The Missionary Review of the World — May 1939
1939
The Church in Arabia Salutes You Paul W. Harrison Twenty..six Thousand Africans Converted L. K. Anderson Evangelical Progress in Brazil Philip S. Landes Experiences of a Missionary in Hainan Henry H. Bucher Saint Lucas of Allahabad Dr. and Mrs. Sam Higginbottom and Others Among the Indians in North Dakota Thomas A. Simpson Using Fingers for Eyes Lewis B. Chamberlain 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember P LA 0 W ~I ~I to Spend Next Suauner". Vacation with some
I~ I~ America'. Greate.t Tbeolopcal Teachers. May 1-3 –..,. Tenth Annual Missionary Education Institute. Third Chris- Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana tian Church, Indianapolis, Ind. For Ministers. Teachers. Miuioaaries. SwuIa,. School Workers aDd La)'JDeD May 14-Rural Life Sunday. For sug- gestions write to Committee on Courses leading to Regular Theological Degrees, Cost Reasonable 50 FREE Town and Country, 297 Fourth Ave., July 11 to August 16-Two Terms 15 Day. Each-Interdenominational ROO M S New York. Evangelical Faith and High Scholarship Combined May 25 – General .Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in U. S. A., Dr. W. E. HiedeNoH. Director Ask for free Proopectus from Dr. J. A. Haffmaa. D…. Marion. Ind. Cleveland, Ohio. copal Summer Camp, P. O. Bijou, Rev. William A. Waddell, D.D., May 25-World-Wide Day of Prayer California-including Utah, Nevada honorably retired missionary of the for ministers and missionaries. and California; Eastern (Sept. 11- Presbyterian Church in South Brazil, 13), Thomas Indian School, Iroquois, died in Sao Paulo, Brazil, February May 30-June 2-Third Biennial Insti- New York – including Michigan, 22, after an illness of several months. tute, A Movement for World Chris- New York, North Carolina and Dr. Waddell went to Brazil in 1890. tianity, New York, N. Y. Florida. He was elected President of Mackenzie College in 1914, and held this position June 7-13 – Ann u a I Conference, Obituary Notes until 1927. From then until his re- Church of the Brethren, Anderson, tirement in 1932, his time was spent Ind. Dr. John Mason Somerndike, a sec- in evangelistic and Presbyterial work retary of the Presbyterian Board of throughout Brazil. June 8 – General Synod of the Re- National Missions, died of heart dis- formed Church in America, New ease on March 14 at his home in *•• York, N. Y. South Orange, New Jersey, at 61 years of age. Dr. Somerndike was Mrs. William A. Mather, Presby- June 16-24-Winona Summer School born in Philadelphia in 1877 and was terian missionary in Paoting, China, of Missions, Winona Lake, Ind. connected with the Presbyterian died in Peiping, February 19. She Courses include Bible, Missions, Board for forty years. Recently his assisted her husband in rural evan- Text Books and addresses by mis- work had to do J,T.<ainly with Sunday gelism and taught in the Girls' Bible sionaries. Write to Mrs. C. E. school missions, Alaska and the In- School, in the Nurses' Training School, Ahrensfeld. 431 S. East Ave., Oak dians. He was the author of "Sunday conducted a Mothers' Club and trained Park, Ill. School Missionary Incidents and Exer- volunteer workers. cises," "Teachers' Manual of Week- June 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- Day Bible Lessons," "Sunday Schools *** vention, Los Angeles, Calif. in Town and Country," "On the Fir- ing Line," "By-Products of the Rural Dr. Luke Tamikichi Imaizumi, a June 21-25-Sunday School and B. Y. Sunday School." Surviving are his Christian physician who had devoted P. U. Congress of the National Bap- widow, Edna Smith' Somerndike, two the last years of his life to the spread tist Convention, U. S. A., (Inc.) , daughters and a son, J. M. Somern- of Christianity in Japan, died at Tulsa, Okla. dike, 3rd. Sendai, December 30th. In 1932, after making provision for his family, he July 6-11 – International Christian *** turned over the greater part of his Endeavor Convention, Cleveland, fortune, about $100,000, to be used for Ohio. Rev. E. S. Greenbaum, of Montreal, strengthening the Church in Japan. a former president of the Hebrew July ll-August 16 – Winona Lake Christian Alliance of America and '" '" '" School of Theology. Winona Lake, founder of the Hebrew Congregation Ind. Dean, Dr. J. A. Huffman, 302 of Christ in Montreal, died on March Dr. Spencer Lewis, veteran Meth- Morton Blvd., Marion, Ind. 25. He was born 50 years ago in odist missionary in China, died at Poland. After his conversion he Chengtu, February 15th, at the age July 22-28-Baptist World Congress. studied theology in America and was of 85. He had served in China 58 Atlanta, Ga. ordained to the Christian ministry in years and after his retirement in 1929 1917. remained in semi~ctive service until July 24-August 2-World Conference his death. of Christian Youth, Amsterdam, Rev. Martin *Eric* E*kvall, for forty- Holland. '" '" '" six years a missionary in China under Aug. 5-10-Ninth Quadrennial Con- the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Mrs. W. T. Larimer, formerly a sec- vention of the Woman's Home and died on January 6 at Hangkow, retary of the Presbyterian Board for Foreign Missionary Sdciety of Af- China. Mr. Ekvall was born in Christ- Freedmen, died February 15. She rican Methodist Episcopal Zion dala, Sweden, on July 26, 1866. His retired as secretary in 1928 but con- Church, Detroit, Mich. parents emigrated from Sweden in tinued to serve in the Pittsburgh Pres- 1882 and settled near Manchester, byterial Society. August 13-20-Geneva Summer School N. H. Martin and his younger sister of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. became students at the Missionary (Concluded on Tkwd Cover.) For information write to Mrs. Paul Training College in New York and H. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey were appointed to China in 1892. Withthause Ave., Oak Park, Ill. of this Co-. every *** Young People'. Society may Regional Conferences of Indian Mis- eonvertef1..into a Sghgol fot sionary Workers, held under the Bishop Joseph Marshall Francis, Bible Training! . – .. auspices of The National Fellowship oldest Protestant Episcopal diocesan of Indian Workers, are as follows: bishop in America, died in Indianapolis 1939 Christian Workers' Course Oklahoma (June 6-8), Bacone Col- on February 13, in his 77th year. Ex- lege, Bacone, Okla. (near Musko- cept for ill health, Bishop Francis A Scriptural Study Each Week-52 Lessons gee)-including Oklahoma, Kansas, would have completed 52 years of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas; service in the Church last December. A practical, effective course in methods S'authwest (June 13-15), Ganado of Christian work and soul-winning, Mission, Arizona – including New *** Mexico, Arizona and Colorado; Pa- Send 15c in slampa for current iSsue. Mr. Edwin F. Willis, treasurer of cific Northwest (June 20 – 22), the Executive Committee of Foreign HRISTIAN PUBLICATlONSJNG Missions for the Presbyterian Church, (place to be announced)-including U. S., died February 2, in Nashville, 1502 N. Third St., Harrisburg, Pa. Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Wash- Tenn. ington; Central (June 27-29) , Yank- ton College, Yankton, S. D.-includ- ing Nebraska, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota and Wisconsin; Western (Aug. 29- 31), "Galilee" on Lake Tahoe, Epis-
MISSIONARY Personal
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Dr. J. H. Oldham, who has held the DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor office of Secretary of the International Missionary Council since its beginning VOL. LXII MAY, 1939 No.5 in 1910, has resigned in order to give more time to the problems inherent in Publication and Business Office- the relations between Church, Com- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. munity and State, and the efforts that are being made to solve them. Dr. Editorial and Executive Office– Oldham was the first editor of the In- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ternational Review of Missions, estab- Entered as second-class matter at lished after the Edinburgh Conference in 1910. In later years, he made Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Africa his special care, and served as Act of March 3, 1879. a member of the Commission on Closer Union in East Africa, member of the 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Advisory Committee on Education in Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. the Tropical Dependencies and as Ad- Published monthly, except August. ministrative Director of the Interna- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. tional Institute of African Languages British agents – Marshall, Morgan and Cultures. and Scott, 12 PaternDster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, *** 10 sh!11ings a year. Madam Chiang Kai-shek has been MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- awarded the gold medal of honor of LISHING CO., INC. the New York City Federation of Woman's Clubs for her "indomitable BOARD OF DIRE'CTORS courage and leadership in the crisis ROBERT E. SPEER, President of her native land." This is the first A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President time the award has been made since WALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer 1929. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary *** PAUL J. BRAISTED SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Mary Reed, friend of lepers, at 84 D. J. FANT years of age is still superintending MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD the leper colony at Chandag Heights, WM. B. LIPPHARD India. Miss Reed's fifty years of ERIC M. NORTH work for lepers has recently received SAMUEL M. ZWEMER a spontaneous tribute through meet- ings, letters, radio talks, and by the Editorial Chat publication of a new biography. Only 10 swift days direct to Yokohama when you sail by The June number of THE REVIEW *** Empress to the Orient. Only will deal largely with the progress of 3 more days to visit lovely Christianity in America and the de- Sigurgier Sigurdsson has been Hawaii en route by Empress oj velopment of the Christian Church. elected Lutheran Bishop of Iceland to Japan, largest and fastest liner This includes a wide range of activi- succeed Bishop Helgason, retired. on the Pacific, or Empress oj ties, in various fields and by many The new Bishop is 49 years old and Canada. From California types of work. Christian work in has served ten years as pastor in the ports connect at Honolulu. America includes not only pioneering most rugged part of Iceland. in new territory but reclaiming old Frequent sailings from both ground; attempts to reach nOlI; only *** Vancouver and Victoria to miners, and lumbermen of the West Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, and North, but mountains of the The Hon. Kensuke Horinouchi, Shanghai,HongKong,Manila. South; it includes neglected city areas Japan's new ambassador to the United Consult YOUR OWN TRAVEL and rural districts; Indians and Ne- States, is a witnessing Christian. His AGENT or Canadian Pacific: groes, Orientals and Mexicans, Euro- home in Tokyo has often been opened 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. peans and Eskimos, neglected rich and to Christian meetings where morning neglected poor, industrial workers and devotions are the rule. migrants, Moslems, Mormons, Buddhists and atheists. Only a few of *** these will be dealt with but all must be kept in mind in the study of Home Dr. James Dexter Taylor, of Johan- Missions. Our June and July issues nesburg, South Africa, who is now in will be overflowing with interesting the United States, is supervisor of the amalgamated churches of the Rand articles. Native Mission of the Congregational Union of South Africa and of the *** American Board Mission. Dr. Taylor has written a number of books dealing Readers have recently sent in their with race relations and missionary work. comments on the REVIEW, as follows: *** "The March issue is a splendid num- Mrs. Richard H. Soule, who origber and we certainly will use it to ad- inated the United Thank Offering plan fifty' years ago,- celebrated 90 vantage." MISS MARY MOORE, years on February 17. The annual thank offering topped a million before Secretary for the Western A rea, the financial depression. Board of Foreign Missions, *** Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. Robert B. Giffen, recently student *** pastor at the University of Chicago, has become secretary for the Univer- "I find your magazine the best that comes into the office." (Concluded on Third Cover.) ESTHER ROYAL ALTMAN, [225 ] Cincinnati Branch, Woman's For- eign Missionary Society, Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
BRAZIL – THE MONROE PALACE IN RIO DE
BY OX-CART IS STILL ONE OF THE MODES OF TRAVEL IN THE INTERIOR OF BRAZIL THE OLD AND THE NEW IN BRAZIL (See page 243) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WOBLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 5 MAY, 1939 Topics of the Times CHRISTIAN TRENDS IN JAPAN dent is their opposition to Christ and His spiritual AND CHINA program.
There was a time, forty years ago, when Japan Contrast the trend in China. Forty years ago seemed almost ready to accept Christ ·as the na- the Boxer rebellion sought to obliterate Christiantional ideal if not as divine Saviour. The old edicts ity in China and to drive the "foreign devils" into against Christianity were no more and the boards the sea. Many Christians died as martyrs, but on which they had been posted were only found in the succeeding ten years more Chinese became in museums. There was religious liberty; Bud- Christians than in the previous one hundred years. dhism was dying and Shinto was becoming more But even after the republic was founded by a proand more only a patriotic cult. Many Japanese fessing Christian and religious liberty was propeasants, students and even rulers were turning to Christ and there seemed a possibility that the claimed, there was a widespread anti-Christ.ian Japanese nation might adopt the Christian way of life. But the Christian Church was not ready to sentiment. Governmental decrees separatmg rise fully to the opportunity with a sufficient Church and State included laws against religious supply of consecrated men, money and prayer. instruction even in Christian schools and colleges. This was a serious blow to mission work but Then the tide turned. Rationalism came into Christianity continued to spread. schools and colleges to foster unbelief in Christ and in the authority of the Bible. Materialism Today China is passing through a baptism of took hold of the people and they sought satisfac- blood which is having a refining influence. Not tion in the cultural fruits of Christianity, while only has the anti-Christian feeling disappeared they overlooked the roots. Japanese travelers in but the whole nation seems to be turning toward America and Europe brought stories of the failure Christ. Many of the national leaders are outto practice Christianity in the lands from which standing Christians and not only is missionary missionaries were being sent to Japan. The World work favored but the law forbidding religious War brought another crushing blow to Christian education in public and private schools has been idealism. More recently the increasing power of abrogated. The sacrificial service of the missionthe nationalistic military party in Japan has pro- aries in China's time of need has shown the true moted the effort to establish Shinto shrines .in character of Christ and His Gospel. all Japanese controlled territory, to promote em- But what will be the effect if schools, churches peror worship and to make national S.h.into su- and other institutions in China should come under preme. Patriotism has become a reIIglOn, .and Japanese control? military might is the only power recognIzed. Japan and Korea are both suffering from th~ de- One foreign observer writes: . termination to make Japan supreme – obedIence to God being secondary. This attitude of the If Japan should win this war, Jtahpeando, o~roroefa,mFisosrimonoasray, domI·nant mI·II·tary party in Japan is making opportunity in the Orient-China, Christian life and work difficult in lands dom- embracing a third of the human race, WIll gradually be inated by the Mikado's army. The greater the success of Japan's military forces, the more evi- closed. She will extend her anti-Christian activities from Korea and Japan proper to China, just as soon as possible.
Here is a significant list of questions submitted by the Jap- anese gendarmerie to representative minis~ers of the Chr~s tian churches in Japan: "1. Who is thIS God of ChrIS- tianity? 2. What is your opinion of the 800 myriads of gods of Japan? 3. What is the difference between the Emperor of Japan and your God? 4. What is the differ- [227 ]
ence between a foreign ruler and your God? 5. What is r the relation between the Bible and Imperial Edicts? 6. What is the difference between Imperial Commands and claimed that she was defending them-that it is time the the Commands of Christ? 7. What is your opinion of an- truth or falsity of her claims were definitely proved. The cestor worship and shrine worship? 8. What is your opin- missionaries all go "at their own risk." ion of the ancestors of the Emperor? 9. What is the ultimate goal of your religion? 10. What is your idea of The recently reported statement by the Chinese Comreligious freedom? 11. Why do you regard worship at munist leader, Chu Teh, that he welcomed the mission- Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines as superstitious? aries raises an important point. In 1927 the Chinese Gov- 12. What is the difference between the Christian spirit ernment was opposed to Christian missions in many ways. and the spirit of Japan?" To give honest and Biblical Missionaries settled down to their tasks and in a few years answers to such questions would undoubtedly lead to op- the Chinese Government came to appreciate their work. position and persecution. In 1933 in our conference on "Christianity and Commu- nism" we decided that the only thing Christians could do But if China is victorious the result will be a great vic- was to out-live and out-serve the Communist. Missionary tory for democracy, for human freedom, and for religious efforts, especially in this year of great suffering, ha:ve now liberty. The doors of international trade will be opened won the respect of this Chinese Communist leader. wider than ever before, as China will need vast amounts of everything at one time for her rehabilitation. And best SIGNS OF LIFE AND DEATHof all the doors of missionary opportunity will be opened wider than ever before, not only in China, but in Japan, IN A CHURCH Korea, Formosa, and Manchuria. Victory for China will mean the triumph of right over might. It will mean the Springtime brings new signs of life – in budliberation of the Japanese people themselves from the in- ding trees and flowers, in new apparel, and in human tyranny of their own wicked military leaders. many church services. These awakenings are Surely Christian hearts all over the world should daily peri'Odic. At the Easter sunrise gatherings in join in prayer for victory for China and her brave Chris- hundreds of places all over the United States tian leaders. Surely the citizens of the United States there were pr'Obably not less than 200,000 people should vigorously protest to their government against the present, 'Ostensibly to commemorate the resurrecsale of anything to Japan that aids her in this iniquitous tion of Christ f.om the dead. Without doubt at war, this wanton orgy of murdering innocent men, women least thirty million people in America attended and little children. Christian church services at sometime on Easter -many of them for the first time this year. How Eighty per cent of the missionaries are remain- much does this celebration mean? It is difficult ing in China and most of the mission stations are to know how much is 'Outward show and how much still 'Occupied. The Chinese Christians are show- is an evidence 'Of inward spiritual life. Will the ing their courage and their patriotism, and openly 'Outward signs of awakening continue and bear testify to the c'Omfort and P'Ower of Christ and His fruit or will this apparent life be followed by an Gospel. What can Christian missionaries do for early blight? the Chinese in this time of crisis? Much in every way. They are a tremendous force for righteous- In many shop windows in large cities there ness and save multitudes of Chinese from death are on exhibition beautiful plants and flowersand starvati'On, from dish'Onor, despair and spir- palms, ferns, lilies, poinsettias, roses. They are itual defeat. One missionary writes: the same day after day, year after year; they never wither and die; they are artificial, without In the occupied territories our first duty is to carryon. life. The evidences 'Of life in a plant, an animal, Because their fundamental purpose is humanitarian rather a soul, a church are ability to breathe, to feed, t'O than nationalistic, Christian missions cannot enter into change, to grow, t'O reproduce its own kind. Life any "scorched earth policy." As the Chinese Government is "ability to respond to environment" and is maintold the Friends: "We can do a great deal for our own tained by a life producing and stimulating enpeople behind our lines, but there is a job we cannot do. vironment. That is to care for the people behind the Japanese lines. That you can do. Go and do it." The need is tremendous It requires n'O argument to pr'Ove that the life and the gratitude of the people almost breaks your heart! of a church is n'Ot shown by its beautiful buildings, The Christian missionary i3 the best friend the Chinese by the size of its membership, by the state 'Of its people in the occupied territory have. Every missionary finances, by the el'Oquence 'Of the sermons, by the who can possibly go back should dd so, with the exception impressiveness 'Of its ritual, or by the attendance of women with small children, and even that depends upon at its services. These may all be go'Od and helpful each family's own· position and desires. Single women but they are not the signs of true spiritual life. have proved that they can carry on even under war conditions almost if not as well as men. The story of how A report recently received from a very intellisix women and one man doctor have protected 5,000 refu- gent and spiritually-minded observer in a Chrisgees from the Japanese army in one mission compound tian church contains the following diagnosis 'Of a without any consular assistance, will go down as a classic church in a small American city: of heroism and devotion. Of course, the going of missionaries into occupied territory raises the question of Amer- This church has fallen on difficult days and may be ican rights and interests. But if we hold back for fear forced to close its doors. Only about one-third of the memof those complications we will betray our sacred trust and bers pay anything toward church support; the minister's obligations to serve the suffering. We do not ask for mili- salary is in arrears. . . . The reason for this condition tary protection. Japan has proclaimed so loudly that she is, I believe, that the people do not take any interest outwould protect the rights of third party nationals–even
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
side of themselves. None of them seem to have any and gives evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in knowledge of Christian stewardship. All of the men and love, joy and peace; one whose people show that most of the women show that they do not want to hear they are truly interested in promoting the Cause anything about missions. . . . Many are strongly opposed of Christ throughout the world. to having any benevolence budget. The church does not seem to be spiritually minded. I have never heard any VOLUNTEER SERVICE elder or deacon offer prayer in any meeting-and few of them attend. There is work but no true life; the chief Are we mercenary? Does anyone say that men idea of Christian activity seems to be entertainment, and women will not do effective and continuous church suppers and such things. . . . When the pastor work unless they are paid for their services? The started a Bible class for Lenten services less than ten peo- American Red Cross, that serves humanity in so ple were present, out of a total membership of four hun- many emergencies, has had a remarkable history dred. . . . The majority of the women belong to clubs that disproves this cynical charge. It is called of one sort or another and seem to want to make the upon in times of flood, drought, fire, epidemics, church just another club. hurricane or war to bring relief to many thou- sands who are suffering and in distress or danger. In contrast to this, note the signs of Life in the Forty years ago the headquarters of the Amerrecent annual report of the Peoples Church, To~ ican Red Cross in Wasihington consisted of a oneronto. The pastor is a Bible student, an evangelist room office with one full-time employee; its list and a spiritual teacher. He is deeply interested of donors numbered about three hundred and there in missionary work and ten years ago he organ- were only a few hundred dollars in the national ized "The Peoples Missionary Socety" of the treasury. Today the organization occupies its church. Now they contribute to the support of own building and has a large staff of efficient em- 130 missionaries in eighteen different fields at ployees. But the remarkable fact is that today home and abroad. Their congregational expenses, the Red Cross has in the United States 3,700 local including $3,966 for radio broadcasting, amount to chapters with 3,500,000 members. Its 197,397 $20,410 a year, while they give nearly $40,000 a. volunteer workers are always on call for service; year to missions. and they gave last year the equivalent of more than 105,000 days of volunteer service. They This church shows activity, but also life and made garments, layettes, surgical dressings; they power. The Peoples Monthly states: drove automobiles, gave public health aid, helped in hospitals, prepared food and fed victims of This church stands preeminently for the conversion of many disasters; with free smiling service they souls, the edification of believers and world-wide evan- also collected a million or more dollars in the nagelism; emphasizing especially the four great essentials~ tional relief and membership campaigns. salvation, the deeper life, missions and our Lord's return; endeavoring by every means to give the Gospel message to Another noteworthy fact is that the efficient the Christless masses both at home and abroad, in the head of this organization, Mis,s Mabel Thorp shortest possible time. Boardman, who has been leading the Red Cross for thirty-nine years, has never received any sal- The church activities include: a missionary ary, although she works daily from 9 a. m. to medical institute for prospective missionaries, reg- 4 p. m. and keeps four secretaries busy. It is reular preaching services, radio broadcasts, Sunday markable that this organization, with all its power school with adult Bible classes, elders' and ushers' and money for relief has kept out of politics and, prayer meetings each Sunday, Warriors prayer though handling millions of dollars of public meetin~s, children's services, young people's meet- money, has been free from scandal or charges of ings, women's prayer meetings, church prayer selfish and wasteful use of its relief funds. meetings, Sunday school teachers' meetings, and monthly meetings, for converts and personal All honor to the Red Cross workers; but they workers. are not alone in this free and sacrificial volunteer service for humanity. The Christian Church and How can we expect evidences of spiritual life in its missionary organizations have a still more wona church organization unless there is spiritual life derful record. In the American Protestant Chrisin the pastor and the individual church members? tian churches alone there are not less. than two True life will be manifested in earnest prayer and million women who are working as volunteers to Bible study, in personal work for the conversion serve their fellow men, women, and children, and of non-Christians, in vital spiritual activities and to promote the Kingdom of God on Earth. These in the practice of stewardship of time, talents and women provide free motor service, sew on garmoney. Any church that is not a working force ments, speak at meetings, collect funds, do free for Christ and the Kingdom of God, is apt to be clerical work, cook and serve meals, visit the sick a farce, without effectiveness for the fulfilment of and strangers, care for children, teach Bible Christ's program.
An Indian Christian, N. K. Mukerjee, remarks that a "converted church" is one that is vitally related to Christ; one that is fruitful in spiritual children, not barren; one that lives victoriously
classes – in churches, homes, Christian associa- vited. Mohammedan converts have recently been tions, missions, jails, hospitals and other insti- able to register themselves as Christians, and their tutions. They give or collect not less than marriages by Christian ceremony are officially $20,000,000 a year to support the work done recognized. All religious faiths must stand on through Protestant churches and various Chris- their own merit rather than on tradition or force.
tian societies. All this volunteer service is ren- Iranian officials often praise Christian schools dered without publicity, public honors or material and hospitals and many send their children to rewards. These women are not organized into one these schools rather than to the government insti- great body under an outstanding human leader tutions. Sons and daughters of Cabinet and but they nevertheless work faithfully and effi- Parliament members, of provincial governors ciently, serving Christ and humanity. Their re- and other high officials have been students in ward is reaped in the lives they brighten or help mission schools. Missionary teachers are asked to save, and in the youth whom they teach and to serve on examining boards in Government ex- enlist in the cause of Jesus Christ. aminations, and serve on committees appointed While Chrstian women render the major part by the Ministry of Education to draft new curric- of such volunteer service, the men are not far be- ula for elementary and secondary schools. Re- hind. Their WIOrk is more largely on boards and cently when the Ministry of Education wished to committees, and in furnishing funds for the con- open Government nurs,ing schools they asked for duct of Christian enterprises. When to the Prot- half the time of three American missionary nurs- estants we add the Roman and Greek Catholic and es for three years. to start this work. Here was other volunteer workers, it is clear that mankind is an opportunity to render a unique service to Iran.
not wholly engrossed in the pursuit of money and Christianity in Iran faces new opportunities and pleasure. Sacrificial service is honored among all it is time to pres,s forward in the works of Chris- men-whether it is rendered in the sphere of the .tian faith and love.
State, in social welfare or the Church. Those who acknowledge allegiance to Christ are inspired by INTERDENOMINATIONAL COOPERATION His teachings and example. IN MEDICAL MISSIONS CHRISTIAN OPPORTUNITY IN IRAN Christian workers in mission lands are usually less conscious of the denOiminational distinctions The ancient land of Darius, the Persian, is and barriers than in the United States. This is attracting attention by the progress made in gov- particularly true in medicine. Dr. Edward M. ernment, in material improvements and in educa- Dodd, medical secretary of the Presbyterian tion. The Shah Riza Khan Pahlevi, is 'absolute Board of Foreign Missions, in his Founder's Day ruler of about nine million people. While Islam is address at the Clifton Springs Sanitarium and the recognized religion, and Moslem "doctors of Clinic, said: "It is an 'old saw' that there is no law" wield great influence, there is more religious distinctively Methodist medicine or Presbyterian liberty in Iran than there has been. – The Govern- surgery, no difference between Baptist and Episment seeks to take an impartial attitude toward copalian diagnoses – whatever may be said for all religion and Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Baptist hydrotherapy! Christianity are all recognized. Some officials are – "Most of the large mission medical hospitals in Christians or are very friendly toward Christiani- the field are union institutions in which various ty. "ASia matter of fact, (says a recent Bulletin), denominational groups collaborate. more limitations have been plraced on Mohammedan ceremonies, such as the famous. Moharram cele- "At this end of the line (in America) the Misbrations, than on Christian activities. . The sion Boards have had a joint examining office for Moslem ecclesiastics, who formerly often exer- several years in New York City and last summer cised more authority than government officials, a Christian Medical Council for Overseas Work have been reduced in number and are largely was organized. stripped of power." "There is still so much to be done, so large a In Iran today Evangelical Christians are quite medical and Christian contribution to be made in medical missions, that a life-time service should free to conduct preaching and worship services be devoted to this work. The chief hazards and handicaps today are the extreme phases of nationand to carryon evangelistic effort. Schools are alism in some countries which may in time shut even allowed to give Christian instruction to out foreign doctors, even though a country may Christian students; the government requires all not be adequately supplied with its own physicians elementary pupils to take examinations in the and hospitals. The Church at home should supteachings of their own faith. Missionaries and port and promote this arm of Christian missions Iranian evangelists hold public services to which while there is opportunity." Moslems and other non-Christians are freely in-
Church in Arabia Salutes You*
By PAUL W. HARRISON, M.D., Muscat I ~ .. – i Missionary of the Reformed Church in America ,~========================~I A RABIA is a small country, small in population good news? Everything that is recorded of His .L. at least. Three million men and women, earthly life is part of our message, and everything more or less, are scattered over a million that we know of the significance of His death and square miles of territory. The rainfall can hardly resurrection-all of His humanity and all of His exceed an inch a. year, and perhaps no area in the deity, and in their identifi,cation is our salvation.
world is quite so poor as Arabia. The drought That message we have carried to Arahia. We and the heat and the hunger have hardened the are celebrating our fiftieth anniversary this year.
Arab into one of the great races of the world. Once upon a time there was an Irishman. Some- Mohammed lived and died there, and he still holds body asked him how he was getting along. "Very the souls of the Arabs in the hollow of his hand. badly," he saia, "starvation is staring me in the Christ told us to "Go into all the world and make face." "That," said his friend, "must be very dis- disciples. of all the nations." It would be hard to agreeable for both of you." For forty-five years discover a more difficult task than this one, the that was our situation in Arabia. Our major in- transformation of the Arabs into disciples of door sport was staring our robust sense of failure Christ. But a promise was given with that com. in the face, and it was very disagreeable for all mand. "All power is given unto me in Heaven of us.
and on earth" and "Lo, I am with you all the days." But it is not true any longer. Five years ago, It is in that power that we go out to obey the com- Dr. Dame took a trip down to the Pirate Coast mand. Not with the tepid and futile feeling that and there he preached the Gospel. He did not have men ought to become disciples, but the confident much time for preaching, and perhaps he did not conviction that they will do so. Everything de- preach it very well; but Abdur Razzak listened pends' on this. If we succeed in making men dis- and walked right into the Kingdom of God as a ciples of Christ we succeed in our task. If we fail result of what he heard. It was a gift of God to here, we fail. His workers in Arabia, and we thanked Him and And in carrying out this difficult command, al- took courage.
most the most important equipment of all is a Forty-five years ago, Zaharah was born in Bah- robust sense of failure which refuses to be satis- rein. She did not live a monotonous life, and after fied with anything short of genuine discipleship. she married Mohammed, neither did he. She Human nature is weak and there are two direc- would quarrel with her husband more and more tions in which we tend to slip out from under the industriously until finally there was a major ex- pressure. The first is the wishful thought that if plosion; her husband, having patiently endured only we can provide a man with a shirt, having in many hard words and curses, would lose his it one hole instead of two, we will thereby save his temper, too. After some years Mohammed took soul. The doctors are the ones who yield here. We a second wife, Safeeah, and that made the situa- mend up the holes in a man's anatomical shirt, and tion still worse.
fondly hope that in some way this will make him Zaharah came into contact with the mission- a better man. One year we operated on three aries. She wanted something better than this life hundred hernia patients in Bahrein, and with all of disgrace and fighting and tears, but her resent- these anatomical shirts mended, the city was not ment was hot and her pride was like iron. The the least bit saved. Kingdom of God seemed very far away. But one The final interview in which Christ told us to day after a particularly disgraceful explosion she go and make disciples of all the nations was re- sat in tears in the path where she knew I would ported by Mark, and he remembered that Christ pass. Her pride was gone.
also said, "Go ye therefore and preach the Gospel "Sahib," she said, "I have done it again. What to the whole creation." We make men disciples can I do?"
by giving them the good news about Christ. What I told her that Christ would cleanse her heart of the terrible temper if she would give it com- • Report of an address given at the Madras Conference of the pletely into His hands. I led her in prayer, a word I. M. C.
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at a time. She hesitated at the prayer, "And, God, brought over to, A:rabia and sold as slaves. NOQbie I take Safeeah to be my sister," but after a little was brought Qver as a baby, and his memory bepause she said those words too, and Christ led her gins with the bitter experiences of a slave boy into His Eternal Kingdom. Now she is the strong- whose father and mother were gone; he, a rebelest member of our Muscat group, and while she lious little .boy who wanted to run away and find has nQt led an altogether monotonous life as a them. Noobie is proof, for those who, need it, that Christian, a very splendid Christian she certainly the human spirit has a strength that cannot be has been. broken and a beauty that nothing can efface. Through forty-five years he tried to, escape, and Mobarrek was a sceptic. His first wife was a blows and irons were CQmmQn, but his spirit relittle wild thing, and he at that time was not much otherwise, but they were utterly devoted to each fused to break. other. Then the twin babies came. Out of the After many efforts, which failed, there came valley of the shadQw they came alone. The mo,ther remained behind. Mobarrek never got over that. one which succeeded. At sundown while he was He tried other matrimonial experiments, and a paying the penalty for a previous. unsuccessful bad time was had by all. He became our best com- effQrt, and was wearing the manacles which are pounder, and a very splendid perso,nal friend. their reward, a wandering camel came Qver to However, to the message of Christ he seemed ut- where he was standing. Mounting, irons and all, terly impervious. The mQre he heard of the Gos- he raced savagely thrQugh the night until Muttreh pel the more devout a Moslem he became. One and safety were only eight miles away. There he night I was led to share with him some of my o,wn left the camel dying behind him, and half-crept, deep experiences. The death of his first wife had half-walked over the weary miles that remained. been a desolating experience, and its scars were Providence was with him this time, fQr he met no still on his soul. I had walked in that path too,. Arab anxious to, send him back into the Purgatory It is not easy to share experiences of that sort, .but from which he was escaping, and at last he it is in the deep recesses of our SQuls that Christ dragged himself thrQugh the gates into the delecsaves us, and in that hour of sharing Mobarrek table city. A friendly blacksmith remQved his put his hand in Christ's and has fQund in Him an heavy jewelry and the British CQnsul gave him absolute Master ever since. He leads the Muscat his freedom. When Mobarrek walked into, the group with a love and a maturity that are superb. Kingdom Qf GQd, NQQbie fQllowed him, and the two, have been inseparable cQmpanions Qf the King And Noobie. Who is Noobie? He was a slave ever since. Qf the Bedouins for fQrty-five years. He has been a slave of Jesus Christ for three. AIQng the Mik- And so, the Church which is in Arabia salutes ron coast of Baluchistan tribal raids are common, YQU, yQur brQthers and partakers with yQU in the and the women and children who are captured are tribulation and KingdQm and patience which are in Jesus.
. SOME AFRIOANS' ANSWERED PRAYERS In a sixth grade Bible class in the West Africa MissiQn, the questiQn was asked: "Men- tion sQmething GQd has given you in answer to, prayer."
The fQllQwing answers were fQund among the papers handed in by the pupils. MQt MebomQ said, "I first became a Christian, but my mQther refused to, believe. She preferred the faith Qf my father and her father. But I prayed GQd fQr two, years and she now is a fQllQwer Qf Christ." Nkoe Le'e said, "When my brother's wife died and left a small baby, he wanted me to, take care of it fQr him, even though I was just an unmarried schQQI bQY. But I prayed God that he would give me wisdQm and patience and He did. Today the baby is big and has gQne to, live with his father. I cared fQr him a whole year." MbazQng Zok said, "When I was Qn vacation, it looked as though I CQuld nQt PQssibly find work to make the mQney to, buy my school books and pay GQvernment taxes. I knew I CQuld not CQme back to, schQQI withQut these things so, I prayed GQd with all the strength and hunger in my heart and He put it into, the hearts Qf my friends and they gave me palm kernels to, crack that I sold until I had money enQugh fQr everything." Angumu Kak said, "I was IQst in the fQrest Qne night. I knew a leopard WQuld eat me be- fQre morning and my heart was filled with fear. So, I prayed GQd that He WQuld take care Qf me. Next morning, God showed me the path that led to, my village."-Presbyterian Board News.
Twenty~Six Thousand
Were Converted An Experience of the Church in West Africa ~ –<ilil By the REV. L K. ANDERSON, Metet, Camoroun I THE West Africa Mission of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., has had a remarkable growth in recent years. But the knowledge of the untouched thousands in the Cameroun, and the many weak members of the Church, led the Mission to plan a general evangelistic campaign for Christ. The Bulu have a word that describes it oban, meaning "a raid to capture slaves and booty." This campaign was to capture men and women for Christ.
The forces and supplies for this campaign were appraised. The spiritual ammunition was gath- ered in the truth of the Gospel, simple enough to be understood by the least educated. Messages of God's plan of salvatiO'n were printed at the mis- sion press. A strategy was thought out, flexible enough to suit the need of every station and tribe.
Then, according to traditional native procedure, advance scouts were sent out to reconnoitre. For three months the Christians became scouts, visit- ing every hut in the entire district, returning to camp with news of thO'se whO' had been persuaded to' surrender. Then Believers gathered in camps, not like slave raiders to leap into the air driven A WOMAN OF THE NGORO TRIBE by the frenzy O'f a fiendish tom-tom, nor to sweat in contO'rtiO'ns around a flaming pyre of a captive name. The headman is a kindly soul, yet he was slave, but to spend hours in united prayer. And trusted by nO'ne. He attributes his success in at- hO'W earnestly they prayed for those who had re- taining the chieftainship to Mohammedan magic fused to' hear and for the scO'rners and sorcerers! which he bO'ught in his youth. Nominally, he is a There were three mO'nths O'f calm, prayerful prep- Mohammedan, but he and his tribe are ruled by aration for the Gospel of Peace. a fanatical belief in witchcraft. For ten years the A week of preparatory preaching and visitation MissiO'n struggled against this blighting fear, the was followed by a mass meeting on Sunday morn- tiny school gaining an occasional convert to ing. It toO'k long intO' the afternoon merely to strengthen the little Christian community. Things register the names of the hundreds whO' came pro- seemed brighter at times, until the customary an- fessing their faith in Christ as Saviour. As the nual orgy O'f fiendish deviltry drove all semblance campaign gathered impetus, many marveled, and of faith from the feeble followers of the New Way.
some even became fearful of the power that had The missionary arrived at NgorO' late one after- been unleashed. Miracles were of daily occur- noon to' find the one man thought strong enough renee, unexpected conversions of those long to be ordained an elder of the church in his cO'm- prayed for thrilled the Christian communities. munity, lying on his cot bruised and bleeding. It For ten years. a little struggling band of Be- was found that two days before he had been set lievers had tried to capture Ngoro, the largest upon by the men of the tribe when he refused to town of the interesting little tribe O'f the same participate in the horrible heathen practices de~ [233]
manded by the headman. At first he refused to. who. were willing to' make a public prQfessiQn Qf tell the story but after considerable persuasiQn their faith in Jesus Christ. This meant no.thing recQunted the tale of the fiendish machinatiQn Qf less than incurring the wrath Qf the headman, the fear-stricken chief. The gQvernment census and yet seventy-nine men and women came fQr- ward, and remained to. unburden their hearts and AN AFRICAN FETISH HUT seek CQurage fro.m the leaders. One year later sixty-eight Qf these CQnverts were still hQlding true to. their pledge and came back fQr a week to. be instructed in the meaning Qf GQd's grace and truth.
This is Qne instance Qf many thrQughQut SQuth- ern CamerQun. The MissiQn hQped and prayed fQr fifteen thQusand peo.ple to' be WQn fQr the Master. By the end o.f twelve mQnths Qver twenty-six thQu- sand had been enrQlled as beginners in the "Tribe Qf God."
What is the secret o.f the power that some men have enabling them to. sway multitudes and bring them to. a saving knQwledge Qf Jesus Christ? Wherein lay the Po.wer Qf SpurgeQn, Mo.o.dy and Qthers? Is it persQnality or eloquence, ability to. appeal to. the emQtiQns Qr is it a more complete consecratiQn to. Christ? Evidently none Qf these gifts, singly or combined, are sufficient in them- selves. Some men seem to. PQssess them and yet they are only ordinary, faithful pasto.rs Qf the shQwed that the tribe was decreasing rapidly, the A NGORO WIDOW, IN MOURNING COSTUME birth rate was abno.rmally IQW and infant mQrtality was high. The cause eQuId be attributed to. flock. What causes periQdic o.utbreaks Qf Christhe filth and disease resulting frQm the immQ- tian interest and enthusiasm which often center r:ality and carelessnessamQng the peQple o.f the arQund Qne man and so.metimes result in the CQntribe. But the chief blamed the WQmen – the versio.n of many? usual scape-gQat in Africa. He decided that they needed new blQo.d in the tribe; so., on a given day, all the WQmen were herded into. a little grQve Qf trees, stripped Qf what little clQthing they had, and were made to. lie dQwn by little ditches while dQgs. were butchered. Their blQQd flQwed down and was lapped up by the pl'Qstrate wo.men.
It was to. this rite that Mbassa, the Christian elder, refused to. go.. Then he was bQund by fQrest vines and was dragged by fQrce to. be an invQluntary spectator at the disgusting spectacle.
No. WQnder that the team o.f evangelists, chQsen to. sto.rm this citadel Qf Satan, walked the weary miles to. NgQrQ with prayers Qn their lips but scant hQpe in their hearts. A little grQUP o.f Believers, led by a faithful gra;duate Qf the missiQn theQlQgical schQQI, welco.med the visitQrs, and the week's campaign began.
Sunday mQrning the little mud chapel was filled to. Qverflo.wing. AlmQst every person in the tQwn was present, except unfQrtunately, the headman, who. was away Qn a gQvernment errand. The fQur members Qf the team, led by the cQnsecrated Bulu pasto.r, preached with spiritual PQwer. At the clQse Qf the service an invitatiQn was given to all
SAINT LUCAS OF ALLAHABAD
The movement we have descdbed marked a trial and Normal Schools, African helpers of every mighty surge of a mass of humanity, turning from description, government employees, interpreters the lowest depths of sin-cursed filth to march to of divers kinds of tongues, as God had set them the heights. of a knowledge of God in Jesus Christ. in the Church, offered willingly of their time and What caused such a spiritual phenomenon ? It was strength. not brought about through an individual but by a whole army of devoted souls. Every one of them The decision of the Mission, the plan of camknew that they had received supernatural power paign, the prayers offered, and the messages to which they reacted in simple faith by fearless preached, proved once again that the Holy Spirit testimony. Ministers, lay preachers., teachers, is the only agent by whom Jesus Christ must be doctors, instructors and apprentices of the Indus- preached when He is glorified and in full control this will result in the salvation of men.
Saint Lucas of Allahabad By DR. and MRS. SAM HIGGINBOTTOM and others I N MISSIONARY circles in northern India JAMES JOSEPH LUCAS AT NINETY-ONE James Joseph Lucas was a unique institution. He was so deeply, vitally Christian. Jesus I first met Dr. Lucas on November 18, 1903, in Christ was so real to him, and he seemed to have Allahabad. I saw him last in Lahore on March cultivated such a habit of constant communion, the 25th, 1938, when I had chhoti hazrie (early that it was a benediction to be in his presence. morning tea) with him. His mind was as clear Though only two might be present to the eye, one the last time I saw him when he was in his ninetywas always conscious that the Third was there. first year as it was the first time when he was More than any other human being I have ever fifty-four. F'or many years he and his wife had known, Dr. Lucas seemed to carry with him a read "Daily Light" together, and that morning on peculiar spiritual atmosphere. When he would the train I had received comfort from the readgo into meetings, where feelings were running ings for the day. I was being sent home to Amerhigh or where things were being said in the heat ica to make an appeal on behalf of the Allahabad of argument that did not help to calm the troubled Agricultural Institute and did not feel at all sure water, Dr. Lucas by his very presence would that I was doing the wisest thing. The reading change the atmosphere. for that day had removed all my doubts. Dr. Lucas was reading George Bowen's daily selection Never have I known any other man so generous for the day and this too was a deeply spiritual and kindly in his judgment of others, even those and helpful message. who differed most from him and fought him with determination. In the thirty-five years I have known him, especially in dealing with those who opposed him, he seemed to have learned with the Apostle Paul that Love is ready to believe the best and to bear all things. There seemed to be no other man to whom so many people in trouble have gone-young and old, men and women, Indian and non-Indian, religious and non-religious. In trouble they seemed to gravitate to Dr. Lucas; there to find wise counsel. For those who were slipping and had lost their grip-to come to him meant renewed hope and faith and courage. More than most other men he seemed to know what was in man-the wickedness and deceit and sinfulness of the human heart; but he knew also One who was mighty to save even to the uttermost and so there was never a note of despair. He believed that if the wrong doer would submit himself to God, there he would find abundant mercy and forgiveness.
In the early days in Allahabad I would go, on ing for over 68 years against the principalities college holidays, with Dr. Lucas into the villages and powers of darkness. He never lost faith that where he did evangelistic work. There I gained an Jesus is an all-sufficient Saviour for all who accept insight into the physical, mental and spiritual pov- Him; he was able to strengthen the faith of others erty of the village people of India. When I dis- and now he has been granted an abundant encussed with him the idea of the Agricultural In- trance into that City whose Builder and Maker is stitute, the "Mount Hermon" on the hanks of the God. Jumna River, he could not see the need for it at first; but as a result of our discussions he was How to Spell "Disappointment" convinced that this effort would be used by the Lord Jesus to hasten the coming of His Kingdom Once in a time of peculiar stress he came over to northern India. After I had studied agricul- to the farm and found me in the barn among the ture in America and returned with him to the vil- oxen. We sat on the manger and he said: lages, I pointed out some things that were among the causes of their economic disability. "For 40 "Did I ever tell you how I learned to spell disapyears," said Dr. Lucas, "I have been going into pointment with an 'H'?" Indian villages and there was much that puzzled me, but seeing the village through your eyes has "No," I replied. explained much." "Then, I will tell you," he said. "When I was Many of the most spiritual missionaries could ready to start for India, my sister was lying ill of not understand the purpose of the Agricultural typhoid fever at our home at Danville, Kentucky. Institute. Some spoke of it as a "fifth wheel My mother had planned to come to see me off at to the coach," concerned with material things and the boat at New York, but when my sister was so as a diversion of the primary purpose of Chris- ill, she was greatly disturbed to know what to do. tian missions. Through all the heated controversy Finally the neighbors persuaded her that every- Dr. Lucas never wavered. When I was tempted thing possible was being done for my sister, so she to be discouraged he would come and put his hand left with me. We reached New York on Wedneson my shoulder and say, "Higginbottom, every day day morning and I expected to sail that afternoon. I pray for two things for you: First, that you will Mother planned to catch the evening train back continue your work, and second, that God will to Kentucky. Then the Board Secretary came and give you patience." This confidence of Dr. Lucas said, 'The Board finds that there is the largest in me enabled me to go on and work through the number of foreign missionaries being sent out at darkest days, when all I said or did was misunder- one time in the history of the Board, so we have stood. Dr. Lucas lived to see his faith justified, decided to have a big farewell meeting tomorrow, and now all over the world, whether it is Kagawa and I want you to change your sailing date from in Japan or Sir Wilfred Grenfell on the Labrador, Wednesday to Friday.' " or Dr. Alfred Schweitzer in Africa, rural missionaries the world over are seeing and understanding "At first I felt that I didn't want to do this, as the relationship between spiritual and physical I knew how anxious my mother was to return to and mental poverty; what gets rid of one is likely her sick daughter and I did not wish to keep her to help get rid of the others. The rural folk of the over. But after I prayed about it, I finally said backward countries are poor to a degree that to the Board Secretary, 'All right, I will stay.' So America knows little about. When our Lord stood I took part in the meeting and sailed on Friday. up in the synagogue at Nazareth and declared that At the Prince's Landing Station at Liverpool, news the Spirit of the Lord was upon him because he placards told of the loss of the ship on which I had sent him "to preach the Gospel to the poor," was to have sailed on Wednesday. Only one perhe proclaimed the day of release for the world's son was saved in that wreck. I was impressed by rural billion, most of whom live in dire poverty. the fact that God had intervened to prevent my Christ was ,to heal the broken-hearted; He was to sailing on that steamer as I had planned and that set the captive free; He was to preach deliverance He had a work for me to do for Him in India. to them that are bound. This is the only program Then it was that I learned to spell disappointment that is adequate to meet man's need. Dr. Lucas with an 'H'-not 'disappointment,' but 'Hisapsaw this and earnestly helped to carry out our pointment.' " Lord's program. This was always his philosophy of life when James J. Lucas was graduated from Center Col- things did not go in the way he had thought they lege, Kentucky, in 1865, from Yale University in should. He would wait upon God to find out what 1867 and from Princeton Theological Seminary in God was trying to teach him. 1870. He arrived in India in the autumn of 1870 and died in India in January of 1939, after work- It would be difficult to explain all that this view of disappointment has meant in my life. Thirty- five years of close association with Dr. Lucas has meant much to me, and many others remember him as the most Christ-like man they have ever known. He did not seek to escape the pain and
disappointment of the world but he went boldly the man condemn Wanamaker for selling poker forward knowing that where "sin did abound chips while he professed Christianity. Dr. Lucas grace did much more abound." pushed through the crowd and interrupted the speaker, saying: "Sir, Mr. Wanamaker is a friend By MRS. HIGGINBOTTOM of mine and a friend of God, and I do not wish you to say anything against him, even if he does sell The homey Indian bungalow of Dr. and Mrs. poker ti·ps I" The crowd howled, the soap box Lucas gave us a welcome many a time when my orator was confused, and Dr. Lucas smiled and husband and I were confused by the new language led in prayer. It was all so natural and sincere and the new religions, or when new joys or new that it captivated even the careless street throng. sorrows came upon us. He seemed to sense our moods, and with a radiant face would say, "I Dr. Lucas afterward said, "I did not know what found a beautiful promise for me today as my wife the man was talking about; but I was not going and I read 'Daily Light' together early this morn- to have him denounce my friend and call in quesing." The promise seemed to fit our needs as well. tion his loyalty to the Lord." For many years, whenever he married a couple, Dr. Lucas gave them the little book with the hope Once, when we were praying about Allahabad that they too would form the habit of reading it and the general work in India, Dr. Lucas sobbed and praying together every morning. like a child, muttering, "Lord, give us this land which we so love I" Mrs. Lucas, who died in 1931, mothered all the missionaries and made them feel at home around By FRANK G. CORNELIUS her table. Her courtesy and love were also extended to Indian Christians. During my first Looking always to Jesus Christ and living like year I had been sick, my servants were a problem, the Master he served, loving and kind, Dr. Lucas the language was difficult and I was ready to weep. was an inspiration to many a soul. Many years Quick as a flash a missionary friend said to me: ago I had the privilege of working for him in my "Come, change your dress and come with me to professional capacity as "stenographer" when he see Mrs. Lucas." I was an unbidden guest at a dictated to me the "Biography of Robert Stewart lunch party but was welcomed so cordially that Fullerton," and "Commentary on the Epistle to there was no chance to apologize for breaking in the Hebrews" in English. I found that his faith on an invited company. in Jesus was deeper than one could ordinarily comprehend and his life foundations were laid on Dr. Lucas, more than anyone we knew, mani- the "Rock of Ages." fested the Love which is patient, kind, knows no jealousy, makes no parade, is never rude, never By A. RALLA RAM of Allahabad selfish, never resentful (even under strong provocations); is always slow to expose, always eager We always called Dr. Lucas the "st. John" of to believe the best, always hopeful. Hundreds of our time. His face was radiant with the glow of people, Indians and Americans, would heartily a joyous Christian. His gentleness, humility, genendorse that statement. erosity and affection were so infectious and real. We used to make opportunities to seek his study Whenever Dr. Lucas spoke in the church or at a for inspiration and strength. Never did he let us prayer meeting, one heard the comments on every go without prayer. Up till the close of his life his hand: "His face shone." "His goodness glows in delight was in the Scriptures, and their great him." His daughter's death was a terrible shock promises and assurances filled his mind. Who can and sorrow, but at the funeral service he spoke of tell how much literature poured forth from his the lovely influence of her life and of the certain pen to exalt his Master as Saviour and Lord of hope of seeing her again. His radiant, smiling men? face revealed his deep faith and was the means of strengthening the faith of those who were present. By REV. JAMES L. GRAY of Jagadhri By DR. JOHN TIMOTHY STONE He "walked with God." I can think of no better way of describing the life of our dear friend. When Dr. Lucas was my guest at the Brown There was a peculiar radiance about all he said Memorial Church of Baltimore thirty-five years and did that made us all feel that he was conscious ago, he had recently called to see John Wana- of another Presence ever at his. side. To meet him maker who had visited India and was much inter- on the roads of Landour; to talk with him in his ested in the work 'he saw there. The great mer- book-lined study; to see that sHyer hair and the chant was exceedingly busy and as Dr. Lucas be- uplifted hands in Kellogg Church-was always to came tired of waiting, he walked out on the street be made aware of an utter devotion to his Master for a little exercise. Passing a crowd that was and an intimate communion with Him that always being addressed by a soap box orator he heard made me feel that God was near. The place of
prayer was to him the place where "he took off By MR. C. THOMAS his shoes from off his feet" for the ground was indeed most holy. In the quiet of his study; at I can never forget the visit I paid Dr. Lucas at the grave-side with bereaved friends, or in church, his son's house in LahDre Dn March 1, 1938. Dr. that quiet yet thrilling voice was heard pleading Lucas had been ill, but on the previous evening he the promises of God, and leading us with holy was seen standing at the gate of his house giving boldness to the throne of the eternal Father. tracts to. the passers-by. He believed in the power Dr. Lucas was always busy for God and His Kingdo.m. On his daily constitutiDnals you met of the printed page. The faith and prayer life of him with tracts and Gospels in his hand, and a George Muller of Bristol had influenced him a happy word of cheer to coolie, soldier and mission- gDod deal. His own prayer life was known to all ary. In his study he worked with patient dili- his assDciates-the ease with which he would pass gence in English and in Urdu, seeking to give from conversation with men sitting with him to form to anything which he felt would enrich his conversation with GDd. One of his two. surviving fellOW-Christians.. His outlook on mDdern mis- students whom he taught at the Saharanpur TheosiDnary problems was sane and progressive, and logical Seminary said that Dr. Lucas loved his stuhis understanding and sympathy profound. Never dents and taught them by his example how to love did his evangelistic fervor ,lag. Often his zeal, his one another. He preached love and practiced love. piety, his faithfulness have been to me, as a much younger missiDnary, a reproof and a much-needed Dr. Lucas was a Christian saint. Many of us urge and stimulus. feel that nothing can be more helpful to young Christians, Indian and foreign, than a biography of this saintly missionary.
By A., RUSSELL GRAHAM of Indore By HOWARD E. ANDERSON To come to India at the age of twenty-three-tD spend 68 years in the Master's service here-to Editor of "The United Church Review" thrDw aside the well-worn earthy cloak with glad abandon and enter joyfully into His glorious pres- Dr. Lucas was a saint of God. Of few peDple ence. What a life! What a course to' run! So can this be said with the same absence of restraint old in years-so young in spirit! So. spiritual that and the same assurance Df agreement on the part his every cDnversation spDke of an Unseen Presof such a wide circle of acquaintances, and friends ence-yet so beautifully "human"! A saint, a true as he had. His saintliness was revealed in his saint Df God-yet reckoning himself as chief of countenance, the tone Df his voice and his conver- sinners! For he gloried in the Cross of Christ satiDn. Others may praise him fo.r his achieve- and all fDr which that "stumbling block" stood. To. ments, and they were many; but in the realm o.f personal contact, no Dne can tell the number of know Dr. Lucas was to. know Christ better. To. lives he touched for the glory of God. have fellowship with him was, to. desire a more in- The saintliness Df Dr. Lucas was shown in his timate fellowship with the Master. prayers, in what he talked about, in the thDUghts to which he gave expressiDn. They were largely By DR. FRED M. PERRILL Scriptural, fDr he was saturated with Scripture. God's Word was his meat and drink. For years Editor of "The Indian Witness" he lived in constant expectatiDn of the return of Dur Lord. I presume that is what gave him such Dr. J. J. Lucas, the friend of all, was bDrn in calm and repose at funerals, yea, even at the funeral of his own daughter which he himself CDn- Ireland, August 21, 1847, and came to. India in ducted.. He used to say that we who are alive at that advent time shall in no wise "prevent" them 1870. He had finished thirty-six years' service in that are asleep. To him it was indeed a blessed India when I arrived-a fairly long term Df servhope. ice; but for him it was barely half Df the tDtal years he was to give to India. The experience of death was for him an experience of "falling asleep." He grew more and Dr. Lucas had a remarkable memory and used more tired and expressed his desire to. depart. In it in a most helpful way. He must have held many Dehra Dun, a little more than a month before his death, Dr. Lucas spoke to us about a portion of to. a worthy pitch of effort by his encDuragement.
God's Word that had meant much to. him. It was He was a man Df cDnvictions, but he believed that earnest Christian brethren could find a way to that beautiful beatitude, "Blessed are the pure in understand each other. He did not think that heart; for they shall see God." He smilingly ex- bluster and bombast were substitutes for calm and plained that the beatitudes are for the present and considerate thinking. He was a mDdern "fundanot for the future. "So," he said, "the pure in mentalist," but most of all he had a vital Chrisheart shall see GDd now." tian experience and a heart filled with Christian love. For him to live was Christ, but having lived almost a century and having finished the course and kept the faith, certainly fDr him "to. die" was gain. Who. follows in his train?
Fingers for
Cooperative Service to the Spiritual Life of the Blind By the REV. LEWIS BIRGE CHAMBERLAIN, New York General Secretary of the John Milton Society for the Blind BLINDNESS is decreasing among children but when they could see; but only a small portion be- increasing among adults in America. Better come literate through their finger tips.2 After an care· at birth, in infancy and childhood ex- acquaintance with the problem of the literate Blind plains the decrease. Among adults, however, are that began twenty years ago, through supplying not only the historic disease causes and the more embossed Scriptures to them as one of my duties recent hazards and accidents of industry and mod- as a secretary of the American Bible Society, my ern life but also the increase in longevity and, sur- amazement and admiration continue to grow over prisingly, such modern causes as "high blood the achievement of the Blind in using fingers for pressure, hardening of the ar- eyes. It involves real intelli- teries and diabetes." 1 More gence, will power, persistence, than half the Blind in the and, particularly, a sensitive- United States are over fifty- ness in finger tips. Highly edu- five years of age, and there are cated adults are sometimes 11 per cent more blind men frustrated. What of those of than women.1 small education and hardened Though it may seem para- finger tips?
doxical, it really is natural that During recent years em- reading means more to the bossed magazines and books in sightless than to the sighted. Braille 3. have been appearing The Blind are cut off from or- in increased numbers, chiefly dinary life and activities and through generous appropria- have extra time to read and to tions by the United States Con- think. It is a frequent, though gres.s. Public funds, however, not inevitable result, that their are not used for religious lit- thoughts turn to the inner life erature.
-the spiritual; and they desire How then is the spiritual help in Christian life and serv- need and hunger of the sight- ice–the "new life" that grows less being met? Inadequately and gives to others. Many thus and incompletely. The great find blindness a blessing. HELEN KELLER READING HER Protestant churches of Amer- The loss of sight has roused JOHN MIL1'ON MAGAZINE ica-Baptist, Methodist, Pres- byterian and others, from sympathy through the ages.
Christ seemed peculiarly sensitive about it and the whose ranks the bulk of the literate Blind come, Gospels record more miracles by him to cure have neglected for decades both their own blindness than any other physical ailment. In 2 It is estimated that there are some 130,000 Blind in the United America, especially in recent years, much has been States, Gf whGm SGme 25,000 can read Braille. Some tWG Gr three done by both private and public effort, to lighten thGusand whose fingers are not sensitive enough to read the small this great handicap. Braille points, can read the Moon system which, fGr the Blind, is what large type Is to the sighted. In Braille the basis Is an em- The Literate Blind bossed domino six set upright and so small that the finger tip of a child can cover It. TG the uninitiated the fact of a single unit might "Fingers for Eyes" focuses attention, not on imply simplicity, but In it liefl complexity. All tbe letters Gf the the Blind generally, but on those who can read alphabet, all punctuation marks, all capitals, italics, underscoring, all without sight. numerals are made by omissions and combinations of these six pOints. Not only must the mind register and remember what each combina- Doubtless most who become Blind could read tion represents, but the fingers must register the relative positions of these pOints. For example, the single point may occur in any 1 Report of the Public Health Service on January 21, 1939. one of six pGs·itions and a two-point combiIlation may be made in eighteen ways.
3 "Talking Books"-that Is phonograph records of books, and the radio are real boons to the Blind and are being made available by Congress appropriation in considerable numbers. However, they do not take the place of books one may read and study and ponder any more for the sightless than they would for the Sighted.
[239 ]
Blind 4 and the other Blind who form a part of the who reside in all but one of the States and in great home missions field. The relatively heavy twenty-eight other lands. This wide distribution expense of embossed printing, and the relatively is almost entirely due to the activities and interlimited number of Blind affiliated with each de- est of blind readers themselves. They have a way nomination, are chiefly responsible for this fact. of passing magazines from one to another and this diminishes the expense of circulation. The The John Milton Society foreign circulation has come entirely through the Blind them,selves. Illustrations are constant. A Realization of this neglect, and appeals of the blind reader in Texas passes her copy to a blind Blind themselves for help in their spiritual life man in the same city who then sends it to a fel- low blind Hebrew in London who eventually places RE'ADING BRAILLE it in a Hebrew home for the Blind, and reports that "they holler for more." Inmates of homes or and service, brought about the incorporation of institutions for the Blind make one or two copies the "John Milton Society," taking its name from suffice for all their members. A few copies sent to one who despite his own blindness rendered great a State School for the Blind are read by many older service to generations of those having eyes to read. pupils for their own pleasure and then are read by The Society is sponsored by the Councils of them to younger pupils not yet literate with their Home Missions, both general and women's, and fingers. Home teachers of the Blind lend their by the International Council of Religious Educa- copies to their students. A blind American mistion. Its purpose and field were defined as the sionary in China enj oys her own copy and passes supply of general religious magazines, Sunday it on to her blind Chinese teachers who use it with school lessons or Bible stUdies, and religious books. their blind pupils. A masseuse in Jerusalem gains In 1932 the monthly John Milton Magazine was refreshment herself and tells her patients what launched for adults and in 1935 the monthly, Dis- she has read. covery, for boys and girls. Both are in "Braille." In 1937 a small book of standard hymns, words Nearly one hundred blind ministers, missionand music in Braille, the first of its kind, was aries (both home and foreign), and evangelists, issued. 5 The production of three books has been acclaim the John Milton Magazine for the aid it authorized this year: "Daily Devotions," "Sun- gives them in their work and life. Twenty-one day School Manual for Teachers" and "Christmas American denominations are represented by the Carols." The two magazines are free, as are the blind ministry. Some are active pastors and Sunday school papers for the sighted; but gifts preachers and often prepare their sermons from from readers toward their production are encour- the John Milton Magazine. Some are evangelists,; aged and received. The sale of books helps to meet their cost. BLIND GIRLS USING BRAILLE HYMN BOOK The 2,500 monthly copies of the two magazines some home mis!sionaries; some retired and lonely now reach from 10,000 to 12,000 blind readers, and eager for good reading. All are grateful.
• To their credit a few religious bodies have been responding to Among nearly eight hundred letters (several this need but they are exceptions and the activity of most is quite hundred in Braille) from blind readers recently recent. Also they are all keen on their own peculiar teachings. received, about five hundred came from those who Naming them somewhat on the length of their service, they are: attend Sunday school, and of these over two hun- Roman Catholic, the Seventh-Day Adventist, the Church of God, dred are actually Sunday school teachers, some Theosophist, Christian Science, Episcopal, Hebrew and a branch of the Lutheran.
• This year the two magazines are being continued; though a long-standing appeal for a magazine in "Moon" is still deferred because it Is a recurring expense without money as yet provided. "Moon" is to the blind what large print is to those wh<> see.
USING FINGERS FOR EYES
school superintendents – a truly noteworthy English in Holland wishes its stories to pass on record.6 to his scholars.
Sixty denominations listed in the Federal The John Milton Magazine collates and con- Church Year Book are represented by these read- denses its general articles from denominational ers, some of whom are members of religious and interdenominational religious publications.7 groups not listed. What other thousands represent we do not know. Apparently a large portion BLIND SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER (RIGHT) WITH of the blind readers are not connected with any HER SIGHTED CLASS religious organization. Many are too isolated or too physically restricted. Yet all eagerly receive Intentionally interdenominational, special care is and use these definitely evangelical Christian mag- taken to bring to the Blind, though in much conazines. They need this help even more perhaps densed form, choice articles-devotional, informathan the blind ministers and Sunday, school teach- tional, inspirational, and missionary-from variers. What a field for home mission work! It is a ous sources 7 which the sighted enjoy. The Sunday real privilege to have a share in such a service of school lessons have been condensed from those love. prepared by outstanding Sunday school workers in various denominations.s The Magazines for the Blind Half the pages of both magazines are given to The articles in the John Milton Magazine are general articles and half to treatment of the uni- varied not only in subjects to catch and hold attenform Sunday school lessons. Discovery usually tion, but in simplicity, in strength of language and has stories gathered round one theme each month, and largely from Miss Margaret Applegarth's thought, so that each issue inimitable store. The Sunday school lessons at may have a message for its present are drawn from the Methodist Illustrated variety of readers. Many tes- Quarterly. The bulk of each issue of Discovery timonies pour in, constantly goes to State Schools for the Blind which house marking the real service being most of the 6,000 to 7,000 blind school children in accomplished. Sunday school America, all facing lifelong physical darkness. It teachers say that they could is the only such magazine available to the blind not teach without the magachildren of our great land. Individual copies also zine's Sunday school lesson go far and wide. For example: A grandmother helps. One man in Alrubama in Buenos Aires receives a copy to read to her recently wrote that he had taught a large adult Bible two daughters who are Sunday school teachers; class until blindness cut him and the stories to her own grandchildren who are off. Then he learned Braille, entranced. A blind missionary in Shanghai trans- obtained the John Milton lates some of its stories into Cantonese and into Magazine, and is now back at Mandarin, sending them to schools and scholars his post. Young and old renot using English. A Christian blind teacher of port taking part in Christian Endeavor and in missionary societies, thus having 6 The exact figures are 772 letters received from Blind readers, of a share in the life of the church. A Sunday school whom 498 attend Sunday school and 222 are teachers. 7 A recent summary showed that in the past five years, articles have been drawn from 77 denominational, 27 interdenominational and 17 general sources.
8 Drs. H. C. Moore, Baptist So. (several quarters); C. A. Hauser, Christian and Reformed; M. Stevenson, Disciples; L. H. Bugbee, Methodist; E. ];'. Ziegler, Presbyterian; C. P. Wiles, United Lu- theran; Miss M. Tarbell, J. H. Snowden, G. L. Robinson and D. D. Burrell. The last four publish their lessons in non-denominational form.
teacher from Australia eagerly asks for the mag- "I keep it by my bed to read in the sleepless azine, the existence of which he had just learned. hours of the night." The custodian of a library for the Blind in South Africa appeals for its visits. A blind Japanese "I and my blind husband live in the hills of Ver- Sunday school teacher in H3iwaii rejoices in its mont where we do not see even the postman more help. A blind Presbyterian missionary giving his than once a week. What a comfort the John Millife to India, an Episcopal rector with ten happy ton Magazine is to us both." years of service in Kansas, an Evangelical Lutheran minister, executlve officer of a State Com- Such sentences are typical expressions. Many mission for the Blind, are a few of those who a touching and telling tale could be recounted from rejoice in it. One of its earliest and strongest the correspondence. The gist of it all is that they friends is an eloquent, forceful and successful are hungry souls; eager for and sorely needing blind Methodist minister whose church is filled at such help ; and they gratefully rejoice in havevening as well as at morning services, and who ing it. is in demand as a S'peaker before school, college, Rotarian and other audiences. To serve such is Sponsored by the Councils already named, the indeed a privilege. Society is helped by contributions from some Boards of Home Mi,ssions, Education, Sunday The Major Need School, and Publication. For them, however, these years have been difficult, and their contributions The great bulk of the Blind are not ministers or furnish less than one-tenth of the heavy expense teachers. Too often they are people limited in ex- involved in producing the Brame pUblications. perience and resources, isolated in country and Additional help has come from one other organizaother localities, home-bound by physical disabili- tion interested in the spiritual welfare of the Blind ties. Not a few are deaf, others are bedridden, and the Blind themselves contribute surprisingly. many have scant education and even scantier re- But it is necessary to secure 700/0 of the budget sources. To them the magazine,s, bring cheer and from individuals who are blessed with sight. inspiration, help and comfort and company. Where knowledge of this work is spread, those grateful for their own physical eyesight rejoice in "Next to the Bible it is my most treasured pos- helping the sightless in their quest for spiritual session." aid and life.
ENCOURAGEMENT IN TIME OF CRISIS Rev. C. Darby Fulton, Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Foreign Mission Commit- tee of Nashville, says that this is a day of unparalleled opportunity in mission work, and lists some outstanding reasons for encouragement: The high spiritual purpose and morale of Christian missionaries. The courage and steadfastness of the Chinese Christians. The scattering of many believers to the provinces of West China has meant that they have carried the 'contagion of their faith into areas heretofore unreached by the Gospel. The new friendship of the Chinese people for the missionary, growing out of the helpful- ness and service he has shown in this emergency. The enormously enhanced prestige of Christianity because such great national leaders as Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Madame Chiang, and others who are guiding the nation in the present crisis, are themselves Christians. The unprecedented open-heartedness of the people toward the Gospel, with their new long- ings for the assuranecs of faith in the midst of the uncertainties of the present conflict. The return of missionaries and the reoccupation of all our stations. The large crowds attending evangelistic services throughout the country, with many con- versions and other evidences of spiritual awakening. Thousands of Korean Christians standing fast under severe persecution. The deep undercurrent of heart-hunger among the people of Japan. The bond of fellowship that remains unbroken between Japanese and Chinese Christians. The wide open doors in Africa and Brazil.
Progress i11
By REV. PHILIP S. LANDES, Sao Paulo Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., 1912- BRAZIL is, a land of great possibilities and tious and spiritually destitute. With the advent great opportunities. Among the countries of Protestant missions this situation began to be of South America, this republic occupies the changed. first place in territorial extent, population and nat- As soon as Protestant missionaries landed in ural resources. It is larger than the United Brazil, they began distrihuting the Scriptures and States (exclusive of Alaska), covering half the preaching the saving truths which they contain.
map of South America. Thus a new era dawned for the people. From the Within its bounds are vast tracts of undeveloped independence of Brazil in 1822 to the year 1936 land available for the support of human life. The about ten million copies of the Scriptures or por- greater part of the world's supply of coffee is tions of them were distributed by national work- grown in Brazil which could, if necessary, furnish ers and misslionaries.
the world with cotton and foodstuffs such as The Rev. Ashbel G. Simonton, the first Presby- manioc, corn, rice, beans, cacao, sugar, tropica1 terian missiona.ry to Brazil, began work in Rio de fruits and many other agricultural products. Janeiro in 1859. He was a man of broad vision Brazil possesses abundant water-power, vast and statesmanship and laid solid foundations for forests, extensive grazing fields, immense deposits the development of a strong national Church. The of iron and manganese, rubber of the best qual- plan adopted for the development of the work fol- ity, many medicinal plants and a great variety of lowed the lines of the missionary purpose; to win other natural products. These vast resources, men to Christ, to train them for Christian service still mostly undeveloped, are an indication of the and to organize them into churches which should great future which lies before the greatest of our become self-propagating, self-supporting and self- sister republics in the Western Hemisphere. Bra- governing. After eighty years of work, there is zil has a population of forty-five million, but, if it in Brazil a strong national Church, carrying on were as densely populated as the State of New its work independently of foreign control and Jersey, it would contain a population of more than support.
a billion and six hundred million people. The beginnings of missionary work in Brazil A question of vital importance to all of the were characterized by the conversion of individ- American republics, as well as to all Christians, uals who formed the nucleus of the Church.
is this: will Brazil, the greatest of all Latin Amer- Among those won to Christ in this initial period, ican countries, remain democratic or will she join the most notable was a Roman Catholic priest, the "totalitarian states," placing nationalism Rev. Jose Manoel da Concei~ao who was, attracted above God and freedom of worship? The peace to evangelical Christianity by the honesty of the and destiny of the entire Western Hemisphere members of the new sect. He was the first Prot- may depend upon Brazil's decision. In determin- estant minister to be ordained in Brazil, became a iug the issue, evangelical Christianity may be the tireless itinerant evangelist and traveled over decisive factor, judged from the role that Prot- great areas in Southern Brazil.
estantism has played and is playing in the life of At Jandira, in the State of Sao Paulo, there is the Brazilian' people. a fitting memorial to this consecrated evangelist, When a century ago Protestant missions began in the form of a college which is training candi- their work in Brazil, the people had practically no dates for the Gospel ministry. At present this knowledge of the Bible and its saving truths. school has some sixty stUdents, nearly all of whom For three hundred years the Bible had been an expect to preach the Gospel to their own people, unknown book to her people. .It is no wonder, after completing their training in the theological therefore, that the religion of the people consisted seminary.
in the fo'rmal performance of religious rites and Rev. Carvalho Braga, the father of Erasmo ceremonies, devoid of spirituality or vital regen- Braga, was first led to examine the claims of evan- erating power. The dominant religion had left gelical Christianity when, as a clerk in a store, the great mass of the people illiterate, supersti- he read what was on a leaf which had been torn [243 ]
from a Bible to be used as wrapping paper. This one of the elders of the church receiving instrucled to his conversion and later he did a great work tions a.bout the new Christian life into which he as a preacher and as the translator of Davis' Bible had entered. He gave up Spiritualism, drinking, Dictionary. His scholarly son, Rev. Erasmo g1ambling and even smoking, although he had been Braga, became an internationally known religious an inveterate smoker for twenty-five years. It leader in the evangelical world and presided at was a hard struggle, but Christ gave him the victhe Congress of Christian Work at Montevideo in tory. Through his example his wife was won to 1925. Christ and all his family, so that the missionary had the joy of receiving his entire family into the There have been many remarkable instances of fellowship of the Church. Senhor Alvaro became the transforming power of the Gospel in Brazil. a most enthusiastic and energetic personal worker We tell the story of but two men of recent times. and pre,acher of the Gospel. He used to stand at the door of the worship hall in Campo Grande and When Gospel work was begun in the Sta~ of buttonhole passers-by, almost compelling them to enter, in order that they might hear about the Matto Grosso, a young man heard the preaching power that had transformed his life. He has a of the Word of God, for the first time, as he lay government position which takes him to different drunk in the gutter, outside the preaching hall in localities, but wherever he goes, he witnesses to Rosario Oeste. – The Gospe~ message, as it was the Gospel as the power of God unto salvation to sung and preached, touched his heart and he came all who believe. to the missionary with this question: How the Church Is Being Built "Do you think it is possible for me to be forgiven and saved?" It is by conversion of individuals that the Church of Christ is being built up in Brazil, not No wonder he asked this question, for he was by mass movements. The Presbyterian Church of not only a drunkard but a murderer as well. At Brazil has now an adult membership of fifty thoua;bout twelve years of age he had killed a police~ sand, with a yearly increase of ten per cent. Rev. man and later had killed-several other men from Domingos. Ribeiro, in his book, "Origens do Evanambush as they were bathing in a stream. Could gelismo Brazileiro," gives the total number of he be forgiven of God? The missionary was able communicants, baptized children, catechumens to assure him that "the blood of Jesus Christ and adherents of Presbyterian churches as apcleanses us from all sin" and that "if we confess proximately three hundred thousand. More than our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us two hundred Presbyterian national ministers in our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteous- Brazil constitute a fine body of men who have reness." The young man accepted Christ as his ceived an education not a bit inferior to that of Saviour and today is a public school teacher. He most ministers in the United States. They have conducts worship and directs a Sunday school in their own schools and theological seminaries which the far interior of the State of Matto Grosso. are independent of missionary control. The Pres- byterian churches of Brazil have been organized An Extraordinary Man into twenty-three presbyteries, four synods and one General Assembly. These bodies have been A few years ago, when a series of evangelistic compJetely nationalized and are independent of meetings was being conducted in Southern Matta missionary control. The missionaries are still do- Grosso, in the city of Campo Grande, a rather ing the pioneer work, in the interior, and as rapextraordinary man began coming to the meetings.. idly as churches reach the point of self-support, He was known as intelligent and able, but a they are turned over to the national councils. drinker and gambler. It was not unusual for him to come home at four o'clock in the morning after The Southern Baptists also have a strong work a night of dissipation. The missionary thought in Brazil, with ~bout three hundred thousand, that this man, Senhor Alvaro, would be one of the counting adults, children, catechumens and adherlast in the world to be converted, not so much on ents. The Methodists number approximately one account of his vices, but because of his erratic hundred and thirty-five thousand, the Episcopa- Spiritualistic ideas which had made him egotis- lians twenty-seven thousand and the Congregatical and self-sufficient. When an opportunity was tionalists eight thousand. There are also indegiven, at an evangelistic service, for public deci- pendent missions at work with evangelical groups sion, he was one of the first to take a stand, declar- amounting to one hundred and ninety-five thouing his intention to follow Christ. It was difficult sand. In Southern Brazil there are nearly half a to believe that he was converted. He went home million German Lutherans. In round numbers and told his wife that he was a changed man, but the total Protestant population of Brazil is estishe did not believe him. Soon after this, he failed to come home early one night and his wife went out to hunt for him, thinking to find him amongs,t his old companions. She found him at the home of
EVANGELICAL PROGRESS IN BRAZIL
mated at one and a half million, which is about in large measure, to the high grade of theological three and three-tenths per cent of the totalPOI?~ training given to the ministry from the days of ulation. Domingos Riheiro affirms for the year Simonton down to the present time. Last year 1937 that there were, in Brazil, more than three (September 8), the Presbyterian Seminary at thousand preachers of the Gospel, including lay- Campinas, in the State of Sao Paulo, celebrated preachers, and more than four thousand places of the fiftieth anniversary of its foundling. Today it worship. There is probably not a town of any has a strong faculty of scholarly men who have size in all Brazil where there is not a group of also been successful pastors. Twenty-seven stu- Christians witnessing to the power of Christ. dents were graduated in the last three graduating The evangelical churches have produced some EVANGELICAL CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY FIND great religious leaders such as Alvaro Reis, a great A RATTLE'R ON THE COLLEGE CAMPU.S AT orator, pastor and evangelist; Eduardo Carlos JOSE MANOEL DA CONCEICAO Pereira, the author of a Portuguese Grammar used in all the schools of Brazil; Antonio Trajano, classes and the total enrollment last year was the author of textbooks on mathematics adopted thirty-three. This school of the prophets has proin all Brazilian schools; Erasmo Braga, scholar, duced a fine type of leadership for the Presbyteacher and religious leader who also wrote text- terian Church of Brazil. books for the youth of Brazil; Miguel Rizzo, the brilliant pastor of the large and influential Igreja It is not possible here to do justice to all of the Unida in the City of Sao Paulo, and who recently evangelical institutions at work in Brazil, includrepresented the Preshyterian Church of Brazil at ing the splendid work of the British and American the centennial celebration of the Presbyterian Bible Societies, of the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A., Church. There are many other able leaders, too the printing presses, hospitals, sanatoria and ornumerous to mention. phanages conducted under Protestant auspices. Evangelical Christianity has become a mighty The Influence of the Evangelicals force to be reckoned with in .shaping the destiny of this greatest of the Latin American republics. The Evangelicals of Brazil exert an influence far greater than would be expected from their Let no one suppose, however, that the task numerical strength. Like the Huguenots in the has been completed in Brazil. Not even four per history of France they are usually better informed cent of the total population has been evangelized. and more alert than the rank and file of their fel- The great unoccupied Hinterland is destined to receive millions of people who will need to hear low-citizens. In general, they are intelligent, in- the Good News. Besides this, in the forests of the great Amazon Basin, there are many wild Industrious, honest and patriotic, and exert a great dians who have never heard the Gospel. The task influence upon the life of the nation. of the evangelization of Brazil has been well be- gun, but it is far from completed. The nation is An account of the progress of evangelical Chris- still young and in the formative period of its existtianity in Brazil would not be complete without ence, so that now is the opportune time to lay the some reference to the contribution to education foundations for a still greater Church of Christ made by the Protestant churches. The American in Brazil. It is the part of Christian statesman- School, founded in Sao Paulo, in the early days of ship to act now, in order that the people of our missionary work, served for years as a model for great Sister Republic maybe won for Christ and the educational system of Sao Paulo, recognized may enjoy all the blessings of His full salvation. to be the most advanced state of the Union in educational matters. The American School became a great educational institution which today ministers instruction to some two thousand students in all of its courses, from the primary grades up through the Engineering School of Mackenzie College. There are numerous other important evangelical schools of higher education in Brazil, such as Granberry College at Juiz de F6ra, Gammon Institute at Lavras and Jose Manoel da Conceic;ao at Jandira. A large number of evangelical gymnasia are scattered throughout Brazil, as well as many primary schools. Some devote themselves exclusively to the education of believers and their children.
The success of the work in Brazil has been due,
of a Missionary in
~._ By REV. HENRY H. BUCHER, Nodoa, Hainan, China I I Missionary of the American Presbyterian Church [Mr. and Mrs. Bucher are just completing thei~ first ings, accounts, many details of administration; term as missionaries in Hainan, the island off the south oversight of workmen and evangelis,ts; a funeral coast of China, and recently raided by Jap'anese bombing or a wedding; then some of the Lois (aboriginees) planes and occupied in part by Japanese troops. Mr. come to buy salt or fish from us to take back into Bucher (in per,sonal letters) describes graphically some the mountains. They are so often cheated in experiences connected with mission work in Nodoa and money deals that they depend upon us to help on tours into the country. The latter reveal a few of the them. They bring their midget chickens and sell trials that a missionary encounters today in a land that them to us so that they may have a few cents to lacks good roads and many other conveniences to which buy things for their simple needs. all travelers have grown accustomed in countries where good roads, comfortable inns and gasoline stations abound. There is a satisfaction in spending and being The day of the pioneer missionary has not passed.- spent for people in need, but one practical prob- EDITOR.] R THOUGH there have been no actual raids lem I face is the problem of finding any uninter- or loss of life in Nodoa (due to Japanese rupted time for Bible study and prayer. This is raids), there have been many scares and one of the hardest problems a missionary has; to panics! Altogether this unspeakable, "unde- fa'ce-to be so busy in well-doing that it is difficult clared" war has made inroads upon our strength to keep the spiritual fires burning! This Nodoa and energy – and nerves. In all my life I have church and compound is a very live place; no- never before experienced so sustained a drain where else in Hainan is there so much activity in upon my energies, both mental and physical, as the church, or so many meetings (averaging one during this past year. . . . meeting each night and a chapel service every Mr. Melrose (a fellow missionary) left on fur- morning). The work that I enjoy above all others lough last Spring (1938) and from that time I is the evangelistic work and the contacts with peo- have been the only man of the missionary person- pIe out in the country.
nel in this part of Hainan. I have had charge of Roughly speaking, in the past eight or nine the employees and of all property and repairs of months, I have been away from home out "iIi my the large compound. I have also had a goodly pasture" half the time. The average trip takes share of the accounts and bookkeeping – which about one week. First there are periodic visits can be a thorn in the flesh to one not trained or to each church area to examine candidates for . experienced in it. This has been merely "inci- baptism and to hold communion services. Then dental" to my major missionary task as one of there are eight-day Bible institutes for the in- the superintendents of all the evangelistic work struction of ignorant Christians; third, there is in Nodoa, with a dozen churches and a congrega- the preaching of the Gospel in towns and markets tion of several thousand. I am the treasurer for in order to contact those who have never or seldom all the evangelists in this area, and pastor of six heard the Gospel message!
of the country churches which have a combined While we lived in Kiungchow, where the Hain- 'congregation (not membership) of two thousand. anese language was the medium of expression, I In addition I am responsible for the Lodi field in did a great deal of this third type of evangelistic the mountainous interior where there are twenty- work and enj oyed it. There is a thrill in knowing five hundred professed Believers awaiting instruc- that one is speaking to many who are hearing the tion. I much prefer this phase of work to the ad- Gospel for the first time. Since coming to Nodoa ministrative details and bookkeeping in the mis- I have been able to do very little evangelistic work sion station, but someone must take care of these of this kind because of the "confusion in tongues." details and I have been the only man to undertake One cannot hold a boisterous crowd when speakit for eight months. It has ,been necessary for me ing in a tongue that they cannot understand. In to be absent in the country a great deal, so that Nodoa we are face to face with one of the moSlt the station work has: piled up. amazing dialectical jumbles-the true cross-word Early in the morning-at about 6: 30 a. m.-the puzzl~in all China, if not in all the world. If daily procession begins. It is made up of meet- this sounds like an exaggerated statement, listen [246 ] A GROUP OF CHRISTIAN LOI WOMEN IN HAINAN. THEIR VILLAGE IS NEARLY 100% CHRISTIAN to the enumeration of the different tongues com- huke mo," thinking that I was telling him not to put himself to so much trouble. But by a slight mon here. Every day in Nodoa I hear six major mispronunciation of the "0" in the last word "mo," what I really said was: "Don't act like a pig." On dialects spoken: Hakka, Limko, Mandarin, Dam- another occasion, I started out to take a walk after a day of holding classes. Someone asked me tsiu, Hainanese and Cantonese. As if six were where I was going and I thought that I replied that I was going for a stroll to cool off. By the not enough, and to add to the confusion, we often slightest difference in tone, which most foreigners would not notice even if it was pointed out, I achear the melodious monosyllables of the Loi, Miau tually said: "I am going to visit a young lady."
and Malaysian tongues. If this is not a "Babel" After several such experiences I realized that Limko is not one of those tongues that is easy to and confusion of tongues, then I do not under- pick up from hearing it spoken occasionally, so I hired a teacher and studied an hour a day for a stand the meaning of these words. These six month or more. These later efforts have been crowned with so much succes,s that on December major dialects, though they have some similari- 18th I preached my fil1st sermon in Limko. My aim is to be able to speak to the people in their ties (as is true in the Romance Languages of own dialect wherever I go.
southern Europe), are distinctly different tongues. In the last month there have been two phe- nomena to cheer our hearts greatly: First, the Some of the people can speak and understand only local Nodoa church sponsored a great collection throughout this area for the benefit of war sufferone of these six; most people can converse in sev- ers in North China. Over six hundred local dollars were given by Christians and non-Christians eral, not a few can make themselves completely at home in all six! Unfortunately this last ability does not come to an American without the lubri- cating agency of a great deal of "consecrated sweat." . .
Last summer; as I traveled in the Limko field and conducted Summer Bible Institutes, I under- took to apply myself to the Limko dialect so that my work there might be more effective. My first attempts were not crowned with complete success.!
Upon entering a home, if my host put himself out to be courteous and hospitable I remarked, "Murn
working together. This is a new thing under the we might be compelled to spend several days along sun! the road. Unwisely perhaps, we decided to chance it and trust God-so off we went into the night Another new thing is that at Christmas time and into trouble! about thirty Lois came down from the mountains and brought over ten dollars as their contribution Those next ten miles of road were unlike anyto the work of the church in this presbytery. thing that I have ever seen; I shall carry a men- tal picture of them for years to come! The rain At the present stage in our Hainan church there came down in torrents so that at times I could not is even a greater need for teaching the Bible to see where I was driving and the wind became those who are already professing Christians than alarming. In the light of the headlights the roads for bringing larger numbers into the ohurch that looked impassable and at times we would sink in has already too few teachers. so deep that we would come to a dead stand-still. By backing and charging and trying new ruts we The persecution of Christians by one of t~oi would finally be able to go on. I began to think chiefs is so bad that the Christians have begged that we would make our destination after all, but me to go out to the country field and see what I in the blinding rain and darkness I failed to see can do, largely working through official channels a big hOole until just too late. We settled down as I have no authority to deal with any Loi chief. in that hole until the rear left wheel was out of However, I can talk with him, and we can pray. sight and the rear right humper was sunk in It is a five-day journey on foot to the area where water and mud. The engine pan was fast down the trouble is so that I shall have to walk one hun- on a semi-hard shelf of dirt and the axles were dred and fifty miles, mostly up and down moun- buried in the mud. With Oour mind on a possible tains. But its all a part of the Lord's work and robbery we turned off the headlights, got out in there are great rewards. the drenching rain and deep mud and dug fran- tically with the hoe that I always take along. I *** must have spent at least a half hour down in the Traveling Under Difficulties mud on hands and knees trying to get the jack A recent trip from Hoihow to Nodoa was over under that rear bumper, but the weight of the car only rammed jack and stone down farther the worst road I have ever seen in all my life- into mud. We were stuck and no joke-and nothand I have seen very bad roads in southeastern ing for miles but fields and water and a sea of Asia (China, Siam, Malaysia), India, Persia, Rus- mud. The force of the rain beating against our sia, Turkey, Europe and America. The only trip faces became unbearable, so we climbed back into that was worse in physical strain was the two the car to wait for it to let up a little. We sat days and three nights without stopping in an old there, soaked to the skin with mud and slime and truck from Douzdab to Meshed, Persia! When I the driving rain; we had begun to shiver and left Hoihow I doubted the wisdom of starting out chatter with the cold when to add to our miseries in the face of the storm hut as I had been sent to the wind became so violent that it drove the rain get typhoid serum in a hurry I wanted to carry through the top and the side curtains. I had beout the commission and keep faith with the Nodoa gun to picture what we would be worth in the hospital. morning after a night spent huddled there in the damp and cold our bodies soaked and chilled to The first forty miles we covered in a little over the bone-when rip! ! before we knew what had three hours. The rain came down in torrents; the happened the wind took the top right off the car. wind blew and the road was execrable, but not It did not take us many minutes to conclude that impassable. It seemed a little ominous that in all we couldn't longer contemplate spending the night that time we saw not one other car, nor did any there and live through it. We would have to abancars go out from Nodoa all that day! Just before don the car to its fate-and in the back seat was we reached the half-way road-house, darkness over a hundred dollars worth of school uniforms, came upon us and we experienced what may have hats, books and other things that I had brought been an attempted hold up by bandits. However, along so that they would be safe! Maybe I didn't we reached Sim-toa and had a warm Chinese meal. hate to think of deserting the car there in that The question arose: should we attempt to cover condition to be blown and rained upon, for no one the other forty-five miles that night after dark, could tell how many hours-and open to the sky! with the poss1ibility of robbery (as another car However, we were desperate and had begun to had been p~undered there two weeks before), or think pretty serious thoughts. Each grabbed a should we spend the night in the car at Sim-toa small handbag containing personal belongings and and try to complete the journey the next day over a change of clothing. (The $700 was ina large roads that would be still more softened by a ty- suitcase with all my clothes.) I would gladly phoon rain all night? On the one hand I thought of the $700 that I had in my suitcase. On the other hand there was the likelihood that the roads would be impassable the next day, in which case
EXPERIENCES OF A MISSIONARY IN HAINAN
have left the clothes behind in order to travel light might be disposed to take us in. While the Chinese in the storm, but I couldn't open the bag there in are naturally hospitable they are not inclined to the driving rain and take out that paper money. receive strangers in the middle of the night and So we started toward No-vun which was several out in the country, for they have learned by bitter miles away. experience to assume that everyone is an enemy at such times. (The robbers are very bad in that I shall never forget that wild walk. You can area.) One would be apt to be met by vicious picture us in the midst of a cloudburst and a ty- dogs and perhaps a gun shot rather than by hosphoon wind; the former cut into the skin and pitality. This had been the subject of not a little made vision almost impossible; the latter blew talk before we arrived. us around at will and at times threw us down on the ground or into the fields, or started us run- SOME OF THE WILD LOIS IN A NON-CHRISTIAN VILLAGE ning along the slippery road, unable to stop and unable to proceed without slipping and falling. But there was never so much as a dog bark, for My long suitcase acted as a sort of sail and caught all animals were locked indoors; not a living thing the wind so that it was all I could do to keep stand- was stirring and apparently all were dead as the ing upright. The water and mud were often knee tombs. That is the first time I have ever apdeep; at other places the road was slick and slip- proached a village in China after dark (or in daypery as ice. I fell headlong in the mud a dozen light for that matter) without a multitude of dogs times,and twice I picked myself up in the fields going wild and making the air hideous. Every off the road entirely. Our knees and legs grew house was securely locked, with doors and winweak and our backs ached. That seemed the long- dows barred against the storm, and all the inest walk I ever took; actually it was only four habitants tucked snugly away under all the warm and one half to five miles! Talk about Paul Re- covers they could collect-for it was cold. We vere's ride. That was tough on the horse; this first tried the inn, or roadhouse (which is also the was tough on us! headquarters of the Public Road Department for that area). We yelled, and pleaded and shouted A Midnight Adventure ourselves hoarse-singly and in unison; we bel- lowed in desperation. It was all utterly useless Finally, at nearly midnight, we found ourselves waste of breath and energy. We did not seem to on the outskirts of No-vun-some distance off the be able to make ourselves heard above the noise main highway. Along the road we had passed of the storm. (Next day we found out that they five or six other cars in mud holes,; one was down heard us but didn't want to be bothered; or they in a field and deserted. They had all started out thought that we were robbers.) We didn't dare earlier that day in the hope of beating the storm beat on the door to attract attention for fear lest to Nodoa but all had lost the race. We were cov- we might get too warm a reception. So we went ered with mud from head to foot, drenched and down the street and tried .other places. Soon we soaked, chilled to the bone, and nearly "down and came to what we later found to be the "Smoking out." We were miserable specimens of humanity, Palace" (opium den) where we saw lights through and it didn't add to our peace of mind as we walked through the streets of the town (themselves litle rivulets) to see buildings blown down and other evidences of the violence of the storm. We could not but think of the car out there on the highway and we wondered what would be left of it in the morning. Of course my mind turned anxiously toward Nodoa, wondering what my wife was doing during this storm and how the children were. Had she been able to get the windows and shutters securely locked without help. For months the roof of our house has been leaking like a sieve: the tiles were very inferior, and in a recent storm we had to place pans to catch drips in about five different places. The mental picture was not very reassuring, or calculated to remove anxiety.
We were somewhat reassured by the fact that we saw on the only street of the village two cars that had taken refuge from the storm. If the passengers had been taken into the houses near by then the people of this small village must be awake to the fact that the road was impossible; they
the cracks in the building. We carried on a lively leather seat-covers and the coating of mud. But and edifying conversation with the people inside the car was not utterly ruined. I collected what through these same cracks; but they had no in- was left of the top from a near-by field and folded tention of letting us in. They called out: it up for future use. The engine, the coils, and all else were soaked-and it was still raining by "Go away and leave us alone. We won't open gusts and spurts. To start the engine seemed to you as you are robbers." hopeless but I took a chance and tried the Chinese method that I have seen used with success but not But we had no intention of being denied as we without risk. We ignited several' pieces of paper were getting desperate. We said: and put them into the engine so that the flames curled around the coils, cylinders and spark plugs "If we were robbers would we be standing here to dry them out. It sounds dangerous and it is, with a flashlight lighted up and shouting to you but we were desperate and ,still damp and hungry through the door, making a lot of racket and in- from the proceeding day's "lark." The plan viting you to attack us? Robbers wouldn't be that worked like a charm! The spark caught and the stupid !" engine started. I would not recommend the method to folks at home but it might be a good So the talk went on into the night, for what thing to know about when you visit Hainan. seemed to us hours. We were making no headway and were about to give up hope of getting in The day's work had just begun. There were anywhere – when an old woman (who had no ten men with sturdy poles and great strength, but money or valuables and so was not afraid of being the car would not budge an inch, so deep had it robbed) took pity on us and let us come into her settled, with the bumpers under water and mud house. There was no room for the four of us, but and great suction holding down the rear tires. we, at least temporarily, found warmth and We must have worked at it an hour before we shelter; she finally persuaded the gallant smok- gave up and hired several more men to lift the ing braves across the street to let us come into car bodily out of the slough. Then all rode the their commodious quarters. running board back to No-vun, and it was well that they did, for they often had to get out and The first thing for us to do was to take off our push us through ruts so deep that the bottom of filthy, drenched clothing. We did not have one the car literally plowed through the mUd, and the really dry garment in our handbags or in my suit- front axle and radiator acted as a scrape to level case, but we had some semi-dry pieces and shared off the road, clear away rocks and prepare the what we had. For instance, my pajama tops way for the more vulnerable parts behind. It was looked ridiculous on a little nO-pound Chinese- a miracle – nothing more or less – that we got Bit-kheng, one of the hospital assistants. We had through that stretch of road as far as No-vun quite an interested audience of men and women which is the worst stretch on a very bad road. whose curiosity as we changed our clothing might We drove into No-vun to get something to eat, charitably be explained as "fraternal interest." I pay our bills for our luxurious night's accommodawas too far gone to be "nice." They finally gave tions, and buy gasoline from the Public Roads us some food and a warm drink of some kind Headquarters. I had started from Hoihow with which fortified us against the night that we had to ten gallons, had made about fifty miles of the endure. eighty-nine and had only two gallons left. That gives some idea of the state of the road; under For a bed all four of us were provided with good conditions my car can do nearly twenty miles double doors supported on two wooden horses; on a gallon of gas. for pillows we each had a nice ten-inch brick (guaranteed not to break from the weight of one's Of the rest of that trip as far as Notia I will head, nor to transmit insect life.) The roof leaked spare you the details of the numberless times we but not directly over our heads. The floor was so got stuck, the hours we spent pushing, digging, muddy and slippery that we could scarcely walk jacking up the car and putting rocks under the or keep on our feet. There was very little sleep tires. It will always remain etched upon my memfor any of us that night but we survived! ory as incomparable. We learned that between Notia and Nio-hau two bridges had been washed The Morning After away and were told that we might as well give up any idea of reaching Nodoa that night. But after The next morning with empty stomachs we all our herculean efforts, we were not going to trudged back over the road we had trekked the fail to reach our goal when so near-especially as night before and took five or six men with us to we feared one more night in wet clothes and with help push, drag and persuade the car out of that empty stomachs might be the end of us. So we mud-hole. My imagination had painted a very sad went on. The first bridgeless stream was not wide picture of what the car must be like after being out on the road all night, through a typhoon rain and with no top. It was certainly an awful sight to behold-with all the contents (hat-boxes and school uniforms) melted and merged with the
EXPERIENCES OF A MISSIONARY IN HAlNAN
but had high banks and a deep swift current. We China through Canton are now cut off and we are hired a bunch of farmers to bring beams and left in the dark mostly – and the victims of the planks, and in a couple of hours a bridge was put most alarming rumors. The loss of Canton, nerveacross where there had been none before. There center of the wealthiest province in China, is a was a clearage on each side of only a few inches. dreadful blow, and an awful heartbreak to We had not gone far before the farmers were tear- Hainan. There may have been darker periods ing down the bridge so the next cars to come along ("before the dawn") in the history of other nawould be obliged either to pay four dollars to them tions-but it is not to be denied that the present to rebuild it or could sit there and enjoy the beau- picture is black. We still have hope and faith ties of nature. but we do not know what our future course will The second bridge was wider but the approach LI-EK, niE LOI LEADER, WHO BROUGHT HUNDREDS was damaged and speedy and temporary repairs OF HIS PEOPLE TO CHRIST were out of the question. We decided to take a chance, running through the stream, though the be. Before we can write another letter communiwater was deep and the current racing. There cations may be cut off entirely, or Japan may take was an ox-cart crossing at that point; but a cross- over the island and establish a rigid censorship. ing possible for an ox-cart is usually impossible Already word has come from Hoihow that the to a car. Out came our hoe and again we went local Government has ordered all the Chinese to work leveling off the approaches and cutting women and children and old people to flee from down the bank that we must ascend on the other Hoihow and Kiungchow to the villages. The side. The water was almost up to the waist and French Consul has notified us that France will not the ascent on the other side looked almost impos- defend Hainan, and advises all American women sible. But the alternative was to leave the car and children to leave for Hongkong, as he conthere or spend the night with it in our exhausted, siders the Japanese invasion of Hainan as a mathungry, wet, clammy state. If I had to leave the ter of a few days or possibly hours. car in the middle of the stream it would at least be washed clean, so I breathed deeply and made We have made up our minds, for better or the attempt. The water was up to the engine and worse, to stay by here for the time being at least. the vulnerable parts, but it was so heated from We will stay and serve the people just as long as its exertions that it resisted the water. That is we can, for I prefer to stay by the people here at my theory-because before we reached home the a time of stress and danger. water and mud had permeated into the motor and stalled us; the battery, carburator, and coils were soaked and coated with mud. It was too much for even as noble a car as my little Ford. We had to push her the rest of the way home-and our entry into the compound gates was anything but triumphal! The next day (Sunday) I spent in bed, conscious for the first time in years of many usually well-behaved muscles, now sore as a boil all over, almost too tired and weary to sleep. The next two weeks I spent all the time I could spare working on that car, cleaning it inside and out, putting on a new canvas lining for the top, and repainting the whole car. It really looks very well, but I fear it will never be the same again.
Developments in the War Zone Later: For days we have been intensely watching developments in the war zone – and especially the lightning attack upon our own Province. Everyone 'is greatly disturbed and for several days I have done little but talk with callers, trying to allay fears, answering questions about what is happening (the Chinese will believe that somehow we have inside information that is kept from them). Several days ago came the staggering news of the fall of Canton and its destruction. All communications with war zone and the rest of
Beams from Lima
By DR. SAMUEL S. RIZZO, Newark, N. J.
Pastor of a Portuguese Presbyterian Church T HE recent conference of Lima was not with- service. The liberalism of President Vargas goes out religious significance. Its political re- so far that, being a nominal Catholic, he does not sults, valuable as they were in proclaiming apologize for naming his son after the great rethe validity of International Law, and in pro- former Luther. moting friendly relations among the nations, are secondary in importance when compared with the Several years ago a proposal came before the recognition of certain moral principles accepted Brazilian Congress to "declare" Roman Catholiby the conference, and of great significance to the cism the religion of the majority of the Brazilian Kingdom of God. people. President Vargas, then a congressman, wrote: Religious and Racial Liberty With reference to the proposed amendment (to the Con- stitution, Item No. 10) stipulating that the Catholic The Lima conference was an event, perhaps Church is the church of the majority of the Brazilian peounparalleled in the history of Latin America. ple, I think, in the first place, that such statement is very Twenty-one nations, after much debate, and with disputable. In order that a person might call himself a full acquiescence of their respective governments, Catholic, he should know the doctrine, accept it and live it. signed a document upholding the principle of "in- With such conditions only an elite, a select minority, comdividual liberty without religious or racial preju- ply. The high circles in social life have adopted a Catholidices." cism rather sceptical and elegant. And the vast ignorallt masses are still in the age of fetishist worship of saints While the Americas are not entirely free from with several miracle-working specialties.
religious intolerance, it is only fair to say that The amendment was rejected by an overwhelmsuch intolerance as exists in the republics of the ing vote. south is usually the work of Roman Catholic priests. Such intolerance is not condoned by the At Lima, when the world's political skies were laws and is repudiated by the best citizens. When so dark, it was an auspicious time for this "liberala Presbyterian minister was expelled from the ism" to project itself as a ,beam of hope for decity of Aparecida, Brazil, and the furniture of his mocracy. How long shall "individual liberty withhall was burned by a mob led by German monks, out religious prejudices" prevail in Central and the ex-president Washington Luis, then governor South America we do not know. With the world of Sao Paulo, sent a squadron of oavalry to the constantly menaced by dictators,and the devil acscene of disturbance, and for several Sundays the tive, anything may serve as a pretext to justify same pastor preached in the open air, protected the invalidation of this religious liberty. But by the State troops. I have seen a Christian Jew while it prevails may we, ministers and laymen, knocked down by men of his race when he at- be made equal by the power of the Holy Spirit, tempted to preach the Gospel in Columbus Circle, to the opportunity of this hour. New York. Religious liberty was not vindicated The Christ of the Andes more quickly or with more emphasis by the police Of far-reaching .significance was the declaration of New York, than it was in the case at Aparecida. at Lima, by the twenty-one nations of the Amer- In both instances the intolerance was a violation icas, to express their "unbreakable desire for of the law of the land and was, not condoned by peace, and their profound sentiment of humanity the State. and tolerance." Next to the delegation from The statesmen of South America are, as a rule, Bolivia sat the delegates from Paraguay, all in proud of their "liberalism." When I invited a joyful mood, glad that no longer an abnormal redip~omat in New York to come to a religious serv- lation of hate existed among the family of nations ice in my Portuguese Church in Newark, knowing in the Americas. Dignified and greatly esteemed, that he was of different faith, I added to my presiding over the most important committee of invitation, "I know that you are a liberal." He the conference-the committee on Declaration of sent me a courteous reply, stressing his liberal- Solidarity-sat one of the oldest statesman of the ism and promising to prove it by attending the Americas, the Brazilian delegate, Afranio de [252]
AMONG THE INDIANS OF NORTH DAKOTA
Mello Franco. He was the sole arbiter of the dis- own plans to accept that from Argentina." pute between Colombia and Peru over the conflict Twenty-one nations of the Americas refused, in of Leticia, and his efforts for peace saved thou- the critical hour, to "isolate" Argentina, writing sands of lives from destruction at a time when a declaration of continental solidarity without the Peru, Colombia and Ecuador had already em- signature of Buenos Aires. "The victory belongs barked on a wholesale arming for war. When, to the Messrs. Hull, Mello Franco, Conchas and in the midst of the conference this gentleman re- others, who were magnanimous and did not deceived the sad news of the death of his son-in-law, mand that which the superiority of their forces the sincere sympathy of his admirers poured in . . . could suggest." This declaration marked an in hundreds of telegrams daily from all the Amer- attitude most dramatic in the history of the Panicas showing to the world that those who labor for American Conferences, and perhaps never equaled peace are ble,ssed by man, as well as by God. Let in tne political history of the world! Twenty-one us be thankful for the peacemakers of the Amer- republics sacrificed their personal preferences be- £Cas, and let us' ,pray that the Christ of the Andes, cause they could not bear the separation of a sister today ruling over the Chaco, in Tacna-Arica, and republic from the family of nations. This speaks up in Leticia, shall be always the Prince of Peace of the unity of the Americas much more effectively in the Western Hemisphere. than the Declaration of Solidarity in itself. It was a beautiful example of the Christian principle Solidarity at a Sacrifice of "the second mile," practiced collectively.
Commenting on the Declaration of Lima, a Bra- '" '" '" zilian newspaper wrote: "The only victory that is really to be seen in the declaration of continental Liberty, tolerance, peace and magnanimous sacsolidarity of Lima, is the loyalty and spirit of sac- rifice were the contributions of the Conference of rifice of twenty other nations, who, in order not to Lima to a world darkened by the lack of these virbreak the unity of the Americas, abandoned their tues. Christian people welcome them as new rays of hope for mankind.
Among the Indians in North Dakota* By the VEN. THOMAS A. SIMPSON Archdeacon of Indian Work, North Dakota O N THE Standing Rock Reservation, North some of the men present she said "and he has Dakota, there was Red Hail, a Sioux chief, struck some of you." But she remarked that it so named, says Indian tradition, because he was a good place to be, for if he came after anywas born during a great meteoric shower. For one they could run to the church for refuge. many years he welcomed Indian missionaries to Lastly she said the river was near by and those his cabin for services and largely was responsible who did not wash very often could come for a for the building of St. Gabriel's Chapel at Red swim. Hail Camp (Brien). St. Gabriel's has produced some fine Christian characters among whom are William White Eagle's zeal for Christ led him the Rev. William Skala (White) Cross, a grandson of Red Hail, and Luke and Lucy Shoot-the- into active missionary work, both on the Standing Buffalo. Lucy invited the annual Indian convo- Rock and Fort Berthold Reservations. On one of cation to meet at St. Gabriel's in 1937. Argu- his mis1sionary journeys to Fort Berthold he was ments were advanced in favor of other stations. the means of Yellow Bear's conversion. One night It was said that good food would be served at St. as he was conducting service in his tent, Yellow Sylvan's, while at St. Gabriel's there was a den Bear went on the war path, determined to put an of rattlesnakes which the people from Fort Tot- end to such religious activity. Yellow Bear waited ten did not like. Lucy promptly replied (her re- for a moment outside the tent before going in to marks being interpreted) that nowhere did the break up the meeting, but as he sltood there he Bible teach men to worship their stomachs. She heard for the first time the message of the Master acknowledged that there were rattlesnakes at St. spoken through the lips of White Eagle. His con- Gabriel's and that one of the snakes had seven version followed. At his baptism he was named tongues and one tongue was liquor. Pointing at Paul after St. Paul, who also was once the enemy of Christ. • Condensed from The Spirit 01 Missions, December, 1938. Paul Yellow Bear was an unusual man; as he formerly had used his natural gifts to keep his
friends and neighbors in paganism, he later used vicinity. Here the Church has some eight acres them to win people to Christ. For many years he of land, church, parish house, rectory, and miswas lay reader at St. Paul's Chapel, where he has sion home; all in charge of the Rev. W. S. Cross, left a lasting impression. a retired Indian priest. The existing social and moral conditions demand recognition. The Gov- Paul Bear-Paw, another convert from pagan- ernment has established' a local school system in ism in North Dakota, served for many years as addition to nonreservation schools but the averlay reader at St. James' Church, Cannon Ball, age home life has not kept pace with these adwhere his widow, Julia, is still an active com- vances and the returning student has almost municant. insurmountable problems of adjustment, often reverting to old reservation ways of living. Sick- Thomas Ashley, another chief figure, was an ness is prevalent while social diseases play havoc able leader and efficient interpreter. As an inter- with countless Indians. Among children, the preter he served faithfully, with marked ability, death rate is especially high. Doctors and hospinot only his Church but also the Government and tals are miles away and there are some tragic courts of justice. deaths. Only within one-half mile of St. James' a young girl died of tuberculosis while in the In St. Sylvan's Mission, in the Turtle Moun- same one-roomed cabin a young mother was givtains, labored that staunch Christian, Rising Sun, ing birth to her first child. And there was no one a full-blooded Chippewa, who lived to the age of to help! 110 years. His name was given him because he first saw the light of day when the sun was peep- An adequate program of religious education for ing out of the East. When past middle life he set- Indian children is something yet to be achieved. tled down in the Turtle Mountains, and devoted his Distances, weather conditions, general environtime to raising cattle. He was partly the means ment, seem to be insurmountable difficulties. of preventing a repetition of the Custer massacre Apart from two Church missions there is no orin the Dunseith hills when the county authorities ganized religious instruction. Leaflets, manuals had a misunderstanding about taxes with the of instruction, odd numbers of the Christian Nurmixed-blood Indians. When Rising Sun and his ture Series, religious pictures, are given out and wife received their first annuity from the Govern- used at home, where many of the parents welcome ment, they bought thirty dollars worth of lumber the help given. But the Church has not yet to help build a chapel that they had been wanting touched the problem. The men have their guilds for years, keeping the lumber in their little log and carry out a program of service adapted to hut for six years before their ambition was real- local needs. The Woman's Auxiliary branches ized. St. Sylvan's. log chapel, standing on a high meet for worship and work. elevation of land, is a monument to Rising Sun's devotion. Mr. Robert Fox, an Indian trained at Santee, Nebraska, and his wife, are doing excellent work The present work at Breckenridge Memorial in St. Paul's Mission to the Arickara tribe at Fort Chapel began in 1898. It is about six miles from Berthold. Since their coming the work of the the Agency in what is known as the Crow Hill Church has made real progress. Once a month neighborhood. An Indian named Iyayukamani they give religious instruction at the public school, (He-Follows-Walking) had loaned a house where to classes that are increasing in numbers. The services were conducted in the Dakota langua.ge. Arickara people, having had more educational ad- Iyayukamani was a stalwart Christian and is re- vantages than some other Indians, are more admembered as the founder of the Church work at vanced and more prosperous. this point. Bernard Rainbow, brought up under the Christian influence of Iyayukatnani, carried Originally St. Sylvan's Mission in the Turtle on the work of lay reader for many years. Mountains consisted of a log chapel and seventy acres, of land, but about five years ago the National In recalling these and other names it can be Indian Association turned over to the Church seen that the work among the Indians in North their abutting property consisting of 220 acres, Dakota is unique in that it is the result of the a dwelling house, a frame parish hall, and some missionary zeal of the Indians themselves. dilapidated buildings.
Today there are some eight thousand Indians If the story of this Indian field had to be sumliving on the four reservations where the six mis- med up into one word it would have to be the sions of the Protestant Episcopal Church are word need. Not only is there need for physical located. direction and assistance, there are those deeper and more urgent needs arising out of the social The largest mission on the Standing Rock and tribal background of the various groups, Reservation is St. James', three miles south of which can only be met by a well-balanced program the village of Cannon Ball, in the center of a large express'ed through the Church. Indian community. The name Cannon Ball is derived from the huge rock formations found in the
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I Effective Ways of Working 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE.. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~=I============~~==~~~~~ Combatting Summer Heat glad, once a year, to open them At one of the regular meetings to such church groups, especially the members who had made Although it was early summer when the hostess is a member of these trips told about them. it was already hot. Sheer iner- the group. They spoke informally, not attia would keep some people from tempting to philosophize or to attending their missionary meet- In planning such an event, it summarize situations. The y ings. The two missionary or- is wise to put extra effort into merely gave their impressions. ganizations in one church were the arrangements, so that every- Those who had not been able to busy planning attractions, the one may have an unusually good go, gained a new vision of the pull of which might overcome time "visiting." The trip out in needs of a great city and of some that tendency to stay at home. the bus may be made a jolly oc- of the very human ways in which The women's group, made up of casion. Have good, simple and life can be changed when somewomen who can come in the ample food. Have a good pro- one cares enough to do someafternoon, had its special prob- gram, suited for outdoor pro- thing about it. lems. The business women's duction. group (who necessarily met at What is there about which night) had to combat the fatigue Every summer meeting, from your missionary society, your resulting from work through which members of the society ch~rch body, or your young peolong hot hours. come away saying, "Didn't we ple s group need first-hand in- have a good time? Let's do it formation? Do they know that At this point an invitation again next year," has not only many human beings are suffercame from a former minister of accomplished its purpose in this ing in the suffocating streets and the church and his wife, to both series of meetings, but has had a alleys of the very city or town in groups, to hold their next meet- real part in training the women whose comparatively cool subing at the country home to which to look forward to summer mis- urbs you live? Do they know he had retired some years ago. sionary meetings, instead of some of the difficult working and avoiding them. living conditions of migrant The invitation was accepted workers in your own county? with delight. But careful plan- Telling What They Have Seen Do they have firsrt-hand knowlning had to follow. The country edge of the way in which social place was some distance from There is an eternal fascination service and church agencies are the neighborhood so that busses in hearing about interesting working? Do they know what had to be chartered, and the things that we have not seen. avenues of volunteer service are necessary meals planned. There is even greater fascina- open to some of themselves? tion in telling about things we One group went in the after- have seen to those who have not Try making investigations. noon and one in the evening and seen them. Why not make use Those who do it will be glad to both enjoyed a delightful time. of those two characteristics to tell about it. Your meeting will The attendance was as good as achieve summer program effec- have a breath of reality to it if the weather had been more tiveness. which will attract, in spite of hot propitious. The programs were weather. excellent; the fellowship was A missionary group in a large joyful, with an opportunity to city asked several members to A Book Meeting in August wander through the orchard look into certain institutions last with its closely mowed grass, summer during the study of The August is usually a very dead among the flower-beds, along the City. (The summer before the month when many churches alraspberry vines, and beside the same group had asked members most close their doors. lily pool. After a dusty day in to look into the Negro's living town it seemed like a different conditions.) A morning in the But it is during those very world. juvenile court; a visit to the "dead" times that many people county home for orphan chil- have more leisure for reading While only a few societies can dren ; a few hours in police than at any other time during enjoy such an experience, it is court; time spent in one of the the year. possible for more than actually settlement houses-these were a experience it. Many times per- few of the trips made. One organization asked a comsons with lovely grounds are mittee to select new books deal- [255 ]
ing with various missionary sub- Among those put out coopera- living in areas of tension, conjects. These were to include tively by a number of the denom- flict or economic readjustment, stories, biographies, travel, his>- inations, are very good units on "working on some community tory, background material; and world friendship. Less well project of social significance ineven such things 'as the poetry adapted to the longer vacation volving physical labor." and the philosophy of a certain schools, but good for those runcountry or people. ning for a short period are the Work camps require more texts of the Friendship Press than a desire to serve. Only One person, quite clever at (New York), which can be se- those should apply (says the such things, took five or six of cured through any denomina- folder describing them) "who the lighter books, and selected tional publishing house. are willing to live cooperatively from each an incident which she as a part of a group; do hard dramatized. The dramatization Talk over the matter of mis- physical labor; impos.e self-disin each case ended uncompleted sion study with those in charge cipline as a member of a demoat an interesting point, leaving of the vacation school planning. cratically organized group." the group with a desire to know An effective course should be what happened next. placed somewhere in a three- Hard labor, we might say in year cycle. Write to your na- passing, means just that. Wreck- The dramatizations, together tional children's work director, ing houses to create playground with a review of a book or two, the missionary education depart- space; quarrying stone to build formed the program for a meet- ment of your Board of Christian a dam; clearing land for farming, and started the autumn Education, or similar organiza- ing, making roads – these and reading in a very effective way. tion, or to your church publish- other projects are done under ing house for specific informa- technical supervision and must Why not have a book meeting tion. be done right. sometime during the summer? If you do not wish to have dram- A Comparison Ha.rd labor is not all. Noone atized incidents from books, does the camp work for the there are many other ways in I thought of it once as I sat by myself workers. It is a cooperative which books can be introduced. And looked at the boxes that sat on enterprise and the campers must Perhaps you can secure some do camp work themselves. Then member, or some one else who the shelf, there are hours of study. Each is a well known reviewer of One so large, one so small, with a camp, with its relationship to books, able to give a really one of the areas noted above, thought-provoking book review contrast most grim. engages in serious study on the of one of the important books for A bandbox for me, and a mite-box for problems of the community and the coming year's study. The ways of working toward their one review may make up the en- Him. solution. tire program – one to which guests might well be invited, and I paid for my hat and I paid for my You could not do better for one which would stimulate the gown, your young people this summer reading of the book by every than to investigate with them member of the group. Such And I paid for the furs that I pur- this particular field of service books do not often appear, but chased down town, and other avenues of volunteer the type we have in mind is that work. of House of Exile (China), by And when I returned, it was plain as Nora WaIn, or the more recent could be– You could not do better than Himself (India), by Ramahai to guide them to that which is Ranade. A mite-box for Him and a bandbox the "moral equivalent for war, for me. in terms of a constructive and Vacation Church School and adventurous service." I tossed in a dime, but it didn't seem Mission Study right; For specific information about work camps, write to the Work Camp Com- Now is the time to survey the I couldn't be proud of that curious mittee, American Friends SerVice field of studies in world friend- sight; Committee, 20 So. Twelfth Street, ship and in the missionary work Philadelphia, Pa. of the church which are avail- So I took out my check book and tried able for Primary and Junior to be square; Another avenue for a different type study in the Daily Vacation of service may be found in the Chris- Church Schools which will be set For I wanted my giving to look like tian Centers in migrant groups. Write up this summer in thousands of my prayer. to the Council of Women for Home churches. Missions, 297 Fourth Ave., New York. -By Sarella Te Winkle, in Vacation Church School is an "The Missionary Monthly." There is adventure aplenty in takideal place for effective mission Used by permission. ing Vacation Church Schools to the study. Make sure that those in children of isolated regions of our charge of selecting the studies American Youth Can Serve country. Write to The International this summer are aware of the Council of Religious Education, 203 available texts along this line. One of the most interesting So. Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111., to ask developments of recent years is about that. the type of volunteer service made possible to American youth Student Peace Service secretaries under the American Friends are looking for Peace Volunteers to Service Committee. work this summer in America, Mex- ico and Europe. Pacifist youth will Since 1934, when the project find a thrilling service there. Write was started, the movement has grown. What is it?
Briefly, work camps are set up -there were six or seven of them in 1938 – where carefully selected college or university young people spend eight weeks
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
to Harold Chance, 20 South 12th since the preparation of entirely Koreans and Japanese, and Street, Philadelphia, for information. different menus would be im- green tea.
There are also innumerable practical. However, a dessert On the China table was a Chiprojects arranged by mission typical of each country was nese evergreen in a dragon bowl, served, as nearly as possible boards of various denominations. after the manner of that coun- and "water flowers." Woven Send out inquiries in various try. straw place mats were used, and directions, and try to plan a con- the place cards were Chinese structive summer of study and The centerpiece for the Mex- scenes, attached to tiny paper valuable experience, for the ico table was a bowl of cactus parasols. Rice wafers, crystalyoung people in your church or plants. Zinnias would be equally lized ginger, peanuts and "jas- appropriate, since this flower community. came originally from Mexico. mine" tea formed the dessert. A list of Chinese proverbs was An International Luncheon There were bright-colored doi- read, the Chinese being noted for lies, fiesta china and paper nap- their terse sayings. (We are indebted to Mrs. H. H. Fer- kins with a fiesta design. The guson for the following account) dessert was penuchi, strips of Chopsticks were provided for fresh coconut and coffee with those who cared to eat rice with An "International Luncheon," hot milk. them. given recently in Xenia, Ohio, was a social occasion with a pur- At the Philippine table, na- At Iran's table, the hostess pose: to create an interest in the tive-drawn work doilies were sprayed each guest's napkin peoples of far-away lands and to used, and as a centerpiece an with rose perfume (from the 10 promote world-mindedness by oriental bowl with brilliant cent store). Roses are grown in attempting to secure a better orange flowers. Place cards were Iran for the manufacture of perunderstanding of how other peo- hand made, using very tiny sea fume, so the centerpiece was a ples live, of their customs, their shells, glued to cards and tinted bowl of roses. Brass is much interests, their problems. Plans to represent flowers. The des- used in Iran, so the candlesticks, for the luncheon were rooted in sert was sliced pineapple, fresh tray and dishes for the dessert the idea of the oneness of the coconut and coffee with hot milk. were of brass; and since green human family. They can be is the Mohammedan color, the adapted to any group. For the West Indies, the cen- paper napkins, ink on the place Tables, each seating eight per- . terpiece was a pottery donkey, cards and the candles were sons, represented countries with tiny plants growing in the green. The dessert was turkish paste, dates and wafers. Black where Presbyterians are at baskets attached to his back. tea was served, guests putting a work. Since this group was not These donkeYis with their bas- lump of sugar in the mouth and large enough to represent all of kets are the common carriers in s,ipping the tea over it, according the sixteen countries, the follow- the West Indies. Little dolls, to Iranian custom. ing seven were selected: Korea, made of sea shells and popular China, India, Iran, Philippine with tourists, were used in the The afternoon program in- Islands, Mexico and the West decorations. A missionary friend cluded a few national songs, and Indies. A tiny national flag and in Santo Domingo sent a native items of news interest from vaa placard on each table indicated candy, made of coconut milk, rious lands. Guests were then the country represented; and to and hand tinted photo scenes in divided into two groups for a arrange the seating, the guests, the West Indies for place cards. "Prof. Quiz" feature, with thirty Another missionary in Porto questions of general missionary as they arrived, drew a slip bear- Rico sent guava paste for this significance, and a score of coring the name of one of the coun- rect answers was kept. Some of tries. The centerpiece, .and other table served as Porto Ricans like the questions. were: appointments of each table, sug- it with yellow cheese and crackgested the country. Some of the ers. At this table also, coffee What people are called a "nation of place doilies were paper world was served with hot milk. . Bible readers"?
maps, secured from Dennison'S, The hostess for the India table Has India more, or fewer people than New York. Place cards con- made "tied and dyed" plate the United States? tained a statement or question doilies, as this art originated about the country to provide con- with the Indians. Their favorite Name five living religions. Which religion has the largest num- ber of adherents?
versation topics.. At each table a flower, yellow marigolds, formed Narne three famous missionaries of "hostess," who had been previ- the centerpiece. At this table, the past.
ously supplied with facts, kept there was chutney, cashew nuts The success of such a lunchthe talk going about her country. and "sweets." Black tea was eon will depend upon planning The following ideas were car- served. well in advance, in order to se- ried out at the various tables. A A "dish garden" made the cure as much background inforlittle canvassing among friends, centerpiece for the Korea table. mation as possible. Denominaand consultation with mission- Place cards were supplied by a tional Boards will gladly supply aries or Board executives, will former missionary. For dessert, songs and proverbs, and interyield many other suggestions. there were rice wafers (from esting facts about all countries Rice was served as a part of the R. H. Macy's, New York), per- are to be found in the MISSIONmain course at all the tables, simmons, a favorite fruit among ARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
A Story for the
MOTHER'S DAY FIESTA "Ah, Ricardo, can't we do "Well, I have it here and I'm something?" The tears started By VIOLET WOOD, NEW YORK in Jacinto's eyes. "How good going to give it to you." you are! I did not even notice Ricardo, a Mexican boy, sat our mother's rebozo." "Could we possibly have that hunched over on his pony. He scarcely heeded the cattle as they "No, it is not that I am better one, just for the Mother's Day wandered about nibbling grass. than you, little sister. I am Then, as he heard someone older than you and notice such Fiesta?" Jacinto fairly shouted. shouting "Ricardo!" he looked things," responded Ricardo. up and saw his sister, Jacinto, "Yes," responded the teacher, running in and out among the "Now I am sad like you. Now gentle beasts, shouting: "Hi, the beautiful funny-faced pan- "and if you will make another Ricardo, hi!" sies in my garden no longer make me laugh." one to take its place, your mother As he looked at her he thought, "When I am a man I "There is our friend, Mrs. may keep this one. I'll give you shall buy her ribbons for her Turner, at the church," said hair so that she will not have to Ricardo. "She is the one who the patches and if you sew one tie her braids with shoe strings." spoke to the Senor of the ha- cienda and arranged that I small one every day, the rebozo "What's the matter with you, should take my father's place." Ricardo? Are you ill? Was the will be finished in time for our market-day too much for you "Yes," Jacinto clapped her yesterday?" she asked all in one hands. "Let us go to her dur- Christmas service next year." breath. ing the siesta." Ricardo and Jacinto threw "Ah, Jacinto, how you chatter, Since their mother worked in like a macaw, the noisiest of pa.r- the big house on the hacienda, their arms around Mrs. Turner rots," sighed Ricardo. Jacinto prepared lunch for her brother and herself in the little and then ran after her into her Jacinto, puffing, reached the white-adobe, one-room hut that pony and rubbed his nose affec- was their home. After lunch, little three-room house. Breathtionately. "But, Ricardo, why instead of sitting on the little are you so sad on this beautiful porch under the hanging peppers lessly watched her turn over the May day? We are to have fri- to enj oy their siesta, they set off joles and tortillas for lunch." at a fast pace to the Christian contents of her trunk. In it were Social Center to find their friend. "Tomorrow is the Mother's lovely soalrlaasp,esor(cwlaayterdijsahres~),bea- Day Fiesta." On the way Jacinto gathered sides an armful of wild geraniums "Ah, I have guessed. I know." and dahlias t.o give to their painted pig bank and a huge Jacinto danced around. "You friend. When they reached Mrs. are afraid you will forget your Turner's house, they bot h sombrero. Near the bottom of poem at the Christian Social stopped, suddenly frightened. Center. It is hard to speak Eng- The missionary welcomed them the trunk lay the rebozo made lish, but you are very smart, from her porch and finally Ri- Ricardo; you will not forget." cardo blurted out their problem, of hundreds of patches of gaily with Jacinto butting in tearfully "No, Jacinto, it is not that I every once in a while. colored calico, silk, rayon and fear to forget the English words." Ricardo shookhis head. "I know just the thing," said cotton. It was a beautiful shawl, Mrs. Turner. "You remember "T hen what?" J a c i n t 0 the Christmas pageant we had much more lovely than the usual shrugged. in the church last December?" black rebozo worn by the women. "If I ten you this, you must Ricardo nodded. not let our mother know I have Jacinto burst out, "But what There was great rejoicing in guessed. Promise me, Jacinto." has that-" "Oh, it has a lot to do with it," the little adobe hut when the "Yes, yes, Ricardo. It will be cried the missionary. "Rememas if you had not said it." ber that lovely patchwork rebozo next day the children gave their I made and which your Spanish "Our mother has no new re- teacher wore when she was the mother the rebozo! That evebozo to wear to the Christian Madonna?" Social Center. All the other "Yes," cried both children. ning in the Christian Social Cenmothers who have husbands are going to have new shawls, but [258 ] ter there was no prouder woman our mother has no husband to buy her a rebozo. She will be than the mother of Ricardo and unhappy." Jacinto.
Rkardo was so happy that he shouted his Mother's Day Fiesta poem. Jacinto could scarcely sit still. Mrs. Turner, the mission- ary, thanked God for having the chance to bring happiness.
Making Use of This Story To interest the child in the missionary project among Mex- ican children, who are our near- est neighbors. See how many Mexkan words he knows after reading the story.
1. hacienda (large estate). 2. fiesta (holiday). 3. siesta (resting period after lunch) . 4. frijoles (beans). 5. tortillas (corn pancakes). 6. rebozo (shawl). 7. plaza (city or village square). 8. sarapes (blankets worn by men). 9. so-mbrero (huge hat). 10. senor (Mr. or owner). .
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
I============================~ Vacation Time – Summer Women and girls. unfamiliar counter in our local tasks and to- with summer conferences often gether solve them. We learn to Conference think that their sole purpose is understand characteristics and to teach the mission study books. viewpoints of peoples from other Yes-vacation time does mean This is only one feature, an im- lands by our contacts with misa summer conference for an in- portant one, but many more sionaries and nationals. We see creasing number of women each courses are offered. It will be ourselves from their viewpoint. year throughout the United of interest to doubting ones to States. There are twenty-two list a few of the courses that Vision – with this fellowship Conferences and Schools of Mis- were successfully tried last sum- comes a new understanding, and sions affiHated with the Council mer at various schools. with this new understanding of Women for Home Missions, comes a loftier vision. A vision and the Committee on Women's Christian conduct today. which places us and our difficul- Work, Foreign Missions Confer- Leadership training in devotionals. ties in their proper relationship. ence. These conferences are held Normal class in leadership. A vision from a spiritual mounat various times from April Book reviews. tain top that gives courage to through October, planned to co- Building and administering a helpful descend to the valley, better preincide with the vacation season. pared to attack the work waiting The attendance ranges from one youth program. there. A vision of the whole hundred and twenty-five dele- Laboratory class in methods of pro- purpose-His Kingdom on earth gates at the smallest conference -and the part we each are privto more than twelve hundred gram building. ileged to contribute. delegates at the largest. They Planning worship services for girlsvary in length of time. A few 1939 Conferences * are for two days-devoting one including personal worship. day to Home Missions and the Christian citizenship. The mission study for 1939 other day to Foreign Missions. Problem clearing. will be developed around the Some are of four-day duration, Religion in art. 'theme "Christ and World Comand many take a full week for Women's work-social action-peace munity." study. It is interesting to note that the large majority of the -unity. "The Mission of the Church delegates are lay-workers and Girls' personality course. Abroad" will be studied against leaders, women and girls from Music in Christian education. the background of the material local churches. Women and Panel discussions on various phases of presented at the great missiongirls who have accepted offices ary conference held in Madras, of responsibility: president of women's interdenominational work India, in December, 1938. In the mission society or women's Round table discussions on Oxford no sense a report of the meeting, auxiliary, devotional I e ad e r, the study books will interpret chairman of worship services, and Madras. the valuable discussions on the teacher of a study book, teacher Infusion of missions in the whole life and work of the younger in the bible school, etc. One mis- churches and the major issues sions school reported local pas- church program. confronting all Churches of the tors as delegates and one confer- East and West in their common ence had four groups: children, We have been thinking and missionary enterprise of the junior girls, senior girls, and writing about courses and dele- coming years. The books are bewomen. Apparently local work- gates, now let us consider the ing prepared by S. Franklin ers, women and girls, realize spiritual benefits derived from Mack and Basil Mathews who that more serious study and a these gatherings. were in attendance at Madras. deeper consecration is of vital importance if they are to per- Fellowship-Understanding "The Mission of the Church at form their various duties accept- -Vision Home" will be presented in ably. It is also encouraging that courses showing the rich fruits the groups attending are com- Fellowship – with worn e n of home missions through a cenposed of younger women. from other churches, from other tury of pioneering, introducing denominations, from other coun- tries. A fellowship with mis- * A list of summer conferences for 1939 sionaries. A fellowship with leaders and teachers. Fellow- will be found on page 260. ships that ripen into life-long friendships. Friendships that call forth the best in us in re- membrance of our conference days together.
Understanding – in this close fellowship we share the prob- lems and difficulties we en- [259 ]
the new leadership and pointing ward, 902 North 6th Street, Cam- and power may be utilized) but out the new tasks for the home bridge, Ohio. also practical new ways of premissionary enterprise of the fu- Mountain Lake Park, Md.-July 19-25 senting the four projects-samture. Books are in preparation -Interdenominational Sum mer ple d ram a s, impersonations, by Arthur S. Limouze and Frank School of Missions. Mrs. F. I. symbols-as well as other inti- S. Mead. Johnson, 711 Lake Shore Boulevard, mate suggestions. about proce- Saint Cloud, Fla. dure so that various types of These books on home and for- women may become active: coleign missions will be taught at AUGUST lege girls, world travelers, inall the mission schools. Kerrville, Texas – August 10-16- valids, etc. Instruction in the Bible will Texas Synodical Auxiliary Training 3. The Publicity Sub-Commitbe given at the conferences. School. Mrs. George M. Smith, "The farther the ages advance in Route 2, Brownsville, Texas. tee is already at work on sample civilization the more will the articles for use in local news- Bible be used."-Goethe. Lake Geneva, Wis. – August 13-20- papers beginning a month ahead Summer School of Missions. Pres., of February 9, 1940, which is Let us strive toward a greater Mrs. W. P. Topping, 406 Center the first Friday in Lent next interdenominational cooperation Street, Elgin, Illinois. year. If you have something in all summer schools and con- good used in your own newsferences. The Council of Women Chautauqua, N. Y.-August 19-25- paper, do send it to us at headfor Home Missions and the For- Institute of World Missions. Miss quarters to share with others, eign Missions Conference are B. Louise Woodford, 930 23rd Ave- for much of our mail asks: eager to help foster this coopera- nue, North, St. Petersburg, Fla. "What shall we say and how tion and may be called upon for suggestions. Many conferences SEPTEMBER shall we say it?" Bradford, take an offering each year for Pennsylvania, mailed us an asthe two home and the two for- Warren. Ohio-September 5-6-School tonishing and glorious reproduceign projects. Let us all support of Missions. Mrs. George Konold, tion of our small blue "Call to these four projects – Migrants, 314 Scott Street, N. E., Warren, Prayer," enlarged to cover one United States G () v ern men t Ohio. entire huge page – including Schools for Indians, Christian Durer's "Praying Hands," all Literature, Union Christian Col- Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul)- the prayer items, the poem, and leges in the Orient-by gifts as September 18-22 – School of Mis- the interdenominational commitis our custom on the World Day sions. Pres., Mrs. C. E. Heard, tees of church women sponsorof Prayer. 3020 Colfax Avenue, Minneapolis, ing it, with a significant line, Minn. reading: "This is not a paid ad- Let us include a summer con- vertisement." So somebody was ference in our vacation. Dallas, Texas – September 25-29- amazingly wide-awake to the School of Missions. Mrs. Mitchell challenging uses of creative pub- Conferences and Schools Langdon. Hutchins, Texas. licity! of Missions Houston, Texas – September 25-29- 4. The New Radio Sub-Com- Affiliated with the Council of Women Leadershin Training School. Dean: mittee will put into the handbook for Home Missions and t "e Com- Mrs. A. B. Haynes, 618 Highland several sample radio programs mittee on Women's Work,For- Avenue, Houston, Texas. of warm and reverent beauty for eign Missions Conference use on a local radio. It is none The World Day of Prayer too soon now to secure "time" DATES AND CHAIRMEN, 1939 for this local broadcast next It is the hope of the Commit- February 9. JUNE tee for the World Day of Prayer that each city has already called In case you have any splendid Winona Lake, Ind.-June 17-24-Sum- together its Day of Prayer lead- ideas to share with your World mer School of Missions. Miss Min- ers to garner their beautiful Day of Prayer Committee, please nie M. Rumsey, 685 Northmoor items, to list all unfulfilled send them to the Chairman, Miss Road, Lake Forest, Illinois. dreams, and plan to make these Margaret Applegarth. Room 63, come true in 1940. Boulder, Colo. – June 25-July 1 – 297 Fourth Avenue, New York. School of Missions. Pres., Mrs. To make all of us conscious of Henry F. Hoffman, 741 Adams the larger values at our com- A Letter from Kinston, Street, Denver, Colorado. mand, the World Day of Prayer North Carolina Committee has set up four sub- Eagles Mere, Pa.-June 2d-.Tuly 1- committees to concentrate on "Yesterday I served on an interde- Interdenominational Confer('nce of preparing sample suggestions to nominational committee to plan for Missions. Mrs. Earl B. Breeding, be gathered into a handbook, for the observance of the World Day of Palmer Avenue and Vernon Road, Fall publication. Prayer. It was most encouraging. Scarsdale, N. Y. We plan to have a program in each of 1. The Program Sub-Commit- the public schools at the chapel period Mount Herman, Calif.-June 24-July tee will have as its duty the prep- and to help the Negroes with materials 1 – Federate School of Missions. aration of three new programs- and plans for observing the day. Mrs. Grace C. Makinson, 201 Ridge- one for children, one for young way Avenue, Oakland, Calif. people, one for women; the lat- "Last year we had a most impres- ter to use the "findings" of the sive service in our church. This year JULY recent Madras Conference, so we will all meet in the Christian that all of us may share in the Northfield, Mass.-July 3-10-Mission- impetus· of new goals for our Church." ary Conference. Miss Edna M. Christian living. Springhorn, 19 Wayside Lane, Scarsdale, N. Y. 2. The Promotion Sub-Com- mittee will put into this hand- Bethesda, Ohio-July 10-14-School of book not only an ideal set-up for Missions. Dean: Mrs. John Se- a local Day of Prayer observance (so that all the innate richness
come to. believe that "might with the remark: "Please in-
makes right" because the in- form owners in America that The Future of Christianity vaders seem to get what they their property will receive good want without much effort. care." The writer of the article World Call asked a number Oof Where is justice, they ask, and describes the kind of care it is Christian workers in China to what is truth? Evangelists who receiving. "Its dormitories have give their reaction to the present stress the future life have con- been used to house troops, alsituation and the outlook for siderable influence on this group. though Japanese property near Christianity in that harassed by is unmolested. These troops land. Briefly, here are some of The other group argues that cook their meals by burning furthe replies: it is more important to struggle niture from the Woman's Build- in this life than to seek immor- ing. Its thirty-year-old trees "Though distressed, Chinese Chris- tality in the next; that it is use- have been cut down over our protians do not believe that God has for- less to speculate over anything test. University safes have been saken them, or that His purposes have so remote. Face the world, chal- rifled, although we informed the been defeated." – J. H. McCallum, lenge it, change it, say they; but Japanese that these safes con- Nanking. the tendency is away from reli- tained nothing but University gion. A number of this group record.s. At least one small *** were once Christian, but now building has been torn down. "Youth are interested in the Chris- they are uncertain as to just Efforts to remove the library tian message as never before. They what to believe. They are say- and laboratory equipment have are rethinking the meaning of life."- ing if Christianity has no effec- failed. Katherine Schutze, Nanking. tive solution for the ills of this chaotic age, sooner or later it Innumerable holes have been *** will disappear. cut in the long fences, and sneak thieves snag typewriters and "Every opportunity for worship, The Association Pre s s of microscopes at will. It is obvious Bible study or service is met with China has published a set of fifty that the local military want this radiant spontaneity. Said one young books and three sets of pam- property after the war is over, man: 'Our lives must be representa- phlets that will be of value to all and are doing all this to depretions of Him. What else should we be these inquiring minds. The view ciate its value, so that it can be about these days?' "-Edna W. Gish, expressed by a Central China bought at a fraction of its worth. Nanking. University student shows how It is valued at $2,000,000, is 100 obvious and how urgent is the per cent American property and *** need for guidance. This student is so registered with the United who was a Christian with a States Government. "The Bible teaches that Jesus came sound religious background said to bring life and liberty. Although he was weary of abstruse books "Near to the Heart of God" our suffering is unspeakable, still our on religion, as most of them canspirit is unbroken."-Pastor Lee Cho- not be understood; nevertheless, Dr. Frank W. Price, of Nanwu, Wuhu. if he could find a good one he king Theological Seminary, gave would study it diligently to see students of Cornell University a *** if there is any alternative to glimpse of China that is refresh- Christianity, and if so, how it ing: "The Church has found real roots could help solve their problems. in the lives of the people, and favor Rural churches in China are feeling with the Government. To us, it seems University of Shanghai their way to new forms of worship. the future of Christianity for the Chi- I have never felt so near to God as in nese has never been brighter."-Daisy An article in the Religious some little village chapel near the B. Slater, Nanking. Herald of Richmond, Va., clari- fields. A cross on a table, a few scrolls fies the situation in regard to the on the wall, some backless benches, *** University of Shanghai, still in but it all belongs to the people and to the hands of the Japanese Army, God. Songs, not merely translations "The Church is the only decent despite repeated promises to re- of our Western hymns but more and thing we have left from our past."- store it to the Baptist Mission. more Christian verse set to Chinese An Educated Chinese. One of these promises ended music, throbbing with the pain and joy, the longing and hopes of country What Students Are Thinking [261 ] life, and rich in rural imagery. I A contributor to the Chinese Recorder points out that the present time is a critical one for students; and divides them into two groups with regard to their attitude toward Christianity. One group is pessimistic. They have been seriously affected by the horrors of war i they have
think of the line in one hymn, "He is Ohristian Oolleges are too small to hold the people, the spring wind and I am the grass; and in some places it is neceslet him blow"; and of that hymn with The most recent reports tell sary to hold parallel meetings. an old ballad tune which Christian us that there are at present over Progress on the East coast is farmers in many parts of China now 6,000 students in all the Chris- constant. sing as they go to their work: tian Colleges in China. This is "Wearing our straw hats and carry- 2,000 more than the previous -Sunday School Times. ing our hoes, we go to our fields, year, and only 1,000 less than praising the Lord." In Shantung and the record of peace days. This JAPAN AND CHOSEN other provinces village Christians are condition is due to the tenacity singing whole sections and chapters of students and staff in the face Economy Must Be Observed of the Bible to old tunes that have of hardship and danger. All the come down through the centuries. To Christian Colleges are still in Orders have been sent from hear the twenty-third Psalm thus existence, although only two are Prefectural Headquarters to all chanted by a country congregation is conducting all their work on religious organizations t hat to be moved to tears. their own campus-West China economy must be pra.cticed in Union University and Yenching the following ways: erect no On Easter of last year I was with University in Peiping. Cheeloo more buildings than are abso- Frank Brown of Suchowfu in one of University carries on sections of lutely necessary; do not use gold the rural churches of his missionary its work on its campus in Shan- in ornaments and decorations; field. The Christians streamed in tung, but the Medical School and do not use gold thread, and limit from the villages and filled the little Science Department have moved as far as possible the use of iron, chapel to overflowing, so that we met to West China. lead and copper; contribute in the yard outside. Each came with waste products to the governa wild flower in his hand and greeted U. S. Property Returned ment; carry on festivals economhis fellow-Christians, "Ye-su fuh-ho ically; do not have elaborate liao, Jesus is risen!" More and more On March 9, Japanese mili- funerals and marriages; curtail the rural churches of China are giv- tary forces, after many months the holding of feasts and the giving the festival the place it deserves, of occupancy, returned Soochow ing of presents; for publicathe church festival and the Christian- University to its Southern Meth- tions, use a poorer grade of ized native festival. odist owners. The Japanese au- paper. thorities also informed the Service for the Wounded United States Government that Suggestions for work that they were returning the South- Christian churches may carry The "Christian Service Coun- ern Presbyterian School and on are indicated in a program cil for Wounded Soldiers in Mission property at Kashing in announced by the Nat i .0 n a l Transit" enlarged its program Chekiang Province, and the Christian Council: (1) In Jain January this year, the nine- Southern Methodist School at pan; comfort for the wounded teenth month of China's resist- Huchow in the near future. and memorial services for the ance to aggression. Headquar- Members of the Soochow Uni- dead. (2) In China. Cooperaters of the Council have been versity staff have returned to tion with comfort agencies in removed to Chungking, provi- start repair work, and resume China and training workers for sional capital, and soon after- work at the institution. evangelism. (3) InternationaL ward eleven service units were Cooperation wit h Christian established along the various -New York Times. agencies in other lands in corhighways, railways, waterways recting mistaken views of J aor other lines of communication The Tide Rising pan's policies, and contacting inthroughout the provinces of dividuals with letters and pam- Shensi, Hupeh, Hunan, Kwangsi From French Indo-China it is phlets. (4) Distribution of the and Kwangtung. Workers wait reported that revivals are Bible and publication of pamupon wounded soldiers at the spreading. The Mois are assem- phlets. on the "emergency." various stations, serve them food bling at almost any hour of the and drink, dress their wounds, day or night for testimony, Kagawa's "Ten Points" write letters for them and ren- praise and prayer. These simpleder all help needed by the war- minded children of the jungle In one address, Kagawa has afflicted men. have met God, know their sins given five points of achievement are forgiven, and are filled with of Christianity in Japanese life. During the past year, the joy. Annamese Christians have They are: personal piety, purity, Christian Service Council had been touched also through a Chi- respect for labor, the spirit of under its direct employ only nese evangelist, and their lives peace and the spirit of social about 100 workers, drawn from have been completely changed. service. As for peace, he says the various Christian churches, that while the Japanese people schools and hospitals in differ- Changes are coming about in have never particularly abhorred ent centers throughout the coun- Sumatra also, and Mohammedan war, they are calling the present try. This foundation group drew influence is on the wane. The war a "war for peace." This into their respective folds of Batak Christians now number idea can be traced to Christianservice a total of 2,000 men. A 400,000, and 28,000 were bap- ity; that is, it is a step in adtotal of 460,754 wounded soldiers tized last year. The churches were assisted during the past year. Generalissimo Chi a n g Kai-shek has expressed his appreciation for the invaluable service thus rendered.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
vance that they must find an ex- Government officials h a v e jian schools, both in the number cuse for war. of pupils and the quality of work been friendly; a preaching per- done. Most significant of all is the changed attitude toward In a different address he mit for any place at any time Christianity among all the peopointed out five mistakes in mis- was readily secured; but the ple of the Islands. No longer sionary work: too much de- priests had warned the people are expressions of contempt pendence on Japanese workers; that the Protestant devils had heard when a Christian passes failure to read Japanese news- horns, and were evil people. by; opposition is being suppapers; unfamiliarity with good This aroused great curiosity, planted by admiration. Whereas Japanese books; too little min- especially among the children. religion is fighting for its life in gling with Japanese people and As the evangelists approached, so many countries, in Fiji there not growing with the Japanese. however, most people would dis- are signs of a rising tide of re- The Church of Christ will take appear within and bar their vival. time, he says; maybe four hun- doors, but their windows re- mained open, so the workers Clothes for Pitcairn Islanders dred years. would stand on the street and An amateur radio in the home -Japan Christian Quar- preach in a loud voice, knowing of Mrs. Dorothy Hall of Long terly. there were many listening ears. Island, New York, is practically the only contact that the 215 A few of the bolder inquirers Pitcairn Islanders have with the outside world. Ships that hap- "Combating Superstition" came to the evangelist's home in pen to be in that latitude call in- in Formosa frequently, but no closer than day time, but most of them five miles because of the shoals. Islanders must row out to meet The rigorous "Nipponizing" sneaked in at the back door by them. Since Mrs. Hall made campaign under way in Formosa night. At one time the workers public an appeal for supplies and . were speaking to a crowd when medic-ine last July, as all the includes the elimination of the world knows, she has been in Chinese language, even from a woman with eyes tightly closed constant touch with the island, primary schools; all teachers are for fear of seeing something, and the descendants of the required to have a command of came groping through the crowd Bounty mutineers look upon her the Japanese language, which in search of her son who, she as their agent and savior. When- knew, was listening. Still an- ever supplies run short, or demeans that Formosan teachers other day, during a street corner sires are expressed, they appeal are replaced by Japanese. Jap- to Mrs. Hall by radio to make service, an old woman ran out of the purchase and expedite the anese must also be th!Ol spoken her house with a bolo, ready to shipment, thus saving many prelanguage in homes, and the knife the preacher. She was re- cious weeks; otherwise, they strained, but the meeting broke must wait for a ship to call and police check up as to whether up. take the order. A recent request this is being done; also, whether was for a white shirt to wear to church; and something to use families have replaced the old It is encouraging that teach- as a substitute for tea and coffee, since the islanders will not drink Chinese gods with Shinto deities ersand school principals have either for religious reasons. -this, to do away with "superstition"! Compliance with these open minds, and are anxious for Honolulu Again a Foreign requirements assures the head of Field the family a preference in get- students to have the New Tes- On recommendation of the' tament. -The Message. Finance Department of the Epis- copal National Council, Honolulu ting a local job, or success in his The Fijians Today has been restored to its former business; and conversely, with- status as a foreign mission field; and Bishop Littell of Honolulu out such compliance it is impos- The Governor, Sir Harry has been given discretionary sible to find a job, or carryon Luke, was in attendance at the power to allocate appropriations business. Fijian Synod last fall, and was for this field. Since 1935, Hono- lulu had been considered a do- presented a whale's tooth by the mestic missionary field.
ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC Fijians as a mark of their re- -The Living Church.
Victories in, Batanes Islands gard. The Governor told them that, as a fellow-Christian, he Up to 1937 there had never rejoiced in the evidences of what been a Protestant worker in the Christianity has done for Fiji Batanes Islands, in the extreme and the Fijians.
north of the Philippines. Two The Synod celebrated the 25th Baptist missionaries, Dr. and anniversary of Baker Hall, built Mrs. Culley, were the first to go, in memory of Rev. Thomas and left two Filipino evangelists Baker and seven Fijian Christo establish a permanent work. tians who were killed and eaten A total of 2'15 conversions are in 1867. The building contains noted in the latest report, and 12,000 stones, a fact which sugtwo young men from Batanes gested the text for the occasion: are studying at Manila Evan- "Ye also as living stones are gelistic Institute, in preparation built into a spiritual temple."
for returning to their province Educational progress has been as evangelists. marked in both Indian and Fi-
NORTH AMERIOA The Bible Goes to School the land, for the most part un- molested. Those five Indian Another Unfinished Task Gideon Bibles are going to chiefs and army officials met and Although the Christian forces school. Inspired by Canada's of the United States have been negotiated at the junction of the attempting for more than 300 three years of placing Bibles in years to evangelize the North Trinity and vKelraymsaptoht Rt hi vaet ras~aInnd- American Indians, only about the schools, the Gideons of it is on this half of the 350,000 profess to be either Catholics or Protestants· America adopted as their na- dian Presbyterian Church has while the other half are stili pagan. Sectarian divisions are tional objective ilnastthyeeanr~t"ioTnh'es been built, near the old Indian no doubt partly responsible; an- nation's Book other factor has been the enor- rancheria known as Weitchpec. mity o~ the task ?f evangelizing schools for the boys and girls of the whIte populatIOn as it moved About ten years ago when the westward from the Atlantic to America." Denver, Colo., was the Pacific, obscuring the need Rev. Emil A. Schwab became for evangelizing the Indian. the first city to follow out this p~stor of the Presbyterian In- Now that there are no longer dIan Chureh at Hoopa, he saw 'an any frontiers in the United objective on a large scale, al- States, the Christianization of the Indian should receive more though other states rapidly fol- opportunity to extend Christian attention. Notable work has been done by the Episcopal lo~ed. Six hundred and fifty work among the Indians at Church among the Sioux in South Dakota, and by Baptists BIbles have been placed in 63 Weitchpec; whereupon, a Sunand Methodists in Oklahoma. schools in Denver: Several sub- day School was osregtanuizped~nda -Christian Observer. preaching station urban schools have been sup- Are Americans Being Duped? plied, making a total of 700 ac- through the years services have tually placed in schools, at the been maintained. Lseacsut ryede afr ~oamn appropriation was last report. Contributions have come mainly from Colorado Sun- the Board of National Missions day schools. Gideons themselves which made possible the erection visit Sunday schools and present' of a church building. It was dedi- the plan. cated November 16, 1938. An The fact that copies go only interesting part of the dedica- to rooms requesting one is as- tory service was the reading of surance that it will be used. an historical sketch of the Mis- sion by a grandson of one of the Teachers read passages for a ~ornin~ devotional, they study five Indian chiefs who had a It as hterature, they use it in part in the negotiations over the memory work, they use it as ref- land. erence material.
EpDisrc.oWpa. lRuCshseulrlcBh,owNie~wof Grace Realizing the general lack of Ohristianity and National York, knowledge of the Bible, the Gid- Wealth recently expressed astonishment eons are preparing a list of ref- erences adapted to students; and Speaking before 500 business at ~he number of apparently in- an outgrowth of this whole proj- and professional men at a Chi- cago Chamber of Commerce te~hgent persons who are being ect n?w follows in the forming me~ting, W. A. McIntyre, Sal- of BIble research clubs in the vatIOn Army Commissioner for mIsled by under-cover anti- schools. These are regular the central states, said that the school clubs, each sponsored by Army has contributed two bil- Semitism. Exaggerated state- lion dollars to the wealth of the a member. of the faculty, and United States by the reclamation ments are made that are cal- they pr:ovIde both Bible study of over 200,000 "down-and- and socIal contact for Christian outers." When a citizen is lost culated to arouse dislike of Jews young people. The study in to society through drunkenness, as many thousands are every by people who pose as intelligent these clubs covers a wide range of subjects, such as archeology, ~ear! ther~ is !l- monetary value defenders of the truth. These astronomy and other sciences in the light of the Bible. mevItable m hIS restoration. An people are unwitting tools of -So S. Times. propaganda by groups who are using anti-Semitism as an in- strument to establish here the same sort of fascist regime as is in power in Germany and Italy. Here is the technique: Divide the nation into groups: get New Hoopa Indian Ohurch economist estimates the average ~me. ~roup to hate another; fasten an It was eighty-seven years ago person is worth $10,000 to the last October that five Indian InVIdIOUS label on every one who chieftains, representing tribes in country. Mr. McIntyre says northern California, met a milifst~aeneddosmf(orfa~Armpelraiyca; n ideals of honor tary commission and entered in- that in his life time he has seen call every cham: to treaties with the United plOn of JustIce a communist and every States Government whereby cer- 200,000 human derelicts, with no tain tracts of land were deeded Jew a communist; call every labor to the Indians. These treaties future but sapisrliatbuailnlythaendmophrygsu.ie~ have never been ratified, but the recovered lead,er in the North and every or- Indians have continued to occupy ~amzer of the pitiful share-croppers cally through the ministry of the I!l the South an enemy to the estab- Salvation Army. This means a ~Ishc:d order; call every defender of Jus~lce for the Negro a traitor to contribution to soc i e t y of whIte supremacy – in short stir up $2,000,000,000.
enough antagonisms and you will The totals mount when one make democracy unworkable and the adds the results of other rescue stage will be set for a Hitler.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
mISSIOns, and the ministry of stroyed. In all, the cash loss is friends with officials, and finally the churches. In commenting, approximately $10,000, but this gained permission to begin evanan editorial writer in the Watch- does not include loss of farm in- gelistic work. Although hunman-Examiner says that while come and that from damaged dreds of men crowded in to hear, one cannot approve of measur- buildings. when they were given their freeing the value of a life in dollars dom, they were soon back in and cents, this is nevertheless a ELMER E. GABBARD. prison for new crimes. Then language that business men the prison walls were made to understand; and that our eco- LATIN AMERICA ring with the warnings of God's nomic depression is in large part judgments on murder, theft, and the result of business leaders Student Pastor in Puerto Rico other forms of wickedness, toforgetting that Christianity pro- gether with the assurance of forduces far-reaching benefits to the The University of Puerto Rico giveness through Christ. Soon nation. is a growing institution. It has it was evident that "something" recently added several ne,w was happening. Tears flowed; Good and Evil Influences buildings, and its six depart- prisoners began to make a "clean ments have a faculty of 229, breast" of their sins and there A group of workers of St. with a total enrolment of nearly has been a mighty turning to Mark's Methodist Church in 5,000 students. For some time Christ in this prison. Many are New Orleans recently made a the evangelical churches of now reading the New Testament, survey of the French Quarter of Puerto Rico have hoped that an and some are genuinely conthat city, in which the church is evangelical pastor might be ap- verted. located, and report that this pointed to the University staff, a Quarter has about a dozen bad hope that has now been realized. A Nurse's Job in Guatemala influences to one good influence; Rev. Domingo Marrero, missionor, 285 bad influences and only ary in Santo Domingo for some Poverty, malnutrition and dis- 25 good ones. In the category years, a Methodist minister with ease underlie the picturesque of bad influences are 264 saloons excellent preparation, a fine beauty of Guatemala which touror beer parlors, six dance halls, speaker and strong in Christian ists admire. Miss Lucy Bestand fifteen gambling houses. education, was appointed to the wick, R.N., conducts a clinic in staff. He has already won the her home in Quezaltenango and Among the twenty-five good respect and affection of both stu- in the near-by villages. She has influences were eight churches, dents and faculty. learned to drive a car on roads eight schools, one park, two play- where a leeway of six inches begrounds, one library, one kinder- The Federation of Evangelical tween the car and precipice is garten, two health centers, and Churches of Puerto Rico re- considered ample, and where 72 two community centers. cently honored Mr. Marrero by hairpin turns in a distance of appointing him as executive sec- two miles make what Guate- -World Outlook. retary of the Committee of Re- malans call a good road. There ligious Education of that or- are regions, however, where the Flood at Buckhorn Mission ganization. nurse and her car cannot go- not because she fears the road The region around Buckhorn, Preaching to Prisoners but because there is no road; Kentucky, experienced the most then she takes her bag and disastrous flood in its history in F. J. Huegel, a missionary to climbs to whatever cornstalk hut January, and the waters did Mexico under the United Chris- may need her services. their worst on the premises of tian Missionary Society, has the Presbyterian Mission there. been a leader in prison work in Last summer typhus broke out The church was under eight feet Mexico. He writes in World Call and 87 died. Though it origof water. The Domestic Science of some of the difficulties. At inates in poverty and filth, the building, McKenzie Hall, Englis Xochimilco the Christian work- privileged class is struck down Home, the Geer Gymnasium and ers were told that if they would too. So Miss Bestwick set up an the store rooms were all flooded. teach the prisoners to read, and isolation hospital in a little evan- The water went into the second kill bed bugs, that would be more gelical chapel, where she and an story of the Domestic Science to the point than giving "a mes- Indian preacher who volunteered building and totally or partially sage of pretty words." Both to help, and twelve patients were destroyed all the weavings. Al- projects were undertaken on the left to fight it out. One patient most all the food supply that side, and the result was a group died; eleven got well. had been canned and dried and of Believers won after a year of placed in the new store room, preaching. Two years of preach- Colombian Christians built safe~ above the highest ing at Coyoacan had a similar water level 'known to the oldest result. Days in the s'addle, nights in citizens, was destroyed. a hammock, heat, insects, fatigue Mexican law forbids evan- are incidentals in an evangelistic The whole farm program of gelical activity in the federal trip over mountain trails in inthe school was disrupted, and prison, but when a young nurse terior Colombia, but these hardhope of returns from gardens, killed her lover and was put in poultry and dairy seem de- the prison, Mr. Huegel visited her. He took books, made
ships did not dim Mr. W. W. mosque in London, connected were granted religious liberty on Thomas' enthusiasm over the with the Ahmadiyya sect which February 17, 1848. Since that staunch qualities of Colombian is only about seventy years old. time, realizing that they must be Christians. Said he: "To use missionary, they have spread the your machete for chopping brush Hinduism has not formerly Gospel throughout Italy and toinstead of carving your neigh- favored proselyting but is now day they have churches, mission bor, to be a teetotaler, to be the conducting propaganda in Eu- stations and organized groups in husband of one wife, to read the rope and America, through their Italy, in Italian East Africa, in Bible and try to practice its swamis. Hindu publications are Uruguay and Argentina, and teaching – all these sound like issued in English and German North America. commonplace things to us; but as well as in Indian languages. they are not commonplace to the Many of the Hindu sects are Bible Study in France mountain villager in Colombia." closely related to Theosophy and some claim a considerable fol- As if tired of human theories, Mr. Thomas met a woman lowing of the yogi cults. French Protestants are drawing who told him she never used to closer to the Word, and forming know when her husband would A Waldensian Celebration Bible reading circles. Out of get home, because he simply this has come the formation of could not pass the cantina with- This year the Waldenses plan Bible study groups in a number out stopping to get drunk. "But to celebrate the 250th anniver- of churches. In one church an now," she said, "I still never sary of their "Glorious Return." entire afternoon was given over know when he'll be home, but After the revocation of the Edict to a detailed study of selected that's because he can't pass. any- of Nantes by Louis XIV of portions of the Bible. In another body on the trail without stop- France, the Waldenses in Italy place, sixty young people were ping to tell him what Christ has suffered greatly from ruthless seen bent over their Bibles in done for him, and urge the other persecutions. In 1687 the small meditation. Observations made man to become a Christian too." remnant were allowed to flee to by these young people, whose Switzerland and there they kept training and environment had -:-Monday Morning. alive their love for religious lib- given them no special aptitude erty and for their valleys in for Bible study, showed a grasp EUROPE Northern Italy. Two years later, of Scripture truth. in August, 1689, Pastor Henry Asiatic Missions in England Arnaud led about 600 men across -Sunday School Times. the Alps to the Waldensian Val- Rev. G. Francis S. Gray, a leys, where, against superior Religions of Central Europe missionary of the S. P. G., when forces of French and Italian on furlough, made an investiga- soldiers, they rewon their home- Practically every European tion of the activities of Bud- land. This "Glorious Return" creed may be found in Czechodhists, Moslems and Hindus in will be celebrated in Italy in slovakian territory. Here live England. He visited the head- August and the first week in Roman Catholics, Lutherans, quarters of the two main Bud- September. Calvinists, Jews, Roman Uniates, dhist organizations. One is the Old Catholics, Baptists, Metho- "Buddhist Lodge," which has The Western Section of the dists, ultra-patriotic Czechoslobeen in existence for about fif- World Alliance, which met in vak National Church, Greek Orteen years and was formerly a Pittsburgh, February 28-March thodox, Pietists, agnostics and branch of the Theosophical 1, adopted resolutions express- atheists. Presidents Masaryk Society. Its work is largely ing their congratulations to the and Benes were of the Hussite devoted to the translation of Waldensian Church, and calling tradition; the present premier Buddhist classics. The other this historic event to the atten- is a Roman prelate. Roman Buddhist Mission (also called Catholics embrace about two the British Maha Badhi) with tion of Protestant churches.* thirds of the population; less headquarters in London, is con- than a tenth are Protestant, the nected with Ceylon Buddhism The Waldenses are the oldest two ma,in subdivisions being and is more intent on propa- survlvmg evangelical church Lutherans and Calvinists. The ganda. It was founded in 1926 group in the West. Their his- Moravians, some of whom setby a Singalese but the monks torY is continuous from the tled in Bethlehem, Penna., total find it difficult to observe their twelfth century to the present about 8,000 in Czechoslovakia. religious rules in the climate of day. Their missionary efforts Congregationalists n u m b e r England. at one time covered most of Eu- 7,000, Methodists 8,000 and Bap- rope and their influence was tists perhaps 3,000 Smaller Islam in Epgland is repre- strong in the Latin, Germanic, American sects, such as Russellsented by two sects. There are and some Slavic lands. The ites, Pentecostals and Seventhonly two mosques but a number Waldenses helped prepare for Day Adventists are represented. of Moslem prayer houses, mainly the Protestant Reformation by There is also a group of some for Eastern M 0 s I ems. One sending missionaries and the 600,000 seceding Catholics who mosque at Woking is staffed by Bible throughout Europe. They resemble in their beliefs the Indians, graduates of Indian universities. There is another • Suitable music and other helps for the celebration of this anniversary may· be ob- tained from the American Waldenslan Aid Society, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Alnglicans of the time Qf Henry to its readers last December to. tiQn fQr the purpQse o.f spreading the VIII. kno.wledge amo.ng o.ther peo.ples., cQntribute to a fund to supply that they, to.o., might be made In the midst Qf cQnflicting ra- happy thro.ugh its ,blessings. cial claims Qf Czechs, SIQvaks, destitute Russians all o.ver the These charitable o.rganizatio.ns PQles, Ruthenians, Sudetens, WQrld with free Bibles. This send o.ut their educatio.nal mis- Magyars, Jews, Rumanians and met with pro.mpt and hearty re- siQns, supply them with mo.ney Gypsies, the religiQus aspect Qf SPo.nse on the part o.f Swedish and supPo.rt them in every way, the CzechQslQvakia prQblem have Christians, and in one month fo.r no. o.ther purpo.se but sincere been largely Qverlooked. This about $2,500 were sent to. the service fo.r humanity's sake and seems all the mQre remarkable o.ffice of the paper fo.r this pur- fQr the lessening Qf its afflictions. since this is the land Qf J Qhn pose. With this sum, 6,000 co.m- Wherever these missiQns have Hus, Qne of the fQunders Qf plete Russian Bibles can be sent, gQne, they have becQme angels PrQtestantism. and several societies are now Qf mercy and examples of per- busy distributing them amo.ng fect fulfilment of duty. "God. Seekers" in Yugoslavia Russians in the Baltic States, Po.land, Czecho.slovakia, Ruma- "If the noble feeling, that o.f The Watchman-Examiner re- nia, France, Brazil, Argentina sincere cQoperation among na- PQrts a new religiQus mQvement and Manchuria. tions, permeated the individuals that is sweeping over YugQ- of society and brotherhoo.d of slavia. More than 400 brQther- AFRICA love were spread among all, then hQQds have been Qrganized and all nations would be the memtens Qf thQusands Qf members Leaders for New Egypt bers of one family, and most huhave been enrQlled. TheyadvQ- man tro.ubles would be ended." cate a return to. the Qriginal In 1921 Wilbert Smith went primitive life of the evangelists., to Cairo. with a co.mmissio.n and -The Moslem World. free frQm the "burdens" of an idea. The co.mmissio.n was to. earthly PQssessiQns, and call start an Egyptian Y. M. C. A. Spiritual Progress in themselves "GQd-seekers.." Many Friends in America provided the Sudan thQusands are said to be giving $275,000 for a building, and away all their possessiQns and England and America provided C. M. S. missionaries tell of a j Qining this movement. five secretaries. But the idea remarkable spiritual movement was more difficult to put thro.ugh. in parts Qf the Upper Nile re- Galicians Eager for Gospel It was that the new Y. M. C. A. gion, with schools, hospitals and must be manned by Egyptians churches all flourishing. Mrs. Last year, in the Galician re- and stand o.n its o.wn feet. Now, K. G. Fraser writes in the Life giQn Qf pQland, wQrd was sent after 18 years, eight o.f the ten of Faith: Qut that an evangelical Christian secretaries are Egypitians and meeting WQuid be held in Qne Qf o.nly two. are Americans. The s c h 0 01 s and dispensaries the villages, and five thQusand throughout the country are packed perSQns responded by attending, The first Egyptian to. become with people, and on Sundays the SQme Qf whom had traveled 35 a Y secretary had been an ardent crowds are so great that they have miles. nationalist, and tho.ught the Y overflow meetings at every center. o.ught to. be destroyed, so he At Chief J ambo's there are over 1,000 This meeting was Qne Qf the j Qined it in Qrder to. bo.re fro.m people every Sunday morning. In addevelQpments. Qf the interna- within. Now he is more reSPo.n- dition to sixteen out-schools there are tiQnal Christian WQrk carried Qn sible than any other man for now ten preaching places, and quite with the help of the Central Bu- pro.ducing the yo.ung leaders 10,000 people hear the Gospel every reau for Relief o.f Evangelical both in bo.ys' and men's depart- Sunday. Several well-known witch Churches in Europe, begun ments who. are interpreting doctors have broken up their charms twelve years ago. The work in Y. M. C. A. ideals to. the youth and destroyed their entire parapher- Galicia no.w has 18 salaried pas- of the natio.n. Another of the nalia, and are attending services and tors, 75 grQUps of worshippers, eight is now studying in the New classes regularly. 40 organized churches, 3,020 York Schoo.l of Social WQrk, and recognized church members and plans to. return to. Egypt for spe- There are not enough beds for all 2'0 Sunday Schools. Of the 40 cial work in this field. the patients in the hospital at Lui, and Qrganized cQngregations, five as for schools, about 80 attend the meet in chapels. The remaining Honor to Mission Schools Girls' Classes, sixty the Women's 35, until they receive aid in School and over 200 pupils are in the erecting buildings conforming to. The Governor Qf Assiut PrQv- Boys' School. Sale of Gospels has the local law, meet in peasants' ince, Egypt, in addressing 2,000 gone up by leaps and bounds. In short, cottages consisting of one living at the co.mmencement exercises the increase in the Christian commuroom each. of Assiut College, said: "One of nity has far outstripped the resources the accepted human principles is in teachers and evangelists. It is re- Bibles for Russians that individuals coo.perate in ported that 11,000 Christians are in o.verco.ming difficulties, the the care of one African pastor, the A Swedish Christian paper, strQng helping the weak. Gro.ups nearest missionary being 80 miles Hemmets Van, issued an appeal Qf charitably inclined individ- away. uals have gQne ahead in civiliza- Nigeria Opens Its Doors The establishment of leper set- tlements by the Sudan Interior Mission, the Sudan United Mis- siQn and the C. M. S. in several
provinces of Nigeria has gained boys play football with bare menian and Syrian Evangelical the good will of the people to feet, harder than boots, and the Churches. The Bible Lands such a degree that missionary native band at the game dis- Union for Christian Education work is now possible in the for- courses "The Swanee Ribber" conducted a successful Sunday merly closed Moslem emirates of on instruments of bamboo joints. School Institute and the Arme- Kano, Katsina Zaria and Sokoto nian Christian Endeavor Socie- Provinces. The above named mis- It should be further noted that ties held a large and enthusiastic sions are caring for about 800 the white man's prestige is prac- conference whose results are belepers. With government assist- tically a thing of the past. In ing evidenced in various direcance the Brethren mission is car- the commercial world the su- tions. The British Syrian Mising for 500 lepers and the Dutch perior,educated native has dis- sion and Danish missionaries Reformed Church for 400 more. placed the inferior w hit e. also held a ten-day summer Natives are to be found in large school. In the Steps of Dan Crawford offices and banks, using compli- cated cash registers and type- The Near East School of The- Mr. Ernest Salisbury, mis- writers, and keeping their firm's ology, another union institution, sionary of the Brethren, last ledgers. Many of the captains graduated five students last year visited the district around of large transport steamers are year; two were women. Hospi- Luanza Mission, Elisabethville, natives, as are postmasters and tals of the American Mission in Belgian Congo, where Dan traders. Tripoli and Deir-ez-Zor, and that Crawford labored for so many of the Edinburgh Medical Misyears. He describes a confer- -Sunday School Times. sionary Society in Damascus are ence of native Christians, which all filled and several young began each day with a devotional WESTERN ASIA women have completed their message and prayer. This was training as qualified nurses. followed by a study of Paul's Religion in Turkey Epistle to Titus, presented in a -NearEast Christian Counhelpful manner. Gospel services There is a distinction between cil N eW8 Bulletin. were held in the evenings, and official and personal attitude toon the closing day four converts ward religion in Turkey. Offi- Two Bible Societies Combine were baptized. Nine persons in- cially, Turkey is completely secdicated their desire to become ular, but religion is respected The American Bible Society Christians. because it is ingrained in the life and the British and Foreign and thought of the people. Tur- Bible Society have combined Mr. Salisbury's tour of the key has not suppressed religion, their work in the Near East, Luanza district covered 350 but has separated religious and and have established headquarmiles, including a visit to the tin secular authority which were ters in Beirut. The American mines where thousands of na- formerly united in the Sultan. Press is the chief publishing tives are employed. At the In thousands of mosques and in agency for the Society. During hospital no fewer than 200 pa- hundreds of churches and syna- one recent four-month period, tients are treated daily. Bibles gogues worship goes on unhin- 40,000 Bibles and portions were had been given to a number who dered. Four evangelical churches shipped out, most of them to the had shown their keenness in in Istanbul hold services as Port Said depository. In addievangelistic work, while two na- usual. tion to Bibles, the Press prints tives had been sent as colpor- textbooks and other publications. teurs to villages near the mines. No religious training for chil- A monthly magazine issued by A three-room house has been dren is permitted, except at the Press goes to North and erected for untainted children of home, but there is a good oppor- South America, as well as to leper parents.-The Christian. tunity for mission Sun day Asiatic and European countries. schools. Schools have been sec- Palestine, Iran and other Arabic- Changes in Nyasaland ularized and mosque schools speaking countries are good cus- suppressed. Early morning call tomers for literature. These are suggested by the re- to prayer has been discontinued; cent dedication of a memorial Sunday is now a legal holiday Results Among Moslems window in the mission church instead of the Mohammedan Friat Ekwendeni, representing Luke day. The sale of Christian lit- It is sometimes said that a and commemorating the minis- erature is limited by censorship. hundred years of effort to contry of Dr. Walter A. ElmsIie; vert Moslems have not produced the singing of Ngoni songs with Progress in Syria results. A report of the Near Christian words, and Scottish East Christian Council, while psalms as well. Tales of sav- This country, too, has its prob- admitting that the number of agery are all but incomprehen- lems, but mission schools report converts is not large, calls attensible to Ngoni young people of advance. Aleppo College has tion to the incalculable change today, who are happier by far erected new buildings and over that Christian thought and than their forefathers. There 275 have enrolled. This School ideals have wrought upon Islam. are slave raiders no longer. The is a united undertaking of the The reports reminds that it is American Presbyterian Mission, not required of stewards that the American Board and the Ar-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
they be successful, but that they Indian Communal Groups Dr. John McKenzie, Principal of must be "faithful." Wilson College, was elected Mod- Recently, the Near East Chris- The National Missionary So- erator, an appointment for three ciety of India has now eleven years. tian Council has been looking fields in India. The work is carinto the reasons for the lack of ried on in association with neigh- Communicant membership of definite results. The inquiry boring missions, and comprises the United Church of Northern has centered around two ques- district work, hospitals, an ash- India stands at present at 77,000, tions : (1) "What special hin- ram and a college. Thus, the all- while the adherents. number well drances make work for Moslems India society has extended its over 200,000. The India Mission less successful than similar ef- work into almost every branch of the Lutheran, and of the Reforts for other people?" and (2) of the Christian missionary en- formed Church in America, were "What changes in methods or terprise. The Poona and Indian incorporated with the United line of approach offer hope of Village Mission, in its last re- Church of North India, after better success?" The two hin- port, faces up to the results of nearly six years of negotiating. drances stand out: Christian itswork. It describes its bapteaching does not mean the same tized converts for the last five Another action taken by the to the Moslem as to the Chris- years as numbering eight. The Assembly had to do with a protian ; and to the Moslem a change churches, which meet almost en- posed foreign mission project. of religion involves a change of tirely in compounds, consist of Definite plans submitted by the group connection and loyalty. Christians entirely dependent Foreign Missions Committee on the mission. There cannot be were approved by the Assembly, The best way to overcome in the whole area more than and the Church will now be these hindrances is first: more fifty-five Christians not depend- asked to support its own mission devotion, more prayer, more ef- ent on the mission; some of the in East Africa. Almost all the fort, more faith, more love; and latter are not in regular attend- Church Councils are supporting second, a way must be found ance, and the names of others are home missions within their own around the obstacles, so as to not even on the church rolls. bounds. avoid a frontal attack on the There are altogether in touch Moslem position. This requires with the mission about one hun- -Presbyterian Register. a sympathetic understanding of dred and sixty individuals. the Moslem mind. Efforts should Growth in Elementary Schools center about making J e sus It should be remembered that Christ known as a personality, India moves in com m una I One of the changes of the last rather than on doctrinal discus- groups, and that work for indi- decade has been the phenomenal sion. New converts should be viduals often causes a deadlock. increase in the number of chilled to develop such a sympathetic One missionary relates his ex- dren going to school; indeed, relationship with their neigh- periences in Hyderabad State, there has been a marked advance bors that a spiritual fellowship where he had refused to baptize in all stages of school training; will follow. individual converts until they but according to the Minister of had made every effort to win Education in Lahore, what is -American Mission Report. their relatives and friends. On now needed is not so much quan- one occasion he took a number titative expansion as consolida- INDIA, BURMA, SIAM of these unbaptized converts tion of what· has been under- with him, and they visited in a taken. He would like to see the Hunger for the Gospel team the relations and friends of system of education in schools to each throughout the district, be based on community work- A convincing evidence of In- with the result that in a few more on actual observation of dia's hunger for the Gospel is months one thousand were under things and facts and nature found in the statement of an preparation for baptism. study than on mere cramming English Methodist missionary in and the reading of officially prethe Deccan. He says that in his -Australian Missionary scribed textbooks. thirty-eight years of missionary Review. service he has never yet gone to Not in costly buildings, but in a village for evangelistic work United Church of North India thatched houses, if need be, he without being called to it by the would have students trained in people thems.elves. During the A successful General Assem- simple living and high thinking; past three or four decades the bly of the United Church of with more attention given to dedemand for copies of the Chris- North India was held early this velopment of mind and chartian Scriptures has far exceeded year in Bombay. From nineteen the supply. Similar conditions acter. -Agricultural Mission Notes.
exist among the Bhils of West- Church Councils, or Presby- A Note on Prohibition . ern Central India. During the teries, covering an area from past three years the North India the Northern Panjab to Assam, The following observation on United Church has baptized Rajputana and Central India, the prohibition campaign is en- thirty thousand from among some 100 delegates gathered. lightening. A correspondent of Some delegates traveled more the Daily Times of India who these primitive peoples.
-Dnyanodaya. than 3,000 miles to be present. has been investigating economic
conditions on behalf of the Bom- these versions is told by Rev. than 1,000 consecutive cases bay Industrial Survey Commit- J. M. S. Hooper in his recently there has not been the loss of tee, made a special study of the published book, "The Bible in any mother. With the medical effects of the "No Drink Cam- India." care has gone the presentation of paign" on the lives of some fish- the Gospel of Christ. ermen. Here is his report: Baptist Union a Reality Bangkok is a difficult field for About 42 fishermen of Kumta were The Baptist Union of India, evangelistic work. In the hustle working in cooperation and owned a Burma and Ceylon is an accom- of such a city, it is difficult to rampan (big net). As was their cus- plished fact. The tentative or- make lasting contacts. A good tom, before going on work with the ganization was set up at Bala- time to present the Gospel is durrampan and after coming from it they sore in February, 1936, a con~ ing the first few days following used to take toddy, all sitting in a stitution was agreed upon and a the birth of a child. To many it circle. Apart from this each of them panel of officers elected. Seven~ is the beginning of plans for also invariably had his bottle or two teen of the various Baptist family life and the home. To in the evening. Excluding this quan- groups ratified the constitution. others it is added responsibility, tity taken on individual account, I An inaugural session of the as well as greater joy to be found that the 42 fishermen spent, be- Union has recently been held, shared. A sympathetic interest, tween November 1937 and February and a president has been elected. with Christ-like care and atten- 1938, Rs. 800 on drinks. In short, Words of greeting from Karens, tion, are bringing results. what was happening was that the in- Burmans, Telugus, Panjabis, come of the male members was being Bengalis, Assamese and head -Siam Outlook. spent on drinks, and it was the woman hunters were a demonstration of who was supporting the family with the power of the Gospel. The Siam – Land of the Free her slender earnings. All this is central theme placed before the changed now. About 90 per cent of delegates at this first session The Siamese have maintained these fishermen are not drinking to- was "All one body in Christ." their independence for the past day. A small number of them have 600 years. Their ancient name freed themselves from debt and have -Baptist Missionary for themselves is thai, free. Just opened accounts with the post offices. Review. now, in this totalitarian age, They have also given up their set no- they are experimenting with a tion that fishing is impossible without Buddhist Missionaries constitution and representative toddy. Small artisans outside the from Siam government. "dry" area want prohibition in their areas too. But the real contribution The Siam Chronicle reports Siam is surrounded by broadof the experiment is seen in the eyes that a group of Buddhist priests casting stations – at Singapore, of the womenfolk. are about to set out from Ceylon Batavia, Hongkong, Calcutta, so on a missionary tour. Starting that all the currents of world How the Bible Came to India from India, and going east thought sweep over her. Her through Burma, Siam, Ind~ political patterns are new, and The honor of giving India her China, China and Japan, they her leaders are young. It is sigfirst Bible belongs to German expect to take three years to go nificant that they take up their missionaries of the Lutheran around the world. In America responsibilities with a heritage Church, who went out in 1706. and Europe they will investigate of religious liberty, unhampered There have been Christians in conditions to see what advances by a racial inferiority complex, Travancore for 1,500 years-Ja- of the Buddhist religion can be less bound by tradition than cobites, converts of early Syrian made in those two areas. Also most Orientals, unafraid of new missions, but no attempt was there are many young men in ideas. All this constitutes a made to provide the Bible for the Ceylon studying, in preparation striking challenge to the Chrisconverts. The Church of Rome to go wherever there may be an tian missionary forces, since nohas been in India for 500 years, open door for the teaching of where else in the world is Budand has today nearly 8,000,000 Buddhism. dhism so well organized and members, but only recently has firmly established as in Siam. any translation of the Scriptures For Mothers and Babies Protestant work there is largely been done under the auspices of the responsibility of the Presbythis Church. While Bangkok has some fine terian Church. The task was hospitals with modern equip- faced at aconferenc·e in Feb- In 1857, the year of the Sepoy ment, they are not adequate to ruary, when a program of evan- Rebellion, the British and For- care for young mothers and new- gelism was outlined for the imeign Bible Society appointed a born babies. Fifteen years ago, mediate future. committee to prepare a union the Presbyterian Mission in version of the Bible. An earlier Siam assigned Miss J. Christen- For the past five years, the Tamil version, translated by Lu- sen to Bangkok, to work out young king Ananda Mahidol has therans, had served the purpose some plan for helping in this been studying in L a usa nne, of introducing the Book, al- great problem. Switzerland. In November he though it had many defects. The went to Bangkok to open the pr.inciple races of all India now Government approval of her newly-elected parliament and atpossess the whole Bible, trans- work has been given for, in more tend to various official duties. lated by men like William Carey and Henry Martyn with the help -Foreign Affairs Bulletin. of Indian scholars, and finally revised by committees of the Bible Societ.y. The story of all Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Studies in Popular Islam. By Samuel social worker, builder, truck ments, explicit and tacit. It can M. Zwemer. 8vo. 148 pp. $2.50. driver, preacher in three lan- Macmillan Co. New York. 1939. guages, Bible class teacher, and be expressed in words (verac- has trained a very efficient staff Forty years of study and ex- of native nurses. The frontis- ity) , or in actions such as fulperience has made Dr. Zwemer piece, showing a Burmese doctor an authority on this subject. As a and his wife and twenty-nine filment of contracts, and in missionary to Moslem lands, edi- nurses belonging to his Amertor of The Moslem World, the ican Baptist missionary hospital habits such as fidelity, loyalty, author of many books on Islam, at Namkham, Burma-where he wide travel and recently Pro- has been in charge for seventeen and dependability. A lie is an fessor of History of Religion and years-is most impressive. He Christian Missions at Princeton, is a graduate from Johns Hop- attempt to deceive without conhe has gathered an immense kins University and a fourth amount of information. Above generation missionary, the great- sent. It may not succeed; yet if all he writes with sympathy for grandson of Rev. J. H. Vincent, the good points in Islam, but a pioneer missionary to Burma. it tries to deceive it is a lie from with understanding and convic- Mrs. Seagrave is evidently a tion as to the supremacy of wonderful partner in service. the moment that it crosses the Christ and His Gospel. If you would like to know how liar's lips.." Xes and it may start This volume takes up the use a ,good pioneer missionary doctor of the Moslem prayer beads, the "wastes" his time, of his adven- farther back than the lips. Ka'aba at Mecca, the sword of tures on the road, of the way he Islam, their calendar with feasts "holds the fort" against attack- Dr. Cabot's great book is in and fasts, traditions, supersti- ing tribes from China; if you are tion, sorcery and charms; the interested in amusing incidents, three parts: I-Definitions; 11- Koran and its translations, the tragedies, near tragedies and prophet and the worship of triumphs – physical and spir- Selected Problems in Honesty Adam. Here is an excellent but itual-we recommend this book. brief description of faith and It is easy, fascinating reading and Dishonesty, and III-Phipractice in Moslem life. for young and old,for doctors and laymen. losophy of Honesty. It faces Tales of a Waste-Basket Surgeon. By Dr. Gordon S. Seagrave. 265 Honesty. By Richard Cabot. $2.50. honestly the problem of honesty pp. $1.50. Judson Press. Phil- 326 pp. The Macmillan Co. New adelphia. 1938. York. 1939. and tells the truth about lies.
In an informal, chatty way, This is clear ozone, purifying Here is solid foundation for Dr. Seagrave tells many inter- and penetrating. According to esting experiences of his life as Dr. Cabot's sound doctrine a lie character and human trust and a pioneer missionary doctor in is a lie and it is always wrong. North Burma. The "waste- He agrees with Dr. Henry Clay right relations between men and basket" does not indicate the Trumbull's position: "A Lie quality of his work but the des- Never Justifiable." Honesty and nations. R. E. SPEER. tination of his patients if no truth are obligations not to be skilled medical help had been tampered with, never to be com- Abraham to Allenby. By G. Fredavailable in their time of dire promised. There is no room here erick Owen. Illus. 8vo. 351 pp. need. As it was, he saved many for Dr. Joseph Collins' physi- $2.50. Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. lives and won unbounded grati- cian's lie. Dr. Cabot is a physi- Grand Rapids, Mich. 1939. tude by this free and loving cian too,and he can find no place service. in a physician's pharmacoopia for Palestine and its history are a lie. And he has his clear defi- important and fascinating from Dr. Seagrave is a true pioneer nitions: "Honesty is the will and many points of view – political, among a primitive people. He the effort to keep one's agree- racial, archeological, geological, is not only physician and sur- cultural and religious. The augeon, but sanitary engineer, [271 ] thor of this large volume has de- voted twelve years to research in preparation for this important popular study. He spent some time with the American School of Oriental Research at Jeru- salem and his books of reference include one hundred contribu- tions to archeology, Biblical and secular history and kindred sub- jects. (He has, however, omitted many important volumes, such as those by Morton, George Adam Smith and George L. Rob- inson.) In popular and vivid narrative style Mr. Owen tells the story of God's call to Abraham to leave Dr of the Chaldees. He carries on the story of the history of Abraham and the children of It Will Be Daybreak Soon. By conflict in China is. not warfare Israel, through Egypt, the wil- Archibald Rutledge. 12mo. 129 pp. but wholesale massacre, rape derness wanderings., the period $1.25. Fleming H. Revel! Co. New and robbery. It is a horrible of the Judges, the Kings, the York. 1939. tale and would have been much exile, the Maccabean period, the worse but for the presence of time of Christ, on through the The American Negro is an in- courageous missionaries and apostolic days, the Arab con- teresting character, intensely hu- other foreigners. quest, the crusades, the rule of man, full of humor, a sense of the Turks up to the capture of God and a nearnes,s, to nature. By Life and By Death. Lessons from Jerusalem by the British under Mr. Rutledge was born in South the Diary of John C. Stam. By General Allenby. It is a check- Carolina in 1883 and is Poet E. Schuyler English. Illus. 12mo. ered history very briefly told, the Laureate of his native state. He 62 pp. 50 cents. Zondervan. Grand early portion following closely understands the Negro of the Rapids, Mich. 1939. the Biblical narrative. The story South and has written several is carefully annotated with copi- books of poetry and prose. In The Christian world knows ous reference notes to each 1932 he received the John Bur- the story of the martyrdom of chapter. roughs medal for "the best na- John and Betty Starn in China in ture writing" in America. This 1934. Their testimony is beau- Preaching-The Doctrines of Grace. volume pictures life on a South- tiful and powerful and abiding. Compiled by Roland G. Leavell. 8vo. ern plantation and reveals the Here are striking extracts from 150 pp. $1.00. Boardman Press. fine character and native ability John Starn's diary written dur- Nashville. 1939. of the old-time Negro. His ing the last three years of his sketches reminds one of some of life. Mr. English has drawn les- Present-day interest in evan- the best features of books on the sons from his courage, his faith, gelism has led the 'Superintend- Negro by Thomas Nelson Page his love and experience. It is ent of Evangelism of the South- and Booker T. Washington. stimulating to faith and sacriern Baptist Convention to collect ficial living and is especially apsome "orthodox" and very help- Green Timber. By Esther Gerberd- pealing to youth. This makes a ful messages from fifteen evan- ing Hunt. 8vo. 220 pp. 75 cents. good companion volume to "The gelical Baptist preachers. They Board of Publication of the lJ nited Faith of John and Betty Stam" deal with such Christian doc- Lutheran Church in America. Phil- with the poems of Betty. trines as God, sin, forgiveness, adelphia. repentence, f a i t h, salvation, Welcome House. By Jessie E. Moore. sanctification and glorification. This is a prize-winning story Illus. 8vo. 95 pp. Friendship These are forceful, biblical, Gos- of Olaf, a young American-born Press. New York. 1939. pel sermons that will furnish Norseman, and Ebba Maj who material for much needed became his wife. He entered the American children – primary messages to congregations in Lutheran ministry and went into and juniors-will like this story churches at home and on the the "great timberland of the of six children whose parents are mission fields. Northwest, where they faced missionaries in Iran. How they difficulties and hardships to- came to America by automobile, The Lord Is Calling. By Oswald J. gether and grew into strong, train and boat, lived in America, Smith. 96 pp. 1 sh. well-seasoned timber." It is an went to church and school, interesting, wholesome story but played, made friends, helped The Work God Blesses. By Oswald without outstanding lit era r y other people, and celebrated J. Smith. 96 pp. 1 811,. Marshall, merit as to situations, plot or Christmas-all this is told in a Morgan and Scott. London. character delineation. loving, sympathetic way, show- ing what a Christian family can Dr. Smith has a large, evan- War Conduct of the Japanese. By be and do. gelical "Peoples Church" of over Shuhsi Hsu, Ph.D. Prepared under 2,000 members in Toronto. They the auspices of the Council of Inter- Canadian Journey. By H. P. Thompare a missionary-minded people national Affairs. Circulated by the son. Paper. 68 pp. S. P. G. Lonwho give $40,000 a year to mis- China Information Service, 945 don. 1939. sions – about two times as Pennsylvania Ave., N. W., Washmuch as they spend on them- ington, D. C. 1938. The Editorial Secretary of the selves. In each of these two Society for the Propagation of volumes we have a number of This 217-page book is an at- the Gospel in Foreign Parts tells the pastor's sermons – one vol- tempt to set forth in unre- of the conditions, the people and ume on Christian doctrines, like strained language the truth the work in Western Canada. It the Virgin Birth, the Resurrec- about Japanese, methods of war- is worth reading and raises hope tion and Salvation vs. Religion; fare in China-in the air, at sea for the Western Hemisphere the other volume on Christian and on land. The author has col': even though Europe should go to service with such topics as "The lected facts and shows how pieces. The prairies, the forests, Supreme Task of the Church," Japan has disregarded interna- the pioneers and the rich reand "Responsibilities of Stew- tional laws, treaties and prom- sources should be won for Christ ardship." They are spiritual, ises, and the rights of non-com- and developed with a knowledge practical, Biblical sermons. which batants. of the love and character of God have proved their effectiveness. and with whole-hearted alle- These records are largely gience to His authority. taken from the reports of the International Committee. The
A Oorrection Edward Rawlings was born at Tomorrow. Report of the Board
Powellton, Brunswick County, Vir- Home Missions, Congregational and Dr. Speer calls our attention to a ginia, on October 23, 1865, and was Christian Churches. 160 pp. New word that was incorrectly read in the graduated from Randolph-Macon Col- York. manuscript of his review of "Essen- lege in 1886. For seventeen years tial Christianity" which appeared on (1890 to 1907) he was a pastor, and The Work God Blesses. Oswald J. page 224 of the April issue. The first was presiding elder one year. He was Smith. 96 pp. 18. Marshall, Morsentence in the last paragraph should appointed Conference Missionary Sec- gan & Scott. London. r:ead: retary in 1908 and the following year was elected Educational Secretary of War Conduct of the Japanese. Shuhsi "Dr. Angus' emphasis on the duty the Board of Missions. For two years Hsu. 217 pp. China Information of Christlikeness, of obedience and (1916-18) he was Secretary of the Service. Washington, D. C. conformity to the Spirit of Christ, or Laymen's Missionary Movement and unselfishness and sacrifice and service in 1917 became Foreign Mission Sec- The Great Succession. Leaders of and love is all to the good, but his sub- retary of the Board. He traveled the Baptist Missionary Society durjective humanism is a swan song of a widely in the interest of missions and ing the Nineteenth Century. E. A. declining liberalism." in 1926 he was elected Secretary of Payne. 160 pp. 28. Garey Press. Education and Promotion and Editor London. Penonll Items of World Outlook. The Voice of the Church in China. (ConcZuded from pa,ge 225.) *** A collection of documents. Preface by Dom P.-C. Lou Tseng-Tsiang. sity Christian Mission, which is mak- Rev. Edmund W. McDowell, D.D., 120 pp. 38. 6d. Longmans. Lon- an honorably retired missionary of the don. ing plans for the academic year of Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., 1939-40. died in Fort Collins, Colorado, March K. T. Paul. Christian Leader. Reli- ••• 31. He was born in Altoona, Pa., gious Life of India Series. H. A. Rev. Robert M. Hopkins, D.D., March 13, 1857. Mter being gradu- Popley. 254 pp. Rs. 2.4. Y. M. ated from Wooster College, Ohio, and C. A. Press. Calcutta, India. LL.D., for the past ten years general from Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, he and his wife sailed for Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis. secretary of the World's Sunday Persia in 1887. Dr. McDowell gave George W. Briggs. Religious Life forty years of his life to service in of India Series. 380 pp. Rs. 4.8 School Association, has been elected Persia and Mesopotamia and was in- and 5.8, Y. M. C. A. Press, Calcutta, president of the United Christian Mis- strumental in developing mission work India; 8s. 6d., Oxford University in Urumia, organizing a chain of vil- Press, London. sionary Society with headquarters at lage schools and churches through the Indianapolis. Dr. Hopkins was born mountains all the way from Urumia Yesterday and Tomorrow in North- to Mosul. After the organization of ern Nigeria. Walter Miller. lUus. in Trenton, Kentucky, and has been the United Mission in Mesopotamia in 182 pp. 58. Student Christian engaged in religious educational work 1922, he was stationed at Mosul until Movement Press. London. he was honorably retired in 1928. One since 1900 when he became Sunday of his two sons, Philip C. McDowell, The Mahar Folk. A Study of Un- M.D., is now a member of the Pres- touchables in Maharastra. Alexschool evangelist for the Disciples of byterian Mission in Teheran, Iran. ander Robertson. Religious Life of India Series. Rs. 2 and 3, Y. M. Christ in Kentucky. In 1910 he be- New Books C. A. Press, Calcutta; 48. 6d., Oxcame Bible School Secretary of the ford University Press, London. . American Christian Missionary So- Abraham to Allenby. G. Frederick ciety, and ten years later was placed Owen. 351 pp. $2.50. Eerdman African Women. A Study of the Ibo Pub. Co. Grand Rapids. of Nigeria. Sylvia Leith-Ross. lUus. in charge of the Department of Reli- 367 pp. 158. Faber and Faber. The Art of Conducting Public W or- London. gious Education in the United Chris- ship. Albert W. Palmer. 211 pp. tian Missionary Society. He has done $2.50. Macmillan. New York. From My African Notebook. A. Schweitzer. Trans. by Mrs. C. E. B. a remarkable work in connection with Civilization. The Next Step. Delisle Russell. Illus. 132 pp. 58. Allen Burns. 291 pp. $2.75. W. W. Nor- & Unwin. London. the WorId's Sunday School Associa- ton. New York. tion. He attended the Glasgow Con- The Southern Bantu. L. Marquard Christian Faith in a Day of Crisis. and T. G. Standing. 262 pp. 78.6d. vention in 1924, visited Central and Charles S. MacFarland. 226 pp. Oxfoi'd University Press. London. $1.50. Revell. New York. South Mrica in the interests of Sun- Venezuela. Erna Ferguson. 346 pp. day school work in 1934, and was a Essential Christianity. Samuel An- $3.00. Knopf. New York. gus. 226 pp. $2.00. Macmillan. delegate to the recent Madras Confer- New York. Philippine Pagans. The Autobiog- raphies of Three Ifugaos. R. F. ence. Dr. Hopkins' successor in the Honesty. Richard C. Cabot. 326 pp. Barton. lUus. 271 pp. 15s. Rout- $2.50. Macmillan. New York. ' ledge. London. W. S. S. A. has not yet been elected. The Lord Is Calling. Oswald J. The Gospel in the World. A Restate- ••• Smith. 96 pp. 18. Marshall, Mor- ment of Missionary Principles. God- The Rev. C. E. Wilson, for thirty- gan & Scott. London. frey E. Phillips. 252 pp. 58. Duckfour years Secretary of the Baptist worth. London. Our Father. A Missionary Prayer. Missionary Society of London, has re- C. Mallam Johnston. 27 pp. 3d. World Community. William Paton. S. P. G. London. 192 pp. $1.50. Macmillan. New tired after notable service. He was York. for ten years a missionary in India Preaching. The Doctrines of Grace. Compiled by Roland G. Leavell. 150 The Church of the T'ang Dynasty. (1894 to 1904) and later, during his pp. $1.00. Boardman Press. Nash- John Foster. 168 pp. 48. S. P. ville. C. K. London. secretaryship, visited China, Jamaica, Those Gay Middle Ages. Frederick Bantu Heritage. H. P. Junod. lUus. Africa, India and other fields of the Kershner. 233 pp. $2. Willett 155 pp. 308. Hortors (For the society. Mr. Wilson has proved an Clark & Co. New York. Transvaal Chamber of Mines). Jo- hannesburg, South Mrica. able executive and a wise missionary A Testament of Faith. P. G. S. Hop- wood. 215 pp. $2.00. Macmillan. Re-Thinking Christianity in India. statesman. New York. Edited by D. M. Devasahayam and A. N. Sudarisanam. 267 pp. Rs. 2.8. Obituary Notes A. N. Sudarisanam, Madras, India.
(Concluded from Second Cover.) Living the Christian Faith. Edwin Ewart Aubrey. 118 pp. $1.50. Dr. E. H. Rawlings, Business Man- Macmillan. New York. ager and former Editor of World Outlook, died at his home in Nashville, This Busine-ss of Living. L. W. Gren- Tennessee, on March 17. He was the sted. 187 pp. $1.75. Macmillan. senior connectional secretary of the New York. Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and dean of missionary officers. His work for missions was more diversified than that of any other man and he had held many positions connected with the promotion and administration of missions in the Church.
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THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER The biography of a remarkable missionary whom the (then) Prince of Wales visited in Bombay at the request of his mother, Queen Victoria.
What some readers say of this book: Robert Speer's "Life of George Bowen of Bombay" is one was so far-sighted and so deep-seeing!-the former because of the richest of missionary biographies. the latter. If one wants to sum up the interests of our DR. J. LoVBLL MURRAY, Director of the students today-Biblical, social, theological-Bowen is a Canadian School of Missions, Toronto. representative figure. And what a lesson in apparent failure!
What a life! He was old enough to know why he went, . . . I feel strongly that every student and alumnus of our Seminary needs this book. What better book to lead them to and bad enough to know the meaning of salvation. One by_ feed on the Bible. One hears so much "vestibule religion"- product of his. experience was his wonderful humility-noth- ing in the show window and himself in the remote back- men pointing to the door and taking their people as far as the ground. It is inspiring. threshold, but no opening up of the treasures within the G ' n . . P PI f f .1 r Father's House. Read the topics of current sermons, and .lJA. BORGJ! • BRSON, ormer" 0 Japan. Bowen's expositions are precisely what Christians need in order We must all be grateful for this revealing of the main- to grow from puerility into spiritual maturity. Here is no adolescent, but a man in Christ. This is no volume to be springs of Bowen's character, his abiding faith in God, his eamest purpose to be a true and faithful follower of Jesus read and dismissed, but to be marked and to be turned to Ptrist; and his deep-seated conviction that the Gospel of repeatedly. };!=~:ntS~Of "tJ:io;;o;:~7~ar~. Christ could meet the religious needs of India's people. J WILLIAM HAzEN, The Memoirs of George Bowen will continue to be for Missionary in ShoJapur, India. years to come a searching manual of devotion. He has set t.e.eItn.thbicoegnrtauprhyy. oIf coonueld 0nfotthpeutsatihnetlibeostokfigduorwesn.0 fTthheererui·snea- before me an ideal which few could attain; his life is a scathfascination and a depth in this man's soul which held me in ing rebuke to our ease, comfort, self-indulgence and ineE- devout attention. I found myself marking his moving sayings ficiency. J. Ross STBVENSON, which would serve ,as starting points for chapel talks. He President Emeritus, P,in.eton Semina".
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Why I Believe in Jesus Christ Chiang Kai..shek The Story of Meshed, The Sacred City Dwight M. Donaldson , The Modern Challenge to Christianity William Paton The Sunday Schools Over the World .
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For 1938 and 1939 IF YOU are considering the A Preaching and Worship Manual for the Year publication of a book, pamphlet, or tract, why not PRICE POSTPAID. $1.00 let us make it for you? Our facilities are most modem, (A full credit coupon in each book gives you a $1.00 and our location is at the credit on a Bubscription to "Church Management") "heart of distribution." Estimates on your particular re- ADDRESS quirements, with expert counsel, will be gladly fur- CHURCH MANAGEMENT nished on request. Auditorium Building Cleveland. Ohio e~ 8~ October 5 to 12-United Lutheran Obituary Notes p~ Church in America, Biennial Con- vention, Baltimore, Md. Dr. ~vi~on D. Lord, for over fifty years pastor of the First Baptist EFFECTIVE PRINTING AT October 6 to ll-International GOOd- church of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, N. ECONOMICAL PRICES Y., the president of the American will Congress. Palaee Hotel, San Baptist Home Mission Society and re- The Evangelical Pre•• Francisco, Calif. cording secretary of the Federal October 9 to II-Home Missions Council of Churches of Christ in Jr_-.,. 2'1oe"""s"-i"e"u0I/0 / . For14 Conference. Bu1falo, N. Y. America, died in Brooklyn, on July October 14 to 20-American Luther- Third and Reily St…. an Church, Biennial Convention, 18th at the age of seventy-nine. Dr. H.rri.J,urg, Pennaylv.nia Sandusky, .ohio. Lord was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, October 20-Baltimore, Md., Insti- and was graduated from Union The- tute for Church Women. Mrs: ological Seminary fifty-five years ago. Bruce H. McDonald, 616 West Fay- He was instrumental in effecting the ette Street, Baltimore, Md. union of the Free Bapti8t Church, of October 23 to 2~Home Missions which he was a member. with the D.e. to Remember Conference. Cleveland, .ohio. • • Northern Bapti8t Convention in 1911. October 30 to Nov. I-Home Mi8- September 11 to 13-Italian Baptist 8ions Conference. Kansas City, Mo. • Convention o;f America. Cleveland. Dr. Lemuel Call Barnel, formerly THE PRESBYTERIAn secretary of the Department of Eng~ September 26-Home Missions Con- lish-speaking Mis8ions and Indian ference. St. Louis, Mo. • The only weekly in the Work of the American Baptist Home Presbyterian Church. Mission Society, died in Yonkers, N. September 11 to 16-International Y., on July 18th at eighty-three years Convention of the Disciples of • Its message is based upon of age. Dr. Barnes was born in Kirk- Christ. Denver, Colo. the Revealed Word. of God. land, .ohio, was graduated from Kal- amazoo College, Michigan, in 1876 September 19 to 30 (tentative)- • Goes into every state in and from Newton TheoloJieal Sem- School of Missions. Mrs. Mitchell, the Union, U. S. possessiOns inary in 1878. After servIng pastor- Langdon, Tex. and many foreign countries. ates in St. Paul, Pittsburgh, Newton Center and Worcester, he became the September 21 to 28-General Council, Subscription rate – $2.50 eftlclent field 8ecretary of the Amer- United Church of Canada, Toronto, Ministerial rate – – $2.00 ican Baptist Home Mi..ion Society Canada. from 1907 to 1917. He was the author SOc. extra–Canadian postage of 8everal volume8, including "Two September 26 to 30-Southern Cali- $1.50 extra– Foreign postage Thousand Years of Mission8 Before fornia (Los Angeles) School of Carey" and "Baptist Work Among Mission Study. Mrs. H. M. Horn, THE PRESBYTERKIn American Indiana." His widow, Mary 1811 Huntington Drive, South Pas- Clark Barnes, survives her husband adena, Cal. 121 7 Market Street after nearly sixty years of married Philadelphia. P •• life. September 27 to. 21i'-A Second In- ••• terdenominational Women's Insti- Dr. Paul Rader, the well-known tute is to be held in the McCormick "cowboy evangelist," fonuerly pastor Memorial Y. W. C. A., Chicago. of the Moody Memorial church in Chi- Dr. T. H. P. Sailer, Dr. Arthur E. cago, (1914-1921), died in Hollywood, Holt, Prof. Samuel Kincheloe, Mrs. California, on July 19th, at the age E. E. McClintock and Miss Esther of 68 years. He was born in Denver, McRuer will be the leaders. Dr. H. Colorado, and in early youth was a cowboy. His father, Rev. Daniel L. —–Paul Douglass will conduct a semi- Rader, was a Methodi8t minister and nar on church unity and Dr. E. K. Paul became interested in evangelism Higdon, formerly of the Philip- at the age of thirty-one. He began pines, will conduct a seminar on preaching on street corners in Pitts- the Madras Conference. Dr. Sam burgh and afterwards he fllied pas- Higginbottom will speak at an eve- (CO'1/eltuled on pa,ge 887.) ning mass meeting.
October 4 to ~Warren, .ohio, School of Mi8sions. Mrs. George Konold, 814 Scott Street, N. E., Warren, .ohio.
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DBLAVAN L. PIBBSON, BcUtor (2) "THE REVIEW gives a gO'O'd ac- cO'unt O'f different fields O'f missiO'nary VOL. LXI SEPT., 1938 No.9 wO'rk. I vO'te this as the best when Publication and Business omce– Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. cO'mpared with all O'ther missiO'nary Editorial and Executive omce– magazines. I like the way in which 156 Fifth Avenue, New York CltT. it handles each subject." . ~ Entered as second-class matter at (3) "THE REVIEW is a magazine;bf Post Omce, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. the three-star variety. All the main 25 cents a copy-$2.50' a year. articles are O'f timely interest. This Foreign Postage, 50' cents a Tear. Published monthlT, except August. interdenO'minatiO'nal REVIEW gives an All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan unbiased view O'f the great issues at· and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, stake." . London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, 10' shillings a year. (4) "I place THE REVIEW first MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- amO'ng missiO'nary magazines. The LISHING CO., INC. department of Wa.ys of Working is BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROIIERT E. SPBER, Prellidcmt an effective feature fO'r the far- A. L. W ABNSHl1IS, ViC7e-Praridmt WALTER McDoUGALL, Treasurer sighted pastO'r. The World-Wide Out- DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretof'll look is alsO' far abO've all O'thers in giving wO'rld news. The magazine is PAUL J. BRAlSTED SAMUEL McCREA CAVlIlRT evangelical withO'ut being narrow." D. J. FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JunD Personal Items Malwa-the Great Temple WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH Miss Anna Belle Stewart, for many When Ihe good wOl'k SAMUBL M. ZWBMBll years a very effective missiO'n wO'rker calls you Basi … sail Editorial Chat among the mO'untaineers O'f the SO'uth, is retiring frO'm active service under p&O Since nO' August number O'f THE REVIEW was published both July and the Presbyterian BO'ard O'f NatiO'nal 1938 begins a second century of P & 0 September issues are enlarged in size. service to the lands beyond Suez! When- If the subscribers will nO'te this it will MissiO'ns, having reached the age ever you are called to the other side of save extra cO'rresPO'ndence. the world, choose this traditional route. limit. Miss Stewart did a remarkable Cross to England by Cunard White Star Our October number O'f THE RE- ••. and then embark in a great liner of VIEW will be devO'ted to' India, the fO'r- wO'rk at ColcO'rd, West Virginia, and the P & 0 and British India fleets, led eign missiO'n study subject fO'r the by the new 23,SOO·ton Stratheden and cO'ming year, and a large number O'f fO'r the last few years has been pi- Strathallan, featuring air- conditioned very valuable and interesting subjects O'neering in the Smyrna CO'mmunity dining saloons in first class, hot and cold are in view. The main tO'pics and au- running water throughout, built·in outthO'rs are nO'ted O'n the third cO'ver O'f Center, Byrdstown, Tennessee. Her of·door swimming pools, children's playthis issue. These include articles by rooms! Regular service to Egypt, Sudan, outstanding authO'rities, bO'th Indian wO'rk is to' be taken up by Grace Jus- Persian Gulf, India, Burma, Ceylon, and fO'reign. Straits Settlements, China, Japan, Aus- tice, whO' has been associated with tralia, East and South Africa, Mauritius. *** Special reductions and generous bag- Miss Stewart as a vO'lunteer, and has gage allowance for missionaries. N O'W is the time to' O'rder quantities O'f this issue O'f THE REVIEW in O'rder shO'wn the ability, understanding and Convenient through bookings can be arto' take advantage O'f the special price ranged by your travel agent or any office of and to' avO'id the danger O'f waiting Christlike spirit that fit her fO'r this until the editiO'n is exhausted. CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE resPO'nsibility. *** General Agents Dr. E. Stan*ley*Jon*es O'f India, will Pastors and professors of missionll 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. in theO'IO'gical seminaries will be espe- address a meeting O'pen to' all mincially interested in the article in the present number O'n "The Practical isters in Marble CO'llegiate church, Value O'f MissiO'ns," by ProfessO'r Archibald G. Adams O'f Temple Uni- New YO'rk, at 10: 30 a. m., MO'nday, versity. In a persO'nal letter to' the EditO'r, PrO'fessO'r Adams quotes the September 26. He will participate in O'piniO'ns O'f many O'f his students as to' the interest and value of THE RE- the University Christian MissiO'n VIEW in keeping them in touch with wO'rld events and in helping them to' which will be cO'nducted this autumn educate their people and to' prepare at 14 American cO'lleges and univermissiO'nary sermO'ns and addresses. AmO'ng these O'piniO'ns O'f theO'IO'gical sities. •*• students are the fO'llO'wing (stated in substance fO'r brevity) : Dr. Douglas Horton, minister O'f Hyde Park CO'ngregatiO'nal church, (1) "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF ChicagO', has been elected secretary O'f THE WORLD is rated high because O'f the General CO'uncil O'f the CO'ngregaits cO'ntent which is O'f wO'rld-wide tiO'nal and Christian Churches to' suc- ceed Dr. Charles EmersO'n BurtO'n, retired. Dr. HO'rtO'n was educated at PrincetO'n, Edinburgh and OxfO'rd Universities; has served as chaplain in the U. S. Navy, trustee O'f the American University in CairO' and at- tended many internatiO'nal cO'nfer- ences.
*** Capt. Ellis Skolfield, O'f the GO'spel Ship in the Philippine Islands, whO'
has been in America because of the ill health O'f his sO'n, has nO'w returned to' the SO'uth Seas to' cO'mplete plans fO'r taking the ship to' New Guinea and adjacent islands O'f the Dutch East Indies, as a preliminary to' O'pen- ing a permanent wO'rk there. It is expected that this survey trip will re- (Concluded on page 386.) [385 ]
I Itemi retary to the Board of Foreign Mis- What Shall We Study?
(Concluded from page 385.) sions of the Presbyterian Church, The American City and Its Church U. S. A. He assumed his new office (Kincheloe) presents the missionary quire about three months, after which on July 15, and is in charge of the task as emergent, with our rapidly in- Capt. Skolfield will return to America work in China. creasing urban population, treating to make his report and lay plans for ~!,mn5 the subject vigorously and construc- the future. *** tively. (Cloth, $1.00; paper, 60 cents.) City Man (Sears) is a special edi- Dr. Charles E. Maddry, Executive tion of a recent book that provides Secretary of the Southern Baptist of tbe Foreign Mission Board, who attended valuable supplemental material for the study topic. ($1.50 and 75 cents.) the Baptist Union of Italy in Rome, ctCbrl£ittan Urban Scene (Bro) presents the sailed from England for West Africa city today and its church in striking to visit Southern Baptist work in Ni~1 photographs, maps, pictorial statistics, geria. He expects to be back in Rich- 1Lt ~'f~ brief, gripping statements, etc. Inmond, Virginia, in September. dispensable for groups of all ages.
*** (25 cents.) ell BOOK of worship in song, com….. The foregoi,ng are for adu~t Mr. William Albert Harbison has resigned as treasurer of the American bining a hymnal for general groups. SpeCIal young people s >: Mission to Lepers and is succeeded by books are: Mr. W. Espey Albig, deputy manager A Course for Young People on the of the American Bankers' Association. Church in the City (Geer), which fur- church use and a song book for evan- ~elist. iC ~u'rposes: Onl d song~ • soun *** an the faith and Inspirational an char- nishes a guide to study, discussion, Dr. H. H. Underwood, President of acter included—emphasizing Evangel- worsh!p and. service, is based on The Chosen Christian College, Korea, has ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. A merwan Ctty and Its Church and been elected President of Severance M any of the new—the best of the old. UrCblt;ttny SScheandeo. ws(25(Sceeanrtlse.)) – a coHec- Medical College, Seoul. At one time, tion of true stories challenging to Dr. O. R. Avison was President of 504 Songs Responsive Readings keenest interest. ($1.00 and 60 cents.) both institutions and under Dr. Underwood's administration these two Topicallndex Gold Embossed Street Corner (Hunting), a reading schools will continue to cooperate. and source book by which juniors ex- Published in round notes and Roxite cloth plore a city ($1.00 and 50 cents.) *** edition only at $65.00 per 100—an especiall~ low price. Single copy, 8Sc postpaid. My Community, My Church and Me Write today for returnable sample copy The Rev. Dr. Lloyd S. Ruland, for (Hallenbeck) is a helpful guide for eleven years pastor of West Presby- CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. city groups in studying their own com- terian Church in Binghamton, New 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET munities and developing a program of York, has accepted a call to be sec- HARRISBUltG, PA. local service. (35 cents.) HAVE YOU READ?
THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER The biography of a remarkable missionary whom the (then) Prince of Wales visited in Bombay at the request of his mother, Queen Victoria.
What some readers say of this book: Robert Speer's "Life of George Bowen of Bombay" is one was so far-sighted and so deep-seeing !-the former because of the richest of missionary biographies. the latter. If one wants to sum up the interests of our DR. J. LOVELL MURRAY, Director of the Canadian School of Missions, Toronto. students today-:-Biblical, social, theological-Bowen is a What a life! He was old enough to know why he went, representative figure. And what a lesson in apparent failure! . . . I ·feel strongly that every student and alumnus of our and bad enough to know the meaning of salvation. One by- Seminary needs this book. What better book to lead them to product of his experience was his wonderful humility-noth- feed on the Bible. One hears so much "vestibule religion"- men pointing to the door and taking their people as far as the ing in the show window and himself in the remote back- threshold, but no opening up of the treasures within the ground. It is inspiring. Father's House. Read the topics of current sermons, and . DR. GEORGE P. PIERSON, formerly of Japan. Bowen's expositions are precisely what Christians need in order We must all be grateful for this revealing of the main- to grow from puerility into spiritual maturity. Here is no springs of Bowen's character, his abiding faith in God, his adolescent, but a man in Christ. This is no volume to be earnest purpose to be a true and faithful follower of Jesus read and dismissed, but to be marked and to be turned to Christ; and his deep-seated conviction that the Gospel of Christ could meet the religious needs of India's people. repeatedly. HENRY SLOANE COFFIN, WILLIAM HAZEN, President of Union Seminary. Missionary in Sho/apur, India. The Memoirs of George Bowen will continue to be for A biography of one of the saintliest figures of the nineteenth century. I could not put the book down. There is a years to come a searching manual of devotion. He has set fascination and a depth in this man's soul which held me in before me an ideal which few could attain; his life is a scathdevout attention. I found myself marking his moving sayings which would serve as starting points for chapel talks. He ing rebuke to our ease, comfort, self-indulgence and inef- ficiency. J. Ross STEVENSON, President Emeritus, Princeton Seminary.
Send $2.50 to-day for your copy of this latest book by Dr. Speer THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING CO.
156 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y.
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Notes bined the supervIsIon of a Boy's The great white Empresses
School with evangelistic trips. Mrs. every speed record to and from (Concluded from .2d cover page.) Derr gave her time to personal evan- the Orient. 10 days direct to gelism, teaching girls' industrial Yokohama by Empress of Asia torates in Boston and Chicago. From classes and training Bible women. or Empress of Russia. Or only 1921 to 1923 he was President of the three days more via Hawaii by Christian and Missionary Alliance *** Empress of Japan, largest and and later was President of W orld- fastest on the Pacific, or Empress Wide Gospel Couriers, a Chicago mis- Miss Lucy H. Dawson, formerly of Canada. Connect at Honolulu sionary society. Mrs. Rader and three from California ports. daughters survive him. General' 'Secretary of the Presbyterian Woman's Board of Home Missions, From Vancouver and Victoria *** died in Baltimore, May. 22, after an to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, illness of· several years. Her mission- Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. Fred S. Goodman, for many years ary service included volunteer work Details from YOUR TRAVEL a member of the International Com- in city missions in Baltimore, re- AGENT or Canadian Pacific.: mittee of the Y. M. C. A. and for ligious work director of the Y. W. 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. some years an invalid, died at his C. A., in the Presbyterian Training home in Monclair, New Jersey, on School for Christian workers, the July 12th at eighty years of age. Mr. Daily Vacation Bible Schools and Goodman was born in Rockport, Illi- various women's missionary organizanois, in 1858 and was graduated from tions. After the consolidation of all Kalamazoo College, Michigan. He en- home mission agencies into the Board tered into Y. M. C. A. work in 1881 of National Missions, Miss Dawson and became associated with the In- became Promotion Secretary for ternational Committee twenty years women's work. later. During the World War he served on the World War Council and THE CITY had charge of the Religious Work Institutes for training those engaged The city-what is a city? in Y. M. C. A. war work. He was A city-that is where both Dives and retired in 1922 and then for ten years was American Secretary of the Wal- Lazarus live. densian Aid Society. He is survived A city-that is where men die of loneby one son, a daughter and eight grandchildren. liness in a crowd. A city -that is the land of plenty *** where men die of starvation. Dr. Charles C. Selden, formerly of A city-that is where a thousand peo- Canton, China, died suddenly in Oberlin, Ohio, June 15. He was an affili- ple live on an acre of ground that ated missionary of the Presbyterian they never see. Board, and devoted his personal for- A city is where thousands live in a tune and his life to work for the in- single block and never know they sane and the blind of China. He never have a neighbor. accepted any salary and lived simply A city is a place where may be seen in order to make conditions easier for both the glitter of vice and the the unfortunates. He retired in 1932. glow of virtue. but continued to live in China until A city is a place where vice centers in last March. sunless spots, and where virtue shines in secluded places. *** A city is all desert for some, all oasis for others. Mr. Walter W. Gethman, General A city is a place which some greet Secretary of the World Committee of with a cheer; others endure with the Y. M. C. A. from 1926 to 1936, tears. died in Geneva, Switzerland, July 8. But a city may not be characterized Mr. Gethman followed his war service in epigram. with the "Y" by founding a Y. M. C. A. in Czechoslovakia. He remained -CHARLES H. SEARS, in the there until taking up his post in Biblical World, October, Geneva. 1916.
*** Wherever the State claims to give Rev. J. H. Cope, American Baptist a theology to its people, or to set a principle of education, or tries to ormissionary to the northern Chin peo- ganize a conscience or impose a myth ple in Burma for thirty years, was upon the people, there you. will find stricken while on tour and died at the ultimate menace to the Christian Haka in the Chin Hills on June 13. Church.-Adolf Keller, G en e v a, Hundreds of converts and many Switzerland. churches organized among the Chins are testimony to the quality of his The fellowship of all the members service. In addition to preaching and of Christ's spiritual Church with one teaching, he translated the New another, overleaps all denominational Testament, Scripture portions and lines and all national boundaries.- Pilgrim's Progress; and also pre- President J. R. Sampey, Louisville, pared hymn books and school texts up Ky. to fourth grade in four dialects of Chin. The problem of more union among the churches of Christendom is not *** one of legislating ourselves together but rather that of the slow process of Mrs. Charles H. Derr, Presbyterian growing together.-T. S. Eliot, Lonmissionary to Chenchow, China, died don. in a sanatorium at La Vina, California on May 12. With her husband [387 ] she went to China in 1904, and located at Chenchow .where Mr. Derr com-
SANG TEACHING IN CHINA TELLING THE GOSPEL STORY IN
A WOMEN'S BIBLE CLASS IN KOREA WITH OVER 1 ,000 MEMBERS A SUNDAY SCHOOL IN NAZARETH, pALESTINE JAPANESE CHILDREN LEARNING OF CHRIST SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK AROUND THE WORLD (Bee arti ole by Robert M. Hopkins, page 402) electronic file created by cafis. org REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 9 SEPTEMBER, 1'938 Topics of the Times SOME THOUGHTS ON EVANGELISM There must follow guidance as well as training in the practice of devotion (Bible study and The University Preaching Mission has defined prayer) building up a Christian character, and its objective to be "to lead students to faith in finally help to enable the convert to give articulate God through Jesus Christ." If in this definition expression of his new found faith in service to his one were to substitute "men" for "students," one fellow men. Only then is the task of evangelism, might so define evangelism. However, when so so far as the convert is concerned, completed. doing, one should stress the fact that the term Faith without works is dead and of no avail. The "men" as used, refers to all men, male and fe- real test of faith is seen in the effect on a believer male, old and young, Jew and Gentile, black and and in what it impels and enables him to do.
white, agnostic and atheist, Buddhist and Mos- No doubt most people will agree on a basic lem without any exception whatsoever. This em- definition of evangelism and will probably admit phasis is essential in these days, when many its validity. Real difference of opinion arises foster a fellowship of religions, in which all re- when the question of methods of evangelism is ligions are more or less placed on a par, and who considered. Billy Sunday's high-pressure meththerefore protest against efforts to evangelize ods are not approved by some. The use of Bibmen as unwarranted "proselytism." The initial lical prophecy and scriptural appeal would be task of evangelism is to lead men to faith in God opposed by others; still others would claim sterthrough Jesus Christ. This task is not complete ility for any evangelistic effort that failed to until it has also helped such men to make a full stress personal sin, Christ crucified and redempsurrender to God and to articulate their faith, tion through His sacrifice. first to Him and then to. their fellow men in particular and to society in general. The intense emotionalism of many of the pre- war evangelistic campaigns and revivals are To lead men into faith in God through Jesus largely taboo' today. Such emotionalism is sup- Christ involves what is called conversion. Con- posed not to be in accord with present-day psycerning conversion Rabbi Solomon B. Freehof chology, practice and sophistication, though it is in his book "Stormers of Heaven" says: still used in certain Christian circles and appar- ently with success. No doubt the old revivals did There seems to be a uniqueness in the nature of Chris- often overstress the emotional appeal to the negtian conversion. Judaism is patient discipline, and Chris- lect of the appeal to reason. But today the tianity is sudden deliverance; Judaism is concerned with pendulum seems to have swung to the other exsocial development, Christianity is personal revolution. treme with intellectualism overemphasized al- 'fhere is explosive power in the Christian faith which can most to the complete exclusion of the appeal to the capture the souls of men in the calmest moment of their heart and conscience. True evangelism embodies self-contentment, tear down their spiritual organization, both. However much we may think and seek to and build it upon a new plan. understand God and our relation to Him, such an experience becomes ,articulate in life only when Would that more Christians had such convincing one feels it sufficiently to act. Mere argument faith in the explosive power of their Christian and apologetic, however convincing, rarely confaith! This tearing down of a man's "spiritual verts; invariably it is the Christian witness of a organization and building it upon a new plan," life that brings the'result. to use Freehof's words, is conversion or regeneration; this, is the first step in evangelism.
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Followers of Christ cannot evangelize others As we face the increasing human need in the until they themselves are more completely Chris- wake of wars, racial discrimination, social in- tian. Thus evangelism involves a further re- justice, moral relapse, and economic maladjust- sponsibility; it must include efforts to bring more ment, we are assailed by a sense of futility and Christlike reality into the lives of those already helplessness. What is the use of human efforts, known as Christians. This is of great impor-:- however sincere and energetic the individual may tance. We hear many criticisms of Christianity, be? Here one is forced to rely on God and away but few of Jesus, Christ. Many Jews, even the from dependence on man. As Fritz Beck writes: atheist type, assert that if Christians were more "A man without God, but with a knowledge Christlike, there probably would be no anti-Semi- of present world conditions, must surely despair."
tism, and more Jews would become Christians. At such times as these one realizes our utter de- Very true; but does not such assertion imply a pendence on GqQ and the need of Christ-centered remarkable faith in the power of the person of lives, projected out in service on the battle fronts Jesus Christ to mold lives and to influence human of human needs. Apart from God there is no relationships for good? hope or help for mankind.
One more word! God needs no proving. God One last word. Psychology stresses integra- is whether we are able or not to prove Him. Let tion of personality. That is essential. But inte- us not therefore be overanxious to prove His ex- gration of one's personality within one's environ- I istence by logic and apologetic. Let us not fall ment would seem to be of even greater impor- into the error of believing that God is simply a tance. In our world today, constituted as it is, one satisfying means of explaining an otherwise in- of the most difficult things is to be one's self, that explicable universe. God exists irrespective of is, to be an individual or to maintain one's dis- man's views or understanding of Him. And be- tinctive individuality. Independence of thought cause God is, I am. is not easy in the face of the intellectual "goose- IRRELIGION AND PAGANISM stepping" that is being enforced. We tend to conform to type and convention, like sheep which Today one encounters a lot of apparent irre- follow the bellwether. This is often especially ligion, if not out-and-out paganism. Experience true of the Christian. Some one has said "you reveals this to be very largely a veneer. Scratch it, cannot be Christian in this unchristian world and and you uncover great personal need and spirit- hope to survive." In other words, "Except a ual hunger. Men are hungry for spiritual and grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it soul-satisfying food. Many suffer from a spirit- can bear no fruit." How many are prepared to ual vacuum which craves to be filled. To others, go all the way with Christ? How many of us life means little or nothing beyond "eat, drink would do as the apostle Paul, or Kagawa, or and be merry, for tomorrow we die." They talk Schweitzer or Niemoller have done?
of the failure of the Church but hope against President Robert J. Hutchins of Chicago Uni- hope that the Church may somehow satisfy their versity, when speaking to a recent graduating personal and spiritual needs. Modern and so- class, declared: phisticated man still longs for guidance, for as- My experience and observation lead me to warn you surance, for a power that will give him victory that by far the greatest, the most insidious, the most where now he suffers defeat. He knows that paralyzing danger you will face is the danger of corrup- tion. Time will corrupt you; your friends, your wives or "the world within us means more than all the husbands, your business or professional ambitions will worlds without." " corrupt you. The worst thing about life is that it is demoralizing. One may well wonder whether all the interest, feigned and real, in world affairs, such as prob- Life was never more demoralizing than now.
lems of war and peace, of racial discrimination Never was there more need for Jesus Christ than and of economic maladj ustment, is not largely a now-not vague or general religion~but a per- smoke screen to hide this ache and yearning in sonal Christ and Saviour. To give men such a men's hearts. Christian Evangelists must deal Christ is the task of evangelism noW as ever in with these world issues, but our interest in them the past. CONRAD HOFFMANN, JR.
must not be a beating around the bush and an evasion of other essential factors. We need to THE YOUTH FOR CHRIST preach Christ and the forgiveness of sin. After conversion, then is the time to give needed ex- We thank God for youth. They are to the pression to the faith that has been born, and Church and the State, what fresh young shoots then it is necessary to project that conversion into are to the future harvest. Everywhere we hear service for others. But there is no first and of "Youth Movements."
second here in order of importance. We must do It is estimated that there are nearly twice as the one and not neglect the other. many people in the world under thirty-three as
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
over that age. It is a well-known fact that there the youth of the world wants is to be given a high is ten times as great a likelihood of a young man standard to imitate. or young woman yielding to the claims of Christ under twenty years of age as there is when they Primitive people look to those of more advanced are older. Youth is the time for taking new countries. India has copied England, Japan is steps, the time of adventure, the time of growth, imitating Germany; China is seeking a model in the time when foundations are laid and when the United States. Good patterns must be set in habits are formed. art, in literature, in education, in politics, in so- cial life and in religion if the world is to make And yet is not youth today largely wasting its progress and is not to slip back into barbarity. energies and opportunities? The spirit of ad- Inventions, discoveries and modern machinery venture is too often spent in seeking thrills in will not produce purity, peace, brotherhood and illegitimate and dangerous paths. Natural curi- love. All peoples are truly hungry for clear osity and the desire to investigate lead too fre- knowledge and for a better way of life. To inquently to spiritual skepticism and blindly look- spire them to higher things the youth need: (1) A ing for truth about God without finding Him. good example of unselfish service; (2) a good How often the strength of youth is wasted in fool- example of unpatronizing friendliness; (3) an ish self-indulgence. opportunity to learn and to improve their condi- tion; (4) the knowledge of God as revealed in And yet, humanly speaking, youth is the hope Jesus Christ. of the world. The young people of today must be the parents, the teachers and preachers, the All creeds and all "isms" are contending for the scientists and artists, the authors and leaders of enthusiastic and devoted support of youthtomorrow. If the youth of today are not won to though that support may not be intelligent and Christ what will become of the church, the school, unselfish. There is no ideal, no inspirational exthe home, missionary work, and still more im- ample and no assurance of power to attain ideals, portant what will become of the youth as they that is equal to those found in Jesus Christ. In pass through this life into the eternity beyond? Him and in His program are combined all the ele- ments that appeal to the best in youth of all ages. In ·the face of some disconcerting signs in the And youth is responding to the challenge in their world today, there are many encouraging signs of readiness to enlist in sacrificial missionary servpromise. All over the United States and Canada, ice at home and abroad. many thousands of youth are gathered every summer in Christian camps and conferences. No JAPAN'S LOSING BATTLE less than a half-million young people come together, under trained leaders, for physical and , In spite of Japan's military advantage in modspiritual recreation. At a thousand or more re- ern equipment and trained soldiers, her military sorts these multitudes of earnest young people party is waging a losing battle in China. This meet to listen to inspirational addresses and to is becoming more evident as the months pass. learn what life and service mean. Japan has disregarded justice and mercy, has alienated other nations that are not ruled by the Similar gatherings are being held in foreign same ideals, and she depends on deceit and force lands, not only in Great Britain and many parts to keep her people in line at home. While China of Europe, but in practically all the mission fields. has now the most enlightened patriotic and able There were pra.ctically no such Christian gather- rulers in her history, Japanese leaders in power ings for youth fifty years ago. They have grown exhibit less intelligence and more cruelty than has up as the result of the growing consciousness of characterized her and puts her dependence on the necessity for giving a Christian training _to armed force. The general sympathy of the world the youth of today to prepare them to be the -inactive as it is-is with the Chinese in their leaders of tomorrow. The Bishop of Uganda desperate struggle for life and peace. While the writes of African youth: conflict is welding China into a united country, it is sowing seeds of discontent in Japan; while Dr. Aggrey used to say that he would like to have nine China is becoming more Christian and is even lives if he could be sure that in each he would be an suggesting opening their schools to the teaching African and born one after the other in Africa in this of Christian truth, Japan is becoming more pagan present century. The future of the world lies largely and is forcing her Christian people to worship at in the hands of the youth. Very much, however, depends the shrines of the Sun Goddess; while China is on the next few years. Primitive youth is imitative-it showing mercy to the enemy, scattering peace is important that the youth of England and America leaflets in place of bombs by airplane over Japan, should give them a good example to imitate. Youth is the Japanese continue to spread destruction in perceptive: he looks below the surface and very quickly China by bombs and machine guns that ruthlessly sums up what a man really is.
There is a passion for reality in youth. People cannot "get away with" shams and "window dressing," at any rate for long; but youth is impulsive and so is easily influenced temporarily by an emotional appeal. What
bring death to multitudes of men, women and Thus failure to comply with the demand that all J apachildren; while China is looking forward to re- nese participate in certain Shinto ceremonies may be reconstruction after the fighting is over, Japan is garded as a good reason for withdrawing the privilege becoming more and more impoverished physically of freedom of religious belief. and spiritually; while China appeals for peace on the basis of justice and friendship, Japan seeks It is natural that special efforts should be made to control by conquest and alienates those who would secure the obedience of subject peoples when it comes to be her friends. Shrine observance. This has become an acute problem in Korea and Formosa, and will be so in Chinese terri- Other nations in past centuries have tried J a- tories which come under the control of Japan. pan's tactics and have failed, even when they have seemed to win a temporary advantage. If the Japanese realized what their military leaders are doing and planning in China we be- The situation in Japan is revealed by a letter lieve that they would rise up and overthrow the just received from one who has lived there for present regime… But they are misled by governtwenty years and who knows and loves the Jap- ment censorship and propaganda. They are told anese people. (The letter could not be mailed in that China must be protected from Communism Japan on account of the government censorship.) and liberated from the Nanking regime and from The Japanese themselves are kept in ignorance General Chiang Kai-shek, their Christian ruler. of the facts and the military propagandists pro- Staged motion pictures are used to show that the claim that ignorance, fear, selfishness and jeal- Chinese are welcoming the Japanese soldiers as ousy are the motives that actuate all foreigners liberators and benefactors rather than ravishers, who oppose the program of the Japanese mili- terrorists and spreaders of venereal disease and tarists. narcotics.
The letter (dated in Japan, June 12, 1938) is In the meantime the common people in Japan in part as follows: are suffering from economic depression through high prices and many restrictions. They are told We can easily understand the causes of the rising tide that such suffering and self-denial are patriotic. of anti-Japanese feeling in other lands. While the The work of missionaries of Christ, presenting Japanese' people themselves are conscious of the antago- His ideals and message of life, is more than ever nism of certain foreign nations, it is attributed in the needed and is welcomed. The Japanese are hunmain to Chinese propaganda and the jealousy 0:1; the gry for life and peace. It is a great opportunity powers who are losing their economic spheres of influence in China. . " The people here only know what for the missionaries who show spiritual life and appears in the newspapers, and the result is that they power and have the message of God's love and are the victims of a propaganda which interprets the salvation. And the missionaries with reduced war in terms of a righteous crusade "to deliver China forces and income are busy teaching, conducting from the peril of communism." They know nothing of conferences and summer camps, and working the ruthlessness which has apparently characterized the through the churches and Sunday schools. The operations of the army and believe that the conduct of Japanese are responding with larger attendance the war has been above reproach! at evangelistic services, and with increased en- As is the case in all wars, the common people are the rollment in mission schools and colleges. Dr. ones who bear the burden and they are the ones who Toyohiko Kagawa, and other Japanese Christians, suffer. In thinking of Japan we trust that you will dis- express the feeling of the sense of shame and tinguish between those who are leading the nation in chagrin that "Christians are so impotent to stem paths of conquest and the great mass of people who are the tide of militarism in Japan." in the dark and are having to submit to increasing regimentation and more personal self-sacrifice. The people ,Evidently humanity must learn lessons through are in darkness and need desperately to be "translated warfare and suffering that they are not willing into the kingdom of God's dear Son." The fact that to learn through peace and prosperity. Among militarism is in the saddle is no reason for reducing mis- these lessons are the futility of selfish warfare, sionary interest in J.apan. Recent developments here and the superiority of spiritual forces over the main other countries present a challenge to the Christian terial, the supremacy of true love over the seIf- Church to increase their missionary interest. seeking human ambitions. Christ did not estab- lish peace in the Roman world but He did sow the The Japane~e Christian Church is finding itself in an seeds of life and of peace and victory in the hearts increasingly difficult position. This is in spite of the fact that Japanese Protestants have always been distinguished of His followers. Among His last words to His by their loyalty to Emperor and nation, by their obedi- disciples were these: "These things have I spoken ence to law and integrity of character, and by their faith- unto you that in me ye may have peace. In the fulness in the performance of the various, duties imposed world ye have tribulation but be of good cheer, I by the State. But officialdom has not been satisfied with have overcome the world." . This is the peace and this and has seen fit to make the observance of the various the victorythat the world cannot give and cannot ceremonies of State Shinto the 'sign of good citizenship. take away. They have put believers who regard the observance of State Shinto as idolatrous in the position of appearing disloyal. The Imperial Constitution provides that: "Japanese subjects shall, within limits of law, not preju- dicial to peace and order, and not antago!listic to their duties of subjects, enjoy freedom of religious belief."
A Crisis-Looking Forward to
By PAUL W. HARRISON, M.D., Muscat, Arabia Author of "The Arab at Home"; Missionary of the Reformed Chutch in America A WORLD Missionary Conference is to be held will the Conference be a success. To the degree this year in Madras. The hope is that the that it fails to do this, the Conference will be a whole Church of Christ may focus there failure. her thanksgiving for the past, and her intercession for the future. Most of all we hope that God Nor is this something only for the few who go will give us guidance for the present. Certainly, to that South Indian city. Now is a time for us hitherto hath the Lord helped us, and we have all to bow down and pray for guidance and power come a long way in carrying out the command, from God. With our attention focused on gain- "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the na- ing God's guidance, and bringing our work into tions." We will stand with the Apostle Paul in line with His will so that we can go forward in Madras. In every direction, a great door and ef- His power, this should be a day, above all things, fectual is opened unto us "and there are many for reverent and careful study of God's Word that adversaries." If the Apostle could actually speak we may learn how He would have us carryon His to us, he would perhaps tell us that he faced no work. We need profound and prayerful studies such wonderful open doors, nor such appalling of the mind of Christ in regard to our missionary adversaries. problems. We must penetrate below the surface and understand what the Holy Spirit has to teach This is not the day of the grinning stone image. us in the life and policies of the Apostle Paul. We deal with emotional idols, terribly alive all of Different men will discover many different things them, fashioned after the likeness of Mohammed- in this Book which God has given us. No one anism~ Men and women and children, from the man will understand it all. Indeed, reflecting least to the greatest, deliriously worship some God's mind as it does, all of us together will enter class or race or nation, sure that thereby they be- only the fringes of the Divine revelation. God come the elite of the universe. Worship of that wants us to see visions and dream dreams out of sort must have an object of pers.ecution as well His Word. Thus He will guide us and give us as an object of worship. Jews serve the purpose power in carrying His message to a turbulent and excellently. So do Christians. Those of us who distressed world. work in the arid desert into which Mohammed transformed a sixth of the human race, look out Christ's View of the Kingdom on the nations today with a feeling very close to terror. It is a very dreadful disease that is spread- In the thirteenth chapter of Matthew we find ing over the world, but it is not a new one. And a remarkable group of parables in which Christ when this outbreak has run its course, and men's shows us the essential nature of the missionary enterprise. He was speaking of the Kingdom of hearts have hardened into shape under its pride God. The phrase has puzzled us and from it have and falsity, will it again be a thousand years be- been developed most diverse and complicated and fore the Good News of God's love finds its way materialistic notions. But evidently in Christ's into men's hearts once more and the first convert mind the idea was as simple as sunlight. Wher- is won to Christ? ever God rules over the human heart as king, No! It will not be even a thousand days for there is the Kingdom of God established.
when "the enemy comes in like a flood," the Spirit This was something new which Christ brought of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. -a gift from Heaven. With Him came the glori- But we must realize, with a deep and terrible ous opportunity of being under the direct and realization, that we on the mission field today genuine rule of God. Christ spent His time pro- need two things, and only two. We need God's claiming this good news of the possible realization guidance and we need His power. It will be only .of the Kingdom. He sent out His disciples two by to the degree that the Madras Conference sensi- two to carry the message further. He left us to tizes us so that we can hear and obey the Divine finish the task through the centuries, and finished voice, and opens. the windows of Heaven so that it will be, for "this good news of the Kingdom God can pour out a blessing,only to that extent shall be preached in all the world for a witness [393 ]
to all the nations." Here is a simple message: a seed which will grow in men's hearts. Indeed "The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at that seed grows. up to be Christ Himself abiding hand. Repent, and believe the Good News." in us. It is thus that God rules.
Christ emphasized three things about this King- Good news of that sort is not much of a seed, dom. In the first place it is open to all men. The philosophically and scientifically. Christ explained entrance requirements are simple. "Repent ye"~ carefully that it is "less than the least of all seeds" leave your old life; "and believe the good news" which are sown so assiduously in men's hearts. -accept as genuine and true this announcement It takes no extraordinary insight to see the truth that men can actually come under God's personal of that. Any monist has us beaten philosophically control. The offer is for every man to the ends before the debate begins. Any second-rate idol of the inhabited earth. It is an ecumenical thing. temple can surpass our most ehtborate rituals, and emotionally, ~_mpared with communism, and In the second place, this wonderful opportunity, fascism, and emperor worship, we are most prethis door to an eternal destiny linked to God cisely the least of all seeds. We feel a great urge himself, is to be found only in Christ. Even the to assert that the Gospel is really good seed, and God-given Jewish religion could not provide it. we spend much time measuring its philosophical Salvation to a few, that religion certainly did and scientific dimensions and convincing ourselves bring, but apparently not to many. This Kingdom of its impressive character. However, the Gospel of God that He preached was a new thing. Christ seed is really most unimpressive, as Christ told brought it, and its lowliest member stands above us long ago. Its virtue is in its vitality and in the highest of the prophets. The implications of the astonishing result that it can produce when this are tremendous. Even with the light of the sown in men's hearts. Epistles and of the Acts, we can grasp only a few of them. Christ, however, shows us the simplicity As God looks down on a faithless and perverse and unity of the wisdom of God. One thinks of generation, perhaps few things seem so incon- Fujiyama, as he meditates on it. gruous as the audacity of men who produce a showy and resplendent philosophy out of Christ's The third characteristic, in its way as remark- teaching, but lack faith to believe that God who able as the others, is that this Kingdom is to be spread merely by proclaiming the Good News of has embodied Himself in it, can by its means over- God's gift. The Kingdom of God is like sowing a come the idols of our time. We must pit the very seed. There is food for deep meditation in that power of God Himself against the terrifying teaching. It is a message much needed in these forc·es of evil which have become so strong. There days when the missionary finds himself confused is one way to do that, and only one, in season and and perplexed. Whatever else is true of our work, out of season, and that is to sow the Good News it must always be the proclamation of the Good of the Kingdom in the hearts of men. News of the Kingdom of God. That good news is CHRISTIAN MISSIONS-BANE OR BLESSING?
Why should we make sacrifices to support foreign missions? One great reason is because of the results of this work. Had there been no Christian foreign missionaries, then Cyprus, Ephesus, Philippi, and Berea would never have heard the Gospel of Christ. Except for mis- sions the message of Life which He came to bring would not have reached Rome, and from Rome could not have spread into Spain and Gaul. Without missionaries, Great Britain and America would not have heard the message of Christ; India, China and other lands would have no Christians and no Christian enterprises. Had there been no missionaries, there would be no Christian Church today. Most, if not all, of the humanitarian and philanthropic organ- izations that now minister to mankind would never have been established. Hospitals, homes for the aged, orphanages, colleges and public schools all have had their first inspiration in the ideals of life and service taught in the New Testament. History shows clearly that these un- selfish ministries of love did not exist prior to the coming of Christ and apart from the spread of Christianity. They are due to the revelation of God and His ideals for man as revealed through Jesus Christ and as they have been imparted to His followers.
'BY THE LIPU LEKH PASS INTO TIBET-ALTITUDE 16,750
With Tibetans at the Crossroads By REV. E. B. STEINER, Dharchula, United Provinces, India Missionary of the Tibetan Border Mission TIBET-called the "Roof of the World"-is and consist of peas, barley and some type of grain the loftiest country on the face of the globe. which. can be ground and made into very coarse The line of vegetation lies at 13,000 feet alti- bread, which the ordinary European stomach is tude. Tibet has successfully kept herself aloof not able to digest.
from the outside world for centuries, and because Tibetan traders are more numerou.s than farmof this has had a tendency to draw the country ers, especially in the south. They are made up of into seclusion. two classes-Khampas and Dokpas. The former spend summers in Tibet and winters in India. The Tibetan is what he is because of four fac- Leaving Tibet in October, they cross the Himators-altitude, lack of vegetation, seclusion and layas for their trading in the foothill cities of religion. His characteristics are the product of India. After bartering they return in March, these factors, particularly in that region over entering Tibet over Lipu Lekh Pass in June. They against Bhot on the south central border of Tibet.
This country can be conquered, not by war, but speak Hindi and other Hill languages. by the Gospel of Jesus Christ that will change The Dokpas cross by Lipu Lekh Pass into India these backward Tibetans into progressive citizens. only to near-by towns in the Upper Himalayas. Tibetans may be divided into four classes: They speak Tibetan only. These traders export farmers, traders, robbers, lamas. Farmers in wool, salt and borax; they import wheat, rice, Tibet are the least prominent of the four classes. dal, sugar and cloth. They reside in valleys only; their crops are few The Tibetan robbers are called Jokpas in our [395 ]
area. In India they call at our bungal.ow and beg and another 5,500. (We do not vouch for these alms and food. In Tibet they rob us, but not in figures.) India because the British Government would im- Lamaism is a religi.on of works. The word prison them. As liquor dealers in America pay "grace," as understood in the Christian religion, license to the government and are permitted to is not found in Lamaism. The doing of religious .operate drinking establishments, so in Tibet a acts is believed to be the means of entitling a per- robber buys a license to rob whomsoever he son to a place in the Tibetan heaven. Everything pleases. a lama does-whether worship, prayers, reading, In 1930 the Tibetan Government granted Mrs. eating, sleeping or working-is a religious act.
Steiner and the writer a passport to travel 145 The spirit of the mind or the condition of the miles in Tibet. We were accosted by robbers heart has nothing to do with securing merit for twice during our twenty days in the country. the Tibetan heaven. The larger number of acts One Saturday aftern.oon suddenly three Tibetan a lama can do in a given time, the greater his robbers galloping on horseback,with flags floating merit and the Lama can accumulate far greater and guns raised, rushed out from between moun- merit by prayers than in any other way. It makes tains, calling to our Christians who were half a no difference for what he prays or how; the thing mile behind: that counts is that he performs his prayers. Be- "Halt, you are traders; you have money; open cause of this erroneous conception, the lama re- your bags! And over there is a white man and sorts to all sorts. of devices for prayer to assist a white woman; they are traders; they have in the accumulation of merit. Am.ong these de- money; open your bags." vices the most common in our area of Tibet are They continued talking roughly and yelling. prayer-wheels, prayer water-mills, prayer-flags Soon those Tibetan robbers began to talk less and prayer-walls.
roughly and finally they rode away without tak- Every lama possesses a prayer-wheel which he ing anything. holds in his right hand and revolves it as rapidly A month later we received a letter from a wom- as he can. In the wheel is written a prayer and an in Indiana who said she was praying for us. each revolution counts for merit for the owner of That letter was dated JUly 17, 1930, the very day the prayer-wheel. Large lamasaries have made that we were accosted by those Tibetan robbers. huge prayer-wheels called "Sipo Khorlo," inter- preted, "Wheel of Life." We saw one prayer- Ten days later, just as we were breaking camp, wheel seven feet in diameter in the lamasary at a robber party of twelve appeared. One robber Taklakot. On his way out of the lamasary a lama examined Mrs. Steiner's coat sleeve and after- gives the huge prayer-wheel a couple of turns, and wards my water bottle. Seeing his primitive gun I began to examine it in turn. He was pleased S.o it registers prayers to his credit. The lama and looking into my face he smiled. After that he would not rob me. While .our party .of ten does not need to say a word for the prayer-wheel Christians stood with bowed heads in silence in does the praying for him. Inside of this wheel is our morning worship, these ten robbers stood a paper on which is written that meaningless there on the side listening. Mter prayer they prayer, "Om Mani Padme Hum," interpreted in passed on and we went our way. English: "0 Jewel in the Lotus Flower." We do not know why this prayer has been adopted as the The Buddhist Lamas lama's formal prayer, save that the Tibetan be- lieves that Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, The fourth class of Tibetans, and by far the sprang from the lotus flower. About the year most prominent, are the Lamas or Buddhist 400 A. D. a great lama adopted this prayer as a Priests. The home of lamas is called a lamasary model for his followers and it has been used ever and the religion of Tibet is called Lamaism, a since.
form of Buddhism. Many lamas attach dozens of "prayer-flags"
The first-born son of each Tibetan family must to a cord or rope that stretches from one building be surrendered to the lamasary to be trained as to another, or to a tree. These prayer-flags are a lama. As all families are small, the percentage small pieces of cloth six or eight inches long in of lamas is great. A lamasary is a training school strips, on each of which is written this same . as well as a church, and some are in training for meaningless prayer-"Om Mani Padme Hum."
twenty or thirty years. The women lamas are When there is no wind these prayer-flags are silent sometimes called nuns. They are not permitted and therefore produce no merit; but when the to marry. Lamasaries are therefore like medire- wind blows, these flags flutter in the air and pile val monasteries, and sometimes the number of up millions of prayers to the credit of the owner.
inmates runs into the thousands. One lamasary Riding on a pony a hundred miles into Tibetan in Lhasa is said to admit 1,100, another 3,300, territory, we came to numerous "prayer-walls,"
WITH TIBETANS AT THE CROSSROADS
four to eight feet high, made of stone. On each Lekh Pass; our two stations,Dharchula and was inscribed this same prayer. Some of these Sirkha, are located on this highway and all who walls were twenty feet long, some fifty or a hun- travel to the plains of India must pass our way.
dred or two hundred feet. As we traveled, I no- Many call at our bungalow for alms or for med- ticed that my horseman, a Tibetan, owner of the ical aid. Each call brings a contact and makes an pony, always passed on the left side of the walls, opportunity. To many we give a Christian tract never on the right. When we came to another and to some we tell the story of salvation by prayer-wall, I said: "Go on the right side," but Christ. Most of these Tibetan travelers halt near he only smiled. Coming to the next wall, I spoke our Sunday School for four or five days at a time firmly, "Why don't you pass on the right side?" and some draw near to see what it is all about.
He paid no attention. My cook, a Mohammedan They may remain for the hour. Our Tibetan evan- from that area, told me that if this Tibetan passed on the right he would receive no merit but, pass- ing on the left, each stone with that inscription (and there are thousands on a wall 200 feet long, on its four sides and on top), produces. merit to his credit. It is the movement of something that counts, not thoughts. of the heart.
The Dalai Lama, the ruler of Tibet who lives at Lhasa, is the head of this land of seclusion reli- giously and politically. Dalai Lama means "Ocean of Virtue." He is helieved by Tibetans to be an incarnation of Chewasi, the son of the God 0 Pak Me, "the Buddha of Boundless Light." They be- lieve that "0 Pak Me" has been reincarnated again and again; being an incarnation, they think that the Dalai Lama cannot sin. It is likewise believed that each is an incarnation of that same god and therefore does not sin.
Many Tibetans practice polyandry. A woman marries the oldest brother in a family and thus automatically becomes the wife of all the brothers.
Consquently morality among the Tibetans is low, and their conception of home and family life are vague. These concepts of loose marriage rela- tions even creep into the Christian Church. Some twenty years ago two Tibetan brothers became Christians; one was married; the other was a widower. It was claimed some years ago, al- though not proven, that when the married brother was. absent from home for a month or more, his wife lived with the other brother as his wife. A TIBETAN LAMA AND HIS FAMILY About three years ago a Tibetan Christian sought a wife among Bhotiya Christians for his nephew. gelists and Bible women preach in their camps, He had difficulty in persuading members of one and our Tibetan Christians have friends among family to give their consent so he came to us. We some and invite them to their homes. Our work- suggested that he try to secure the daughter of ers also display their Tibetan scriptures and tracts one of our Tibetan Christian widows. But the on a blanket to attract passing Tibetans. We are widow said, "He who marries my daughter, mar- not permitted to preach to the Tibetans inside ries me also." Is there any doubt as to the need Tibet, but on our evangelistic pilgrimage to Mt.
of Tibetans for Christ and His Gospel? Kailash, 60 miles inland, there were ten Christians , We are sometimes asked how we make contacts in the group, four of whom were Tibetans. The with Tibetans in order to win them to Christ. We government cannot prevent us from worshipping are located in Bhot, that triangle in India on the our God as we choose and therefore on Sundays borders of both Tibet and Nepal. Lipu Lekh Pass, in Tibet, we have services and Sunday school for at an altitude of 16,750 feet, is one of the six main ourselves. Tibetans often stand around listening.
outlets of Tibet; the great Tibetan highway of The ruler of Taklakot gave us permission to this part of India passes through Bhot. Hundreds visit the lamasary in his city and there we found of Tibetans annually travel out and in over Lipu 300 lamas, men and women, boys and girls-aged electro nic fil e created by cafis.org
6 to 60. In one room we heard a Christian hymn. A family of ten pure Tibetans, devil worshipers, Upon inquiry, we learned that the lama had heard left their home, sear.ching for the true God. One us sing that song last year in India. I recalled of the number, our Tibetan cook, tells the followthat the year before, I had sung this hymn at ing story: "My grandfather was a priest of the every camp along the Tibetan highway as I was devil. Often have I seen him beat his body with returning from Naini Tal. The wonder was that heavy cords until it bled. Three times did the this Tibetan, hearing this hymn but once, was devil demand everything we possessed. After the able to remember both the words and melody. third time, we began to think that there must be Leading lamas followed us, pleading that we sing, a God somewhere who would not make unreasonand there, beside the huge wall of that lamasary able demands. Ten of us left in search for this in that land where we were forbidden to preach, true God. We wandered around Tibet. Then an four of us sang a Christian hymn. These lamas epidemic overtook us, killing six of our number, then begged for tracts. They sent two messengers including both-iny parents. My grandparents, my to our tent and we gave them forty-eight tracts. aunt and I only were left. iWe continued our search and passed through vast areas. Our food A year later I toured along the Indian side of was gone and we could get none. We came to the the Tibetan border. From Kuti, the last town, I Holy Region, Mt. Kailas, the Lakes and Taklakot, ascended a mountain up ·to 16,000 feet, coming to but we did not find the true God in this so-called a large open plain where we camped. Here an- 'Holy Region.' Then we came over Lipu Pass nually Bhotiyas and Tibetan traders meet for bar- and down into this Kali River Valley to Sirkha. tering. Among other Tibetans, were ten wealthy The Bhotiyas told us not to go near the Mission traders with 7,000 sheep, who came across the Compound or we would be made Christians. We border from their Tibetan town some twenty days' did not know what kind of wkked people Chrisjourney distant. Before we could pitch our tent, tians are, but they visited our camp and invited us these Tibetans crowded about, gazing at me, for to come to the mission. They did not look like they had never before looked upon a white face. bad people, so we thought we would go and live A peculiar feeling comes over one to think that in the Mission Compound, but would not go to one's white face is the first such face another hu- their meetings. Then we heard singing which man being has seen. sounded good and we thought that this might be the place to find the true God. We sat outside to We were hungry and tired, for we had made listen and later we went in and sat in the rear. this ascent of 4,000 feet and had had nothing to Then we found the true God we had been seeking eat since seven in the morning. Our helpers con- and we forsook Buddha for Christ." The grandcluded that this was the time to conduct a service parents have passed on, but our Tibetan cook has for these Tibetans, and each in turn gave a mes- entered deeply into the Christian life and is now sage-including my Tibetan cook, a boy of seven- one of our strongest Christians. teen. The Tibetans listened eagerly and then bought every Gospel and tract we had. They A Tibetan lama student in one of the leading wished to buy also my Tibetan hymn book and lamasaries in Lhasa for twenty years left the offered me twice its value. We forgot our hunger, lamasary because he felt that he was not sinless. but I never before saw such hunger for scriptures He married and wandered around for three years and tracts. with his wife, who contracted tuberculosis. To- gether they came over Lipu Lekh Pass into our We have been told that in certain areas, pure valley as far as Sirkha, and there his wife died. Tibetans cannot be won for Christ, as their hearts Our Tibetan evangelist, Chirring, befriended this are impregnable to the Gospel. We have not lama, Lobsang, and invited him to our Mission found it so. A Tibetan widow with two little sons Compound. Lobsang was impressed and finally came begging alms of Dr. Sheldon thirty-three renounced lamaism in April, 1929. He is now years. ago. She was told the story of Christ and conducting a Tibetan school and preaches the was asked to give up her beggar life, but she Gospel. In 1937 Lobsang and his family made an would not. The next year she came again and evangelistic tour into Tibet and brought back a yielded herself to Christ. She remained true to pure Tibetan, who came from a town eight days' her Lord for thirty years, first as matron and journey north of Lhasa. This man was baptized later as Bible woman, until she went two years on January 16th. Lobsang is now trying to win ago to be with her Saviour. Dr. Sheldon died in another Tibetan, who came a couple of months 1912', but Bunden continued as Bible woman all ago from the interior of Tibet.· Was it worth these years. One of her little sons is now a Tib- while befriending Lobsang? etan evangelist and the other a Christian tailor.
Modern Challenge to
By the REV. WILLIAM PATON, London Secretary of the International Missionary Council W HERE does the Christian missionary a world there may be religion, but religion will enterprise stand in this world of national- have become like other things just one among the ism, racialism, economic struggle, and other parts of life, ruled by its own law, an interauthoritarian states? It is not enough to show est among the many interests of man. I know no that mission hospitals do much good and that more terrible example of the secular spirit than Christian schools in the East and in Africa are the acceptance by religion of a specialized place lifting the burden of illiteracy from thousands. among the affairs of men. When religion, and In our typical modern struggles. is the missionary above all the Christian religion, abandons its enterprise relevant? claim to shed light and guidance upon the whole What is the characteristic modern issue? Let life of man and becomes one professionalized in- us go back a little in our own history. There was terest among a mass of others, we have the once something called Christendom. The word supreme secularism.
covered the idea ofa region of the world in which This was our state until these last years; but there was a civilization dominated by a single we are not facing that sort of world now. The great view of the world. In that medireval Europe, disintegration of human culture and the fading there was a common faith, a single Church, a gen- away of the central and life-giving belief in God erally accepted philosophy, and a recognition of was not an affair only of the scholar; there set in the unity of life, in such wise that, whether or not a deep disintegration of society. The World War men kept the Christian moral law, it did not occur hastened the process. One can speak only with to them to suggest that, for instance, the world of great sympathy of the situation that faced Ger- economic life lay outside the boundaries of moral many, for instance, in these post-war years. To and spiritual rule. In that sense the whole of life see their country losing all its coherence and dig- was integrated around the truths of Christianity. nity may well Ikive men to desperate remedies.
We know how that world broke up; I am no And in many lands today, as we know so well,.
medirevalist and I am not suggesting that we there has come into view the new type of integra- regret that vanished world. There came the Ren- tion, or more truly the new type of religion. No aissance of learning and the Ref.ormation; nations longer do we face a negative kind of secularist arose in Europe and separate churches came into temper; we face the bold attempt to regiment the being. Natural science was reborn and as the life of man around the primacy of the nation, or years passed science was harnessed to production of blood, or of class, or of the State. This is what and industry and we had the industrial revolution. is meant by that ungainly word the "totalitarian"
Life became far more complicated as well as much State. It is more than merely nationalism or class- richer. But one great consequence followed. The loyalty. It is the claim that devotion to this cen- world of men-our Western world at least–':'no tral standard-race or blood, community or state, longer was integrated round the Christian view or class-has absolute worth, and that in obedi- of life. The life of European man became divided; ence and surrender to it man finds his whole the world of economics was believed to have its meaning.
own law and to be separated from that of ethics; In modern Germany we have a classical instance what was true there became true of all the parts of the struggle which such a mode of life must of life, and the characteristic of our Western entail upon the Christian Church. The Church in world was that it had no common governing idea that and in every land has two essential features and was not ruled by any universally accepted which make it the enemy of the totalitarian state.
view. Each part of life became a law to itself. They are, first, that every local or national Church This is what I understand by secularism; the is not only local or national but also a part of the loosening 'of the parts. of life from their proper universal Christian fellowship. It is therefore a uniting centre in the will of God, so that not only constant reminder of a fellowship and loyalty is there no God acknowledged but there is no wider than that of the nation. But the other rea- other dominating idea to take His place. In such son goes. deeper. It is the fact that in the last r 399]
analysis the Church is' not a human society only- work, only more rapidly than in the West. Among not a sort of club that we have formed to carry educated Hindus today one finds everywhere a out purposes of our own, but is a society divine lack of belief and a communal loyalty that has as well as human. It is human and therefore nothing at all to do with true religion. In such a stained with the sins of humanity; but its origins country as Egypt you will find Moslems of educa- lie in the Divine love and it is still the Body of tion and earnestness, but for many of them, real Christ in which His Spirit dwells. So that in the faith has gone and what is left is a keenly national last resort the Church of Christ can only obey consciousness cloaking itself in religious dress.
God first and can never assent to any other pri- In such countries it is inevitable that the same mary loyalty. sort of process should be followed as we have If we look at the world of our Western life, we traced in our Western world. A force of integra- see a society that once was Christian and now is tion there must be; life must have a common pagan, with Christian forces and groups at work energizing centre. Thus we find the old cry of within it; that the emptiness' of a purposeless Pan-Islam wholly discredited in the Mohammedan society is being for myriads today filled by the countries, and nationalism or, as in Turkey, a keen worship of new gods; that these gods are in fact racial loyalty taking its place. In India you see only Man himself, worshipped in some group such a portent as the opening and consecration of manifestation; and that as against all this there a temple in which there is no object of worship is today only one force, small and weak as it may except a great marble relief map of India- seem, that is inescapably committed to a wholly Mother India, into which the spirit of the god is different view. That force is the love of God in called as in other idols of Hinduism.
Christ with the transformation of life and the In Japan and her empire we see most plainly total view of the world ·and the active fellowship the rise of the new nation-state worship. It is an that accompany it. The Church with all its weak- ancient thing there, for the doctrine of the divine nesses is still the fellowship in which men cannot Emperor, his descent from the Sun-Goddess, and be thought of as submerged in racial or commu- the divine quality of the Japanes.e nation go back nity groups, or as mere automata in the interplay to the dawn of Japanese history. Yet is it not of economic forces, because men 'are known as certain that a country like Japan, in which there those whom God made for Himself and for whom is an almost unparalleled concentration of wealth Jesus Christ was content to die. in a few hands, must be exposed almost more than But this attempt to analyze our modern prob- others to the social strains that aooompany such lem has referred only to what used to be called an economic organization? It can hardly be a Christendom. What of the rest of the world? mere coincidence that in this modern world, sub- Do we realize to what a vast extent this same ject universally to the influences I have tried to process of disintegration and this same drift away sketch, there should be felt in Japan the need to from the religious centre of life have appeared in strengthen the claim of the nation-state and to the East also, and in Africa? In Africa the mat- use the old doctrine for this purpose.
ter is perhaps. plainer than in any other place. So it is that in Japan itself, and far more reso- One does not need to have lived in Africa to com- lutely and indeed ferociously in Korea, Formosa prehend something of what it means that, for and in the nominally independent but actually instance, tribesmen come great distances to labor puppet state of Manchukuo, we find the rites of in the copper mines, there to exchange the life of emperor worship, or a rite akin to it, pressed upon the tribe, in which the individual hardly exists the schools and the colleges. It is explained that and the tribal group is everything, for the life of the rites are not religious, but merely patriotic.
a modern industrialized settlement where a man This is not the place to argue this matter in detail, is forced to become an individual. But consider but I feel that when this claim is made it is meant the countries with the ancient religious cultures. really that the rites defined as patriotic, are more Hinduism has never been a religion only in the important than religion. It is the determination sense that it offered a religious consolation and of those who rule events in that empire to lay guidance to the individual; it has been a social down as the foundation of life the absolute accept- system and upon its precepts and governing ideas ance of the State. When you have that, then you a whole society rested. The word "caste" will may have your private religion – your sectarian suggest all that is. bound up in this statement. Or Shinto or your Buddhism or your Christianity.
again Islam has never been a reJi.gion in the nar- But that absoluteness of claim and of range which row sense; it has claimed to provide an under- we associate with religions is reserved for the standing of the whole of life. It has indeed been patriotic claim symbolized by the patriotic rite.
a boast of Moslem scholars. that Islam offered a It is therefore no matter for surprise that the synthesis of sacred and secular. But today we see Christian Church in these lands should be suspect.
exactly the same process of disintegration at I would only say here–for there are many things
THE MODERN CHALLENGE TO CHRISTIANITY
it is not expedient t.o say-that my own touch in .of economic forces, or a pawn in national policy, recent months with them left me with a clearer or that He is. in fact these and these alone. The and a more poignant sense of the meaning of the Christian faith, in basing man's dignity on God's Church in the modern world than I have ever had. love, offers the only ground on which that dignity and freedom can be maintained. Can we now gather up something of what this rough and most imperfect sketch suggests? Sec.ond, the Christian Church offers in the Christian fellowship something that transcends It is the inescapable and eternal paradox of the barriers of nations, race, and class. Where man's life that he cannot find peace within him- it fails to do this it is plainly false to itself; where self but only as. he returns to God. When he de~ it does this it is plainly true to itself and its parts from God-and even from the gods of the Founder. .old faiths of the East-he finds that the disorder of his life demands a commanding centre, and he Third, and here we touch the centre of the makes a god out of some part of his human endow- Christian struggle in our modern world, the ment-race and blood, or class, or nati.on. But Christian Church is a society not only human but that god not only leads him to war and strife and also divine, owing allegiance to God and pointing internecine feud, it demands also the total sub- beyond all human associations and loyalties, merging of the individual in the grQUp .or mass claims and obligations, t.o the unshared majesty or totality. of God and the absoluteness of His will, the pri- macy of His kingdom. The Christian asserts three things in opposition to this modern idolatry: First, we declare that In this struggle there is no East and West. It man is created by God, in His spiritual image, tQ is the peculiar significance of the Christian misdo His will in loving obedience, and that in the sionary movement that it symbolizes the univerpassion and death of Jesus Christ there is ex- sality of the Christian Church and provides the hibited the value that God set upon man. It is means whereby the older church can aid and not possible for Christians to agree that any .one, strengthen the younger in facing what is essenfor whom the Lord Jesus Christ was CQntent to tially and .universally a common task. die, should be a mere racial unit, or a plaything TRENDS IN MODERN MISSION WORK By THE REV. CORNELIUS H. PATTON, D.D.
Formerly Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
1. Transfer of leadership and ownership to the national Christians of each land at the earliest possible moment.
2. Recognition more fully .of the responsibility of governments and to cooperate with them in so far as fundamental Christian principles allow.
3. Efforts to encourage and conserve the values of indigenous religion and culture wher- ever found, seeking always to domesticate Christian ideals and institutions in the environment and tradition of each land.
4. Purpose to maintain, as may be necessary, the distinction between Christianity and so- called Christian civilization.
5. Interpretation of the Christian message in such a way as to make it applicable to the total life of a people.
6. Desire to make evangelism complete byemphasizing the Christ-spirit as the saving ele- ment in all processes of social improvement.
7. Stressing the improvement of rural communities as the special need of the hour.
8. Endeavors to offer motive and guidance in the effort to save the people of the East from the mistakes of the industrial order of the West.
9. Work for the consolidation of the Christian forces throughout the world.
10. In the selection and training of missionary personnel, insistence upon the highest de- gree of efficiency attainable. .
11. Preaching the eternal Gospel by word and in terms that men and women of this age will understand.
12. Attempts to find in the leadership and saving power of Christ the only hope of a dis- tressed and bewildered yet spiritually hungry world.
Sunday Schools Over the World*
By REV. ROBERT M. HOPKINS, D.D., New York Secretary of the World's Sunday School Association A S WE look over the world today it is increas- Word to the people than the Sunday School. Even .l'. ingly difficult to decide which nations may in the lands ""here antagonism to the Bible prebe called Christian and which are non- vails, Sunday School pupils grow up to have a Christian. Some lands that have had within their very keen appreciation of the Book. An illustra- borders a preponderance of people affiliated with tion will be helpful. In spite of the fact that the Christian Church are today following pro- Puerto Rico has the largest Sunday School enrol- cedures that are decidedly not Christian. Other ment of any Spanish-speaking area in the world, lands that have been known as, "heathen" are there is a distressing lack of copies of Spanish today conspicuous. for their forbearance and other Bibles throughout the Island. A little girl, whose Christian virtues under the most difficult circum- parents are affiliated with the Roman Church, stances. somehow found her way into an evangelical In lands that have been known as "heathen" Sunday School, and with the consent of her par- and where the Christian Church is young, and ents she became a regular attendant. As her the vast majority of the people have not as yet birthday approached, her father and mother pre- openly identified themselves with Christ, the Sun- pared a party, with invited guests and special day School 'is a great factor in the spread of the refreshments. When asked what present she de- Gospel and in Christian training. It is chal- sired most of all she said, "I want a copy of the lenging at the outset to learn that in Africa, Latin Bible." This request grew out of her attendance America and Asia the Sunday School is making at the Sunday School. Her parents discovered its greatest numerical advance today. In Africa to their amazement that they were unable to buy during the past fou.r years the Sunday School has a copy of the Bible in any of the regular book made more than half the net total gain of the stores, but she was not satisfied until a copy was entire world; South America came second. What procured. Thus the Word of God found an hon- are some of the reasons for such progress? ored place in an influential home that had hitherto First, the principal constituency of the Sunday not possessed a copy.
School is the children. Young people and adults Various kinds of related Christian literature mayor may not be enrolled in mission lands, ac- have also grown up with the Sunday School move- cording to whether the standards that prevail ment. Ofttimes in mission lands Lesson Helps have come from America or Great Britain. But were at first mimeographed copies of the patient everywhere the Sunday School serves the chil- work of some missionary. Frequently the surplus.
dren. Thus its contrihution is made in the plastic materials are sent from Sunday Schools in more period of life. A single illustration will suffice. favored lands. These are greatly in demand, par- In a Sunday School rally in Aleppo, Syria, chil- ticularly the colored picture charts and picture dren came from a wide variety of home back- cards. In the village of India, the forests. of Af- ground. When asked if any child wished to send rica, the crowded lands of Korea, especially in a message to the Sunday School children of the lands like the Philippines where English is known, world, a little lad arose and said in Arabic that such used materials are never sufficient to meet he wished to send the message : "We ought to love the demands. The street Sunday Schools in Egypt one another." This boy had been raised in a and Wayside Sunday Schools in other lands are Yezidee home where the basic doctrine is one of made possible by grouping the children for the hate, rather than love. He had learned the mes- first time about the picture rolls, and by giving sage of love in the Sunday School. out Httle picture cards.
A second reason is that the Sunday School is A recent report from China indicates that the concerned with the study of the Bible. Many National Committee for Christian Religious Edu- agencies are uniting to spread the Christian cation has published ever since the outbreak of Scriptures around the world, but none make their hostilities, a special Sunday School paper giving task more directly related to the teaching of God's simple teaching material for use in refugee camps.
• See Frontispiece. One copy of this publication has a picture of the r 402] soldier camp in the background, while a little National Committee for Christian Religious Education in China Chinese lad gives thanks for the bowl of rice of which he is about to partake. Thus,even in times Congo Protestant Council (Sunday School Committee for of war and distress, the children are taught to the Belgian Congo) thank God for the temporal blessings of life. Sunday School ASEOciation in Czechoslovakia Egypt and Sudan Sunday School Union Latin America has oeen one of the leaders in Esthonian Sunday School Union the development of indigenous Sunday School lit- India Sunday School Union erature. A graded series of lessons has been pre- National Sunday School Association of Japan pared, most of it written by Latin American au- Sunday School Association of Jugoslavia thors and largely published on presses in Mexico, Korea Sunday School Association Latvian Sunday School Union Puerto Rico, Argentina, Chile and other Latin Madagascar Sunday School Union fields. Brazil has also developed its Portuguese Concilio Nacional De Iglesias Evangelical (Mexico) literature, the demand for which has exceeded Bible Lands Union for Christian Education (Palestine, the Sunday School enrolment, since many outsiders are eager to have the lessons. Syria and Transjordania) Alianza Evangelica De Peru Philippine Committee of Christian Education The Sunday School has been greatly blessed as Sunday School Association of Poland a means for securing cooperation among the vari- Comrr.ittee on Christian Education of the Association of Evangelical Churches of Puerto Rico ous denominational churches. The World's Sun- National Christian Council of Siam day School Association is a federation of fiftyone national (or in a few instances international) We have not called the roll of the cooperating organizations each of which represents the organizations in lands where the work of the churches within a given area that desire to coop- churches has been long established. To include erate in Christian education. No ecumenical or- them would bring the number up to fifty-one con- stituent units of the World's Sunday ganization is more widely representative. In many School Association.
lands cooperation began in a An especially gratifying outreach of the Sunday School union. Sunday School movement has recently A recent visit to Cuba re- been witnessed in lands where the East- vealed the way this move- ern Orthodox churches have predominated.
ment is going forward. There Early approaches of West- is no organization there that ern missionaries were often brings Christian churches to- resented as proselytizing. In gether to consider their com- recent years the organization mon task. A conference held within the Orthodox church- in Havana upon the invita- es has opened new doors.
tion of the World's Sunday One of the first approaches School Association, resulted of the Sunday School was in a representative attend- SUNDAY SCHOOL BOYS IN INDIA made to the ancient Church ance from the seven evangel- of Armenia in the Near East.
ical churches. There was an outspoken desire to A loyal son of the Apostolic church, Levon Zenian, have some agency created that would enable them eager to serve his people, was introduced to the to work together in the task of Christian edu- Armenian prelates in 1929 and with their cordial cation. approval began the organization of Sunday The Sunday School has been thus at the very Schools. His work has been inspiring and has heart of cooperation in the Christian enterprise made· possible many new bonds of fellowship.
in many lands for half a century. It seems easier Within the Greek Orthodox Church the Zoe move- for Christian forces to unite for the Christian ment, stimulated in part by what was occurring education of their children and youth than in any in other Eastern churches, has resulted in the other Christian activity. This has been especially true in mission lands. Note this inspiring list of organization of many Sunday Schools in that organizations charged with responsibility for co- ancient body. Following the historic example of operation in the work of Christian education: Robert Raikes in Gloucester, England, the Greek Orthodox Sunday Schools were first limited to Council of Religious Education in North Africa (Algeria) boys, but recently they have included girls. The EI Comite De Cooperacion De Las Republicas De La Plata leaders of the Zoe movement are in cordial fellow- (Argentina-Paraguay-Uruguay) Conselho Evangelico De Educacion Religiosa De Brasil ship with Sunday School leaders of other churches Burma Sunday School Union and attended the last World's Sunday School Con- Ceylon Sunday School Union vention in Oslo, with the sanction of the Holy Comision De Educacion Religiosa Del Comite Consultor Synod. If a banner had been awarded at the Oslo De Cooperacion de Chile electronic file created by cafis. org
Convention to the city which reported the largest movement for religious education has been wiped proportionate gain in its Sunday School enrolment out. Also the totalitarian states in many parts of during the previous four years, that banner would Europe are now drastically retarding the growth have gone to Athens. . of the Sunday School. In America the growing Another very vital contribution to Christian spirit of secularism has likewise slowed down the progress in mission lands has been through the rate of previous progress, while in Great Britain, pioneering of World Sunday School Conventions. where the modern Sunday School had its origin, Twelve of these world .gatherings have been held losses rather than gains· are recorded. It is rein the past fifty years and each was widely repre- markable that, in the face of such adverse condisentative of the Sunday Schools in many nations. tions, there has been gain at all around the world. Three World Conventions have been pioneers in their respective lands-Jerusalem in 1904 in the This has been due to the so-called non-Christian Near East, Tokyo in 1920 in the Far East, and lands. In ~_me Latin American countries the Rio de Janeiro in 1932 in Latin America. These Sunday School enrolment has doubled within four representative gatherings of Christian leaders years. This movement is thus proving to be the from around the world have made great contributions to the lands visited. For the fourth time the medium whereby there is achieved a continued net gain of the total movement in behalf of Chris- tian education around the world today. .
Movement is proposing to pioneer with the first representative world gathering of Christian lead- ALL HAIL TO THE WOMEN! ers on the continent of Africa. The next World's The Central Committee on the United Study of Sunday School Convention is announced for Durban, South Africa, July 22 to 28, 1940. Thus one Foreign Missions This remarkable organization of women for the promotion of the study of foreign missions and the publication of missionary literature was or- ganized at the time of the Ecumenical Conference in New York in 1900. Now, after thirty-eight years of very effective service, it has closed its work of pUblication (July 1) and has turned it over to the Missionary Education Movement, with which the Central Committee has been cooperat- ing. Miss Abbie B. Child was the first chairman of the Committee. Mrs. Peabody, one of the or- ganizers, was the efficient chairman of this Com- mittee for thirty years. Miss M. H. Leavis has been the agent for the literature and is largely re- A SUNDAY SCHOOL IN LAPAZ, BOLIVIA sponsible for its successful business operation.
century after Livingstone left Scotland to make Other women leaders who have been very active his first momentous journey to the then almost include-Mrs. John T. Gracey, Miss Margaret unknown Dark Continent, a pilgrimage is planned Hodge, Mrs. Helen B. Montgomery, Mrs. Fredin which thousands of Christian workers from erick G. Platt and Miss Gertrude Schultz (the many lands will trek to Africa, now the continent most recent chairman). The Committee has pubwith the largest actual gain in Sunday School lished forty-eight senior textbooks, besides hymadvance of them all. nals, junior and kindergarten books and a chil- dren's magazine Everyland. The total number of We must not overlook the contribution which Committee books sold number 3,770,947 copies. the spread of the movement in mission lands is Three of the textbooks have been translated into making to the Christian cause ata time when in one or more of the following languages: Chinese, so many parts of the world Christianity seems to Japanese, Tamil, Urdu and German. The books be retrograding. The report for the last Conven- published by this Committee form a remarkable tion, held in Oslo in 1936 (gathered by World missionary library, covering practically the whole Dominion Movement at the request of the World's world, viewed as a Christian mission field.
Sunday School Association), was in many ways the most comprehensive review of Sunday School In one New York public school a recent religious census progress ever compiled. It showed a total Sun- showed that out of 457 "Protestant" pupils only 33 had day School enrolment for the world of 37,285,519. religious instruction in any church school. The New York This is a net gain of 894,579 over the report for Federation of Churches estimates that only one-half of the previous quadrennium. At the same time it the children of the city are receiving any religious train-. should be remembered that in Russia the entire ing under church auspices-Protestant, Roman Catholic or Jewish.
Practical Value of Missions to Pastors*
By PROF. ARCHIBALD G. ADAMS t Chair of World Religions and Missions, Temple University Philadelphia .nA.S A MISSIONARY for twelve years, bO'rn with preachers who are mostly underpaid, as they and bred and almost buried in the mission- see money gQing for unseen, unappreciated needs ary tradition and purpose, I am vitally interested in interesting young ministers in mis- elsewhere while their O'wn needs are sO' painfully sions, even more than I am in securing new re- present and felt. As prQtagonists. O'f the missioncruits for WQrld service. It is a difficult task, and ary cause, they are defenceless against the critifor several reasons. First there is the depressiO'n cisms O'f their people whO' seek every excuse to which has driven many churches tQrO'b Paul, the escape gIvmg. Thus they endanger their popmissionary, to pay Peter, the preacher. An Epis- ularity by supporting missions. copal Bishop was visiting the rector in one O'f the parishes of his diQcese, and as he left his auto- Moved by these conditions and cO'nsiderations it has been my purpose to' be as practical as posmobile he carefully lO'cked it. The rector ex- sible in ,presenting the .subject to my classes in claimed, "You don't need to' lock your car arO'und Temple University. I recall the resentment I felt here, Bishop, we're all honest." "I'm not sO' sure in college on being compelled to take courses that of that," replied the Bishop, "hasn't your church seemed of nO' possible use to me in my life work, been taking the missionary money for current ex- and the joy I experienced in the theological sempenses?" inary because all my studies were more or less geared into my preparation for service. There- SecO'nd, the effects of the Laymen's inquiry re- fQre it has been my intention to present the subport, "Rethinking Missions." Its unfortunate ject of missiQns in the most practical way in order publicity played up the failures of missionary work and soft-pedalled the successes. to' meet the O'bjectiO'ns to' missions and to' meet the need of ,pastors for information and training in Third, the keen competition in the ministry, missionary sermQn preparation. compelling young seminary students to bend every effort to prepare themselves for the demands of The Need for Information About Missions the pastorate, leaves, little time for so unrelated an interest as world missions. From my experience in teaching missions to As a pastor fO'r eleven years, I can sympathize high school students I did not expect to find much with the difficulties pastQrs experience in interesting their people in a subject on which the pas- knowledge of the subject on the part of seminary tors themselves are very slightly informed, and often greatly misinformed. There is hardly a students, but I was not prepared to find so little. subject on which the O'rdinary pastO'r feels it his None had ever heard of Adoniram Judson and duty to preach, or is compelled by his church rules to preach, which he finds SO' hard, dry and lifeless O'nly a few had heard of David Livingstone! At as the missiQnary sermQn. This attitude is naturally reflected in the sermon, and his people come least there would be novelty in the subject for the to' share his attitude. Then, too, in these days, O'f reduced income, one cannQt help sympathizing students, and their surprised delight at finding the subject so interesting was most encouraging.
Their need for information has been met in my classes in the following ways: (1) The history of missions has been made in- teresting by likening it to' a Prayer Rosary. This is an appropriate figure because most religions • CQndensed frQm a paper read at a HartfQrd Seminary CQnfer- use rosaries and the Prayer Rosary is a way by ence Qf ProfessQrs Qf MisslQns, 1938. which Christians have been helping to answer t the'Ir prayer: "Thy KI' ngdom, Corne."The lI'nks TahnQdugfhorI mhaanvye tyaeuagrhs t haadvuelttaBuigbhlet cmlaissssieQsnsmOinore ytQhuanng hpaeIQt pmle'ys f the ChaI'n h ave b een supplI' ed'In the connectI' ng life, 0 summer assemblies, I dQ nOot pretend tOo be a specialist In the field facts of each periQd Qf histQry; each student has Qf teaching. I Qwe my apPQintment tOo the Chair of WOorld RellgiQns and MissiQns at Temple University tOo the fact that I have spent a supplied a pearl in the chain, each pearl being the quarter of a century Qn the fQreign mission field, half as a bQY receiving vivid impressiOons Oof Qld China, and later as a missiOonary critical and atpapkreenciaf trQivme recponosret couft. Itvhee lip. feerloofdssomI.ne fQr 12 years tOo Western China, the rapidly changing China Oof tQday. mi"SSIQnary I attacked my new task at Temple University in the same way in Church history. These reports were read in class which I apprQach this subject, nQt as a specialist in educatiQn, careful tOo Qbserve the laws Oof pedagQgy, but as a missiQnary first, f::dt';~ N~ini~~k ~~~~~:~t!~.~~~ g~sl.eleven years have been spent [405 ]
at their chronological place in history. Each source of great satisfaction. One actually bought report of from 2,500 to 3,000 words covered the for his own library everyone of the eight mis- following points: a brief outline of the mission- sionary books assigned for his reading, after he ary's life; the influences which led him to enlist had read the library copies.. Of Morrow's life and his preparations for service; a description of Judson, entitled "Splendor of God," another of the most worth-while accomplishment of the student wrote in his review, "Thank you for put- missionary ; criticism of the least praiseworthy ting this on the required reading list. It is abso- missionary methods and attitudes; the suitability lutely the most -inspiring and gripping book I ever of his message in the light of present-day stand- read." Another said that missionary biographies ards; lastly, a portrayal of the most inspiring and "had so stimulated his thirst for more" that he impressive characteristics of the missionary. was reading biographies which had not been as- As far as possible each student chose the mis- signed, duri~_ his vacation, for pleasurable in- sionary he preferred; only a few had to take sec- spiration. .Another outstanding senior enthused ond choices. At each of our two-hour sessions over Brockman's "I Discover the Orient," saying throughout the semester a paper was read, taking that it had opened a window to better understand- about half an hour. In spite of a limited mission- ing and appreciation of the Chinese. A serious- ary library, by the end of the semester the stu- minded student wrote: "The life of Adoniram dents had come to know about sixty home and Judson by his son, Edward Judson, challenged me foreign missionaries, half of them thoroughly. with the question, would I be willing to serve They were assigned readings in other missionary Christ at such sacrifice? I thank God for having biographies, besides their individual assignments. read this book, and hope that if such a command (2) The students' need for information was comes I will be found in His will and not my own."
also met by the study of some fourteen mission- Yet another student laughingly declared that he ary magazines. They had to appraise these mag- always left his mission assignments to the last, azines, and classify, giving their reasons. Then because his weariness of mind and flesh from as- they described an ideal magazine that they be- signments in other courses would always be dis- lieved would meet all needs. In this way they in- pelled by the inspiration in his miss,ionary read- directly gleaned much information and learned ing. He would retire refreshed in body, mind and where more could be secured. The examination soul ~rom the stirring information he had secured.
called for a letter to the editor of each student's After making due allowance for a desire to get denominational periodical, making criticisms and a good grade, the character of students making suggestions. such testimonies, convince me that missions, if (3) Information was also imparted through given half a chance, can be made most interesting the eye-gate, both by the professor's own stereop- and inspiring. But the subject must find good ticon slides and, in one course, by the missionary soil in which to bear fruit. It is usually the most slides secured from various denominational head- intelligent, earnest and slerious-minded students quarters, the students delivering the lectures who respond most enthusiastically to the appeal themselves during the first half hour, followed by of the heroic in missions.
criticisms from other students. We must let missions slpeak for themselves in (4) For one course that presented "A minis- the following ways: ter's brief for world missions," information was (1) Reading good biographies of missionaries. provided in lectures and by 'assigned readings.. (2) Reading stories and bi,ographies of native (5) In the course on a "Critique of Modern converts to Christ. Bishop Frederick B. Fisher, in Missions," based on the Laymen's Report, a criti- his testimony to ministers of Buffalo at their ancal judgment was developed to evaluate informa- nual retreat some years ago, said: "When I went tion, and data on the outstandingly successful to India as a missi,onary my heroos were all ,of my missionary enterprises was given to the students own race: Livingstone, Carey and Judson. Now through missionary periodicals. my Christian her,oes are of another race: men In these five ways much information has been like Kagawa of Japan,and Sadhu Sundar Singh supplied in interesting ways. of India, and Sun Yat-sen of China."
The Students' Need for Inspiration (3) Many stories of missionary heroism and sacrifice were gleaned from the lives of my own To save missions from its reputation of being parents and other missionaries I have known.
one of the dryest subjects taught in seminaries it There are books like "Waste Basket Surgery" by was with no little concern that I undertook' to Dr. Gordon Seagrave.
make the subject inspiring to our School of The- (4) A study of Christ's missionary spirit, ology students. That most of them found the teaching and practice as the minister's chief missions courses unexpectedly inspiring was a source of inspiration.
THE PRACTICAL VALUE OF MISSIONS TO PASTORS
The Pastor's Need for Missionary Defence JudsQn's challenge to missionary effort, they grew by leaps and bounds until today they are 90 times At the outset of a course entitled "The Minis- as great (9,000,000) in a little over 100 years. ter's Brief for World Missions," the class was We read that in the Baptist churches in Lincoln's asked to bring in all the criticisms they have home town in Illinois, the majQrity refused to supheard in opposition to WQrld missions. These port foreign missions. Today thQse anti-missionwere met as fully and frankly as possible; then ary-minded churches are practically dead, while a series .of lectures followed which aimed to do the missionary minded churches have over 50,000 two things.: (1) to provide the students with the members in .one ass.ociation. most convincing arguments for maintaining world missions; and (2) to provide them with the foun- What would Sunday school teachers do without dation supports fQr a year's series of monthly ser- missionary stories? mons, which, with topical variations, could last them for a life time. Grenfell's mother was right when she said: "Labrad.or has doOne much more for my son than In selecting the eight most cogent arguments my son has done f.or the Labrad.or." for missions I am aware of what my friend Guy W. Sarvis, formerly a missionary in China, writes If there were no missions in the Christian in his review of Sewell's "China Through a, College Window." There Sarvis says: "The time Church we would have to invent s.omething like has passed to defend missions on the basis of Biblical texts and abstract ethics. They must be them to keep the Church alive and growing. evaluated for their worth to the persons and communities. directly involved as well as for their (3) Because we owe a debt to the past t.O pass significance in international relations at a time on the Gospel to the future. A mother and child, when the world is contracting physically in in East Aurora, New York, attended a missionary airplane tempo, while doctrines of national sep- service. When the mother put nothing in the colaratism are supplanting the ideal of human broth- lection basket, the child said: "Mother, aren't you erhood. The missionary process is essentially one going to pay for me?" Could that mother ever pay of the impingement of cultures, inevitable in the for her Christian home, husband, church, land and modern world, good or bad in terms of concrete Gospel? Never, yet someone had to pay! "The effects." noble army, men and boys, the matIlon and the maid," martyrs and pioneers, all the way back to While we attempt to apply this truth we do not the Cross, where the greatest price was paid, tesabandon the authority of the Bible as part of the tify that "We are not our own; we have been defense of missions, because in the rightly selected bought with a price." G€neral Pershing, when passages we find the support which Jesus Christ he laid the wreath at Lafayette's tomb in France, gave to world missions in spirit, teaching and said, "Lafayette, we are here." Should we not practice. Hence the first argument, practically say to the dead champions of the faith, pioneer the only Biblical one, is: missionaries who gave their all, to Christ and to spread the Gospel we now enjoy: "Pioneers, (1) Because Jesus taught and practised world we are here" ! missions. In this lecture the student is shown, in some cases for the first time, how Jesus gave much (4) Because the sacrifices of missionaries must of His time and effort to preaching to the Gentiles not be in vain. Using the theme of Col. John Mcof His own country. As He was almost lynched Crae's poem: "In Flanders Field": by fellow townsfolk because He said He was going to preach to the Gentiles owing to the Jewish To you from failing hands we throw the Torch; Be yours to hold it high! indifference and unresponsiveness, so the preacher If ye break faith with us who die of today, to be truly like his Master, must expect We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders field. to meet opposition from unenlightened fellow Christians to the world missionary program. But We read of heroic sacrifices of missionaries, of we must not, for that reason, desist from earnest missionary mothers, missionary children, of pareffort to spread the Gospel. ents at h.ome who have given their children for foreign service; sacrifices.of devoted Christians (2) Because the Christian Church needs world in the h.ome churches, to supp.ort missionaries. missions to keep it Christ-like and growing, by the As Paul said: "I .take pleasure in necessities for challenge of a great task, such as world missions Christ's s·ake." If soldiers, explorers, and scienpresents. "They who live unto themselves, die tists are ready to make sacrifices f.or their coununto themselves." TQ deny is to die, to give is try, why should we not be ready to sacrifice for to live. This is true of churches as of individuals. Christ? Baptists in 1818 numbered only 158,000. But, mainly because .of the spiritual effect of accepting (5) Because we should give of our best to atone for the w.orst we have given. Review of the his- tory of the white man's invasions of colored races -American Indian; African slave trade; parti- tion of Africa; Mexican conquest by Spaniards;
South American conquest; the occupation of In- lined in the previous. headings) so that they can dia, Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of repeat the main theme with variations made effec- Oceania; the semi-partition of China. Albert tive by fresh illustrations. These can be obtained Schweitzer of Africa says: "A heavy guilt rests from missionary magazines. More than forty stu- upon our Christian culture," and he adds that he dents voluntarily took out a year's SUbscription to is there to try to make some atonement. a missionary magazine, and have been enthusiastic (6) Because those who sit in darkness deserve readers of it.
to share in the light of the world. Multitudes Popular magazines also sometimes supply mis- earnestly follow what light they have, though this sionary stories and articles. These are at work is often superstition; many have an earnest in minds of people who never read a missionary hunger for the truth; they are ready to make magazine. Missionary books, especially biog- sacrifices for their own religions; they suffer raphies of nY.ssionaries, are a fertile source of through ignorance, superstition, and wrong. The inspiring illustrations-stories of work, stories of least we can do is to share with them the greater converts, the products of missions. Other good light we have from Christ. missionary literature can be secured from denom- (7) Because when they have the light non- inational headquarters.
Christian peoples often rn,a,ke the best Christians. The suggestion is also made that five minutes While it is all that American Christians can do to may profitably be devoted during the Sunday get an hour or two of religious programs a day morning service to reports on missionary events over the air, the Chinese Christians of Shanghai and progress, under some such title as, "The March have their own broadcasting station and fill the of Missions" or "News Not in the Newspapers."
air with Christian messages all day long. If made brief and pointed, such a feature will edu- (8) Because the kingdom of G,od cannot come cate and inspire the congregations.
fully anywhere until it comes everywhere, and it Good missionary drama is immensely effective, cannot be accomplished without the help of Chris- and suggestions are made as to ways in which this tians of every race and nation. America could can be used. Lists of recommended missionary not be kept "dry" under prohibition, largely be- drama (one is by Rev. La Rue Cober of Colgate cause of wet Canada to the north and Mexico to Rochester Divinity School, Rochester, N. Y.) are the south, and wetter Europe across the Atlantic, distributed to the students and they or their wives so no land can ever beoome fully Christian until urged to try their hands at similar drama. every land has accepted Christ and His way of life. As Lloyd George said to Stanley High: "If The Need for Example and Practice missions fail, the rest of us will have to shut up shop!" , The seminary chapel furnishes an opportunity for the students to hear missionary speakers, as The Need for Missionary Ammunition examples of how (as well as, how not) to preach "The best defence is an offence," militarists tell on mISSIons. One speaker, using stereopticon us. The preacher needs ammunition for mission- slides, unsllspectingly furnished a good opportu- ary sermons and guidance in dropping his bombs. nity for the students to criticize pro and con, in The strategy of the Trojan horse is a wise prece- the light of their class training.
dent for the .general who would take the enemy of Only practice makes perfect. The practice pro- missions unawares. When one student started vided for the students was in sermon construction, his sermon with the bald statement: "This is a and in presentation of missionary lectures with missionary sermon," he was warned that he had stereopticon pictures in the classroom, and sermon made a tactical error before he had a chance to delivery in their own churches.
be heard. Opponents of missions close their ears Sermon construction was after this manner.
and hearts at the outset, while others need not be The professor assigned missionary books on told. The "Trojan horse strategy" is to iriter- which sermons were to be written, then to be sperse sermons with int~resting missionary illus- preached by those students who were supplying trations, occasionally at first, until an appetite for pulpits. Thus they "killed two birds with one such food has been stimulated, and a demand is stone," a feat which students alw'ays appreciate.
created for missionary sermons. Then give mis- Those students who had churches where they sionary sermons attractive, catchy titles, such as could preach the sermons prepared in class, re- Modern Miracles of the Master; Good News from ported impressions made upon their congrega- Far Countries; Saddle-Bay Surveyors of the tions.
Kingdom; Jesus the First World Missionary; At the beginning of each two-hour class half an Are Christians Color Blind? hour was given to stereopticon lectures by the Students are urged to collect clippings and students two at a time, each taking turns prac- notes on each of the arguments for missions (out- ticing the mechanics of running a stereopticon
RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS OF A MIDWEST CITY
lantern, andgIvmg the message. At the close sermons, because they have information and inthe students criticized the presentation and the spiration, and confidence in their ability to put mechanics, before the professor made his contri- the message across. bution. One of the examination questions called for a list of instructions as to the physical, mental Great encouragement to this method of teachand spiritual preparation for the presentation of ing missions comes from the fact that one student missionary lectures to guide the novice. Students was so much interested in his study of the history were also asked to criticize the quality of mission- of missions in the Caribbean islands (on which no ary lectures supplied by their denominational book has been written so that no little research headquarters, and to compose a letter to the au- on his part was necessary) that he submitted a thorities making suggestions. master's thesis, illustrated with handmade maps of every Caribbean island. The assignment had Thus the students are helped to become efficient been for a 3,000 word paper, and the student had in the presentation of missionary material so that not yet graduated. To have aroused such interest they will no longer dread that duty but will look in a missionary subject is one indication that the forward with pleasure to preaching missionary methods work.
Religious Problems of a Midwest City By REV. L. MERLE RYMPH, Wichita, Kansas President of the Ministerial Association and Minister of the Fairmount Community Church, CongregatiQnal W HAT are the religious problems of a Mid- Street and Douglas Ave. According to the story west city? Even a superficial study of of pioneers, Douglas Avenue became the prized facts, made by a casual observer, would business and residence street by a mere chance reveal a series of religious problems in a city like circumstance, in that the cowboy surveyor who Wichita, Kansas. These problems grow out of flung his rope across Douglas Ave. used a 114-foot five contributing social factors: (1) the rapid rope instead of a 100-foot rope as intended. Be growth of the city, (2) the missionary zeal and that as it may, this prairie city developed as most optimism of its pioneer founders, (3) the rapid prairie cities tend to develop in the form of a shift of its population from an agricultural econ- "cross" with the original business center at the omy and life to an urban economy and life, (4) the intersection. Douglas Avenue, being the wider secularization of its common life, and (5) the ex- and more beautiful street, attracted the more perience of chastened optimism during the more desirable business and residential development.
recent depression years. Main Street became the center of industrial de- I velopment north and south, as well as the center of the less desirable business and residential de- In less than seventy years the virgin praIrIe velopment. That fact has had its bearing today has been overlaid with a city population of 117,000 on the types of churches and the success of church residents. In the year 1867 the spot on which the developments in the various sectors of the city.
city of Wichita now stands was vis,ited by a corps In considering the city's phenomenal growth, of government surveyors. and this territory was it is well to remember that the city's growth to a laid out in government homesteads, laying the large extent has been the result of the develop- foundation for the rigid pattern of the City's north ment of the Southwest trade territory. The trade and south, east and west streets. The shallow territory in a very real sense made the city. In ford and the grove of cottonwood trees at the 1871,·800,000 cattle were driven through this city intersection of the Little Arkansas and the Big to the nearest market. When the Santa Fe Rail- Arkansas Rivers was a normal meeting place and road was extended to Wichita in 1872, two mil- trading center for homesteaders. In the year lion dollars changed hands in Wichita in the ship- 1870 the two original town plots, laid out by two ping of cattle. In the next few years most of the pioneers, Munger and Griifensteing, were joined immediate trade territory was homesteaded. By and incorporated as the city of Wichita, fixing the 1885 the Board of Trade in Wichita was adver- two main business streets of the city as Main tising the southwest territory, as "the cream of
the Southwest, . its land as rich as the plains As evidence of the underchurched situation that of Belgium, its breezes laden with the perfume is ours, I submit some facts revealed in a study of wild flowers and apple blossoms as sweet as of Week-Day Religious Education in Wichita as ever blew over Ceylon's isle, . . . its corn fields made by the Board of Week-Day Religious Edustretching mile on mile, which will ere long be cation in the year 1935. That year 10,950 elekeeping rhythmic time to those breezes." Such mentary children were eligible to attend W. D. optimism, such faith in the Southwest, such busi- R. E. schools in the churches, for one hour one day each week. Of these 10,950 elementary chilness and commercial enterprise set the stage for dren that were eligible for such instruction, only the rapid development of the Southwest and in 5,371 were in public schools adjacent to churches turn the rapid growth of the city itself. It is that were able and willing to offer facilities and against this background of individual enterprise, leadership f~. such instruction. Five thousand agricultural and business advance, that the five hundred and seventy-nine other elementary churches of Wichita have functioned until recent children were enrolled in public elementary years. schools either not adjacent to churches or adjacent What has the rapid development of the South- to churches not able and willing to offer this inwest, and the rapid growth of the city, meant to struction to these children. The proportion of the the church life of Wichita? It has reflected itself children that should rightfully be looked upon as in the mood of the churches. The churches expect a Protestant opportunity and responsibility is to grow. They expect to be fed continuously by the transfer of members from the great Southwest indicated by the fact that of the 5,371 who had -hence the success of those churches in the South- the privilege of attending W. D. R. E. in adjacent west as feeders into the church life of Wichita has churches, able and willing to offer them instrucbeen of no small consequence. The churches like- tion, 4,032 accepted the opportunity offered them. wise have expected the wealth of the Southwest The lowest percentage attending from any public to transfer itself to Wichita and express itself in school where the privilege was offered was 84% the building of great churches here. The wealth of cattle, and wheat, and oil has been a major con- and the highest percentage 96 %. These pertributing factor to the financial prestige of many of· our city churches, and not a single established centages indicate the measure of Protestant opchurch continues to function today entirely inde- portunity in Wichita, if only Protestantism was pendent of the wealth of Wichita's trade territory. organized and eager to serve the city, i. e., if the city was adequately churched. In the number of churches that have been founded in Wichita and in the number of Prot- I know that there are those that argue that estant sects and churches that are endeavoring to such things as Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, and W. D. continue to serve the city, it would appear that R. E. are not necessary features of the church much of the religious faith, so expressed, has been program. I know that there are those who still ill-advised. With the hopeful expectancy that fol- contend that a Sunday church program is suffilows pioneer individual enterprise, Protestant cient. Let me call attention to the fact that Sunchurches were established throughout Wichita day School attendance is not sufficient. I have with reckless abandon. Today we have, accord- only the figures on Sunday School enrolments at ing to the Saturday Church Page, 114 Protestant hand, and could only make a guess as to the regchurches and sects trying to serve the city. The ularity of Sunday School attendance. I would omit the wild guess in favor of the hard, known city may be, as some claim, 80 % Protestant re- facts. The study made in 1935 previously referred to also reveals the fact that throughout the city sponsibility, nevertheless, it would appear that it the average percentage of elementry school chilis beyond reason to expect 114 churches to accrue dren enrolled in Sunday School is only 58ro, the sufficient leadership and financial strength to adequately serve the needs of city people. Many of greatest percentage in any sector being 63 % and the churches are so weak and feeble that whole areas are unserved by the Boy Scout and Girl the lowest being 44 %. . Certainly these percent- Scout organizations. Many other churches make no attempt to set up Week-Day Schools of Reli- ages leave a clear picture of the underchurching gion because they feel themselves too weak in of Wichita by our present program of Sunday leadership and financial resources. Still other religious education through our Sunday Schools churches carryon very inadequate and low-grade in these 114 churches. Sunday programs of religious education and worship. Wichita is now underchurched because it A study of the relative childhood responsibiliis overchurched with inadequate church organiza- ties of neighborhood, subcenter, and downtown tions. churches is still more revealing. The same study referred to in the above paragraphs reveals that it took four downtown churches with a total mem- bership of 8,900 to care for 1,284 pupils in the Week-Day Schools of Religion. The study also
shows the fact tha.t at the same time three sub- ties. Right now the sense of competition exceeds center residential churches with a total member- the sense that is ours of cooperation in meeting ship of 1,750 were caring for 341 pupils in Week- our common religious civic responsibility. Day Religious Education. More surprising still is the revelation we find in the studies referred to, The Influence of Sectarianism that three outlying re!>idential churches of 1,400 total membership were supplying Week-Day Here one may face frankly the heritage that is ours of our frontier missionary zeal in the Religious Education facilities for 601 pupils. establishment of denominational and sectarian Certainly the cost of Week-Day Religious Educa- churches. On the Saturday Church Page of the tion and the leadership of these schools is not Wichita Eagle the 114 Protestant congregations very equitably divided in the system of W. D. R. E. are listed under 36 different denominational and as it now stands in Wichita. I understand that sectarian captions. I suspect that this listing since 1935 two of the downtown churches have minimizes the actual number of sectarian groupaccepted the responsibility of helping finance and ings. Protestantism in every city has its myriad types of churches and Wichita is no exception. promote schools in outlying unserved districts. All home mission boards in the early days were Yet only one-half of our elementary children are offered these opportunities of religious instruc- eager "to possess the land" and to gain their tion. Surely no one will deny the fact that a greater statesmanlike churchmanship must be ex- rightful place in this metropolitan center. A pressed if Wichita children are to be offered this study of the Saturday Church Page reveals that minimum of religious instruction. the individual with the most rare and sensitive taste should be able to find the congregation of In a Midwest city like Wichita, all churches his choice here. We have our defenders of the are accessible to the adult population on Sundays. faith and we have churches' most tolerant and lib- From the most distant outlying point the down- eral. We have rigid sectarian churches and we town sector can be reached by bus in 15 minutes have churches that practice intercommunion as and by car in 12 minutes. The Sunday program well as open communion. We have our highly liof churches then is highly competitive and. each turgical churches and our non-liturgical churches. church finds itself in real, though friendly com- We have national cultural churches transplanted petition with every other church in the city. The from European scenes and we have typical Amerbigger downtown churches have the prestige of ican churches. We have country churches that years, of central location, of greater numerical have merely moved to town and we have highly and financial strength, and of a more highly paid ,adapted city churches. We have the more regular staff. The outlying residential church has the typ,es of Protestant churches like Methodist, Bappower of neighborhood appeal, the social power tist, Presbyterian, Congregational, etc., and we of contiguous and intimate family and age-group have a more or less irregular list including Penterelationships, and the warm spiritual appeal of costal, Tabernacle, Mission, Spiritualist, The- osophy and Unity. We have churches that insist intimate understandings. The subcenter residen- on being known as Trinitarian and one that above tial churches, many of them, face the area of all things is' Unitarian. Then beyond Protestantgreatest human need as' indicated by juvenile de- ism are the seven Roman Catholic churches and linquency, transciency, low rents and divisive the one central Roman Catholic Cathedral. Bereligious competitions. Having served for 11 yond this the two Jewish synagogues, the orthoyears as pastor of the Fairmount Community Con- dox and the liberal, with which some measure of gregational Church, a residential church five miles fellowship exists through the local Round Table from the heart of the city, I am most familiar of the National Conference of Jews and Chriswith the adaptations that such a church must tians. make, majoring in its community responsibilities The problem of fellowship and cooperation in throughout the week, without minimizing those such a myriad situation at times becomes a most opportunities that remain for intensive religious baffling one. Some of the more recept questions work on Sunday. For my own part, I ch,eri@the that ,ha:v/il come up in cooperative church fellowspiritual heritage that is ours of religious''iree- ship cit.cles are these: "How can church groups dom, with the right of people to worship and;;erve work odt an effective cooperative publicity and wh.en and where they choose; but I do hope t.hat promotioriprogram?" "Just what churches should along with recognition of that freedom as Prot- be represented in the Council of Churches-more s,pecificalIy, are churches such as "The Reorganestants we can so enhance our sense of shared ized Church of the Latter Day Saints" and "The social and religious responsibility that the needs Unitarian Church" sufficiently like-minded and of residential, subcenter, and downtown churches alike in faith and practice to be welcomed into the will be adequately met, that these several types of churches may fulfil their God-given responsibili-
fellowship of these already in the Council?" churches which were thriving churches in 1888 "Just how far and in what way should the Prot- were so depleted in 1892 that the only way they estant ministerial group share its fellowship with could see their way clear to carryon was to merge the Liberal Jewish Rabbi, who is most fraternal their forces into one church. Some churches have and eager for greater fraternity?" "What part been left stranded, located in the center of illshall Protestantism play in championing the reli- advised real estate ventures that failed to work gious rights. of minority religious culture groups ?" out. Other churches have been made by being Finally this most perplexing modern problem: located in the center of rapidly developing resi- "How can the radio time offered by the two broad- dential territory. In the main all those churches casting stations be most equitably and effectively located in good time in the heart of the "city divided among the various religious groups within cross," north and south, east and west, have the city?" If the reader of this, article is inclined grown by leaps and bounds regardless of their to feel that these questions have no real signifi- denomination~t affiliation. The only churches to cance, it would be well to sit in on some of the exceed them in growth have been those first estabconferences where these items· are inadvertently lished and centrally located downtown near the and unexpectedly brought to the fore for solution. heart of the business sector. Location means Here they must be faced as factual and emotional much to a church. Nowhere is this more evident realities. Sometimes the emotional factor is the than in a growing city like Wichita, with its varymajor factor. The religious problems that now ing types of residential and industrial developcome to a focus in this post-home missionary ex- ment schemes. pansion period are the problems that arise out of the Babel of sectarians that insist on their rights Just a word about the mind-set of the people of being heard on the city's streets, yet are more who move from the farms to Wichita, for to a or less desirous of finding their unity of expres- very large extent the city is made up of those who sion with others at the point of common under- have moved here from its trade territory. The standing and purpose. population is homogeneous and, for the most part, native American stock. Some come from the rural The Changing City Populations area, crowded off of the farms either by the mech- anization of those farms or because of the fact In dealing with the religious. problems that that the families have been too large for homearise from a shift from an agricultural economy stead farms to support all members generation and life to an urban economy and life, many things after generation. They come to Wichita full of come to my mind, but I shall limit this treatise expectancy and hope, expecting to be absorbed in merely to those problems which arise out of real the industrial and commercial life of the city. estate promotion schemes and those that appear Many of them do find their permanent place in the in the mind-set of the city man, recently trans- work life of the community. Some rise to high planted from the rural to the urban scene. places in civic and religious leadership. Others are absorbed in the city's industrial and commer- When one begins to study the different real estate promotion schemes that have had their day cial activities for a time only. Many are "let out" in Wichita, one begins to suspect that at least in at 45 and younger. Then it is that the sense of this respect Wichita has just grown up "like lostness and conscious maladjustment seizes them Topsy." Many subdivisions of the city have been and they suffer severe disillusionments, growing sanely promoted and have come as a normal result out of their own false hopes and the inadequacies of the demands of a growing city. Charts made of our modern city civilization in making perfor the city planning commission as early as 1923 manent room for them. One could not catalogue indicate some 23 different city plots that were the personal, the home, the social and the spirannexed, undeveloped, tax delinquent, and va- itual difficulties that the alert pastor must face in cated. Since that time many of these have been the fulfilment of his day-by-day pastoral duties, reannexed and developed as residential sectors. ministering to city dwellers today. The burst of the real estate boom in 1887 was purely a resultant of wild land speculation that One tremendous opportunity that the city brought a stalemate to city growth for ten years. church has today is the religious opportunity of Fifty church fammes from one church group influencing various professional groups through alone moved their residence from Wichita to the channels of religious inspiration and counsel. Eureka because they thought it offered more se- This seems to be the growing edge of the church's curity for their religious colony, and a more per- responsibility in civic life. So much of the work manent location for a denominational school of the Christian pastor in these days must be done center. The church of which I am now pastor as a professional religious adviser on the city came into being in those years, when two young streets and in the marketplace. Jesus found the condition quite different in the temple of Jeru-
RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS OF A MmWEST CITY
salem and on the streets of the Holy City from inadvertently. Adults are caught today in the what it was on the plains of Palestine and along throes of diversified and competitive Sunday pulls, the quiet shores of Galilee. The city pastor today, until Sunday for many has become a nightmare, likewise, finds the demands of the city quite dif- instead of a day of rest and worship. Schools, ferent from that of the more distinctly rural field. particularly universities, tend more and more to Religious work in the city must be adapted to the use Sunday for extras such as rehearsals, open highly specialized interests represented in city house and public concerts. Recreational groups life. The churchman in the city must face with and institutions, particularly those heavily com- courage and vision the demands of the city and mercialized, make their appeal more and more to adapt the work of his organization to the meeting Sunday crowds. Certain industries and commer- of those apparent spiritual needs, if the church of cial enterprises feel that they must open Sundays, the city is to have transforming and redemptive and the fact that people, including some church power. The city religious worker, today, who is people, patronize these businesses would indicate true to his trust, will face fearlessly as Jesus did that there is a public demand for Sunday open- the clannishness, the bigotries, and the self-suffi- ing. Then as a more recent development is the ciencies of privileged city classes, as his Master growing practice of professional and civic groups did before him. Likewise, he will follow the foot- to use Sundays as their big days for opening and steps of his Lord in entering sympathetically into closing their festivities. One divisive pull alone the problems of the underprivileged, the confused, would not be so devastating to the work of the and the harassed individuals who walk the city churches-but the aggregate of all these divisive streets without a real sense of security and "at pulls make it most difficult for churches to carry homeness." The spiritual service man renders to on consistent and constructive work on the day common humanity is still the best indication of that was once recognized as the Lord's day, and man's divinity. the day of the church's major opportunity.
The Secularization of Life What is the church to do about the seculariza- tion .of Sunday? Some churchmen are militant The secularization of contemporary urban life about the situation – and seek legislation, safemanifests itself in a number of ways, but no mani- guarding the Lord's Day for church purposes, festations of that secularization are more signifi- particularly certain well established hours. Some cant in the demands upon the city church for are troubled in the face of the situation-and seek urban adaptation than those that grow out of counsel. Some are intensely serious in the face (1) the secularization of Sunday and (2) the secularization of youth's sense of relative values. of the situation and are seeking ways to make Sunday more meaningful and ways also to sup- The secularized competitive usages that city plement th,e church's Sunday work with mean- people are bringing into their week-end and Sun- ingful week-day activities. Who is there who day experiences handicap the work of city does not recognize the gravity of the situation churches more than any reader of this article fully realizes. The chart made by the Week-Day sufficiently to realize that the church's one day of Religious Education Board reveals the percentage major opportunity has been and is being ruth- of attendance of elementary children in attend- lessly dissipated by many thoughtless and needless ance at Week-Day Schools of Religion in 1935 and competitive usages? Easter Sunday, our churches . in Sunday Schools for the same year. The aver- were crowded to the doors. One member of the age percent for Sunday School attendance stands regular Sunday worshipping congregation was at 58.70, ranging from 44% to 63%. The average heard to remark: "This shows how many people percentage in attendance at the Week-Day can go to church when they really want to."
Schools of Religion, 90%, ranging from 84% to I wonder just where are we going, and what 9670 in the different schools. Many factors enter are we going to do next Sunday, and the next into the fact that a greater percentage go to Sunday, and the next. In Wichita, we are for- W. D. R. E. than to S. S.; among these factors tunate enough to have both a board of education are "clothes," "the gang spirit," and the fact of and a city council that are sympathetic to the "no collection"-all in the favor of the W. D. R. E. church's problem. The publicly owned buildings school-but beyond these factors is the factor of Wichita are not open to the public on Sunday that parents. do not take the children away from for commercialized, competitive programs. Some the public school and the W. D. R. E. school for professional groups have given consideration to picnics, visiting and rural outings-as they take the church's need of a real opportunity to carry them from the Sunday School and the Sunday on its constructive and creative work by recog- worship program of the church. nizing Sunday as primarily the church's day. In But children are not the only ones who have the the main, however, it must be confessed that the influences of Sabbath observance taken from them problem has not seriously been faced by most in-
dividuals and groups within the city that should to be as group- and class-conscious as the Chamber be most concerned. of Commerce. A city-planning commission has been working since 1923 to effect a more whole- The other aspect of secularization I feel led to some city life. In times past the problems of face is also most real-I refer to the subconscious Wichita have been problems of its youth, exsecularization of our youth that takes place when pressed in growing pains. The problems today youth is educated only in and by our public school are the problems of middle age. Day after tosystem. Such education, valuable as it is, alone morrow they will be the problems of age. Right is not enough. The public schools, the high now interest is being manifest in filling in the schools, and the municipal university in this mid- gaps in city development by encouraging the erecwest city are so big, that the youth program of tion of diagonal streets to the four corners of the our churches appeal to the youth as too small and city. One of these has already been constructed, insignificant, unless the youth program of our terminating 'tlJt the airport. Another, soon we individual churches really does for these youth trust, will terminate at the Municipal University. what no public school, no matter how big, can ever Individual, unrelated real estate promotion do. Life to be healthy and whole must be under- schemes are giving way to city plannng and cogirded both by an adequate religious faith and an operative promotion enterprises. One cannot lisadequate religious experience in real spiritual fel- ten in at Democratic meetings these days and hear lowship. The church that meets this two-fold the words "the present recession" and at Repubneed will have the loyalty of its youth. The lican meetings and hear the echo, "the Roosevelt church's opportunity seems to be in those small depression," without feeling that the buoyant ingroup and age fellowship organizations where a dividualism of the past is really giving way to a type of religious. work and experience is nurtured sense of chastened optimism and perhaps also a quite comparable to the experience and work sense of somewhat restrained social responsibility. Jesus shared in the intimacies of fellowship with His disciple band. This likewise is true of the The Church in these days is caught up by the Christian Youth Council and the "Y" organiza- mood of the times. No great church buildings or tions. cathedrals are now being built in Wichita. No church is rushing into. new territory. The Council Looking Into the Future of Churches is not reaching out to take advanced ground with the boundless enthusiasm of the days I began this paper with an expression of bound- of its youth-yet it is conserving its status and less optimism, growing out of the consciousness it is undergirding itself for real work ahead, as that Wichita has been a rapidly growing city, are many of the churches. The Council of from the time of its founding until now. A new Churches grew out of a sense of shared church factor, however, has come into our common ex- responsibility some 18 years ago. The principle perience in more recent years. These depression of unrestrained individual church freedom had and recession years have disciplined our minds as Wichitans, as it has the minds and spirits of men run its course, and through the vision and courage and women the world around. Weare beginning of men like A. A. Hyde, Wichita's chief philanto recognize that the problems we now face and thropist, and Ross Sanderson, Wichita's pioneer are destined to face in the future will be more cooperative statesman; the Council of Churches difficult and baffling, for they will grow out of a was organized on a sane and constructive basis. more static situation. We already have one-fifth Last fall the National Preaching Mission conof our population on relief-in that we are one ducted in Wichita demonstrated the increased with our nation. Our sense of self-sufficiency has spiritual power that is released within a city like been somewhat broken in recent years as we have Wichita when churches join wholeheartedly in watched great dust clouds roll in from the South- united Christian effort. The growing sense of west and· as we have watched government agency interdenominational interrelatedness that is ours after goVernment agency established with head- today is a powerful and latent spiritual force quarter§: in our city for the relief of those in need undergfrding the churches for better days ahead. of govenhment subsidy. Kansas wheat farmers, historic~1ly individualistic and independent, have The future is uncharted. Spiritual needs will sensed their dependence and their interdepend- forever manifest themselves as real and all-com- ence, and have been learning to cooperate to pelling: The spirit of the Christ in the churches forward common interests and welfare of the com- will forever rise up to meet those needs. Just so .mon weal. Then, too, group- and class-conscious- long as the church, as "the body of Christ," emness has been growing within the city itself. bodies His Spirit and adapts itself to the changing Under the Wagner Act, labor g"roups are coming needs of the city, just so long will spiritual transinto a consciousness of group needs and bid fair formations take place and Christ's redemptive power wiiI be felt in the life of this midwest city.
I Believe in Jesus
I I~.- –tijf By GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI-SHEK* of China · AITH and superstition are two entirely dif- did he receive a so-called higher education. He ferent things. We must all realize that super- was born in an ordinary home of the laboring class, the son of a carpenter. Because He per- Pstition is not faith, and that those who really have faith will not wander off into vulgar super- ceived that His nation was on the verge of ruin, stition. If a man lacks faith he can accomplish that Abraham's seed was about to be destroyed, nothing; nor can he accomplish anything if he He courageously decided to undertake the arduous admits superstition into his life. Men nowadays task of restoring His nation; He dedicated him- often regard faith as superstition, and supersti- self wholly to the cause, and resolved to struggle tion as faith, and because the two are confused, sacrificially for the salvation of his people; more those who oppose superstition also discard faith. than that, to save all mankind. So He led his fol- We should all know that the success of any lowers throughout the land, and by means of enterprise means that faith is indispensable. In preaching and healing, and through His divine these days when principles are in eclipse and de- wisdom and His unequaled power to present the sires run riot, when government is torn up, when three great themes of truth, righteousness and the people are suffering, and the nation is strug- life, He awakened His nation, He led His people, gling in disaster, how can we be saved from un- to bring about national revolution.
paralleled calamity unless there is vigorous faith Social Significance of the Gospel and confident assurance of victory? On the one hand we must break down all superstition, and Second, believe in Jesus because He was a leader on the other hand we must all the more exalt a of social revolution. The causes of a nation's de- cline are indeed many, but failure to remedy, by positive faith. For example, if we can believe in orderly change, the people's economic life is one the "Three Principles" first enunciated by Sun of the chief causes of national downfall. So who- Yat-sen, we can go and practice them. Because ever would promote a national revolution must we firmly believe the truth and righteousness. of first completely eradicate the ignorance, the corthe "Three Principles," we fear nothing. And ruption and the disorders of society, its selfishness this psy;chology of not being afraid, this spirit of and greed; then with a new spirit he can build fearlessness, comes from faith. up a new life, abundant, expanding and ascending. Thus he will seek the emancipation of His people. Jesus the Revolutionary First, believe in Jesus because He was a leader Jesus attacked with all his might the evil forces of national revolution. When Jesus came to earth. of His day; He tried with all His power to over- the Jewish nation was daily growing weaker. It come its pernicious mores. His purpose was none had suffered the full measure of insult and oppres- other than by means of His leadership and ideal- sion from the Roman imperial authority. From ism to deliver His submerged people out of dark- history we can see that the Jewish people, stag- ness so that they might become a new people. He gering under the violence of their enemies, were laid the foundat'ions of social revolution.
no different from cattle and slaves; all liberties Third, believe in Jesus because He was a leader had been taken away from them and all power put of religious revolution. Jesus saw the rottenness into the hands of Romans. At that time not only of religion in his day, the evil customs, and per- could Jewish national independence show no re- verted beliefs; the leaders one and all cheated the sistance, but even the will to resist had vanished. people, and imposed on them their false beliefs, Fortunately, at this point in the course of events seeking only their own selfish profit. Autocracy in Jesus Christ was born. the Jewish church, and the hollowness of its rit- He was not a scion of the nobility. He was ual, pained and deeply grieved Jesus. He recog- without temporal position and worldly power; He nized that unless the perverted beliefs and the did not grow up in a home of wealth, and still less hypocrisy were done away with He could not re- * A radio address broadcast fronl Hankow, China, ,on Easter eve, vive His prostrate people, and still less could He spread abroad and exalt the true spirit of religion. April 16, 1938. Translated into English by Prof. Warren H. Stuart So He constantly rebuked those who vaingloriof the College of Emporia, Emporia, Kansas. Reprinted from The Chl'istian Century.
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ously prayed at street intersections; he vigorously China and C~ristianity opposed those who in the name of religion would Now look at our nation. Suffering the last hundeceive the people-evildoers who undermine so- dred years from the corruption and weakness of ciety. He cast out the traders and overthrew the the Manchus, its condition bears striking resemmoney changers' tables; by means of a parable blance to the situation in Jesus' day. He exposed the wicked husbandmen, brought to book the wicked tribute-eollectors, and rebuked Sun Yat-sen, cherishing love for God and man, the covetous capitalists. suffused with the revolutionary spirit of Jesus, and motivated by universal love, followed the path All these efforts were solely to lead his people of revolution for forty years as if but for a day. out of darkness into light, from defeatism into With utter self-sacrifice He sought freedom for active struggle, from riotous living into decency, the Chinese people. At last in 1911 the Manchus' from greed and corruption into frugality and holi- imperial rule was overthrown, and the Republic ness. This work of reforming religion and cleans- of China broul'ht into being. Thus was the work ing away its evils – how important it was, and of national revolution achieved. what a Herculean task! How daringly and decisively, and with what utter abando~, Jesus en- As Sun Ya.t-sen's successor, I look ahead into deavored to rescue the Church and SOCIety of that the consequences of the people's revolution and day from its myriad ills to awaken the masses think over the causes of our present spiritual defrom their ignorance! So Jesus was a leader of pression, I firmly believe that in seeking to bring religious revolution. national recovery and social progress, we must advocate Jesus' spirit of universal love and of Love the Law of Life sacrifice. I feel that whatever one does, whether As I constantly study the basis of Jesus' revolu- dealing with men and situations, or commanding tionary spirit-where it was actually rooted-I and carrying on the government, in all forms of feel that the basis lay entirely in His spirit of love. service, only love and peace are the foundations of He a.imed by this spirit of universal love to expel human life; and struggle and sacrifi·ce are a revo- lutionary's duty. This was the attitude of Jesus. the wrong thinking of men, to abolish their unj ?st This was my meaning on a former occasion when systems, to make it possible for everr man to .enJoy his God-given rights, and the blessmgs. of lIberty . I said, "Until peace has become hopeless, never and fraternity. Jesus felt that "all within the forsake peace; when sacrifice has become necesfour seas are brethren," so he wanted men to sary, then sacrifice without reservation." draw near and love one another, sharing in time During the last few years, whenever at leisure of trial, helping one another in time of illness. from pressing duties, I have been promoting a Between nations He wanted to promote peace and social movement which has produced some wide- spread results. I refer to the New Life Movejustice, so all his life He opposed v!olence and ?I?- held fair dealing. He always cherIshed the SPIrIt ment. I am well aware that in this movement the of mercy, and helped the weak. His ~ords an.d superficial aspects may easily be emphasized while deeds manifest at every point the realIty of HIS the heart of it is neglected; it is easy to stress its universal love, and His spirit of revolutionary material phase, while overlooking its spirit. Now I have something new to add: that is to say, self-sacrifice. Because Jesus desired to fulfill His heaven-ap- if we are really going to practice the new method of living, not only must we have a new spirit, we pointed mission to save mankind, h.e held. fast to must have a New Life. This new life must have an indomitable resolve, an unwavermg faIth; He Jesus' spirit of universal love, and His determinamaintained an attitude of perfect good will, even tion to sacrifice Himself; only thus can this qualat the cost of life itself, not hesitating to sacrifice ity of new life be obtained. all so that his courageous. heart might struggle to th; end. And even when He faced the cross, with In brief, the spirit of Jesus is constructive, sacits unparalleled torture, he still remained un- rificial, holy, true, peaceable, forward-looking, full moved, unshaken by his trials. He maintained of eager striving; and it is revolutionary throughsupreme loyalty to ideals and duty, supreme mag- out. My fellow countrymen, let us cherish the nanimity toward friends. and comrades. Such de- idea of a "new birth"; let us maintain the resovotion and sympathy are the more precious be- lution of "sacrifice." Let us hold Jesus as the goal cause so difficult to attain. Then see Him nailed for human living; let us keep the mind of Jesus high on the cross, asking His heavenly Father to as our mind, the life of Jesus as our life. Let us have mercy upon His foes because of their igno- bravely go with Him to the cross, to seek the everrance. Behold how limitless is His spirit of uni- lasting peace of mankind, and the renewal of our versal love! nation of China.
Jesus' creative revolutionary spirit is founded The economic mess in which the world finds itself today just on this, His spirit of universal love. is more a mess of sin than a mess of economic ignorance. ·-Professor John Baillie.
Transformations in West
By G. C. BEANLAND, Nkolmvolan, Cameroun.
THERE is warfare which is far more subtle out, then carry them to their towns where they and engaging than any military campaign; are planed and prepared for these new buildings the warfare carried on between the soldiers and for attractive furniture. Others are learning of the Cross of Christ and the hordes of evil in the art of burning brick and tile, with which they all parts of Africa. Here is the great adventure are constructing very durable and serviceable for the Christian Church. It is a difficult task to houses. Still others are learning to build houses overthrow the evil, superstitious practices of with mud walls, which, when whitewashed with paganism and supplant them with the truths con- white clay taken from the beds of the streams, cerning God, man, and nature. The missionaries' make very attractive houses. part in this great work is that of teacher of hand, Another change is noticed in the dress of the head, heart and health. His work is never done. He must be continually on the job and no matter people. Our Industrial School conducts a tailorin which of the four categories of mission work, ing class in which young men have been taught industrial, medical, evangelistic or educational, to make clothing like that worn by the white man. his work lies, all his talents must be engaged all After an apprenticeship of sufficient time, these young men graduate and, on returning to their of the time to be able to see hts cherished plants towns, set themselves up as "village tailors" and grow and flourish. very few of them suffer from idleness as they Cameroun Colony on the West coast of Africa, have all the work they can do for their towns- where the work of the American Presbyterian people. Chauffeurs and mechanics are trained in Church is carried on, is a mandated colony under our Industrial School who are in great demand to the care and protection of the French Govern- care for and drive the many motors which have ment. It was a German colony prior to the great been brought out by traders and government World War, and after the war was mandated to officials. In order for these motors to function France. Mission work was greatly hampered and properly, of course, there must be good roads, impeded during the struggle but the natives were and the old trails of former days have given way led to realize our great dependence upon God and to modern gravel roads threading the country and His protecting power over all of us and we suf- connecting the different administrative points and fered comparatively little during those terrible days. Changing regimes brought about many commercial centers. Our medical department ad- ministers to the many sick people who are broug~t changes in our mission work but we adjusted in to our hospitals from all the regions round ourselves to the new government and we have had about, so that the natives who are suffering from very cordial and sympathetic relations with the the various tropical diseases can have medical French administration since their occupation of attention. This is bringing about a great change the colony. in the health conditions of the country.
Certain changes are noted in which the mission Since the introduction of our mission schools, and missionaries have had some part since the which at first had a very skeptical reception, work of the mission was established along the there has been noticed quite an intellectual change West coast of Africa about fifty years ago. One among these people. They are a people of marvelnotices today new and attractive homes of some ous memories, keen perception and very vivid of the natives which are being built along the imagination. They are not such philosophers as motor roads of the country. The young men have are the sons of Shem and Japheth but they are learned in the carpenter shops how to saw the nobody's fools. They have a very rich storehouse planks from the great timbers of the forest and of folklore and traditions and much of their how to build their homes with these planks. Not past is to be known only as one draws it out of being able to haul their timbers to the sawmill, the older people in conversation. To introduce they resort to the primitive method of digging a our schools to them we had at first, of course, to pit and rolling a section of the log over the pit reduce some of their language to writing as they ancl with large saws laboriously rip the planks have never had any method of writing or record- [417 ]
ing their language. It has been merely handed of the hardest fields of the mission. He and his down from father to son through countless faithful wife were sent far away into the heart generations. After the first translation of some of a very heathen tribe and there they established parts of the Gospel, and after the school children a home and set up their family altar. Soon word had become able to read and write their own came down saying "I have one convert." Later language, the schools took care of themselves. on he gained others and slowly he built up a little Word spread to many of the tribes that the mis- nucleus of believers about him. Other evangelists sion was able to teach the children to read and were sent up into that tribe because the people, write and soon schools were asked for by many of through the influence of this first evangelist, be- the chiefs of the different tribes, until today our gan calling for them. Finally it was deemed ad- schools are scattered throughout the entire area visable to establish a church in that tribe and of South Cameroun, even to the border. today there is one of the strongest churches in Not only did we give them our schools but we Cameroun in "hat locality, which was formally have given them a literature. At first the Gospels a superstitious, pagan, cannibalistic tribe.
and Acts were translated and later the whole of Another young man, Ze Esim, is a very lovable, the New Testament was given to them in their Christian character. He came to us from one of own language and put into the schools as a text- the older mission fields and was placed in the book. Now we have about finished the translation center of a very wicked tribe as there were a few of the entire Bible. Other literature, such as boys there who were inclined towards the things Pilgrim's Progress, school books, pamphlets for of God. Ze scoured the country round about and distribution in the towns and a monthly· news attracted scores of children to his school where sheet are some of the materials which have been he saturated them with the Gospel and taught gotten out on our well equipped Halsey Memorial them verses of Scripture to carry away in their Press. The printed page is going into the homes hearts. Opposed by some of the old heathen men, of most of the people who have learned to read he would preach to them and pray with them until and it is having its effect of spreading the news several of these men came over into the camp of of the Kingdom of God into many parts of the Ze's God. "Pray for me," wrote Ze, "as old land. Satan is trying to tear up my work, but I know Besides the physical changes and the intellectual that if I am faithful and persistent, Christ will change of the people we notice a spiritual change give us the victory for has He not said, 'Lo I am as well. These Bantu people are animistic and with you always even unto the end of the world.' "
have nothing in their faith that we may class as Craving more learning and a better way to preach a religion, but there is a superstitious fear of the Word of God, Ze is preparing himself for the the Great Spirit (Zambe) who made the world pastorate. With such a spirit he is bound to win and peopled it. There are many lesser gods and many more souls for the Kingdom of God.
their idea of worship is only some method of On such men as these, whom we can number appeasing the wrath of the Great Spirit or of by the scores, we are depending to build up the these lesser gods by sacrifice of fowls or animals; Kingdom of God in Cameroun. It is told that the consequently the old Jewish custom of sacrifice authorities in one of the African ports desired to as an atonement for sin has a special appeal to build a wharf alongside of which ocean-going them. We have, however, sought to teach them vessels might tie up and discharge their cargo of the great sacrifice made once and for all for and take on other cargo, so they ordered great those who believe in the strong Son of God. This timbers from Europe. These timbers were sunk Good News has laid hold upon thousands of these into the mud at the mouth of one of the big rivers natives and for them there is joy and happiness and their wharf built upon them. Soon the ter- in the new found life in Christ. Young men and mites began to eat into these timbers and they women are turning away from their old fetishes crumbled away into the river. Then the authori- and are giving allegiance to the Man of Galilee ties went into the great forest adjoining and cut who "came not to be ministered unto but to min- down some of the fine old mahogony trees, squared ister and to give His life a ransom for many." the logs, and, bringing these down to the coast, There was a fine young man who entered our sank them into this same mud and built their village school. He came from a very pagan tribe wharf upon them. There they stand because they and, by persevering in his studies, progressed are indigenous to the country and the termites rapidly and later asked to be admitted to the theo- cannot destroy them. The foundations of the logical school. He was a bright, inquisitive fellow Church of Christ are strong and we have faith to and tried to carry out the instructions of his believe that the faithful, Christian men and wom- teacher very faithfully. He was noted for his en of Cameroun will withstand the ravages of all piety and prayerfulness and when licensed by the destructive agencies for they are built upon Presbytery to preach, he asked to be sent to one the solid Rock.
A MOSLEM FEAST IN GOLDEN BANQUET HALL OF IMAM RIDA
The Story of Meshed, a Sacred City y the REV. DWIGHT M. DONALDSON, -.<!Ii{ Meshed, Iran A.uthor of "The Shi'ite Religion",. Missionary of [ : the Presb'yterian Church, u. S. A.
THE modern province of Khorasan has an area This is the third largest city in Iran and lies of 150,000 square 'miles. This is a little less about as many miles east of Jerusalem as Rome than one fourth of the entire area of Iran. lies to the west. Among the Jews of the Disper- Its population, notwithstanding its vast stretches sion, who returned to their homes after Pentecost of desert, is about equal to that of the fertile prov- with the marvelous news of. the risen Christ, were ince of Azerbaijan (1,500,000). While in Azer- Parthians, liedes and Elamites, and dwellers in baijan, in the northwest, American missionary Mesopotamia. It must have been shortly after the work was begun as early as 1835, in Khorasan, writing of the great report of St. Paul's mission- the large province in the northeast, bordering on ary jour~ys and preaching in Rome, that other Afghanistan and Turkestan, there was no mission believers, 'such as the Apostle Addai and Tatian, work established until the opening of Meshed in made their way East with the Christian Gospel.
1911. This is the largest and most significant pil- We know that before the overthrow of the Par- grimage city in Iran. Preliminary itinerating thiandynasty in A. D. 225, there were more than journeys were made by American missionaries in twenty Bishoprics in Mesopotamia and in Iran.
1878, 1894, and 1905, and finally in 1911 Rev. Furthermore, at an Eastern Council in A. D. 424, Lewis F. Esselstyn, D.D., was ,sent to occupy delegates came from the distant cities of Nisha- Meshed. pur and Herat and Merw.
[419 ] electro nic fil e created by cafis.org
In spite of the severe persecutions of Christians which has acquired this significance because it by the Sassanian kings, there were still communi- has been taken from near the tomb of the Imam ties of Christians in Iran at the time of the rise Rida, whom he trusts as his Friend, his Guide, of Islam in the seventh century, but the power of hi~ Mediator, and his Master.
the old Sassanian Empire was completely over- It is believed to be a special advantage to be thrown, and the forces of Islam pushed rapidly to buried near the Imam, in order to rise along with the East. Arab influence swept across Iran and him on the Judgment day, and be thus rated Afghanistan and on to India. Devastating wars among the friends and supporters of the Prophet and famines followed, so that by the time of Mohammed. Accordingly, for nearly a thousand Harun aI-Rashid (who died A. D. 786), who years, high prices have been paid for cemetery showed marked hostility to his Christian subjects, privileges near the grave of the Imam. For ages the remote communities of believers in Khorasan were almost wiped out.We read that Christian camel caravans have wended their way on long doctors took part in meetings that were held for desert j ourne~' that ended in Meshed, and frereligious discussion before the Caliph Ma'mun quently, in addition to their loads of merchandise, early in the ninth century in Merw. they have brought the bodies of good Mohamme- dans who died in distant places but who had ex- The Imam Rida pressed the wish to be buried in the great ceme- tery here. It is the custom also for corpses to be Harun al-Rashid's last military expedition was carried in solemn procession around the Imam's to quell a rebellion in Khorasan, but when he tomb before burial. About this tomb successive reached the city of Tus he fell ill'and died.' He kings of Persia, (Iran) have built a magnificent was buried in a garden sixtl'len miles away, and . shrine, with a dome and minarets of gold. Behis son Ma'mun moved on. .with the troops. to side ·it is. a, mosque, with a still larger dome of Merw, where he established his capital and main- tiles of turquoil?e blue. The sacred center of the a tained the authority of the Abbasid Caliphate in city is thia;;shrlrte;area. Devout Moslems stop as the East. Ma'mun made what he thought was a they cross st:reetthat leads to it, and bow to- politic effort to unite the great schism in Islam be- wards its resplendent golden dome.
tween the Sunnites and the Shi'ites by designating Changing Time as his heir apparent to the Caliphate the highly esteemed lineal descendant of the "prophet" Mu- A new day has now come in Meshed. On the hammad, the Imam Ali al-Rida, who was the other side of the city from the tomb of the Imam, recognized spiritual leader of the Shi'ites. This but with money from the Shrine endowments, a expedient proved to be exceedingly unpopular large modern hospital has been erected. The gov- among the Sunnites, however, and when the army ernment is systematically administering Shrine was on the return journey to Baghdad, it is said funds for public welfare, and among the efforts that the Imam Rida fell ill from eating grapes thus subsidized is a school for boys, with an im- that had been poisoned. As he died during the posing building that resembles the main building days of the encampment at the tomb. of Harun al- of the American College in Teheran, a curriculum Rashid, the Caliph Ma'mun had him buried with for 12 classes and an attendance of over 700 boys.
conspicuous honor at this place, in the garden of There is a similar school for girls, all in the name Sanabad, which later came to be known as the of the Imam Rida, with money exacted from the mashhad, or place of martyrdom, of the Imam Shrine authorities by the government.
Rida. Meshed~The Shrine City In order to accommodate automobile traffic the streets of Meshed have had to be widened, and to In the ravages of the Mongol invasions in the the amazement of everybody a great thoroughfare thirteenth century the city of Tus was destroyed, has been cut directly through the famous old cemeand a new city gradually grew up aro~nd the tomb tery on the north side of the Shrine, and hundreds of the Imam. This was the city of Mashhad, of the flat tombstones were used to pave the new which foreigners have come to call Meshed. sidewalks. Stories were told of miracles of healing through After ten years of work; in rented houses, the prayer in the name of the Imam, or through drink- missionaries in Meshed secured the present coming water mixed with dust swept from the tomb. pound of something over fourteen acres. It lies The very clay from the garden was reported to inside the city and is within view of the Shrine. have magic powers, and tablets of it are regularly used in the ritual of the daily prayers. The wor- Formerly it was land used for truck-gardening shiper lays the clay tablet on a cloth or prayer-rug but now there are trees and lawns and it is known that lies before him, and in the prescribed pros- as "The American Garden." It was purchased at trations he touches his forehead to the sacred clay, forty cents a square yard, but now it is appraised at four times as much.
THE STORY OF MESHED, A SACRED CITY
On this land there are five missionary resi- the Mission compound. It has enrolled a small dences, a fifty-bed hospital, and an elementary but homogeneous group of boys, in spite of serious school for boys. At the entrance to the compound opposition from Moslem parents .and the keen there is a Reading Room, which is a center for the competition of government schools. The reasons sale and distribution of evangelistic literature, for the existence of Mission schools, both for boys with a room where individuals come for Christian and for girls, are at least as strong as the reasons instruction. Another small building, near the for such schools in any other city in Iran. There football field, is used as a recreation center. is no other mission school within a radius of al- Medical work was begun in 1915, in a rented most six hundred miles. Well within that circle Iranian house, with one doctor and no trained as- lies the great province of Khorasan, with a fourth sistants. After steady development there is now of the area and about a sixth of the population of a well-planned hospital with good modern equip- all Iran, and including about a dozen smaller cities ment and trained workers. In addition to the tens that would send some of the best of their boys of thousands of patients who have been treated in the base hospital at Meshed, many more thousands have been helped on itinerating trips to other cities in the province of Khorasan. In 1924 a trip was made to Herat in Afghanistan and an- other a few years later.
Patients include many Iranians, Turks and Afghans, as well as some Indians and Arabs, Rus- sians and other Europeans. The great majority are Moslems, but there are also Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, as well as some who have no religious belief. It is the aim of the hospital staff that all should receive loving care in the name of the Saviour of mankind. Many pilgrims to the Shrine also come to the "American Chris- tian Hospital," and when they return to their far- off villages they sometimes take with them, not only gratitude for physical improvement, but a new spiritual hope.
The hospital also provides medical care for lepers who live in a village two miles outside the city. This is the only organized work for lepers in all Iran. There have been some actual cures from the dreaded disease, and treatment almost always stops its progress and relieves acute suf- MOSQUE OF THE BLUE TILES .aT ME'SHED fering.
The hospital maintains a standard of medical and girls to Mission schools in Meshed if they work that may serve as an example to the na- were developed so as to have boarding departtionals as they build their own hospitals. To co- ments, a secondary school, an industrial branch, operate with the Iranian doctors there are med- and such other facilities for work as would be ical conferences and public health meetings to commensurate with the strategic location and the stress matters of hygiene, sanitation and pre- unique opportunities of Meshed. ventive medicine. Infant and maternal mor- tality, though slowly decreasing, is still appalling, The Church in Its Khorasan Environment and much attention should be given to the instruction of mothers in child-care, midwives should be The fresh-water streams of Khorasan disappear trained, and constructive public health programs in the great salt desert, for they flow from the should be inaugurated. Along with this growth upper plateau into the central depression, known are even more favorable opportunities for the as the Great Kavir. This may serve as a parable presentation of the Christian message of hope of much missionary effort which seems to have and salvation. been in vain. New converts from Islam may show Christian educational work was begun on a a kind of ecstasy and enthusiasm while they are very small scale, with classes in two hospital among the hills of vision, but too often their rooms; then the school moved to a rented building Water of Life seems to be lost as they come down and finally in 1929 a good building was erected on to the problem of making a living in Moslem SQ- electro nic fil e created by cafis.org
ciety. For several years the number of converts as their Saviour, may give more effective testiwho have been kept together in the Church group mony in their present occupations. Those Chrisin Meshed has been made up almost entirely of tians who are artisans and small tradesmen must those to whom the Mission or missionaries have be able to withstand petty persecution and boybeen able to give employment. Happily some of cotting and win their way by honesty and forthese have rendered faithful service and have bearance to recognized Christian influence. made progress in Christian living, but in the case of others, when Mission employment has not been It is said that the horses of Khorasan, the faavailable their loyalty has waned. mous Turkomans, have by adaptation to their environment become "bony and clumsy-looking At the present time there are significant changes quadrupeds, with marvelous power of endurance." in the social life in Iran and we believe that the The camels of Khorasan also are celebrated for time has finally come when it is altogether pos- their size and strength. "They have very long sible for Moslems who have become Christians to hair and beat"·cold and exposure far better than find employment without working for the Mission. the ordinary Arabian or Iranian camels, which With industry, foresight,· thrift, patience, and carry only 320 lbs., whereas the Khorasan camels other virtues that make for Christian stamina this will carry from 600 to 700 lbs." In like manner can be done. Nevertheless, these Christians, in it is greatly to be desired that the converts from their capacity as pioneer missionaries among their Islam in Khorasan, and likewise the missionaries own people, need much sustaining love and prayer who are sent to this distant province, will so adapt that those of them who became Christians as themselves as to take root as Christians in this young men in mission schools may continue to be difficult environment, and in consequence may known as Christians in the cities where they go develop exceptional powers of endurance with a to work and that those who were patients or help- strong faith to carry cheerfully extra-heavy ers in mission hospitals, and who accepted Christ burdens.
A Church Serving the Whole Community By the REV. WILLIAM C. MUNDS, Corpus Christi, Texas f3.- Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd ,:' of splendid educational buildings and parish houses closed from Sunday to Sunday. That is I N VIEW of the communal life upon which so- why the Church is often looked upon as purely a ciety is organized and in view of the service one-day-a-week institution. In the use of its equip- ideal which undergirds all Christian activity, ment, the Church must lose its smug, ecclesiastical the whole community is the definite responsibility life in the effort to have the spirit of Christ per- of the Church. If this be not so, the Church has meate every phase of our every-day life. The no reason nor excuse for its existence. Church must become an integral part of the life of man. In assuming responsibility for the whole One of the outmoded concepts of the Church's community, the Church must set up a compre- mission is that the Church is merely a preaching hensive program. This will vary in different station. According to the Gospel record our Lord types of communities, therefore we shall suggest preached very little, but he did a great deal. The a variety of activities in the hope that those in- Church should concern itself less with words and terested may find some helpful suggestions. more with deeds. The work of the Church in the ; foreign field for the past quarter century is a con- To begin with, the Church needs to understand crete illustration of this method. its community. This can best be accomplished by careful survey to determine the community's We must also cease stressing the importance of needs. Many splendid programs have failed for denominational loyalty to the exclusion of a pri- the reason that they were conceived without any mary loyalty to Christ and His way of life. This reference to actual conditions. Since the trend larger view is necessary as one cannot think in today is in the direction of highly institutionalized terms of community interests if he is first forced programs, the temptation is strong to make our to hurdle denominational barriers.
Church buildings must serve community needs. It is nothing short of a disgrace to see thousands
A CHURCH SERVING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
churches beehives of activity. But little is accom- The crux of the community problem is here. It plished through such activity unless it effectively is not possible to raise the general moral level of a serves a definite purpose. The wise minister will community until the basic causes for juvenile know his community. That is the first step. delinquency are eliminated. It is utter stupidity and neglect of duty to assume that the general In making a survey, it is also necessary to know moral tone of a community can be improved until the assets of a community as well as its liabilities. more attention is given to the underprivileged There are usually agencies doing splendid work groups. Leadership for such work should come both in the character building and in the general from our churches. health field. The Church should use these agencies and bring people in contact with the organizations The city slums constitute a terrible indictment best fitted to serve their needs. It is a sinful against the Church, for often individual church waste of energy and money for the Church to members are responsible for the continued existduplicate work already being done efficiently by ence of such areas. Every social study reveals others. Our communities need today wise social the downward pull of the slum areas upon the engineering, and the Church can make a valuable moral tone of a community. The slums are the contribution in the field by supplying the initia- breeders of every known type of crime, and they tive and leadership. must be eliminated before civilization can be pulled up to higher levels. That is a responsi- Responsibility Toward Youth bility of the Church.
But there are many other contributions that the The Church and Moral Evils Church can and should make to the life of a community. The list that we shall discuss will not be The Church, being responsible for the whole comprehensive, but merely suggestive. The most community, must assume some obligation for the important phase of the Church's responsibility for evil conditions, as well as for developing the the whole community is towards its youth, and forces that are good. It is fallacious reasoning to being responsible for youth, the Church must as- assume that God will be satisfied to receive a sume the responsibility for the whole life of youth, chosen few into close fellowship with Himself social and recreational as well as religious. The and not be concerned with the multitudes who, prevailing theory of Christian workers is that if because of unspeakably bad social conditions, are youth is given proper spiritual foundations, other outside the circle of His divine society on earth. phases of youth's life will take care of themselves. Christianity is not only a personal religion, it But such a theory does not work, for youth de- is also a social religion which touches every area mands more than religious training. A whole- of life. As our Lord so trenchantly said, "I am some, social and recreational experience is needed not sent but unto the lost sheep." and if the Church does not supply it, the youth will go elsewhere to find it, and much of the com- One of the most degrading and injurious elemercial, social and recreational activities offered ments of any community is prostitution. This sin to youth is unwholesome, even harmful to char- only encourages the beast in man, destroys the acter. The time has come to face this situation idealism of youth, harbors the criminal, spreads frankly and inaugurate a youth program which gonorrhea and syphilis to a degree which is alarmwill provide wholesome social and recreational ing, but it injures the home and takes toll· in huexperiences as well as religious. training. man life that is enormous. Far from protecting virtuous womanhood, prostitution threatens her An increasingly large number of parishes and life and happiness. Whenever it is abolished, sex congregations are now conducting socials for crimes are reduced to a low level and the moral young people with splendid results. Other forms tone of the community is raised. Nothing is acof amusement may also be provided: girls' and complished by merely publicly protesting against boys' basketball teams, choral societies, young the existence of this institution. Far better for people's service leagues, dramatic clubs, Boy the churches to employ trained experts to handle Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and a score of other ac- the situation. Prostitution can be removed from tivities that not only fill a real need but also serve a community and it is the Church's duty to help to tie young people closer to the Church.. remove it.
In thinking through its responsibility for the If it is true, as someone has said, that "it is the whole community, the Church must also minister duty of the Church to always concern itself with to the underprivileged groups. There are chil- the social problems that harass humanity," then dren and young people who need the Church, but the Church should instantly concern itself with who belong to the group not often welcomed by the divorce problem, a problem that is threatenthe Church. Admittedly, there are very real prob- ing the stability of the American home. Christ lems presented, but such problems can be solved. cannot be a dominant factor in homes that are
being broken up by divorce. Here again preach- viding the young people with wholesome social ing will accomplish little. The roots of the divorce and recreational activities. Desiring t{) meet this problem lie deep and the Church must adopt a need, at least in part, the Church of the Good c{)mprehensive educational program if construc- Shepherd, Episcopal, decided to build a Parish tive results are expected. Since marriage is a House. Several civic-minded citizens, who were serious undertaking, greater care must be used not members of the Episcopal Church, petitioned in preparing young people for it. If ministers the Church of the Good Shepherd to allow this everywhere would refuse to perform a ma.rriage building to be used by the whole community. The ceremony until they were convinced that the con- Parish was immediately faced with the question tracting parties were well qualified to undertake as to the Church's responsibility to the whole the venture, many hasty and ill-advised marriages community. would be av{)ided. An increasingly large number of churches are offering courses for young people After carefully considering the problem, it was on "The Preparation for Marriage, Home and decided that t'he community's needs must be con- Family," with surprisingly good .results. The sidered before parochial needs. A separate cortime is near when such courses will become a poration was formed, and an Operating Board recognized part of every Church School cur- was also appointed which included members from riculum.* practically every church in the city. While it is not officially an inter-church project, yet it is an Then there is the field of mental health. Every evidence of the splendid cooperative spirit which clergyman is now called upon to deal with people exists among churches of this city. who need the services of a psychologist or a psychiatrist. While he may be able personally to The Corpus Christi Civic Center is a building handle some of these cases, yet most of them will dedicated "To God for Youth." That is its prineed the services of experts. By putting those in mary purpose although it will serve a variety of need of this type of service in touch with the uses. proper agencies, the Church gives evidence of its concern for every form of human need. Some The building has a large auditorium seating churches have sponsored mental health clinics about 500 people and a stage for amateur drawith excellent results, especially where there is matics. It will be an ideal place for lectures, conno other agency doing this type of work. certs, and particularly socials for the young people. A fully equipped kitchen will serve 200 How One Church Served the Community people. Offices are provided for the Camp Fire Girls, Y. M. C. A., and other agencies. The base- It may prove helpful to relate how one Church ment contains a handball court, shower baths and accepted responsibility for a whole community locker rooms, free clinic for indigent children, a and is seeking to fulfil its obligations. game room and two parlors where various civic clubs may meet. A survey of the city {)f Corpus Christi, Texas, revealed a deplorable lack of facilities for pro- While this building will in no wise be able to serve the needs of the whole community, yet it is • Some communions require their clergy to give some type of a step in the right direction. There was a need. instruction to all those who apply for marriage. Individual The Church felt a responsibility to meet that need ministers of many communions have long offered such courses to and then did something about it.
prospective brides and bridegrooms. Few clergymen, if any, are In Corpus Christi there is another communal project. The missionary societies of six different qualified to give technical instruction on sex matters, but in every churches support and manage a Community Mis- sion in the Mexican section of the city. Each large city there are maternal health clinics available for such .pur- church is responsible for the religious services poses. In smaller communities progressive physicians will be glad conducted at the Mission for one month at a time. A trained Christian worker is soon to be employed to cooperate. Also there are splendid books on marriage that will to work among the people of that section.
prove helpful to those who read them. Every clergyman should have Each Church, as has been said, must study its particular community, and work out its own such books in his library to lend those who are to be married. program.
Obviously, none of these services can be rendered so long as the Church and her clergy refuse to assume a responsibility for dealing with this problem. The Church has an obligation which is some- thing far greater than actually performing the marriage ceremony.
Many communions realize the seriousness of this problem and are taking steps to safeguard the stability of the .home. At the last General Convention of the Episcopal Church a measure was intro- duced forbidding any clergyman of that communion to marry any couple until they had presented him with a certificate of health which included a Wassermann test against syphiIls. The measure was defeated by a small majority and wl!l undoubtedly be passed at some subsequent convention. The home is an institution which is vital to every community. Sinee the Church sanctifies the mar- riage relationship, it must help to make it a more intelligible and a more harmonious relationship. W. C. M.
Too many Christian bodies of various kinds are spending more time and effort today in winning members one from the other than in winning souls from the darkness of the King- dom of Evil.
Christ Found a Mexican Colonel*
This is the story told to Rev. N. W. Taylor, of Mexico City, by Colonel Rodolfo Curti V., formerly an army officer and then chief of Traffic Department, Police Force, Mexico City. Now he is on the Military Headquarters Staff, the Garrison of Mexico City.
TWELVE years ago, when stationed with my carrying out this commission that I received the regiment in the Mixtec region of the State of commendation of General Calles. I received praise Oaxaca, I was taken very ill and in my suf- also and promotion for my part in the organization fering, my thoughts naturally turned to my young of the Traffic Department and for other things wife and our four-months-old baby, who were done in the interest of the welfare of the city.
then in the city of Puebla. As I became worse I But then came disillusionment! I resigned from cried to God, asking that he spare me to them. the Traffic Department and for a time it seemed Finally I sank into a state of coma and the people that I had been forgotten by the Government in the village thought that I had died. I was pre- which I had tried to serve faithfully. I was even pared for burial and surrounded with candles. tempted to commit suicide. This was God's op- After some hours I regained consciousness and portunity.
sat up, causing terror among those who were in One night I dreamed that I was hurrying down the room at the time. a narrow, dark, tortuous street. I met a group of It was thought that the only chance to save my people and inquired, life was to take me as quickly as possible to "Have you found Him?"
Oaxaca City for an operation. But the village, "No," they replied.
where I lay sick, was four days' ride from the "Then let us seek Him together," I answered.
railroad and, as, the heat was intense, it seemed We threaded our way along the narrow street impossible for me to make the trip unless they for an interminable time it seemed and our anxiety could keep ice packs on me continually. But there increased every moment. At last we turned a was no ice in this mountain village nor in the dis- corner and saw in front of us a figure sitting on trict. The General commanding the State advised a low bench in front of a closed door. His head us by telegraph that he would send ice from the was resting on his hands but as we approached he city as rapidly as possible, but it was questionable looked up and I recognized Him as Christ. His whether any ice would last long enough to get me face shone and His hands and feet glistened like to the city. The first day, while we were waiting mirrors. I fell on my knees before Him; and all for the ice, a heavy cloud overshadowed the part His goodness, from that day in the Mixtec village of the town where I was lying and hailstones, so when the hailstones fell, flooded my memory and great that they killed chickens and turkeys, fell I burst into tears.
heavily for some minutes. The people hurriedly I awoke crying and the burden of my ingrati- filled sacks with the hailstones and I was placed tude and sin seemed unbearable. For the re- in a litter and the journey to the railroad began. mainder of the night I could not control myself I recovered but so great was my unbelief I forgot and continued crying like a child. When morning my prayer to God and ascribed the hailstorm to came I was like one in a daze. I could not even mere chance. remember the name of my only daughter whom I A few years later, when stationed in Guadala- love dearly. This condition lasted for three days.
jara, I was passing an evangelical church and I was in an agony of grief and sorrow and walked heard them singing "Nearer My God to Thee." up and down my living room or in the garden for Something seemed to grip my heart and I could hoursi at a time, crying, "My God, help me. My not restrain the tears. However, feeling that such God, help me."
emotion was unworthy of an army officer, I hur- Then I procured aNew Testament and began ried away. Later, my wife and I attended a serv- to read. Still no light or peace came. At last ice but did not understand the message. there came to my mind the words of the hymn I Then I was called to Mexico City to aid my Gen- had heard in Guadalajara and I remembered eral in the reorganization of the police force. At where there was an evangelical church in the city.
that time it fell to my lot to superintend the clos- I attended a service without getting any peace.
ing of all the Roman Catholic churches in the city I went a second time but still could not understand on the 31st of July, 1926. So zealous was I in the Way of Salvation. On the third occasion the * From The Philippine Evangelist, May, 1938. speaker was giving a Bible study on sin. As the [ 425 ] •
different sins were written on the blackboard I The following Sunday was Easter. We atsaid to myself, "Someone must have told about tended the morning service at which we learned me," for it was a perfect description of my condi- that some new members were to be baptized that tion. At the end of the meeting an invitation was evening. After prayer, my wife and I decided to given and I went forward. As I knelt there at ask to be received into the church in order to make the rail to my joy found my wife was kneeling our public confession and thus cut all that bound beside me. That night the pastor of the church us to the old life. That evening we publicly took led us into the Light and peace came into our our stand for Christ. In the four months which hearts. have passed since then we have been experiencing the truth of Paul's "If any man be in Christ, he Then came a great struggle. To go on with is a new creature; old things are passed away; Christ meant breaking with the old life. Christ behold all things are become new." All things must be all or nothing. There could be no half- have become l1oriously new for us and we are hearted surrender. But what would be the re- seeking to follow His Will. suIts? Would it mean losing position, rank and friends? I walked up and down my garden fight- *** ing it out and then like a flash there came to my mind the words, "Be of good cheer; I have over- The only knowledge Colonel Curti had of the come the world." I hurried into the house and Gospel story was through a very slight contact called my wife. with Roman Catholicism, which, in Mexico, em- phasizes a suffering or dead Christ, not a glorified "It is all settled," I said to her. "Christ has one. How was it that in his dream he saw a resurovercome the world and nothing can touch us ex- rected and glorified Christ? cept as He wills." From that moment we have tried to give our all to Christ, to do His will each Today Col. Curti is active in personal work day and have determined not to let a single day among the military and political leaders of the pass without trying to win one soul for Him. country.
Enlisting the Privileged to Help the Underprivileged By the REV. SAMUEL E. WEST Rector of St. lames Episcopal Church, Wichita, Kansas T HE sort of church of which I am rector is alike repeat the words too glibly. I have caught easily labeled as "privileged" by the news- myself talking to children about their privileges papers. They revel in announcing "A fash- and urging them to realize their responsibilities ionable wedding of socialites in the swank, to the underprivileged, and then wondering if in exclusive Episcopal Church on the HilL" It is a so doing I was not actuaJly aiding and abetting form of reporting whioh is exasperating to say the the subtle process of creating snobs.
least. By the same token there are still many people As a matter of fact this congregation represents left in the land 'who, despite the fact that they have been up against it, are senSitive and have a a cross-section of substantial middle-class business lot of self-respect; they by no means wish to be and professional people, with a fringe of wealth classed among the "underprivileged." Would it and another fringe of poverty. One of my faith- not be much better to use a good old scriptural ful laymen is a WPA worker and another is a expression, such as "we that are strong ought to janitor working for $60.00 per month. We have bear the infirmities of them that are weak." It eighty employed women and girls in a communi- is true that there are in all of our cities many cant membership of seven hundred. strong self-supporting parishes and likewise many weak, struggling, mission churches. By all of Personally I am inclined to think that we over- the precepts of the Christian religion, the strong work the phrase, "privileged and underprivileged." Religious leaders and social workers
ENLISTING THE PRIVILEGED TO HELP THE UNDERPRIVILEGED
should do all in their power to help the weak. The ago, when churches were having a hard time raisdifficulty which most of us experience in enlisting ing their budgets, we were discussing missionary the so-called privileged is probably due to the ab- quotas. One of the Vestrymen said, 'I don't see sence of the personal element, rather than to any why we should continue to send money to the other factor. This is true in regard to the mis- Chinese when we are so hard up ourselves. Why sionary enterprise and to the great programs of not forget missions until times are better?" I social welfare. To many people, missions and said to him, "Would you apply that same prinphilanthropy today seem to mean programs and ciple to our own Bishop and his program in the quotas rather than personal service. Something Diocese?" He replied, "No, dog-gone it, we can't must be done to remedy this condition. let the Bishop down. I wish I were not so fond of him; then it would be a lot easier to cut out During the recent Lenten season we tried an our Diocesan Assessment." The man knew, of experiment along this line in the Diocese of Kan- course, that the Bishop was vitally concerned sas. Bishop Wise suggested that in all of the about his mission clergymen and their congregaparishes and missions we conduct a series of mis- tions. Sometimes I ask myself if I am really in sionary book reviews. I invited six women to earnest in appealing for the missionary enterundertake these reviews and a number of men to undertake a similar task for the Men's Class. We prise. Do I really care about the advancement of have had such noted personalities presented as the Kingdom, or am I motivated rather by paro- Bishop Schereschewsky, Bishop Hare, Dr. Albert chial pride? We all need to ask oUI'selves ques- Schweitzer, Bishop Franklin Spaulding, Bishop tions of that nature. We can appeal, plead, cajole, condemn, denounce, argue and quote Scripture by Talbott, Dr. Grenfell of Labrador, and David Liv- the yard, but if we ourselves are not thoroughly ingstone. In every case both the men and the converted to the cause of missions all of our pulpit women who undertook the task have, I think, been thumping will fail to produce results. The telling thoroughly converted to the cause of missions, and of a story of missionary endeavor and personal I believe that they were able to communicate their adventure is more effective in enlisting the interown enthusiasm to the others. The lawyer who' est and support of the local congregation than all reviewed the life of Livingstone made the most of the high-powered arguments of ecclesiastical complete commitment to the cause of missions, at spellbinders. the conclusion of his review, that I have ever heard from a layman. The woman who was to tell But I wish to tell about the relationship of this about Albert Schweitzer happened to be in New parish to a struggling congregation of colored York the week before her review was scheduled, Episcopalians in the city. It may not be common and had an interview with Madame Schweitzer knowledge that we have no separate denominawho was in America at that time. This woman tional organization for colored Episcopalians. had accepted the assignment rather reluctantly as They are under the same jurisdiction, are reprea '~church duty," feeling it would be dull and tire- sented in the same Diocesan Convention, are some but she kept the .other women on the edge of their seats when she told the story. To "per- confirmed by the same Bishop and many of their sonalize" missions, philanthropy and the relation ministerial candidates attend the same Theological of the strong city church to the weaker mission Seminaries as the white Episcopalians. Conseis a difficult undertaking, but in some way it must quently the relationship of the mission for colored be done. The well-to-do members of our churches people in this city to the two self-supporting white are, I believe, no less generous than they used to parishes is just the same as that of a mission for be, but they are more careful. They have lost white people. At the present time these colored much of their own security and some of them feel Episcopalians are fortunate in having a priest of that they are contributing a good bit to the under- their own race, but from time to time during privileged through taxation. However when I years past they have been without pastoral overhave a personal problem which must be presented sight except from the two white rectors. It has as such, I find that the purse strings are open. been my privilege for several years to minister to Recently a young man in my parish was ordered this congregation but it is not of this pleasant by his physician to move to another climate. He personal relationship I wish to speak. was almost entirely without funds and appealed to me. I, in turn, appealed to two laymen over We have in this parish four licensed lay readers, the telephone, and within five minutes the neces- all of whom, with one exception, have served an sary amounts were forthcoming. apprenticeship in conducting services at the col- ored church. The Daughters of the King, a group One of the important factors in "personalizing of women who have charge of altar work, from the need" is the personality, enthusiasm and sin- time to time have supervised the colored women cerity of the leader. One evening several years in the care of their own altar and finally organ- ized a similar group for them.
,In our parish we have a tradition that we thought in helping to solve the problems of this carryon no money-raising activities for the sup- weaker mission church. Our aim has been to port of the parish by dinners, bazaars, rummage- avoid pauperizing the mission congregation. sales or anything of the kind. The one exception Their membership of not more than fifty is made is that once a year the women give a Musical Tea, up of school teachers, chauffeurs, porters, domesthe proceeds from which are sent to the Bishop tic servants and some business men. But their for support of missionary work within the Dio- greatest need is not for money but for personal cese. On two occasions several hundred dollars leadership and genuine friendly interest on the from this source have been used for the support part of the stronger white congregation. They of the local colored congregation. The women of are now approaching the time when they can soon the parish also help the colored women byemploy- support themselves, but they will continue to look ing them to serve possibly half of the parish din- to their many friends in this parish for guidance. ners given in this parish. Incidentally t~s cooperation has undoubtedly helped to ease the tension which so frequently Three years ago this mission congregation was exists between the two racial groups. in great need of a parish hall, for their ramshackle structure was about to fall to pieces. They took Whatever success we have had in this respect the matter up with some of us in this parish and is due to the enlistment of so many of our white we were able to secure a loan from the American laymen for personal service to the weaker congre- Church Building Fund and also a temporary loan gation. Had it been our policy simply to make a from the Bishop of the Diocese. These loans were grant of money each year to the colored brethren, made on condition that the people themselves raise very little would have been accomplished. The a certain amount, namely, $500.00, in about eight most intensely personal story in the New Testamonths. I shall never forget a day when the ment is the parable of the good Samaritan. In committee from the mission church met me in a that story we are told that the Samaritan, who local bank with the $500.00 in hand to apply on was undoubtedly a privileged person, when he the note. When the time came to build the parish came to the man who had fallen among thieves, hall one of the members of our white congregation did several things of an intimate personal nature donated his services as a contractor and gave a -"He saw him, he was moved with compassion, great many days to the supervision of the work. he came to him, he bound up his wounds, he Later another layman, an architect, gave his time poured on them oil and wine, he set him on his in further improving and beautifying the church own beast, he brought him to an inn, he took care structure. Another member of my congregation, of him." And after all of that he told the inna lumber dealer, has helped very generously in keeper that he would stand good for the expenses their purchase of supplies for the church and the and would come back to see how the poor fellow parish hall. was getting along.
Last year the vestry of the mission church ap- It is that sort of thing which we have largely pealed for help and we appointed a committee to lost in these highly specialized modern days. give them what leadership we could in conducting Somehow we must recapture the method of pertheir own Every-Member Canvass. The joint sonal service both in religious work and in social meetings of the two committees have been held in welfare, and when we do recapture it, I am conmy study and again I find the business men of my vinGed that we will have no difficulty in enlisting own parish are willing to give of their time and the privileged to help the underprivileged.
MORAL OR FINANCIAL DEPRESSION?
Many plead hard times as their reason for failing to support the Church and to give to benevolent causes. As a matter of fact, Government reports show that income is not a cri- terion of the gifts that may be expected. In the year 1936, taxable incomes in the United States increased 30 per cent over the previous year, but for the same period contributions for religious education and public welfare work decreased. The United States Treasury statis- tics for 1936 show a total declared net income (exclusive of tax exempt income) of $19,069,- 137,719 as compared with $14,212,403,587 the previous year. The contributions reported for the same year amounted to only $388,142,000 or about 2 per cent of the taxable income. The highest percentage of contributions to charity ever recorded by the Treasury came in the darkest depression years (1930-1934). On the gross incomes reported to the Government, the contributions amount to less than 1.8 per cent. Contributions through the churches in 1936 were less than at any time between 192'0 and 1934, being 40 per cent less than they were in 1928. Moral depression is more difficult to overcome than financial depression.
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II Effective Ways of Working 'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE MCGAVRAN, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~~=================~~ How Awaken Interest BOOKS ON CHINA of its civilization. Its pictures in Books? HOUSE OF EXILE, by Nora range from the old court to mod- ern factories. A study of the missionary li- WaIn – a very sympathetic picbrary at the church was discour- ture of upper class country life That is enough to give an exaging. Old books; out-of-date in China, by an American girl ample of what was done. Sevbooks; books that not even the eral women have taken to readmost ardent missionary worker who lived for a while as an ing widely the library books on could call interesting! Worst of adopted member of the Chinese the subject of whatever country, all, fifty women supposed to do family. Read it for contrast race, or nation is being studied. missionary reading and no with Pea r I Buck's "Good The mission study books proper, money to buy new books. Earth." and books of missionary stories worth buying have, conse- Here is what the group lead- LIVING CHINA, by Edgar quently, had behind them a much ers did. more fundamentally prepared Snow – translations of modern group of readers than was pos- The few interesting, recent Chinese short stories, written sible before. and worth-while boo k s were pulled out. There were new and published in China for home Even where the public library members in the group who had consumption. They contain some d.oes not have much that is modread nothing. They could start things you will find it hard to ern, there are chapters in recent with these. books which may have decided stomach. But here is modern China, in at least some of its phases, as seen by the Chinese themselves. Read it to help you Four people were asked to buy decide whether China has any bearing. For example, in Dr. for themselves and then loan to real need of the Christian mes- Heiser's "Oddyssey of an Amerthe missionary society one each ican Doctor," the chapter on lepof the best new books bearing on sage and Gospel. rosy and the colony at Culion, the subject of the current Philippine Islands, is excellent studies. HO-MING: GIRL OF NEW background for a consideration CHINA, by Elizabeth Lewis (chil- The public library was ap- dren's library), a story which of missions to lepers. you will find interesting light proached, and a committee of reading, to give you a picture of Kn.owledge awakens interest. capable women chose and read young China in transiti.on. Read For a club paper many a woman those books which seemed to it because you want to know will read background books for have promise of being at least something of young China in the months. Why not as much for good background books; i. e., terms in which young people a talk in the missionary society? those which in addition to beirig read of each other. The deeper the knowledge, the vivid, interesting and accurate, WHAT AND WHY IN CHINA, by deeper the interest. gave a picture of home, school, Paul Hutchison – an answer to town or country life; or a back- the puzzle which modern Chinese How Get New Members ground of the country, race, or history is to most of us. Clear, One young women's missionnation; or, an interpretation of concise, and interesting, though ary group has an unusual prothe people; or, a picture of their very brief, it gives us an excel- portion of new working-memneeds; or, any other specific lent summary.of China's politics bers. They have a sort of unpresentation which would give to 1927. Read it for clearer written rule that no one is ever women a background pattern understanding of some of asked to join their missionary against which their program China's present difficulties. society. Instead, a prospective talks and considerations would LOTUS PETALS, by Princess member is asked to come as a stand out. The very best of der Ling-most interesting com- guest to one of the regular meetthese were listed. ments on va rio u smatters ings; she is greeted as a guest Mimeographed sheets, bearing Chinese by one who was first- of the one who has brought her, the following sort of informa- lady-in-waiting to the old Em- and is treated as such. She is tion, were given out at the early press Dowager. Read it so that asked by the same person to fall meeting, where background you may see China through Chi- come again, perhaps not next reading was stressed. nese eyes in yet another aspect time, but soon. She is welcomed [429 ]
as a visitor for as long as she ship plays when· well produced. the draping of the graceful garwants to come. Then, as she becomes a familiar guest, she is We also know how hard it is to ments of India. asked to help with this or that. And then, sometime, quite cas- discover from the printed de- Why not secure, in your disually, she is asked if she would like formally to join the group. scription of a play just what trict or state group, a demonstra- If she does join, it is because effect it will have. And even tion program of plays and dramshe knows the group, likes the fellowship, is interested in the after reading a play it is a bit atizations, suitable for use durmeetings, and has done some work in connection with them. hard to know what impression it ing this next year? It should be She knows, through regular reports and minutes, about the will give. held at least a month before such educational and financial aims of the group, and is already taking Why not have a demonstration plays will be given in the local time to attend. There is, thus, no influx of new members to be night for missionary plays and churches. coddled along. There is no un- playlets? A district or state con- .W~y not send someone to ~ee willing member who has joined vention is a fine place to do this. ~IssIO~ary plays that ar~ bemg because she was pestered to be- An institute or young people's ,~_gIven m other churches m .y.our come a member. Anyone is welcome as a perennial visitor to conference is also excellent. A own or near-by commumtIes? that group. But no one is asked to join until she has shown a de- county interdenominational Sun- Send someone who can coach a sire to become a working mem- day school council meeting gives play for yoU! ~roup. ber of the organization. . another opportunity. Why not Jom WIth other mlS- P. S. Oh, yes, its quite true that this group has an unusually Here are two examples of how sionary groups or churches to good time together, has good this has been done very success- ask a drama~lCs club to prepare programs, and carries an inspir- fully. The Boston University and pr~sent, m each of yo~r I?roing financial responsibility. But School of Religious Education grams m turn, the b~st I?IssIonthen, you know, so could your society. used to have one month before ary play or dramatIzatIon you Improving Missionary Christmas an'd one month before can find? P!o.duce t~at play! Easter, a program of plays, You can Meetings music and other items, given as Or you can Jomtly .wlth some "If we don't stop taking so demonstration, to which were o~her group secure Its ~rodu~ much time for business," sighed tIon. A~d you can be gUIded m a bored member of a missionary invited representatives from the your chOl~e and h~ve your p~th group, "I'm going to quit com- city's churches. Two or more ~ade eaSIer for ItS productIon ing." She was right. The busi- plays, of differing difficulty and If y:ou arrange for an~ual, or ness seemed interminable. The secretary's reports were espe- type, were given each time-new cially boring. Attack at that point seemed strategic. At the plays which were available for semI-annual demonstratIOns. by next election, one of the church's most devoted club-women, was, use that season. How much bet- competent amateurs, at pomts with her previous consent, elected secretary. Her minutes, ter they could be judged, when where many are together who brief and to the point, gracious in their necessary acknowledg- produced on the stage than in can use such plays. ments, and in perfect order, have been a joy. It is noticeable that any other way! Ideas were Looking Ahead when this new secretary is oc- gained for costuming, for lightcasionally not able to be present, there is no slipping back into old ing, for music, for setting, all October is the special issue on ways. An ideal has been set up within the ability of the ordinary India. All the glamour and color for making the minutes a real church and yet stressing simple of the Orient can be introduced contribution rather than a detri- and dignified treatment. ment. into your meetings. And against A second example, which bids When You Produce That Play! fair to become a yearly custom, it you will present the tragedy is the presentation of two dem- and the hope of that ancient We all know the effectiveness onstration playlets, one on the land. We shall give some of the of missionary and world-friend- ways in which m iss ion a r y home missions theme and one on groups and leaders here and the foreign missions theme, at a there have made India a live luncheon program of the Mis- issue in their meetings.
sionary Institute of Indianapolis, In November we hope to have Indiana, early each May. It some very helpful suggestions would be interesting to know in for developing a sense of stew- how many missionary groups, ardship among the people of our missionary groups. Stewardship over Indiana and in adjacent is more than a faithful presenta- states from which delegates tion of the regular dues. It is an come, those little playlets. with their missionary message are attitude of life. And a very im- given in the missionary year portant part of Christian educa- tion is the nurture of individuals which follows; and just because and groups in that attitude. they were demonstrated there in a fashion which could be fol- Christmas and World Peace lowed in the smallest church. seem more and more to be joined in our thoughts.. We like also to For the current year, 'such a think of Christmas around the demonstration might include the world. In our December issue correct winding of a turban and we shall have some very definite
EFFECTIViE WAYS OF WORKING
suggestions for making the A missionary in Mexico, not Such a project can become Peace emphasis effective, and for long ago, found no welcome in a part of the stewardship training achieving a deeper sense of the certain village. So she moved of the children. Through it they real meaning of Christmas. over there to live, as a neighbor, become aware of the needs of Some avenues of service will be in a tiny Mexican "adobe" hut- others, they review their own regiven which other groups have to be, not a missionary, but a sources, decide to part with some found meant much to their own neighbor. She did not know things dear to them through asdevelopment. whether during the few months sociation, yet too often "hung she planned to be there, she onto" for only that reason, and Ventures in Understanding would find more than one or two they give time and money and curious children who would be effort to make the things "as A young women's missionary friends with her and to whom good as new" in order that they guild were studying the living she could be a friend. She ar- may be useful gifts to make, valreligions of the world. When rived with some trepidation. ued by those to whom they are they came to Judaism, they in- But the village people, hitherto to go. vited a young Jewish social hostile, welcomed her as they worker to come as a guest of one would have received one of them- Seven Rules for a Good of the members. They met her selves. Great things arose out Meeting socially before their supper, of that determination to give chatted with her during the herself, in their own manner, to 1. Be friendly. The regular member meal, and later listened with friendship. Is there anyone of who is retiring can be as lonely deep interest to her talk on your group making herself a as the stranger-almost. Great Jewish Women. For the member of another group, for an first time, for many of them, the hour, for a day, for a week? Is 2. Begin on time. Announce, "Thurs- Jew was linked with modern so- anyone putting herself in the day at 2: 00 P. M., with the procial reform. They began to real- position of needing from them gram beginning promptly at ize that Jews are a force for that same friendliness which she 2: 15." Stress the earlier hour, righteousness in America today. hopes to give them? for the greeting of friends and Theirs was more than a dispas- strangers is as important as the sionate study of Judaism that A New Avenue for Children's rest of the business, but begin night. They had a personal ex- Giving the program very promptly at perience in deepening their the time set. understanding of and liking for In connection with your study the Jew. What such experiences of the City, it might be wise to 3. Conduct all business with dispatch. in understanding are you plan- find out about Toy Libraries in Having planned a proportionning for your group during the your own or in some adjacent ately suitable time for the businext few months? city. Many city children in the ness, do not let it infringe upon underprivileged sections have the rest of the program. If it is *** not one toy of any sort. One of running over, analyze your tech- the interesting newer projects is nique and improve it. A young people's world friend- the establishment of a "Toy Liship group meeting included a brary" in some such district 4. See that the devotional period is Chinese boy and a Japanese girl. where children may withdraw a short but reverent in every way. What happened? Sparks flew! toy for a week, gs they would Stress simplicity and dignity; Some regretted that the two had withdraw a book from a library. and frown upon starting with an been invited at the same time. excuse for lack of preparation, But others realized, as never be- Where such a Toy Library facetiousness, or last – minute fore, how pride of race can cre- exists, an excellent avenue is passing of hymn books, etc. If ate antagonism even when Chris- open for a service project for the hymns 'are familiar, announce the tian brotherhood exists. From children of more privileged verses to be sung and sing withthat situation rose a deeper areas. Most of these children out books, not adding the hope understanding of the problem of have toys – such as scooters, that the hymn is known to everyracial antagonisms, and a sleds, roller skates, .and games one. If not familiar use books stronger desire to meet such an- which they have outgrown but or do not have group singing. tagonisms in the spirit of Christ. which are, basically, still sturdy This alone can produce. as it did and good. Dolls, games, toy fur- 5. Give sequence to your study. Rein that group, a greater senti- niture, puzzles, and other play- mind the group of the general ment than that of race, and things are lying in attics or on theme of study or program being draw alien peoples together. Are back shelves. Why not have a followed. Review in a sentence you keeping your group clear of "Paint and Scissors Club," meet- or two the ground already covsituations which might prove ing weekly for a few weeks, to ered in past meetings. State the embarrassing? Or are you out which will be brought these old aspect of the subject to be conto demonstrate, right within but good toys, to be renovated sidered today. Introduce each your own circle, that the most there by the Juniors under the item of the program with a word difficult race relationship can be direction of one or two adults or as to its bearing on today's desolved if courageously faced and young people? velopment of that aspect. met in the spirit of our Lord? 6. Relate the offering to life itself. At the time of its presentation, have a two- or three-sentence preSentation of some service the group is rendering through its gifts. Have a prayer dedicating the day's offering to its use.
7. Close on time. Never run past closing time. A meeting which closes on time has a rhythm and effectiveness which is lacking where it just runs on and on. Prompt closing makes for much more careful preparation.
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y. I ==================I~'
SETTING-UP CONFERENCE The central theme run~ing FOR EASTERN MIGRANT ""–through the w.orship serVIces STAFF was the need for spiritual re- Hartford Theological sources in the midst of a c.om- Seminary plex and confusing world – "I JUNE 16-19, 1938 can do all things thr.ough Christ As Seen by Two Leaders who strengtheneth me."
The fourth annual Setting-Up THE STAFF OF THE NEW YORK AND The cl.osing session was held Conference for the workers in NElW JERSEY CENTERS; MISS HELEN Sunday morning in the Semthe Migrant centers .of the East- inary Chapel preceding breakern Area was held this year, WHITE, SUPERVISOR fast and was led by Dr. Miller. June 16-19, at the Hartford In that early morning hour the Seminary Foundati.on, Hart- message of the joy of service ford, Connecticut, when Dr. J. Quinter Miller, Executive Sec- in crafts, recreation, s.ongs, nurs- fell upon minds and hearts alretary of the C.onnecticut C.oun- ready prepared. And as these cil of Churches, his able assist- ery school methods, child care, highly endowed young people ant, Mr. R. Stanley Kendig and camp sanitation, first aid, be- Miss Vera MacCracken, Secre- haviour problems and religious had themselves been ch.osen tary .of the Hartford County education methods made a rich largely because of the privilege Y. W. C. A. proved to be m.ost program. genial and perfect hosts. of their experience, they left The earnest and energetic Hartford newly commissioned Thither they came – 40 Col- staff .of young men and women and eager to go out to serve. lege students representing the had crammed noteb.ooks, broad- ShaufHer College of Religi.ous ened minds and understanding Into my hearl's treasury I slipped a and Social Work, Pennsylvania hearts. There was a strong feel- State, Bennett College, Kansas ing .of fellowship and unity. coin State Teachers College, Bucknell University, Virginia State Am.ong those who were .of That time cannot steal nor thief pur- College, Kalamazoo College, very special help were Mrs. Maryville College, Muskingum Phyllis Williams, of the Insti- loin, C.ollege, Oberlin College, Amherst College, Yale University; tute of Human Relati.ons .of Yale o better than the mining of a gold- Divinity Students from Hart- University, who gave an inter- crowned king ford Seminary F.oundation and pretation of 'the Folk ways. of Andover Newton The.ological the Italians; Miss Lola De- Is the safe-kept memory of a lovely Seminary; and experienced Grille, of the International Inkindergartners, recreational and stitute .of New York, interpreted thing. -Sara Teasdale. home-economics folk, as well as Polish f.olk; Mrs. John Ainley, sch.ool teachers. Many were who taught songs and also gave LAURA H. PARKER, new to the work while others meth.ods in song leading; Miss PETRICHA E. MANCHESTER. had had much experience, for one of the sl.ogans .of Migrant Frances Hedden with concrete As Seen by a Worker Workers is "once a Migrant, al- and practical suggestions. in reways a Migrant." Here they ligious education; Miss Marie Sharecropping and its horr.ors .assembled to receive training in Gaertller in nursery scho.ol have been studied and effectively "center" technique, to plan f.or methods; and Miss Agnes Diehl dramatized to the country. Yet the current season, and to ex- the migration of w.orkers from change helpful experiences. community to community seek- Lectures and dem.onstrations ing new employment, supple- menting irregular employment at customary occupations, or habitually following seasonal employment is an accepted phe- in the field of crafts. nomenon in contemp.orary in- Saturday night the picnic sup- dustrial society.
per with the singing, camp fire Consci.ous .of the extent of the and worship service br.ought to problem .of migratory labor in all a nearness of God through the United States, the C.ouncil the great .outdo.ors and a realiza- of Women for H.ome Missi.ons in tion, by contrast, .of the severe 1920 established centers for the care of migrant families. It was and sordid things that would the staff .of these centers in the have t.o be faced during the ex- East which met at Hartford perience of the summer.
[432 ] electro nic fil e created by cafis.org
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
Theological Seminary fro m grant ranks. The emplQyer June 16-19, 1938. looks at his migrant laborers as It is evident that a s'Ocial prQblem as comprehensive and people "whQm he gets cheap." basic as migratory lab'Or- 'Originating from a search for Hence, there is n'O coordination economic security and creating or cOQperatiQn among the groups. further problems of disintegratiQn 'Of family life, inadequate The good migrant social worker child care, poor housing c'Ondi- can and must break down these tions with consequent health problems, lack of sufficient edu- barriers. This was discussed by cati'On 'On the part 'Of children and adults, lack of time fQr Mrs. Manchester, Messrs. NewrecreatiQn and aesthetic expression, lack of opportunity fQr field, Glick, and Dr. Miller. participatiQn in dem'Ocracy, and a feeling 'Of intolerance–has n'O The migrant mQvies and the 'One final answer. Hence, the conference could best be viewed visit to the tobacco plantatiQn by stating its issues in terms of fundamental questions. expressed more adequately than It appears that a rather vital words the actual physical needs pre-supposition that undergirds of the migrant. each 'Of the issues, and is im- THE STAFF OF DELAWARE AND MARY- LAND CENTERS; MRS. P. E. Definite prQgram suggestions plied in each is: that the educa- MANCHESTER, SUPIDRVISOR tional and religiQus processes and helps were given in the should it be arran~ed? What which culminate in creative in- should be its extent? periods. with Misses Hedden, telligence and human under- 5. In facing the problem of healthstanding can transcend the cul- What can we do as inexperi- GordQn, Diehl, Gaertner, Mrs. ture and develop it. Upon one's enced, untrained people in giving reaction to the pre-supP'Osition first aid, camp sanitation, ar- Maramarco, and Messrs. Thomhangs the hQpe 'Of the social mi- ranging meals, summoning the grant worker. For, as seen aid of county agencies ? sen, North, and Kullgren when 6. Accompanying the maladjustment through: the issues and the dis- in labor and home, certain unde- we learned (bQth through hearcussion 'Of them, the migrant so- sirable and abnormal behaviour patterns are developed. How ing and d'Oing) something about cial worker is expected t'O be shall we meet them? an educator, religi'Ous director, 7. The migrants represent every cul- children's work; folk games and nurse, home economist, libra- ture. One works best with those rian, musician, and business he knows and understands. dances; homemade games; eveman. Unless he has faith, then, What are the folkways of the migrants with whom we are to ning, Sunday and rainy day pr'Oin the power 'Of a creative dy- work? namic educati'On coupled with grams for yQung people and the Qmnip'Otence 'Of God, he is as Let us develop these issues briefly as they were discussed at adults; and crafts. . a lost sheep. the c'Onference. ThrQugh the help of D'OctQrs With this in mind some basic The seven-minute presentaquestions and issues which were tions 'Of the four areas discussed Calverly and Clifford and Mr. cQnsidered are: picturesquely and interestingly by the Misses Vera MacCracken, Scott V e were ,able to feel that 1. What are the duties and problems Mary Cannon, CarQI Ferwerda of a migrant social worker? and Gladys Corkum prQvided an untrained health educatQrs could How does his work differ from excellent backgrQund orienta- the social case worker? tion for the understanding 'Of do something. the duties and problems of the 2. The migrants-How do they live? migrant socialwQrker. How Inspired, challenged, and defi- What are their needs? different her work is frQm a city sQcial case w'Orker! HQW much nitely helped by the experiences 3. What are the values of the migrant is involved! No longer are y'OU program for the employer, com- a case worker, or a nurse, or a of the conference we strove to munity, migrant? What should teacher, 'Or religi'Ousdirector- be the relationship between the but you must be a combination plan 'Our programs. Balanced migrant and community, em- of them all. ployer and migrant, social work- as they may be, we can still feel er and community, social worker Because any successful pro- and employer, migrant and so- gram 'Of migrant education must a lack, f'Or our prQgrams cannot cial worker? Where should the represent this cQmbinati'On, it focus be? What are some of the must include the empl'Oyer and get at the real roots of the prob- methods of attack? the community as well as the migrant. There exists, undoubt- lem. It· is evident that the old 4. Our program-What should it in- edly, a feeling 'Of intolerance clude for infants, children, among the community folk be- econQmy, attitudes land educa- young people, adults? · How cause they dQ n'Ot understand their migrant brother. There tion are inadequate, but the is, therefore, "a man without a country" attitude within the mi- problems of migrancy can be abolished is our cry.
May we keep always in 'Our hearts the spirit 'Of the "Work- er's Prayer" which we felt at the close of the conference.
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In living echoes of thy tone; As thou hast sought, so let me seek Thy erring children, lost and lone.
Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things thou dost im- part; And wing my weirds that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart.
Oh, give thine own sweet rest to me; That I may speak with soothing power A word in season, as from thee, To weary ones in needful hour.
-F'rttnces R. H avergal.
DEBORAH CANNON.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events .~ EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO 1 ~'='===—-=-===–=-=======~ J APAN-OHOSEN who is a Christian and I see eight out of ten, because of the sQmething in his face that is dif- Japanese insistence on attend- A Soldier's Penance ferent. I want it." AnQther ance at the shrines. These were The United Church Record wrote: "I was riding a bicycle, "-great institutions wit h fine reports the following incident, told by the pastor in whose returning tQ my home from buildings, a good reputation, a church it .occurred: school. You gave me a tract. I capacity student body, and ap- A Japanese soldier came to a little chapel at Pingting, a rural town in believe now in the true God. I parently a future of great useeastern Shansi, on Christmas Day. He knelt and prayed before the Cross have .one friend who believes fulness. But it became imposwhile the pastor looked on with a great alsQ, and we gather the village sible to preserve the Christian deal of interest. children t.ogether sometimes and c.ontent of the sch.ools and at the Rising, the soldier approached the pastor and handed him a five-dollar talk to them about God." same time meet demands made note, explaining that he and three of -Presbyterian Survey. on them which loyal followers his comrades wished to donate this to the church. He Never Met a Ohristian of Christ would find impossible to meet with.out comprQmising Asked what was his calling before An .old man in the country their consciences, so we had no the war, the soldier revealed that he was converted by reading the choice left save tQ follow the and his three friends were all evan- Bible before he ever met a orders of our Executive Comgelists before they were conscripted. Christian. Hearing of Chris- mittee and make this great sac- Why didn't his friends come to the tianity, and thinking it sounded rifice for the sake of our convicchurch too? The answer was: They reasonable, he wrote to a city tion that we, as Christians, had no "face" to come to the church friend who sent him a Bible and should serve only one God, and after all the sinful things they had a Christian newspaper. After that our deepest soul loyalty bedone in invading China and killing the reading these he asked where he longs to Jesus Christ. Chinese people. They thought they could meet a Christian and was could not present themselves in front told there were some in Hamada. "There is still a strong native of Jesus Christ. Finding some of the Christian church that is witnessing for wQrkers holding an open-air Jesus Christ. It is working and He, however, decided that he could service, he joined heartily in the growing. There are also still at least atone for his sins by coming singing, making a joyful noise wide open fields for evangelism. to worship in the church, especially quite out of tune, and laughed The Gospel can be preached as since it was Christmas Day. He and chuckled all through the freely as ever, and people listen hoped that with the love of Christ the talks, so that the wo r k e r s as gladly. WQmen's work offers world might be changed, all national thought that he was mentally many opportunities for Chrisdifferences sunk and all human suf- deficient, until they realized that tian service in home and comferings avoided. it was his overflowing joy at munity. All the hospitals are meeting fellQw Christians for filled, and witnessing for Christ The Printed Word the first time in his life! He has is being emphasized in each of never turned back from the them. More extensive Bible Japan has one point of ad- faith he entered intQ through training is being planned, SQ vantage over all other mission reading the Bible. When he that every church may have fields in that practically every prays he follows no conventional competent leadership." Japanese can read. Education method, but sits down with open there is compulsory. A mission- eyes and chats to his unseen Presbyterian Survey. ary, therefore, can write out Friend as if he could see the .one anything he wishes to tell to the to whQm he talks. A Oommunist Oonverted thronging multitudes whQm he passes in city streets, or to Korea Mission Losses A United Church of Canada farmers he meets along country missionary visited a Korean palanes, and hand it with a smile Rev. L. T. Newland, D.D., .of tient in a hQspital and noticed a and a greeting, and know that the Southern Presbyterian Mis- copy of Luke's Gospel laying on it will be read and understoQd. sion at Kwangju, writes: "With- the bed. Upon being asked what As a result, letters come tQ the he thQught of it he replied: "I mission, confessing sins, telling used to be a cQmmunist. I .of dQmestic problems, asking thought the wQrld was in such hQW tQ be forgiven or how to find peace. One man wrote: "I in the last few months the a bad state that only by destroygQt yQur tract. I know a man Southern Presbyterian Mission ing everything and beginning in Korea has lost its schQols, all over again could things be [434 ] set right. Since I have been here deeming love is read with great two or three portable steel I have been reading this book, interest and appreciation. houses that will be set up by -Bible S.ociety Record. R. G. Letourneau, Inc. One of listening to the hospital evan- gelist, and have had time to NORTH AMERICA these will be used as a dwelling think. .I am now convinced that for exhibition purposes; another the Jesus' way is the only way Christian Youth Council will be the headquarters of the Christian Business Men's Comthat will work, that of changing Problems of war, poverty, un- mittee, while it is likely that a the world by first changing the hearts of men, and I have de- employment, slum living, race third will house a Bible exhibit. termined first of all to become a prejudice, crime, in d u s t ria 1 -Alliance Weekly. strife, alcohol and political cor- Christian myself." -Korea Mission Field. ruption cannot be solved by any- New England Bible thing less than a united Chris- Demonstration ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC tian movement, according to the At the Metropolitan Theater consensus of opinion among al- Bible Distribution in Hawaii most 3,000 Christian educators, in Providence, R. 1., this sum- Thirty thousand children in representatives of forty-one de- mer 3,500 Evangelical Chris- Hawaii's public s.chools have each received a copy of the nominations in the U nit e d ti·ans lifted their Bibles high Gospel of Luke. This was in response to a request of the chil- States and Canada, who came above their heads and repeated dren themselves, and the earnestness of the request was :r together in Columbus, Ohio, for three times: "The Word of the proved by the enthusiasm with which the gift was received. the twentieth quadrennial con- Lord endu~eth forever." he Some of the teachers wrote: vention of the International demonstrabon passed resolutIOns "The children are very much Council of Religious Education· recalling people everyw~er~, "~o pleased. Many read these little volumes during the free-reading in July. The delegates discussed a reverence for the BIble m period."-"Since the arrival of such problems as Christian fam- these ~ord~: "We again a!fi.rm the Gospels of Saint Luke a new ily life, Christian leadership for ~)Ur f~uth m. the . au~henbclty, interest in religious literature has been shown."-"This school the modern world missions and mtegnty and msplrabon of the wishes to express i·ts thanks and missionary educ~tion, drama, Holy Scripture as. being the ~ne appreciation for the wonderful story in the form received. A visual education, temperance and final authorIty. for. faith dozen different nationalities attend this school, and to many education, education and gam- and conduct; that, m VIew of this is a new book and a new story. We feel that much bene- bling, Christian education and the desperate need of the world fit will follow; for surely the industrial _economic problems, ~oday, we go on ~ecord as send- Word will bear fruit." Christian education and race re- mg forth from thIS rally a clear, Messages. like these cam e from the pupils: a Portuguese lations, and world peace. Facts pl·ain and forceful call to the about the world situation were world to return to that rever- presented, not by theorists but ence f?r the Bible w~ich sh.all by experts speaking b e for e result m earnest readmg, bellef small groups that took advan- in i~s rede~ptiye message and tage of the opportunity for ques- ~bedlence to Its mvaluable.teach- tions .and discussion. The task mgs."-Watch'lnan-Examtner.
of Christian education was viewed as one that concerns . Readjustments in Presbyterian Christian attitudes in facing our Foreign Board critical problems. Because of the retirement of girl remarked: "The first night Christianity on Exhibit several members of its staff, the I read four chapters to my whole Presbyterian Foreign Board is family. I shall read the whole At the Golden Gate Interna- readjusting the duties of other tional Exposition in 1939 an ap- members. Rev. William P. book for them."
An eighth-grade Japanese boy peal for Christianity will be Schell, D.D., continues as· chairproudly remarked: "Thanks for made to those who take no man of the Home Base Council the story. I carry it in my thought for religion. About and a new division of special pocket and read it every chance 8,000 square feet of outdoor gifts and annuities; Miss Ger- space will be leased, upon which trude Schultz remains in charge I get." A Japanese girl declared: will be erected a large steel audi- of women's work in the Home "Even though I believe in the torium, and in this Mr. Irwin Base. Rev. Charles T. Leber, Buddha, yet I like this story of A. Moon will present several D.D. has been transferred from times daily his "Sermons from the secretaryship for Japan, the Christ." These children carry the Science," a series of spectacular China, Siam and the Philippines Word of God to their various scientific phenomena used to il- to the promotional work of the homes-in the city, plantation lustrate spiritual truth. After Home Base, with a supervisory center, fisherman's hut, labor eight years of preparation, Mr. connection with young people's camp, homestead shack and Moon seeks to present the first work. Rev. Willis C. Lamott, primitive native houses, scat- century Gospel with twentieth D.D., of the Japan Mission, has tered from ocean shore to moun- century illustrations. In con- been asked to assume responsitain peak, where the story of re- nection with this exhibit will be bility for publicity work while
Miss Mary Moore, one of the appointed to deal with problems Church Cooperation and Union.
secretaries f.or y.oung people's of harmonizing rituals, co.ordi- Bishop Perry presented a resolu- work, will go to San Francisc.o nating pr.ograms and merging tion passed by the General Con- to replace Miss Marcia Kerr, organizations of the Methodist vention in Cincinnati: wh.o comes t.o New Y.ork t.o as- Episcopal Church, Methodist The General Convention of the sist Dr. Young in the new de- Episcopal Church, South, and Protestant Episcopal Church in the partment .of missi.onary person- Meth.odist Pr.otestant Church. U. S. A., acting with full realization nel. Rev. S. Franklin Mack will Other questions considered were of the significance of its proposal, church extension, missions, hos- hCehruebrcyh ininvthiteesU. tSh.eA. Ptoresjobiyntewriiathn give his entire time to directing pitals, education and young peo- it in accepting the following declarayoung pe.ople's w.ork.
Rev. George T. SC.ott, D.D. is pIe, pensions and publication tion: chairman .of the F.oreign De- work. A small committee .of The two churches, one in the faith lawyers will furnish counsel in onfatetheWLoordrd oJfesGusod,Chrreicsot,gmt~z~mginctahrepartment C.ouncil, with special alliega} matters. The next meet-"'·-Holy Scriptures as the supreme rule responsibility for interdenomi- national relationships. Rev. ing wIll be held January 24, of faith, accepting the two ~acra- LI.oyd S. Ruland, D.D., of Bing- 1939, at Jackson, Miss. minegnttshaotrdtahienevdisbibyleCuhnriistyt, aonfdCbherliisetv'shamton, N. Y., a former mis- Church is the will of God, hereby formally declare their purpose to sionary in China, becomes secre- School for Missionaries achieve organic union between their tary for China. Pending the The first Iowa School for Mis- respective churches. election .of a successor t.o Dr. Leber, Rev. J. L. Hooper, D.D., si.onaries will be held January -The Churchman. of the Philippines, will serve as 23 t.o February 18, 1939, at Iowa secretary f.or the four countries' State College, Ames, Iowa. The Library, and Racial Problem recently under Dr. Leber's su- first three weeks will be devoted t.o classes in the following sub- Here is what can happen pervision. jects: sociology and rural or- when a mission study class ganizati.on, agriculture and ru- learns something and acts upon Lutheran Unification ral education, foods and nutri- it. The minister of a Colored tion, family life and health, and church in Portsmouth, Va., city Delegates to the Eastern Dis- agriculture. The aftern.oons will of 50,000, told a white mission trict Convention .of the Ameri- study group that the Colored can Lutheran Church voted to be devoted t.o conferences and people of the city had n.o access put aside "doctrinal differences" field trips. A two-day rural mis- to a library. This was news to with .other Lutheran churches sions conference will be held many of the white people. and to unite "in fell.owship .of pulpit and altar" with them. during the course .of the school. The mission study class inves- The vote foll.owed long discus- The fourth week c.oincides with tigated, secured the cooperation sion of the reports of the Ameri- Iowa State Farm and Home of the National Youth Adminiscan Lutheran Church Commis- Week, the lectures and exhibits tration, which made the desired sion on Fell.owship with the .of which will be open t.o the mis- library a pr.oject, obtained aid United Lutheran Church in from the PWA, was given space America and with the Lutheran sionaries. The Iowa School for in Mr. Birchette's parish h.ouse, Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Missionaries is being carried on received gifts from citizens for .other states. by the Iowa State College at the lumber, paint, labor, and some request and with the co.opera- but n.ot yet enough furniturre T.h e Evangelical Lutheran an,d b.o.oks (the Church Periodi- Synod of Missouri has churches ti.on .of the Rural Missions C.o- cal Club assisting) and put a in every state of the Union, and .operating C.ommittee, repre- trained librarian in charge. a total membership .of 1,305,000 senting some eighteen foreign in the United States and Can- The library was opened by a ada. At the recent Triennial missi.on b.oards in the United States. -Agricultural Mission Notes.
Conventi.on the Syn.od auth.or- Presbyterian-Episcopal program inc Iud i n g eight ized a drive for a thank offering s pee c h e s by representatives Negotiations to commemorate the hundredth from co.operating groups.
anniversary .of the arrival in the A delegation fr.om the Pres- Border Cooperation United States .of the Saxons who byterian Church U. S. A., met f.ounded this church. The sum Every Texas city of moderate sought will be in addition to the last December with Bish.oP Per- size has its "Little Mexico," cut annual budget of $1,500,000. ry and Dr. Howard C. R.obbins .off from the rest .of the town by of the Protestant Episc.opal The- United Methodism Meets ological Seminary to confer on invisible but definite lines that a closer union ·of the tW.o b.odies. are seldom crossed except by The first large j.oint meeting Representing the Presbyterian teachers, missionaries or occa- .of Methodists held since unifi- Church were Dr. L. S. Mudge, sional tourists. Few of the cation was approved by the stated clerk of the General nearly 7,000 Mexicans in Texas Methodist Episcopal Church, Assembly and Dr. J. Ross Stev- speak English: they have their South, took place in Columbus, enson, chairman of the Presbyte- own stores, newspapers, church- Ohi.o, in JUly. C.ommittees were rian Assembly's Department on es. While the majority are
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Roman Catholic, every Mexican notified the large canneries at ment is given for an hour three center has a struggling evangel- Ho.onah and Yakutat that no na- times within one week, and then ical mission, and the American tives need bother to apply for the patient is allowed to rest for Bible Society tries to provide work either as laborers in the a month before the treatment is Spanish Scriptures at cost. Sec- canneries or as fishermen, for continued. retary Marroquin, American Bi- they would n'Ot be hired." The A wealthy philanthrQpist 'Of ble Society's Mexican agent, a natives in that region, threaten- Brazil has offered a set of the few months ago made a two- ing to take things into their own apparatus to the United States, weeks' tour of the centers of hands, are prepared to fight, if for use at the Leper Clinic in Mexican population in Texas; a necessary, fQr their right to Carville, La. journey of over 1,500 miles, work. The largest cannery in -The Christian Advocate. with stops in various centers Alaska, located at Kassan, has where local c'Ommittees had definitely decided not to reopen. Thr.ough Brazil with the Bible previously planned interdenomi- Others may do likewise, rather national meetings to hear his than yield to the unreas.onable An outstanding piece .of work during the year has been the reillustrated lecture. He shows demands of the labor unions. markable journey through Brahis audience how colportage Unless the deadlock is broken, zil of two colporteurs, George work is done in Mexic'O, takes Glass and the redoubtable Antao them over mountain passes, on thousands of Alaskan families Pessoa. They c'Overed 5,000 burro back or oxcart; and tells will suffer. them how, under the present Mexican g'Overnment, the circu- LATIN AMERIOA miles, mQstly by mule back, but lation 'Of the Bible increased the SQme 1,300 miles was in a "dug past year by 10,000 copies; how the Scriptures are being trans- Educati.on in B.olivia out" and almost 250 miles on lated into the native tongues of foot. There were perils to face, 3,000,000 Indians .of Mexico The public school teachers of such as terrific cataracts, rapids, who do not speak Spanish; how Bolivia have petitioned the wild beasts and hostile tribes, the 130,000 Protestants of that g.overnment to use for public the latter sunk in poverty and country contributed 4,152 pesos schools the money now given to ignorance. Once 'On trek they (over a thousand d'Ollars) to the support the State church. The came to an abandoned region support of the Bible Society; Roman clergy have jointly is- ruled by a murderer who tried how even the illiterates often sued a pastoral letter to all Bo- to get them in his p.ower, but buy copies .of the Bible, in the livian citizens warning them with the c'Onnivance of two 'Of hope that someone will read that their religion is in danger, the man's own cut throats they aloud to them-so great is their that Communism is just arQund managed to escape. desire for the Word of God. the CQrner. and that they should The largest sales were made c'Onsider very carefully for in the priest-ridden town of Eighteen such meetings were whom they cast their vote. This Campinas. One very suspicious held, and 'Over 7,000 Mexicans year 1938, may prove a momen-· old lady refused to touch the heard 'Of the work of Bible dis- tous .one for Bolivia, especially books, but as the colporteur read tribution, while 14,000 Gospels were left with local pastors to if the Congress and the Senate one passage after another she be given out. should decide on the separation began to make exclamatiQns of -Bible Society Record. of Church and State, which ac- apprQval, and finally bought a tion is not altogether improb- copy, say i n g apologetically: able. "You see, I thought the bOQk -Baptist Missionary Review. was Protestant." The lurid pic- Alaskans in Distress tures 'Of Protestants, painted by Oxygen f.or Lepr.osy the priests, had filled the people Native Alaskans, who depend Brazil is said to lead the wQrld with dread. entirely upon the fishing in- in the fight against leprosy, and dustry for their living, are fac- These two intrepid men had ing a desperate situati'On grow- a new treatment being tried ing out of the activities of the there is reported by Dr. H. W. many adventures and escapes, Wade, of Washington, D. C. It labor unions in the United but the greatest experience was States who seek to control the consists of the administration fishing and canning industry of oxygen under pressure, and the satisfaction .of circulating throughout the Alaskan Terri- the inventor is Dr. Ozorio de 100 Bibles, 700 Testaments and Almeida, wh.o first thought of it 3,000 Gospels in 'One .of the dark- est regions 'Of the earth.
-The Neglected Continent.
tory. Demands of rival labor as a means 'Of treating cancer. Five Year Increase in Brazil unions have prevented the re- The patient is placed in a tank opening of the canneries. These into which pure 'Oxygen can be The Presbyterian Church of unions insist upon determining introduced and the pressure Brazil reported at the annual who shall be employed, discrim- gradually increased until it General Assembly held this year inating against native Alaskans. reaches an atmosphere and a in FQrtaleza that there are now A correspondent of the Presby- half (some twenty-one pounds 266 organized churches and 140 terian BQard of National Mis- to the square inch) ab.ove the .other groups, exclusive of 1,522 sions writes: "The C. I. O. has normal pressure. The treat- places where the Gospel is regu-
larly preached. These churches EUROPE heads of families-men in good are organized into three synods Mohammed's Birthday Cele- standing with the governmentand are ministered to by 183 or- must be presented for approval. brated in London dained ministers and nine licen- tiates. There are 43,100 church On May 12, a group of Mo- Calvinistic Congress members, and a Sunday school membership of 47,939. It will hammedans in London cele- The fourth Biennial Calvinbe seen by comparison with the brated the birth of their prophet istic Congress met in Edinburgh figures published in 1932 in the World Dominion Survey of Bra- and Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer was in July, and created "no small zil that this is an all round increase during the last five years. invited to attend. Two hundred stir" in the city. An announce- This church has maintained a persons were present, of whom ment of a "Nazi ban on Edinworker in Portugal for some nearly half were women. SO!lle burgh Congress" drew attention time, and it is hoped that a col- of the men wore the Pers~an to meetings which might otherleague will be sent to him from headdress, a few the IndIan .wise have passed with less nothe Brazilian Church shortly. turban, but as to the rest they tice but the added interest was -World Dominion Press. might have been any group of justified. Four German pastors cultured London people. About were refused permission by der three-fourths of those pr~s~nt Fuehrer to be present, the reason were Moslems. :r'he presldmg being that the Congress was ex- officer was a R.usslan a~d prayer pected to take a sympathetic at- Cooperation in River Platte was offered III ArabIC by an titude toward the Confessional Republics Egyptian. One speaker declared Church as did the World Con- A new epoch in cooperation Mohammed to be "the redeemer ference' on Faith and Order at among Evangelical forces in Argentina, Uruguay and Para- of womanhood, the light of the :n Oxford last year. However two world and the glory of civilizaguay is believed to have begun tion" ! !-Religious Digest. Germans of the Ref 0 r e d Church were present, but took as a result of a conference called Bans and Concessions in by the Committee on Coopera- Roumania no part in the program. tion in Buenos Aires. This Con- The Congress was made up of ference considered the question The Religious News Service about 130 delegates, and inof organizing a Confederation reports that the Roumanian cluded a number of Europe's of Evangelical Churches in this Government has made it illegal foremost theologians. Holland area, and a committee of nine for eight different religious sects and Hungary sent some of their was appointed to draw up plans to continue the practice of their best thinkers, and others came for such a federation. faiths. . from France, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, South Africa, New Of the forty-five pastors and The sects banned are: the Mil- Zealand, Australia, America, laymen in attendance, repre- .lenium group (which, .according Eire and Northern Ireland. The senting sixteen church bodies to the decision includes the In- general topic was "The Reand organizations, twenty-two ternational Students of the Bi- formed Faith and its Ethical Consequences" in the Individual, were nationals; eighteen were ble, Jehovah's Witnesses and the Family, the Church, in So- ciety, the State, in Economics, missionaries of North American others) the Pentecostalists, the in Art. It was emphasized that the world must get back to the and British Boards; and five Tremblers, the Church of God vital principle of Calvinism, the were ministers to non-Spanish- the Apostle, the Penitent Naza- sovereignty of God.
speaking groups in Argentina. renes, the Reformed Adventists, -The Christian.
It was regarded as the most rep- the Illistii, the Innocents and the resentative group ever meeting Stilisti (the Old Stylers).
in Buenos Aires to discuss At the same time, the official decision granted new concesmeans of closer cooperation. Reformed Church of France An "Evangelical Youth Con- sions to Baptists, Seventh Day gress," held in Rosario, Argen- Adventists and Evangelicals. The Reformed Church of tine, last year revealed an in- Baptists received special men- France, which now unites the creasing solidarity among young tion, the last clause of the long four principal French Churches, people. Strong leadership was decision stating that they will will officially function in its unimanifest; the delegates declared be permitted to organize church fied form on January 1, 1939. their allegiance not only to the communions throughout the The new organization will be Church and its place in deepen- country by fulfilling certain con- marked by a work of conquest, ing the spiritual life, but also ditions, which in countries like consolidation and forward evanadopted important resolutions the United States and England gelism. in the field of social action. would be considered imposi- The churches in Paris are These young people edit and tions; for example, a minister seeking to spread among their publish two excellent periodicals must confine his activities to the congregations a desire for Bible in this district and share in a four walls of the recognized study, carried on by groups radio preaching broadcast twice "prayer house," and before such meeting daily in places of worweekly. a house can be lawful a petition ship. The great success which -The Christian Century. bearing the signature of twenty has resulted is due to a deep de-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
sire to know better the Word olics are not concerned, since AFRICA of God in order to spread this they concluded a concordant knowledge throughout ,France. nearly ten years ago. Jewish Islam's Sudan Campaign The fall in the value of the problems appear to be more po- As a result of Egypt's ac- franc and the rise in the cost of litical than religious.. knowledged rights in the Sudan, living presents a troublesome The head of this new depart- Azhar University in Cairo is deproblem to all the churches, and ment has traveled widely and is veloping a Moslem missionary es.pecially to the Paris Mission- conversant with all these prob- enterprise for various countries, ary Society with its large com- lems at first hand. and proposes that young Sudan- mitments in British Sou t h There will be seven divisions ese be trained at the University Africa. It will force them to in the new department, each in the technique of teaching Isconsider seriously the salaries under the direction of a special- lam to the pagans of the Sudan; of pastors, their pensions, and ist in such fields as education, and that they imitate Christian the maintenance and current ex- religion, labor, culture and eco- missionaries in acquiring the penditure of all Christian ac- native languages of these people. tivities. Yet the church has nomics. In spite of various discour- unanimously decided upon ad- The Gospel for Refugees agements, Christian missions in vance. the southern Sudan are meeting -World Dominion Press. In spite of the difficulties with great response. In some which beset the Russian Gospel areas, thousands attend the Sun- Evangelism in Greece Movement, conversions and bap- day services, and native Chris- A small group of Grecians, tisms are continually taking tians have started hundreds of converted to evangelical faith place among refugees. in various bush schools throughout the through reading the Bible, were country. charged by the Orthodox Church parts of Europe. Evangelistic with illegal proselytizing, for meetings are held regularly at Danger in Half Knowledge which the penalty is banishment. A Greek lawyer, now Montbard, France, where there Rev. P. A. Unwin, of the studying in England, was em- are numbers of refugees. The C. M. S., says that with the ployed to defend them and was Movement is responsible for the preaching of the Gospel there so impressed with the unfalter- must be systematic Christian distribution of a magazine and education, and clinches the point quantities of Gospel literature, mostly Scripture portions and ing faith of these unlettered books. with the following story: "A men that he entered into a During the International Ex- workman, educated in a governdee per spiritual experience position in Paris last year, more ment technical school, came to through their testimony, and is than 15,000 tracts in French and my room a short while ago. 'I now devoting his life to the Russian were distributed. Large want to see the thing which Lord's work. He reports that texts were on display, where makes the noise inside that box,'
this little group has started a they could be read by visitors. he said, indicating the wireless church which is growing stead- In this connection, it is start- set. I took off the back and ily. One old, illiterate woman ling to note in a report of the showed him all I could; but I asked a neighbor to read a Bible National Lutheran Council that am ignorant in such matters. chapter to her every day, and the 1938 budget of the Godless Then he railed at me and the gist half the village was converted of his remarks was this: 'You through this one instance, one of organization in Russia amounts English are all the same ; you the converts being a man who to 65 million rubles. Of this had spent seventeen years in sum 42 millions are contributed keep the African back. You do not want him to learn lest he prison. by members and 23 millions de- rived from the sale of anti-reli- should govern himself and you After completing his studies gious literature. During the would be deprived of the shillin England, this lawyer plans to year 14 millions will be allocated ings which you get from native return to Greece and help to to subsidize activities of the In- taxes. The Mission is the ear shepherd this flock. ternational Godless committee, of the Government. You are as and the remainder will be uti- bad as the rest. Have you not Situation Eased in Roumania lized for propaganda purposes refused to tell me how the wire- less works? Did they not refuse All religious questions have within the country. It is ex- pected also that a contribution to tell me how to make electricity been taken out of the office of will be sent to aid in financing at the technical school? And the Minister of Cult, and a the International Free Thinkers' why do you not let the African special department has been cre- congress to be held in London make his own shillings as you ated by the Roumanian Govern- next autumn. This amounts to do yourselves?' " ment to handle all minority a total of $13,000,000, of which questions, including religious -C. M. S. Outlook.
and ethical. This move is high- $2,800,000 is designated for Education Proceeds Slowly ly pleasing to such minorities as "foreign missions" in the United the Baptists, Evangelicals, Re- States and other Christian na- A diagram in the Gold Coast formists and Adventists. Cath- tions. Annual Education Report shows.
the total number of children at- man it was not for them to say WESTERN ASIA tending school for the past no. Hebrew University twenty-five years: according to the ratio of increase, it would Bantu Sunday Schools The Hebrew University in Jetake approximately 600 years before a child-population of the The s,econd Bantu Sunday rusalem, when founded in 1925, present size would be attending school. School Convention in Johannes- consisted of one building, a li- burg was attended by 117 dele- brary of 74,000 volumes, a fac- A further diagram, taking galtes from 43 centers in all ulty of 30, a student body of 64 into. account increases of population, shows the percentages of provinces of the South Africa and a curriculum of four departchildren of school age attending school to the total child-popula- Union, Basutoland and Swazi- ments. Today, on Mount Scotion year by year for the 25-year land. ~us there are 12 buildings, a period; and shows that it would take over 3,500 years before The Convention endorsed the lIbrary of over 350,000 volumes, primary education would be made available for the whole recommendation of the Inter-De- ",",a student body of over 800; a of the child-population of the partmental Committee on Na- faculty of 110.; and a currICU- Gold Coast. Figures for the tive Education that native edu- lum on a par! III both scope ~nd whole of Africa would be even cation should continue to be sta.ndar?~, WIth .that of leadmg more startling. centered in religion. It urged umve:;slbes. WIt.h some of. the upon the administration of Na- world s ou~standmg ~ ~ WI S h -World Dominion Press. tive Education and the teaching ~cholars on Its facu~ty, I~ IS mak- body to make religious educa- mg ~emarkab~e strIdes m schol- Pioneering in the Congo tion worthy and effective, and arshlp and sc!ence. . . Perhaps no type of mission- that every subject in the school In. connecbon Wlt~ t~e Ulllary service makes a greater ap- curriculum should be made a verslty, a great sClenbfic repeal to the imagination than pioneering. Rev. Malcolm Guthrie medium for the teaching of re- search activity is being deof the English Baptist Society writes an account for The Life ligion. veloped. This includes special of Faith of a pioneer trip in the de~artmen~s of ~rchreology, edu- Belgian Congo, when he covered Grave concern was expressed ~abon, sOCI~1 SCIence and agrar- 315 miles in less than four at the growing evil .of gambling Ian economIcs, as well as a deweeks, walking or cycling. "In among children both native and part!llent of par~sitol?gy, wh~re the most distant villages," he European. Chu~ches were asked specIal rese.arch IS bemg carrIed says, "they had not only never to give definite teaching on the heard the Gospel-they had never even heard of people with subject, and the Government on concernmg leprosy and cana Gospel to preach. The only was urged to curb gambling by cer.-Hadassah News Letter. white men they ever see are the government doctor who comes all possible means, and to de- Challenge to the Christian twice a year, and the tax col- stroy the facilities for the evil. Church lector once a year." -World Dominion Press. Most people showed a real desire to understand the message. Laborer Starts a Church An Arab Christian leader in In the first village visited, two Palestine writes the following boys wanted to go back with Mr. A young Portuguese, with his Guthrie in order "to get wis- wife and family, has gone to Sao letter: dom"; others asked for an evan- Tome, Portuguese Africa, to gelist to come and live among strengthen a work that was What can one say about Palestine them, and there were discus- started by an indentured la- at present! It is a country torn to sions as to how his belongings pieces by strife, hatred, rioting and could be conveyed such a long borer who had been converted aggression. Materially as well as distance. At Bokwo, another to evangelical Christianity in morally the country is on the eve of village, the people ran away in Angola; and whose initiative a total collapse, and what is still fright, and during the two days' resulted in the formation of a more painful is the fact that the services nobody took any notice small group of Christians. They troubles of the country may be traced at all. Later, a solemn conclave had no Scriptures to instruct back to racial ambitions based on was held to determine whether them, but found some fragments religious tradition and history. Jews an evangelist should be allowed of a Bible in some waste paper. as well as Arabs hold fast to their to locate in the village, and they These they copied by hand and claims in this respect, while the Chriscame to the conclusion that if distributed. At first they were tian Church has not yet come forward Mr. Guthrie wished to send a persecuted, but later it was with proposals to reconcile matters on recognized that the evangelicals the basic principle of Christianity, were the best workers, and they In the meantime unemployment and were no longer molested. what it entails is growing rapidly, suffering, hunger, dissatisfaction with This young Portuguese work- life, etc. Yet missionary activities, er has been commended by all hospitals, orphanages, welfare centers the denominations in Portugal, continue their work, often under very and it is hoped that the work In strained conditions and financial dif- Sao Tome will be adequately ficulties, particularly those who de- supported. pend for their support on Middle Europe. But nobody sees how this -World Dominion Press. country's affairs may be settled, there is not one, ray of hope that matters will clear up in the near or distant future, and I think that all of us have failed in the paramount duty of pray- ing constantly for this holy land, as
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
God only can send peace and He will meeting. "I have written the the divine power of the Good undoubtedly do so in His time if we unite in prayers to Him. music for the Lord's Prayer," he News. said, and handed me a neatly -Near East Christian Council.
Iranian Christian Art written sheet of music. "Will INDIA AND BURMA you sing it for us· tonight?" I Recent relaxation of the Mos- asked. He agreed, and later on lem rule in Iran against displays impressed us all deeply by sing- Legislators Face Problems of Christian work has been fol- ing "Our Father which art in Indian legislators are finding lowed by the use of Christian Heaven" to Iranian music of his pictures in educational p r 0- own composition. Then he gave that their economic and social grams. An Iranian was asked to a splendid testimony, telling the problems are not capable of select from a catalogue of Perry others what God had done for speedy solution. Mr. Gandhi's pictures those best suited to his him. educational proposals are called people. Unerringly, he picked impractical; and obstacles cononly great masterpieces, and one Field Widens in Arabia result has been increased sales tinue to arise in regard to childof Christian literature. Dr. Paul W. Harrison outlines marriage laws. The usual dis- some reasons for encouragement turbances involving Hindus and Converted By a Dream in medical work in Arabia. One Moslems result in clashes here of these is the steadily improv- Rev. W. McE. Miller, Presby- ing equipment. Better build- and there. However, most obterian missionary of Teheran, servers agree that the experi- ment of self-government is working not too badly. Iran, tells the story of one of the ings, instruments andautomo- A halt has been called in the latest converts, a man about 30. biles all contribute to the doc- prospects of any large communal He came to a meeting for in- tor's efficiency, but more im- movement of the d e pre sse d quirers and introduced himself portant than buildings and in- classes. Dr. Ambedkar is out at the close. He had been seek- struments, better trained men for guarantees that if any gen- ing the truth for five or six are now available, and with eral movement should take place, years, but had not found it. better training come increased assurances must be forthcoming Finally, one of his friends sug- resources of medicine itself; for that the political rights and sogested that he read the New anemia, they now have some- cial and economic well-being of Testament. He came to the gate thing better than powdered his community shall be conof our Mission where there is a shingle nails. served.
small bookshop and bought the As the friendlines:s of the peo- The general attitude of these book, and was profoundly in- ple grows, the field for medical classes is favorable to the recepfluenced by Christ's teaching. A work widens. Some have come tion of Christianity wherever year passed, and he did not be- to suspect that dirt is as much missions are in effective touch come a Christian. Finally, he to blame as the evil eye in mak- with them, and this work prohad a dream. He saw a great ing babies sick, and some of the ceeds in proportion to the abilmultitude, dressed in various most picturesque smells in the ity of missions to buy up the costumes, following a float on Near East are about to pass opportunity. The various "mass which a majestic Person was en- away. With all this have come movements" are proceeding· throned. A voice said to him, enlarged opportunities, and it is apace. The movement in the "Follow the teaching which is the day of beginnings for the Bhil area of Central India is exruling the world today!" He Christian Church. ceedingly promising, and if the tried to go nearer, but the crowd There are regular preaching missions were in a better posi- services where men and women prevented him. After ten days hear the good news about tion to follow up what is an unthe dream was repeated, and the Christ. Some of these are held doubted desire on the part of voice said, "Why do you hold in the Hospital compound, and these people to become Chrisback? Follow this teaching!" some of them in the little houses tians, there is almost no limit to the degree in which these This time he found himself quite near the glorious Person. He of the hospital helpers. There 2,000,000 people could be rerealized it was Christ, and he are social evenings where Chris- ceived into the Christian Church. determined to become a Chris- tian men and women learn how The five – year evangelistic tian, so on the advice of his Christ wants them to associate movement continues to occupy friend he had come to church, with one another. These are the attention of the churches, and the sermon had made a deep church affairs. The outside with notable results in many impression. We suggested that world is not invited. They are places. Conferences of farhe yield himself to Christ at hilarious and useful. The sum reaching importance are being once, and he said he was ready, total of all this is that the held in preparation for the so we prayed together, put his Church is emerging, and slowly Madras World Missionary Conhand into the hand of Christ, taking shape and growing, not ference, and there is a new spirit and he arose with a new light in because of any exhibition of hu- of optimism growing up in many his face. Next week he was the man skill or efficiency or wis- quarters. -World Dominion Press. first to arrive at the inquirers' dom, bp.t simply as a result of
Fighting Fear and demonstrated at a meeting of could be done for them, are now Superstition the Kolapur Church Council at being treated successfully. The C. M. S. Schools in Srinagar Sangli, when the eight or ten addition of this deep X-ray is are teaching their pupils to live up to their motto: "In all things missionaries present marvelled probably the hospital's greatest be men." Superstition and the at the progress made by Indian milestone in years, while for the fear of doing what "is not done," are twin evils in Kashmir. The Christian women in the past first time in its forty-five years' fear of public opinion is very strong, but the following inci- fifteen years since their first history an ambulance makes dent shows how this fear is being overcome. Those who lived participation in this organiza- possible more village work. The near the lake at Srinagar considered it useless to learn to tion. It was not just an occa- office has been made into a censwim because the "djinns" in the water would pull them down. sion to get together and talk; a tral unit, a cash register in- To disprove the theory, a yearly swim across the lake was organ- great deal of constructive activ- stalled to simplify routine work ized. Howe v e r, the "djinn" ity was reported. One village and a central storeroom makes woman reported apologetically. for greater efficiency and econ- for her group: '~'- omy. Plans are under way for I am only a country woman and I a second operating room and a library. can't read, but I'll tell about our so- -Western India Notes. ciety. We live in the country and Cholera Outbreak there is no one to help us or show us how we ought to do things. We don't even know how to pray proper- worshipers were not satisfied. ly, as we've never had a real opportu- In the recent outbreak of "It is true you have conquered nity to learn anything much, but we cholera in the United Provinces, the day-water 'djinns,'" they met regularly anyhow and did the 15,000 cases, out of 30,000, are best we knew. reported to have died. Fortysaid, "but how about those who four out of forty-eight districts inhabit the water at night?" The Here is a list of activities, are affeded. According to the challenge was accepted, and taken at random from reports Associated Press, entire villages thirteen boys swam safely across read: the lake at midnight. have been wiped out. Giving information regarding tem- The first crew of boys to pad- perance and missionary work of other India is one of the world's dle a boat through the city, lands. greatest cholera danger spots, about thirty years ago, hid them- Supporting Christian p rim a r y with more than 400,000 cases selves under b I a n k e t s, so schools for non-Christian children. every year. The ignorance and ashamed were they as sons of the educated to be seen engaged Helping support widows and or- superstition of the common in manual work. In various phans by sewing and other activities. ways the school is modifying people hinder the efforts of the the social customs of Kashmir. Conducting a nursery school in a officials to cope with the disease. For example, the rule that boys needy neighborhood. Native custom requires that under 18 who marry must pay double fees to enter the school Doing voluntary evangelistic work, bodies of cholera victims be is an effective method of reduc- usually in villages. thrown into streams, instead of ing the number of early mar- being buried or burned, and any riages. More than fifty widowed Conducting Sunday schools. attempt on the part of the govgirls have remarried in the past Supervising primary schools. ten years-another old custom Selling Christian literature (one ernment to prevent this is met dethroned. There is a new atti- enterprising woman sold over 100 tude toward the suffering of ani- Christian booklets to delegates in one with opposition. However, the mals; many boys are entering day). government is making every ef- Teaching illiterates to read. Teaching sewing, crocheting, knit- fort to deal with the problem on ting, etc. a large scale by using mass in- Helping small village societies to oculation and disinfection of conduct their meetings. dwellings as rapidly as possible. Cleaning the church, each woman voluntarily taking a turn.
-Western India Notes.
the veterinary profession. Bet- Bright Spots at Miraj Converts Walk 100 Miles ter still, more consideration is being shown the sick and afflict- Miraj Hospital is known all It is news when we hear of ed. There is a marked spiritual Christians so anxious to attend influence in the school, where over the world as one of the few a Christian service they will 1,400 boys and 280 girls are be- self-supporting mission instituing prepared for life. tions, and is unique in its being walk one hundred miles in order the only hospital to support a to be present. A group of eleven -The Christian. medical school. It is especially men in the Telugu area agreed Women to the Fore known for its surgery, a repu- they would walk the fifty miles tation which the late Sir Wil- there and fifty back to attend Daily papers in India indicate liam Wanless and Charles E. the conference in Hindpur. Then how rapidly women are coming Vail established. Notable acqui- they decided to make an evanto the front in politics, education sitions of the past year were the gelistic campaign of it so and social service, while their deep X-ray and the ambulance. preached in the villages en progress in the field of Christian Patients suffering from deep- route, and in order that they religion is becoming more and seated cancer, who were turned might reach as many villages as more noteworthy. This was away formerly because nothing possible with their witness, they
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
decided to return by a different Evangelism Among Bunnans result will be is not yet foreseen. route. Not only did they walk Educators find themselves in an 100 miles but it cost them at A writer in the National impossible situation. On the lease nine days' wages for the Christian Council Review asserts one hand, they face the humiliprivilege of attending the s e that Burma is today as strongly ating demands of the arrogant meetings. The leader of the Buddhist as it has ever been; invading army. On the other, group, who is a cripple, told and if the non-Burman Christian they must reckon with the risfriends how God had supplied community were removed, the ing tide of Chinese patriotism all their needs and kept them Church would number not more which suspects every attempt at from harm along the way, his than 15,000. Some have main- accommodation with the conface fairly beaming as he told it. tained that the time has come to querors as incipient treason. abandon work in Burma· and Sooner or later, the missions -Darkness and Light. concentrate upon more respon- will find it impossible to main- sive peoples, such as the Karens tain even a semblance of neu- Santal Christian Council and Chins, and thus form a ring trality under such conditions. of Christian people around the For the mission colleges in the An unusual feature of the land, trusting that the evangel- Peiping area, that time has evi- Santal Christian Council held ization of Burma will ensue. dently arrived. last February was that all the sessions, both devotional and The Burman cannot be said -Christian Century. business, were held in the Santal to be antagonistic to Christianlanguage. There were 14 Euro- ity. The message does not Farm Cooperatives for pean and American, and about arouse opposition. The Burman Refugees 40 Santal representatives pres- is influenced by public opinion ent. An entire session was which regards Christianity in a Plans are being developed to given to a discussion of the Sad- political rather than in a reli- form cooperative communities hu Movement. Sad h u s are gious light. The Burman Bud- of farmer refugees. It is estiknown as "clean people," and dhist attitude toward Burmese mated that between fifteen and they urge the Santal to give up Christians is that they have cut twenty million Chinese have eating unclean things, chickens, themselves off from the life of been driven off their lands in pigs., goats and sheep being their country by associating the devastated war zone, and classed as such. They urge the with the foreign cult. Preach- only heroic efforts by the Inter- Santals to worship the sun. The ing and routine work will not national Red Cross and similar fact that they respond to this bring the Burman into the agencies can save most of them teaching is proof of a heart Christian Church. He will from starvation before the end hunger which makes it all the change his religion only if he of next winter. Something more more imperative that they be cannot get away from the fact is needed than merely to feed given a chance to hear the that the new religion is better and clothe these helpless hordes, Christian message. than the old in the quality of and this something is now be- character it produces. ing sought by setting up in Two other subjects. discussed sparsely settled parts of China, were rural education and evan- CHINA AND TIBET far removed from the battle gelism. The following points lines where the likelihood of inwere indicated as essential: Japanese Orders Defied vasion is sma II, cooperative farming settlements. The money Training in handwork as well as Three Christian universities required to start these is coming academic subjects. in Peiping have risked their fu- in part from the Chinese gov- ture existence by refusing to ernment and in part from Chi- The use of materials easily avail- comply with orders to partici- nese banks. able in the district in which the school pate in celebrations of the Japis located, such as date palm leaves, anese occupation. The schools This establishment of farm jute and bamboo. involved are the Protestant cooperatives may have a far- Yenching University, the Ameri- reaching and permanent social Opportunities for gardening and can Catholic Fujen University importance in China. Perhaps the study of methods of improving and the French Catholic Peiping this may be one of the ways in agricultural work. University. The presidents of which an unexpected good may all three were ordered to hoist come out of the present evil of A cottage plan of hostel especially the flag of the puppet provision- war. for girls, and training in domestic al government, to make speeches science and the care of children. against Chiang Kai-shek's gov- Emergency Fund for Colleges ernment, to call on Japanese Opportunities for self-government army officers and tender official Nearly 4,500 individuals and in the hostel; responsibilities in the "thanks" for the Japanese in- organizations in the United Church and of service in· the village. vasion, and to send telegrams to States have united to raise an Chinese abroad denouncing Chi- emergency fund of $300,000 to The need for a positive faith, ang Kai-shek as "the arch crim- ensure the continuance of the 13 backed up by the testimony of a inal of eastern Asia." What the American – supported women's Christian life, was emphasized, as was also the need for a program of adult education among rural Santals.
-N a t ion a l Christian Council Review.
and coeducational colleges in Shantung Christian University, dhist theories in the form of a China, as the consummation of a seven months' campaign. The and the Central Government "Wheel of Life." The six reproject was undertaken by the National Emergency Committee University at Nanking have all gions of rebirth are painted on for Christian Colleges in China. moved to Chengtu. Dean S. N. a scroll which ranges from two This Christian educational work was begun by Americans Cheer, noted Chinese medical feet to several feet square, and as early as 1864. Some of the thirteen institutions have been educator and graduate of Har- which can readily be rolled and forced to leave their buildings temporarily; others have been vard, who has been in charge of unrolled. It occurred to misbombed, and are now in dugouts on the campus, but all of them the government medical school sionaries in Tibet that a Chrishave managed to maintain some, or all of their programs through- at Nanking, has been placed in tian Tibetan scroll on the lines out the past year. The total annual budget of the 13 colleges is charge of outpatient and inpa- of those used in the country normally about $1,600,000, of which a little more than $1,000,- tient clinical instruction at would be a novel and effective 000 comes from western sources and the remainder from Chi- Chengtu, thus centering almost way of presenting the Christian nese resources. Prevailing war conditions have reduced radical- all Chinese medical education in ". message. Services of Mr. John ly their income from Chinese sources, necessitating this spe- this one institution. ""Carey were secured, and he has cial fund of $300,000 both to replace losses of normal income -Christian Advocate. made some very beautiful paintand to meet heavy emergency expenditures. ings showing the life of Christ Another Rockefeller Gift Evangelizing Tibet and some of the parables. A lo- cal touch is given by depicting The Rockefeller Foundation Mass movements are not like- the learned men questioning J ehas made a grant of $35,000 for ly to occur in Tibet where travel sus in the temple as dressed like new buildings and modern is difficult and villages are sep- the lamas of Tibet. equipment at the University arated by mountainous districts. Hos.pital of West China Union Furthermore, the people are The scrolls, six of them, are University, Chengtu, Szechwan like the soil on which they live each sewn on to material of yel- Province. In addition to this -arid and stony. Statistically, low, blue and red, the colors gift, the University has received there is not much to show for used by the lamas. Each scroll $50,000 fro m an American the effort put forth to spread is carried in a sheath made of Methodist and $175,000 from tin with loops so that a string or sources in China. With its new the knowledge of Christ; yet leather strap can be attached equipment the University Hos- there is no doubt that the evan- when the evangelist goes on pital will have 275 beds and gelists who live among the peo- tour. -Moravian Missions. educational facilities for 150 ple and show the Christian medical students in nor mal times. In the present war emer- example are exerting a strong MISCELLANEOUS gency it has 325 medical stu- influence. An experiment is bedents from all parts of China. ing tried by opening a Gospel World Outlook for West China Union University, Inn for pilgrims and travelers Christianity "isolated" in the recesses of West China and far from the to and from Central Asia. The The World Alliance of Rewar area, is now the acknowl- object of this venture is to pro- formed Churches appraised the edged educational center of the vide lodging for these people, outlook for evangelical Chrisnation. It is a missionary in- and to tell them the Good News, tianity, and finds that in some stitution in which American besides distributing the Scrip- countries it is improving, in Methodists and Baptists, the tures to them on their depar- others declining. Adverse con- United Church of Canada, the ture. It is hoped later on to ditions affect the evangelical Friends of Great Britain, and keep an evangelist permanently churches in Italy, Germany, the Church of England combine posted in the Gospel Inn, and Ethiopia, Egypt, Chosen, Forto maintain. Faculties and stu- improve its usefulness as an mosa, Manchukuo, Russia, Spain dents of the University of Nan- evangelistic agency as circum- and Belgium. Protestantism, king, the School of Medicine of stances permit. however, is either growing or holding its own in Scandinavia, Another is the industrial proj- Holland, Switzerland, France, ect, intended to help indigent Czechoslovakia, Poland, Ruma- Christians to tide over a period nia, Greece, Hungary, India and of financial hardship, but the Africa. Finding a "marked re- isolation gives ve r y limited vival of Calvanism in the scope for such an enterprise. It Ref 0 r m e d and Presbyterian is encouraging that the little churches of Europe," the report attributes this in part to "the group of Christians in a village influence of the writings of Karl called oSheh are planning to build Barth." There is no doubt that a small church, independent of the attack of neo-paganism on any help from the Mission. -Baptist Missionary Review.
Christian Tibetan Scroll the Christian Church is driving evangelical church bodies in Eu- The traveler in Tibet frequent- rope back to the Biblical and ly meets in villages a pictorial spiritual fundamentals of their representation of current Bud- faith.-Watchman-Examiner.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
By-Product of Missions baptized converts among the year over 1936," the report states. Married women com- Missionary activity is not heathen and Moslems in the prised' 73 per cent and single limited to the field of religion, same period was 2,000,000, or women 17 per cent of this total, but flows over into other realms, one to every 525 of the heathen widows and divorcees making up and one important by-product and Moslem population. The the remainder. Their average is the contribution which mis- same degree of success among age was 41.5 years, the youngest sionaries have made to science, heathen and Moslems as among being 25 and the' oldest 65. Last especially in such fields as phi- Jews would have shown 7,000,- year's total is 115 per cent lology, geography, anthropology 000 converts, instead of 2,000,- greater than that of 1933, and and the study of ethnic religions. 000. Three times as many Jewish 159.5 per cent above the average Their contributions have often converts enter the Gospel min- yearly total number of women been of eminent importance, be- istry as of converts from among patients during the period from cause they have usually grown the heathen. A careful com- 1916 through 1936. out of a long personal contact parison of facts shows that no with the subject treated and mission field of modern times Turtle Eggs-Novel bear the stamp of a thorough has been so fruitful as the J ewand minute acquaintance, in viv- ish. Contribution id contrast with so many weak, theorizing productions of the se- The Great Delusion Dr. Albert W. Beaven, who cluded study rooms of univer- has made a recent visit to Bapsities. The New York Sun reports tist Missions in the Far East, these facts for those to ponder says that one of the queerest in- Progressive Ministry to Lepers who have thought that the li- cidents of the trip was one censing of strong drink would man's contribution of 4,000 tur- A summary of the past year's help America financially and tle eggs as his offering toward work of the Mission to Lepers otherwise: the Burma Baptist Convention. evidences an increasing scope of Some churches responded by this Christ-like ministry. Here In three years the Federal sending bags of rice, some a are some of the advances: in- government was defrauded of whole ox, while another church creased accommodations and $1,800,000 in alcohol taxes, and sent 2,000 ducks for entertain- New York State of $900,000. Five illicit stills were discovered, larger numbers in its institu- with capacities ranging from ing the 4,300 delegates. But one tions; a steadily increasing num- 200 to 500 gallons. More than man who specialized in turtle ber of out-patients; more service 500,000 gallons of alcohol were eggs sent 4,000 of them. These, for healthy children of lepers. distributed annually by the ring. being very perishable, had to be This work is developing rapidly Whiskey dispensed consisted of kept in wet sand in the basein India, especially. In China the a blend of alcohol, water, some ment of the church, and because need for such work is becoming coloring matter and a portion of of heat and humidity had to be more and more apparent, and in so-called "cooked whiskey." In turned over every ten hours to the widely affected areas of Af- this way 500,000 gallons of al- keep them from germinating. rica it is now realized how much cohol were converted into 1,000,- The entire time of two people can be done in this direction. 000 gallons of bad whiskey. It was required just to turn turtle The Children's Hospital Home was used chiefly by bars and res- eggs. in Uganda is an outstanding taurants to refill empty bottles Much has been written about example. Transcending all this that bore advertised brands and the missionary giving of the alleviation, is the spiritual com- labels of popular liquors. Karens, their self-supporting fort that is being brought to the Here was a triple delusion. churches and their evangelistic sufferers. This phase of the The government was cheated out work. Dr. Beaven was amazed work is proven of value in pro- of tax revenue. The legalized to find, instead of the bamboo, moting physical recovery. liquor industry suffered from thatch-c 0 v ere d shed for a -Life of Faith. illegal competition. The drink- church, a magnificent concrete ers were deceived into thinking and b ric k structure, seating Some Facts About Jews the bottles handed them by bar- from twelve to fifteen hundred According to the J ewish Year tenders contained what the la- people and with a pipe organ that probably cost about $15,000, Book the number of Jews bels said. throughout the world is over The K eel e y Institute at all paid for by the Karens 16,000,000. In the nineteenth Dwight, Illinois, reports that themselves. The seven or eight century 72,000 Jews accepted more women alcoholics took the other buildings, including high Protestant baptism, not to men- Keeley cure in 1937 than in any schools and dormitories, were tion the 132,000 baptized into previous year since 1915, and built 'and paid for by Karen the Greek and Roman Catholic the total number of patients of money. This in the face of the Churches. This is one Protes-' both sexes last year was the fact t hat the average Karen worker's income is from eighttant convert to every 156 of the largest since 1907. Jewish population at the end of "Women patients at the insti- een to twenty-five cents a day.
that century. The number of tute'increased 57.6 per cent last -Watchman-Examiner.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information A History of the Expansion of Chris- jacket Df this vDlume which ….ance and especially what they tianity. (Vol. II.) The Thousand bears the symbDls Df falling pil- called the HDly Spirit-by their Years of Uncertainty-A. D. 500 to lars Df Crusader and MDslem very nature led to' variety and A. D. 1500. By Kenneth Scott La- tourette. Maps, Chronological Table warriDr; but the CrDss sur- to' extensive prDliferatiDn." This and Index. pp. 492. $3.00. Harper & Brothers, New York. mDunts the crescent and there is in line with the prDfessed in- are stars in the night-sky. One tentiDn Df the writer to' be "his- The first vDlume O'f this unsurpassed histO'ry Df the ex- reads these chapters with kin- tDrical and whDlly Dbjective" in pansiDn O'f Christianity was dling faith; thDugh God may his treatment Df the subject; reviewed at sO'me length (see December REVIEW, page 573). hide Himself, yet His truth and but his statement dDes nDt satisfy The purpDse and SCDpe Df the great wO'rk remain the same and right will win the day at last. Christians. every page bears the marks Df schDlarship and wide research. The treatment of sO' large a . Elsewhere the authDr ex- PrDfessor LatDurette has a clear theme is topical rather than presses his cDnvictiDn that Dnly style and does not waste wDrds. chrDnological. In the Introduc- thel"impDnderable"JDrces (sure- He Dmits nO'thing essential Dr tion we read: germane to' his theme and gives ly he means the HDly Spirit) "gDDd measure, pressed down, shaken tDgether and running First we will describe the conver- kept the Church alive and alight Dver" with very valuable fDO't- sion of those peoples who came into in medieval darkness. In dealnDtes. ing with the witness Df the the faith through Roman Catholicism, The title Df ProfessDr Latour- next of those who derived their faith martyrs and the patience Df the ette's book is arresting. The from Greek Christianity, and then re- saints during these dark days millenium Df racial migratiDns, count the territorial progress of the we IDng fDr a flash Df light and barbarian invasiDns and Islamic Nestorians and of the Syrian and fire. Even the stDry Df RaycDnquests seemed to be highly Coptic J acobites. Then chronologicalunfavDrable to' the spread Df ly we will double back on our tracks mund Lull is tDld in a rather Christianity. The hearts of the and tell of the spread of Islam and of lukewarm fashiDn, althDugh the faithful were perplexed. "At the the reverses which it brought to facts are faithfully chrDnicled. clDse Df the fifth century, Chris- But as Dne reads page after page tianity had becDme master Df Christianity. Next we will narrate the of the stDry Df the spread Df RDthe Mediterranean wDrld, which efforts of Christians to regain the was still, in spite Df its decay, ground lost to Islam and to carry man CathDlic Christianity in the majDr cultural centre Df their faith beyond the eastern bounds Spain, Gaul and NDrthern Eumankind. Within the next three of Islam into the lands of the Far rDpe, Df the missiDnary wDrk Df centuries it had IDSt abDut half East. Finally we will note the fresh this area and in the pDrtiDn outbursts of Moslem peoples which in the NestDrians in Ambia, Cenwhich still prDfessed the faith the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries tral Asia, China and India, Dne the level of civilizatiDn had dis- wiped Christianity from the map in is cDnfirmed in the cDnfessiDn: tinctly fallen." much of Asia and threatened it in "I believe in the HDly CathDlic Southeastern Europe. Following this The story Df these thDusand account of the varyin~ fortunes in the Church." years is black with tragedy, but expansion of the faith we will adnDt withDut rays Df hope. dress ourselves to the questions of the This secDnd vDlume Df PrD- effect of Christianity upon its en- Thrice blest is he to whom is given vironment and of the effect of the fessDr LatDurette's magnum The instinct that can tell environment upon Christianity. opus is a specific against all the That God is on the field when He Is most invisible. And the marvel is that such parDchialism and prDvincialism wealth Df material, such a sweep The entire hymn by F. W. Fa- across Europe and Central Asia, Df thDse whO' sDmetimes seem to' ber might have been put on the such a crDwding Df a thDusand years intO' Dne day, in Dne bDDk, think that Church history be- does nDt apparently Dver-tax the writer nor weary the reader. It gan with the RefDrmatiDn Dr is a great achievement. One sentence in the IntrDduction we with the DisruptiDn in SCDt- regret, where the author speaks Df the FDunder Df Christianity: land! Our LDrd Jesus Christ "The experiences which came to' His disciples after the crucifix- was head Df His church all iDn – the resurrectiDn appear- thrDugh all these thDusand dark years and made even the wrath Df men to' praise Him. He was cDntinually working Dut his eternal purpDse Df IDve in the midst Df human failure and un- certainty. S. M. ZWEMER.
[446 ] S. J. W. Clark. A Vision of Foreign presented here, are his lack of Forward Through the Ages. By Jesse emphasis on the importance of R. WHson. 139 pp. $1.00. The Missions. By Roland Allen. 12mo. prayer, his failure to state the 170 pp. 28. 6d. World Dominion Judson Press, Philadelphia. 1938. Press. 1938. This small but important book This unusual story of a Chris- necessity of the spiritual new contains a readable summary of tian business man should be read birth and the spiritual qualifica- "missions and missionaries of by every missionary and every tions for missionaries; there is yesterday and today." Mr. Wilexecutive of missions. In seven also no clear statement as to our son has written out of rich exjourneys, (from 1905 to 1924) dependence on the Holy Spirit in perience, first as a missionary in Japan, then as general secretary Mr. Clark looked into foreign the calling and preparation of of the Student Volunteer Movemission work as a pioneer "fact missionaries and in the actual ment; since 1936 he has been finder." He formed his own work that is being done on each western field secretary of the opinions as to the results of the field and in the offices at home. American Baptist Foreign Miswork and the way in which mis- Mr. Clark had positive convic- sions Society. It is an excellent sions should be conducted effi- tions and courage; he stood for book to put into the hands of ciently to be in accord with the new and better methods, rather young people and members of teachings of Christ and the ex- than for more life and better missionary societies. Even those ample of the early Apostles. As personnel; for finer mechanics who are well read in missionary a result, he severely but con- rather than for greater dynamic: literature will like its admirably structively criticized the work of clear and sympathetic survey mission boards to their face. He Der Arbeitslohn in China. By Prof. and evaluation of foreign miswas convinced that too much at- Dr. Paul Arndt, Dr. Djini-Schen sions, past and present. tention has been given to "dig- and Dr. Chii-Fen-Lo. Hans Buske. ging in" on the mission field, and Verlag. Leipzig. A. J. B. too little to surveying the fields in order to understand the need .Every missionary to China Who Is the Holy Spirit? By Henry and to evangelize the vast un- ~Ill find profit from reading this W. Flrost. 12mo. 124 pages. occupied areas. He believed that $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Co., New the Gospel of Christ must be mformabve boo k, evidently York. 1938. widely scattered as "living written after much knroeswelaerdcgh~ Many Christians are like the Seed," that the Bible must be and fro m first-hand disciples at Ephesus in that they of the field.
given to all mankind as the Word The 3,000 years of feudalism have scarcely "heard whether of God. He advocated the use of in China duplicated many condi- there is any Holy Spirit." Much "simplified script." Mr. Clark tions found in the world today, less do they understand His naheld that native leaders must be and suggests the way to organic ture, offices and relation to trained and indigenous churches cooperation among various eco- themselves. It is one of the most should be established and taught nomic groups. The study of important subjects in Christian to be self-supporting from the wages is fruitful for the scholar theology and life. Huge volumes start; and that these Christian the agriculturist, the mechanic: have been written in attempts churches must be the real agen- the tradesman and other work- to interpret the Scripture teachcies for the evangelization of ers, but not to the militarist ings. Here is a simple, clear their own people. What he stood whose life is built on the phi- and practical study that takes tip for deserves the attention of mis- losophy of force. briefly the Spirit's personality, sionary executives today. When This book traces the primal offices, baptism, filling, em- Mr. Clark died a few years ago social cell of China to ancestral powering and other subtopics. he left his fortune to make pos- relations, and then through prop- It is wholly Biblical with a few sible the world surveys of the erty holding, bartering and the -too few-facts of Church his- W 0 rId Dominion Movement. problems of industrial difficul- tory and personal experience to Mr. Clark's main principles in- ties. In an estimated population show how the Holy Spirit has cluded: (1) an organized, well- of 474,820,000 there are about been carrying out the predicconsidered plan for the evan- 78,568,245 families, of which , tions of the New Testament. Dr. gelization of the whole world; 80 % are active in agriculture. Frost 'has rendered a real serv- (2) cooperation and coordina- ice, especially to pastors and tion among all evangelical Chris- The economic facts help the young Christians, in giving us tian forces; (3) special empha- missionary to gauge not only the this illuminating and undersis on evangelization, rather condition of the people but the standable presentation of what than on institutional work; (4) possible support that may be ex- is to many a difficult or negan unpaid native ministry and a pected for the Church and its in- lected-but very vital-subject. stitutions. While there is no self-supporting native church from the beginning; and the de- direct reference to the Christian Following in His Train. By Mrs. J. missionary enterprise, every- W. Cox. 8 vo. 217 pp. 60 cents. velopment of truly indigenous thing in the book bears some re- Boardman Press, Nashville, Tenn. churches, independent of foreign lation to missions and to all life 1938. control. as related to sound economic Mrs. Cox, the wife of a deacon The essential elements that we principles. in the First Baptist church in miss in Mr. Clark's program, as JOHN M. G. DARMS. Memphis, Tenn., was for a time
President of the Woman's Mis- by friends and critics, by evan- would not accept her as a mis- sionary Union. Her chronicle gelists and by men of little faith sionary until she was twenty- of the women's missionary work in the things for which D. L. five, so she filled the intervening of the Southern Baptist Conven- Moody stood committed. These time with the study of medicine, tion is filled too much with seek to set forth the man, his and sailed for Africa in 1919.
names and dates to be popular message, his achievements and Her life was crowded with rich in style, but it gives evidences the secret of his power. All see experiences and achievements, of devoted service and real in him a great man who wielded interestingly recorded in this achievement. a vast influence and left a last- biography. Miss Veenstra died ing impression, but all are inade- in 1933, but the work goes on Dannie and the Alabaster Box. By quate. with signs of blessing.
Constance Savery. 12 mo. 62 Mr. Wilson, a Christian jour- H. H. F. pages. 9d. Pickering & Inglis, Glasgow. nalist, who never knew Mr. ""l'he Presbyterians: The Story of a Moody but has seen the results Stanch and Sturdy People. By An active, mischief-loving boy, through the dramatic, vivid of his work and sympathizes William Thompson Hanzsche. 194 stories of a former missionary, pp. $1.25. The Westminister with his faith and purpose, ha~ Press, Philadelphia. 1938. here tried to interpret the becomes enthusiastic in the "Meaning of Moody." He suc- Ministers, members of Prescause. When Dannie was kept ceeds in giving us many interat home by illness and could not esting glimpses of the man and byterian churches and other stu- attend the big Missionary Ex- some idea of the secret of his dents of religion will doubtless hibition, "Uncle Arthur" made power, but they are only frag- agree with Professor Gaius up for his disappointment by mentary glimpses and ideas. Jackson Slosser of Western telling him thrilling stories of Most of the biographical ma- Theological Seminary, that this Red Tiger, the converted robber terial given here deals with Mr. "is a distinct contribution to of India. He suggested ways Moody's early years, before he historical literature." In brief by which even a small boy could gave all his time to evangelistic compass it gives the main facts earn money to help send the work-in other words to the first regarding the founding and de- Gospel to people whose religious half of his life. velopment of Presbyterianism in beliefs often caused them to Mr. Wilson clearly points out treat even little children cruelly. that D. L. Moody's one aim was the United States, with some ac- count of home missions, but A treasured "Alabaster Box," only a short reference to the brought from India by Uncle Arthur, was chosen by enthusi- to exalt Christ and to win men extensive foreign missionary astic Dannie to hold their gifts to Him – not to himself. He w 0 r k 0 f the Presbyterian says: "I am one who doubts that Moody will ever pass out of the Church. The author, who is a and Dannie enlists his sister, pastor in Trenton, N. J., and a Charlotte, and many 0 the r friends in the good work. His picture. I doubt it because former edito,r of The Presbyenthusiasm, coupled with his Moody was never in any picture terian Magazine, has written in love of mischief, gets him into some pretty serious situations, that did not include the Cross of a fine irenic spirit, declaring and invites frequent correction. Christ. It is not Moody's par- The children are so bluntly that, while "we need to hold to truthful, that they often cause ticular job that explains his great amusement. meaning. It is the fact that he our standards in a world which became big enough for whatever job might be ahead of him. 'God apparently has no standards at is able,' he would say. Love will all, we need to be sympathetic find a way; and this means that to the viewpoint of other Chris- tians." A. J. B.
The small boy seems almost a man filled with the love of God Youth in the Toils. By L. V. Hartoo well informed, and too well becomes the capable man that rison and P. McN. Grant. 167 pp. acquainted with books, for a the world needs." $1.50. Macmillan, New York. 1938. child of seven but the story is bright, interesting and dramatic. Johanna of Nigeria. By Henry Beets. This study has two objectives: 8vo. 228 pp. Grand Rapids Print- to state a very real social proband should help any child or ing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. 1937. lem of every large city, and to a d u I t to become missionary stir public sentiment to the point This is the life story of a of dealing with it. Mr. Harrison Ir.inded. L. W. P. Dutch Mary Slessor. Johanna is an outstanding criminologist The Meaning of Moody. By P. Whit- Veenstra was born in Paterson, and Mr. Grant has devoted his well Wilson. Illustrated. 12mo. N. J., of sturdy Dutch parent- life to boy probleIru3. The book 151 pp. $1.50. Fleming H. Revell age and at the age of sixteen includes actual stories of delin- Co., New York. 1938. worked in the Gospel Mission quent boys, some told in their One of the evidences of the conducted by Peter Starn. One own language, showing what greatness of D. L. Moody is the day at a Training Institute she made them delinquent. These fact that no biographer, and no heard Dr. Karl Kumm explain "case studies" indicate how difnumber of biographers do justice his idea of a chain of. Christian ferent handling might have to his life and work or fully por- missions across Africa asa bul- made good citizens, in place of tray him. We have "Lives" by wark to stem the tide of Islam. criminals. It is a timely book his two sons and his son-in-law, The Sudan United Mis s ion for this present day. H. H. F.
Book. Chiang Kai-Shek: Soldier and States- Foreign Missions Conference
man. Hollington K. Tong. 2 vola. North America. Report of Forty- 322 and 359 pp. Each vol. 158. fifth Annual Meetin(r. 188. pp. Missionary Arrives in Brazil A. T. Hum & Blackett, London. $1.35. Foreign MiSSIOns CoBler- Bentley Duncan. Svo. 192 pp. ence, New York. 28. 8d. Pickering & Inglis, London. Strong Man of China: Storr of Chiang Kai-Shek. 288 pp. ,3.00. W orId's Need of Religion, The. Pr0- New Testament, The. John Wesley's Houghton Mimin, New York. ceedings of World Congresa of Translation. Introduction by George Faiths, Oxford, 1937. 189 pp. 68. C. Cell 891 ])p. John C. Winston Christian Missions in Mid-India. J. Nicholson & Watson, London. Co., Phi1adelplUa. W. Pickett. 111 pp. 12aB. Jub- bulpore Mission Press. Educational Missions at Work. Ed- Forward Through the Ages. Jesse R. ited by H. P. Thompson. DIu. 128 Wilson. 189 pp~ $1.00. Judson Niger Ibos. G. T. Basden. Map. Il- pp. lB. 6d. S. P. G., London. Press, Philadelphia. Ius. 448 pp. 2lB. Seeley, Service, London. Buddhist Sects of Japan. E. Steinil- E,!aqelize or Fossilize. Herbert her-Oberlin and Kuni Matsuo. Lockyer. 92 pp. Bible Institute, Gambia: Country, People and Translated from the French. 308 Chicago. Church. John Laughton. DIus. 38 pp. 108.6d. Allen & Unwin, Lon- Seeing London With My Young pp. 6et. S. P. G., London. don. Friend&. C. A. Puncker. 144 pp. Drama of Madagascar, The. Sonia F. 28. Pickeding & Inglis, London. Howe. 359 pp. 158. Methuen, Christianity Explained to Muslims. L. Bevan Jones. 225 ])3). Rs 8. Roman Catholicism and F.reedom. London. Y. M. C. A. Publishing House, Cal- Cecil J. Cadoux. 207 pp. 58. In- cutta. dependent Press, London. Interpretative Statistical Survey of the World Mission of Christianity. An Open Letter to J ewa and Chris- Church Can Save the World, The. Edited by Joseph I. Parker. 331 tians. John Cournos. 188 pp. Samuel M. Shoemaker. 162 pp. pp. $5.00. International Mssion- $2.00. Oxford University Press, $1.60. Harper Bros., New York. ary Council, New York. New York.
Century of Mission Work in Basuto- Directory of World MiNions. Ed- Some ASl!ects of Religious Liberty land. V. Ellenbe}"ger. 882 pp. ited by Joeeph I. Parker. 382 pp. of Nationals in the Near East. Sesuto Book Dept., Morija, Basuto- $2.00. International Miseionary Compiled by Helen C. M. Davis. 182 land. – Council, New York. pp. ,3.00. Harper Bros., New York.
Children of the Rising Sun. Willard Sir, We Would See Jesus. D. T. Church and the Tribulation, The. Price. 816_ 3)p. $3.00. Reynal & Niles. 128 pp. 28. Student Chris- C. F. Hogg and W. E. Vine. 68 pp. Hitchcock, New York. tian Movement, London. 6d. Pickering & Inglis, London.
Send in Your Order Now for The October-Special India-Number of THE MISSIONARY ~'VlRID Some Leading Articles by Leading Authors with Maps, Chart., Illustrations INDIA AS A MISSION FIELD TODAY ……………… Alexander McLeish WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR INDIA …………………… A Record THE UNTOUCHABLES AND THE GOSPEL ………… Bishop of Domakal • INDIAN RELIGIONS TODAY …………………….. Nicol Macnicol ATTITUDE OF INDIAN STUDENTS TOWARD CHRIST …….. A. Ralla Ram. OUTLOOK FOR CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA ………….. E. Stanley Jones.
INDIAN ASHRAMS AND SADHUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Father Lash • HOME MISSIONS OF THE INDIAN CHURCH ………….. Thomas David CHRISTIAN VILLAGES IN INDIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Z. Hodge OUTSTANDING INDIAN CHRISTIANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. D. Devanandham NOTABLE MISSIONARIES TO INDIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. E. Abraham INDIAN ATTITUDE TOWARD CHRIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. N. Wells • Expected but not yet received.
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British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN It SCOTT, 12 Patemoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight S~gs a Year, net THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER 'Ibis 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"c;alled him, "The White Yogt..
When George Bowen died i~ 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. ADecisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. From 1850 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. Ten Years' of Independent Work. Life in New York, 1840-1844. XIV. The Bombay Guaraian. IV. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. Relations with the American Board. V. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. Association with the Methodist Church. VI. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. Bowen as a Writer. VII. XVIII; Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. Cosing Testimony. IX. The Voyage to Incha, 1847. XIX. X. Beginning Missionary Work.
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