on an adequate scale, they have proved sufficient to convince practical men that the system was worth developing and applying. Consequently a number of well-known men in Glasgow formed themselves into a home committee, while others in Peking, well acquainted with Mr. Murray and his work, form his very practical committee on the field.
Until about the year 1890 only Mr. Murray's work for the blind was mentioned. Then came the second -stage in what he loves to call his revelation, namely, his adaptation of the self-same system for the use of sighted persons. Some said to him, rather in " chaff," "What a privilege it is to be blind, and to learn to read and write in three months! Why don't you do something for poor sighted persons, who must needs take about six years to learn to read their own complicated ideographs, and are then far from fluent?" It then suddenly occurred to him that nothing could be more simple. He had only to make the numeral type visible by using BLACK LINES INSTEAD OF THE RAISED DOTS.
Having, with his brush and ink, prepared pages in this manner, he and a native assistant tried teaching several intelligent Chinamen, each of whom mastered the system in a few days!
But everything in China requires patience, and fully a year elapst ere he was able to get these new symbols cast in metal type ready for the printer. He then took these to his blind scholars, who were busily embossing books for the blind, and aGkt if they could tell what they were. After feeling them, the blind students at once replied: "Why. these are our symbols, but you have used lines instead of dots. Why have you done this? "
"Because you blind people are now going to print books for sighted persons, and you are going to teach them how to read! "
This is exactly what is being done, and it would be difficult to conceive of anything more infinitely pathetic. All day long blind compositors (generfl,l1y girls) are preparing column after column of this clear, simple type, and a sighted colporteur comes in the evening to print off the many hundred copies. Then the blind fingers neatly disperse the type into its compartments, and again set up new columns. Thus all the gospels, most of the epistles, many favorite hymns, and sacred literature on a very small scale have already been prepared, and a blind man or a blind woman is ready at any time to instruct any sighted pupils who are willing to be taught.
One of Mr. Murray's first test cases was a class of the oldest, most ignorant converts in Peking. To these he offered 2td (5 cents) a day all the time they were learning, if only they would try. Of course, they thought he was mad, but they were delighted to get so large a daily dole, and would fain have continued drawing it to the end of their lives. But at the end of six weeks they all came to Mr. Murray to say that they could no longer claim it, for they found, to their unspeakable surprise, that all could read and write.
The next experiment was teaching a large class of very ignorant farm women, who came from another province to study at another branch of the London Mission. One blind girl, Hannah by name, L. ~ J// was taken there with a parcel of L..J l.. '" '.. ..J books specially prepared by the .J, /~ 10 ,,- Co – blind students. In less than a week Mrs. Allardyce, wife of the 'r . .tI .. :.1' .J'l r:::: missionary, had mastered the ~, /~1I~/ C",~~'/" ":J system. Of course, she could _/ already speak Chinese fluently. "I 1..1 t.. -..1 '.,I ,, 1-"", In less than ten days Mr. Murray I r "' C – '.. ".J I I received from one of the women a perfectly written letter, without !:or ~, ,-; -10 ~ .. one error, and from another, one " ,-' _/ <, c«; of the Psalms, equally correct. <' – / .. r' I At the end of three months all [J I.. I I SYMBOLS FOR SIGHTED PERSONS IN MURRAY'S these women returned to their NUMERAL TYPE. farms, able to read anything at sight, and to write accurately. A portion of a page from the Book of Acts.
The latter power was soon put to a test. When the war with Japan broke out, Mrs. Allardyce and her sister, Miss Goode, returned to Aus- tralia, to visit their father, and, while there, they received most interesting letters from these poor farm women.
A most important point in this invention for the sighted lies in the fact that its simplicity and the various details which make it acceptable to the Chinese, are due to Mr. Murray's having been led primarily to work for the blind. Had he deliberately gone to work to invent a simple system by which to teach illiterate Chinese, he would doubtless have attempted something reproducing our curved letters of the alphabet, which are so essentially foreig~ as to be ohnox- ious to the Chinese. But the reproduction, in black lines, of Braille's symbols as arranged for blind fingers, gives square and angular forms, which appear to the Chinese to bear a family likeness to the square characters which they so greatly revere, a likeness wondrously simplified, but still suggestive. Moreover, the Chinese take kindly to numerals. They also find that these newly inven ted symboIs can easily be written with the brush and India ink to which they are accustomed.
I would fain multiply details of Mr. Murray's work-his ada12ta- tion of the same system of numerals to shorthand, for both blind and sighted; the manner in which he renovates dilapi- dated pianos and harmoniums, contriv- in g, with 'his one arm, to give them new wires and n ew leathers; how he teaches all his blind pupils both to play and to write music from dictation, so that a number of them are now acting as or- ganists at different mlSSlOn chapels.
'1'he only musical training that Mr.
Murray himself had ever received was sufficient instruction in the t on ic sol-fa system to enable him to t each in a Sun- BLIND PETER. day-school in Glasgow. Organist of the London Mlsflon and F ain would I also tell of the conver- head teacber in the school for the sion and subsequent missionary work of bUnd. Died 18!1O.
Blind Chang, of Manchuria, whose earnest preaching has led upward of fi ve hundred men t o seek baptism, in spite of all the chances of cruel persecution, HAVE FAITH IN GOD which may at any time r esult from thus openly confessing their 2 faith. I would gladly tall how the .. . . . .. 3 TANGl HSIN"" SHANG4 CHU3 first blind w()lnan who mastered 4 ••••-, •• •• the new system was t aught by a •, ••• • small blind boy, so young that he was still allowed access to the 5 •,I women's quarters. Of course, MI'. Murray could not possibly be '" 6 ( J~ , allowed to teach women, but by .7 V this means the difficulty was over- 8 "'" come. This ingenious woman .A. COMPARISON OF SYMBOLS. became the teacher of all blind girls and women, who subse- (1) English. (2) Chinese Ideographs. (8) AI · quently have ventured to come to phabetlc Chinese. (4) Nmllerieal type f or be taught.' blind (embost). (5) Numerical type f or sighted. ,6) Shorthand. (7) Some have faced almost in- Joined shorthand. (8) Short- credible difficulties to secure this hand without tone.
precious power. One blind woman persuaded her husband, another persuaded her father, to wheel her in a cumbersome wheelbarrow, from a remote mission station, all the way to Peking. In each case it was a thirty days' jonrney, in the midst of the bitterly cold winter, and across a country whose roads are practically non-existent. It needed strong faith and determination to face such difficulties as those of .the mere journey, to say nothing of residence with foreigners in a BLIND BANNAII AND ONE OF HER CLASSES OF IGNORANT FARM WOMEN.
strange city, in order to acquire their wondrous new arts. But these blind Christian women persevered, and in due season returned to their homes, not only able to read the Holy Scriptures for themselves, but competent to instruct others also both in reading and writing.* The British and Chinese Bible Society distributes throughout the Chinese Empire the Bible in classical Mandarin, 10 Oolloquial, Katmuck, Mongolian, and Tibetan languages. In 1896 some 540,000 books were printed. 366,000 books were put into circulation, of which 358,000 were sold, and 8,000 given away. The books are nearly always sold at a price to pay for the paper, and it was an indication of the remarkable progress of Christianity that 11,000 New Testaments in excellent bindings were sold.
* Those who wish may order copies of Miss Gordon Cumming's little book" Work for the Blind" (price 6d., postage 3d.), from the publishers, Messrs. Gilbert&·Rivington, Clerkenwell, London. For those who prefer giving direct help to the blind, I may mention that about £10 ($50) covers all expenses for the maintenance of one pupil for a year. Subscriptions will be gladly received by D. L. Pierson, 944 Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., whQ will forward them to the treasurer, Prof. S. M. Russell, The University, Peking, China.
'1898.] JlHSSIONARY STATISTICS
MISSIONARY STATISTICS.
BY REV. J. VAHL, NORRE-ALSLEV, DENMARK, President of the Danish Missionary Society.
During recent years much progress has been made in the science of missionary statistics, as well as in all other branches of the work of missions. This science is of comparatively recent development, and it is not strange therefore that it has no place in earlier missionary reports. The first reports in which we find extensive statistics are those of the Wesleyan Missionary Society for 1820, the Church Missionary Society for 1823, and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel for 1832.* Gradually the statistics have been made more complete, and have been given by a larger number of societies, altho some are still greatly lacking in this respect. The first statistics, which included the work of all of the evangelical missions, were, so far as we know, those publisht in London in 1861. But the anonymous author (Dr. Moister:s~ys in the preface: "So defective are the reports of some societies, and so various a,re the modes adopted by different bodies for classifying laborers, that it is not possible to gather from publisht documents even the exact number of missionary laborers now employed among the unevangelized. Still more defective and perplexing are returns found to be when an effort is made to ascertain who are male and who are female assistants from Christian lands, and who are native helpers. It would be well if some approach to uniformity were adopted by the various missions in the estimating of laborers and results. Until this is attained, all estimates, however carefully made, will be very unsatisfactory."
In 1874 a new edition of these statistics was publisht with essential emendations, and since that time missionary statistics have mane considerable progress. This is manifested by the very emendated reports of the various societies, by the statistical tables given in the reports of the large conferences in Indilit, China, Japan, etc., by the statiEtical work of Dr. E. M. BIiss,t Dr. Grundemann,t Rev. J. Vahl,§ and by workers in various countries, like Rev. H. Loomis, of Japan, and others.
But are m1'ssionary statistics ~f any use? Much can be read out of the dead figures, and it would be found difficult to express progress and decline in the different departments of missionary work without using them. But, on the other hand, one must take care not to read too much in the numbers. They speak only of quantity, not of the * In a "Larger Outlook" (Uebersicht) of the Moravian Missions of 1833 no statistics are given, but they are found in a short outlook for 183g, They also appear in the reports of the Baptist Missionary Society for 1842; Basel Mission Society for 1853; Presbyterian Board (U, S.), 1855 (perhaps earlier); London Missionary Society, 1856; Methodist Episcopal Society, 186U; Rhenish Missionary Society, 1881; American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 1882 (instead of the summaries); Paris Evangelical Missionary Society, 1887. in some of them statistics about some of the missions have been found before. The three great Presbyterian Churches of Scotland, without doubt, included them at a comparatively early date. as did the Gossner Missionary Society, the Swedish Missionary Union, and others.-J. V.
t "Encyclop",dia of Missions." t Allgemeine Missions Zeitschrift.
§ Nordisk Missiontidschrift, reprinted in " Missions to the Heathen," quality: No one, by means of them, can read how m1lny really faith- ful, efficient missionaries are to be found, how many of the native ministers, helpers, and communicants are consecrated, faithful men, or what is the proportion of true believers to. backsliders and unbelievers. But when we read that the number of native ministers in fifty years has increast from 158 to 4,018 (more than 20 fold), that the communicants have, in the last five years, increast by 200,000, and the number of Christians has increast at a rate much in excess of that of the population, and that the incomes of the societies have, on the whole, been steadily augmented, one must be a foolish and negative critic to underrate their value.
Dr. Moister deplored the DIFFICULTY OF GETTING ACCURATE INFORMATION.
There has been much progress in this direction, and yet there are some small societies, from which it is very difficult, or impossible, to secure accurate information. Especially from the Dutch societies such is generally wanting. In some reports no returns are given from some fields; here an approximate return ought to be given by the secretary, or it ought to be demanded that the missionaries report the items every year. Dr. Moister further complained that the modes of classifying the laborers are too varied and uncertain. Even now this is not at all satisfactory. Some of the societies have foreign missions, not only among the heathen, but also among Roman Catholic or Oriental Chris- tians, and some of them even among evangelical Christians.* In these cases deduction must be made in the general missionary statistics. But in the general tables of statistics, these various items ought all to be treated in the same way.
There is also a difference in the use of tlte name "missionary." Sometimes it is used to denote only the ordained missionary, whereas there may be missionaries, like Borresen and Skrefsrud among the Santals, who for many years remain unordained. The medical unordained missionaries, who also preach the Gospel, shall they not be called missionaries? Some years ago a bishop in the Universalist Mission said, that every white man employed by the mission, even as printer or artisan, did a real missionary work, and should be included under the head of missionaries. And what shall be done with the missionary planters, as in the Zambesi Industrial Mission? Again, what is meant by assistant missionaries? Sometimes these include all female missionaries, wives, and sometimes men, whose work is directed *In the reports of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel no difference is made between missions among colonists and among heathen. The words" foreign missions II are also understood in a different way, the American missionary societies understanding thereby only missions in foreign countries, and counting the missions among the heathen in the United States among home missions, whereas the missions to the heathen in British North America (in the reports of the Church Missionary Society, etc.), are put under foreign missions. The missions among the negroes in the West Indies are, in the reports of the Moravians, United Presbyterians, etc., found among the missions to the heathen, but among the Baptists, Angli· cans, and Methodists they are excluded, and named self-supporting churches, as they really are. but not supported by the society reporting the statistics. Native ministers. are also variously designated, sometimes being counted as ordained ministers, and sometimes as lay preachers. Native assistants sometimes include unpaid helpers, and sometimes even heathen teachers.
Communicants, I think, now always mean the same thing. The Leipzig Missionary Society indicates by this the number of Christians who have communicated during the year (10 persons communing 4 times gives 40 communicants), hut in the last reports there is a special note, entitled" To Communion," which gives the number of comml;lnicants in the common sense of the word. In some reports (Methodist) the communicants are called members, and in the Dutch reports they are not to be found at aIr. The word" Christian" is also used in different senses. With some it is equivalent to baptized adults and children, but with the Baptists it is the same as members. Adherents in some reports indicate* not baptized members, but catachumens, while in other reports these are either omitted or are given separately. t In the same report the sum of the items of the several countries is sometimes different from that given in the general summary.
There is another difficulty.
AN APPARENT SUDDEN DECREASE among communicants may be caused by defections to Romanism through bribery, or may be due to more severe discipline in the Church, which has caused the exclusion of some hitherto counted as Christians. Such seeming discrepancies ought always to be explained.
Thus it will be easily understood that the compilation of a uniform statistical table, which includes the work of the many societies and agencies, is a somewhat difficult task, and that every such work is necessarily imperfect. It can, however, be done with more or less success and accuracy. To get rid of some of the difficulties, it was proposed in the Continental Missionary Conference, held at Bremen, in 1893, to formulate some general rules for the statistics of the different German missionary societies. It might be a great desideratum, if some such rules for the statistics of all missionary societies could be agreed upon at the coming International Missionary Conference to be held in New York in 1900. This would be difficult, but I think that it might be done, in some respects at least.
(1) All societies should give the number of those who can be admitted to the Holy Communion.
(2) Unmarried female missionaries and wives should be given separately. .
• Baptist Missionary Society and American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
t In the A. B. C. F. M. report for 1896, p. 115, the adherents are given as 137,729, and the average congregations as 71,449. (3) The numbers of white missionaries, ordained, ullordained, and medical, should be given separately.
(4) U nordained native helpers should be distinguisht from ordain~d. (5) Only the salaried Christian helpers should be noced, altho others might be given separately. (6) Adherents should be taken to mean only baptized non-communicants, unless otherwise stated. I also deem it desirable and practicable that the work among the heathen be distingllisht from the work among the Christians, even if these were only nominal Christians and practical heathen. This should be done especially where the work is among evangelical Christians. If it were possible to prevail npon the American societies to classify the work among the Indians under the heathen, it would be desirable. It ought also to be a rule that when a mission is considered as having attained its aim it should be so indicated; for it is anomalous that in the same countries (e. g. West Indies) some missions should be put down as missions to heathen, and some as organized churches. It might also be helpful if in some Anglican colonies the work among colonists could be noted separately from the work among the natives.* Another item which should be mentioned is the income of societies. It is important to have these recorded in the yearly budget of the societies, that the statistician may see if progress has been made. From the total income is to be deducted the balance from the previous year, and the receipts from the sale of pUblications issued by the society, so that only the net income may be included in the income of the year. It would also be useful if the donations, collections, etc., were separated from the legacies and interest on investments. It would be interesting to know how much is received from the Church at home and how much from foreign countries. Some German societies receive a large proportion of their income from foreign countries.f The income from the mission field has also begun to be considerable, and ought to be noted. Sometimes it is included in the income of the society, and sometimes it is given as contribution to self-support. Then again the expenses for benevolent purposes are not always separated from those for strictly religious purposes. Gifts other than money are also not generally estimated at their pecuniary value.! It may be next to impossible that the same system should be adopted by all societies for the'tabulating of their receipts, but any move in that direction would go a great way toward making the general statistical review of all societies much more useful and trustworthy.
* This is done in the reports of the Wesleyan South African Conference and of the Dutch Church in Africa, etc. t The Moravians received at least half from this Source in 1895; the Rhenish Mission Society one-eighth (1896). The Lutheran Missionary Society Olle-sixth (1896). The Basel Missionary Society receives about half of its income from Germany.
t With the Plymouth Brethren very much is sent to the missionaries themselves which is not included in the yearly income of the society. The different Bible, tract, and religious literature societies are a great help to the missionary societies, but in the statistics of missions only their expenditure for books in the native language and for the salaries of workers among the heathen should be included in the missionary statistics. In the expenditures of the missionary societies a distinction ought also to be made (as the late Rev. Royal G. Wilder tried to do in the MISSIONARY REVIEW some years ago) between amounts expended for direct missionary work, for administration, on the outfitting of new missionaries, and for sundry expenses.
The following is a comparative statistical table, which may serve to indicate the past progress and the outlook for the future: ~~I 1820 . 1845" I 1859 1889 1895 10 ——– —– Missionaries .. 421' ':1 1,319 2,032 4,135 6,369 1 72 76 1,889 3,390 Unmarried fe- male mission- aries ……… Communicants 21,7872 51,3226 159,000 227,000 850,000 1,057,000 Native minis- ters ………. 7' ? 158 169 3,327 4,018 Native helpers. 166 8507 3,1521 5,785 41,754 61,424 Nat i v e disci- •.•• 1 252,000 864,000 pIes ……… 15,7284 102,275 I Income …….. £121,756 £226,440 £632,000 £918,000 £2,130,000 £2, 807,000 Societies …… .20· 25" 65 98 262 365 1 These statistics are not to be taken as giving a complete showing of the work of the various years, but only as a very incomplete view .thereof, the reports being both very difficult to obtain and in themselves very incomplete. But the progress is very evident, and almost every year it is to be noted in very nearlY every item. In 70 years the number of missionaries has been doubled 15 times, that of the communicants 50 times, that of the native ministers 5,100 times. The income of the societies has been increast twentyfold, and that of the societies and agencies tenfold. Could the reports of the different societies be obtained and thoroughly studied, and could the information thereby obtained be amplified from the archives of the societies. the general statistics could be made more elaborate and trustworthy; but the time and the expense necessary to accomplish this would be too great to permit of its being undertaken.
IMoravian. 83; London Missionary Society. 80; Wesleyan Missionary Society, 77; American Board. 64; Church Missionary Society. 61; Baptist Missionary Society, 34.
'Wesleyan Missionary Society, 20,711; Moravian, London Missionary Society, Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, as the others give no returns.
'SoCiety for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge. 4Very incomplete. ·From some very imperfect returns. Also 13 other societies (mostly book societies from which there are no returns). 'Wesleyan Missionary Society, 34,904; Baptist, 9,940.
~~~~ir~'ft~ ~~c~~~~:iIs.
"For 1845.1~90 vide Vahl, "Der Stand der Heidenmission in fien Jahren 1845 und 1890," Giitersloh, 1892.
IOVahl "Missions to Heathen" Copenhagen, 1890, and yearly.
THE LAND OF THE LAMAS
THE LAND OF THE LAMAS.* BY ERNEST F. NEVE, M.D., Missionary of the Church Missionary Society, India.
The original religion of Tibet, so revered by modern Theosophists, must have been a form of devil worship, but during the first century of the Christian era Buddhist missionaries went from Cashmere and converted that portion of Tibet which is now known as Ladakh. The Chinese pilgrim, Hwen Thseng, who visited Cashmere in 638, A. D., (about the time that Jerusalem was conquered by the Saracens), found the mass of the people given over to Hinduism, and the monasteries of the Buddhists were already deserted. The Mohammedan BEMIS MONASTERY, LADAKH, LESSER TIBET.
conquest of Cashmere completed the ruin of Buddhism in that province, and now the people are nearly all Moslems, altho the ruler is a Sikh or Hindu Prince. But Buddhism survived in· Ladakh, and its capital city Leh is an important center of Tibetan Buddhism.
After crossing the snowy Zoji La Pass, and descending into the hot, dry valley which leads to Kargyl, one meets with the first signs of Lamaism, about ten days' march from Srinagar, the capital of Cashmere. At Sheogol there is a little monastery perched upon the face of the cliff, 300 feet above the stream. Four miles further on there is the monastery of Mnlbek, also built upon an isolated rocky peak. Almost every village has a monastery inhabited by monks with shaven heads and red robes, who take part in services, copy manuscripts, * This paper is prepared and contributed by Dr. T. P. Hughes, of New York. carve stones, turn prayer wheels, and guide the religious life of the people. These monks are great land owners, and by lell(ling money on land securities, they make the peasants their serfs.
On the outskirts of a village there will often be noticed a Buddhist cenotaph or "chorten," in appearance like a large monument with a globular expansion, aud terminating in a point. The whole is usually whitewasht, except the top. The Buddhists burn their dead, and after the body of a deceast Lama (Buddhist priest) has been cremated, the ashes are mixt with clay, molded and stampt into small medallions with images, and are finally deposited in a cavity in one of these cenotaphs. • The people in this r egion have Mongolian features. The men wear pigtails. The women have headdresses of cloth, covered with large turquoises, and balanced ·~ by ear-Haps of lamb's wool; they wear cloaks of sheep skin, and richly colored dresses.
The monasteries are pic- turesque, irregular buildings, whitewasht and built in ter- races and with flat roofs. They are usually located on promi- nent rocks or cliffs. In the valle"y of the Sok Ohu stands the monastery of Suk Sun Dong Gong. It is percht on an isolated rock, at the foot of which -are clustered a miserable collection of mud huts. "The whole thing exemplifies well A BUDDHIST CHORTEN, LADAKH. the state of affairs in Tibet, the comfortable stately monastery in which the well-fed, well-drest, priestly monks reside,and the miserable huts occupied by the poverty- stricken peasants, soul and body the slaves of the monks, and crouching at their feet."
The Lamas object to foreign erR being allowed to enter their monasteries, possibly because they do not wish their wealth to be discovered by foreign conquerors. Occasionally, however, a foreigner may gain admittanee. On the Hoot of one (to which Dr. Neve was admitted) were rows of Hat benches for the monks. Round the walls were shelves and pigeonholes full of books and manuscripts. The rich vestments of the priests hung upon the wall, and here and there were massive copper bowls, jugs, and basins, together with the drums, cymbals, clarinets, and shawms used by the monastery band.
'rhere were wooden blocks for printing boo ks and prayer sheets. The walls and pillars were hung with tapestry, banners, and pic- tures. On a raised platform at one end of the room were rows of images, some of them eight feet high, and made of metal or of gilded or painted clay. The images and everything else about the place had a Chinese aspect. On the walls were also numerous paint- ings illustrating the Buddhist purgatory.
The prayer-cylinders or wheels of Tibet have always attracted the notice of travelers. They are about two feet high and revolve on a pivot. The prayer is either painted on the outside or is written on a piece of paper and thrust into a cavity. As the monks pass these prayer-wheels they set them in motion. Those placed outside the monasteries are kept con- stantly revolving by wind or water-power, thus causing continual petitions to be repeated without trouble to the worshipers.
The " mysteries" or " miracle plays" of the Tibet monks are exceedingly interesting and unique. 'rhe most famous of these was played at Hemis, where three hundred mouks gath- ered to participate in the ceremonies. The object of the plays or masquerades is to impress upon the people the value of priestly ini.er- cession. Maskt monks rep- A MASKT LAMA, DANCING, resent horrible de m 0 n s. Others, in monkish robes and miters, with bells and holy water and incantations, represent the holy priesthood controlling the actions of the demons. Troops of richly drest, but horribly maskt forms march around, some armed with ghastly symbols, models of human viscera, skulls, sickles, canes, hammers, swords, and instruments of torture. At one stage in the exercises they seem to be struggling for the soul of man, which is represented by a dough image. '1'he influence of the evil spirit appears only to partially restrain the incantations of the Lamas. Finally portions of the struggling sonl are given to each actor. Then the whole mystery-play closes with a procession of tiger-devils, ape-devils, and other representations of lost spirits.
The spiritual and temporal head of the Tibetan goverument is the Dalai Lama or grand Lama of Lhasa. He is supposed to come of age at eighteen, but invariably dies before he attains his majority. After death, the Dalai Lama is said once more to become incarnate in a child, and the monks go to look for .him. Assisted by divine inspiration, they finally fix upon some child who, upon reaching four years of age, is tested by being called upon to identify property belonging to the deceast Lama. When the new Dalai Lama is discovered, intimation is sent to the Emperor of China, to whom Tibet is tributary.
The population of Cashmere Tibet may be estimated at from three to four millions. Chinese Tibet, which is not open to travelers, is governed by its own chiefs, and has three or four millions more. Thus the population of Tibet must be about seven million souls.
Tibet itself is closed to Europeans, not by Chinese exclusiveness, but by the power of the Lamas, wielded like that of the Papacy in the middle ages. The Dalai Lama is sup p 0 r ted by tens of thousands of m 0 n k s, re- cruited from the people and living on them-a para- sitic g row t h which crushes all freedom of thought or ac- tion, and under the guise of as- ceticism encour- ages the vilest immorality. A LETTER FROM THE DALAI LAMA. Nothing s h 0 r t The 'outsid e wrapper is stretcht across the paper.
of a military occupation of Lhasa itself by British troops would avail to deliver the country from their yoke. Even in Ladakh the power of ~he Lamas exercises a most baneful influence.
But Tibet has been blockaded by missions plac:ed in strategic points on its frontier, so as to evangelize Tibetan traders. As a base of opera- tions on the Indian side, Sikkim and Darjeeling offBr the advantage of ready communication with Europe, but this is counterbalanced by the jealousy with which the Tibetans watch the frontier. Ladakh is, perhaps, too far west to affect Central Tibet yery decidedly, but the Moravian missionaries there are carrying on a noble work among the Tibetan traders. Christian outposts seem most likely to affect Tibet if placed on the Chinese border. An indigenous Christianity .in Upper Yunnan and Western Sczhuan would most probably spread the Gospel in the beaut.iful and populous valleys of Easter~ ~i~et.
A JOURNEY INTO TONQUIN
A JOURNEY INTO TONQUIN.* REV. WILLIAlII UPCRAFT, SZCHUAN, CHINA, Missionary of the American Baptist Missionary Union.
Among the fields yet unoccupied by the evangelical mission forces, none is more needy and, in some aspects, more promising than the great French possessions in southeastern Asia. The reconstruction which always accompanies the establishment of a new form of govern- ment among a subject people, affords an unusual opportunity for the preaching of the Gospel and its affiliated good offices. At such a time men's minds are apt to be susceptible to new truths, and the new truths are essential, if the reconstruction is to be more than skin deep.
Indo-China, the French possessions in the Orient, has been steadily increasing in extent since Cochin-China was definitely annext, over thirty years ago. It now extends from the Gnlf of Siam, and the delta of the Menam on the south and west· to the southern border of China proper on the north; and by recent treaty with England the Mekong forms its boundary in the northwest. Current interest centers about Tonquin (or Tong-king), owing to its position along the Chinese border, affording thus a convenient base from which to exploit China's western territory. .
The traveler from the north leaves Yunnan-fu (China), capital of the province of same name, in which there is a station of the China Inland Mission, and which is also the seat of the Catholic bishopric, and after nine days'travel through a picturesque but sparsely peopled country, arrives at Mengtze, where are a French consnl and officers of the Chinese Imperial Customs. Mengtze is important as the port of entry for the trade route through Tonquin. The Catholics have a mission here in charge of a French priest, who has come since the place was opened by the French authorities. The interrelation between the missionaries of "the church" and the French officials has a color of suspicion to the Chinese mind, and is thus prejudicial to the best interests of their mission work.
From Mengtze to Manhao, the little Chinese town on the Red River, is a journey of two days, and leads one from the breezy, bracing highlands of the Yunnan plateaux to the stifling, fever-laden atmos- phere of the river valley, which has proved so fatal to French and Chinese alike. The Red River rises near Tali-fn in the western part of Yunnan, and follows a devious and difficult course among the mountains, till it nears the border cif Tonquin. Here it becomes navi- gable for small Chinese boats, and at the frontier is large enough for small steamers. These connect at Yembay with other lines, and so make possible quick passage to the sea and the outer world.
In the almost insufferable inn at Manhao there was a suggestive *Also spelt Tongking and Tonkin. combination that could not fail to be noticed. By the door stood an empty coffin, while near by, on a rude straw pallet, lay a Chinese youth tossing in the fire and partial delirium of fever. At frequent intervals the host came to look upon his guest, and in forcible, oftrepeated request bade the sick man begone. "Don't stay hAre and die; get outside." And why? To die would necessitate a burial, the expense of which would fall upon the innkeeper. A question of cash anywhere will generally stifle the strivings of the Chinese not toorobust humanity.
Next day we found ourselves part cargo of a Chinese boat headed for Lao-kai, the frontier post in French territory. Besides ourselves and such other passengers as could find a place in the nm:row bO:1t, we carried tin, opium, and native medicines. Of the exports through Tonquin, tin and opium make about eighty per cent., and opium is on the increase.
About noon of the second day we came opposite to Shinfang, a little village, the last on Chinese soil, that serves as a kind of feeder to Lao-kai. A shallow, rapid stream flows into the Red River on the left bank, and is the real boundary line between the two countries. Our boat stopt at Shinfang, whence we walkt to the ferry which carried us across the boundary stream, and so we 'stood ON FRENCH TERRITORY.
A couple of reveuue officers awaited us at the ferry landing to search all passengers, an object lesson in French colonial policy.
Lao-kai is a garrison first; all other phases of its life are suoordinate to this. The little town that nestleS in the shadow of the fort exists principally to supply the needs of the military, of whom there is a large force. The fort is built about some old Chinese temples, a part of which we occupied during our stay in the place.
Across the river are the quarters of the Annamese sG.Jiers, who are brought up from the lower country for military duty along the frontier. Slim, lithe, rather under the average height of the Chinese, they have the features of the Celestials, but they lack the characteristic curiosity and impudence of their former masters. Our impression of the people at Lao-kai, which was intensified by further acquaintance, was that this people were broken in spirit, lower than the Chinese in· development, and less markt in character. The women are active, better built thlj.n the men, and seem to take a prominent part in the affairs of life. In some places they contest with the coolies for their share of the hardest of manual labor. The children were there in shoals, merry, mischievous. black-eyed urchins in every stage of undress, and in splendid harmony with their. surroundings.
The trade is mostly in the hands of the Chinese, whose influence and conduct are not for the well-being of Tonquin. From Lao-kai to Haiphong, the port of the province, is three days' journey down stream. '1'he country, for the first day, is little better than unclaimed jungle, so far as one can see, yet there must be many people there who choose to live in the retreat of the jungle rather than in the more conspicuous places by the river's bank. Such a tendency to caution has become strong in them because of past oppression. After leaving Yembay, the prospect opens out more, evidences of cultivation are seen, and every stopping place is busier than the last.
Two things are prominent-the military and the missionary. Soldiers are everywhere, apparently in every condition of disorder and neglect. "The fathers of the church" have a good hold upon the people in the lower country. One earnest, isolated man took great pleasure and pains in explaining to us the character and extent of his field and the results of his work. Later he showed us over the unfinisht cathedral. Then, seeing we did not take either wine or cigars, and much wishing to show us hospitality, he had the church bell rung that we might hear "the sound of the church-going bell," a thing quite unknown in the far land where our work lies.
Hanoi, the capital of Tonquin, is a neat, quiet city, s",anding round a little lake at the head of the delta, less than a hundred miles from the sea. The country between Hanoi and Haiphong is one large, fiat, marshy rice field, intersected everywhere by narrow, deep canals, the connecting lines for different points. The villages, em10wered in the greenest and most graceful bamboos, stand around in profusion on every hand. The local temple serves as a nucleus and attraction. The bamboo walls and brown straw thatch of the miniature houses show in admirable harmony-at a distance – the same distance generally observed by the critical globe trotter, when he writes con amoJ"c of the poetic East.
Along this open highway-the Red River valley-lies a most needy field for missionary work. Tonquin has 60,000 square miles of territory, a population of about ten millions, a stable form of government under French rule, and is within easy communication both East and West. It is probable that, owing to international jealousies and ambitions, nowhere so acute as in the Orient, an Englishman would be lookt upon with suspicion here. Such a disadvantage would not be attacht to an American citizen, and it is to them the appeal comes. It is probable that none of the organized societies are prepared to take up such a work. Shrinkage in receipts, with advance imperatively needed on fields already occupied, quite exhaust all the means at hand. But among individual Christians, with deepening convictions as to their service for Christ, free from home responsibilities, and financially able to bear the cost of their own support, Tonquin offers an inviting and urgently needy field~ The hand of God is in the opening of Asia, and the expanding
THE ISLAND OF HAINAN
rule of Western powers in these strongholds of conservatism and heathenism, is the opportunity, and therefore the obligation, for all who can respond.
France has recently added a new province or two to Tonquin, thus bringing her western frontier up to the eastern limit of British Burma. From the Burmese side the loyal and much-blest missionaries of the Baptist Missionary Union have been working since the days of Judson, and are extending their frontiers toward the sum'ising.
It remains now for some to go in at the eastern seaboard and work their way westward, till the forces of the Presbyterian Ohurch, advancing northward from Siam, the Baptist workers from the west, the Ohinese missions from the north, shall meet the workers from the Tonquin coast, and so southeastern Asia be occupied by the forces of Evangelical Ohristendom for the glory of God and the salvation of the nations there.
THE ISLAND OF HAINAN.
BY ROBERT E. SPEER, NEW YORK, Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.
The war with Japan involved the loss to Ohina of the Korean peninsula and the island of Formosa, or Tai-wan. The island of Hainan also might have gone, had it not been too far to the south, where it lies within the tropics, between the eighteenth and twentieth degrees of north latitude. It constitutes a part of the province of Kwang-tung, or Oa;nton. In Yii-lin-kang bay, on the south of the island, where there are traces of Mohammedanism in a mosque and school, the East India Company used to lay up and repair its ships a century ago. But the island had been little known and uncared for during the present century, until the French in Tonquin collided with the Chinese, and turned covetous eyes toward Hainan, which lies full across the Gulf of 'ronquin, and until Protestant missicrnaries and trade workt their way in, within the last twenty years. The open port of the island, Hoihow, is now connected with Hongkong and 'ronquin by a line of French steamers.
Hainan is the southernmost territory of China, and guards the entrance to the southern rivers. The empire understands the importance of the island, and in recent years had erected lighthouses and forts of modern construction, fitted with Krupp guns, instead of the harmless old structures, which, with exposed cannon and tumbling parapets, add greatly to the picturesqueness of Hoihow harbor.
The island is one of the largest prefectures of the Kwang-tung Province, about one hundred and fifty miles in length and one hundred miles in breadth. There are no roads, however, and the paths and trails over the mountains, in the heart of the island, are circui- tous, so that from Hoihow to Lak-loh is a twenty days' journey. The island is rich in many products, full of palm trees, and productive yearly of many thousands of pigs for the markets of Hongkong and Canton. There is no greater delicacy to the Chinese than pork. The pigs are encased in bamboo crates, each just holding one pig, and are handled like bags of grain and piled on top of each other, four and five deep, on the ships. The Chinese have solved the problem of handiing pigs tractably.
There are three or four strata of population in Hainan. The total population of the island does not exceed 1,500,000. Of these one- third are said to be Lois, who are different from the Chinese and the aboriginal tribes in the central mountains. Hainanese is the Chinese dialect spoken by the Chinese people. The Lois speak their own dia- lect. Dr. Henry supposes them to be the descendants of the Mias-tsz, who were brought long ago from the mountains of Kwang-tung and K wang-si to serve as mediators between the Chinese and the wild Le tribes or the interior. How many of these latter there are is not known, and their origin is hidden. Laos missionaries have maintained that there are sufficient resemblances of character and speech to justify the belief that there is some family relationship between these people and the Laos tribes which border on the south of Kwang-si.
There is great suspicion and dislike toward the Chinese on the part of the Les, who cling to their mountain homes, and are a rude and primi- tive people. Near Nodoa there is a large Hakka population, aggre- gating about 20,000, who speak their IIakka dialect. The Hakkas on the mainland are immigrants from northern provinces, who have never assimilated with the Cantonese, and who constitute about one- third of the population of the province. .
Protestant mission work was begun in Hainan by Mr. C. C. Jere- miassen, a Dane, who had been in the Chinese customs service, and who had withdrawn from it to give himself wholly to Christian work in the island in ISS!. He became a missionary of the Presbyterian Board in 1885, and two years later three other missionaries with their wives joined him-the Rev. F. P. Gilman, Dr. H. M. McCandless, and the Rev. J. C. Melrose, who died last summer. '1'he work at first was confined to Kiung-chow, the capital of the island, a few miles from Hoihow, and to itinerating. Mr. Jeremiassen, in 1882, made the circuit of the island on foot. Since then the field has been more fully opened up. Hoihow has been occupied and Nodoa, while Mr. Jeremiassen has resided and workt at Lak-loh, in the extr~me south of the island. At Hoihow and Nodoa hospitals have been built, a ward for infectious cases at Hoihow having been provided by the small foreign com- munity and Chinese friends, without the knowledge of the mission- aries and with expressions of warm sympathy and commendation. The first converts were baptized in 1885. '['he only church yet gathered is at Nodoa with thirty-five members. The mission numbers now fourteen, and looks forward to a thorough itineration over the whole island.
The Jesuit mission in Hainan is said to have been establisht in 1630. The work was wiped out, however, after a few generations, and was only revived in 1849. At present one Portuguese priest consti- tutes the mission. He is secretive and separate, but his predecessor met the other missionaries on kindly terms, and would even join with them in singing hymns. The road between Hoihow and Kiung-chow is one vast graveyard, containing more dead than the living popula- tion of the island. In this graveyard are the graves of two Portu- guese, who died in 1681, and of one German, who died in 1686, who probably we l' e amml.SoS.nlOg nthane.eesa. rlier Hoihow is the commercial cen- ter of the pre- f e c t u l' e . The trade flows to it and through it, but Kiung-chow is the political capital, and so the city where the Confucian .AT THE TEMPLE GATE, HOIHOW, HAINAN.
examinations are held. The corrupting influences of progress and western learning have not toucht the scholars of Hainan as yet, and they flock to the tests as in olden days. In the district examinations 3,000 students gather.
In the second year about 15,000 came from ten districts. Each third year from all of the thirteen districts, 25,000 gather. They fill the dead old city, thronging the temples and ancestral halls, and crowd into the mission chapels and dispensaries to hear the strange doctrines of the barbarians. It is not any desire for light or learning that brings them to the missionaries' preaching. The ways of old are too dear.
What we call conservatism in America is rcd radicalism compared with the adamantine, blindfolded, invincible satisfaction with the past which reigns in Hainan. Even an educated, English-speaking Chinese in the customs service at Hainan said to me: " We would like to be undisturbed, but OUr country is being cut up now just like meat.
A STRATEGIC POINT IN CHINA
The Hussians are taking the North, and the French are as bad here, making great trouble out of each little pretext. We do not want to fight. We do not want to change. IVe would like to live as our fathers did." This spirit of conservatism has led the officials to throw many obstacles in the way of the peaceful prosecution of missionary work, but these have been more or less overcome.
The people of Hainan are an unresponsive people, and the confusion of dialects and population increases this reserve and suspiciousness. They fear and distrust the French also, and different classes of the popUlation hold aloof from one another. It is not a favorable atmosphere for mission work. The Portuguese priest is greatly discouraged. '1'he Protestant missionaries, however, remember days when Hainan was awake and producing useful men, and they work patiently on in the hope that the Gospel will develop even better men than that lIai-Sui, whose memorial gateway declares that he was, "In prosperous times an upright minister," and "The purest influence of Canton." In the friendlincss of the people which they have won, their readiness to listen, the popularity of the medical work, and the openness of the whole island they find encouragement and good hope.
A STRATEGIC POINT IN CHINA.
BY REV. ARTHUR E. CLAXTON, CHUNGKING, CHINA, Missionary of the London Missionary Society.
Szchuan is important among the provinces of China for its possibilities and promise, both as a commercial and a missionary center. '1'he official estimate of the population is no less than seventy millions, or more than that of any other province.* Szchuan (meaning" four streams") is watered by four very large tributary rivers, as well as by the great Yal1g-tze-kiang. '['hese tributaries–all too large for the confines of Great Britain-are themselves fed by a multiplicity of smaller rivers and streams, so that the waterways, highly ramified and very numerous, afford the best communication possible with the ubiquitous and dense population, both for the missionary and the trader.
Chungking, the metropolis and most important city of the province, had a British resident to watch for trade openings as early as 1880, and the :Foreign Customs Service has been represented here since 1890. Tho this city is some fifteen hundred miles from the coast, and the nearest steamer service is four hundred miles distant, there is now * The London Missionary Society's annual report gives the population of the province as 62,000,000. an American, a Japanese, and a French, in addition to a British consul and his assistant; and special trade commissions from :France, from Great Britain, and from Germany are reporting to their respective conationals the result of their investigations as experts into the prospects of trade extension in Szchuan.
But it is probably not generally known that Christian missions entered the province first; the work has been steadily growing, and has now reacht such results in converts, organizations, and other evidences of well-founded solidity, that mandarins, as well as "the peopIe" are convinced that CHRISTIANITY HAS COME TO STAY.
Missions came first. This means not only the Roman Catholic propagandists, who have been in West China for two or more centuries, bu~ it means modern Protestant missions, the most fruitful and the most frequent pioneers of the advancing hosts of civilization. Chungking was first entered by the China Inland Mission in 1877. The American Methodist Episcopal Church followed in U)81, the London Missionary Society in 1888, and the Friends' Foreign Mission Association in 1890. There are also resident in Chungking agents of the National Bible Society of Scotland, and of the American Bible Society.
Chungking, while not the provincial capital of Szchuan, is the commercial center, and is likely to continue so. It is also the distributing center, and the propelling, throbbing heart which vitalizes the four great western provinces. Hence the reason for founding of missions at Chungking prior to founding them at Chentu, the provincial capital, which is 300 miles further inland. The China Inland Mission, the Canadian Methodist Mission, and the American Methodist Episcopal Church have establisht stations there, and, after being driven out temporarily by the riots of 1895, are now enjoying greater s.uccess than ever before.
Missionary work is not confined to the two chief cities of the province. In the north and northeast are many stations of the Church Missionary Society and the China Inland Mission. In the west, at important centers like Yachou, Kiating, Sueiiu, and Luchou, are missionaries of the American Baptist Missionary Union, of the China Inland, and of the Canadian Missions. The China Inland Mission is extending in the direction of the south. And this year (1897) the London Mission has begun a forward movement eastward from Chungking.
When missionaries first came to Chungking they had no choice but to rent native houses, and make the best of the risks which such abodes multiplied. Thill year the last of the dungeon-dark and damp native dwellings occupied by missionaries has been pulled down and replaced by the eleventh foreign-built house within the city walls. This in itself impresses our neighbors that Christianity has come to stay. We have also chapel and school and hospital buildings, which are by no means" monuments to still life " of missionary vitality, but are daily thronged by multitudes, who, if not appreciative in a high degree of new doctrine and the spiritual character of the work, now show a gi·eat readiness to receive the more tangible benefits which are also introduced with the Gospel. In Chungking itself, the converts, among whom are some capable voluntary workers, number about two hundred"besides inquirers-perhaps one-third of that number. Many others attend services, and are still weighing the pros and cons between their idols and New Testament teaching. Once a month the converts and adherents of the four Protestant missions in the city unite on a weekday for worship. It is then very delightful to see the numbers that come and the keen interest taken in the service, and most of all to hear the voices of our native brethren as they come forward one after another and offer a few words of exhortation or prayer.
As an instance of the reality of THE FAITH OF THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS it might be mentioned that, in order to begin our forward movement, the native members of the London Mission Church contributed from their poverty enough to rent a house for a year at a place thirty miles distant. Two of the most promising of the members accepted appointments as evangelists, and were solemnly set apart to begin systematic work there last February. They have already done well. Opposition and hostility have been quietly lived down. Preaching, book-selling, and conversation have been the chief methods nsed. But, in addition, medicines have been dispcnst occasionally, a day-school of seventeen pupils has been started and carried on, several cures of the opium habit have been effected, and an inquirer's class of candidates seeking baptism and church membership begun. This is only an example of the manner in which new stations may be multiplied, until the whole mass of this vast population is honeycombed with them. First there may be prejudice and hostility, which must be patiently overcome, but there will follow a sure, if slow, recognition that we have a "better way," and in course of time the" new station" will become a new center of propagation. The first requisite is a foreign missionary who will select and equip, and then inspire and direct native workers. 'rhere is need of native Church members who do not enter the Church simply to insure their souls for the next world, but who will be strenuous workers in this. But most of all, there must be such an outpouring of the Spirit as shall fill all the channels of Christian effort and enterprise.
HENRY M. STANLEY ON MISSIONS IN AFRICA
II.-MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT.
HENRY IV!. STANLEY ON MISSIONS IN AFRICA.
The following extracts from Mr. Stanley's valuable article in The Atlantic Monthly for October, give some idea of his opinion of mission- aries and their share in helping forward the progress of civilization in Africa. Mr. Stanley first visited the Dark Continent as a newspaper cor- respondent, and was so imprest with the awful condition, but latent pos- sibilities of the country, that he urged the sending of Christian mission- aries, and has frequently borne testimony to the noble work accomplisht by them there. He says in part: The first body to move toward Africa in answer to appeals was the Church Missionary Society, which sent five missionaries to Uganda. The honor of first mention must, therefore, be accorded the Uganda Mission, not only because it preceded the army of missionaries now at work, but for the splendid perseverance shown by its members, and the marvelous s.uccess which has crowned their efforts. The story of the Uganda Mis- sionary enterprise is an epic poem. I know of few secular enterprises, military or otherwise, deserving of greater praise. I am unable to view it with illusions, for I am familiar with the circumstances attending the long march to Uganda, the sordid pagans who harast it at every camp, the squalid details of African life, the sinister ambition of its rivals, the atmosphere of wickedness in which it labored; when I brush these thoughts aside, I picture to myself band after band of missionaries press- ing on to the goal, where they are to be wofully tried with their motto of "COURAGE AND ALWAYS FORWARD," each face imbued with the faith that, tho near to destruction, "the gates of hell shall not prevail" against them. For fifteen years after they had landed at Uganda we heard frequently of their distress; of tragedy after tragedy, of deaths by fever, of horrible persecution, the murder of their bishop, the massacre of their followers, the martyrdom of their converts, and finally of their expulsion. Still a glorious few persevered and wrestled against misfortune, and at last, after twenty years' work, their achievements have been so great, that the effect must endure.
The letter which invited this mission was written by me April 14, 1875, and was publisht the following 15th of November in the London Daily Telegraph. The editor, in commenting upon it, was almost prophetic when he said: "It may turn out that the letters which bring this strange and earnest appeal to Christendom, saved from oblivion by a chance so extraordinary, had this as their most important burden; and that Mr. Stanley may have done far more than he knew." My letter had been committed to Col. Linant de Bellefonds, who, with his entire companyof thirty-six Sudanese soldiers, was murdered by the Baris. Near the body of the colonel it was found by General Gordon, blood-stained and tattered. The care of the message from Uganda, as well as the wonderful results which followed its publication, was wholly due to another.
Eight days after the appearance of my appeal in The Telegraph the Church Missionary Society was stimulated by an offer of $25,000 to undertake the ent,erprise. A few days later the fund was increast to $75,000. In the following March the mission left England, and on the 30th day of June, 1877, while I was yet six weeks from the Atlantic
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
Ocean, the missionaries entered Uganda. For five years they labored with poor results. In the seventh year twenty-one converts partook of the Lord's Supper, and seventy-five had been baptized. In the eighth year the baptized numbered 108. After eleven years' work the mission- aries were expelled from Uganda by the young Nero, the son of King Mtesa, who had received them. In 1800 th'ey reoccupied it, and by January, 1891, the Christians here numbered 2,000. By January, 1897, Uganda contained twenty-three English Protestant clergymen, 699 native teachers, 6,005 baptized Christians, 2,591 communicants, 57,380 readers, 372 churches, and a cathedral which can hold 3,000 worshipers.
These figures do not represent the whole of what has been achieved by the missionaries, for the church of Uganda imitates the example of the parent church in England, and dispatches native missionaries to all the countries around it. Nasa in Usukuma, south of Lake Victoria, has become a center of missionary effort. In Usoga, east of the Nile, native teachers impart instruction at nine stations. Unyoro, to the north of Uganda, has been invaded by native propagandists. Toro, to the west, has been so moved that it promises to become as zealous as Uganda, and Koki witnesses the power of native eloquence and devotion to the cause. What is most noticeable among all these people around the lake is their avidity for instruction. Every scrap of old paper, the white margin of newspapers, the backs of envelopes, and parcel wrappers are eagerly secured for writing purposes. Books and stationery find ready purchasers everywhere. The number of converts has become so formidable that it would task the powers of a hundred white missionaries to organize, develop, and supervise them properly.
British Central Africa has a native population of 845,000, and covers an area of 285,900 square miles. It has sprung mainly from the reverence which Scotchmen bear the memory of Livingstone. In the year 1856 the British Government confided to Livingstone the task of opening the region about the Nyassa Lake to trade, and at the same time the universities sent out a mission under Bishop Mackenzie to avail itself of Livingstone's experience in missionary work, in which he had spent sixteen years in South Africa. The region at that time was very wild, owing to slave raids and internecine wars. Through overzeal the missionaries were soon drawn into strife with the natives, and what with native fevers and other accidents due to their ignorance of African habits, few survived long. Accordingly, Livingstone was withdrawn, and the universities' mission was transferred to Zanzibar. In 1881 Bishop Steere undertook a journey to Lake Nyassa, and being more practical than his two predecessors, saw enough to justify him in reestablishing the universities' missions in Nyassa Land. The Livingstonian Free Chut'ch Mission planted itself at Blantyre as early as 1875. The Church of Scotland Mission followed in 1876; then 'came the Dutch Reform Church in 1889, the Zambesi Industrial IHission in 1892, and the Baptist Industrial lVIission the same year. Altogether there are now thirty-six white clergy and five white women teachers, who, with 129 native teachers, conduct fifty-five schools, in which 6,000 children are taught.
The following tabulary summary may enable the reader to realize more clearly the difference between the tropical Africa of 1872–77-in which Livingstone, Cameron, and myself were the only white visitors, and which had neither mission school, church. convert, nor any trade-and the Equatorial Africa of January, 1897, exhibiting the following results:
HENltY M. STANLEY ON MISSIONS lN AFRICA•
.S … …. bll. " ~ 000"'..1=~~;.;5<>…l Name of State or Territory. :~E ~s.d.S ,.=>'00 0'; ga;:r.·>S"E"~~~ § oo~ … 0 "", ~g.g ~~…, "''' 'ig~ ·5 Q ~;<:>''<" ~>-<oo –~ ~='"~ :g~5 — $ 250,000 Uganda Protectorate……………… 68 372 97,575 $ 142,000 British East Africa……………….. 90 68 86,000 British Central Africa ……………. 289 …. 6 600 . 1,094,000 100,000 1,87'3,860 Kongo Free State ………………… 1,500 165 55 5,000 611,480 618,109 1,09"2,500 Kongo Fran~aise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 67 10,000 6,226,302 176,705 25 German East Africa ………………. 378 30 2,500 2,261,414 $4,197,174 German Kamerun ………………… 236 …. 15 2,500 2,907,500 5 900 2,419,220 — — — Total ……………………. 2,816 263 545 119,075 $15,661,916 It was only about twenty-five years ago that Monteiro said he could see no hope of the negro ever attaining to any considerable degree of civilization, and it was impossible for the white race to people his country sufficiently to enforce his civilization. Burton wrote, a few weeks before, that the negro united the incapacity of infancy with the unpliancy of age, the futility of childhood with the skepticism of the adult and the stubbornness of the old. The old Athenians employed similar language regarding all white barbarians beyond Attica, and the Roman exquisites, in the time of Claudius, as. contemptuously underrated our British ancestors. 'Ve know to·day how grossly mistaken they were.
When I think of the cathedral church of Blantyre, which, without any exaggeration, would be a credit to any provincial town of New England, and which has been built by native labor; or of the stone and brick mission buildings on the shores of Lake Tanganika; or of the extensive establishments in brick erected on the Upper Kongo by the Bangalas, who, so late as 188.1, were mere ferocious cannibals; or of the civilizedlooking town of Ujiji; or of Brazzaville's neat and picturesque aspect; or of the ship-building yards and foundries of Leopoldville, where natives have turned out forty-five steel steamers-when I contemplate such achievements, I submit that Burton and Monteiro must have been somewhat prejudiced in their views of Africa and her dark races.
Twenty-five years ago the outlook for Africa was dark indeed. Its climate was little understood, and inspired terror in the white pioneer. But to-day travelers go and return by fifties, and they have ceast to generalize in a bitter style. The white men retain kindly memories of the Africans among whom they have lived and labored, and their dearest wish is to return at the end of their furlough to the land once so dreaded. The postbags are weighted with the correspondence which they maintain with their dark friends. It is only the new and casual white who speaks of the African as a "nigger," and condemns the climate of the tropics. The whites have created valuable interests in the land; they understand the dialects of their workmen; and they know that the black who distinguishes himself in his village, by his self-taught art and industry, in fashioning his fetish god, his light canoe, his elegant assegai or sword, may be taught to turn a screw at the lathe, to rivet a boiler plate, to mold bricks, to build a stone-wall or an arch of bricks. No one now advocates, like Monceiro, the introduction of coolies, or Chinese or European "navvies," to show the native Africans how to work. There are 7,200 native navvies on the Kongo railway, and all the stone piers and long steel structures which bridge the ravines and rivers, and the gaps cleft in the rocky hills, have been made by them.
Twenty-five years ago the explorer might land on any part of east or
'MIssiONARY DiGEST DEPARTMENT
west Equatorial Africa, unquestioned by any official as to whither he was bound or what baggage he possest. To-day, at every port, there are commodious custom-houses, where he must declare the nature of his belongings, pay duties, and obtain permits for traveling. In 1872, the whole of Central Africa, from one ocean to the other, was a mere continental slave park, where the Arab slave raider and Portuguese half-caste roamed at will, and culled the choicest boys and girls, and youths of both sexes, to be driven in herds to the slave marts of Angola and Zanzibar. To-day the only Arabs in Africa, excepting some solitary traders, who observed the approach of civilization in time, are convicts, sentenced to hard labor for their cruel devastations.
Twenty-five years ago it took me eight months to reach Ujiji from the coast, whereas now it takes a caravan only three months. Up to four years ago it required five months to reach Uganda from the coast, but to-day loaded porters do the journey in less than ninety days, while bicyclists have performed the journey in twenty-one days. Fourteen years ago the voyage from Stanley Pool to Stanley Falls was made by me, in the first steamer that was floated in the Upper Kongo, in 379 hours. Now steamers accomplish the distance in 120 hours. In 1882-83 I was forty-six days going from Europe to Stanley Pool. The ordinary passenger in these times requires but twenty-five days; and two years hence the trip will take only twenty days.
Throughout the region now known as the Kongo State death raged in every form twenty-five years ago. Once a month, on an average, every village, of the hundred thousand estimated to be in the State, witnessed a fearful tragedy of one kind or another. In each case of alleged witchcraft, upon the death of a chief, a sudden fatality, the outbreak of a pest, the evil effects of debauch or gluttony, the birth of twins, a lightning stroke, a bad dream, the acquisition of property, a drought or flood, ill-luck or any mischance, native superstition demanded its victims according to savage custom. The mganda, or witch doctor, had but to proclaim his belief that expiation was necessary, and the victims were soon haled to the place of death. I should not be far wrong, if I placed these public murders at a million a year for the State, and two millions for the whole of Equatorial Africa. Added to these was the fearful waste of human life caused by intertribal war, the wholesale exterminations under such sanguinary chiefs as Mtesa, Kabba Rega, Mirambo, Nyungu, Msidi, the destructive raids of such famous slavers as Said bin Habib, Tagamoyo, Tippu-Tib, Abed bin Salim, Kilonga-Longa, and hundreds of others. In fact, every district was a battlefield, anto. every tribe was subject to decimation. I do not say that the awful slaughters resulting from native lawlessness and superstition have ceast altogether, but the 540 missions, churches, and schools, and as many little military forts that have been planted across the continent, with the aid of the steam flotillas of the Kongo and the swift cruisers which navigate the great lakes, have completely extirpated the native tyrants and the Arab freebooters; and wherever military power has establisht itself, or religion has lent a saving hand, the murderous witch-doctors can no longer practise the cruel rites of Paganism. But altho in parts of the far interior there yet remains many a habitation of cruelty awaiting the cleansing light of civilization, there is every reason for believing confidently that the time is not far distant when Africa, neglected for so long, shall as fully enjoy the blessings of freedom, peace, and prosperity as any of her sister continents.
JULIAN HAWTHORNE ON INDIA
JULIAN HAWTHORNE ON INDIA.-II.* Mr. Hawthorne's description of the famine scenes in India is so graphic and sympathetic, his insight into the situation so clear, and his tribute to the missionaries so hearty and well deserved, that we give further ex- tended extracts from his valuable and interesting reports. He continues: At Allahabad I was nearly in the center of the famine district. I sent to its address a letter of introduction to a local American missionary,t and in the morning he made his appearance. He was clean, wholesome, and hearty from the core outward. His glance was direct and clear, and his talk succinct and vigorous. Would there were more Americans like him at home; yet I was glad, for the credit of our country, to find him abroad.
"You can't see the famine at the works, or even at the poorhouse," said he; "the place to go to is the native village. I'll take you there, and show you the inside of all my work. You'll have to rough it a little, but you'll see things. We've put in all we've got; we're here for life; we're hard at work; but," he added with a cheery smile, "we're happy." We made an appointment, and he went away.
I spent the afternoon in a visit to the fort. It was not imposing, but is one of the oldest sites and most sacred places in India. I descended some steps into a pitch-dark crypt, the holy of holies of Brahmanism. Three sly and sinister-faced priests met me with servile gestures; they lighted a lamp, and backt before me along a narrow and low pas" sage underground, the smoke of the burning wick streaming in my face with a most villainous odor. The place had the appearance of a noisome, dungeon; but every foot of it was oppressively sacred. At every few paces the Brahmans paused to let me do reverence to some grimy fragment of a statuette, lurking in its little niche. After a while we seemed to have reacht the consummation of holiness. I peept into an aperture and saw the piece of a tree about four feet in length, consisting of a trunk divided into two branches; the diameter was, perhaps, nine inches. It was fitted in between the rock above and the rock below, so as to give the appearance of growing out of the latter and into the former. Behind it, in the depths of the recess, was a square hole, a foot in height, entering the thickness of the rock. What were these things? Why, this was the famous undying banyan tree; and the square hole led direct to the holy city of Benares, distant about one hundred and fifty miles. Under this tree Brahma performed his sacrifices, and through that tunnel, I suppose, the entire Hindu pantheon was wont to march and countermarch ten thousand years ago. In front of the tree was a little dish-pan for offerings, containing withered flowers and small bits of silver. Here, if anywhere on earth, the grand, historic religion of countless millions of intelligent human beings found its most glorious manifestation. Towards this stifling, stinking rat-hole the eyes of all India turned with adoration; at the feet of these sorry potsherds they bowed themselves down in their hundreds of millions, and knew the awful rapture of worship, and this section of a ten-year-old fig-tree, revealed by the flaring oil-wick of * Condenst from The Cosmopolitan.
t Rev. Rockwell Clancy, of Allahabad, is a true American and a true Christian; devoted heart and soul to his work, beloved by thousands of natives as well as by his own native con- verts, and able to account for any sums, placing every cent of it where it will do most good. Bury hini up to the neck in gold, and see how he will turn it into life and happiness. J. H.
l20. MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
the jackal.t'riests, might stand for the hub of the Brahmanical universea wooden lie, annually renewed, fitly commemorating the immemorial desecration of the name of the one true God. I came out of the pit with relief and joy, and there was the sky as pure and young as man's perversions of its teachings are false and subterranean. But I lookt abroad over the illuminable plain and saw in its helpless barrenness, peopled with skeletons, the fruits of idolatry. Visiting India makes one value Christianity.
The following day my life with the missionary at Allahabad began. We first drove to the poorhouse, which was not very different from the one at Jubbulpore. But there was no division between the sexes-the men's huts adjoined those of the women, and even skeletons retain their vicious instincts. But to imagine the squalid and forlorn carnivals that went on after night had fallen in these hovels, made one shudder.
The cry of "not enough to eat" was singularly prevalent; and in MEN AT FAMINE RELIEF WORKS DRAWN UP TO RECEIVE THEIR PAY.
By courtesy of The C08mopolitan.
proof thereof the men would gather up the handful of wrinkled skin over the place where their bellies used to be, and show us that there was nothing but skin there. Nevertheless there were other men, a noticeable minority, who lookt sleek and well-fed; and yet all alike, according to the imperturbable overseer, got their daily pound and a half of grain. When, the empty ones heard the overseer make this statement, they would turn away with a sullen, hopeless gesture. But I saw a look of deadly hatred gleam in the wolfish eyes of one of them; could he have caught the overseer alone, he would have done his best to make carrion of him. The sturdy missionary stood in a reverie for a moment, and then roused himself with a sigh. "Therp's not much I can do here," he remarkt. "If we interfere, the overseer complains to the government that we are trying to convert the people; and the government fears trouble from that. But wait till I show you my converts to-morrow, and
JULIAN HAWTHORNE ON INDIA
then say whether yon don't think Christianity is the best cnre for this kind of trouble that's been found yet."
"Travelers in India," remarkt my friend with a cheery smile, as we drove up to his house, "report us missionaries as living in luxury, waited on by troops of servants, demoralizing native simplicity by an impracticable morality, stuffing them with theological dogmas which they can't understand, forcing them to wear unsuitable and unaccustomed clothes; and that the upshot of our work is to make them hypocritically profess a faith they don't believe in in order to curry favor, and to ruin them with the vices of civilization, instead of saving them with its virtues. Well, now you have a chance to see how it is for yourself."
The household consisted of the missionary and his wife and a young lady who was assisting thepl; three or four immaculate Mohammedan servants, at wages of from one to two dollars a month; a horse and a buggy, a chapel, and, within the wall of the compound, some ranges of neat buildings for the accommodation of the native children who were supported and instructed by the mission. The family sat down thrice a day to a wholesome but Spartan meal. The husband workt with all his might from dawn to dark, and after dark in his study, helping distress, averting evil, cheering sorrow, enlightening ignorance, and praying with heart and soul to the God and Christ, who was more real to him than any earthly thing. His lovely, artless, human, holy wife, with faith like a little child, and innocent as a child, yet wise and steadfast in all that toucht her work, labored as untiringly and selflessly as her husband; and so did the other angel in the house. There were, perhaps, a hundred native children, either orphaned or deserted, who had begun to get flesh on their bones, and were busy and happy in learning to read and write their native language, and in singing hymns of praise to the new living God who loves children, meeting morning and evening in the chapel for that purpose, and to listen to stories about this God's loving dealings with His creatures, told by native Christian teachers and by the missionary himself. They also learned, for tl).e first time in their lives, what it was to live in clean, orderly rooms, and to be fed abundantly and regularly, and to be treated with steady, intelligent, and unselfish affection. These children would have died of the famine, had not the mission found and saved them. Many of them, in spite of their present good appearance, were liable to succumb at the first touch of any illness, for famine fatally saps children's constitutions; but they would be happy while they did live, and have an opportunity of discovering that there is a Divine Spirit outside of cobblestones and brass monkeys. But tho the surroundings and influences were of the loveliest Christian kind, there was no trace of that fanatic hunger for nominal converts-that blind eagerness to fasten the badge of the cross on the sleeve, whether or not it were in the heart – which has often been ascribed to missionary work. I confess that I had prepared myself to find something of the kind. But one must live with the missionaries in India in order to understand what they are doing and how they do it. From first to last during my sojourn in India I saw many native Christians. Those that I saw are a remarkable and impressive body of men and women. I was always saying to myself, "They are like the people of the Bible." Some wore European dress, others did not. Their aspect was simple, sincere, and modest.
In the torrid morning we went by rail to a village a few miles dis-
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
tanto At the station we were met by a smiling, clean, likable native, about five and thirty years of age, who at once entered into an earnest talk with the missionary. He was the local Ohristian preacher, having occupied that position for several years. As he talkt, I scrutinized him soundly for symptoms of humbug, but detected none. A number of villages, in a district covering a hundred or more square miles, are under the missionary's care, and he makes the round of them as often as possible, say, every fortnight. In this village the famine was sore. The order was that every person found starving should be brought to the nanive missionary's house, fed and ministered to, and told to come at least twice a day. Money or grain was supplied to native missionaries by the superior (my friend), and they made their accounting to him for it when he visited them. It was easy to see that the white man and the brown were on terms of complete mutual confidence and respect.
Ten minutes' walk brought us to the native's house-it was rather a somewhat extended hut. The porch, a structure of bamboo poles, covered with palm leaves, gave it a little breadth of shadow in front; within the rooms were dark, but clean. Oleanliness is one of the distinguishing marks of the homes of native Ohristians in India. There were some half-naked figures squatting on the hard, smooth earth of the yard in front of the porch. The missionary carried on conversations, first with one, then with another, translating to me as he went along what was said. The women were modestly silent, unless when questioned directly. They were very gentle and happy-looking women; the expression in their faces was quite different from that of the pagan women. Their eyes met my eyes with a soft, trustful, guileless look. They were drest in flowing garments of dull, harmonious Eastern hues, draped round the body and drawn over the head. A little apart squatted an old woman, one of the skeletons. She had been dismist from the hospital. But for the mission support she must have died. As long as she lived she could come here twice a day and be fed and gently treated. She did not know what Ohristianity was, but she knew that its effects upon her were good.
Before we left, the missionary, looking gravely and kindly upon his audience, said a few words to them, telling them who Ohrist was and what he had done, and then he prayed. It was very primitive and simple -the elements of what good a Ohristian may do to others. The native Ohristians joined devoutly and affectionately-I can not find a better word -in the prayers. Then we returned to the railway station and took the train again.
The only salvation of India, even from the economic point of view, in the opinion of those who have longest and most deeply studied it, is its Ohristianization. Hindu idolatry and Islam are the blights that are destroying the country. The paralysis of caste on the one side, and the fetters of bigotry on the other, delay civilization and obscure enlightenment. England has not fulfilled her duty to the souls of her Indian dependents; and, therefore, her administration has measurably failed to rehabilitate their minds and bodies. Let England inspire India with a veritable Ohristian faith, and nine-tenths of the present difficulties would spontaneously cease. But in order to inspire such faith, one must possess it; and England, conscientious, energetic, just, and proud of her religious history, is not a Ohristian nation, and, therefore, forfeits the measureless power for good which might otherwise be hers,
THIS GENERATION OF THE CHINESE
THIS GENERATION OF THE CHINESE.
BY REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR.
Twenty years ago the missionaries of China, assembled in general conference in Shanghai, appealed to the churches of Europe and America for more workers, in order that an effort might be made to give China the Gospel in this generation. They said, "We earnestly appeal to the whole Christian world for help to do this. It is possible: . the Church of God can do it, if she be only faithful to her great commission."
But alas, since this appeal was made, two hundred millions of Chinese have died without the Gospel!
Fourteen years ago Mr. George King wrote another appeal, based upon that of the conference, entitled, "Shall the Gospel Be Preacht to this Generation of the Chinese?" At that time Mr. King was living in the city of Si-gan-fu, a solitary witness for Christ amidst half a million of heathen; and not only so; he and his fellow-worker, Mr. Easton, who resided in Han-chung-fu, sixteen days distant, were the only witnesses for Christ among all the millions of Shen-si province. Thank God! there has been great advance since that day; now the two workers have become seventy-seven, and there are over twenty stations in the province, while about five hundred have been baptized, not a few of whom are now in the presence of the Lord.
It is impossible to estimate how many in Shen-si have heard the Gos- pel, for there has been great evangelistic activity; but this we know, that there still remain vast numbers who have never been reacht. In this province, were the missionaries equally distributed, there would only be about one worker to each county, and a missionary and his wife would find they had two counties to work. As every county has numberless towns and villages, the impossibility of reaching all without further and special reinforcement is apparent. What is true in Shen-si is a sample of the need in the other eighteen provinces.
As we wrote at the time of Mr. King's first appeal, "Whether all his plans will prove equally practicable, experience alone can decide; much will depend on the extent to which the help and cooperation of mission- aries already in the field can be secured. Unquestionably it would be better, where there is the needful zeal and fitness, for the whole time of a worker to be devoted to the work; and besides those whose own incomes would suffice for their support, thousands .of Christian men, without much self-denial, could have the joy of sustaining a laborer as their own representative in China."
The following extracts from Mr. King's appeal are interesting in this connection, and are as forcible to-day as when first penned: Shall the Gospel be preacht to this generation? That suggests the thought of other generations, for whom our preaching is too late. Oh, merciful Lord, our God, rebuke us not in Thine anger, neither chasten us in Thine hot displeasure, that we have suffered generation after generation to drift unwarned, unheeded, to destruction!
The Gospel preacht to this generation? Then there is not much time to lose if that is to be done. I can't reach them, neither can all our missionary brethren, even with the aid of our dear Chinese fellow-workers.
Seeing that to accomplish so great a work some 1,500 missionary
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
preachers would be all too few, * we .mcounter at the very outset the objection that such' a thought is "Utopian," "impracticable," "unrea-, sonable," and all the other big words by which many a God-inspired thought has been crusht as soon as born. Surely, when God is taken into account, it is no impracticable, unreasonable matter we come to discuss, when we ask, "How may the Gospel be preacht to this genera- tion of the Chinese? "
Now the first step is a thorough and general stirring up of believers, so that the great duty of the Church to disciple all nations may be recognized as the burning question of the day. We may be sure God never intended that a mere sprinkling of earnest souls-a few here and a few there-should be the only ones possest by an intense longing for the salvation of the heathen. Many Christians who might do so, still lack willingness to give themselves first, and then their substance, to the Lord for this mighty work. There are probably not a few of God's children in England, etc., who have a private income. If so, why not live on it among the heathen? t Then in the case of those anxious to go forth, but possessing no pri- vate income, might not the plan be more generally tried of each church sending forth one or more of its members, and looking upon him as its own missionary, tho he might wisely work in connection with the mis- sionary organization preferred by the church sending him forth? A little less-and less ornate-furniture, dwellings not quite so spacious, dress not too scrupulously following the fashion, might wonderfully simplify the question of sending forth more missionaries.
Sometimes a desire has been exprest that (only) men of superior educational and other attainments should be sent to this great mission-field. Ah me! What would be said if the infantry were not allowed to go to war because they were not life-guards? Nelson's renowned signal was, "England expects every man "-seamen and marines, as well as officers and captains-" to do his duty." Does not God expect every Christian to do his duty? And while Satan still usurps the rule Over such immense parts of our Redeemer's dominions, is there much doubt where our duty lies? Does it need a great amount of learning to tell aloor sinner that an Almighty Savior waits to save him? What is neede is, first heart, then head-" heart to heart." As a matter of fact, we find in China, as elsewhere, that it is "the poor" who hear the Gospel gladly; not many wise, not many noble, are called. God still chooses" the weak," "the base," "the despised," "yea, and things which are not;" and to reach and influence these it is not so much learning as the constraining love of Christ and the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, that are essential.
The" Appeal of the Shanghai Conference of 1877," says: "We want China emancipated from the thraldom of sin in this generation. It is possible. Our Lord has said, 'According to your faith be it unto you.' The Church of God can do it, if she be only faithful to her great commission. When will young men press into. the mission-field as they struggle for positions of worlr:ty honor and affluence? When will parents consecrate their sons and daughters to missionary work as they search for rare openings of worldly influence and honor? When will Christians give for missions as they give for luxuries and amusements? 'Vhen will they learn to deny themselves for the work of God as they deny themselves ior such earthly objects as are dear to their hearts? Or, rather, when will t.hey count it no self-denial, but the highest joy and privilege, to give with the utmost liberality for the spread of the Gospel among the heathen? "-Condensed from China's Millions.
* As there were then 1,500 counties still without resident missionaries: perhaps 1,000 might suffice now. t 1I1r. King suggested $250 as a sufficient amount for the support of a single missionary.
This is only true by rigid self-denial and in some parts of China.
1898.J VARIED VIEWS OF THE SULTAN
VARIED VIEWS OF THE SULTAN.
The November number of The Century contains an interesting and apparently candidly written article in defense of Abdul Hamid II., by the late Minister of the United States to the Sublime Porte, Hon. A. W. Terrell. In regard to this" interview," one of our editorial correspondents writes, in part, as follows: While we are perfectly willing that the Sultan and his government should have full credit for every fact that will tend to minimize the verdict of public opinion on the terrible events that have transpired in different parts of the Turkish empire within the last two years, yet we would not forget two things that should be considered in accepting the high official of a foreign government as our intermediary. First.-To all such as the representatives of foreign governments the best possible side is turned to view in all matters where such are brought into connection with the officials of the government to which one is accredited; and especially is this the case if the question is one where difference of opinion is likely to exist or result. Our diplomatic representatives seldom remain long enough in such a country as Turkey to learn the language. If they do not see, to a considerable extent, through an interpreter's eyes, they hear very largely through his ears.
Second.-A diplomatic officer does not generally remain long enough in one place to become thoroughly acquainted with the people. Ex-Minister Terrell tells us, on the strength of the Sultan's assertion, that the Koran forbids cruelty and does not permit that Christians be put to death on account of their religion. It is true that the Koran contains such precepts, but Ex-Minister Te!'rell may not know or has failed to mention another fact, namely, that in Mohammedan mosques, on Fridays, the day of public prayer, the congregation being assembled, there is a portion of the service called "El-Khutbet eth-Thanieh," or " Khutbet en-Naat." This" Khutbet" is a prayer in which the following expressions occur: "In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful. 0 God, aid EI-Islam, and exalt the word of truth and the faith by the preservation of thy servant, and the son of thy servant, the Sultan of the two continents and khakan of the two seas, the sultan, son of the sultan, the Sultan Abdul Hamid. 0 God, assist him, and assist his armies, and all the forces of the Moslems: 0 Lord of the beings of the whole world! 0 God, destroy the infidels and polytheists, thine enemies, the enemies of religion. 0 God, make their children orphans, and defile their abodes, and cause their feet to slip, and give them and their families and their households and their women and their children and their possessions and their wealth and their lands as booty to the Moslems: 0 Lord of the beings of the whole world."
How edifying it would have been if he of the" voice low and musical" had given utterance to the above sentiments while assuring ex-Minister Terrell of the tolerant spirit of Mohammedans toward Christians! Surely "the kindly and sympathetic expression" of that face, "the habitual expression" of which" is one of extreme sadness," would have been" a puzzle" when considered in connection with the previous statements concerning religious toleration as taught by Mohammedanism. In this prayer, which is repeated in thousands of Mohammedan mosques every Friday, we find a much truer explanation of the events that have been transpiring in the Turkish empire, than can be found in the best possible exposition of the dogmas of the Koran respecting religious toleration.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
That prayer becomes practice whenever the prejudices of Mohammedans are stirred up against Christians, provided there is no power strong enough to intervene and prevent persecution and massacre. vV-hy should men hesitate to go forward when a way is opened before them for the answer of their prayers? Why should infidels not be destroyed, and their wives and property be given as booty to Moslems? Death in battle is victory, too-sure victory. So there is nothing to lose. The Mohammedan, a fatalist pure and simple, is all his life taught to believe that paradise is the sure and immediate reward of all who die in war against the infidel. " Through the smoke of battle" heaven is seen.
Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, the honored veteran missionary to Turkey and a high authority on this subject, further writes in The Independent con- cerning "Minister Terrell and the Sultan": In this article by our worthy ex-Minister, Abdul Hamid is made to defend himself before the American people. One argument is from the distinguisht kindness with which the Armenians have been treated by his ancestors. What his ancestors have done is rather to his condemnation. Before his day Armenians were in every branch of the public service-in the custom-houses, in every department of the revenue, in the' offices and industries of the army and navy, and in the foreign service. Thousands were thus employed. One of the first and sacred duties of this Sultan, as he conceived, was to weed out all the Armenians and substitute Moslems. He already had Pan-Islamism on the brain; it is there still. He is going to crush the Christian element or convert it to Islam; that is the key to his character and course. His message to his poor terrified Armenian subjects is: "You are all rebels! Now Islam or Gehenna is your choice! "
But the Koran was in his way; and certain treaties with England and with other countries. He felt his way, as to the treaties, with great adroitness; and set one power against the other, so as to disregard them all. Russia furnisht him with the justification against the Koran. She now sent into Turkey some Armenian revolutionists, with Russian passports, which would shield them from Turkish law and justice.
Some weak-headed Armenian youth were doubtless induced to form a society of revolution. These revol~tionists, "Hunchagists," were desperate men. If a rich Armenian would not give what they demanded, they assassinated him. The Sultan knew perfectly well that the wealthy Armenians gave at the point of the dagger. The revolutionists did just what he wanted. He could now destroy them all as rebels. The accusation of rebellion is so absurd that the Sultan must have laught at the simplicity of the world in being deceived by it I Who are the rebels? Two and a half million of loyal, unarmed people. The Sultan has an army of 250,000 trained soldiers. Yet he has been so frightened by the threats of these poor peasants, mechanics, and traders, that he has slaughtered 100,000, often with the most horrible torture! * But "there was no religious persecution." Oh no, that is impossible! No Moslem ever does any such thing. And yet, from the beginning of this outbreak, rescue, safety, shelter, pardon, office, have been offered to all who would abandon their faith and accept Islam. They have almost invariably chosen death. Is such a people worthy of no commiseration?
It is painful to Americans that, in all this tragedy of suffering brought upon an innocent and friendless people, our country's voice, through its minister, was never heard in their defense; but only in defense of the" Great Assassin," and in frantic efforts to keep him from assassinating Americans.
* THere have been 328 Christian churches, Gregorian and Protestant, changed to mosques; 568 destroyed; and 77 monasteries destroyed, the priests and monks being converted or killed; and 100,000 men, women, and children killed; 2,493 villages have been destroyed, and 500,000 driven from their homes and all their property confiscated. What the plunderers could not carry off they destroyed. More than 100,000 more perisht from starvation, cold and typhoid fever. IlL-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
China's Claim Upon the Church in family relations, such as are not America. found in any other land." Chinese character has been so molded by REV. HUNTER CORBETT, D.D.,CHINA. many centuries of study in ancient history, and an unchanging system Without controversy, the at- of religion, science, and govern- tempt to evangelize four hundred ment, that they are a people unique million of the Chinese by expelling among the nations of the earth. manifold superstitions and plant- As in Europe, there are many lan- ing in every heart the ennobling guages, or dialects, in central and and saving influences of the Chris- southern China. The Mandarin, tian religion, is an enterprise which however, is not only the spoken stands high among the glories of language of two-thirds of the em- the century. A moment's glance pire, but is also the language in at the gigantic work to be done, which the plays and novels are and the difficulties to be overcome, written. The Wen li, or the classic will show that heroic faith, un- language, is understood by every swerving courage, and enduring educated man in the empire. It is perseverance on the part of God's a wonderfully expressive and terse people are of vital importance. language, and so flowery as to give That men who do not see God's China the name of the "Flowery hand in history, and have no faith Kingdom." In every school and in the supernatural power of the college is found a tablet to the Gospel, should regard the mission- memory of Confucius, who is worary enterprise as an absurd under- shipt by teachers and pupils. In taking, and worthy of the most 1,700 temples, erected and supported scathing criticism, is no special by the government, probably 70,- wonder. That any who claim Jesus 000 victims of various kinds are Christ as their personal Savior yearly offered in sacrifice. When f110uld look with indifference upon these offerings, with rolls of silk t_le non-Christian world, and make and other valuables, are presented, no worthy effort to reach the un- the mandarins and literary gradusaved, is, indeed, the wonder of ates meet twice annually in the wonders. Confucian temple, prostrate them- selves, and offer the most profound After years spent in walking worship. through the streets of the great and crowded cities, and traveling Undoubtedly the Chinese know thousands upon thousands of miles more of truth than any other nonover vast plains teeming with in- Christian nation. This truth has numerable towns and villages, one been polisht in the finest minds of begins to understand something of many generations, and set in the what "China's millions" mean. most attractive forms. There are The greatness of population is, truly many gems, of which all are perhaps, the least difficult factor justly proud and never weary in in China's evangelization, however. quoting. In spite of the rays of light that flash through here and "In China is found a homogene- there, heathenism is hopeless nighi, ous mass of people bound com- powerless to change the heart and pactly together by bonds of superstition, idolatry, and by tribal and reform this life. To the honor of its existence in China, employed China, neither lust nor vice of any thousands of Chinese, and never kind has ever been deified. So one betrayed his trust or became a pure are the moral teachings of their defaulter. Loans amounting to sacred writings that they might be many millions were paid by the read in any Christian family. The Chinese without the loss of a dollar. Chinese officials are selected from a vast multitude of graduates by An American business man in competitive examinations. China testified that during twenty- five years he never knew a China- Men holding literary or military man to break his word in a busidegrees and undergraduates, who ness transaction. are numbered by hundreds of thousands, are found in every city, vil- The Chinese are preeminently a lage, and neighborhood. They pos- home-loving, law-abiding, indussess tremendous influence. Hitherto trious, and patient people, with this class has united with the offi- brains capable of mastering any cials in opposing or counteracting, task set before them. as far as possible, the preaching and influence of the missionary. For centuries the Chinese have The widespread riots and persecu- been educated in the firm belief tion of native converts are, as a that the golden age existed more rule, traceable to the open or secret than twenty centuries ago, in the efforts of these classes. They write time of Confucius and still more the placards and books defaming ancient sages. The nearer the peo- Christianity, and which have again ple could keep to the customs and and again led to riot and murder. civilization of that age, the more They correspond closely to the prosperous and happy all would proud Scribes and Pharisees who be. Moreover, firmly believing constantly met and opposed our that all people out of China were Savior when on earth. The Chi- barbarians, or, at best, semi-civilnese, like the Jews, are found in ized, with no lessons to teach China, almost every part of the earth. their pride and self-satisfied spirit They are able to speak all lan- ran riot. guages. They remain unchanging in their peculiar nationality and Under such circumstances, what customs. They are industrious, did they care for Western arts and energetic, persevering, and econom- Western civilization, or for the ical. They are able to compete so Christian religion, ignorant as they successfully with all others, that in were of its power to .bring life, many places legislation has been hope, and salvation to all who besecured to restrict or push them lieve? out. It will thus be understood why They are the leading merchants, China has been so fearfully handibankers, and artisans in many of capt, and for centuries remained the countries and islands of the almost stationary. To-day temples East, where they have gone as filled with idols of clay, wood, and colonists. In their own land they stone, and altars to innumerable are proving more than a match for objects of worship, are found not merchants and officials from West- only in cities and towns, but in tern lands. every valley and upon the highest hills and mountain peaks. The It is stated that Messrs. Russell sun,. moon, and stars are all objects & Co., a prominent American busi- of worship. There are gods of ness firm, during the fifty years of wind, rain, thunder, mountains, rivers; the god of war, of litera- ture, the queen of heaven, the god of cereals, of disease, etc., all These facts unite in testifying to worshipt. Long and weary pil- the desperate needs of the people, grimages are yearly made to famous and of the Christian obligation to mountains and sacred places. Mil- give the Gospel, which is still the lions of money are spent yearly in power of God unto salvation, to the support of religion. The Em- everyone who believes. The Gospel peror is still as much the chief is the God-given power to save priest of the nation as in the re- China's seething, surging tide of motest ages. Annually he has at woes, arouse the conscience to know least forty-three different sacrifices and forsake sin, and accept of the to offer. He must fast sixty-four salvation which only can give hope days in the year. The worship of and joy when suffering comes and ancestors is held to be the most passes in the hour of death. sacred of duties. The giving up of ancestral worship is often the chief So much for the past. What stumbling-stone in accepting of about the present and future? Christianity. The popular notion China is a land of great possibiliis that deceast ancestors know ties. China has nearly 3,000 miles nothing but want, which must be of coast-line, and numerous rivers relieved by the living descendants. and lakes abounding in fish. Mines This system sanctions, or at least of gold, silver, iron, coal, and mindoes not discourage, polygamy, so eral wealth of almost every kind common among the official class, abound, but as yet practically unboth civil and military, and also the toucht. rich. Polygamy, wherever practised, degrades women, and gives 8, China possesses almost every vadeath-blow to happy and peaceful riety of climate, from almost perhomes. Whatever degrades women petual summer and tropical vegealso degrades men. The cruel sys- tation in the south, to the coldest tem of foot-binding brings sorrow weather in the north, where not and suffering to every girl, and only plains and mountains, but the adds to life's heavy burdens. De- sea along the shores are held, at nying women the privileges of edu- times, in the icy grasp of winter. cation, and keeping their minds Every variety of fruit, flowers, and dwarft and undevelopt, intensifies grain can be cultivated in some part the burdens which ever press or other of the empire. heavily upon the millions who are living without the Bible, without The beneficial results of the late prayer, without hope, and without war with Japan are daily becoming God. Think of what sickness, want, more apparent. Instead of prejuand helpless old age mean in a land dicing the people against the miswhere there are no asylums for sionary, it has awakened a desire orphans, the blind, the feeble- as never before to receive instrucminded, the widow, the leper, and tion from him. During the war, the insane! Think of neither hos- the newspapers and magazines pubpitals nor dispensaries where those lisht by missionaries, were eagerly in n~ed can receive skilful treat- sought by all classes, as there they ment and care, of the hopelessness expected to find reliable informawhen death draws near; the wail of tionnot to be obtained from Chidespair, everywhere heard, when a nese sources. One Chinese firm life ends, for all believe courts, printed the editorials from a misprisons, tortures, and executions are sionary magazine in book form, to in the unseen world as well as here. supply the demand for such infor- mation. The scholarship and intel- lectual power of western men is now recognized. Many non-Christian parents are pleading to have known to native doctors. Physitheir children educated in the mis- cians are now frequently called to sion schools, tho they know that the treat men holding the highest offi- Bible is a daily text-book, and that cial positions. Lady physicians are those who make it a constant study sent to enter the homes of the will probably become Christians. wealthy and aristocratic, and treat- ed with the deepest respect and Non-Christians have said that kindness. Mission hospitals and none are so blind as not to see that dispensaries are crowded by snfferrr:ission schools teach reverence for ing people, who often show the parents, a love for honesty and vir- truest gratitude for help received. tue, and equip for any special call- In Chow-fu, last year, 19,000 paing, as native schools do not. In tients were treated. The Emperor of the minds of the people education China has conferred the "Imperial is beyond price, and Christianity Order of the Double Dragon" upon and education are aiming to be re- B. C. Atterbury, M.D., of the Presgarded as inseparable, so that when byterian mission. This honor was parents become Christians their in recognition of service in connecsons and daughters are trained and tion with the Red Cross Society educated in such a way as to give during the late war. Not a few of them special advantages. the hospitals, lately erected, have received liberal subscriptions from It is said when Mr. C. D. Tenney Christian converts, and from @ffistarted to secure the most promis- cials and merchants not yet Chrising students for the newly-estab- tians. lisht college at Tientsin, with the view of educating men for govern- Wherever the Gospel has been ment service, the late viceroy, Li persistently preacht, there are not Hung Chang, told him to secure all only communicants, but many sehe could from the Christian schools, cret believers, who have not yet the as there he would find the best ma- grace and courage to meet the perterial. secution which an open profession often brings. The evangelistic, educational, and medical work carried on by mis- The conviction is gaining in the sionaries are effecting changes, minds of many that Christianity is moral, social, and intellectual, truly a power which will help solve the wonderful. During the past year many perplexing problems the peothere has been a growing demand, ple are compelled to face. Many as never before, for all the books are asking what is the secret of the missionaries have written or trans- power, wealth, and influence of lated-such as histories, works on western nations. What can the science, political economy, natural reception of Christianity do for and moral philosophy, and all text- China? It is the remedy for official books for schools and colleges, as corruption and incompetency, rewell as religious books and the garded by many as the chief factor Bible. 100 copies of Review of the in the humiliating defeat China Times now go to Hunan, paid for sustained in the late war. by the literati. There has been an intense desire awakened to learn Beyond doubt China, like a great the English language, and wherever and sleeping giant, is slowly but it IS taught the schools and colleges surely awakening, and will, in no are overcrowded. Many are offering distant day, astonish the world by to pay well for such instruction. radical and manifold changes. The All concede that our physicians and gates, closed for centuries by secluurgeons are possest of sk ill un- sion, selfishness, pride, and ignorance, are now swinging wide open, face. Natives who have dared to and a highway is being prepared sell their property, or even assist for the coming of the Ring of the missionary in securing houses kings. for residences, schools, etc., have, The organization of a complete as a rule, been arrested, thrown postal system has been entrusted into prison, beaten, and shamefully to Sir Robert Hart, who, during the treated, and no redress. When the past one-third of a century, has minds of men have become distort- been at the head of the Chinese ed by prejudice and hatred, no na- customs, and brought the service tive Christian can hope for justice.
to an efficiency and purity unex- In 1843 there were twelve mis- celled in any land. Railroads are sionaries, and, so far as known, only being built, mines opened and oper- six converts to the Christian faith ated by foreign machinery, under in China.
foreign direction. Presses and dies To-day there are upwards of 70,- have already been shipt from 000 communicants in connection Bridgeton, N. Y., so that hereafter with the different Protestant mis- China will have a silver as well as sions in China, and perhaps 300,000 a copper coin. secret believers, who have not yet Nipety years ago Robert Morri- the courage and grace to make an son, a man of heroic faith and cour- open profession, and' endure the age, had the honor and the privi- persecution so often met. The num- lege of being the first Protestant ber of communicants has almost missionary to China. He struggled doubled the past five years. At the against hatred, opposition, and per- same rate of increase, another fifty secution, as few men have ever years will give China more than done, for twenty-seven years. Dur- 60,000,000 of Christians.
ing all that time he was only per- But God does not work by man's mitted to see, as the direct results arithmetic. If all God's people in of his labors; two converts won for America and in other Christian Christ. He died, however, strong lands were to consecrate them- in the faith that China would yet selves, their children, and their pos- become a Christian nation. sessions wholly and unreservedly It was not until the signing of to the Lord, and have their hearts the Treaty at Nanking in August, filled with love for Christ and for 1842, five ports for the residence of perishing souls, so that each would merchants from western lands were feel constrained to do the utmost to opened, and still two years later be- obey the last command our Savior fore the toleration of Christianity gave when on earth-a command was granted. Previous to that time which has never been repealed- a profession of Christianity was re- " Go into all the world and preach garded as a crime worthy of death. the Gospel to every creature," be- The Chinese, acting on the prin- fore another fifty years might not ciple that, as the treaty was forced only the whole of China, but all the upon them, they were under no ob- unsaved world be brought to know ligation to keep it, except so far as and love the Lord Jesus Christ? Is pressure was brought to bear from there anything too hard for the the foreign governments,have made Lord? Has not God long been wait- the work of planting the Church ing for His people to awaken and one of continual struggle and un- take hold upon God's strength, ceasing opposition, difficult to un- claim His promises, and take pos- derstand by any but those who session of the world for Christ? Has have been called to meet it face to not God said, "Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine ceedings are open to the public, inheritance. and the uttermost and the discussions are often of parts of the earth for thy posses- the ablest character. There are no sion" ? prepared papers, nor any formally provided-for public meetings, tho In conclusion, let us neither, on generally one or more such occur the one hand, underestimate the during the annual session of the task which God has given us to do, body. Even the annual report of or exaggerate the viGtories already the society is not issued in congiven, nor, on the other hand, des- junction with this meeting, so that pond on account of the slow pro- this body has nothing which angress we seem to be making. Let swers to the anniversaries of the us, in the spirit of humble obedi- Baptist Missionary Union, nor of ence and quiet confidence, attempt the annual meeting of the Ameriour whole duty to the unsaved, and can Board; but the information persevere in the assured conviction elicited in official statements and that in due season we shall reap if in discussion is widely dissemiwe faint not. Let us, day and night, nated through the secular and dekeep fresh in our memories the vital nominational press, according as truth, "Ye know the grace of our the enterprise of their editors leads Lord Jesus Christ, that, tho He them to secure and use it. Being a was rich, yet for your sakes, He be- strongly connectional body, the came poor, that ye through His General Missionary Society is but poverty might be rich." one of many of the denominational ligaments. Annual Meetings of the Boards. The Baptist Missionary Union The annual meetings of the sev- holds its anniversary in May. Dr. eral missionary societies in this Colby, President of the Union, in country are held at different peri- his address last May said that misods during the calendar year, sions showed our loyalty to Christ, and not, as in Great Britain, in our sympathy with his world-emthe single month of May. The bracing love, our confidence in proceedings of these vary, not all Christ's Gospel and the only power being merely anniversary occa- of God unto salvation, and are a sions. The Methodist Episcopal test of our trust in the Lord's liv- Missionary Society observes no ing providence. This Missionary anniversary, save those of a hun- Union claims 280,000 souls condred or more auxiliary societies or- verted to God as the result of its ganized in the annual conferences. efforts. The General Committee meets annually strictly for business pur- A significant paper was presented poses, receiving the reports of the on the attention paid to missions officers of the Board and making in Baptist institutions of learning. the appropriations in detail for the Rochester Theological Seminary work of the ensuing year, at home has one course of lectures on misand abroad. Its constituency, in- sionary history; Colgate one on cluding all the bishops, represen- missions and one on comparative tatives of the Board, and other religion; Newton has seven courses representatives from fifteen dis- on the subject, and seven collateral tricts into which the church in the courses, fourteen in all, and Chicaentire country is divided, makes go has twenty courses, and countit a very widely representative ing the treatment of missions in denominational body. Its pro- the New Testament department and in Church History. three or four courses are credited to each paganism of Rome vanisht before of the seminaries. This paper the supe"rior Christian faith, so suggests what further might be these religions must give place to attempted, included in which would the more spiritual and energizing be a department of the colleges of religion of Christ. To the sneer Applied and Aggressive Christian- about the lack of capacity of mis- ity, including sociology, so far as sionaries, he answers that within applicable to missionary work. This two years the events which have paper also suggests that the Mis- taken place in the Turkish Empire sionary Concert of Prayer, as it have set the missionary body in originated as a meeting for prayer that land above all charges of inca- in 1784, be restored to its original pacity or lack of character. Against purpose, from which it seems to the charge of imperfection of mis- have declined into a "concert of sionary methods, he challenges any instruction and not prayer." one to point to any spot on the habitable globe, where, by different The admirable discussions which methods, better results have been preface the reports of each mission accomplisht. As to the foreign are of unusual worth and suggest- missionary movement being a failiveness. The American Board is ure, the tremendous revolution the preeminent connexial center of which turned the civilization of the the body of strong Congregational Roman Empire from pagan to churches who contribute to its sup- Christian, was the result of Chrisport, and their Annual Meeting has tian missions, and they are relong stood out as a unique occasion; peating the process steadily and perhaps the most markt annual successfully among all the great meeting of any of the missionary non-Christian civilizations of the organizations of this country. An world to-day. annual survey of the work of the Board is presented by the foreign A "Special Business Paper" secretaries, and carefully prepared came from the Prudential Compapers are read on this occasion, mittee through the Hon. J. M. W. which mayor may not be of a Hall, which contains matter of general character. Two such pa- wide interest to all concerned in pers, presented at the last annual the issues involved in the missionmeeting of the American Board, ary work of the world. Two facts deserve wide reading throughout are declared to stand out promiall the churches. Dr. Judson nently; that the several missions Smith's paper on .. The Success of this Board· never before promist of Christian Missions" gives a such large and satisfactory results, survey of missionary questions in while the apathy and uncertain a candid and catholic discussion, support of too many of the with special reference to current churches of the denomination, so criticisms, such as the assertion seriously affects the revenue as to that as India, China, and Japan make it difficult to sustain the have thriven for centuries under work, even on the reduced approtheir own religions, they may still priations which were made in the thrive without Christianity. Dr. face of the large debt of two years Smith declares that Hinduism,Bud- ago. Out of 5,554 Congregational dhism, and Confucianism have been churches, 2,046 gave nothing to foron trial for centuries, and have been eign missions last year. This is found wanting; that their national attributed largely to a lack of misfruit has been superstition and sionary intelligence and a decastagnation, and that, as the classic dence of missionary spirit. This paper looks, without blinking, at Methodist Episcopal Church South, the serious problem of how far they shall continue to support the well- at its anniversary, also struggled establisht and long-continued missions, some of which missions have with its financial incumbrance, but been maintained for over seventyfive years. In twenty-seven years it has received pledges for the exnot a mission has been graduated. This paper recommends that more tinguishing of its debt, tho we betime be given at the annual.meeting for frank discussion of these lieve these subscriptions extend and other great problems, and that no program should be presented by over a term of five years. The the business committee that precludes this, or restricts freedom of Moravian Missionary Society at inquiry. The very methods which have prevailed at the annual meet- its anniversary had a considerable ing are courageously called in question, as not affording sufficient and debt, and a single member of the fair opportunity for the fuller discussion of the great crises which community offered to pay it all, changed conditions are constantly imposing on missionary boards. with the sole condition that the Yet this paper declares that the time has come for an advance in society should not retrench at any foreign missionary work. It calls a clear halt to the retreating forces point of its work. J. T. G. and narrows the issne to "abandonment or advance." The Indians of Brazil.
The deficit of the year was forty- BY HORACE M. LANE, M.D., five thousand dollars, twenty-one President of the Protestant College at thousand of which was pledged in a few moments in an unpremedi- S. Paulo, Brazil. tated, spontaneous subscription. The opinion was freely exprest The whole subject of South Amerthat the outlook for the Board is ican Indians, in all of its various most auspicious, and there was aspects, ought to be intensely ingeneral cheer in the markt har- teresting to Americans, but the mony of the constituency of the scientific study of the indigenous Board, and the renewed confidence people of America seems to have in the wisdom and efficiency of the gone out of fashion in the mad rush administration. for the North Pole and the hunt for the buried cities of the old We can not follow this review world, while Christian people, capfurther at this time in regard to tivated by the glamour of missions this Board, nor make suitable men- in central Africa, far India, and tion of the similar annUM assem- shut-up China, all most worthy obblies of the other denominations. jects, seem to have lost sight of the The Baptists at their anniversary nati1'e American Pagans at their were borne down with their finan- very door, who are easily accescial embarrassments, but they have sible, and some of whom are actually cancelled the debt of both their asking for light. Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and are greatly rejoiced. During the past year it was our The Missionary Society of the privilege to entertain J oaquin Sepe, a baptized Pagan, head chief of the Cherentes, a grave, dignified, and intelligent man, who reminded us strongly of Chief Joseph, of the Nez-Perces, whom it was our priVi- lege to know. This Chief Sepe brought a group of his people overland from the head waters of the Tocantins to Rio, a journey of many months, and presented them to the president, asking for a teacher and agricultural imple- ments, that his people might be- come civilized. He was on his way back, having failed in the object of his visit, when he made us a visit of several weeks in S. Paulo.
These Cherentes, numbering 4,000 adult men (in giving their numbers the Indians refer to adult males only), and living in fourteen vil- lages on the upper Tocantins and its tributaries, are one of the eight great families into which Von Martius divided the Indians of South America. Along the lower course of the Mortes, at its junction where it is expected the chief will with the Araguaya, is found the have men waiting to accompany powerful tribe of the Chavantes, an him on the long journey up the un- offshoot of the Cherentes, and said navigable part of the stream to Piabanha, the principal village of to be physically the finest race of the Cherentes and residence of men in America. To the south of Sepe. The way is open through them are the Cavapos, and on the the Cherentes for reaching the greaJ. tribes on the Araguaya, north the Canoeiros. All of these Mortes, and the vast region beyond. tribes belong to the Ges or Crans Letters addrest to care of Ameri- (the great people), and are dis- can Consul, Lisbon, Portugal, will tinguisht from the Tupys, or Gua- reach him for the next two months. ranys (the warrior people), and the The small society, under whose Crens or Guerengs (the ancient peo- auspices Mr. Witte is going to cenple) by their intelligence, habits of tral Brazil, seems to have adopted industry, and high character. the plan of not soliciting funds, but to depend upon spontaneous Many large tribes of two of these offerings. This may work weH in great families, the Ges and the the long run, when people know Crens, are still to be found in a more about the work, but it is sure quasi primitive condition, uncor- to work hardship to the early mis- sionaries who go out under it. I rupted by close contact with whites, understand that Mr. Witte's paswhile the Tupys or Guaranys (war- sage is paid to Para, but that he is almost without funds for an outfit rior tribe) received the shock of the and even for current expenses. Portuguese invaders and are scattered; by taking the names of small The China Mission Hand-Book.
chiefs, their identity even is lost. Persons who are familiar with the The same is true, in a lesser degree, records of the Missionary Confer- ence held at Shanghai, in 1877, and of the Crens, tho they may still be that at the same place in 1800, will found in large bodies in parts of need no description of the splendid Matto-Grosso, S. Paulo, and Pa- mission hand-book for China, which rana. has been issued under the auspices of all the societies doing missionary About fifty years ago a Capuchin work in that land, with a view to monk, Rafael Taggia, went among furnishing a similar volume" midthe Cherentes and catechized them way between their great Decennial from a state of wild savagery to Conferences." This handsome rethe condition of tame, without, pertoire includes a sketch of the however, Christianizing them. leading features in the spread of the great religions of the world, Several weeks of close intercourse also a sketch of the leading features in the history of Christian missions with this intelligent Pagan brother in the world, especially in China; showed that, while he had some also the strength and weakness of knowledge of Christian ceremonies the various non-Christian religions in China, other matters of general and the names of some of the interest to missionaries, and sketch saints, he was totally ignorant of reports of various missions, coverthe central truth of Christianity, ing such phases as mission work among the masses, among native and still retained his Pagan beliefs, Christians, among the children, tho holding in affectionate remem- among young men, among women, brance Frei Rafael. He gave many among the sick; mission work by Christian literature, present prointeresting facts concerning the blems and outlook, with statistical language, folk-lore, customs, tradi- tables, evangelistic, educational, medical, and literary; and a series tions, and beliefs of his people, of of maps, illustrating the distribuwhich careful note was taken by tion of mission forces, and a very an intelligent Brazilian scholar. comprehensive bibliography, Eng- lish and Chinese. The special These notes will be translated and publisht at some future time.
Mr. George R. Witte is now on his way to the Cherentes. He was touched by the story of Sepe's fruitless search for a teacher, left his studies in the medical school, and started for the Tocantins with- out any stated support, relying entirely upon the spontaneous contri- butions of Christian friends. He is now in Portugal studying the language. He will leave for Para in time to catch the first nntting steamer up the river to the rapids, papers, among which are one on years, been prosecuted by the Rev. Confucianism, by Dr. Faber; two Thomas Gabriel. There were then on Buddhism, .by Dr. Edkins and but one ordained minister, Rev. Timothy Richards; on Taoism, by Thomas Gabriel, who died a short Drs. Faber and.' Martin; on Mohammedanism, by Drs. Washburne and time after; two unordained preach- Noyes, will be recognized as pro- ers, and three school-teachers. The ductions by masters in these several annual income of the home society departments; while Dr. A. H. for that year amounted to $1,882, a Smith's paper on "The Need of China," and that on "The Foreign portion of which went to the sup- Languages Spoken in China and port of a family then working with the Classification of the Chinese the A. B. M. U. Telugu mission to Dialects," by P. G. Von Mollen- the south. The baptisms of believdorff, and one on "The Riots in ers for the first year numbered 57. China," by Rev. T. Richards, will be found of exceptional interest. Through the 22 years of the mis- It seems as tho persons who have to do with foreign missions in sion's history, 18 men, with their China, whether they be there or wives, and 11 single ladies have here, could scarcely get along with- been sent out from Canada. Of out this volume. It may be pro- these, three men and one married cured by addressing the American Presbyterian Mission Press at woman died, and one single lady Shanghai, or from the Presbyterian and four families have been forced F. M. Library, 156 Fifth Ave., New to retire, owing to ill health, in- York, price, $1.50. cluding the founder of the mission, who is now under the A.B. M. U. Dr. Pierson's " Seven Years in on one of their hill stations. Sierra Leone," the revised life of William A. B. Johnson, receives There are at present 11 families special mention in the Church Mis- and 11 single ladies on the staff. sionary Intelligencer. The editor says that Dr. Pierson's emphatic There are ten stations, of which utterance that, "after a score of three are in Vizagapatam, one in years of research into missionary the Kistna, and six in the Godaveri history and biography," he regards districts of the Madras presidency. the story of Johnson's labors as "the most remarkable story of There are now 11 ordained native seven years of missionary labor ministers, 58 unordained preachers, that he has ever read," seemed to 2 colporteurs, 28 Bible women, 50 him the language of hyperbole. male and 20 female ttJachers, ana 1 He was astonisht to find Dr. Pier- medical assistant, or a total native son repeating this on a later page, where some of the most eminent staff of 170, amongst whom are inmissionary victories were instanced cluded 2 very competent Eurasian as possible parallels. The editor Bible women. declares that" he read these words at first with a certain feeling of The churches number 27, one beincredulity" . . . " but on lay- ing English, and the entire meming Dr. Pierson's book down," he bership totals 2,949. Of these, 472 was " indisposed to challenge received believers' baptism last them." year. The native Christians con- Oanada Baptist Telugu Mission, India. tributed, alone, some Rs. 25,337 in 1896; 2,951 scholars are gathered in BY REV. H. F. LAFLAMME, 931 Sunday-schools. The day schools COCANADA. " number 60, with an average attend- ance of 838. There are 7 boarding- The Telugu Mission of the Bap- schools, with 192 boys and 125 girls, tist Foreign Mission Board, of Ontario and Quebec, Canada, was or a total of 317 pupils. The misestablisht by the Rev. John McLau- sion property is worth about $47,- rin, D.D., with the first station at Cocanada, in the year 1874. He took 000, or at Rs. 3 to a dollar, some over some 150 adult converts and Rs. 141,000. The converts are mostly the work which had, for several from the outcaste classes.
There are two medical mission- aries, one of them being the wife of a missionary. The work amongst the English and Eurasians in Cocanada includes a day and boarding-school for boys and girls, known as The Timpany Memorial School. Only girls are admitted as boarders. Boys up to 15 years of age may attend the day classes. The attendance last year reacht 64.
FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
IV. -FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
Ohina,* Tibet,t Formosa,::: Oonfucianism and Taoism, The Opium Traffic.
BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
The Orisis in China. eclipse of the sun OD the first day of the year betokens an impending calamity. . . • The partition of China is the According to the Board of Astronomy, on the topic of present interest in inter- first day of the twenty-fourth year of our national circles, but to what extent reign (January 22, 1898), there will be yet this is to be carried out is as yet un- another eclipse of the sun. We are filled certain. The murder of German with forebodings at this news and hasten to missionaries in Shan-tung, and the seek within ourselves for sins which may tardiness of China in punishing the have thus brought the wrath of High Heaven offenders and paying an indemnity, npon the land. was the immediate cause or pretext for Germany's seizure of Kiao- We further command that the ceremonies chau. Russia has since then oc- of congratulation usually held on New Year's cupied Port Arthur under pretext Day in the Tai Ho throne hall be curtailed, of seeking a place for wintering her and only ordinary obeisances be made, the fleet, and France has raised her flag place being changed to the Chien Tsing on the island of Hainan (see p. 1(9). throne hall instead of the Taio Ho throne England and Japan seem to be un- hall. The banquet usually given to the imdecided as to whether they will perial clansmen on New Year's Day must also participate in the general" grab" be stopt, and when the eclipse occurs let all or oppose the acquisition of Chinese members of the court wear somber garments, territory by other powers. and assemble in the inner palace before the altar set up to Heaven to pray for forbear- Meanwhile the Emperor of China ance and mercy to the country at large." is in terror because of the approaching eclipse of the sun (Jan. In case European protectorates 22, 1898), which he thinks portends or dependencies are establisht, evil to his Empire. He has issued missionaries in such districts will a decree which reads in part as be relieved of much trouble from follows: local misgovernment, but in any case the effect on the natives will "According to the Chun Chiu (springand probably, for a time, be antagonisautumn annals) it has been stated that an tic to the progress of Christianity. In the meantime markt progress This list of references is not intended to be is reported from many parts of the complete, but is simply to call attention to Flowery Kingdom, especially from some of the principal books and articles of Hunan, which for so long a time the year which have come under our notice. violently resisted all attempts to We note those which have appeared since establish Christian missions there. our last list was given on these subjects, i. e., The change is largely the result of Fe*bSreueariyn, 1897. the efforts of one of the converts, the MISSIONARY REVIEW, pp. 263 Mr. Pengo The opposition has now (April, '97); 349 (May, '97); 764 (October, '97); ceast, and the prefects of Heng- chow, of Heng-yong, and of Tsing- 15,49,52,78, (January); 89, 106, 109, 112, 123, chuan have all issued proclamations 127, (present issue). calling upon the people to respect NEW BOOKS: H China Mission Handbook " the rights and privileges of the mis- (see p. 135); "A History of China," S. sicnaries. More significant still, Wells Williams; "Twenty-six Years of Mis- however, is a long "Proclamation sion Work in China," Grace Stott; HChina Concerning Foreigners Traveling in and Formosa," Rev. James Johnston; HSis- the Siang Valley, Hunan." This document recounts the services of ter Martyrs of Kucheng," D. M. Berry; "Eye- the missionaries, the way repregate," Wm. Wilson; "The Young Manda- sentatives of China have been rerin," Rev. J. A. Davis. ceived in Western lands, and calls RECENT ARTICLES: ~'China, Present and upon all to observe the laws, and to Future," Fortnightly Review (March, '97); extend courtesy to the missionaries, "Chinese Censor," Black'/lJood'. (October,'1I7). and warns them that violence will t See also p. 102 (present issue). be followed by penalty of death. NEW BOOKS: B Pioneering in Tibet," Annie R. Taylor; "On the Threshold of Three Closed Lands," Graham. ~ NEW BOOKS: "China and Fonnosa," Rev.
James JohnstoD. Mr. Timothy Richard speaks, in ment of the rank of mayor and up- ward throughout the empire, and part, as follows in an address before among all the students (they aver- age about 5,000 students for each the "Secretaries' Association" in center) gathered annually at the 200 centers for examiation. The future London, Feb. 17, 1897:- rulers of China are chosen from among these. Prizes are offered to I.-THE CRISIS IN CHINA (due to the students for essays on subjects its defeat by J av.an) has brought dealt with in the books. The rewith it the possibIlity of the speedy sults of the Literary method prove conversiou of the yellow race to it to be rapid, widespread, and pro- Christianity. Since the Japanese found, and yet it has been sadly war, there has been a profound neglected. impression produced compelling reconsideration of their past attitude The Past and Future of Formosa. toward Christianity. The Island of Formosa, now part There are now four competitors of the Japanese Empire, lies about for the yellow race: (1) The modern Materialists and Agnostics, without one hundred miles from the West- God or religion. These are forming syndicates of scores of millions ern coast of China. Its area is about of pounds sterling to exploit China for their own benefit. (2) The 15,000 square miles, or one-half the Romanist, who (in China) are size of Scotland. The climate is Romanist first, French or German second, and Christian last. They mild, the natural resources rich, have a million followers, led by Jesuits, (3) The Russians, with a and the soil fertile. mixture of modern materialism and with devout but dark and loveless The first effort to Christianize medireval Christianity. (4) Re- the inhabitants was made in the formed Christianity, which recognizes the Divine wherever found, seventeenth century by the Dutch, and seeks to bring the pure life, light, and love of God to the who sent 37 ordained pastors to en- Chinese. Protestants have 200,000 gage in missionary work. These followers. were finally driven out, and Chris- H.-THE METHODS OF PROTES- tianity declined. The present Chris- TANT MISSION WORK are in the main four, and they are all indis- tian missions are carried on by the pensable. English Presbyterians (1865) in the (1) The Evangelistic method in- south of the island, and the Canavolves traveling far and wide to secure personal contact with as dian Presbyterians (Dr. Mackay) in many Chinese as possible. Nine- the north. The Japanese Christians tenths of the converts are brought in by the natives themselves. The have also formed the plan of sendmissionary's work, then, is chiefly inspiring, organizing, superintend- ing preachers to their new possesing, and training native evangel- sions. One has only to read Dr. ists. Mackay's remarkable and thrilling (2) The Educational method in- story of his work ("From Far Forvolves the opening of primary or day schools, secondary or boarding mosa ") to be convinced of the transschools, and advanced or theological institutions. forming power of Christianity among these peoples. Under the (3) The Medical method deals with men in an abnormal state. influence of the Japanese, the Chi- Christianity must commend itself to men in health also before pre- nese mandarins and literati have vailing generally. left the island or sunk into obscur- (4) The Literary method deals ity, thus removing disturbing antiwith all the classes that the other methods reach, and some that they foreign elements. The Japanese do not reach. The method of dis- authorities have forbidden the imtributing books to guide the mind portation of opium, and have, in of China is to scatter books among otlier ways, made improvements all the civil officers of the govern- which are calculated to better the material condition of the people, and to promote civilization, if not Christianity. Now is the critical time in the history of the island.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
V.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
The third convention of the Stu- ious press of that country, throughdents' Volunteer Movement will be held in Cleveland, 0., Feb. 23-27, cut which ran one thread of appeal 1898, where the first convention was held in 1891, the second being for believing and united prayer, in Detroit, Mich., in 1894. Each of these was, at the time, the most and this was but the expression of representative gathering of students which had ever met. At a profound conviction felt by hunpresent there is a branch of the movement in almost every nation, dreds of workers, not only throughthe intercollegiate Christian work being affiliated with the World's out the Indian Empire, but through Student Christian Federation. The Volunteer Movement of Great Ceylon, Burmah, and other neigh- Britain held a great convention at Liverpool in January, 1895, boring fields of missions. The apas a result of which the British churches have been wonderfully peal was definite; and, as we expect quickened to greater missionary zeal. The movement in this coun- a great awakening as the Divine try has progrest; the largest force of secretaries which has ever been response to such united supplicaemployed in the cultivation of the American field is at work, one of tion, we give the substance of the these being Robert P. Wilder, who was used of God so largely in the appeal a permanent record: first organization of the movement in America. Large plans are being "We appeal to all Christians, made for this coming convention, whether Europeans or Indians, which promises to be perhaps the whether workers or not, to set apart largest and most representative this day for the special and sacred missionary convention ever held. ministry of intercession, that the Holy Spirit may be manifested in Will not all the readers of this great power, both among Chris- REVIEW remember in daily prayer tians and non-Christians. If the this great convention? Pray espe- Christians in this land can be led to cially that a large and representa- see how much God can do and tive. number of earnest students wishes to do through them, the may be gathered together in a spirit whole of India will feel the throbof prayer and expectation; also bing of this more abundant life. that the speakers may be given clear and powerful messages from "The following objects of prayer God, and that all the plans and are suggested. Opportunity should conduct of the convention may be be given at the meetings for united under the guidance of the Holy prayer for any of these objects to be Spirit. emphasized and others presented: December 12th was observed as a 1. The Christian Church in India; National Day of Prayer for the Consistency, Faithfulness, awakening of India. A series of Fruitfulness. articles had appeared in the relig- 2. The Missionary Agencies at work; Wisdom, Unity, Power.
S. The Christian Workers; Faith, Prayerfulness, The Holy Spirit.
4. The Children of India and the Agencies at work for them.
5. The Young Men of India, espe- cially the Student Classes.
6. The Women of India.
7. The Mohammedans.
8. The Europeans in India, espe- . cially the 80,000 soldiers.
9. The Unreacht Multitudes.
10. THE AWAKENING OF INDIA. The spirit of prayer; the spirit of expectancy; the spirit of revival; the spirit of self- sacrifice; the spirit of victory; above all, and as a means to all, THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
" Considering the possihle results of a day of united, believing prayer throughout the whole Christian A new and important movement Church of the land, WILL YOU NOT has been recently inaugurated by SET APART THIS DAY, SUNDAY, DE- the Evangelical Alliance for the CEMBER 12, FOR WAITING UPON United States. One of the greatest GOD FOR THE AWAKENING OF IN- needs of the times is the education of public opinion and of the popu- DIA? lar conscience. The Alliance now proposes to the pastors of every (Signed,) community to district the same, to THE BISHOP OF LUCKNOW, Alla- enlist their young people as mes- sengers, and to assign one to each habad. district for the monthly distribu- (BISHOP) J. M. THOBURN, Bom- tion of leaflets. If one in ten of these young people should dis- bay. tribute a dozen leaflets a month, T. WALKER, Palamcottah. they could scatter 60,000,000 in a S. SATTHIANADHAN, Madras. year, at least one-half of which ROBERT HUME, Ahmednagar. would reach families who never at- K. S. MACDONALD, Calcutta. tend church, who take no religious K. C. BANURJI, Calcutta. paper, and who presumably see no JACOB CHAMBERLAIN, Madna- reform literature.
palle. The Alliance is now preparing ex- D. L. BRAYTON, Rangoon. cellent leaflets under the general J. FERGUSON, Colombo." heading of "Truths foy the Times." There will be a series for foreign The ordination of Mrs. Maud B. Americans on such topics as The Booth, wife of Commander Balling- Meaning and Value of Naturaliza- tion, The Rights of the Naturalized ton Booth, of the Volunteers of Citizen, The Duties of the Natural- America, at Carnegie Hall, New ized Citizen, The Value of a Vote, York City, in December last, was Fundamental Principles of Ameri- an event that may be more signifi- can Institutions, etc. These will cant than we now comprehend. It be translated into as many lan- seems to us to make a new depar- guages as may be necessary. There ture, especially as it was recog- will be another good citizenship nized, if not actively participated series for native Americans, and in, by clergymen of various denom- still others in the interests of Sab-' inations, for example, Rev. Dr. Mac- bath reform, temperance reform, Arthur, Baptist; Rev. Dr. Amory social purity, etc:* H. Bradford, Congregationalist; Dr. David Gregg, Presbyterian, These are prepared by such and Dr. Josiah Strong, of the Evan- men as Bishop Huntington, Pres. gelical Alliance. Mrs. Booth is, so Andrews, Dr. Washington Gladfar as we know, the first woman to den, and Dr. Josiah Strong. be thus recognized as "minister of the Church of God in general," with Others may be expected from authority to perform ministerial Prof. Woodrow Wilson, Richard functions, including the adminis- Watson Gilder, Dr. Albert Shaw, tration of the sacraments and the Prof. E. J. James, Charles Dudley marriage ceremony. Chauncey De- Warner, and Dr. Charles H. Park- pew presided at the meeting, and hurst. spoke of the work of the V olun.teers from a philanthropic standpoint. * For information and literature address Commander Booth made his report for the year, and Mrs. Booth told the General Secretary of the Evangelical of her work among convicts. .Alliance, United Charities Building, New York. It is a great sorrow to all who love unselfish work to know that this noble woman, as we write, lies .dangerously ill at the hospital. May God give her recovery. Rev. Hunter Corbett, after spend- ries written on 48 Sunday-school lessons, and over 200 letters to ing one-third of a century in mis- friends at home and abroad. Per- mitted to pass on for God over sionary work in China, says: $700, thmr gladdening many sad hearts and sending forth more When I arrived in the province laborers. Of this amount, $128 of Shantung in 1863 there were not used to help the famine sufferers; ten converts in the province. Now $205 to send forth six new workers, there are more than 10,000 com- and provide for two children for a municants in the province. Then year; and $396 to help forty misthe missionaries were not well re- sionaries either t,o do work that ceived; now they are. Of the com- might otherwise be undone, or for municants 4,500 are enrolled in the some personal need that might be Presbyterian church. There are otherwise unmet. thirty – six regularly organized churches. Two hundred preachers During his absence there have are preaching Christ. Thousands been received and remitted over of children are being instructed in $3,000 to missions. The money reour schools, which are popular ceived this year to date, to help among the natives, because they give the Gospel to every creature, see we teach what improves the is over $16,500; of which $2,300 has children in all respects. 'Vith all come from his own congregation, this prosperity the Board has been $3,100 from the Bible classes, and compelled to cut our estimates for the rest from friends in many the present year by $7,665. Last places. year they cut us $5,000, and it lookt as if the work would have to be cur- Jewish fanaticism has had a tailed, but our preachers and teachers kept much work open by con- strange outbreak of late. The rabtributing from their meager salaries, somegiving $25 out of a salary bis took offense at an inscription of $100. We are willirig to make the sacrifices we are called upon on a new hospital built in the subto make, but we are not willing to abandon our work. urbs of Jerusalem by the London And this is but one cry of remon- Society for the Spread of the Gos- strance and appeal, in this new pel Among the Jews, and issued, and posted on public b~ildings, a crisis of missions, when, with doors violent edict against the instituopen as never before, and men and tion, threatening with the ban any women offering in unprecedented Israelite who enters it as patient or numbers, the whole work of mis- attendant. The innocent inscripsions is in danger of disastrous con- tion, which has provoked such a traction at the very hour when ex- storm of hostility and indignation, pansion is most urgently demanded. was simply this: Rev. D. M. Stearns has returned "Hospital of the Society for Spread of from his tour in the mission fields, Christianity Among the Jews. "
and gives his numerous friends a The hospital was opened in the city some years ago, but has been brief epitome of his experiences so largely patronized by the Jews, that this larger structure has been abroad: found necessary. Since the open- ing of this crusade against the Ten days traveling by rail, cover- institution by the hierarchy, the ing 6,470 miles, and sixty days at Jewish patients and attendants sea, covering 17,830 miles; also have left it, so that its existence is about 300 miles by rail in Japan, imperilled, as well as that of the and over 1,000 miles by steamer on school connected with it. The opthe Yang-tse from Shanghai to position has also extended to other Hankow and return, and scores of Jewish schools of the city conmiles by jinrikisha, chair, kano, and trolled by Christians. The uprishouseboat. ing, instigated by the embitt€red rabbis, is a serious setback to the Two hundred and thirty services good work of the London Society, on land and sea: 177 in English and and is greatly to be regretted. The 53 in five different languages, proclamation issued by the rabbis through interpreters; commentahas been justly characterized as "a who departed on August 28. She remarkable illustration of Oriental was the wife and true yokefellow religious intensity and a singular of Rev. John Wilkinson, so well survival of mediawalism in the known as head of the Mildmay modern religious world'. " Mission Among the Jews, London, England. Rev. James Legge, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Chinese in the Uni- Mrs. Wilkinson was converted versity of Oxford, has recently at thirteen, and early exhibited fallen asleep in his home in Eng- that passion for souls which moved land at the ripe age of eighty-two her whole life, and made all labor years. Dr. Legge was born in for the unsaved so sweet. Before Scotland and received the degree hel" marriage she became deeply of Doctor of Laws from the Uni- interested in work among the Jews, versities of Aberdeen and of Edin- and was wont to gather funds in burgh. In 1839 he was appointed a their behalf. She was, therefore, missionary of the London Mission- prepared to join her husband con ary Society to China, and after- amore, in his work for Israel. For ward took charge of the Anglo- nearly twenty years of their wed- Chinese College at Malacca. For ded life he was at home but onethirty years he labored in Hong- third of the year, the other eight kong, until, in 1875, he accepted months being absorbed in pleading the newly-founded chair of the for the Jews all over the United Chinese language and literature at Kingdom. Oxford. Probably no living man was better informed concerning Two aspects of her character dethe languages and religions of China mand notice even in this brief than Prof. Legge, and he has writ- sketch. ten many valuable works upon these subjects. He was always in- First her personality was beautiterested in all that concerned tho ful. Her one text-book was the advancement of the kingdom of Word of God. She believed it God, both at home and abroad, and fully from cover to cover. She tho his active life ended some years studied it for herself and translated ago his influence continues to be it into holy living. She studied it felt. He was a man who compelled for others, and translated it into respect. holy serving. The Holy Spirit was in her the spirit of power and of love Rev. David A. Day, D.D., the and of a sound mind. No one who honored missionary of the Luther- knew her will forget her serene an Church, who has zealously spirit, her unselfish affection, her labored for the past twenty-five well-governed tongue, and her wise years at Muhlenberg, West Africa, judgment. It was her habit of mind died on his way home to America. to give thanks, and her attitude was The funeral services were held in one of confidence and dependence Baltimore on Dec. 21, 1897, and toward God. the body was buried at Selin's Grove, Pa. We hope to have an Second, her influence was farextended account of Dr. Day's life reaching and consecrated. She had and work in a subsequent issue. a mind by no means common" and it was improved by cultu:re. Her Another of the deaths which are trained voice and gifted pen were conspicuous in the necrology of 1897, is that of ANN WILKINSON, with all else put at her Master's disposal. She was invaluable as a correspondent" and even through years of suffering she gave untold help in ~-writing. that most delicate and difficult department of if He wants me to die, I'll die. It's personal and mission work. all right, mamma '-and he threw Nowhere did Mrs. Wilkinson her a kiss with his fingers. These shine more than in the dark days were the last words we heard." when she and her husband were called to walk by faith without de- Father O'Connor has been of un- pendence on man. The time came told service to those who, like him, when it became plain to John Wil- have been reared in Catholicism, kinson that he was to sever a con- and this sorrow may be God's fur- nection with a society, which had nace-fire purifying him, and perlasted a quarter of a century, and cast himself upon God for all sup- fecting him for further work of plies, both for himself and his mis- soul-saving. Let him be made the sion work. Any man who has ever faced a similar crisis, knows that it subject of most earnest and believis well nigh impossible to take that ing prayer, that this great sorrow step without the cordial sympathy and cooperation of the wife and may, in God's wonderful way, open mother of a family.. But her simple faith reinforced his own, and in a new door to service. many respects led the way rather than followed. When the story of One of the most notable men John Wilkinson's work is written, it must be permeated and penetrat- who past away in 1897 was George ed by the golden thread that has so M. Pullman, of Chicago. The long bound these lives together. town of Pullman, founded by him, All the friends of Rev. James A. O'Connor, of Christ's Mission, 142 is his sufficient monument. It was West 21st Street, New York, will be grieved to learn of the death of a daring undertaking to plant a his youngest son, Luther B., a very town on the dreary prairie outside noble and clever lad of eleven years, who was fatally injured by a heav- of Chicago, and a liberality that is ily-laden truck, Nov. 30th, 1897. He died about four hours afterward, but seldom equaled that was willing to in the triumph of faith that was sin- expend upon such a settlement gularly mature for a little fellow of about eight millions of dollars. his years. His father writes: "This unique city," says an ex- "Death is always a shock, but change, "has now twelve thousand our Luther's was so pathetic, in his inhabitants, churches, shaded aveheroic fortitude and clear confes- nues, a public library and hall, sion of faith and trust in Christ, attractive houses, and many other that every thought of him as he lay attractions. To its credit, be it dying, looking into our faces, moves added, that it is without a single the heart to its very depths. saloon, jail, or hospital, and has yet to meet its first tramp or pauper. " I had spoken to him of the Great Financially, the enterprise has Physician, and he said, 'I know been a remarkable success. Some my Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe of those who would cheaply critiin Him, I trust Him, I love Him cize such results should try to do with all my heart. I always did, better. Mr. Pullman himself, like papa.' many pluto – millionaires of the American self-grown type, was "To his mother he said, as she very unassuming and sympathetic knelt at the foot of his couch, 'Why in his personal manners. He would won't you let me die, mamma? If often eat his lunch from off a standing counter, and chat with Jesus wants me to live, I will live; anyone who happened to be next to him. Such familiarity in his case bred not contempt, but cordial regard."
"Oampbellism" in Oarolina.
Weare in receipt of several com- munications' private and printed, which take exception to state- ments made in our November (1897) issue in regard to the "Campbellites," as they are sometimes called, other denominations, especially those who, like the Disciples, have but who are properly known as the congregational form of govern- ment. No comparison was intend- Christians or Disciples of Christ. ed, however, and reference was only made to "the Bluff Mountain Dis- We can see that the statements trict." If the references were" slan- derous," we shall be most happy to as to "the benumbing influence make full apology; if they are true, we hope' this exposure will lead to of Campbellism," and that "the their correction.
Campbellites have discredited be- As to the offensive terms, "Camp- bellites" and "Campbellism," no lief in the Trinity, in regeneration, more offense was intended than if Wesleyan had been applied to Methin the Holy Spirit, and in personal odists or Calvinism to Presbyter- ianism. The titles are those unisalvation," are open to serious mis- versally used in Madison County.
understanding. They are decidedly The article on Malaysia, which appeared in our November (1897) not true of the Disciples as a whole, issue, unfortunately contained sev- eral typographical errors in the and have no foundation in their spelling of names: teachings as set forth by their ac- pp.836 for Macsassar read Macassar.- credited theologians, * among whom H ,~ '" Pulopenanz read Pulopenang. H 837 H Ermels read Ermelo. are such men as Dr. B. B. Tyler, of " doopsgeziinde read doopsgezinde. New York; Alexander McLean, of " 838 " takes read taking. " 839 " Gerrike read Gerike. Cincinnati, and F. D. Power, of " Savo read Bavu. Washington. " Talant read Talaut. The article had, however, especial " 840 H " Hellendoom read Hellendoorn. reference to Madison County, N. C., " Grapsland read Grafland. " Dajabo read Dajaks. and the information in regard to " 841 " Brooks read Brooke. " Marassar read Macassar. the points in question was gathered " " " Berginese read Buginese. " Sangiresa read Sangirese. from' personal conversation with Books Received. those who had labored long in that THE WARNER CLASSICS. Selections from the district. One who is a devout and Charles Dudley Warner Library. Four volumes, 16mo. $1.00. Harper's Weekly charitable Christian worker there Club, 91 Fifth Avenue, N. Y.
writes: SITES AND SCENES: a Description of Missions to Jews in Eastern Lands-Part I. By " I have heard one of the minis- Rev. W. T. Gidney, M.A. 12mo, 200 pp. ters of this denomination say in his The London Society for Promoting Chrispulpit: 'You read Christ's words tianity Among the Jews. and you get Christ's spirit, just as you read the" Tempest," or "Ham- CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM IN RUSSIA. Edited by let," and get Shakespeare's spirit. Vladimir Tchertkoff. 12mo (paper). One Read "Paradise Lost," and you get shilling. The Brotherhood Publishing John Milton's spirit, read God's Co., London, England. Word, and you get God's spirit.' If there is any personality in that A LIFE FOR AFRICA (Dr. A. C. Good). By Miss kind of a spirit, I fail to understand E. M. Parsons. 12mo. $1.00. Fleming H. it. Revell Co., N. Y.
"With regard to regeneration, it PRIMER OF MODl<RN BRrrISH MISSIONS. By is commonly reported, and I believe Rev. R. Lovett, M.A. 12mo, 158 pp. 40c. it, that some of their preachers tell The same. their audiences that if they will hold up their hands and say: 'I be- THE ZENANA: or, Woman's Work in India. lieve Jesus Christ to be the Son of Volume IV. S. W. Partridge, London. God,' and receive baptism, they are saved. • • . . A CENTURY OF M,SSIONARY MARTYRS. Rev. F. S. Harris. JOB. Nisbet & Co., London. " Again, I have heard one well read in their doctrines, say: 'There is no such thing as heartfelt religion.' If these things are not 'benumbing,' I do not know what coldness is."
Doubtless similar errors could be pointed out in certain adherents of * See article in "Scbaff-Hertzog,Encyclo.
predia."
1898.J EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
VI.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D.
Extraots and Translations From Foreign the world. Born at Constantinople P eriodioals. in February, 1792, he now numbers 106 years. He has been in some By REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, clerical position for 95 years, and MASS. has now attained to the supreme rank of Patriarch. The Alexan- MISCELLANEOUS. drian Patriarch ranks second in the Greek Church, altho he has but a -We learn from Der Christliche handful of adherents, most of the Apologete, the M. E. journal of Cin- small number of Christians still left cinnati, that the municipal council in Egypt being Coptic Monophysof Paris has forbidden the Scrip- ites. The venerable man is even tures to be read to the Protestant yet fresh and sound in body and patients in the public hospitals, and mind. has directed all copies of the Scriptures to be removed from the Prot- -It is deeply to be regretted that estant libraries attacht to the hos- Protestant controversy against pitals. As we know,. the council Catholicism should be so ignorant had previously expelled from the and so absolutely unscrupulous, as hospitals all priests and sisters of it very commonly is. This lamencharity. It is evidently resolved table fact has been remarkt by Dr. that the patients, Reformed or Ro- Schaff, Dean Stanley, Adolf Harman Catholic, shall have no com- nack, and many others. Dr. Schaff fort or advantage of their own declares, and with good reason, religion, during their time of weak- that in this respect it has little to ness, if it can prevent. It has not boast of over Catholic controversy. yet, that we know, forbidden re- Adolf Harnack, himself an extreme ligious conversation with visiting Protestant, raises the question friends, but that will doubtless whether Protestants really believe come next. the Ninth Commandment to be binding on them when dealing with Yet, says the Apologete, when M. Roman Catholicism. The forged Berthelot, the present Minister of and interpolated and mutilated Foreign Affairs, who had been fore- documents whic4 are circulated most in expelling the Sisters of through the Protestant world, are Charity, had a daughter sick, he innumerable. Thus a certain book placed her in a private hospital con- is sold everywhere, accusing the trolled by the Sisters of Charity. saintly Innocent XI., the friend of He could entrust his daughter to Port Royal and enemy of the J esuthe kindness and Qare of Christian its, of sanctioning perjury, the fact women, but he could not entrust being that this Pope recites a cerher to the heartlessnes.s of atheistic tain detestable proposition in order physicians and nurses. to forbid the faithful ever to main- tain it. So we have lately seen a In Italy they are improving on hideous form of cursing heretics, France. Voices are already heard declared to be found in the Roman there calling for the entire abolition Pontifical, as something imposed of the hospitals, that the weak may on priests to recite. Now the Ponperish the sooner. tifical, first, contains no formulas for common priests to recite; it is -Papa Sophsonios, says the Apologete, the Greek Patriarch of Alexandria, is the oldest prelate of
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
intended only for bishops, and, in CHINA. part, for mitred abbots. Next, having carefully examined every -The Rev. Arnold Foster, of Hanpage of the three great volumes, we kow, writing in the Chronicle of a are able to testify that no' such for- Japanese convert who spent some mula is there from first to last. time in America, and whose faith The form of the greater excom- was for a while severely tried by the m~nication, of which it is a hide- gross defects and inconsistencies of ous amplification and distortion, our current Christianity, remarks: briefly declares, using essentially " In due time our convert returned the words of the Savior and of St. to his native land, and toward the Paul, that M. M., having continued end of his book he sums up the refractory to all admonition, is de- general impression made upon him clared excommunicated, and an by his three years' sojourn in anathema is pronounced that he be America. The longer he stayed excluded from the threshold of Holy there, the more he perceived the Church in heaven and on earth, bright side of Christian life and and, if he continue impenitent, be civilization in America. Not that doomed to suffer with the damned he came to think he had exagin hell. The bishop, therefore, gives gerated the evil side of it; but two him over to Satan for the destruc- considerations imprest him during tion of the flesh, that the spirit may the later days of his life in Christenbe saved in the day of the Lord dom, to which he felt he had not Jesus. given due weight at the beginning. The first was the difference between This is the sum total. Not a word the Western and the Oriental naof the horrid details ascribed to the tures, the second the difference be- Pontifical. Not a word of impre- tween the good men of Christencation on the offender's posterity. dom and the good men of heathen- Not a word of his burial with dogs dom. Speaking of the first of these and asses. Not a wish that his two points, he says: 'Two elements, candle may be put out in the day belief and believers, determine the of judgment, but a wish and hope practical morality of any nation. exprest that he may be saved in the Fierce Saxons, piratical Scandinaday of judgment. Whoever has in- vians, pleasure-loving Frenchmen, vented this hideous fiction is a son trying to manage themselves in of Belial. Whoever has been mis- this world by the Divine Man .of led by it, is bound to a solemn re- Nazareth-that is what we witness traction. in Christendom. Lay no blame, then, upon Christianity for their Undoubtedly there have been bar- untowardness, but rather praise it barous priests that have belcht for its subduing power over tigers forth even such cursings as this. such as they. What if these people But Rome has never admitted them had no Christianity?' And then into her Pontifical, has never pre- he goes on to point out how utterly scribed or authorized them. Even feeble and useless Confucianism or the violent imprecations poured Buddhism would be to tame and subout upon Louis the Bavarian by an due the strong, vehement passions A vignon pope, are far removed and natures of "Vestern p;:·ople. from such foulness. Weak and impotent in controlling even the milder, gentler, less in- How can we ask a blessing on our tense natures of the Chinese and efforts to extend Protestantism, if Japanese, these religions would be we show it forth as a spirit of false- infinitely weaker in dealing with hood, malice, and all uncharitableness?
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
Saxons, Teutons, and other races of they who in their country's peril the West. 'It is only by the are the first to lay down their lives Church militant arrayed against in its service; who, when told of a the huge monstrosities of Mormon- new mission enterprise in a heathen ism, rum traffic, Louisiana lottery, land, will give their own railway and other enormities that Christen- fares to the missionary who is undom is kept from precipitating into dertaking it, and return home, immediate ruin and death.' tramping on their own feet, and praising God for their having done " Our convert's remarks upon the so; who, in their big, tearful hearts, good of Christendom and the good understand all the mysteries of of heathendom are very striking Divine mercy, and hence are merciand forcible, and his illustrations ful to all around them. No fierceof what he means are very apt and ness and blind zeal with those men, impressive. ' But if Christendom's but gentleness and cool calculation bad is so bad, how good is its good! ' in doing good. Indeed, I can say he exclaims. 'Seek through the with all truthfulness that I have length and breadth of heathendom seen good men only in Christenand see whether you can find one dom. Brave men, honest men, John Howard to ornament its his- righteous men are not wanting in tory of humanity. ",Ve have heard heathendom, but I doubt whether of our magnates (Japanese) hoard- good men are possible without the ing millions and spending them knowledge of Jesus Christ.''' upon temples, or feeding the poor, for their own future's sake; but a This belongs rather under Japan, George Peabody or a Stephen Gi- but we give it here because Mr. rard, who hoarded for the sake of Foster writes from China. giving, and took delight in giving, is not a phenomenon observable Dr. Hering, in the Zeitschrift among the heathen. And not these fur Missionskunde, draws a very select few only, but widely distrib- interesting parallel between the uted throughout Christendom, tho Chinese and Japanese. In it he necessarily hidden from view, are says: "How different are the two to be found what may be specially people in point of character. The named good men-souls who love Japanese mobile, of eminently sangoodness for its own sake, and are guine temperament; the Chinese bent toward doing good, as mankind slow to take up what is new, howin general is bent toward doing ever evident its advantages, but evil. How these souls, keeping clinging tenaciously to it when themselves from the view of the once taken up; the Japanese, gifted public, are striving to make this with astonishingly practical sense, world better by their efforts and taking up novelties with great adprayers; how they often shed dress, altho often only superficially, tears for the wretchedness of and, therefore, often with unfortuthe state of the people of whom nate results. Yet toward them they read only in the newspapers; from whom they receive these how they lay upon their hearts the novelties they remain full of miswelfare of all mankind; and how trust, bent on scrutinizing everywilling they are to take part in the thing for themselves, from a new work of ameliorating human misery invention to the Gospel. and ignorance-these thmgs I saw with my own eyes, and I can testify "The Chinese are inclined to to the genuine spirit that underlies philosophical speculation. This is them all. Those silent men are shown by the systems of a Confu- cius, a Lao-tsze, a Mencius, as well as by the immense Chinese litera-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
ture, concerning especially geogra- has declared that he knows no one phy and history, and hiding yet unappropriated treasures. The in the whole world that he would Japanese have remained unproductive in the sphere of philosophy, sooner trust than a Chinese merand, indeed, their literature generally will sustain no comparison chant or banker. In the with that of China. Only in the field of myth and legend has it last five-and-twenty years, he rebeen eminent. marks, the bank has had transac- "The Chinese can hardly be called warlike. Her vast territo- tions with Chinese in Shanghai ries China has acquired less by conquest than by colonization. The amounting to hundreds of millions, Japanese, on the contrary, are distingnisht by a great predilection but' we have never fallen in with for weapons and the trade of arms. They are born soldiers, pliable, a dishonest Chinese.' capable of self-devotion, wonted from of old to discipline, abso- " In view of the great extent of lutely intoxicated with warlike renown. the Chinese Empire, the difference "The Chinese inclines rather to of the tribes and dialects, and the the works of peace. In these he is industrious, saving, sober, and great independence of the several thoroughly trustworthy. The Chinese artisan, over and above his provinces, one in China can hardly skilfulness, has the virtue of absolute punctuality. You can not say speak of patriotism, but at most of that of the Japanese mechanic, tho he is just as skilful. As a ser- a consciousness of race, while the vant of the European the China·· man is matchless, working with no Japanese are inspired with a glownoise and with the regularity of a timepiece, faithful and honest, ing patriotism. Should a foreign altho the consciousness of his heaven-wide superiority to the for- power ever attempt to conquer eign barbarian never forsakes him. Inquire of the European merchants Japanese soil, and to take possesof East Asia as to their Chinese and Japanese business correspond- sion of it, it would meet with a reents, and you will find them unanimous in their praise of the sistance compared with which the Chinese merchant and clerk, and quite as unanimous in their com- obstinacy of the Poles, the stubborn plaints of the Japanese. The fact is, that in all the European bank- conflicts in the Caucasus, or the Ining-houses in China and Japan there are Chinese installed, and dian mutiny would be as nothing." that defalcations are as good as unknown. Mr. Chamberlain, for MADAGASCAR. years manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank at Shanghai, -Mr. Jonson, of the Norwegian mission, writing to M. Boegner, of the French Society, remarks: "It must be owned that it is by no means easy to govern the Mala- gasy; they are such liars, and so servily that they lie with the great- est possible address to gain the favor of their superiors; and when this bad habit of character enters into the service of the Jesuits, the result can only be a regular perse- cution, against which we have no help but in the help of our Lord."
-We see from the August Jour- nal des Missions that the French Catholic persecution in Madagascar is making rapid progress. The agents of the Jesuits have, for months, been threatening the Prot- estants that if they did not turn Catholic, they should be shot, but hitherto this has been little more than a threat. Now, however, we learn from the Journal the French
ENGLISH NOTES
are carrying out the threat in mur- populous neighborhood around derous earnest In various districts Christ Church, and has not only of Imerina and Betsileo, the two commended himself to his pastor, central provinces, a number of per- but to the large class of workers sons have been shot, most common- that meet there. The valedictory lyon mere discrimination, without service, which was largely attended, any form of law. Of course, they was characterized by great depth are accused of disloyalty, but every- of feeling and sympathetic interest. thing, communicated alike in the All seemed to know Mr. Geller, and Journal and the Chronicle, makes to hold him in honor as a brother it certain that their disloyalty con- beloved. Nor is this to be wonsists simply in adherence to Prot- dered at, for, tho still a comparaestantism in connection with the tively young man, his zeal for years London Missionary Society. has been conspicuous; and both as superintendent of the Lodging- The Devil, the Jesuits, and the house Mission, and as an open-air French Republic seem thoroughly preacher, his work has been atagreed to break up the chief Chris- tended with signal blessing. tian work in the great island, contemptuously reserving the lesser Outward Bound.-In addition to Protestant societies, especially the Mr. Geller, nine other recruits are Norwegian, to be devoured at lei- outward bound, four for China and sure. These men have been just as five for India. Of these Mr. Bitton, truly murdered by France for their who is appointed for Shanghai, is a Protestantism as the victims of St. distinguisht Hackney student, be- Bartholomew's. Catharine de Me- ing in the honors list of the Theodici was an atheist, flattering the logical Senate and "First Homes bloodthirstiness of Catholic fanat- Jubileeprizeman." Mr. EdwardF. ics, and her Republican successors Mills is a fully qualified doctor, the are just the same thing. son of a Madagascar missionary, was born in the Hova capital, That mischievous assumption and his destination is King-shan, that religion must make itself a Central China. Miss Alice W. servant of nationality, which has Esam has already served four years done so much evil in almost every in the China Inland Mission, and Christian country, seems to be now now, with restored health, is reraging in its fullest virulence in turning to a much-beloved land. France. Miss Mabel Neal is designated for Canton, and has been trained at English Notes. Dr. Guinness's Institute, in Poplar.
BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS, M.A. The appointments to India are Mr. Nathaniel C. Daniell, a Cornish- London Missionary Society.-In man, whose labors as an evangeconnection with Christ Church, list have been greatly blest; Mr. Westminster, of which the Rev. F. Sydney Nicholson, a native of B. Meyer is pastor, a valedictory Yorkshire, and student of Hackney service was held on Thursday, No- College; Miss Annie Budd, of Hovember 3d, when Mr. Wilson H. merton Training College; Miss Geller, a student of Harley House, Maud Pepper, of Doric Lodge, Bow, Bow, and a member of Mr. Meyer's and Miss Annie R. Lloyd, who, church, was formally designated to after ten years' training at Nothis work in Hian-kan, China. Mr. tingham University College, be- Geller has proved a valued coadjutor of Mr. Meyer in his endeavor to came a certificated mistress, and is reach the outlying masses in the now enrolled among the teaching staff of the girls' school in Calcutta.
50 GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
[THESE statistics are designed to include only Missions among either non-Christian or nonreduced. Accuracy has been sought, but also completeness, and hence conservative estimates within the space afforded by two pages of this Magazine, a large number of the smaller and o:i 00 .!:i ~I .e 00 g " ".d~0," NAMES OF M,SSIONARY SOCIETIES IN 0 rg.~ .~ .- ",;" 'd.1e~ GREAT BRITAIN AND UPON THE CON- ..,.~ o:i .i_ll'0" ~ ~I z ~ TINENT, AND SUMMARIES FOR ASIA, ""d0 ._ @§§p: AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, ETC. o~ 'S" Q) 00 "'" p );'iii< ~.~ ,"00 -» 8~1 t~ .~_:1;o>:..~….- 0 S» OJ E'-0< " Q,) ""~"bl) O.;!? ",; );'i H" :.!:::: 0'" H — — ~ — — — Baptist (England) ………………… 1792 $420,890 118 34 118 5 275 40 825 London Society (L. M. S.) ………… 1795 762,215 160 28 152 70 410 398 2,417 Church Society (C. III. S.) 00 ……….. 1799 1,706,975 372 110 293 238' 1,013 361 5,680 Propagation Society (S. P. G.) …….. 1701 667,580 583 70 340 170 1,163 183 3,304 Universities' Mission ……………… 1859 121,620 30 23 1 30 84 10 117 Society of Friends……………….. 1867 59,675 0 28 20 19 67 0 429 Wesleyan Society……………….. 1816 653,779 60 90 120 40 310 150 3,922 Methodist New Connection ………… 1859 22,500 6 2 6 0 14 25 80 United Methodist Free Churches ….. 1837 49,865 25 7 10 1 43 4 10 Welsh Calvinistic ………………… 1841 53,982 15 1 13 6 35 5 314 Presbyterian Church of England ….. 1847 118,310 18 16 24 22 80 15 148 Presbyterian Church of Ireland…… 1840 114,010 22 8 17 16 63 8 261 China Inland Mission……………… 1865 192,000 60 173 270 190 693 14 462 Established Church of Scotland …… 1829 181,470 22 7 21 53 112 10 708 Free Church of Scotland ………….. 1843 425,280 65 51 67 73 256 23 1,343 Reformed Presbyterian…………… 1842 3,735 2010 30 9 United Presbyterian ……….•……. 1847 275,470 77 13 66 39 195 20 385 Other British Societies…….•…….. …. 718,000 35 306 178 4S1 947 35 3,069 Paris Society …………………….. 1822 125,384 37 4 34 0 75 7 310 Basle Society …………………. .– 1815 285,847 153 56 100 7 323 31 1,013 150,998 76 13 75 3 167 0 184 Berlin Society……………………. 1824 Gossner's Society ………………… 1836 45,000 18 14 20 3 55 19 440 Hermannsburg Society.•…..•……. 1854 61,594 56 0 53 0 109 0 402 Leipsic Society …………………… 1836 107,620 37 3 27 4 71 22 619 Moravian Church ………………… 1732 130,570 95 76 156 21 348 19 1,985 North German Society……………. 1836 33,000 17 3 10 8 38 1 50 Rhenish Society (Barmen) ………… 1829 144,480 105 4 86 13 208 23 21lB Eleven other German Societies……. …. 127,000 15 54 38 100 207 5 157 Fifteen Netherlands Societies…….. …. 158,156 57 33 80 2 172 12 601 Nineteen Scandinavian Societies….. …. 303,380 123 38 tj4 72 317 68 1,465 –"'I Societies in Asia,Africa,Australia,etc. …. 573,670 470 531 500 –.—-~ ',W< "'" ",""
Totals for Europe, Asia, etc…. " ….. …. $8,793,655 2-,9-291-,79-6 2,980 1,729 -9-,4-471-,876-43,7-29 — —– Totals for America ……………….. …. $5,255,006 1,372 592 1,521 1,269 4,754 1,767 16,194 Totals for Christendom …………… …. $14,048,661 4,301 2,388 4,501 2,998114,201 3,643 59,923
1898.J MISSIONARY STATISTICAL TABLES
Protestant peoples, and hence the figures of certain societies doing colonial work have been have been made concerning certain items omitted from some reports. Mainly in order to keep special organizations have bee:> grouped together.] -.S "Coo 2i …: 00 00 Countries in which "",a:l "PO'" ~"" Missions are Sustained. <!) ""~.9 '8"'O"J … ~~ 00 o…i 01) ………. '0 &.O..J~"; o "o"~, "S '" "~"g''j'' ~~ '0 .'Zoo .<:l ~~ "~~,~"0 S " >-< ~~·C 0 .<:l bE-< '" 0 ""'~.<:l OJ Q U1 ~0 '" – – – – – – – – – – – – — — — 1,100 1,084 53,284 3,365 200,000 650 38,458 India, China, Palestine, Africa,West 2,827 867 34,473 1,500 133,342 1,278 Indies. 6,693 62,785 4,221 233,110 2,171 4,467 1,483 38,000 3,200 208,000 50,390 China, India, Africa, Madagascar, 2,500 850 Polynesia. 201 1,722 163 6,705 67 30 92,804 Persia. China, Japan, India, Africa, North America. etc.
41,000 India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Africa, West Indies, etc.
3,084 Africa (Lake Nyassa and Zanzibar).
496 70 2,743 280 10,000 400 16,800 Palestine, India, China, Madagas- 4,232 2,652 44,573 2,221 130,000 car. 1,818 94 54 200 8,000 480 22,653 India, China, Africa (West and South), West Indies.
33 464 China (Shantung, Tien-tsin).
53 25 8,419 254 18,OCO 20 1,203 China, Africa, Australia.
349 292 2,948 358 13,245 241 6,542 N. E. India, France (Brittany).
22S 116 4,946 576 17,000 52 3,320 India, China, Formosa, Malaysia.
324 61 1,283 208 5,000 120 5,018 China, India (Kathiawar), Syria.
1,155 277 6,113 1,262 25,000 84 1,077 China (Fifteen Provinces).
800 105 2,077 206 10,000 225 18,811 India, East Africa, Palestine.
1,596 318 9,912 831 30,000 529 25,344 India, Africa (South and East), Ara- 12 bia, Palestine, New Hebrides. 3 248 Syria (Antioch. etc.). 2 43 3 150 580 294 21,028 1,079 50,000 304 18,100 India, China, Japan, Africa (West 4,016 750 12,158 2,200 35,000 and South), West Indies.
530 65,000 385 207 13,368 250 35,000 350 10,000 Africa, South and West, Tahiti.
1,336 520 17,174 1,870 33,740 406 15,049 South India, China, West Africa.
351 202 14,700 858 30,000 200 5,571 Africa, East and South, China.
495 150 13,020 970 28,000 120 3,140 India (Ganges, Chota, Nagpore).
511 147 23,939 1,760 35,250 89 5,579 India, South Africa, New Zealand.
690 205 7,349 355 16,070 216 6,323 South India, Burma, British and 2,333 171 33,301 1,300 94,812 German East Africa. 31 1,032 88 143 2,500 350 24,759 South Africa, Australia, South Am- erica, West Indies, Eskimo, etc.
34 873 West Africa, New Zealand.
506 246 27,464 781 64,317 230 10,982 Africa, East Indies, New Guinea, 50 1,533 China.
364 45 900 140 3,000 773 507 44,918 1,330 150,000 55 1,500 1,782 670 32,156 3,700 90,000 800 33,854 – – – 14,314 1.600 235,304 8,500 – -70-0,0-00- 1,200 155,538 — —- — — — 44,084 .2,_415,-24-1 12,137 685,017 – – 53,151 — — — — 20,946 15,681 -7-72,-950- 26,288 1,143,275 6,672 241,180 — -6,0-91 -3-56,-88-0 — — — – – 74,097 21,772 1,129,830 70,372 3,558,516 18,809 926,197
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
THE KINGDOM. method of reformation, involves not only ignorant presumption, -Our lives would be singularly but practical infidelity.-Dr. Colin incomplete if there were in them A. B1'owning, R.N. no chance for giving as worship. I am of the opinion, and very -General Brinckerhoff, president strongly, that we ought to hail of the National Prison Congress, every opportunity to give some- recently said: "I want to put it on thing for the advancement of relig- record, with all the emphasis I can ion, for charity, for the missionary command, that if we are to make effort of the Church, as a means of any large progress in the reformagrace, a. way of increasing our tion of prisoners, or in the pregenerosity and of reproving our vention of crime, or in the betternatural selfishness. Instead of ment of mankind, we must utilize suffering in ourselves any impa- more fully than we have heretofore tience with the collection box, we the religio'Js element which is inought to hail it with love and joy, herent in the universal heart of remembering the blessing of the man. You may call it a supersti- Lord bestowed upon her who crept tion, if you will, but yet the fact meekly to the treasury and dropt remains that man, altho he may be in her two mites.-Margaret E. a mere animal, 'whose little life is Sangster. rounded by a sleep' and ends with the grave, nevertheless is the only -Christianity can not be, must animal whose life is governed by not be, watered down to suit the what he believes, and who rises palate of Hindu, Parsee, Confucian- and falls in accordance with his ist, Buddhist, or Mohammedan; mental ideas." and whosoever wishes to pass from the false religion to the true can -Practical vivisection without never hope to do so by the rickety anresthetics-that is the apt phrase planks of compromise, or by the by which Dr. J. M. Buckley dehelp of faltering hands held out scribes the cutting down of approby half-hearted Christians. He priations to mission fields in order must leap the gulf in faith; the to avoid debt. living Christ will spread His everlasting arms beneath him, and land -Quoth Bishop McCabe: "How him safely on the eternal rock.- to get the Church to consecrate its Sir Monier Williams. money to God is the question of the hour. We could go swiftly onward -We hear much of various sys- with the work of evangelizing the tems of prison discipline, as the world, if we only had the money to separate, the silent, and the con- send the messengers of salvation. gregate systems, but unless the The total income of the Methodist Christian system be brought to Episcopal Church alone can not be bear, with Divine power, on the less than $600,000,000. One-tenth understanding and consciences of of that is $60,000,000. We give criminals, every other system, pro- $24,000,000 now. We rob God of fessedly contemplating their refor- $36,000,000, or $3,000,000 a month, mation, must prove an utter fail- or $100,000 a day." ure. We willingly concede to various modes of prison discipline -Church at Home and Abroad their just measure of importance, puts it this way: "If all the commubut to expect that human machin- nicants of the Presbyterian Church ery, however perfect, can take the would only deny themselves the place of God's own prescribed pleasure of eating one plate of icecream less every year and give the is no one word to express the idea saving to the Board of Ministerial of chastity, which can be applied to Relief, money enough would be a man; the word which denotes forthcoming to pay all the appro- this can only be used of a woman!
priations for aged and worn-out Neither is there any word which ministers of the denomination in connotes the same thought as our all the world." word' ought,' so that, naturally, -Rev. Myron Eells, missionary Hindi has no word for ' conat Skokomish Indian mission, science.' " Washington, puts himself on record thus: "On a recent Saturday I -And an English Wesleyan miswent by boat 10 miles, then walkt sionary, in Ceylon, writes in Work 12 more to Holly, preacht there and Workers of the exceeding diffi- Sunday morning, attended Sunday- culty of securing a sufficiency of school, preacht again at half-past good Tamil hymns for worship. two, after which I administered The people, in their entire intellecthe Lord's Supper. Then I walkt tual and spiritual make, are so unback 6 miles to Harrison, where I like Anglo-Saxons, and the two preacht at eight o'clock, after tongues are so radically different, which I again administered the that Watts, Wesley, etal., in a Tacommunion. It was the first time mil dress are intolerably senseless it had ever been administered in and dull. South India waits with longing for a native hymnist.
the latter place, and some church -"Provost Vahl calculates that members present had not partaken from 1845 to 1890 the number of of it for fifteen years." male missionaries was multiplied 3 -The intelligence comes that or 4 times, while that of women Prince Oscar and Princess Ebba, of missionaries was multiplied about Sweden, contemplate leaving Frid- 26 times." hem, their beautiful home on Gothland Island in the Baltic, and sail- -When an Armenian comes to ing to Africa as missionaries, in this country, and you find him not response to the appeal from jungle all that you had imagined, please and slave pen in that unhappy remember that for centuries he has land where men, women, and little been ground down by oppression. children are hunted as beasts, and, The bad side of his nature has been like beasts, sold for burden-bearing developt, the good side sadly and to be slaughtered for food. dwarft. Do not judge him by the Anglo-Saxon nineteenth century -An illustration of the variety standard. He can not stand it.' Be of the difficulties which beset trans- . just, and you will have more charlators of the Word of God is given ity. He thirsts for education, and by a veteran missionary in India, he needs the gospel of love. Will who tells us that Hindi "offers you continue to supply his need? special difficulty as a medium for Sometimes the refugees called me the expression of Biblical truth. an angel, and it was delightful that We have no word in Hindi for I could be a tangible angel, with , person,' none for 'matter,' as dis- plenty of English gold in my tinct from' spirit.' The word for pocket.-Miss Katherine Fraser.
'omnipresence' suggests rather YOUNG PEOPLE.
universal pervasion than what we -The International Committee mean by presence. There is often of the Y. M. C. A. reports that in difficulty in finding exact words thirty-one years the number of as- even for moral ideas. Thus there sociations has grown from 00 to 1,429, and the total membership tian Endeavor" was organized at from 15,498 to 248,734. Then there the mountain sanitarium, Ku-ling, were no buildings, now there are near Foochow, China. This society 330, valued at over $17,000,000 ; then is in existence during the tempothe expense of local work was $50,- rary stay of missionaries in this 000, now it is nearly $2,500,000. The healthful spot during the hottest international work in this country, part of the summer. Under their including all superintendence of leadership about 50 Chinese are orthe local organizations and the de- ganized for Christian Endeavor velopment of the departments, was work, which includes going out $522; it is now a trifle over $73,000. among the scattered villages of the mountains, talking to the people, -In the latter part of October an and inviting them to the services. All-India Epworth League Convention was held at Calcutta. There -Schools in the United States were addresses not merely from cost last year $185,000,000. Pupils missionaries who are members of numbered 14,500,000. Of male teachthe Methodist Episcopal Church, ers there were 130,000; female teachbut from representatives of the ers, 270,000. Expended per pupil, Christian Endeavor Society, and $18.92. There are in private schools Christian workers in every depart- 1,250,000 pupils, in public high ment in India. The League of In- schools, 4,000,000, and in universidia and Malaysia is in close affilia- ties and colleges, 100,000. There tion with the parent League in this were 1,500,000 colored children in country. It operates in 14 different the Southern schools. The value of languages in India. school property amounts to $456,- 000,000. -The following resolution was adopted by the General Missionary UNITED STATES. Committee (Methodist) at its meeting in Philadelphia: "We see in -In September last, upon the the million and a half of our young steamship Empress of China, no people organized into Epworth less than 42 missionaries took pas- Leagues and other young people's sage for their fields lying beyond societies, a most inviting field for the broad Pacific. Classified accordthe reception of missionary infor- ing to destination, there were, for mation and inspiration. The brav- China, 22; for Japan, 12, and for ery and heroic adventure that have Korea, 8. There were represented characterized the advancing Church seven societies-Presbyterian, 16, from the earliest ages will be ex- including 1 Southern Presbyterian, ceedingly fascinating to these and 3 going out independently; 13 young minds; therefore, Resolved, Methodists, including 1 from the That we direct our secretaries to do Canadian Methodist Church, and 2 their best to have these young peo- from the Methodist Episcopal ple's societies devote one meeting Church, South; Church Missionary each month to the study of the mis- Society, 6; China Inland Mission, sionary fields and cause." 2; Congregational, 3; 1 Baptist and the Society for the Propagation of -Canada and Great Britain have the Gospel, 1. Classified according past the two – hundred – thousand to homeland, England was repremark in the membership of their sented by 6, Canada by 2, Scotland Christian Endeavor societies at by 2, and the United States by 32. about the same time. -The report of The Tribune -During two years in succession Fresh Air Fund shows that last the "Sojourners' Society of Chris- summer 10,285 children were sent into the country for a longer or sionaries, men and women, assisted shorter period at an expense of by a force of 2,956 native preachers, $26,703, an average of about $2.60 teachers, and other helpers, are each. During the twenty-five years preaching the Gospel in 27 lan- since the establishment of the fund guages, and directing a great evan- it has benefited 161,609 children at gelistic, educational, and medical a cost of $398,491. The first year's enterprise. In 470 churches there record (1877) was 50, the next year is gathered a total membership 1,077, from which there was a very of 44,606, of 'whom 3,919 have steady increase until 1892, when made confession of their faith this the highest number was reacht- year. In 17 theological schools 179 15,236. students are in direct preparation for the work of the ministry. In -The Ohildren's Aid Society has 118 colleges and high schools 6,991 completed its fortieth year, and pickt youths of both sexes are in among many other good things is training, under the most favorable able to report that last year 20 day conditions, for a share in the work, schools and 12 night schools were and 43,221 pupils are under Ohrissustained, with 14,017 children tian instruction in 1,049 common taught and partly fed and clothed; schools." meals to the number of 763,950 were furnisht; in 6 lodging-houses -The American Missionary As- 5,848 different boys and girls found sociation, which occupies a station shelter, to whom 243,590 meals at Oape Prince of Wales, the most were supplied. During the hot westerly point of North America, weather a day's outing was given and has there a herd of reindeer, is to 42,353. One of the "graduates" assisting the United States Governof this institution is now governor ment in efforts to relieve the of Alaska. whalers who are ice-bound in the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska. -The churches are accomplish- The missionary has been authoring great good by their work of ized to render every assistance. education and by the planting of The station has the largest day Ohristian churches in Utah. The school in Alaska, with an average Methodist Episcopal Ohurch has 25 attendance of more than 100. It ministers in that field, 35 churches, has also an industrial department, 1,500 church members, 220·teachers and has aided in training the Eskiand officers in Sabbath schools, mos to herd the reindeer introand 2,165 pupils. The Presbyte- duced from Siberia. rian Ohurch has 28 ministers, 23 churches, 1,116 members, 237 Sab- -The Southern Baptist Convenbath-school teachers, with 2,302 pu- tion has 7 missionaries in Africa pils; 22 mission schools, with 2,300 and 7 native- helpers. There are 6 pupils, 4 of these schools being churches, with a membership of academies, and 1 a college. The 282, who gave last year $393. combined 'forces of all Protestant churches in Utah are 84 ministers, EUROPE. 98 churches, 5,101 members, 115 Sabbath-schools, with 7,653 pupils, Great Britain.-Losses caused to and 42 Ohristian day schools, with charities by the special jubilee col-_ 3,635 pupils. lections are reported in the Quiver. The diminution of income of the -The work of the American Society for the Prevention of Board last year is thus summa- Oruelty to Animals amounts to rized: "In 1,227 centers 543 mis- £10,000; that of the London City Missions to over £5,000; Dr. Bar- world has helpt to circulate these nardo's Homes, £4,900; Church of publications, and in 220 languages. England Home for Waifs and Its work dates from 1797. Strays, £2,600, and the Ragged School Union, £1,500. The British The Continent.-The Paris Misand Foreign Sailors' Society, Brit- sionary Society is straining every ish Home for Incurables, British nerve to meet the present emerand Foreign Bible Society, and gency in Madagascar, where the others, also ascribe a falling off in French government is manifesting receipts to the special efforts in such hostility to the London Misother directions. sionary Society, and is insisting on the use of the French language -The Mission World quotes among the natives. Already they several remarkable' statements on have sent out 9 missionary parties, good authority, among them: the last, which sailed on 10th No- " There are in the Christian Church vember, consisting of M. and Mme. over 100,000 proselytes from Ju- Rusillon, M. Robert, and MIles. daism, and in the Church of Eng- Petrequin and Rousseau. In all 17 land alone 250 of the clergy are men and 13 women have gone. either Jews or the sons of Jews. After deducting for deaths and re- As each Lord's day comes round turns, there are 26 French Protesthe Gospel is proclaimed in more tant missionaries in the field, inthan 600 pulpits of Europe by Jew- cluding missionaries' wives. The ish lips. Over 350 of the ministers Norwegian Missionary Society sent of Christ in Great Britain are out last year to Madagascar 12 N orstated to be Hebrew Christians." wegian missionaries, 2 French mis- sionaries, 2 French teachers, 1 -The Archbishop of Canterbury printer, and 3 women teachers. has dispenst with the use of wines at Lambeth Palace, where, during -The Netherland Missionary Soall Episcopal regimes since the ciety has just celebrated its cen- Reformation, such refreshments tenary. In 1797, under the founder, have been habitually served. Johann Vanderkemp, it commenced operations in friendly relations to -By the will of the late J. T. the London Missionary Society. Morton, of Aberdeen, some £500,- Early in the present century these 000 are left for missions, and seven- two societies jointly sent missionsixteenths of the residuary estate aries to South Africa and to Java, goes to the Moravian Church. Of but the work was soon given up. A this large sum, however, ·none is to little later they began work tobe available for use in work already gether among the Molucca Islands. undertaken, but, being paid in ten The N. M. S. did noble work for annual instalments, is to go to many years, but discontent sprl,lng open and sustain new work. up in 1858, and occasioned the for- mation of 4 societies, viz., the Gen- -The Church Missionary Society eral Missionary Society of the Rehas 48 medical missionaries in its formed Church, the Dutch Missionservice. ary Union, the Dutch Reformed Missionary Union, and the Utrecht -The London Religious Tract Missionary Society. In 1894 the Society sends forth its publications first and third of these societies at the annual rate of 59,000,000, and were united. In 1882 the Dutch its total circulation to date has ag- Lutheran Missionary Society was gregated 3,215,000,000. Every Prot- also founded. estant Christian mission in the – The Methodist Episcopal each with its central station and Church has pr0perty in Rome independent churches. The memworth $200,000, consisting mainly bers on the whole American Telugu of a large and commodious mission field exceed 55,000 in number. house, containing ample rooms for 2 chapels, 2 parsonages, a boys' col- -The first Parsee convert to lege, a printing establishment, etc. Christianity in India is still living. Bishop Foss regards this large in- His name is Dhanjibhai, and he was vestment as supplying ample evi- baptized in the year 1839. He is a dence that the Methodists are in minister of the Free Church of Rome "to stay." Scotland, and is held in high honor even by non-Christians in India. ASIA. He is now an old man still at work, tho of him it has been said, as Dr. India.-The Rev. William Carey, Candlish is reported to have said a grandson of the eminent mission- of Dr. Robert Gordon, "It is far ary of the same name, and now a more important that he should live missionary in Bengal, has issued a for several years more than that he booklet entitled "Christian Endeav- should do any work." His presence or in small Village Communities," is a benediction. in which he shows the value of the Endeavor movement in meeting -A Telugu Baptist Home Misthe needs of such communities as sion Society was formed at the first exist in India. In multitudes of meeting of the Telugu Baptist Consmall viHages where there are a few vention, held at Ramapatam in Christians, too few to maintain a August, at which 400 rupees were preacher, or even a teacher, yet subscribed, and it was voted to specially needing some organiza- send 2 native missionaries at once tion in which they may have fel- to the Chenchus, an aboriginal lowship and mutual help, these tribe of people numbering about Christian Endeavor societies just 6,000, living in the hills of the meet the need. Mr. Carey describes Nellore and Kurnool districts. one section in which there are now This is the first movement of the 54 separate societies, with 621 mem- Telugu Baptist churches toward bers. These small societies are missionary work for others, and is groupt together, and can be visit- a gratifying and encouraging exed frequently by some wide-awake hibition of growth in self-dependevangelist, or, perhaps, by a mis- ence and strength of Christian pursionary. pose.
-A Lutheran exchange states -Sixty-nine rescued famine girls that Superintendent Bahnsen, of who have been under Pandita the Brecklum Missionary Society, Ramabai's care for some time, were attended a church service in Pan- baptized last month by the Rev. dur, India, which lasted four hours, W. W. Bruere at Poona, on the and during which 186 native con- public confession of their faith in verts were baptized, including 32 Christ, together with 4 of the other heads of families. inmates of her Home, and a Brah- min, who has been the Pandita's -More than 32,000 are on the clerk for a number of years. books of the Ongole church (Baptist) as having been connected with China.-The new railroad from it since it was organizea in 1868. Tientsin to Peking is said to be They lived in about 1,200 different realizing more than $1,000 per day, villages. The original Ongole field Crowds of students have been flockhas now been divided into 14 fields, ing to Peking for the triennial ex- too weak to bear even the weight amination. Rather than come on of their clothes."-The Presbyte- the boats as of yore, they rode on rian. open flat cars. It is supposed by the authorities that the road from -I was very much imprest in Tientsin will be an advertisement China-both there and everywhere that will do more for railroads in -by the effect upon Chinese faces China than anything else. The of receiving Christianity. I could students will return to their prov- almost pick from a mixt assem- inces prejudiced in favor of this blage those who were Christians. more rapid and more comfortable There is so much brightness and method of travel. cheerfulness about their faces. And there is another thing I would -The city of Peking is so filthy speak of, and that is, that in China that it is deserted by all people (and I think that missionaries from who can get away from it in the China, from whom I have learnt summer. Our missionary, Dr. Vir- most of what I know, would bear ginia Murdock, who remains there me out in saying so) the converts for medical work, wrote in July have a very great desire to preserve last: "The city is full of smells, their churches pure. It is a re- dirt, and disease. I wish that markable thing how anxious they while most are away, notice could are for purity, and how strong they be given the rest of us in time to are against anything which is in- get out, and that the place could consistent. And I suppose there be cleaned; then have a fire big is no Chinese church in China in enough to take in the city, have a which the excesses and immorali- flood to wash out streets and sew- ties of the Church at Corinth, for ers, and an earthquake to turn in instance, are in any way-even in the whole! It would not be fair to the mildest form-repeated. And mother earth not to have a cleans- that says much for the training ing before turning it under."-lWis- and teaching which the Chinese '"s'ionarY,Herald. converts are having from the mis- sionaries.-Mrs. Bishop. -A placard against the binding of women's feet has been posted all -Rev. JeeGam, of San Francisco, over the city in the province of says of education in his native land: Honan. It was written by a non- "School life is very dull for the Christian Chinese literate, and is boys. They go to school at day- an interesting evidence of a dawn- break, and are dismist at sunset. ing consciousness that they have The schools are all private, except something to learn from the "bar- the universities. The pupils study barians" besides the making of out loud, and recite one by one, with cannons-in which they have, for their backs turned toward the many years, been willing to ac- teacher. If a boy makes four or five knowledge our superiority. Its blunders, his ears are boxt, and if arguments are quaint: "The mis- he makes more than that, the rat- fortune of binding feet makes not tan is brought into use. Should he only women suffer, but men too. make a complete failure, black Before bandits arrive men could rings, giving the appearance of often escape, but they have wives spectacles, are painted around his and daughters whom they can not eyes, and these he must wear until leave behind. Foreign women have school is dismist. Any boy would natural feet. They are fierce and rather take a severe rattaning than can fight. But Chinese women are wear those bogus spectacles. There is no recess, for it is the belief there whole of the tribes living in the that if a boy goes out to play he center of the continent between the will forget all he has learned. They Vaal River and the Zambesi. The are taught not to run, but to walk site of the institution will, of course, like gentlemen. " be in British territory, probably at Mafeking or Vryburg. -A medical missionary tells of several operations which resulted -Fifteen tons! 65,000,000 carats!! in restoring sight to the blind, and $500,000,000! !! of diamonds un- of another operation-the amputa- earthed in South Africa in 30 years, tion of a man's foot. This man, and gold worth $40,000,000 a year, knowing of the successful eye ope- rolling down her sands. rations, concluded that it would be a small matter for the physician to -" German East Africa now give him a new foot, and pleaded reckons 3 Roman Catholic apos- with him to do so. When the doc- tolic vicariats, viz.: Those of the tor confest his inability to furnish 'Vhite Fathers, the Bavarian Bene- him with a new foot, he still insisted dictines, and the Fathers of the upon it, saying that he was not par- Holy Ghost; 3 bishops, an apos- . ticular as to the kind of a foot; in- tolic provicar, 53 priests, 46 broth- deed, he would be satisfied with a el'S, and 43 sisters, a total of 146 cow's foot if he could get no other. missionaries, not including a nu- merous body of native catechists." AFRICA. -The Uganda Book Society is in -A conference of Kongo mission- a very flourishing condition. Dur- aries was held at Ikoko in August. ing the last eight months 13,200 Twelve members of the Baptist Bibles and portions have been mission were present. The fact that bought, and 20,000 natives can now this gathering was possible shows read the Bible. The receipts for how the appliances of civilization books during the past four years are advancing into the interior of have amounted to £3,000, two- Africa. Rev. Joseph Clark, the mis- thirds of which have been received sionary in charge at Ikoko, writes from Uganda. This represents an that these 12 missionaries repre- average of £500 a year paid by the sented an average service of 13 Christians of Uganda for Bibles, years on the Kongo, and 11 chil- prayer-books, etc., a truly wonder- dren in Europe or America that ful fact to be said of a people whose were born on the Kongo, and are civilization has not advanced be- now all doing well. This would yond a currency of cowrie shells seem to indicate that the Kongo is and cloth.-Church Missionary In- not such a deadly place for white telligencer. people as it has sometimes been represented to be. -A missionary in Livingstonia testifies to the importance of seek- -The London Missionary Society ing in education the development is considering a scheme for the es- of the spiritual nature. Intellec- tablishment of an industrial and tual awakening invariably follows educational institute for the civili- the perception and reception of zation of the heathen Bechuanas. spiritual truth, and change of life The new enterprise will be conduct- results from this. Formerly we ed on the lines of the famous Love- may have sought to interest the dale Institution in Cape Colony, people, but a vacant stare or utter and it will embrace within its scope listlessness has been the only resnot only the Bechuanas, but the ponse, while of intellectual ac- tivity or ambition there seemed to be none outside the daily round of -It is very gratifying to learn village life. Especially, as might that the revision of the Malay be expected, is this most markt in Scriptures, delayed for two years the women, who have so long been by disagreement in regard to the lookt upon as the slaves rather than word by which to designate our the companions of their husbands. Divine Lord when he was upon When, however, spiritual awaken- earth in the form of man, will be ing has taken place, the intellectual proceeded with immediately. The faculties remain no longer dormant, choice lay between Tuan and Tubut show themselves in the ambi- han. The Malaysia Message intion of the natives to master the forms us that the revision comalphabet and to read the Word of mittee were unanimously of the God for themselves. Following opinion that Tuhan would be histhis has come the desire for im- torically incorrect, not to say unproved houses and for acquiring truthful, for it is applicable only the arts of civilization-in fact, to the Godhead, and it is obvious the desire for technical instruction. that even those who most firmly believed that He was the Messiah, ISLANDS OF THE SEA. would not have addrest Jesus as " God," which would be the exact -One would not naturally look equivalent of Tuhan. When it to the Island of Mauritius as a became known, however, that the place which should yield a native revisers proposed to make the dis- Christian of high intellectual at- ciples address Jesus as Tuan, tainments, but the Christian Pa- "Sir," a great deal of alarm was triot of Madras states that one of manifested among a number of the the two scholarships awarded to missionaries and agents of the Bithe best students of the Royal Col- ble Society working in this field, lege, Mauritius, has this year been and a petition was sent home to won by an Indian Christian stu- the British and Foreign Bible Sodent. The scholarship entitles the ciety, in which the signatories deholder to pursue any professional clared that they would take no part study he may choose at any insti- in the distribution of a version in tute in the United Kingdom. It is which Christ was addrest as Tuan. of the value of $1,000 per annum, Owing to this disagreement the tenable for a period of four years, work of revision has been at a with a passage allowance of $375, standstill for about two years. Hapand a like sum for the return pas- pily, a compromise proposed by Dr. sage. H. Luering, of the M. E. Mission, has commended itself to the revis- -The work of the W. C. T. U. ers, and it is now believed that the among the native races of New end of the protracted controversy Zealand has greatly helpt in bring- and unfortunate delay has been ing back to Christianity many who, reacht. The proposal is that according to their chiefs, were re- " Lord," as a form of address to turning to their old superstitions. Jesus, shall be translated by the About 3,000 Testaments, hymn and Arabic word Rabbi, which is well prayer-books in the Maori lan- understood by Malays. The word guage have been distributed, 600 Tuan will be retained in a few inpledges circulated, and a quantity of stances as a translation of the protemperance and Gospel literature noun, where a frequent repetition distributed. Six Maori branches of Rabbi would be objectionable.- of the W. C. T. U. are at work Indian Witness. conducting 5 Sunday-schools and 6 Bible classes.