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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The Missionary Review of the World — July 1938
1938
Religion in Turkey Today Charles T. Riggs A Visit to Dutch New Guinea J. A. Jaf/ray The Church Challenges the City Dwight J. Bradley The Power of a Woman's Faith George W. Hinman What a Down..Town Church Can Do , Frederick B. Fisher Looking to the City of Tomorrow .Charles H. Sears Shall We Discontinue Institutional Work? G. Baez Camargo 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
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CLAIMED DAILY DE- THE UPPER ROOM Jti1rll to IS-Bethesda, Ohio, School Upptr contains meditations. of Missions. Mrs. John Seward, VOTIONAL CUIDE – Scripture selections and ,902 North 6th Street, Cambridge, Now Used by a Million Room suggested prayers for Ohio. People in English- and each day. Spanish – Speaking July July 11 to 19-Nprthfield Missionary Countries. Every Chris- EL APOSENTO ALTO, Conference, Notthfield, Mass. Mrs. tian desiring to have a August the Spanish edition, Gula Plummer, 330 West Emerson, family altar or some September shipped to a" Spanish- Melrose, Mass. other form of daily speaking countries on devotions lin the home Cbe exactly same price July 18 to 24-Mountain Lake Park, should have a copy of schedule as the English Mel. Interdenominational Summer THE UPPER ROOM- Upptr edition. School of Missions. Mrs. B. H. buy from the pastor of Sincell, Oakland, Md. your Church or order Room Order from direct THE UPPER ROOM July 12 to August 17'-:";Winona Lake Doctors' Bldg. School of Theology, Winona Lake, Nashville, Tenn. Indiana. Assembly. He will remain in this AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT August 21 to 27":""Chautauqua, N. Y., country for about a year, speaking By an oversight, two charts used in Institute of WorId Missions. Miss the June REVIEW, pages 265 and 291, Louise B. Woodford, 930 23d • • • in various parts of the United States. were not credited to the book, "The Avenue, North, St. Petersburg, Fla. Dr. Stephen J. Corey has resigned American City and Its Church," by from the presidency of the United Dr. Kincheloe, published by the Mis- August 23 to 29-World Conference Christian Missionary Society to be- sionary EducatIon Movement. There on International Friendship Through come President of the College of the were also two quotations on pages 286 the Churches, Larvik, Norway. Bible at Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. and 294 from the book by Dr. Robert Corey has given thirty-three years of Searle, "City Shadows," also published September 11 to 16 – International his life to the cause of world missions. by the Missionary Education Move- Convention of the Disciples of ment. We gratefully acknowledge Christ, Denver, Colo. Dr. Frederick• Sc•ov*el, Presbyterian these sources.
September 19 to 30 (tentative)- missionary at Tsining, Shantung Obituary Notes School of Missions. Mrs. Mitchell Province, China, was seriously Langdon, Tex. wounded by a Japanese soldier the Rev. Roger C. Cumberland, an first week in June. Dr. Scovel was American Presbyterian missionary to September 21 to 28-General Council, attempting to protect the nurses in Iraq for the past fifteen years, was United Church of Canada, Toronto, the mission hospital when one of the fatally shot by a Kurd at Dohuk, Canada. soldiers shot him in the side. It is forty miles from Mosul, on June 12th. reported that he has an excellent The Kurd escaped to the desert. No September 26 to 30-Southern Cali- chance of recovery. reason for the attack is known. Mr. fornia (Los Angeles) School of Cumberland was born in Verne, Cali- Mission Study. Mrs. H. M. Horn, *•• fornia, forty-three years ago, and be- 1811 Huntington Drive, South Pasa- gan his missionary service in East dena, Cal. Dr. Enrique C. Sobrepena of Ma- Persia in 1923, going soon afterward nila has been unanimously elected as to Mosul, Iraq, and then to Dohuk. October 4 to S-Warren, Ohio, School Executive Secretary of the Philip- He made long trips to the villages of of Missions. Mrs. George Konold, pin e Federation of Evangelical tribesmen, living with the people and 314 Scott Street, N. E., Warren, Churches, an interdenominational or- establishing Christian centers among Ohio. ganization representing the whole them. He is survived by his wife, Protestant movement in the Philip- Mrs. Harriet Gunn Cumberland, who October 5 to 12 – United Lutheran pines. He succeeds Dr. Higdon who went to the field in 1928. Church in America, Biennial Con- remains in America for a time, after vention, Baltimore, Md. which he hopes to return to Manila Rev. Edwin F. Frease, D.D., a to engage in interdenominational Methodist missionary in India and October 14 to 20 – American Lu- North Africa for 44 years, died in theran Church, Biennial Convention, Canton, Ohio, April 22. Dr. Frease Sandusky, Ohio. went to Bombay In 1888, and one year later was transferred to Baroda, October 20-Baltimore, Md., Institute where for 20 years he was pastor, for Church Women. Mrs. Bruce H. Superintendent of Gujarat District McDonald, 515 West Fayette St., and editor of a Christian publication. Baltimore, Md. He also translated the catechism and other Christian books into the native Personal Items language. In 1910, he was chosen to t3ke up a new work among the Mo- Dr. Sam Higginbottom, of Alla- hammedans of North Africa with his habad, India, arrived in America in time for the Presbyterian General (Concluded on page 821.) work. ••• Rev. Lewis Seymour Mudge, D.D., LL.D., after 17 years of faithful serv- ice as the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., has been honorably retired at the age of 70. Dr. Mudge has ren- dered a remarkable service, to the whole Church and to the Cause of Christ by the faithful and efficient way in which he has carried his heavy resllOnsibilities. Temporarily, he is acting as General Secretary of the Board of Christian Education for the Church, filling the place of Dr. Harold McAfee Robinson, who has been or- dered to take a rest on account of ill health.
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REVIEW OF THE WORL~ In the Foreign Mission Field O.,LAVAN L. PIERBON, Kd,tor , Endorse Calvert School ." :'l-Iome Study Courses VOL. LXI JULY-MJG.,1938 Nos. 7-8' for Children Publication and Business omce– Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. tion Department, will give your child a Editorial and Executive omce– 156 Filth Avenue, New York City. superior elementary education ••• by mail, Entered as second-class matter at regardless of where you may live. Mod- Post 01llce, Harrisburg, Pa., UDder Act of March 3, 1879. ern, approved courses from this famous school are being used by parents all over 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. I"orelgn Postage, 50 cents a year. the world with outstanding success. Published monthly, except August. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. Give your children the advantages of these Brill.h agents – Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, London, E. C. 1 shllling per copy, and attractive materials. Instruction is 10 Bhlllings a year. under the personal guidance of teachers in MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- LISHING CO., INC, Calvert's prominent and successful private BOARD OF DIRECTORS day school in Baltimore: ROUEUT E. SPEER, J'resident t Write today for booklet of complete in- A. L. WARNBHUlB, Vice-Pres>dent W ALTIl:R McDOUGALL, 7'reasurer formation. Costs are low. DFlLAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary PAUL J. BRAlBTEO CALVERT SCHOOL 180W. Tuscany Road SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Baltimor. + Maryland D. J. FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Obituary Notes The great white Empresses hold WM. B. LIPPHARO every speed record to and from ERle M. NORTH (Concluded from 2d c01Jer.) the Orient. 10 days direct to Yokohama by Empress of Asia SAMUEL M. ZWEMmB headquarters in Algiers, where he or Empress of Russia. Or only served until he retired in 1932. three days more via Hawaii by Editorial Chat Empress of Japan, largest and *** fastest on the Pacific, or Empress The July and August numbers of of Canada. Connect at Honolulu the REVIEW are combined into one. Dr. Maria White, who went to from California ports. The next issue will be September, and Sialkot, India, as a United Presbywill come from the press about August terian medical missionary in 1886, From Vancouver and Victoria 25th. It is to contain some very in- died in Wilkinsburg, Penna., March to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, teresting and valuable articles on the 20, at the age of 84. She was the Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. Madras Conference Topics; others on first woman doctor to serve in the Details from YOUR TRAVEL the City, Brazil, Tibet. Africa and Punjab and after repeated efforts AGENT or Canadian Pacifio: "How to Interest Students in Mis- secured enough money to build the 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. sions." Miss Grace McGavran will Sialkot Memorial Hospital. She also begin her contributions on Best Meth- established a clinic at Pasrur and in ods for Promoting Missionary Interest 1910 built a small hospital there with at Home. Do not miss this number her own funds which she named the because you are absent from home. White Memorial Hospital in memory Write to give any change of address. of her parents.
*** *** Here are some recent comments't to John Elijah Case, father of Brayindicate why you and your friends ton C. Case of the American Baptist will find the REVIEW of interest atld Agricultural School in Burma, died February 8 at the age of 81. John and value: "I am an interested reader of E. Case went to Burma in 1882. Due to the shortage of missionaries he the REVIEW. I both enjoy it would not take any furlough and profit by it. You are rendering incal- stayed continuously on the field until culable service to the cause of the 1901. He then came back to America, Master's Kingdom in the world. God broken in health, and did not return. bless you!" *** BISHOP J. R. CHITAMBAR. Jubbulpore, India. Mr. Albert G. Adams, honorably retired Presbyterian missionary to *** West Africa, died on May 27th in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1902, Mr. Adams "I have been a reader of your val- heard that a mission treasurer was ued journal for a number of years, needed in the West Africa Mission and have long admired its fine com- and applied for the position. The bination of evangelical loyalty and position entailed an immense amount breadth of vision," of work in handling shipments, keep- ing accounts and dealing with all the NORMAN S. MCPHERSON, intricate problems involved in con- Vice-President, Association of nection with French Customs. In 1935, after he had served for thirty- Baptists for Evangelization' three years, the French Government in the Orient. recognized the high quality of his work by awarding him the "Order of "I think that*thi*s (*REVIEW) is one the Black Star of Benin," the highest government honor given in Africa. of the finest publications that I know. It has been a great challenge to me, [ 321 ] and I hope to acquaint others with it."
(MISS) LILA MAE CHAPMAN.
305 Adams St., Macon, Ga.
BOYS AND GIRLS'-GIVING CHILDREN A CHANCE TO GO TO THE
REBUILDING MEN-GLIMPSES OF WORK IN GOOD WILL INDUSTRIES MISSION, CINCINNATI, OHIO (see article by Richard Scully-page 335)
NARY
REVIE ORLD AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS VOLUME LXI JULY-AUGUST, 1938 NUMBERS 7 AND 8 #'fI'
Topics of the Times WHAT DO WE SEE IN THE WORLD? by the need of the Athenians for a knowledge of the true God and for the life offered through The earth is made up of material things, of Jesus Christ. animals and people. History is a series of events, discoveries, disasters, conflicts, human problems What we see indicates what we are and what and heroic deeds. What do we see when we look are our chief interests. These determine our amat the world of matter and of time? bition and plan of action. What Japan sees in China and the Chinese is vastly different from In an automobile men see different things ac- what the Christian missionary sees-and these j:!ording to their interests, experience, viewpoint. They see a beautiful piece of mechanism or a pile different viewpoints lead to opposite courses of of junk; a wonderful invention or a mystery; a possible joy-ride or a vehicle for business; an action and opposite results. . expense or a means of profit; a family asset or an engine of destruction. The summer is here, with its opportunities for What do you see in a sunset-a "weather work and play, for travail or travel, for self inbreeder," a mass of clouds and sunlight, a wonder- dulgence or for service. Where and how will we ful picture or an evidence of the glory of God, the Creator? and our families spend the summer if we have an opportunity for choice? There are factories and There is a similar variety and contrast in the offices for constant toil; there are summer reway men and women look at the heavens on a ~orts where the world, the flesh and the devil clear night, on a school, a church, on the Bible, hold sway; there are camps and summer conferor on money. In a baby some see a cute play- ences that offer opportunities for Christian felthing, others a nuisance, an adorable bit of hu- lowship, wholesome recreation and spiritual manity, a son and heir, ransom money, the mak- growth. Which will we choose? ing of a possible criminal or a future servant of God and benefactor of mankind. How differently, The Christ-centered and Christ-controlled life too, men look at a cross! has a different viewpoint from that of any other life; and the results are different here and will When the hosts of Syria came against Israel be through all eternity.
"The things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal."
and besieged the city of Dothan, Elisha's servant NEW STEPS IN JAPANESE SHRINE saw only horses and chariots and an enemy's WORSHIP army; but when his eyes were opened he saw horses and chariots of fire-the encircling hosts It seems self-evident to many Christians that of God assuring victory. the act of obeisance at the Japanese State shrines In a multitude of people did Jesus see only a transgresses the implications of monotheism and mob or possible commercial asset? No, He saw violates the explicit requirements of God as found hungry, straying "sheep without a shepherd"; in the first and second commandments. This is He saw men and women whom He had come to so fully borne out by a careful study of State save. At Athens, the apostle Paul was not im- Shinto, that it comes as a distinct shock to find pressed most by the wisdom of the Greeks or by some Christians willing to bow at these shrines.
the beauty and expense of the Parthenon, but to direct students under their care to attend and [323 ]
bow, and to influence Christian leaders to ac- necessary for such arrests, and no trials are quiesce. Imperfect apprehension' of the moral held, but these people are told that if they will implications may explain this tragic anomaly. do obeisance all else will be forgiven.
In the ancient and modern conflict between At meetings of Christian organizations the de- Christ and "Cresar," the issue eventually becomes mand is made that they adopt resolutions favorclear. The significance of the attitude of mind ing obeisance. When one Presbytery met, the which the Japanese Government desires to de- town was filled with soldiers and Christian leadvelop in every subject of the Empire is becoming ers were told that the town was under martial evident-namely the entire subservience to the law, that failure to obey -orders meant death Japanese State and the worship of "spirits" other and that resolutions "must" be passed approving than Jehovah. Recent events in Korea are mak- obeisance at the shrines, even by the Presbytery ing it clear that the ultimate question that Chris- itself. Such pastors and elders as were suspected tians and churches are facing there is that of of opposition 'tvere detained at the police station, monotheism or polytheism. while weaker brethren were' persuaded to pro- pose such resolutions. The small affirmative vote Weare convinced that if Christians yield to was heralded as the action of that Presbytery! Government requirements that students attend When the men detained at the police station were and do obeisance at Shinto shrines, later demands released and wished to rescind the resolution, will lead to further acquiescence in Shinto wor- the police declared that such action would not be ship. Two missionary teachers who attended the tolerated. shrine were soon ordered to make offerings at the shrines. No official, whatever he might say about Some Christian congregations are also being the act of obeisance, can deny that the offering coerced, as in one province where the Governor of sacrifices to "spirits" is a religious act. When ordered the churches each time they met to go in missionaries have declined to make such offer- a body to the Shinto shrine and do obeisance. If ings, their educational qualifications have been there was no shrine in the village the church rescinded. was ordered to erect one on its own property. In this province, an oath of allegiance to Japan must When a Christian School Board declared that be repeated in unison by those in the church; it would do all that the Government required, the the Japanese calendar must also be substituted missionary principal (who had done obeisance) for the Christian calendar. Such "regulations" demurred, but the Board members told him there corroborate the conviction that the Government was no difference between obeisance and meet- intends to force "obeisance" upon the whole popuing other requirements. In connection with the lation. A year ago, in another province, it was war in China the orders of the Government show announced that a Shinto shrine would be erected what is at the core of State Shinto worship. On in every village, and each household would be September 21, 1937, the Japanese army invading ordered to contribute toward the cost. When China was halted and prayers for victory were Christians objected, "pressure" was exerted to offered to Amaterasu-Omi-kami (the Goddess of compel contributions. Heaven). On February 11, 1938, the whole Empire was ordered to go to the shrines and pray The issue is being drawn more and more defor victory. Christians, formerly excused, are no finitely and more and more clearly it is seen that longer permitted to absent themselves. The police the issue is actually:-"Will the Christian Church in Chosen hIve volunteered the information that do obeisance at Shinto' shrines to 'spirits' other they are driven by the military, "who look upon than Jehovah?" Amaterasu-Omi-kami as their god," to compel the Christian schools to do obeisance. A missionary says, "We are tryipg to live up to our Lord's words in Matthew 22: 21. … There Coercion, in various forms, is being used to is no danger of God's demanding the things that make it appear that "right-minded Christians" belong to Cresar, but it is a historic fact that have no difficulty in doing obeisance. All Chris- Cresar has often demanded the things that belong tian gatherings have long been under police sur- to God. . . . We do not pretend that conditions veillance, with special severity in the case of those here are as severe as those in the first three Christian bodies which have shown scruples about centuries (under Rome) ·but the differences are doing obeisance. All over the country people are rather of degree than of kind." being urged to purchase "Kami-dan" (I!'od shelves) and small replicas of the shrines, and to Christians need to awaken to the facts in reinstall them in their homes. Once installed, these gard to this struggle between Christ and the must be treated with special reverence. Japanese Cresar, and to aid in the effort to keep Christian schools and the Christian Church from Christian leaders in Korea who will not do entering the road which is likely to end in aposobeisance are being imprisoned. No warrant is tasy. To many a Japanese subject, the demand
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
"Choose ye this day whom ye will serve" is a terian Church U. S. A., on the other hand, was terrible reality. the first ecclesiastical body to vote to approve cooperation with this proposed "World Council THE UTRECHT CONFERENCE-"THAT ALL of Churches." MAY BE ONE" Those who become members of this fellowship Last summer's interchurch conferences, at Ox- will appoint members of the Assembly of 450 ford and Edinburgh, were followed by a special members, which will include lay and clerical, men delegated conference at Utrecht, Holland, May and women. There will also be a Central Com- 9th to 12th, called to plan for a proposed World mittee of which Dr. Visser t'Hooft of Holland Council of Churches. This Conference was pre- and Dr. Henry Smith Leiper of New York were sided over by Dr. William Temple, Archbishop of elected secretaries. York, and was attended by about fifty-six delegates and twenty-five other representatives from At the Stockholm Conference in 1925 the twenty-one countries. Many denominations were slogan was "Doctrine divides; service unites," cooperating, including the Old Catholic and Greek but at Utrecht the conviction was that there must Orthodox churches. Among the delegates were be a solid foundation in a Christian faith that Dr. Francis C. M. Wei of China, Mr. Thomas unites. The doctrinal basis, unanimously adopted David of India, Dr. John R. Mott and Dr. A. L. for submission to the various churches, had as its Warnshuis of the International Missionary Coun- main point "the acceptance of our Lord Jesus cil; Dr. Kenneth S. Latourette, of Yale; Dr. S. M. Christ as God and Saviour." Representatives of Cavert of the Federal Council of Churches of some groups-such as the Unitarians and Czecho- Christ in America, Dr. Adolf Keller of Switzer- Slovakian Church-objected to this basis, but land, Dr. J. H. Oldham, Wil1iam Paton and the without avail. Archbishop of York, of Great Britian. The proposed World Council of Churches will The Conference unanimously adopted a form not attempt to judge orthodoxy or to exercise of constitution, recommended for the World authority over the constituent churches. It will Council of Churches, which will be submitted to be consultative and cooperative, not legislative. the various constituent bodies for their criticism or approval. A provisional Committee was appointed to carry forward the work of the Conference, with Reporting on the Utrecht Conference, Dr. La- the following members from the United States: tourette says, "In our day, as in no other, tbe Dr. J. Ross Stevenson, Dr. John R. Mott, Bishop Christians of the world are beginning to come to- George Craig Stewart, Dr. A. R. Wentz, Dr. Samgether and to find in their common Lord a bond uel M~ Cavert and Mr. Charles P. Taft. which is stronger than the rising divisions of Whatever may be the differences in opinion as to the feasibility of such a World Council of international jealousy and hatred. Growing Churches, or the methods and characteristics that should mark such a Council, there can be only Christian fellowship in a divided world cannot sympathy and admiration for those followers of but give to thoughtful souls convincing evidence Christ who seek to fulfil His prayer "that they all that in the Church of Christ is a superhuman may be one, even as thou, Father, art in me ann T power that makes for love and trust." in thee, that they also may be in us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me." AJl While practically all truly Christian churches disciples of Christ are called to form a united believe in promoting unity of spirit and harmony in operation among all followers of Christ, there stand against paganism, atheism and materialism, against sin and selfishness and to promote a are strong differences of opinion as to how these united faith in Christ with a growth in loyalty, objectives may best be brought to pass without love, cooperation and sacrificial service. compromise in matters that are considered essentials. The United Free Church of Scotland, for example, considered the subject at its recent As Dr. A. L. Warnshius says: "The mission- General Assembly and proposes to withdraw from ary significance of the proposed Council consists the ecumenical movement on the ground that their in the recognition of the world-wide character of affiliation would "endanger the whole position of the Christian Church. A .primary purpose of its religious freedom, religious equality and volun- organization is to make visible the essential unitv taryism for which the United Free Church has of the churches throughout the world that are i~ contended and suffered." "State Churchism vs. agreement with the doctrinal basis stated above.
Free Churchism," the historic Episcopate, and co- The possibility of now organizing a wor1d-wide operation with some church bodies that are con- Council of Churches is accepted as a demonf1trl'l- sidered "non-evangelical" are among the dangers tion of the results of the missionary service of the to which objection is made. Church. "Ecumenical" means the "inhabited The recent General Assembly of the Presby- world," and that includes more than North
America and Europe. Christian missions have from India, Dr. Stanley Smith from China and now made it possible to speak of an 'Ecumenical the veteran Secretary Robert Speer picture the Church.' The form of organization of the pro- world's need and the proved sufficiency of Jesus posed Council is based upon the experience of the Christ to meet it; and finally, on the last great day International Missionary Council. of the feast, the presentation of the Report of the Assembly's Standing Committee on Foreign Mis- "The missionary work of Christ is not finished, sions, with its courageous, forward-looking resobut only well begun, and it will necessarily be lutions – all this constituted a program not one of the primary responsibilities of the Council, likely to be forgotten by Commissioners or when organized, to cooperate in the advancement visitors. It renewed assurance of the fulfilment of missionary endeavor everywhere, so as to of the promise of the retiring moderator's constrengthen and extend the churches in every part fident sermon, HI will build my Church." Dr. of the world. The realization of the missionary Foulkes calle~he Church, with impassioned apresponsibility of the Council in its service is es- peal, to believing prayer and consecrated effort, sential to the achievement of its purpose; other- both in behalf of suffering China and sinning wise it will become merely an academic debating Japan, and for all mission lands, where, though society. Missions are no mere department of the the harvest is great and the laborers few, yet the life of the Church, to be remembered only by a Lord of the harvest is wonderfully blessing both minority of its members. The whole life of the the sowing of the seed and the garnering of the whole Church must be directed to the fulfillment sheaves. of its world-wide evangelistic mission." The fact that this Assembly was entirely free MISSIONS AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY from the doctrinal and judicial contentions, which have disturbed and saddened many recent As- It seems hardly possible that any future meet- semblies, and that many enc()uragements were in ing of the Presbyterian General Assembly, at evidence that seem to point toward an early releast for fifty years to come, should surpass in union of all branches of the Presbyterian order missionary signficance the Sesqui-centennial As- and the ultimate fulfilment of our Saviour's sembly, with its two days of pre-assembly con- prayer "that they all may be one," contributed ferences, which convened from May 24th to June greatly to the missionary inspiration of this As- 1st in Philadelphia's Municipal Convention Hall. sembly. Great encouragement was derived also Even the distinctively Foreign Mission Centennial from the fact that, in spite of the current financial Assembly of last year can scarcely be compared recession and the disturbed state of the world, with it. Everything seemed to combine to make the Board of Foreign Missi()ns has received more it a record Assembly. More than 150 of the than $500,000 toward its special Centennial Fund Church's missionaries were present; the Board of a million dollars for the reinforcement of a de- Exhibits were most appropriate and attractive; pleted missionary force and the restoration of the arrangement and atmosphere of the great missionary salaries. The group of consecrated "Hall ()f Fellowship," beneath the huge Conven- women present, who had just come from a week of tion Hall, left nothing to be desired for the meet- soul-stirring conference at Buck Hill Falls, were ing of old friends and the making of new, within enthusiastically, if not enviously, applauded 011 and with()ut the missionary group itself; the in- their report that, instead of raising a mere half spiring foreign mission gathering after the Evan- of their Centennial allotment, they had raised gelism Conferences, followed by the delightful every dollar of it. The Presbyterian Board, fellowship dinner the next day; the world-wide though made tragically short-handed by many Communion service of more than 6,000 after the recent retirements from its executive staff, yet Moderator's sermon; the Women's Reception to rejoices in the finding of able and devoted sucmissionaries; the Stewardship Breakfast and the cessors for some of the veterans, and is devoting Men's, Women's and Young People's Fellowship its energies to the development of new plans for Dinners for 6,000; preaching by scores of mis- increasing its official and field efficiency, and for sionaries through all that region, in churches of calling the finest new recruits to the colors. The many denominations; the Vesper Prayer Con- new Century of the Church's Foreign Missions ference led by Dr. Cleland McAfee, with reports opens with a cheer.* COURTENAY H. FENN. from all the mission fields and intimate intercession: the gathering of many thousands in the • The Rev. Charles W. Welch, D.D., of L()uisville. Kentucky, was Great Hall, the platform crowded with mission- elected moderator to succeed Dr. William Hiram Foulkes of Newark; aries and Board officers, to hear Mrs. Carruthers and Dr. William Barrow Pugh of Chester, Pennsylvania, was elected Stated Clerk for a five year term to S1Icceed Dr. Lewis Mudge, who is honorably retired at seventy years ()f age.
in Turkey
By the REV. CHARLES T. RIGGS, Istanbul, Turkey For forty years a missionary of the American Board THERE appears to be prevalent an impression his capacity as Sultan. One illustration of the that Turkey has thrown off her Mohammed- power of the Moslem religion over the Ottoman anism and is trying to go along without any State. was in the fact that the Sheikh-ul-Islam, religion. To understand what has happened, we who was the highest authority in the Moslem relimust first distinguish between official and per- gious courts-the Chief Justice, so to speak, of the sonal attitudes. Officially, the United States might Mohammedan Supreme Court – was the only be said to have no religion, since Church and State power legally entitled to pronounce a decree deare entirely separate. But that would be mis- posing the Sultan. Now, in these Republican days, leading. Officially, Turkey has pronounced herself when the dominance of the old Sultans is held to to be entirely secular; but religion is ingrained have been the cause of the many disasters to in the life and thought of her people, as it always Turkey, this union of religion with the highest has been. secular authority is regarded as a calamity. Steps have therefore been taken to abolish the power There is no such anti-God movement in Turkey of the Moslem clergy for the purpose of preventas exists in the United States of Soviet Russia. ing any return to the old absolutism and tyranny There is in Turkey no organized attempt to eradi- such as existed in the days of the Sultans. cate religious faith and sentiment; any such at- tempt would be rigorously opposed even by the Unfortunately, in the process, much of the secular Government. Nor has there been any at- ethical influence of the clergy has also gone. The tempt to get rid of the mosques, or even of Chris- abolition of the old mosque schools for children thin churches or Jewish synagogues. Religious and the more recent abolition of the medresse, or worship goes on in hundreds of churches and in theological schools, the reduction of financial aid thousands of mosques, without hindrance. It is from the State to mosques, the forbidding of the true that many old mosque buildings, long prac- use of clerical dress on the streets, the abolition tically disused for lack of adjacent Moslem pop- of all civil compulsion in the observance of Ramulation, have been condemned and torn down. It azan (the annual month of fasting) and finally is also true that churches have either been torn the suppression of the early morning "call to down or diverted to other uses, where the Chris- prayer" on the ground that it woke many people tian population has disappeared. But these facts up who did not wish to pray at that time-all are not proof of anti-religious feeling. While the these and other new regulations have given the Turkish State is absolutely separated from reli- religious leaders an inferiority complex. They gion, the Government has taken over the manage- feel that their authority is gone, and the average ment of the mosque properties, and repairs or man no longer looks up to them as the models in renovations are made by order of the Government all things ethical as well as religious. which also sees to the payment of the clergy. As One of the most ominous results of modern reg- to the Christian churches, the Government is try- ulations is, that in the secularization of all schools ing to regularize the affairs of each and to prevent and in the suppression of mosque schools, chila misuse of church funds by appointing some one dren no longer have any religious training aside for each church who shall be directly responsible from what they may receive in their own homes to the Government for the correct use of its funds; from their parents. Since the reading of the this person is to be one designated by the church Koran in mosques is still in the Arabic language, itself. and since no school lower than the University is To understand the situation in Turkey today, allowed to teach Arabic, children no longer com- mit the Koran to memory or learn its precepts. one must remember the centuries during which And with the suppression of the theological semthe religious and secular powers were united; when the Sultan was also the Caliph, and was inaries, one wonders just where Turkey will obmore powerful as Caliph than as Sultan, his reli- tain religious leaders of the future; certainly they gious dominance was paramount. In those days, will not have the preparation they formerly rethe Moslem clergy had a strangle hold on things ceived. There is a course in Moslem theology ofsecular, through their influence with the Caliph in fered in the University, but at last accounts there [327 ]
were no students who had enrolled in that course! pupils are all of Christian families. The Arme- The larger mosques, and to a certain extent the nian day-schools have thus kept on with their smaller ones, are still frequented by worshipers, religious lessons; and one of the Mission schools especially during the fast-month of Ramazan. In in Istanbul has its Sunday services in a separate some places, owing to the substitution of Sunday building; these are attended by Armenian girls for Friday as the weekly holiday, one finds more only. As for leadership – priests, pastors and people attending the mosque at the noon prayer ministers of Christian churches of all denomina- on Sunday than on Friday. Yet in most mosques, tions are on the same footing with the Govern- Friday is still the great day and often there will ment as are the imams of mosques.
be many hundreds in each of the larger mosques Further, the publication and circulation of of Istanbul for the noon prayer on that day. Christian literature is not forbidden in Turkey, Popular interest in religion in Turkey is notice- and many Christian books have been on sale for able in another and more unusual way -=In the a long time:….' Strangely enough, and without sales of the Christian Scriptures through the apparent reason, after a Turkish translation of Bible Society colporteurs. Those parts of the new Fosdick's "The Manhood of the Master" had translation that have been issued in the new alpha- appeared, all copies were confiscated by the Gov- bet have met with a good sale; and many Turks ernment, and the publishers were told it was "un- are reading the New Testament to find out what desirable." But this prohibition was not on the this Protestant Christian religion is. The Bible ground of its being a religious book. The Gov- Societies have opened a new store on the main ernment pUblication office itself has in recent years street of one of the great business quarters in issued translations of European biographies of Istanbul, with an attractive show-window where Jesus and of Mohammed; and now, within less open Bibles are constantly displayed; and these than a year, it is hoped, the entire Bible, in mod- attract much attention from passers-by. There ern Turkish and in the Latin type now adopted, is, and has been for many years, a weekly sel'vice will be issued from the press. This should meet of worship of one of the Evangelical churches in with a good reception.
the Turkish language; it is a rare Sunday when A comparatively new development along reli- two or three or more Turks are not present-men gious lines is the interest shown in the history of who are professedly Moslems, but who wish to the early introduction of Christianity among learn what Evangelical truth is. Turkish tribes. A book has appeared by a Turk There has been considerable misunderstanding on this theme, showing the extent of the early as to the attitude of the Turkish Government to- prevalence of Christianity in central Asia among ward Christian communities today. These are not Turks; there has also been published a book by being interfered with, except in certain individual the celebrated historian, Dr. Fuad Keuprulu, on cases in cities remote from the centers. There "The History of Religions Among the Turks"
are scattered groups of Gregorian as well as Prot- (192'5), in which he gives considerable space to estant Armenians in many towns in Anatolia, and this matter. A philosophical work by Prof. Hilmi each of these conducts its public worship. In Ziya, of the University of Istanbul, "Turkish Talas, near Cresarea in central Asia Minor, the Philosophical Thought," treats of the same sub- Protestants were told they could go to the church ject. Recently a long article appeared in one of in Cresarea, four miles or more away, but were the Turkish dailies, Cumhuriyet (Dec. 13, 1937), forbidden to continue their worship in Talas. referring to three recent Italian publications on This was decreed by a peculiarly hard-hearted this topic, proving that Christianity existed in governor who has since been removed. In Sivas, the early 13th century, before the days of Marco a little farther east, the Gregorians have likewise Polo. The author of this newspaper article read a been forbidden to gather in their church. But paper at the Historical Congress held at the invi- with rare exceptions, services go on wherever tation of President Ataturk in September last, in there are Christian groups large enough to sus- Istanbul, in which he set out to prove that Chris- tain such. Four Evangelical churches in Istanbul tianity had already penetrated among the Turkish continue their services as usual without hindrance. tribes by the second century after Christ. He is The question of Christian Sunday schools has convinced that the supposed Nestorians, who in- been more difficult, because of the name "school," troduced Christianity into China about the seventh which led the Government to classify them as un- century, were themselves Turks. He cites with authorized schools not under the Department of hearty approval the writings of Dr. Alphonse Public Instruction. Where Sunday schools are Mingana of the John Rylands Library at Man- known as Services of Worship for Children, they chester, England, who takes the same view re- go on unhindered. Another concession of the garding the early introduction of Christianity Government has been in allowing religious in- among the Turks.
struction to be given in day-schools where the Such studies, and the idea that many of the
A VISIT TO DUTCH NEW GUINEA
early Turks, before the days of Mohamm~~,:wer~ .it is certainly true that there is a more open- Christians will undoubtedly help counteract the .. minded attitude among them toward the claims nationalistic opposition to Turks bec9ming Chris- of Christ, especially if this can be dissociated tians today. We rejoice in all such light as can from any political connections with so-called be thrown on the early spread of" Christianity in Christian nations. Nationalism is still rampant Central Asia, as having ,~ direct bearing on the in Turkey and whatever presentation can be made attitude of the descendants .of those same Turks of the Gospel, it must be free fr.om any attempt today. to interfere with this. Thus we may hope for an While one cannot point to any wide-open door increasingly favorable reception of truth as re- among the Turks for the preaching of the Gospel, vealed in Christ.
o Q HaJmahelra /) U ('j THE DUTCH EAST INDIES-SHOWING MR. JAFFRAY"S RECENT JOURNEY TO DUTCH NEW GUINEA A Visit To Dutch New Guinea A Letter from R. A. JAFFRAY, Makassar, Celebes ~- Missionary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance W ITH the exception .of Greenland, New The trip to New Guinea and back to Makas- Guinea is the largest island in the world. sar took me twenty-four days, stopping en route I have recently returned from a visit to at fifteen different places, . three of which are this almost wholly unevangelized territory. Every in New Guinea. A map will show the location new tribe we reach with the Gospel adds a link of the three new fields that we have definite in the chain that will bind Satan for a thousand hope to enter with the glad Message of the years, and hastens his eternal doom. No wonder Gospel. Also in my possession I have a number he tries to hinder. of good pictures of native Papuans, most of which
are not presentable as originally photographed. million American dollars have already been ex- Our Bible School at Makassar is producing able pended at Babo. They evidently have faith for oil! Have we faith for souls from the interior of native Christian workers for the field, and we this great unknown, unworked field? At Babo it want to find new unreached fields in which they was a pleasure to meet Americans-geologists and can do pioneer work. We believe that the Lord aviators, who are working for the joint oil conwill provide the right men and women, mission- cern. They had flown over much of the interior of this part of New Guinea and gave me much in- formation about these' recently discovered areas, where we want to go with the Gospel message.
Again I felt that, if men for oil and for gold will leave all and go to the uttermost parts of the earth, why dO'-hot missionaries go with the Gos- pel? If they spend huge sums for that which will perish, why cannot we carry the imperishable Gospel to those Papuans of the interior who have never-dying souls to save? One hundred and twenty more Americans are expected to arrive at Babo during the year. When shall we begin to work for the precious souls of men who still sit in darkness and in the shadow of death?
We then sailed around to another port, the largest port of this part of New Guinea, Fak-fak.
One Chinese merchant said that he had heard me preach in Makassar ten years ago, during my first visit to Makassar.
Mr. Cator, the Assistant 'Resident, has done a deal of rough work for the Government in the in- terior of Borneo, and is now doing much the same kind of work in New Guinea. Modestly he told me of his experiences, by sea, by land, afoot through the jungle, and by air. He has discov- ered lakes in the interior, and many new tribes of Papuans hitherto unknown to the world, people who have never been to the coast, for there was no road from their villages to the coast until the Government made a trail. These people had con- sidered themselves the sole residents of this world.
A NEW GUINEA HOUSE OF BAMBOO, IN THE JUNGLES I had asked the Lord to lead me to the right people, in order to get what information was These houses are built from twenty to thirty feet above the ground, necessary to start Gospel work among these hith- for protection from their enemies.
aries from home and Chinese missionaries, to go erto unknown tribes. He surely answered prayer as His pioneers to these uttermost parts. and led me to Mr. Cator and others who knew the Our first stop, after leaving Makassar, was facts, and were willing to help. Mr. Cator prom- Ambon, a Christian island, the result of some ised to do all in his power to recommend us to the three or four hundred years' labor by Dutch mis- Government for permission to work in the newly sionaries. We had several important interviews, discovered lake regions. When one comes in the gathering valuable information regarding New name of the Lord, even to the borders of these Guinea, which is under the control of the Govern- lands where Satan has indisputable control, the ment of Ambon. Brigadier Woodward and his enemy tries hard to cast an indescribable gloom wife, of the Salvation Army, were very kind and over one's soul, and to destroy faith for the on- helpful. A number of earnest Chinese Christian ward triumph of the Gospel to every place where friends knew us, as they are readers of The Kalam Christ is not named. At this stage it all seems Hidoep (The Living Word), our monthly Malay such an utter impossibility.
magazine. The Papuan of the interior of New Guinea is Our course was eastward to New Guinea, and perhaps the most degraded of all the races of the first port was Babo, an oil town, though the mankind. He has sunk lower far than the Dyak, oil has not yet reached the surface. Some twenty "the wild man of Borneo." He is not only a head-
WHERE WEST MEETS E'AST-AN AIRPLANE LANDS AT BABO, DUTCH NEW GUINEA hunter, but a cannibal. He kills and eats his hu- for sin." The Christ of the Cross transforms men. man victim. Can the message of our Gospel save In New Guinea we also met Dyaks. We cQuld him? Can he too be transformed? We have seen the wild man of Borneo tamed, and become a never mistake them. They had been brought over humble, devoted follower of the meek and lowly to New Guinea by the oil concerns to work as Jesus-yes, thousands of them. But, can He save coolies. As I looked at them, and then at the and change the Papuan also? It is the supreme Papuans-like a flash of light it came to metest of the power of our Gospel. He has done it; Dyak evangelists from our Bible School will come He can do it; He will do it. over here, and teach these Papuans to love and trust, and to serve the wonderful Saviour that The man of the world, who does not know the they have found! The Dyaks I met were not transforming power of the Gospel, says that it Christians, but there are many of our Christian will take generations to raise these people out of Dyaks here in New Guinea, and we will yet find the deep mire of sin and superstition into which them. Yes, "the wild man of Borneo" will yet be they have sunk. But, as never before, I believe the bearer of the Message of Salvation to the still that the Gospel which we preach is "the power wilder man, the Papuan of the interior of New of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth." Guinea. A leading Dutch official, whom I met, By the Holy Spirit,this message of the Life, the was impressed with the idea, and heartily ap- Death and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus proved of the missionary working with Christian will instantly transform and cleanse the vilest Dyak evangelists among ,the cannibals of New heart and life, even though a man be a pagan Guinea. cannibal of New Guinea. By believing in the Saviour, he becomes "a new creature" in Christ A clear distinction must be made between Jesus. As one has said, "The blackest, vilest, Dutch New Guinea and British New Guinea. most debased, most debauched,polluted, filthy, Also, it must be remembered that much noble unclean, hard-hearted, evil-tempered, lying, covet- work has already been done by the Dutch Misous, thieving, murderous, gray-headed sinner that sions, especially on the northeast coast of the ever tottered on this side of the grave, is reached island. One has said, using a rather unfortunate and broken, and wonderfully saved and trans- figure, that the Gospel has spread in some parts formed by Him Who hung between two. thieves of this northeast coast of New Guinea like an epi- demic! All credit to the brave men and women
who are working in these parts. Most of them, ing. Shall we let them sink, and not even give however, are far distant from the part of the them a warning call, or offer them the helping fields of which we are speaking. Some work on hand of full and free salvation that is to be found the southwest coast has been done, but it is mostly only in our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ? . in the port towns, and among the mixture of races who have settled there. Where we plan to go, no 3. The Wissel Lakes District one else has gone with the Gospel. We have made it quite plain to all with whom we have spoken These newly discovered lakes lie down the that we will not tread on the toes of any other southwest coast of New Guinea, and may now be missionary, for there is plenty of room. The reached from the little port called Oeta. With Roman Catholics are attempting a good deal of no little hardship, a way has been made from the work in Dutch New Guinea. coast to these lakes. The trail is not yet complete, but will be i~. better shape a little later his year. 1. The Amaroe Lake District Mr. Cator lost his way once when attempting to cut the trail through the jungle to the lakes. He This lake lies in the midst of the northernmost was deserted by his men and had to return to the part of New Guinea, known by the Dutch as coast, but finally made the perilous journey, and Vogel-kop, or Bird's Head. The lake forms, as it found a wonderland of three lakes, some 4,500 were, the eye of the bird. Lake Amaroe is reached feet above the sea, and a popUlation of some from the southern coast up the Kaiboes river. The 20,000 friendly Papuans. His last trip took him port town is Temin-aboeah. From this town, a three months and a half. Mr. Cator has since Government trail has been recently completed to made the trip by air, and has made further in- Lake Amaroe. It is not by any means an auto- vestigations, his hydroplane alighting on the lake. mobile road-only a trail, a walk of two or three He tells us that the people were not greatly excited days. "Rest Houses" have been provided on the by the sudden arrival of a hydroplane. The cliway. A garrison of 100 native soldiers and three mate around these lakes is very fine and he is Dutch officers with their wives are now stationed anxious that missionary work be opened among there. One of the three Dutch officers is a doctor. these people. They are of course primitive, still I was assured that a lady could be carried over living in the stone age, and know nothing yet of this road without trouble, as even a frigidaire and the use of iron. Like other such unknown races, a billiard table had been transported to the lake! they are uneducated and uncivilized, but they are by no means stupid. They are called the Kapauku The immediate population of Papuans around tribe which means the "Mountain Man." Other the lake is estimated at about 5,000, and there is tribes may be reached by motor boat up the rivers in the whole district a population composed of which, at times, can be traveled for 100 kilovarious tribes of about 15,000 or 20,000, no one meters. Let us pray till they are reached for Him. knows exactly how many. The chief tribe is called the Mention tribe. There seems to be no Here is another world to conquer for the Lord reason why missionaries may not go there as soon Jesus. Who will hear the call, for not only are as the proper Government permission is obtained. these people calling, but the Voice of the Lord is All along this southwest coast line of this north calling, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will section of New Guinea there are rivers, along go for us?" Too many at home say, "Here am which there are peoples who know not that there I, and here I stay!" Who will say, "Here am I, is a Saviour. Lord, send me, even to New Guinea!"
2. The Island of Misool Over one hundred American men and women are coming to Babo, New Guinea, this year for This island lies off the south coast of northern oil. How many are coming to Misool, to the New Guinea in a southwestern direction. It has Amaroe Lake region, and to the Wissel Lakes an estimated population of 3,000, of whom two- plateau, to seekAost souls for the Lord Jesus? thirds are pagan tribes of the interior. The re- We will never ~rest till the missionary places his mainder are nominal Moslems, living in the coast feet on thisunteached soil, and claims it for the towns. No missionary work is being done at all Lord Jesus. 'lfhe missionary promise is, "Every in Misool. It seems to us to be the devil's island. place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, We have been recommended by the Missions' Con- that have I given unto you." Let us ask, and ask sul at Batavia to take up work in Misool. The largely, for the Lord Jesus has already asked for island can most easily be reached from the south "the uttermost parts of the earth" for His poscoast of Vogel-kop (Bird's Head). Here is an- session. He has' also said, "All power is given other challenge. Dare we ignore it? If we let unto me in heaven and in earth-Go ye therefore these people sink and perish in their sins and superstitions, under the awful sp~ll of Satan's . . . and Lo! ·r am with you all the days, even power, are we to be held guiltless? They are sink- unto the end of the Age."
Church of Christ Challenges the
By the REV. DWIGHT J. BRADLEY Pastor of the Union Church in Boston, Mass.
I AM not sure that the word challenge is the one seems interested enough in them to speak to best word to use in this connection. I should them even though they live in the same building prefer the word invite, for, while the Church or lodging house. of Christ certainly does challenge the city in important ways, it invites the city in a way that is Such a condition of human relations constitutes far more important. This is the conviction de- a very definite challenge by the city to the Church. But instead of talking back to the city, as it were, veloped and matured through a good many years and telling the city how impersonal it is, and how of experience. sullenly it ignores the people who live in its area The word challenge suggests a tension, and a -instead of answering the challenge with a chal- kind of almost belligerent attack to resolve that lenge-I think that the Church must set about the task of creating within the city's area a kind of tension. The word invite suggests a kind of per- friendly oasis, so to speak: that is, a "nurturing suasion which, if persuasive enough and if heeded, fellowship."
could render belligerency unnecessary. While it Cities are strange creatures, and have been such would be cowardly to ignore tensions that actually from the time of Thebes and Babylon, Rome and exist between the Church and the city, the Church ancient Jerusalem. Cities bring out the best there may well exercise persuasive power to the utmost is in human beings, and also the worst. Cities in an effort to meet the challenge of the city, provide unsurpassed opportunities for intellectual, rather than to meet the challenge with a counter- resthetic and social creativity and enjoyment. On challenge which might make persuasion far less the other hand, cities tempt men to superficiality, effective in the future. vulgarity and social deterioration, such I;S the Putting this in another way the chief under- countryside or the village or the small town could never know. Thus, the city represents civilization taking of a city church ought to be that of active at its highest and at its lowest-and in about equal friendliness in all its relations, both with its parish measure. The city is like a great divinity and a neighborhood and with the city as a whole. One great beast at the same time. But whether diof my colleagues recently said that in his opinion vinity or beast, one thing the city of itself can the Church, especially the city church, should be never be; it cannot be a neighborhood, a fellowa "nurturing fellowship." The implications of ship, a community where men and women as a this apt description are many.
City life tends to be terribly impersonal. In whole may feel truly at home. If there are to be this regard it differs greatly from life in the coun- within the city, neighborhoods, a fellowship, a try and the small town. There are certain advan- community, then some other agency than the city tages to be found in the city's impersonality; must be responsible. I contend that of all the there is likely to be less gossip and less of that things a city church can do and must feel under barbarous cruelty which the too personal exist- obligation to do, this is the most important. ence in some village communities seems to encourage between individuals and groups when these There may be other agencies besides the Church are not under the rule qf Christ. But even so, that cando this, but. we are interested in the there come times when th~ city dweller, especially functiOn of the Church in doing its part in helping if he arrived originally from a small town, could human beings find their way into a simple, almost wish to hear some gossip, and would be friendly, sustaining, nourishing fellowship.. Our almost willing to take the risks of heartless mis- Christian conviction is that of all forms of fellowunderstanding, if only he or she might really know ship, the Church has the best to offer, since it is a someone well enough to be gossiped about, or even fellowship based essentially on the fellowship beto be subject to the torture of a sadistic tongue. tween God and men and women, made most pure and most wholesome by the presence of Jesus The pastor of a city church becomes used to hear- Christ. Here is something that cannot be found ing people complain wistfully that no one notices in any club, in any social settlement or in any them, or seems to care anything about them; no other association.
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The Church, therefore, invites the city people problem of contemporary secularism made more into the fellowship of God through Christ, and in- complicated by all sorts of fugitive paganisms- to the fellowship of the body of Christ. It promises still each section or stratum of the city's life pre- an experience of real communion through wor- sents its own peculiar challenges. The Church ship, through prayer, through constructive and must know its own neighborhood well enough to helpful work, through happy self-expression, and be able to "spot" the situations definitely as they perhaps most significant of all through that sheer arise. Having "spotted" them, the Church must sense of being at h.ome which is what we all crave. know with whom to cooperate and how to render In seeking to provide this, the Church comes effectual aid.
up sharply against forces in city life, and these All this having been said, it ought to be repeated plainly throw down a challenge. These are some- that the chief business of the city church is to times so openly sinister that we realize that they create and ~aintain the nurturing fellowship, by constitute a menace to the very existence of the inviting the city people to enter, and by providing fellowship we are seeking to maintain. The that feeling of homely and friendly security which church in Boston to which I minister is surrounded human beings crave. If the Church develops any on every side by such forces: liquor shops, gam- illusions about being able to "save" the modern bling dives, cheap pool rooms, as wen as little city merely by engaging in schemes and move- pockets or nests of viciousness and hidden crime. ments for this or that reform, the time of disillu- One can literally feel the presence of evil; and sionment will not be long postponed. Salvation yet, in the midst of all this, there live people and by outward reform is found to fail; while the families of pure Christian quality; on the streets constant, quiet persuasive effort to redeem the are playing hundreds of children who are as yet city-not by some great stirring crusade nor even unsoiled by the filth of the environment. What by some spectacular evangelistic campaign, but can we do? We can invite these people and fam- by invitation and nurture and pastoral care.,–will ilies into the church fellowship; we can gather at do more to promote the Kingdom of God in the least some of these children into the Christian city than any "activism" could ever do.
community; but by doing no more than this we Reform is necessary, of course, and a certain have only begun to touch the problem that our amount of the Church's energy must be spent in neighborhood presents. such undertakings. And no city church can prop- Here is where Christian social action comes in. erly do its work as a nurturing fellowship unless The housing in our part of Boston is inexcusably it is constantly on the look-out for opportunities wretched. It is inexcusable that gambling, liquor to develop an interesting program of boys' and selling and hidden vice should flourish in seeming girls' club organization, games, plays and pag- security. It is inexcusable that children should eants, creative handiwork, week-day kindergar- be obliged to play in the streets where traffic is a tens, mothers' clubs, motion pictures, and all such constant menace. It is inexcusable that any city wholesome activities. These, however, should be should tolerate such outward squalor and such derivative aspects of the greater enterprise, which insidious evil. It becomes the duty of the Church, is the nurture of the fellowship through the Chris- therefore, to do whatever it can in cooperation tian community of worship, prayer and ever-in- with social agencies, with the police and the city tensifying faith in God's love as expressed through government, and with individuals and groups, to Jesus Christ.
fight back the encroachments of evil, and to make When I first entered my present field of work, a positive attack upon the network of problems raised by modern social decay and by a decadent it was thought that we might institute a kind of economic system and political corruption. To do religious experiment station in Boston's South this requires the wisdom of serpents as well as End. I have long since abandoned that notion. the harmlessness of doves. It requires courage A church must not be used as an experiment staand patience, backed up by common sense and tion, for it cannot become such without becoming a species of monstrosity. The people of a church Christian devotion, and implemented by the best are not "guinea pigs," upon whom an aspiring available knowledge of sociological and psycho- parson may tryout certain social and ethical thelogical, as well as practical political techniques. ories. Far from this, a church is a church whether In different sections of the city, the problems it be set down in a city or set up in a suburb or vary somewhat, at least in degree, from those we set out in a country town. And a church is a bit face in Boston's South End. In each case, in each of the Church-a cell in the Body of Christ. The parish, it is necessary to know what the problems task of the Church is fundamentally the same in are in order to be able to attack them with any all places: namely, the establishment on earth of effectiveness. While the underlying problem is a community as nearly as possible like the com- common to all sections of any modern city-the munity of Heaven.
"A CHARGE RATHER THAN A RETREAT"
The city throws down a challenge to the Church that the Church may find itself under moral oblito settle such a community in its midst, despite the gation also to make effective use of the knotted hindrances which city life inevitably puts in the cords as Jesus did. Nor does it preclude the posway. The Church best answers this challenge by sibility that the Church may let itself be led, by repeating in deed as well as word the invitation the city in its sin, to that Calvary of sacrifice and of Jesus to the whole world: "Come unto me, all suffering which, in the final term, always proves ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give to be the spot from which the redemption of all you rest." This does not preclude the possibility earthly cities invariably comes!
"A Charge Rather Than a Retre,at"
I By the REV. RICHARD E. SCULLY, Ph.D., D.D.
1)1- Executive Secretary, Good Will Industries, Cincinnati, Ohio ~==============================~ I T IS notoriously true that the Church has he had a change of heart. This is what he says: tended to run away from areas that become a "Let us look now at another problem of city moral and spiritual wilderness, to fields where church work which cuts across the strategy, mes- the pastures were greener. In downtown Cin- sage, and program. It has to do with desire on cinnati a marked trend in the last thirty-five years the part of the churches to seek the greener pas- has been the merging or moving out of churches. tures which lie over the fence. For ten years we Especially has this been true in the west down- have been seeing a scramble on the part of all the town area. In this section sixteen Protestant denominations to pre-empt the locations in grow- churches have closed their doors. The chief fac- ing suburban communities where a future for tors that have contributed to this retreat are the Protestantism was bound to exist. The writer of shift of population and the economic inability of this paper was probably the most guilty of all men the present people to support churches. Such a at this very point. He went up and down his situation calls for "a charge rather than a re- bailiwick preaching over and over to people that treat." the huge investments of denominational money In his volume, "The Economic Sources of De- should be taken out of unproductive downtown nominationalism," Richard Niehbuhr has shown centers and should be located in productive sub- that from the beginning of Christianity the estab- urban home areas. Nor was this wholly untrue.
lished religious bodies have tended to neglect the On this basis the Society for which I work spent people called "disinherited." He gives many illus- many hundreds of dollars in producing a survey trations of this' process· of passing by these of the church work in the three counties served wounded people, "on the other side." by our' Society. The opening chapter of that book, Large tenement house sections are considered which had my entire sympathy and approval at unproductive from the standpoint of the Church, the time, was a discussion of a map which showed and a spirited debate has gone on whether to the areas in these three counties which probably spend missionary money in such areas, or in more would be the least productive places in which to promising fields. The other day a minister of a establish churches. By varied degrees of shading fine hill-top church remarked that the City Mis- these maps also pointed out the best of the happy sionary Society should stop sinking its money in hunting grounds and those in-between places hopeless areas, but should put it in newly devel- where there was a fair chance of livelihood. But, oped suburbs where people are building homes, somehow, I am not so greatly impressed with that and can afford to support the church. map. There is growing on me, instead, a feeling Without question new suburbs of the middle that churches should be erected and programs car- class people should be churched. Denominational ried on, not from the standpoint of whether a Boards will see to that. But, from the missionary successful church can be developed, but from the standpoint, whether we should take missionary standpoint of the need-condition of a community."
funds from blighted areas to put in more prom- In our more blighted areas, in Cincinnati, where ising fields is a serious question. The head of a the little ones have been called "The Children of city missionary society in a large city at one time the Shadows," we have not altogether made the was convinced that this was the best policy. Then mistake of deserting these areas where the need
was great. In fact, we have strengthened rather Visits also revealed the fact that there were than weakened our ministry in the basin 'of the many handicapped people, physically, mentally, as well as economically, and that these people city. wanted "not charity but a chance." Out of this At five different points, weak churches were need grew the Good Will Industries, with its workshops, offering work opportunities instead of combined into one charge, and a stronger per- alms. (See Frontispiece.) sonnel made possible by the uniting of funds, in addition, a deaconess assigned to each one of these In eighteen years almost three quarters of a combined charges, and a more able pastor ap- million dollars were paid in wages to handicapped pointed. Very good results have been obtained. people.
Another wise allocation of funds strengthened The little mission church has continued to the hands of a struggling little mission in the preach the Gospel through its Sunday services poorer section of the city. The church superin- and, in due "time, was able to build a beautiful tendent of missions, instead of spreading thin the little Gothic structure which has portrayed the funds that were available, concentrated them in beauty and dignity of religion. this one point where the need was outstanding. The result has been that there has grown up a Delinquency was recognized as being one of the strong church and missionary institution that great problems of this field, so the facilities minhas commanded the respect of the city. From a istering to boys and girls were greatly enlarged little struggling mission, with an annual budget in the way of play rooms, gymnasium, library, inof $2,200, it has grown to an institutional church dustrial clubs, art, music and character building with a budget running from ninety to one hun- activities. Now the Children's Settlement Departdred thousand dollars. This has happened in a ment registers about one thousand persons. field where eight other churches of that denomination have moved out, and eight other Protes- Through proper support and enterprise, other tant churches also. activities were made possible. The institution, seeing the plight of children in summer, on hot A survey of this great tenement house section city streets and in uncomfortable homes, with tuberculosis taking a large toll, purchased a onerevealed the fact that 95 % of the people were hundred-acre farm and established a fresh air camp for the children of the tenements. This was renters. The density of the population had so a boon, for the "children of the shadows" now increased that in comparison with a growing had glorious sunshine and beautiful country to suburb to the west, it was found that there were take the place of their dark homes. When Spring fifty-two times as many people per acre in the arrives the children can scarcely wait until they tenement house section as in the suburb of middle- can make the trip to their "country club," as Jane class people. Addams called her fresh-air farm for tenement house children. The Public Health Survey reported twice as much disease among the tenement house dwellers Still another need was apparent, and that was in this section as among those living in the proper housing of elderly people. One day an op- portunity presented itself when a former college suburbs and in separate homes. building was abandoned" and the building was of- The State Department of Charities and Cor- fered to the Good Will Institution for its use as a Home for Elderly People who could not purrection reported that 70 % of the inmates of hos- chase their way into an expensive home for the aged. Here they may live together in good felpitals, jails and workhouses came from this lowship, the only requirement being good charcongested area, and the census tracts show a acter and ability to pay room rent at a minimum majority of delinquency of the city is in this basin cost. area. In this "Wesley House," as it is called, town "In making a charge" on this blighted field, one meetings, entertainments and religious meetings of the first things which was done was to establish are held. The building was fortunate in having a playground for children who have no other parlors which afford a delightful place for fellowplace but the city streets and the near-by railroad ship meetings and entertainments. yards, always involving danger to life and limb. In all the activities of this work, established in While the little mission continued to preach the the West End of Cincinnati in 1918, religion has Gospel, supposedly to "the poor who heard it always been the motivating force. Contrary to gladly," yet not very much progress was made. the view of some social workers that you cannot The people had physical, social and economic carryon a religious enterprise with social work, needs to which the mission had paid little or no this institution has always maintained religious attention. services in all of its varied departments.
Discovering that many women were breadwinners in their families, and were forced to leave their children with neighbors who gave them inadequate attention, a Day Nursery was established.
THE POWER OF A WOMAN'S FAITH
It is, very difficult to judge the results. With- petitor to the pool room,. gambling joint, and quesout question many hear the Gospel gladly, and are tionable dance hall. happy to have a well-ordered church with good appointments for their own kind, not feeling at Here handicapped men and women find not only home in churches where fashion 'and culture a physical and ther~peutic value but also a moral count more. and spiritul value in earning their own way in the industrial department rather than being pau- Without question, too, rough-and-ready boys re- perized and morally broken by accepting relief. ceive something when they apply their hands in building aeroplane models, doing linoleum block When some of the younger people marry and work, building radios, and working in their Junior move off to the better suburbs, and still retain Achievement workshops. The boys also come in their interest in the church, one feels that the off the streets to play in game room and gymna- money invested and the seed sown in the tenement sium under efficient supervisors. house wilderness has not been sown in vain.
Without question there must be value in the set- This enterprise has come into being because a tlement social rooms, where young people meet City Missionary Society, instead of calling on a under right auspices to sing and play together in mission church to beat a retreat, gave it support good fellowship. Such a social room is a com- to make a charge.
The Power of a Woman's Faith* -~ I By the REV. GEORGE w. HINMAN, Foochow, China 1)Be- FAITH in the power of God has been the mo- mits that Madame Kung, by her faith in the fu- tive power of every social revolution which ture of China and her executive ability, has has brought nearer the realization of the vis- greatly helped her distinguished husband in the ion of better things. And it has been frequently remarkable reorganization of China's finances. the faith of women which has helped the world The third daughter, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, in the midst of danger and discouragement, still has borne witness to her Christian faith. The to endure and to struggle against pride and power story of her rescue of her husband, supPo.rted by and greed, against the aggressors, the tyrants faith and Io.ve, has become like the message o.f the and the exploiters. stars: "There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their sound is gone out There is no reason to doubt that the faith in the through all the earth, and their words to. the end heart of Madam Soong, a humble Chinese woman, of the world." It is literally true that the testiliving in restricted circumstances with her hus- mony of Madame Chiang, and her brave and reband in western America, inspired and stimulated sourceful work in rescuing her husband from his ,the faith of her three daughters, who became captors in Sian, has gone out thro.ugh all the earth. Madame Sun Yat Sen, Madame H. H. Kung, and One American paper paid more than fifteen tho.u- Madame Chiang Kai-Shek. They have, in their sand dollars for the publication rights of the turn, brought a new and unquenchable faith to story. That may be regarded as an indicatio.n of so many men and women of the new China. How how pro.foundly it interested all the rest of the much the Chinese owe to that humble woman, wo.rld. who first learned the source of all faith in a little Christian school in America, where the overseas Students of Chinese history know that this is Chinese were welcomed and taught the spirit of not the first or the o.nly time when a wo.man's faith' Jesus Christ! and courage have profoundly affected the future of the nation; but probably never before have History has not yet recorded the great share such faith and courage been motivated by such taken by the oldest daughter, Madame Sun Yat trust in Him "who hath showed strength with His Sen, in upholding the faith of her husband, the arm," the Almighty God and Father of all men, founder of the Chinese Republic. Everyone ad- who is the defense of the weak, and the champion of the poor and the humble. All men of every * Part of a baccalaureate sermon preached to the graduating class land should be glad that General Chiang wa:s great at Hwa Nan College, January 2, 1938, by Dr. G. W. Hinman of the American Board MiSSion, Foochow, China.
enough to recognize and acknowledge the Chris- me I" Mary's joy at the message of the angel is tian faith and resourcefulness of his wife, and to paralleled in the lives of myriads of women who record that obscure verse in Jeremiah (31: 22), feel just as truly that the Lord has called them found in his daily Bible reading: "The Lord hath to definite service. created a new thing; a woman shall protect a man." The reason why women have a special power to save their country and society by their faith is But it was not altogether a new thing. Ever that their faith is not uncertain and wavering. since the days when Deborah "arose as a mother Origen, one of the successors of the apostles in the in Israel" and sang the song which is recorded early Christian church, said: "Christians hold the for us in Judges 5: 1-23, down to the days when world together." It is even more true that Joan of Are, that peasant girl of seventeen, women hold the world together, by their unrallied the crushed and demoralized French quenchable faith in ideals. Women are conservaarmies, and led them to victory and to the crown- tive in the be~t sense. They "hold fast that which ing of King Charles VII-throughout all the his- is good" in human relations. One philosopher has tory of civilized men, nations have again and taught that the development of the sense of moral again been saved through a woman's faith and obligation in the human race began with the inleadership. creasing dependence of children upon their mother, and her increasing response of protection Nor do we need to go back to remote history to and care. Though the males of animals forget find instances of the power of a woman's faith. and desert their young, the mothers show, with One of the Shanghai papers has just issued a spe- each advancing step in evolution, an increasing cial supplement reporting the faith and courage faith in the future of their offspring and an inof the Chinese women in this critical period of creasing responsibility for their preservation and China's history. The paper begins with a glow- care. ing editorial saying: "The glory of the Chinese woman, as exemplified by her heroic deeds and Another reason why we are so often saved unselfish devotion to duty while her beloved coun- through a woman's faith is that women are not try fights for its very existence, will live forever only more sensitive to the "voices," as was Joan in the history of the Chinese nation." In a text- of Are, and more steadfast in following their dibook which every middle school student in Foo- rection, but also more daring in what they atchow reads, written by a woman teacher in your tempt in carrying out the call of duty. Nowadays neighbor school, we are told of the faith of Kath- we have become accustomed to the march of solerine Wright, who helped her brothers to carry diers following the drum beat. But not only in through one of the greatest inventions of all ,times, these critical times – always in fact, there have the aeroplane. There is also given the story of been many women as well as men who "dared to Edith Cavell, who nursed the soldiers in the World walk to the beat of the drum that they alone heard, War and gave her life because she helped the and who kept step with that drum regardless of wounded prisoners to escape from the German circumstances." The faith in God that "endures army. Her faith in the cause of the allies, and to the end" is found perhaps more frequently her witness that we must have not only patriotism among women. The courage that dares and enbut love for our enemies, was one of the greatest dures is the central pillar of the home and the lessons to the world that came out of the Great nation. War. Women are the champions of faith, because The reason why the faith of a woman has so their lives are always an expectation of "the joy often been the decisive factor in the success of a set before them" (Hebrews 12: 2), in the birth man or a nation, is that women more often than of children and the successful growth of those men feel in their hearts: "The Spirit of the Lord children in the world. Even if they do not receive is upon me." They may not often express the the promises, "they have seen them afar off, and message in words. There are not many like Jane were persuaded of them, and embraced them" Addams, Maude Royden and Muriel Lester, who (Hebrews 11: 13). Beyond their own families can publicly proclaim their faith in peace and women are thus led to be the guardians of faith in righteousness and social justice; but, even though a better world, the preservers of all that is good, voiceless in public assemblies, many women yet and the prophets of that which is better just know that they are "anointed to bring good ti., ahead. dings to the meek, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to comfort all The failure of the Church after nineteen centhat mourn." How many women, in their hearts, ~uries to occupy the world more completely is due, rejoice to sing, in the words of that old Negro III large part, to the failure to fulfill Christ's hymn, "I know the Lord has laid His hands on prayer that they might all be one.-Daniel A. Poling.
A Christian Martyr From
The Story of a Tibetan Who Died for Christ -ef I By ALFRED D. ZAHIR, an Indian Christian I j3t-.- ~============================~I JESUS CHRIST has the power to draw out of which the Christian preached. The wdrds en- men the best there is in them. Out of Simon, tered the heart of Shunar, and made him think of the hot-headed, impulsive fisherman, He drew religion as he had never thought before. the steady man of rock. Out of fiery John, the son of thunder, He drew the man of tender, strong "What can this saying mean," he thought as the love. Ever since that clouds received Him out of Christian delivered his message? "My religion teaches that we may not look for any peace in this men's sight, He has been drawing men of all ages world, nor seek for any comfort of soul until we and of all climes. Men of every rank, high and have attained nirvana (the complete extinction of low, in every nation savage and civilized, in every desire). Who is this teacher who says: 'Come generation of all these centuries have felt the unto me and I will give you rest.' " thrill of His power, and followed Him at the cost With such thoughts troubling his mind, and of all that men hold most dear. How wonderfully real this power of the Saviour is, and how won- arousing his curiosity Shunar forced his way to derful and complete the transformation that takes the Christian preacher, and conversed with him place is well illustrated in the case of Shunar, an on the subject of sin and salvation. He obtained orthodox Buddhist who became a Christian, and a copy of the Tibetan New Testament and a few followed his Master to death. tracts to carry with him.
The story of Shunar comes to us through a well- A few days study of the Word of God, and hours of thought on the question of religion, soon con- known evangelist working in a dark corner of vinced him of the reality of sin and its deadliness. India. He was the native of a viUage on the It was a source of joy to think that the power of borderland of Tibet. His father being a rich man, Jesus Christ could free him from its bondage. owning extensive property in land and cattle, He decided that he would give up everything and Shunar lived in luxury and, like most aristocrats be His disciple. He realized that suc,h a step of his country, considered work below his dignity. would involve him and the whole family in great The little education he had received did not equip difficulties, and in all probability spell his ruin, him for any profession, nor elevate his character so he decided to say nothing to his parents until above the level of that of the average uncultured his changed life prompted their curiosity, and Tibetan. His unprincipled life was very largely might gradually lead them to the knowledge of the result of the careless and easy way in which his new faith. he had been brought up,and also of the undesirable society in which he moved. As he became more and more convinced of the truth of the Gospel, Shunar became a totally dif- Despite the fact that he possessed a strong reli- ferent man. From the licentious libertine and gious instinct, he had from his very boyhood godless infidel that he used to be, he now became shown a distinct tendency to be apathetic towards a dutiful and obedient son, a faithful and devoted the religion of his own people. A growing dis- husband, and a thoughtful and conscientious regard for the religion of his own country, and worker, dealing justly with his clients and sub- total ignorance of any other, cut him loose from ordinates. all spiritual moorings, and tossed him on to the Christ produces not merely a superficial change, sea of irreligion and impiety. The life of dissipation led during these years made him a profli- but a revolution in character. He not only alters gate and an out-and-out infidel. Shunar, one day, a man's life but creates an entirely new perheard a Christian preaching the Gospel in a near- sonality. The phrase "new birth" is not the- oretical hyperbole, but a fact. Men irretrievably by village. That was the first time he had ever bad, cold and indifferent become good, warm- heard of any religion other than his own. hearted and ardent seekers after the "lost."
"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy- Shunar's new life attracted everybody's attenladen, and I will give you rest" was the text on tion, and became a subject of popular comment [339 ]
amongst members of the community. Some said Christian friends across the frontier; there he it was a touch of lunacy, some that he was pos- expressed his whole.,.hearted devotion to the Lord sessed of a ghoul or devil; others that some enemy Jesus, and was admitted as a member of the had cast a spell of magic on him, and had thus Christian Church.
contracted his ruin. Day ·after day they watched On his return home, the retiring young man be- him, and offered sacrifices on his behalf, praying came so bold and energetic that he went about, that he might return to his normal condition. openly declaring that he was a Christian, and When many days passed and no change seemed to wished that everybody else would be the same.
come over Shunar's new manner of Hfe, his father' Whenever there was an opportunity he told men accosted him one day as he was returning from of Christ, and urged them to accept Him as their the fields, and said: Guru, or Lord.
"Tell me, my son, does all go well with thee, or Shunar's evangelistic zeal now disturbed the art thou overburdened with secret care, oo,trou- peace .of the"iamily, and they attempted to draw bled by some fell disease? Unlock thy heart to him away from the "strange deity" he had de- thy father and let the Ups speak nothing but the cided to follow. Once when his mother tried to truth." reason with him on the subject, Shunar explained These touching words almost brought tears to his position in the following characteristic way: the young man's eyes. Drawing close to his par- "Mother, supposing we all went on a journey of ent's side Shunar placed his hands on his shoul- a dark night, and I was appointed to carry the ders and answered: light. Do you think I would so hide the light be- "No father, I have no trouble hor sorrow of hind my cloak as to darken the path for the rest any kind; in fact I am happy as I never was be- of you? Would I not hold it high above my head fore in all my life. And do you know why? Be- so as to lead you in safety? You and I have all cause I have discovered the true source of been travelling in the darkness of a dead religion.
happiness. " But in His great mercy God has revealed to my "What is that?" inquired the father eagerly. eyes the Face of the Sun of Righteousness. He "It is faith in the Lord Jesus," answered Shunar can shine upon your lives just as He does on mine with a ring of joy in his voice. "As long as I be- today to fill them with true happiness. Can you lieved in our old form of faith I was so uneasy expect me then to hide the secret of this joy in my that I often felt desperately sick of life. I real- own heart, and not wish that your minds might ized that I was going from bad to worse every also be enlightened and your souls saved? A day, and yet there was nothing that could keep great peace has entered my heart since the day me from going wrong. I am not going mad; the I gave myself to Jesus. I desire now that you change you notice in me is the result .of the new may have this rich treasure too, and may know hope that has entered my heart, and the new hope the joy of possessing Him."
is the outcome of the new faith I have adopted." But to his kinsmen, Shunar's religious zeal These words were calmly spoken, but they en- seemed something to be feared and hated. After . kindled a fire within the angry parent's heart. they had tried various ways to win him over, and "So you have proved that after all you are mad; found them unsuccessful, they resorted to stricter I shall see that this madness of yours does not go measures, and persecuted him by burning his relitoo far." gious books; forbidding his friends to visit him; cursing and scolding him whenever he mentioned So saying he walked away and left Shunar de- Christ, and treating him more as a menial than bating the wisdom of the words he had just a member of the family. When these methods spoken. He was sad all that day, thinking that also pr.oduced no effect they adopted harsher he had hurt his father by telling the truth so measures, making him an outcaste and putting bluntly. But his sadness was overcome by a feel- him out of the baradari, or brotherh.ood. They ing of joy that entered his heart. dispossessed him of his property, and finally beat him and dr.ove him from home. With the confession of his faith in Christ he felt that the curtain .of doubt and uncertainty had When Shunar had been rendered homeless and been lifted off his people's minds, and that they penniless, some of his friends counselled him to now knew the secret of the change in his life. leave the district and to go elsewhere where he With this feeling also came the joy of having would be immune from further persecution, and made the first public confession of his faith in could live in comparative safety. Jesus. The conviction grew stronger and stronger that if he was to grow in grace, and would enjoy To such friends Shunar's answer was: the blessings of his knowledge of the Great "I have been called that I might bring the rest Saviour he must share that knowledge with of my countrymen to Christ, and might lead them others. Acc.ordingly he went to pay a visit to his to the knowledge of His saving grace. Do you
A CHRISTIAN MARTYR FROM TIBET
then advise me to turn traitor to my Lord, and started throwing more earth into the hole, and forego the wonderful privilege of serving Him? buried him to the neck. Then they inquired again That can never be, even if I must die for His if he was still willing to renounce Christ, and so sake." secure his release. A heavenly smile pervaded his gentle face as Shunar opened his lips and replied: Driven from home, Shunar went about from village to village, proclaiming the Name of his "Please yourselves my friends, and do to me Saviour, and enduring all manner of trials and whatever you will. After all it is only my body temptations. Wherever he went troubles pursued you can torture, for you cannot touch my soul and his faith was tried in the fire of suffering. which is my real self. The same is eternal and Often as he stood preaching round street corners everlasting." and other public places, men would angrily abuse him and his religion. Others would pelt him with At this they kicked his head, and marred it so dirt or stones, or even buffet him and push him that his face could be hardly recognized. RealIzfrom his place. The humble Christian scarcely ing that his end was near and the strength of his ever said a word, but blessed them in return for body fast declining, the faithful Christian opened the treatment they gave him. his mouth for the last time and said: As Shunar grew richer in Christian experience "I see the gates of heaven open before my eyes, his all-absorbing passion was to win men to Christ and I am soon to enter therein. Do you, my and save their souls. His love for the Master friends, think that yoU: are killing me? You canfilled him with great enthusiasm to proclaim His not kill me for I am soon to enter another life ::Name with greater courage, and to endure the which is a thousand times more glorious than the loss of all things for His sake. But his country- one you are now taking from me. You are tormen noticed no change in his attitude, the opposi- turing me to death because I sought to lead men tion to him gathered great volume, and his haters to Christ. Mark my word, more souls will find planned to kill him, and thus rid the country of Him through my death, than my life has ever won his "baneful" influence. for Him; and so my joy is great."
One day, as Shunar was returning from a cer- No murmur of pain or hatred came from his tain village, a gang of men waylaid him, bound lips. Those that stood by saw no shadow of his hands behind his back, and drove him to a anguish on his face; only the earnest eyes raised lonely place. Here they had digged a deep narrow to heaven, and the angelic tenderness and strength pit in which they made him stand upright; they covering the whole countenance. So Shunar went filled the pit with earth, thus burying him to the to be with his Lord in Paradise. waist. A great silence crept over the gathered group. "Now," said one man harshly, "take your choice. Promise now that you will solemnly renounce Men who had been railing at the Christian, and your accursed religion, and never speak of the kicking at his head, were awed and filled with a new dewta (god) you worship; or be prepared touch of remorse. For a few minutes not one for death." moved, and the silence grew more intense. Then as though waking from a dream, one of the crowd The suffering Christian remained perfectly calm heaved a deep sigh and walked away. Others did as the men railed at their victim and made likewise. Hard hearts had been touched and the fun of his religion. When several minutes had patient suffering of the innocent Christian had passed, and the sufferer made no answer, his spoken to their souls. Later the martyr's prophsilence incensed his persecutors, and spurred ecy was fulfilled and we are told that twenty-five them to greater brutality. One of them gave him men became Christians at heart, and openly cona violent kick and ordered him to speak; others fessed their faith in Christ.
A Church which is not at heart a missionary Church, which is concerned chiefly with its own selfish interests and has little desire to extend its messages to others, is not the Church of the Gospel or the Master. Christians should be the first to recognize that yet today we have the spectacle of secular states on fire with missionary enthusiasm and rejoicing in every ex- pansion, no matter what the cost, setting an example to a self-centered and lukewarm Church.
Moreover, such states are also paying great attention to the training of the young, thus in- suring a rising generation to carry forward the cause. In the Church we hear on every hand the complaint that there are few to take the places of the devoted Churchmen of the older generation who are now too rapidly passing from the scene; and, if that be true, the Church is facing a dubious future. BISHOP OLDHAM.
OPEN-AIR MEETING-LISTENING TO THE "GOOD NEWS" NEAR THE PElNNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STATION, NEW
Outdoor Evangelism for the City By J. ARTHUR SPRINGER, New York Director of Evangelism, Nation.al Bible Institute PROBABLY the very first preacher of the have been saved by God's grace and commissioned Word of God in history was an outdoor to take the Gospel to the whole world! What are speaker. It may have been Enoch, or Noah, we doing about it? but in any case the preaching was probably done In the city of New York there are over 7,000,000 out of doors. Some of the greatest preachers of souls in the small area of approximately 310 all time have been outdoor speakers. Think of square miles. This includes over one million per- Elijah, of John the Baptist, of the Apostle Paul, sons of Italian descent, almost a million more of and of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, preaching Russian descent, and over 450,000 of Polish ex- to large crowds under the open sky – and with traction. Altogether, some five million New York- telling effect. Nearer our own day, John Wesley ers are of foreign white stock. In addition, there and George Whitefield addressed great throngs of are more than 300,000 Negroes, and over 2,000,- people in the open air. 000 Jews, most of them without Christ. Less than Think of the great centers of population, par- 2,500,000 New Yorkers profess any Christian ticularly in North America. There were in the affiiliation and not over 600,000 are members of United States, according to the latest census evangelical churches.
(1930), thirteen cities having a population in Here is a great mission field and one of the most excess of 500,000 persons, containing seventeen open fields in the world. It is a strategic field, as percent of the population of the country, or a total New York not only has the largest concentration in excess of 20,000,000 persons. Cities of over of population, but is also the gateway to the coun- 100,000 population, ninety-three in number, con- try, and wields a great influence over the whole tained more than 36,000,000 persons, over twenty- land.
nine percent of the entire population. The vast Only a small fraction of the population attend majority in these great concentrations of people any place where the Gospel of Christ is preached are undoubtedly without Christ and therefore in its fulness for salvation. There are nearly without life. What a challenge this is to all who 5,000,000 in the city who make no public profes- [342 ]
OUTDOOR EVANGELISM FOR THE CITY
INDOOR GOSPEL MEETING–LOOKING INTO THE JERRY McAULEY CREMORNE' M.ISSION, NEW YORK sion of Christ; few of the others ever attend a result is that perhaps half a dozen are going on Christian service. These "unchurched" will not simultaneously, each within earshot of the rest. come to church services to hear the Gospel. If A similar situation, although perhaps less aggrathey am to be reached we must go to them! This vated, exists now in other parts of the city. means preaching the Gospel on the streets, supplemented to some extent by evangelistic adver- Borough Hall, Brooklyn, still is a favorite spot tising on billboards, subway cards, and even by for the preaching of the GDspel. Mr. Scott Asskywriting from airplanes, and by house-to-house pinall, who has been preaching the Gospel on the visitations. Such methods are expensive, either in streets of New York approximately forty-four time or money. Large numbers of people who are years, has used this location to great advantage. without Christ but without a clear understanding of the Gospel can be reached through outdoor Wall and Nassau Streets, in the heart of Manevangelistic meetings such as are conducted in hattan's great financial district, was for many, New York under the auspices of many different many years the site of at least one daily outdoor groups of Christian workers. preaching service. Every business day the "Bishop of Wall Street" and other men who have succeeded Columbus Circle, where Broadway and Eighth him spoke here during the lunch period at noon Avenue cross at Fifty-ninth Street, was formerly to the assembled crowd of messengers, bank one of the choice locations for Gospel preaching. clerks, and dignified financial men. Great inter- Immense' crowds would gather to listen to the est was shown in these meetings which were story of the Cross. In recent years, however, almost regularly attended, at least for a consider- Columbus Circle has become the meeting place for able period, by crowds running up into the hun- dreds. This best of all noonday locations was groups of all sorts including Communists and closed for outdoor preaching early in 1937. others who are unfriendly to Christ. Police and traffic regulations have restricted the use of the One of the agencies that has been most prom- Circle, and for the greater part of the week all inently active in outdoor evangelistic work in meetings must be held within a small area. The New York City so far in the twentieth century is The National Bible Institute. For thirty-one
years this agency for Christian education and service man, who was also intoxicated, took excep- evangelization has maintained a persistent wit- tion to the manner in which the American flag was ness for Christ on the streets of the metropolis, displayed in the meeting. He took it upon him- from a Gospel car, or more often from a small self to move the flag and place it in front of the portable platform. Hundreds of locations have speaker. As it would have been very disadvanta- been occupied in the five boroughs of the city by geous for him to attempt to speak with the flag students and other representatives of the Insti- between himself and the' audience, the speaker tute. During 1937, over one thousand outdoor moved the flag to another spot. This angered the meetings were held. ex-service man and he made considerable trouble.
Last July a Christian young man was talked Some young "roughs" came into the meeting and with after a meeting, who had received his one of them snatched the flag from the hand of Christian training in a Christian school in Tien- the worker who was holding it. It was recovered tsin, China. The young man'sf~tb~r was·a cap- by the speaker, but shortly one of these young tain in the army and the youngman, himself, was men came up behind him and struck him on the taking examinations for Wel'lt Point. Another head with a piece of glass fastened in a metal man dealt with at the same meeting was a young frame, breaking the glass over his head. This in- Jew, a graduate of Cornell University, who was in- cident was the means of bringing four men in the terested in sociology and criminology. He ad- audience to accept Christ.
Outdoor evangelistic work cannot be done by everyone. Often there are efforts made to break up the meeting. It is a very difficult field of evangelistic activity and those who engage in it should have care- ful training, and experience .with other qualified leaders. The leader of an outdoor meeting should know how to handle a crowd of people composed mostly of men. He should know what things to say and what things to leave unsaid. Heshould know how to deal with hecklers and intoxicated persons. He should know the Gospel thoroughly and should also know how to present it REACHING A LARGE AUDIENCE WlTH THE GOSPEL to others in the midst of difficulties and distractions. He should know at Madison Square, New YC)rk City, in overcoat weather. Daily noon meetings how to illustrate his talks with anec- are still held here by the National Bible Institute dotes. He should know when to mitted that he was confused. He said he believed pray in public. He should know how to reply in God but could not see his way clear to accepting when asked embarrassing or irrelevant questions.
Jesus as his Saviour. This young man's case He should have an abundance of God-given wis- shows clearly the need for the preaching of the dom, tact, and love. * Gospel and the opportunity that lies before the If the people of New York and other cities are Christian people of America and especially of to hear the Gospel, it must be taken to them by New York City to give the Gospel out of doors to those who have experienced its blessings in their those who are in darkness and confusion, their own lives. The need is great because our cities minds blinded by Satan. abound with sinners who do not know the Lord Perhaps one of the most dramatic outdoor meet- Jesus Christ and the Gospel of His saving grace.
ings conducted during the 1937 season was held The privilege we have to be ambassadors for the evening of June 28th at 65th Street and Christ is great, but our responsibility to the Lord Broadway. A previous meeting had just been who has redeemed us and commissioned us to concluded at 73rd Street and Broadway and two carry His Gospel to the world about us is even of our workers had just commenced a second serv- greater.
ice at nine forty-five p. m. This second meeting • The National Bible Institute recognizes the need for special was one long to be remembered. It was inter- training along these Jines, and offers courses in its day and evening rupted successively by two women, both of whom schools in both General Evangelism and Personal Evangelism so that were under the influence of liquor. Then an ex- those who wish instruction may be prepared for the ministry of evangelism. Special attention is paid in the course· in General Evangelism to the problems which are constantly met in outdoor preaching in the city:
"Unofficial" Missionary to
I —!{if By KROUM STOYANOFF, Sofia, Bulgaria IJ5t— TEAVING America to work as a Christian min- These people, whose way of thinking had Lister in my home land, many ideas whirled changed little since the Ecumenical Councils of in my mind as in a kaleidoscope-ideas and the seventh century when the stronger party in a pictures which different teachers ~ad impressed religious discussion was always considered right.
on me in the Seminary. I kept seeing chapels, The view of the Holy Synod is so involved in this pipe organs, beautiful and simple church services ancient conflict, and this view has so much to do full of religious depth; statistical graphs and with the political history of this country, that the questionnaires; ideas for or- idea of God had to shrink ganizations wit h i n the until He became a small church; ways of working Mr. Stoyanoff is a native of Bul- tribal God. To enter the with people outside the garia and a Bulgarian citizen. He Orthodox Church meant to church; personal and social has a Bulgarian wife who has never compromise and appear to work. I was full of hope con- been outside of the country, al- favor things which I could cerning the religious fervor though she received her education not accept. of the people with whom I at the American College in Sofia. Nor could I go about and was to work, but I wondered After an early training in the preach apostle-like from vilhow one could succeed in a American Mission schools, Mr. lage to village. I saw that land which, as I well knew, Stoyanoff went to America to com- much more can be accomhad long been antagonistic plete his education and acquired a plished by living with people to the Protestant Church. thorough training in the best Amer- for a longer time; not only In the name of Christ, preaching to them but also what course should I follow ican style. He "worked his way" giving them an example in through three years of high school, in Bulgaria? Should I work through college, and finally three Christian living. I believe with this Protestant Church years of Seminary training – no in the Church and so decided or should I leave it and work easy accomplishment even for one to work through the Protat large, living. apostle-like, whose native language is English. estant Church. I knew about traveling and preaching? Having been away ten years, and its many handicaps and that Should I work with the dom- having visited the length and it was dragging behind a inant Orthodox Church, if it breadth of the United States, he little. Yet this is the one would permit me? These returned to his own land (which is organization through which questions turned over in my no larger than Ohio, with about the I could try to carry out the mind as I traveled home- same population) to work among message of Christ for today.
ward. The political unrest his own people. This was two years When I reached Sofia I re- in Europe reflected itself in ago. The following article tells ceived a letter from a church dark colors over Bulgaria. about his experiences as "a Bul- in a small town asking be to The situation in the Balkans garian missionary to Bulgaria," in preach. A month later I left was growing worse every an unofficial capacity. for Assenovgrad, a small day. How was I to obey town built in the canyon of the command of Christ? the river Chai, one of the As soon as I entered the country most of these main tributaries of Bulgaria's largest river, the questions cleared themselves up. I could not work Maritza. The church looked like an ordinary with the Orthodox Church. Most of its leaders small house. Inside, it was one large room with had so much prejudice toward everything that seats for about 100 people. On the platform was differed from their own thinking and practice an old, worn-out pulpit. At the right stood an old that I could not convince them that I had anything portable organ and at the left a shelf of torn to give. They said, books. Above the pulpit hung two large gold- "It is true that the young people refuse to go to painted frames enclosing scripture passages. On church, but with compulsion they can be forced that Sunday morning about thirty people came to go." to hear my sermon on The Great Need of Faith.
[345 ]
The next day I climbed a near-by mountain and ister, in his name, to the needy, hungry, and destilooked at that small town with its crooked streets, tute. These ideas did not enter their hearts very its river and bridges, its many Orthodox churches, readily. Their life outside of church continued its forty-two shrines built on the cliffs around the to be the same as the life of the people who never town. .I loved it and wanted to work there. It listened to these things. seemed to me it would be glorious to try to understand the problems of these people and to help The interests of these people were very narrow. them, to love them, and constantly, little by little, They seldom read anything but the local daily show them the light of Christ which made me rest- paper-a one-page affair. They spent their time less till I should share it with all people. I was criticizing their neighbors. This constant gossip asked to be their minister, and entered upon this is the most cruel torture of small town life; it new work with all the zeal and enthusiasm of one makes life petty. With this in view, and because who for ten years had been preparing for just I received many papers from abroad, I arranged this task. hours when news of the world could be discussed. But I discovered they were not interested. Noth- Discovery-The First Year ing interested them except their own way of liv- ing, the welfare of their homes, the enlarging of My first year was full of illuminating trials and their business, the buying of another field. Anyerrors and discoveries. It began with sermons thing which interfered here they were ready to that took me a whole week to prepare. Later on crush and destroy. How could I work with such I advertized throughout the town and gave a series people? They wanted the church to give them of sermons for "outside" people. only peace and contentment when Christ was beckoning them to a new way of life. Very early I discovered a situation which gave me my first project. I found that there was an- Some of the people understood what I was tryother small Protestant group in that town, calling ing to do, and at the same time I was learning itself the Church of God, and having nothing to many new things. I began to understand how do with our church. Such a division seemed deeply the Church was a part of the life of these strange in a town which was already unfriendly people. I understood also how the special Church to Protestantism. As I made inquiries, hoping to terminology, which may be useful for the transunite these two insignificant groups, I discovered mission of theological doctrine, neither excited that the fault was not all on one side. In both their imaginations nor influenced their lives. Most there were some old people who held personal of the church-going people of Bulgaria felt that grievances against members of the other group, they had already "heard" the Word of God, and and they were determined not to allow any re- that God had no new word for them in this day. union. Hence I stopped pressing the matter for They would not be convinced that Christianity the time being, hoping that the future would see today has to compete with communism and nathe situation cleared up. tionalism; they did not think Christ had any word to say about these things. For them Chris- The more I worked with these people, the more tianity spoke only of the life to come and had little I became sure that for many of them the Old to say about life today. Testament was the center of the Bible. They seemed hardly to have understood the meaning of While I was learning much, the people of As- Christ's life and of his death. They had made senovgrad heard Christian teachings in termiof God a very strict, narrow-minded, doctrinal and nology strange to their ears, and teachings that revengeful being. It reminded me of the "right- were strange to them about this life. They were eous Bostonians and citizens of Salem" who making up their minds whether they wanted to wanted to purge their country of sorcerers. Here continue hearing this type of Christian truth also there seemed to be many who were sniffing which tended to disturb their slumber. They may the air for heretical teachings and who were ready have learned a little, but I was the chief learner. to throw heretics into the fire. I realized the great need of sacrifice by us who teach the life of Christ, and I saw also the great But these people had called me to work with need of his Gospel in the world of today. The them. I had to become a patient teacher, as one people decided to ask me to stay. who would teach the beginnings of mathematics to little children, hoping that by and by they So I started the second year in Assenovgrad would understand the higher mathematics. I surer of my position and of the Gospel which must talked about the love of God, love which we need touch the lives of these people. In order to build so much, love which will heal bruised souls, love anything on an old site, be it a house or a way of which will clear the poisonous atmosphere which thinking, some pulling down is necessary. But suffocates Europe today. I told them that we shall this process is always painful to some. As I see God not in the clouds, not in the smoke in the started "building the Kingdom of God," I had to church, but when they search for Him and min-
AN "UNOFFICIAL" MISSIONARY TO BULGARIA
find the best method of clearing away the type of long ago that inward beauty was most important.
Christianity which seemed to affect their lives in Almost no one saw the need I saw, except an a way which was not helpful. This Christianity, architect friend who drew a plan for the interior.
which had lost its passion for "preaching into the With the money from the English lessons, a part world," becoming only a state of mind, was futile of the plan was carried out: the pulpit was re- to affect the life. It was necessary to change that painted, the church yard was beautified, the young way of thinking and in its place build another people's hall was enlarged and redecorated. Fi- way, new, clear, shining, dynamic. To this I di- nally the church bought a beautiful little organ, rected my efforts during this second year. the best of its kind that had ever come to Bulgaria.
Soon I became familiar with the "secrets" of Fortunately there happened to be in the town a their special terminology. I realized when it was musician friend whom I had known in America. possible to use new words to impress some Chris- With his help our church services were modified tian truth on their minds, and when it was best considerably. to put the new truth in the old terminology in After the arrival of the organ we gave a con- order not to awaken suspicion. In this way I cert, and for the first time in this town Handel's managed to preach everything that a modern min- Messiah was heard. We invited local talent and ister would preach. Many outsiders began to the choir of the larger church in the near-by city.
come to the church and the attendance was larger The little church with its places for 100 people managed to accommodate 250 by filling all the than the membership.
Difficulties arose later when I turned from aisles and the platform. I read the scripture on ideology and started doing things. The first thing , which each number was based. The concert was that I wanted to do was to break the iron circle such a success that we planned to give another and which divided this small protestant community organized a choir to include the Orthodox people. from the world. I wanted them to stop thinking In spite of the difficulties made by some of the of themselves as the favored people of God, as priests we gave this concert twice. better than the rest of the world; I wanted them One idea was constantly in my mind: the to be interested in the spiritual and material con- Church of Christ must be the representative of the Kingdom of God on earth. Pe'ople must have dition of people outside their own group.
In order to start in a quiet way not to arouse a more abundant life because of the Church. Yet the suspicions of the Orthodox Church, I an- I saw misery everywhere in Assenovgrad, even in nounced that I would give lessons in English. the church group with which I worked. It seemed These were given free at first, until I found that tragic to see that even in the group who had listhe people had less interest because they did not tened to the teachings of Christ for forty-seven pay. To attend these classes many entered our years the principles of Christ had apparently not church building for the first time. Among them begun to work. The more privileged seemed to were the owner of a large mill and the chief of have no real concern for those with less ability the railway station. In spite of their prejudice and little money. No real help was given even against the Protestants, these people spent many within our own small group.
long hours with the minister of that church, be- In our group we had poor families who needed coming friends, and occasionally speaking with help, but the church did not help them by making him about Christianity. them independent materially, by improving their in an "Orthodox" Home means of support.
I was invited into an Orthodox home for a reli- With the help of some friends I succeeded in gious discussion with a group of more than thirty organizing a small loan fund to aid honest people people. For the first time in its forty-seven years to better their condition. By means of this fund of existence this Protestant church had the oppor- one family was able to build a place for raising silk worms. Another family was able to plant a tunity to meet the Orthodox townspeople face small orchard. A third could buy a pig which, to face on a friendly basis. The discussion interested young people especially. Many homes be- when fattened, would be used for winter food. gan to think of me as a friend, rather than as a One young man could buy a sewing machine to dangerous "propagandist" who wished "to destroy work at his trade. All were held to their promise the faith of the Bulgarian people." to repay their loans in order that others might be helped. In answer to my letter, Dr. George W.
When these people came to our church, as Carver, of the Tuskeegee Institute of Research in many of them did, the difference in appearance Alabama, sent me instructions for the manufac- was so great that they did not think they were in ture of products from crops which might be raised a church. Their church was so ornate; ours was in this region. I hoped that something might take so plain. The people of my church had learned the place of tobacco. I wanted the church to b~-
come, on weekdays as well as Sundays, the place faith in God. A few days later he told me that where all might find help in whatever they needed. unless I preached things which he approved I I wished that Christ, like sunlight, might enter would have to leave the church. I replied that ,every home and bring health and joy. there were certain things I felt so imperative that they must be spoken. After that his conduct dur- But trouble started right here. Some old peo- ing church services became such that worship be- ple felt that it is not the business of the church to came impossible. meddle in everyday life problems, and should not even mention contemporary events in sermons. Two other important events happened about Sermons, they thought, should be strictly Biblical. this time. One was that for the first time one of the Orthodox priests asked the Protestant min- The Turning Point ister to cooperate with him on the anti-war com- mittee of which he was chairman. The other was About this time an event happened which that money 4wd come and my plans had developed proved to be the turning point. One day as my far enough to revive in a new form the neglected wife and I (our marriage took place after the be- paper which had formerly been published by the ginning of the second year in Assenovgrad) were Young People's Society of the Evangelical visiting in a poor district, we entered a home Churches of Bulgaria. I intended to use the where three members of the family were sick in Ecumenical News Service from Geneva and to bed with typhus – two children and the grand- translate articles from the magazines which I re- mother. We thought best to take one of the chil- ceive, so as to widen the vision of some of the dren, a girl of eleven, into our home. When the people. doctor came and examined her he said she had tuberculosis as well as typhus, and that she ought However, for the good of the church, I thought to go to a private hospital where she would have best to leave before it was too late. Now I am proper care. The family had no money so I went back in Sofia, as busy as ever, hoping that God to the church treasurer to ask for a part of my will use me further in His work among my people. over-due salary to advance what was necessary. When he learned why I wanted the money, he ad- r know other young men who are trained and vised me not to take any measures,but to pray, as becomes a minister. He said I should not depend who also want to be ministers. upon the word of men of science but upon God. I One man is supported from England by people insisted on having the money and took the girl to the railway station. This man, and a few others, and churches who believe in him and in the work concluded that I was propagating some new the- he is doing. This makes me wonder if churches ology, that I had strong faith in science but weak in America will, in addition to the work of their Mission Boards, support other "unofficial" mis- sionaries in the places where, they are needed most.
CHRISTIAN THINKING AND ACTION People are confused; they hardly know what is Christian, or how to come to a Christian judgment on issues placed before them. Selfish interests try to exploit them; propaganda machines attempt to dominate them; programs and laws, panaceas of a thousand kinds, are placed before them.
Most people are willing to be far more Christian than they know how to be. If they could be mobilized they would constitute a tremendous force pulling toward a Christian solu- tion of many of our issues. But their thinking is not concerted, their imagination not cap- tured, and their loyalty not challenged. Is it not possible for the, churches to say, in a voice united enough in the name of their Lord so that the world can hear and so that any proposal of society or government which asks for the backing of Christian people, but which would protect property at the expense of people, would protect the privileged at the expense of the underprivileged, would seek material profit rather than the enrichment of life, would rely upon force rather than justice, would manipulate and control the gifts of God in nature for the interests of the few as against the many, would breed the fears that destroy rather than the confidence that releases and strengthens, would exploit humanity rather than enlarge the life which humanity lives-that any such proposal is not consistent with the purpose of God and the teaching of Jesus and cannot have our support?
Such thinking, if it were honest, might be disturbing. It might disturb our prejudices and present customs. But they are going to be disturbed anyway, and I would rather have them disturbed by those who are thinking toward the purpose of Christ than by those who think toward selfish views. ALBERT W. BEAVEN.
a Downtown Church Can
By FREDERICK B. FISHER * Late Minister, Central Methodist Church, Detroit T HE first step in making the downtown church provision is made for every member of the family: a successful representative of the Gospel of Nurses, in sanitary rooms, care for the babies and Christ is to analyze the life of the church. very young children.. A hundred of the older chil- No program should be attempted without first dren are in the boys' choir and the girls' choir.
making a careful scientific survey of the condi- A half-hundred youth are in the young people's tions, resources, potentialities and purpose of ,the choir. A full,.time choir director, with an assis- organization. Each church is a problem in itself. tant, gives expert attention to the training of It is difficult to generalize but for the purposes of these children in music, as well as in those phases discussion it might be said that there are three of religious .edU:ca~ion that have to do with public types of downtown churches: worship. The school of religious education, under 1. A mission to dispossessed residents of slum the leadership of a' full-time director, continues districts; its departmental sessions throughout the worship period, as well as one hour following. Trained 2. A social center and preaching point for lodg- teachers are in charge of the various departments, ing-house people and transient hotel even though in some cases it means an honorarium guests; for the service rendered. We believe that the church budget must of necessity provide expert 3. A cosmopolitan center of worship for kin- training for children and youth, because of the dred spirits from every part of the city. danger of leaving such training to haphazard It is impossible for one church to attempt to cover all three of these phases of life and work. methods and desultory instruction. The church is The geographical location, the social traditions so located that all the street car lines and bus and constituency, as well as the financial resources routes of the city pass the door.
and ministerial leadership, must all be taken into Our constituency is divided into fourteen terri- account. These factors will very largely deter- torial units, with a leader in charge of each sub- mine the type of service the church can render. urban section. This leader has a group of four Central Church, Detroit, about which I have lieutenants, who by telephone and personal visita- been requested to write, is not, strictly speaking, tion keep in touch with the constituency of that a downtown church. In spite of the fact that it area with reference to sickness, church attend- is located at the very heart of the city and sur- anee, financial support' and spiritual guidance.
rounded by hotels, department stores, banks, One of the slogans of Cehtral Church has come to theaters and office buildings, it has remained a be "We are fourteen community churches." We dynamic family church. Not more than one fourth h~ve discovered that this plan does not compete of our congregations could be said to belong to with, nor proselytefrorri, the regular community the transient hotel group. Three fourths of all churches. The reason 'for this is that we have a the personalities to whom we minister are defi- specialized emphasis. We major on pageantry nitely related to the church and its activities. and color in public worship; upon personal reli- Only a few of these members live within a half gious psychiatry; upon social adjustment and mile of the church. The vast majority of our wor- reconstruction in the pulpit messages; upon a shipers and workers travel a distance of anywhere on selectitie school of religion; and upon popular from one mile to twenty miles. One of our careful analysts estimates that the average is eight Wednesday night lectures public topics by outmiles. They come in whole families. The~e is no standing' nati~nar' Vdfces. My experience in Greater Detroit, and in visitation among scores subway or elevated system of transportation in of churches in other modern cities, leads me to Detroit, consequently the vast majority of our believe that a great deal of unwholesome competi- people come to church in their own automobiles tion could be eliminated in our city churches if we and the whole family comes together. Once there, recognized that the mind of modern humanity is • This article was prepared for the Review by the late Dr. Fred.. divided by several definite spiritual interests. seericcrketaBr.y.F-Eisdhietor r.just before his death, and was sent us by his There is need for great centralized fundamentalist [349 ]
churches, where people who interpret religion in able burden. It is a heavy task to have a church these terms can come together for mutual sup- supper every Wednesday night. In the course of port and spiritual stimulus. Churches with a dif- the last year more than twenty-six thousand meals ferent theological outlook may serve personalities have been served on the fourth floor of Central that see life in "liberal" terms. The evangelistic Church House. This is an absolutely self-supporttabernacle and temple has its place. The plain, ing feature, but none of the money goes into the unembellished service of the Quakers has a real current expenses of the church. The women are contribution to make. There is also a wide and constantly interested in furniture, equipment, a growing field for churches that specialize in choir vestments, Red Cross work, family relief forms of ritualistic worship. Central Church, and kindred interests. During this last winter, though Methodist, is altar centered, with a high careful record has been kept of attendance at the altar and heavily carved symbolic reredos. We various activities, with the result that our chart have a processional and recessional in vestments shows a monthly attendance, on the average, of of purple and white and red. There are approxi- approximately eighteen thousand people. mately two hundred people in the choir organization, and on certain occasions the full choirs march Special attention is given to children, youth and in the procession. A "crucifer" carries the cross, young married couples. Boys are trained, and a "hook-bearer" carries the open Bible, and a consecrated by the laying on of hands, as Junior "flag-bearer" carries the flag. The ministers are Deacons for assistants at the altar. Crucifers, in vestments, and wear stoles which vary in color book~bearers and flag-bearers are all similarly with the seasons of the church year. It is inter- trained and consecrated. Special confirmation esting to find what a strong appeal this makes to classes are held for the training of young people modern youth. In the midst of this colorful serv- as to the meaning of church membership, and ice of worship, the pulpit message deals with Gos- white capes with purple cross embroidered on the pel as it. relates to social justice, problems of collar are used in the confirmation ceremony. personality adjustment, and the vital issues of modern life. The newest feature to be added to the life of the church is a specialist in psychiatry and person- There are two distinct Sunday congregations, alityadjustment. He is a medical doctor with his morning and evening. Few of those who fill the degree in philosophy from Vienna, Austria, where church on Sunday. morning come again at night. he has been a student and a lecturer on the fac- The services differ in emphasis, with the result uIty with Freud, Adler, Jung and others. Lecthat there is a solid Sunday morning congregation tures are given in personality adjustment, and the and an equally solid evening congregation. problems of psychology and nervous diseases, to selected groups, and hours for personal consulta- Wednesday night is a gathering of all the clans. tion are provided. Modest fees are charged for It is a "church night." .School children begin to these personal consultations. No hospitalization arrive at three or half-past three on Wednesday or actual treatment of patients is provided afternoon, before the real activities hegin. They through the church, but all pathological cases are bring their home work from school, and rooms are referred to their own doctors and to the regular made available, under proper direction, for home hospital staff of the city. study. If they come from families which cannot afford to pay the price of the church supper, a Central Church cannot claim entire success. room is provided where they may open their own The problems are great. The complexities of lunch baskets and have a good time together. modern urban and industrial life make experi- Many of the other children are served in these ment essential, with its attendant failures and same rooms, so that there is not the consciousness inadequacies. The staff is composed of thirteen of prosperity or poverty and there is an utter full-time people. The mere statement of this fact lack of self-consciousness. By five o'clock a va- will reveal to ministers and laymen the problem riety of activities is under way: Bible 'study of supporting an organization of this size. Howgroups of youth and adults; youth forum; Boy ever, the church has no debt, and a group of Scouts and Camp Fire Girls; dramatic clubs and splendid laymen manages the finances with great orchestras; handicraft classes; choir mothers' devotion. Our small endowment helps to make club; hoys' choirs and girls' choirs in practice; possible a program like this at the heart of an committees on social justice, parish visitation, industrial city. One interesting feature is that financial budgets, religious education and other all three ministers have had experience on the subjects. At six o'clock there are several simul- foreign mission field. These three men and their taneous suppers. The efficient women's commit- wives all feel that they are performing the most tee employs a full-time housekeeper and other essential missionary task of their lives. The dihelpers, so as not to make this feature an unbear- rector of religious education is likewise a former missionary of the foreign field.
to the City of
By the REV. CHARLES HATCH SEARS, D.D.
Author of "The City Man"
O NE is bold indeed who attempts to describe follow the crowd, to lose a sense of individual re- the future formation of a molten mass. sponsibility. Collective behavior tends to level Scientists may do this on the basis of well down character, as erosion wears away high'
established natural laws. Social laws affecting mountains. Individual character has been devel- environment are not nearly so well established. oped in America, at any rate within a family and Spiritual laws may be clearly marked out in terms within a neighborhood setting. In a city, particu- of individual conduct but are less defined in their larly in a great city, the individual has quite gen- social application. erally been separated from his family and from It seems clear, however, that the church is jus- the neighborhood in which he was reared. He has tified in looking to the world of tomorrow in too frequently been forced to live in isolation. The terms of facts which are clearly discernible today. city man touches elbows with thousands, but The Fact of Urban Life touches hearts with few. The city man lives in isolation within a multitude of contacts. A city In looking to the city of tomorrow the church is where men die of loneliness in a crowd. He has must accept the fact of urban life. This fact is to do with people whom he does not know and accepted on the basis of a general trend of a forces that he does not understand. He is com- century and a half of American life. This trend pelled to make inferences and to draw conclusions.
has been accelerated during the last two or three He does not deal with the concrete but is com- decades. True it is that the early years of the pelled to deal with the abstract.
depression (1929 to 1932) witnessed a migration The city man has developed certain fairly de- from the cities, but already this has proven to be fined attitudes. Self-assertion is a characteristic only a temporary check in a generally rapid in- sin of the city man. Compelled to yield to his crease of urban population which during the pre- superiors in shop, factory, store or office, he loves ceding census decade was at the rate of almost to enter a little world of his own where his opin- 27%, with a record of sixty-nine millions by 1930. .ions have weight; hence the gang, the club and That this was an American migration move- the social set. The city mind is preoccupied, in ment is the more significant. It is difficult to this sense absent-minded. It tends to lose its sense comprehend that forty out of everyone hundred of relationship to humanity, to lose the joy of the boys and girls between the ages of ten and twenty ,common touch, and to cease to find pleasure in who were on farms in 1920 had located in some homely things. The insistent stimulation of city city by 1930. This is the more surprising in that life tends to produce indifference and inability to urban growth during the most of the present gen- make a normal response.
eration has been so largely augmented by immi- The creation of these attitudes is a matter of gration which is no longer a major factor in the concern to the church. It is one of its tasks to growth of cities. provide correctives. Its problem is to establish It is safe to say that the church of the future relationships with the detached individual and must accept the fact of urban life both because particularly to follow him into his group relation- we are gregarious and like to flock together, and ships from which all but members of the group on the other hand because it requires a decreasing are generally debarred.
percentage of the working popUlation to produce the raw materials of foods and fabrics which in The Fact of Metropolitan Community Life turn are subject to almost infinite refinement. The second fact which the forward-looking. city This processing takes place largely in cities. church must take into account is the fact of met- ropolitan life in contrast with mere urban life. The fact of urban life would not be of so much City men in the main have shown their preference significance for the church of the future if cities, for the great metropolitan centers rather than for particularly the great cities, did not so profoundly cities of average size. In fact, many of the smaller change people. City men are influenced by what cities have lost population in recent years. we may call collective behavior-the tendency to [ 351]
All cities have not fared alike. Urban growth with which the church of the future will be con- in America in recent years, particularly during fronted to an increasing degree.
the last census decade, has been strikingly selec- The churches everywhere in America have been tive. The average American is quite surprised to built from neighborhoods. City neighborhoods learn how spotted the growth of cities has become. have been broken down by the incoming of new Accustomed to reports of loss of population in peoples and by the exodus of the more favored to rural areas, he is not greatly surprised that nearly suburban areas. The flood of newcomers, men one-half (46.5 per cent) of all villages in the and women and young people, attracted by their United States under 2,500 lost p()pulation from specialty interests has created quite a new situa- 1920 to 1930-6,285 villages out of a total of tion. They have no interest in a particular neigh- 13,530. borhood. Their only concern is to live where they In view of the enormous increase of urban can be comfortable and within reach of their own population from 54,305,000 in 1920 to 68,,955,000 chosen group'1$•• in 1930 (or an increase of 26.9 per cent during It is true, old neighborhoods still p2rsist. There the decade) and particularly in view of the Amer- are still parish churches in metropolitan New ican assumption that all cities grow, he is quite York of which we might speak; many of them unprepared to learn that many cities fared very are in the suburbs though conditioned by the metbadly during the last census decade. Five hundred ropolitan structure; some of them are in survival neighborhoods illustrated by the recent coming and twelve places rranging in population from 2,500 to 100,000 lost population from 1920 to 1930. together of the old Church of the Sea and Land A very much larger number of cities has failed and the old Mariners' Temple into the new Henry to keep pace with the rate of population growth of the nation. As Dr. R. D. McKenzie points out, Street United Church, Presbyterians and Baptists of the 746 cities of 10,000 popUlation and over in 1920, almost one-half of them (354) showed a settling down together to a continuing parish rate of increase below the national rate of increase. work, but how changed the parish from the old It is obvious that the great metropolitan com- days of the "Kirk on Rutgers Street"! munities have grown in recent years at the expense of all other political unity-towns, villages While still prepared to serve so far as may be and smaller cities. These communities have tapped the sources of population;-in Europe, Asia, Af- along parish lines, the church frequently, generrica and South America, on American farms and villages, and in the smaller cities of America. ally, finds itself compelled to minister either on a Foreign-born whites, children of immigrants, Negroes and especially native Americans gravi- metropolitan-wide basis or to people on the basis tate thither like iron filings to a magnet. of a selective interest or both. The Community It is not so much the fact of metropolitan growth in terms of increased population to which Church of New York City served by Johns Haynes the church of the future must adapt itself, as to the tremendous changes in which these communi- Holmes and the Riverside Church with its dual ties have been and will be involved. The attraction of specialists to these centers and their voluntary ministry to the neighborhood in its educational association into groups is at the heart of it. This ever-growing process of specialization creates and social program and to the greater metropol- itah community in its preaching ministry are cases in point. .
The Calvary Episcopal Church apparently has chosen for itself, on the basis of its rector's inter- est, to minister to a particular group with a dis- tinctive religious interest. The church of the future almost inevitably will be selective in its ministry, however much it undertakes to remain the Church of the Open Door to All Who Will Enter.
The Fact of Cosmopolitan Life groups. As a result, special interest communities It is evident that the church of the future must or special activity groups, ever in process of for- adapt itself increasingly to meet the needs of a mation, take the place of neighborhoods. cosmopolitan community. The executives of de- Finding association within the group, to an in- nominational Church City Societie3, who have fol- creasing degree the members become subject to lowed neighborhood changes in great metropolitan the ethics and social attitudes of the group and communities, may be more conscious than the are not amenable to the ethics and social attitudes average pastor of the tremendous changes which of the community as a whole. Devoted to their have grown out of immigration and that are now peculiar functions within their own chosen group, emerging through the influence of the wide dis- they are disposed to carryon largely in accord pers'ion of second generation immigrants.
with their own cultural pattern and often with The presence of great numbers of immigrants, little accommodation to the larger community. who until less than twenty years ago were con- This creates serious ethical and social problems fined largely to "colonies," did not greatly· upset
LOOKING TO THE CITY OF TOMORROW
the cultural situation, or disturb the church The church that looks to the city of the future outlook of older Americans, but when the well must orient itself to a cosmopolitan community trained second generation young people began to and adjust its outlook to world vistas. emerge it became evident that great changes were taking place. The older Americans were not deep- Man, the Abiding Fact ly concerned that customs and codes, wrought through long centuries in the homeland of these The church that looks to the city of tomorrow immigrants, no longer had controlling force in the will seek to adapt itself to urban life, to metrolives of the second generation that was emerging politan life, to cosmopolitan life, but it will lose from these homes. They were more alarmed, how- itself in the process unless it has a sense of its ever, when they discovered that the old New Eng- own universality which was so strongly emphaland culture and ideals were being broken down sized at the Edinburgh Conference. by this infusion of second generation immigrant life into the best residence areas of the great To put the matter in other form, the church cities. must adapt itself on the one hand to its environ- mentbut recognize that while man too is a vari- It became evident that old incentives and re- able, he changes far less rapidly than does his environment. As compared with the shifting sostraints, old sanctions and social controls which cial scene he is a constant. While he changes in obtained in these cities until a score of years ago, outward appearance and in his customs and while whether in Anglo-Saxon communities with their his attitudes reflect the conditions under which he New England background or in foreign-language lives, his essential needs are the same from gencommunities with their varied European back- eration unto generation and among all peoples. grounds had been largely repudiated. The result We affirm, therefore, that the church must find its is a cultural phenomenon, moral phenomenon if universality in its consciousness of God and in you please, practically without precedent-a great its realization of the needs of men. body of people living without a generally recognized moral pattern and without sanctions hon- Staggered by a social burden which he finds ored by generations. It is evident that the church unbearable without the assistance of religion, imof the future must address its'elf to building up pelled by a moral imperative, the ethical contents new spiritual foundations to take the place of the of which he does not understand, the city man in old spiritual foundations upon which America was his more confident moods looks to religion for established. support and to Christianity for moral guidance. Christianity, in the past at periods of crisis, has While the immigrants of pre-war decades and met the challenge of destiny. The city man, theresecond generation immigrants of today have quite fore, calls upon the church to mediate to him a completely transformed old American cities domi- religion adequate to his personal needs and internantly Teutonic and Protestant into cities domi- pretive of his confused social relation. nantly Latin, Slavic and Semitic in race and Roman Catholic and Jewish in religion, there are Under normal conditions nature enters into the other factors which have had a part in the cosmo- creative religious process. Trees, streams, the sky politan process. and the stars are all sources of life valuable in the cultivation of the soul. It is apparent that Changes in the function and structure of these nature plays a large part in the cultivation of great metropolitan communities sketched in a religion when man and nature are living in norpreceding section have come in no small degree mal reciprocity. But is it possible to pursue the from the national orientation of industry, of com- mystical approach within city walls where the merce, and of professional life in America. A stars are rarely seen and where frequently in myriad of interests in each of the classifications winter the dust-laden atmosphere hangs like a has selected a major metropolitan community, pall over the city, shutting out even the sky? most likely New York, as headquarters with branch centers in other metropolitan communities. The city, particularly the metropolitan commu- nity, with its specialization in art, in music, in The church that looks to the city of tomorrow literature, is peculiarly rich in the materials 'for cannot afford to be provincial. It can not remain the cultivation of the mystical qualities of the parochial. It, too, must cultivate world-wide at- spirit. "A certain type of mind has always distitudes and relations. If Christianity is to survive cerned three straight and narrow ways going out in America it must become in fact a world reli- towards the absolute-in religion, in pain, in gion. The Christian movement in its world out- beauty," says Miss Evelyn Underhill. reach can not afford to think in terms of separate hemispheres of foreign missions and home mis- The expansive qualities of the individual may sions but of a church universal in space as well be cultivated generally by finding essences, someas in'concept. thing akin to universal experiences, in other human lives-by finding those qualities that life lives by.
The city is peculiarly rich in opportunity to continuing fact of urban life and adjust its prorelate spirit to spirit through a common under- gram to conditions which have grown out of the standing of ideals and through association in transformation of the small city into the great noble undertakings, even as we have found the metropolitan community. Facing the breakdown city peculiarly rich in its interpretation of life in of the old Anglo-Saxon, Puritan, and to a large its mystical aspects through literature and art degree Protestant standards, the Christian church and poetry. must address itself to the recreation of Christ's standards of faith, character and conduct. For the sake of the individual, his self-realization, his peace and joy on the one hand, and for In this process the church finds itself at home the creation of moral energy directed to social because it is still dealing with man forever changends on the other, it is highly important to culti- ing but forever presenting the same basic needs. vate the mystical aspect of the personality The fortunes of the church have never been inthrough an appreciation of nature, through aware- extricably bo~d with any secular order. It has ness of the essential qualities of the human spirit ever had standards to which it could repair. and through communion with God in Christ as the only source of religion and of moral energy. The abiding task of the church in the city, as elsewhere, will ever be to regenerate and to re- As important as these things are the church vitalize the individual and by this process to culmust accept as its primary responsibility the cul- tivate new social attitudes and to release a new tivation of worship in the individual and a sense ethical vigor equal to the task of social reconstrucof his vital personal relationship to God in Christ. tion.* As the church looks to the city of the future it * By permission of the Publisher, Harper & Brothers. the author is convinced that it must address itself to the has made liberal excerpts from his recent book. "City Man." adapted to the purposes of this article.
The Gospel in Mexico To~Day -~ I By WALTER MONTANO* Iffl.- FOLLOWING my decision to visit Mexico I re- Near Mexico City I was surprised to see news- ceived a cordial welcome from President Car- paper notices and accounts of the activities of the denas on behalf of the Mexican Government, Roman Catholic Church, just as in the most lib.. and from the Minister of Public Health. The eral country in the world. This was surprising, National Council of the Evangelical Churches, as I had seen and heard much about the oppresthrough their Executive Secretary, Professor Gon- sion of the priesthood. zalez Baez Camargo, had prepared a full program of evangelistic meetings, not only in Mexico City, My first week in Mexico City was filled with but in other States. As a result, I traveled a dis- meetings, held in the largest Protestant church in tance of six thousand miles in about one month. the republic, which used to be a Franciscan mon- astery. We began with some thousand people, and At the frontier, I saw that various persons were by the end of the week, there were more than being refused permission to enter. The officials fifteen hundred present. There were high army carefully examined my passport, and enquired as officers, government servants, representatives of to the object of my visit. However, my letters the intellectual circles, even Roman Catholic froin the President of the Republic and the Min- priests, in fact all classes of society, political and ister of Public Health were sufficient, although religious, were represented. For an hour each my passport described me as an "evangelical min- night there was attention, silence and interest. ister." I was shown every courtesy, and even my suitcases were passed through the Customs with- The way God worked in these meetings was out examination. The five hundred Mexican truly marvelous. At the last two gatherings, the dollars, which most who enter the country are local brethren urged me to make an appeal to those supposed to deposit, were not required of me. who wished to come forward and accept Christ. On the first of these occasions forty people, their • Sr. Walter Montano has been a missionary of the Evangelical eyes streaming with tears, came forward and Union of South America since 1929. His article appeared in the knelt, confessing their sins and accepting Christ. World Dominion. The following night, when I told the story of my
THE GOSPEL IN MEXICO TO-DAY
own conversion, more than a hundred came for- In Orizaba the hall, big though it was, would ward, crying to God for the pardon of their sins. not hold the people. The street was full and men The Gospel was new to these people, Roman Cath- and women were sitting on the paths. There were olics who, in all sincerity, were seeking peace for more than fourteen hundred people present. They their souls. Nor was it only the common people begged me for another day and I invited them for who came forward, but society folk and well- a meeting at five in the morning. At this hour, known persons. Professor Camargo stated that in the bitter cold, there were six hundred people he saw many people come to the meetings full of waiting. . . . The power and presence of God pride and even hatred toward us; at the close of were evident and we felt the fire of the Holy Spirit the service not a few of them were crying like kindling our hearts. children, among them an army general, who, moved to the depths of his soul, gave way to tears. From this last place we returned to Mexico City After the meeting many Catholics came to me say- for other meetings in the Y. M. C. A. There was ing, "I am a Catholic, but I know nothing about .a magnificent gathering of people who did not bethe life eternal, and now I accept Christ as my long to any of the churches. Some Communists only personal Saviour." in the audience tried to make trouble, but there were no serious difficulties. On another evening A Visit. to Pueblo two thousand united youth of the Federal District met me; it was a most touching occasion, when It was not my intention to remain in Mexico for crowds of young people of all denominations dedimore than two weeks, but Professor Osuna, an cated themselves to the service of God. They outstanding Christian, and a prominent figure in agreed to issue an appeal to the evangelical youth the Mexican Government in the time of Presidents of all Latin America to work on behalf of the Carranza and Calles, came from Monterey to Mex- forthcoming Congress of Latin American Evanico City and exacted a promise that I would visit gelical Youth, in which they proposed to study the Monterey. After prayer, I decided to remain best methods of a vigorous campaign for the evanlonger and visit Pueblo, Vera Cruz, Orizaba, gelization of unconverted youth. Guadalajara, Aguas Calientes, San Luiz Potosi, Saltillo, Torreon, EI Paso (Texas) and Nogales. In Mexico City there is a center for preparing These last two places are on the frontier of the young men for the ministry. The president and United States. Professor Camargo accompanied the other professors are men of real consecration me to Pueblo, and there we had united meetings to God, and the seminary is a center of training for two nights and a large number of people were for all denominations. As part of my program in led to Christ. During our visit to Pueblo, the first Mexico, the brethren arranged that I should give National Anti-Alcoholic Congress took place at devotional messages to faculty and students every the invitation of President Cardenas, with dele- day. God blessed these meetings and foreign misgates from all the Mexican states and from other sionaries, pastors of churches, professors from countries, chiefly Latin America. Dr. Siurob, the seminary, as well as the students, and also Minister of Public Health, presided over the Con- workers from Sunday schools, came unfailingly. gress and represented the government. He in- The theme was that of consecration and service. vited me to preside over the third full session, in my capacity as delegate of the National League of Other States Social Hygiene of Peru, and extended to me the privilege of being a guest of honor of the Govern- From Mexico City I set out for Guadalajara, ment of Pueblo. accompanied by two outstanding Mexican Chris- tian leaders, and again had most encouraging In Vera Cruz the church was full, and at the services. Our journey was continued to the places close of the meeting the platform would not hold already mentioned, and in every town we saw the the crowd of people who came pleading for our hand of God. The fact that most of the meetings prayers. The brethren asked if we could not re- were united gatherings tended to more cooperamain another day, but the itinerary was already tion between the different churches. There has fixed and it was quite impossible, so I said, jok- come a greater spirit of unity among the workers; ingly, "If you would like a meeting at four-thirty in fact, in many churches there are now united in the morning . . . !" Thinking no more about meetings for prayer among the workers of the difit, I went to bed, tired out, but exactly at four- ferent denominations. thirty in the morning I was awakened; the pastor and other brethren had called for me, and when Mexico is passing through a unique phase of its I went to the church there were two-hundred and history. The clouds of confusion have not yet fifty people gathered for a meeting. God worked passed from its sky, nor will they do so quickly. that morning in the hearts of those people! Everything is in a state of uncertainty and it is impossible to foretell what tomorrow will bring. The properties of churches and religious colleges
are in continual danger, for at any moment the of the intellectual classes; we stayed from seven Government can take possession of them. As a until ten in the morning, while I spoke to them matter of fact, many of the Protestant schools are closed and cannot exist if they teach religion. of my personal experience of Christ. Some evangelical schools have had to be turned 3. Now that the foreign missionaries cannot into purely commercial colleges or institutes for social instruction. It is difficult to understand the conduct definitely religious services, they are dissituation, for some of the actions of the Govern- covering other methods. Mr. Norman Taylor, a ment seem quite contradictory in nature to others. Presbyterian, is working with fine results among Shortly after I left Mexico, I was told that the the soldiers. He has a small wireless set 'installed Government had restored valuable property to the in his car, and Mr. Huegel gives them a Bible talk, urging upon them the need for repentance and Presbyterians. turning to Christ. All the soldiers held up their As Mexico is a Federal country, it is left to the hands asking for our prayers, and many bought Governor of each state to interpret the program New Testameqt,s. of education as he may Ghoose. Consequently 4. Other missionaries, such as Mr. Reifsnyder, there is a great variety according to the local attitude. There are a few schools where the teaching have sought some method of reaching the students is not only anti-religious but immoral; there are of the college and university, gathering them some teachers who pervert the children by ex- weekly for "lay sermons." The night I was there, treme programs of sexual education. . . . This twenty-two students, among them Roman Cathdoes not occur everywhere, nor is it officially olics, were deeply interested. recognized. Nevertheless, because of the liberty of interpretation and the fact that there is no uni- 5. In the midst of the difficulties presented by formity or standard of teaching, the enemies of the law, the workers have had to fall back on religion take the opportunity to inject their poison propaganda by the press. It is difficult to calcu- late the great results attained by the Latin Amerinto the hearts and minds of the children. ican bookstore, under the direction of Sr. Baez The preaching of the Gospel by foreigners is Camargo. The method which he uses attracts Communists, revolutionaries, students, professors, severely limited by law, but foreign missionaries publicists and others, and all receive the Gospel in Mexico still carryon their work, perhaps with even better results than before. The central de- message. partment of the Government made it clear that 6. The youth, indifferent hitherto to the neces- I was free to speak in any part of Me:xico with sity of testifying before others, are not only perfect liberty. uniting among themselves but are working openly; groups of young people go out to different suburbs New Methods of Evangelism in Mexico t and carryon regular services, also visiting homes. One such group has dedicated itself to carrying the Gospel to outcast women, a truly apostolic The restrictive laws of Mexico in the matter of labor. religion have turned out favorably in many 7. The difficulties which the evangelical bodies senses: face have made the Christian workers feel the im- perative necessity of more prayer, and a turning 1. The Evangelicals have felt compelled to unite to God for the solution of the religious and spirfor one common object, to preach Christ crucified. itual problems of Mexico. They have issued a 2. They have adopted new methods of evan- circular, addressed to "our brethren in the comgelization, which in other circumstances probably mon faith of Christ scattered throughout the enthey would not have adopted for many years. Dr. tire Mexican Republic," calling them to a deeper Wallace, a missionary of the Presbyterian Board, consecration of life and to the practice of daily and Sr. Baez Camargo took me to what they call prayer. "Wednesday Breakfasts" in one of the best res- t See Religion in the RClYUblic of Mexico, by C, Baez Camargo taurants in the capital. To this are invited people and Kenneth G, Grubb, published by the World Dominion Press, The Christian laymen in one Mexican church have organized a "Salvation Patrol" which works in the tenement districts at night. A missionary has developed a group of university students whO meet for the discussion of spiritual and social questions-probably the first ~or~ done ~y. Evangelicals for university stu.dents in Mexico City. In Tabasco, where preach- mg IS prohIbIted, a group of laymen orgamzed themselves as peddlers. With packs on their backs, they go from home to home selling merchandise and talking about Christ. A former ci~y pastor has dedicated himself to country wo.rk. He tells of a poverty-stricken village, WIth an ugly? n.ear-deformed, po~rly educated IndIa~ boy who went there to shepherd the little flock of ChrIstIans. The town IS gradually becommg transformed and this simple Indian boy is its hero.-S. G. Inman.
the Church Discontinue Institu–
tional Missionary Work?
-.~i By G. BAEZ CAMARGO, Mexico City, Mexico ._. ",,==;;;;;E;;;;;x;;;;;ec;;;;;u;;;;;ti;;;;;v;;;;;e;;;;;s;;;;;e;;;;;cTC_et;o;.;.au.;;;nTyc=oi;;l;;;f;;o;;;thf;;;;M;e=eN;;x;;;iac;;;;o;ti;;;;;o;;;;;na;p;;I;;;;;E;;;;;V;;;;;a;;;;;n;;;;;ge;;;;;lt;;;;;'c;;;;;al===!.f.l.- EVANGELICAL Christianity throughout the whole missionary program and to an examination world is looking forward to the international of the comparative and real values of evangelistic missionary conference called to meet in and institutional mission work. The question be- Madras, India, in December. Christians from gan to press itself upon the minds of both the many lands will come together to appraise the missionary and the national Christian leaders: status of the work, and to plan for united advance Should mission boards give less attention to elabin the evangelization of the world. Four hundred orate speciaU.~ed institutional work and more to delegates will wrestle with the most crucial prob- pioneer evangelism and the training of Christian lems of the Church and will seek to understand workers? our Lord's, mind and will for His people in these trying times. Among these problems, and not Another element in the situation was the growthe least of them, stands the whole question of the ing sense of responsibility in the National "institutional work" of the church, especially in churches and their increasing desire to attain the the missionary enterprise. ideal of a self-governing and self-supporting in- digenous church. This would naturally lead to Pioneer mis,sionary earnestness has been poured the taking over of the administration and support into several types of auxiliary institutions-edu- of the institutional work. New questions arose. cational centers, ranging from parochial schools In view of the nationalization of the churches, to universities; medical institutions, from modest was it the proper course for them to take over the dispensaries to large and well-equipped hospitals; institutions founded and supported by the missocial centers and even agricultural and industrial sions? Could the national churches support projects; other philanthropic agencies also have themselves and also afford to conduct the rather been established and sacrificially maintained the expensive institutional work as established with church at the home base and by native Christian foreign funds? Would it be wise for the missions organizations in the lands where they are estab- to withdraw their help from the support of the lished. Thes'e institutions have absorbed most of churches and pioneer evangelism and to devote the missionary budgets in many cases and often foreign funds exclusively to the support of instihave been used as the decisive argument for mis- tutions? Or would it be better to give up the sions. Many have found in their work one of the institutions and concentrate on new purely evanmain sources of satisfaction, as rel~orted in mis- gelistic projects, in cooperation with the national sionary reports and surveys. churches?
All seemed to be going well with these institu- In some countries there was a third and very tions until three new elements entered into the important problem involved. The national govsituation. There was, first, a serious setback in ernments were committing themselves to political mtsswn income. In readjusting the budgets, it doctrines of different types, all of which coincided was necessary to cut down expenditures. But the at least in one particular-the gradual or violent problem was: What appropriations should be re- assumption of control by the State of all the deduced? It is not easy to cut down on upkeep of partments of human life, educational, social, and plants, equipment, personnel and current expenses even individual. The situation was the more comof large institutions, without risking their very plicated in countries where totalitarianism was existence. On the other hand, should the cuts be strongly impregnated by hostility to Christianity made on the distinctly evangelistic work an4 on the support of churches? It was easier to' cut or to all forms of religion. This trend, often incorhere, but perhaps not the best way out of the financial difficulty. All this led to a review of the porated in a very definite form in legislation, has been making it increasingly difficult for churches in Mexico, Turkey, Iran, Korea, and some other [357 ]
countries to maintain their educational and med- people, teaching, healing and nursing the people ical institutions. Some governments have been to an abundant Christian life.
very active of late years developing a compre- In other fields, where there is a degree of cul- hensive program of national welfare, opening ture and social welfare and where, as in Japan, schools, dispensaries, social centers and hospitals. the government is fulfilling its medical and edu- Thus the institutional work of the churches does cational responsibility, the need for philanthropic not seem to be so necessary as in former times, and cultural work by the missionary agencies is when the missions were the only agencies con- not so pressing. It is here not impossible for the ducting it. Except for their evangelistic purpose, churches to consider giving up their institutions most of the institutions are now becoming a dupli- or their turning over to governmental or other cation of government enterprises. In several national agencies. The churches should be ready, countries evangelistic work in Christian schools within the measure of their possibilities, to coop- and hospitals is looked upon with suspicion by the erate with puba.ic and private philanthropic and governments and in some cases is even prohibited educational agencies, where such cooperation is by law – as in Turkey. When this is the case, possible.
would it be advisable to give up such church in- The stage of progress in evangelization, par- stitutions and turn this work over to the govern- ticularly with reference to the strength of the na- ment? tional churches, is also to be considered. There . This missionary agencies and the national are at least three main stages in evangelizing a Christian churches have come to face the prob- people in any country: lem: Should mission boards and churches of the First, there is the approach, penetration, and missionary-sending countries withdraw from edu- planting of the first organized groups of converts, . cational and philanthropic work on the field and entirely under the wings of the mother churches throw the responsibility for these forms of service and under the almost exclusive leadership of the on the churches and governments on the various foreign missionaries. Forms of organization, fields? methods of work, supporting funds and leaders, Obviously, this question cannot be answered all have come from abroad.
categorically Yes, or No. The answer depends The second stage is one of national growth, the upon several factors, and no wise decision can be upbuilding of Christian churches, the development reached that ignores one or more of these factors. of a trained native leadership, the progress in The best answer will result from the careful con- self-support and the progressive transfer of resideration of combination of facts and experi- sponsibilities to them. Important steps towards ences. The main factors are: self-government culminate in the organization of (a) Conditions prevailing on the particular national churches.
field; The third stage, one that perhaps has not been (b) The degree to which evangelization has fully achieved on any mission field, is when the national churches assume complete responsibility, progressed; both financial and administrative, of the work and (c) Financial ability of the mission boards; they become in turn missionary churches, send (d) The real purpose of the missionary enter- out to evangelize other fields.
prise; Clearly it is not possible for the mission boards (e) Type of work that the institutions are ac- of the sending churches to think of throwing on tually doing.
There are some countries where educational, the national churches the responsibility for the hygienic and social conditions are primitive and institutions which they are unable to support, if where the people are still in a desperate need of the evangelization of the field is in its first stage help along these lines. The governments are or entering its second. The national churches either unable to take care of the people's intellec- must first assume responsibility for their own tual, physical and social needs or they lack a sense maintenance and their evangelistic work proper; of responsibility. The result is the abandonment if they succeed in this, then they may begin to of the people to illiteracy and misery. No Chris- accept full responsibility for the institutions.
tian mission or church would wish to confine Where this process of nationalization is under itself to purely preaching the Gospel while the way, the institutions are the last points from people are the prey of ignorance, disease and pov- which the mission funds are expected to be with- erty. Where these conditions prevail, as in parts drawn. Naturally the national churches cannot be of Africa, India and elsewhere, some form of expected to assume the support of the institutional work to relieve these conditions is imperative and work while the churches themselves are being SlJP- has no substitutes. We must not hesitate to make ported by the mission. The national churches will great sacrifices to minister to the needs of the not be able fully to take over the institutions until
SHOULD THE CHURCH DISCONTINUE INSTITUTIONAL MISSIONARY WORK?
the third stage is reached – if these institutions arated from the churches, leading their own life are to be continued in any effective way under and doing their own more or less secular work. church auspices. But many others insist upon the supreme impor- tance of evangelistic task of Christian institu- The financial status of the mission boards is an tions and cannot conceive of a missionary project essential factor to be considered. If the mission that does not seek to bring to the churches a receipts are down to that point where drastic re- harvest of "saved souls" or souls to be instructed ductions in the budget must be made and the in- and saved. The situation varies widely according stitutional work cannot longer be supported then to place and personnel. Many institutions, like the mission must withdraw. If there is any pos- the hospital at Miragi, India, and the Union Colsibility of turning over the institutions to other lege in Pyenyang, Chosen, actively engage in satisfactory agencies, the national churches should evangelistic work. Others are more secular in be given the first option, next the work may be character and outlook. Not a few have practically offered to some other responsible organizations or made their Christian character so abstract as to to the government. In any case, there must be be hardly distinguishable from wholly secular inthe assurance that the plants and equipment will stitutions. really be used for the good of the country and for the benefit of the more needy people. This is a sore point in the whole discussion of missionary work. A fair 9.istinction should be Perhaps it is too much, in many cases, to insist made, at the very start, between proselytizing and that their Christian character will be maintained. evangelizing. To proselytize is to be primarily in- terested in winning members from one particular But, in the whole problem, the essential and cen- religion, denomination or church to another, withtral purpose of Christian missions must be kept out regard to any vital change in faith and life. in view. This is the ultimate guiding principle To evangelize is so to preach Christ in word and and the supreme criterium for any change in mis- deed as to bring people to accept Christ as Saviour sionary service. Fortunately, this matter has re- and Lord, and His way of life as a daily path of ceived prayerful and earnest consideration lately, conduct. As to the best means by which to achieve although perhaps the outcome has not been always this supreme goal there is no uniformity of rule true to the New Testament standards. But the or opinion. It depends much upon the local situafact that it is a real concern to re-define, for our tion and the individuals with whom one comes in times, the supreme purpose of Christian missions, contact. Steadfastness of purpose is essential but is in itself gratifying. The writer of this article uniformity of method is as fatal to true evandoes not pretend to pronounce dogmatically on a. gelistic work as is the lack of aim and ideals. It question that is still keeping busy the best Chris- is certain that no Christian institution should tian minds of today, but it is necessary to give lower the central purpose or depart from the plan his own views if this discussion is to be clear and of all missionary work in the name and power of conclusive. Christ; otherwise it will lose its vision and de- pendence on the Spirit of God. The central purpose of Christian missions may be briefly stated as follows: The purpose of Chris- Non-cooperation with the national churches is tian missions is threefold in its active expression: another strong temptation of socially successful mission institutions. Some seem afraid that by (a) To preach the Gospel of God's redemptive disclosing their connection with the churches the grace in Jesus Christ; institutions will risk their prestige. It is not neces- sary, and may be even harmful, for these institu- (b) To cooperate in the upbuilding of an in- tions to be wholly subordinated to the churches. digenous educated Christian church; In most cases they should have their separate ad- ministration. But to part from the churches, re- (c) To serve this church and the people of the fusing to have anything to do with them, pn the land where it is established. pretext that success may be attained only in this way, is to pay a very high price for such success. The whole problem of institutional work should It has not been found necessary in America. Exbe kept under the spotlight of this one and three- perience shows that institutions committing themfold purpose. To what extent are Christian in- selves to this policy find it increasingly difficult stitutions faithful to it? What is the actual type to maintain their true Christian character; they of work being carried on by the institutions and are finally dragged down by the spirit of humanhow do they rate when measured with the yard- istic secularism. This at least can be strongly stick of the supreme purpose of Christ when He stated: no mission institution should allow itself founded missionary enterprise? to come to this self-defeating point of refusing to recognize its Christian character and purpose. Many believe that Christian institutions need to be Christian only in their inspiration and motive, but that they may refrain from becoming agencies to win others to Christ as Lord and Saviour. In order to avoid the charge of "proselyting" they are expected to keep themselves sep-
Every mIssIOnary institution should actively Christian boy or girl to get an education. The serve the churches and people in the country writer once visited a mission high school, finely where it is established. Duplication of govern- equipped and with excellent social prestige. When mental or private institutions should be avoided inquiring about the curriculum, the principal, in as far as possible. Instead of this, mission insti- all candor, informed him that their program was tutions should always be reaching out to unserved adjusted to similar schools in the United States, areas. In this work elaborate and costly plants as there were so many pupils from the British and may become a hindrance. Expensive plants then American colonies who wanted to secure credit become an end in themselves, and in order to keep for their studies when going abroad to college. them up, other important elements of the mission- The principal appeared to have given scarcely any ary program are sadly neglected. We should thought to the question as to whether this curnever forget that institutional plants are made riculum was the best suited for the needs of the for the missionary work and not the missionary nationals of tha't-.country. work for institutional plants. After all, to accomplish the primary task of serving Cnrist by Now we come back to the starting point in this helping the people of any country, it is not indis- discussion. Should mission boards, and the pensable, and not always desirable, to set up costly churches in the mission fields, plan to withdraw plants that in a time. of crisis and readjustment from their institutional work? An absolute anbecome veritable "white elephants." swer is not possible. We have tried to point out the factors which should be combined to make up As an illustration of what has been said above, the criteria under which the answer in each parthe complaint is heard from several fields that not ticular case is to be sought. In dealing with our a few of the "Christian" colleges "have estranged problem, we often come closer to the solution by themselves from the churches and the Christians reminding ourselves again and again of facts and and have become schools for the rich and socially principles we know but which we are apt to forelite, where it is practically impossible for a poor get or ignore.
The Challenge of the Philippines By the REV. NORMAN S. McPHERSON -tEl Vice-President of the Association of Baptists for Evangelism );.- in the Orient A FILIPINO high school senior who was work- many months had passed yielded his life for full- ing his way through school in Manila by time service and enrolled as a student in the laboring in a laundry was one day handed Institute. a tract in jest by a fellow workman. The tract was entitled, "Are You Born Again?" by Bishop This is but one of hundreds who have found J. C. Ryle. The message fell on good soil. At Christ through the varied ministries of the Assohis first opportunity the young man sat down and ciation of Baptists for Evangelism in the Orient. wrote a letter, addressing it to the Manila Evan- It is not too much to say that the Philippines congelistic Institute, publishers of the tract. He con- stitutes one of the most responsive harvest fields in fessed: "I am exactly the man concerned in your the world today. article." After mentioning some of his temptations and seeking advice he asked: "Am I eligible The Association of Baptists is an evangelical to be born again?" agency formed eleven years ago for the propaga- tion of fundamental Christianity – there is no As director of the Institute I replied to his let- other kind-in the Orient. Its activities thus far ter, arranging for him to come and see me. The have been confined to the Philippines, where it interview closed with both of us on our knees maintains two training institutes for Christian while prayer and surrender forged the link bind- workers in addition to a growing provincial work ing another soul to the Christ who once again extending from the northernmost Batanes Islands looked upon the travail of His soul and was satis- down to the Palawan group in the extreme south. fied. The young man began attending Sunday Millions of pages of gospel literature are printed services in the First Baptist Church, and. before on the mission press in Manila in both dialects and English every year. Through the evangelis-
THE NEED OF STUDENTS IN BRAZIL
tic efforts of itinerant gospel teams new churches angels in heaven found fresh cause for rejoicing are established and manned with graduates of in the 672 who found Christ in the opera house the training institutes. and on the street corner during those two weeks.
An indispensable means of evangelizing the While the Philippines constitute a striking op- Palawan group of some forty islands is the Gospel portunity by reason of the cordiality of the re- Ship, Fukuin Maru, formerly used by Northern sponse, the Association believes the time has come Baptists in the Inland Sea of Japan. Captain to expand beyond the confines of these islands, and Skolfield cruises from island to island with a thus fulfil the purpose for which the Association group of Filipino evangelists preaching the Gos- was originally chartered. A new field on the pel and rendering simple medical aid. Twelve island of Ceylon has recently been acquired, and churches have been established with over a thou- plans are now being made to release the Gospel sand members. One day a Moro asked the cap- Ship for a year's survey of New Guinea and other tain what to do for an aching tooth, to which the fields in the Dutch East Indies, many of which captain replied that it would be best to extract it. represent virgin soil. New Guinea is the second Whereupon the Morosaid: "All right, and as soon largest island in the world. Never has the inas you have stopped the ache be sure to put it terior been explored by white men except from back again!" the air. We must not, however, overlook the par- tial penetration in the region of the Fly River. The keynote of the Association of Baptists for Now that mining companies and scientific parties Evangelism in the Orient is, as its name suggests, are planning to exploit the island's natural reevangelism. All of its activities-whether preach- sources, it is believed the Church of Christ caning, teaching, housing students in dormitories, not afford to neglect the souls of the tribesmen in printing, broadcasting, street corner ministry, vis- the interior, many of whom are said to be headitation in hospitals and on ships, student center hunters and totally ignorant of the Gospel. activity-find their focus and impetus in that supreme objective. Every form of evangelism is Nothing short of prevailing prayer will release used to good advantage. At least two hundred the resources in men and money needed for such decisions for Christ a month ar.e made on one a gigantic undertaking. The newspapers recently street corner where student teams proclaim the announced that scientists of the Metropolitan Mu- Gospel six nights a week. During the eucharistic seum of Natural History of New York City expect congress that was held last year in Manila the to explore New Guinea this year with a $250,000 Association of Baptists rented the Manila Grand airplane. What will the Church of Christ do in Opera House for two weeks and brought Leland the face of those thousands who have never so Wang of Hong Kong as special speaker. The much as heard of Christ?
The Need of Students in Brazil –'11 By HAROLD A. COOK, Rio d, Janolto 1111– W E HAVE missions to the Indians, and ef- or after. Remember that he had lived ,his twenty- forts to reach the poor and teach the two years in another world, quite untouched by ignorant in Brazil. Evangelical colleges the Gospel, even though in a modern civilized city. reach a very limited .proportion of students; but On receiving a Testament, he said that he was the Teacher Training Schools, the medical, dental holding the Word of God in his hand for the first and law schoo!<s, and the academic class, as a time in his life. If you do not know who is the whole, present an untouched field, without any leading American jockey of today or the present special effort to evangelize them. They are com- heavyweight boxing champion a member of the paratively untouched. sporting fraterniity would say: "What astounding ignorance! Where have you been brought up?" The students are brought up in a Roman Cath- The pages of the newspaper to which sportsmen olic atmosphere; and a large number of them be- turn first, you do not even look at. The case is come formalis,ts or wander into the desert of the same with the majority of our academic stuagnosticism and scepticism. dents in Brazil. They have not come within a thousand miles of the Gospel, even though there A few months ago I met a college graduate who did not know whether Moses was before Christ
may be an evangelical church round the corner. 3. He would endeavor to keep himself informed The spirit of Christ requires of us, not that we concerning books suitable for his constit- uency and in keeping with the purpose of shall wait for them to come to us, but ,that we shall his mission, so that he could advise and guide go to them. The Good Shepherd went after the inquirers into profitable avenues of Christian lost sheep. literature. (A suitable magazine we already have–.:.viz., Sacra Lux.) A book talk might Brazil is nominally a Roman Catholic country, be the theme of one of his lectures. and for them the world is divided into Catholics and non-Caitholics. Hence many think of Prot- 4. He would make a speciality of personal interestants as in the same class with all the freak view by appointment; at these interviews he religions that have found their way into South could deal with intimate problems which America. Our task is to bring these people to the could not be handled at question time after living Saviour whom they have not so far discov- a lecture. ,While not evading the intellectual ered. side of such problems, he would stress the fact of Christ as the infallible solution to How can ,this be done for the academic classes? every problem, whether intellectual or moral. Not through invitations to our church services; for the large majority would not come. I suggest Doubtless there are many American and Engthree methods, each one dependent on the other; lish graduates who could ably occupy this p{)siefficiency requires all three, but a measure of suc- tion, but other things being equal, a Brazilian cess could be obtained with anyone alone. would be far more preferable. We have such a man. He is still on the youthful side of life, elo· 1. Well-bound Testaments and other suitable lit- quent in speech, attractive in personality, and well erature (well printed) sent through the post, educated, he everywhere gathers large audiences addressed to persons whose names could be of the intellectual class. The evening audience at obtained. The literature should not be sent his own church invariably includes a number of out in large numbers at one time. A safe the professional men of the city, as well as stu- number would be five. dents from the colleges. His book on "Christ as the Man of Sorrows" has gone into a second edi- 2. Personal work by church members who are tion. His pastoral duties prevent him from mak- themselves academics. Andrews should be ing frequent trips away from home, but those he on the lookout for Peters. has made have been crowned with success. The local churches will hire the cinema for a night, 3. A college graduate or university man could give and he will be advertised, not as a visiting pastor, his whole time as a missionary to academic but as an orator and an author. A subject such students. as "The Defects of the Human Will" provides ample opportunity to include the Gospel. Scores The firs.t method requires money and inside co- will attend such a lecture though they would not operation. The second requires men-and there go to a church service. After the leoture it is exare few church members among the academics; plained that owing to the expense of the cinema some who are there have not caught the vision of theater, one of the churches had been offered, and the harvest so near to hand. The third method re there the speaker of the evening could again be quires a specialist. He must have not only grace, heard. By this means many have been lead to but gifts also. If ithere were only one such spe- visit an evangelical church for the first time, and cialist, his work would have to be extensive; if have heard the full Gospel there. They discover there were more than one, their work could be that the Protestants are not as the priests have proportionately intensive. represented them. After the firs,t visit, the sec- ond is much easier, and they are on the way to What would be the work of such a missionary? find the light. I suggest the following main lines. Experience would probably indicate others: The academic class contains the future leaders of this progressive country. Here is a wor-th- 1. He would mix with academics as far as .time while work, which offers a fine opening for invest- and circumstances permitted, in order to ment, with guaranteed returns. make personal contacts. (These contacts would enable him to combine methods 1 and . Not only have we the man for the task, but we 2.) He would be careful not to disclose his also have an organization under whose auspioes he own denominational connection, because he could work and travel-viz., the Brazilian branch is not out ,to win men for his church, but for of the Committee of Cooperation in Latin Amer- Christ. ica, with offices at 254 Fourth Avenue, New York City. 2. He would embrace every opportunity to give addresses – not sermons – to audiences of academics only; these addresses would con- tain the hook of the Gospel, skilfully baited. At such gatherin~s he would invite questions.
B'ack. on Our Furlough*
By REV. RAY E. PHILLIPS, Johannesburg, South Africa Missionary of the American Board; author of "The Bantu Are Coming"
W E HAVE come back to South Africa laden It takes heroic leadership these days to compel with riches. Not in coin of the realm- attention to spiritual truth when the movies, the American or otherwise – but in friends, modern novel, the motor car, and the very air itfresh associations, and a better understanding of self, are agencies of such distracting, conflicting, our task. and competing appeals. It has been a frequent, Nine months of study have been immensely re- and thrilling experience to discover in various warding. We have become acquainted with the parts of the country churches which have evi- work of students of primitive cultures, as well as dently found the message and the methods for with that of research workers in modern indus- enlisting the joyous cooperation of young and old.
trial areas, and we have been assisted in looking There are people in our churches who are crit- at our task from new angles. ical of missions and say so quite frankly.
Mrs. Phillips and I have been privileged to "I have no time for missions," said a church meet with many young people at summer confer- member just before a church supper. "I have ences. What memories we have of companionship always questioned sending missionaries to people with high school and college boys and girls on col- who were perfectly happy in their own way, to lege campuses and at rallies and week-end confer- teach them to wear clothes, to eat our food, and, ences. in short, to bring all of the troubles and problems We have been given ample proof that some of of civilization to them. Wouldn't they really be the finest people in the world are to be found in better off without all these things 1"
the churches. We have been brought into close Statements of this sort are not only a confession contact with people whose names leap to mind of ignorance as to the actual, fear-ridden, soulwith a quickening of the heart-beat. We met destroying life of primitive peoples, but also a many devoted, intelligent, women scattered throughout the churches who are quietly, pa- curious admission that one's religion means little tiently, year after year, creating interest among more than food and clothing and the troubles of the indifferent, raising their quota for benevo- civilization! lences in spite of obstacles of all kinds, leavening the lump of more or less nominal church mem- Which introduces the question whether religious faith can be called "Christian" until it is so vital bership. and radiant that it overflows the bounds of one's We are back in South Africa with a new under- own family, church and nation to embrace all men everywhere 1 standing of the difficuties of the home pastor in America, and a deeper appreciation of the men As we look back on experiences in various cenwe have met in individual churches and at Con- ters, those which seem to have been the most references. Out in the Dust Bowl are men and warding were those where we had time really to women who would have been canonized had they get acquainted.
lived a few centuries back. And they are not all Conditions to Be Improved in the Dust Bowl, or in the smaller, rural Is there anything we have seen that we would like to see improved 1 We would prefer to dodge churches. this question were it not that one or two things In larger churches in the cities and towns, we have forced themselves quite definitely on our at- tention and are grateful for a chance to "off-load have sensed the steady, sacrificial giving of them- themselves," as we say in South Africa. selves on the part of pastors and their wives and the loyal church folk who stand by, all without First, my personal impression is that, in dealthe glamour surrounding missionary activity nor ing with young people, our church leaders are not the rewards and satisfactions that often come to concrete and personal enough when it comes to the worker in foreign lands.
• Condensed from The. Missionary Herald, religious experience. In spite of the ubiquitous [363 ]
insistence upon being realistic it seemed to me and are making Christian activity ultimately that it is almost entirely second-hand testimony meaningless. that is given out to the future members of the church. "Kagawa says-," "Stanley Jones Christ'~ insistence upon individual perfection says-," is about as far as many speakers get in -"Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is percommending the practice of Christianity. fect"-requires an eternity for its achievement. Belief in an eternity of existence in the realm of But I cannot escape the definite impression that an active, working God, one who is working speakers to young people and conference leaders against difficulties and who rej oices in the growth would rather do anything else than explain just of his children to share with him in his vast, coswhat Christ means to them. mic enterprise – this gives glorious meaning to life now. Is prayer a reality to them? Just what response do they receive from the Unseen God that deepens It validates and justifies the presence of probtheir conviction that they are on the right track? lems of increasing complexity in human life and Can they look back in their lives to any certain regards sacrifice and suffering as stepping stones time when they were certain that they were being to that finer type of manhood pre-requisite to guided by The Heavenly Father? emergence on a loftier plane of deity.
In short, is their faith something that they We must re-discover belief in Eternal Life on themselves have experienced, or is it a good phi- a new basis, not as "dope" but as "dynamite," losophy of life to be assented to intellectually as attaching permanent value to present-day spirethically sound. itual attainment, in order to inject fresh interest and more powerful incentive into Christian life On the occasions when I have suggested to and activity. Stripped of faith in the immorspeakers at summer conferences that they con- tality of the individual soul, how are we Christclude their talks with a personal testimony, noth- tians any better off in the matter of objectives ing has happened. than the Communists who are working for a righteous order here on earth and who have ex- In my seminar groups I have found that young ceeded the humanists in cleverness by making its people are hungry for an exchange of real, vital attainment lie just ahead-a few more five-year experience, and are grateful for personal confi- plans? dence on the part of the leader. With the background of belief in a Father God To my mind the main appeal of the Oxford who operates. in a universe so vast that he can Groups can be found right here. There is the utilize through the eternities that lie ahead, the ring of reality about their doing. One after an- potentialities latent in every individual on this other "Grouper" will say: "I have experienced-," small earth, this Christian task takes on added HI have been guided to-." radiance and significance.
Again, some churches and Christians seem to Even my black friends in Africa are seen to be be groping in a fog when it comes to a Christian of stupendous value; their future growth is of basis for missions or for Christian life at all these vital concern to all of us. We go gladly back to days. our work in that great land to bring the Good News to Bantu folk of their magnificent destiny Our fathers had a long-time objective, a heaven as sons of a Living God, and to help mold enof rest for the weary and of bliss for the suffer- vironing conditions which will help to develop ing, which put in proper perspective the inequali- that type of character which is essential to those ties and disabilities of earth and gave a sense of who would become "joint-heirs" of Christ. urgency to spreading the Good News. In the last ten years the American Bible Society Col- The whole idea of Immortality seems to have porteurs have sold eighty-five million copies of Scripture, become vague and indistinct, certainly it has small and .great. The Eastern Agency of the United ceased to have richness of content to many Chris- States showed last year an eighty per cent increase in the tians, many clergymen. Some of the younger purchase of whole Bibles. The Society put 35,000 Testachurch leaders are frank in admitting that Eter- ments into the Civilian Conservation Camps in 1933. One nal Life has no meaning for them. They say: agent and his colporteurs is working the little State of S·an Salvador on a house to house program, and expects "Why worry about it when there is so much to to cover the entire state in five years. Already they have be done in cleaning up this old world? Let us gone through 27 towns and 272 rural districts with a work for the coming of the Kingdom of God on population of 219,128. Gideons have placed Bibles in three earth." of the largest hotels of the City of San Salvador; also in those of Santa Ana and San Miguel. This is their first While agreeing as a social worker, that stu- placement by Gideons in Central America. pendous tasks remain to be undertaken to make society Christian, I cannot but feel, and with ERNEST GORDON. equal intensity, that without a long-range view of life as Eternal we are emasculating our Gospel
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II Effective Ways of Working Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~=I==============================~~~ PATTERNS TO FIT ANY A hymn, "Lead on 0 King She then calls on the entire membership to rise and take a PROGRAM Eternal," or "The Light of the World Is Jesus" may be used as pledge for cooperation and sup- Whether your organization is an opening. While the pianist port in every way, in order that planning to use the study topics the kingdoms of this world may or an independent outline as a plays suitable music softly, a basis for the year's programs, young woman in white, carrying become the Kingdom of our Lord plans to brighten up the topics and S a vi 0 u r, Jesus Christ. and also to mark certain out- a large candle, enters and is imstanding days and occasions in mediately followed by the six re- Leader declares the officers are the course of the yeftr are desir- tiring and six incoming officers, duly installed and a closing able, unless the work is to be- all bearing candles but with only prayer is offered before the parcome dull and unalluring save those of the former lighted. to those already interested in ticipants march out to the tune missions. Look through the fol- When the leader moves to the of "Fling Out the Banner." lowing suggestions, gathered right side of the table, the offifrom here and there, and see cers take their places in front of Another effective installation whether you may not find some the chairs, the two presidents usable program patterns. exercise is based on the plan of standing in the center, etc., in a wheel. Called to the front, the corresponding pairs. new president stands at the cen- ter with the other officers When all are in place, the around her to form the hub, the leader sets her large candle in circle chairman a few feet far- For Special Days and the center of the circle and re- ther out constituting the rim. Occasions cites impressively selected Scrip- These chairmen hold ribbons ex- ture passages regarding light, its tending to the president, to form Installation Services: With function in the City of the New the spokes. Then the installing new officers coming in at the be- Jerusalem, and our obligation to officer reads a choice statement ginning of the fiscal year, many extend this light to the non- as to God's mighty plan for His societies will welcome ways of Christian world, this being the work on earth necessitating hu- placing the mantle of responsi- occasion for the present recon- man activation, the Church bebility on the shoulders of the secration service. ing the chief instrument through leaders and rallying the mem- Next, the retiring president which this cooperation is accom- bership to get behind the work. places her candle on No.1 in the plished. Each machine has many An impressive service used for circle and recites, "The Lord is wheels, each one has its place the Young People's Department my light and my salvation," ad- with its specific work to be faith- of the M. E. Women's Foreign dressing the incoming president fully and steadily done. The so- Missionary Society first sets its as to her duties and responsi- ciety (whatever organization is stage with 12 chairs in a semi- bilities. The latter lights her giving the program) is one very circle back of a table on which candle at the large central taper important wheel in the local a circle 18 inches in diameter and placing it in the circle on church unit, the officers before has been marked, 12 numbers No.7, recites, "They that wait the audience being a most re- being marked thereon at regular upon the Lord," etc. sponsible portion. "This wheel intervals so the officers may see The retiring president steps before us has 10 spokes, a frame- just where to place their candles. back a pace while the leader calls work as you see, each one the Instead of, or with, the candles, the first vice-presidents, the pro- chairman of a group which in- a cape of white with a cross of cedure for the two presidents cludes you and me. There must blue may be worn on the left being duplicated, with new be an ever-widening-out in shoulder of each retiring officer, verses. In similar fashion each hearty cooperation, the whole and taken off and put on the set of officers takes part, until circumscribed by the rim of officer succeeding her at the all are in position. The leader united cooperation. The wheel moment when she is installed. faces the (inner) circle of offi- must be oiled, kept clean and Headbands of white with blue cers and calls on them to repeat free from rust, have perfect bal- cross in front may be worn by the pledge for faithful discharge ance, do its work in harmony all. of duties, as she lines it out. with other wheels, avoid fric- [365 ]
tion, and be repaired from time N. J., tells of the meeting place praise the Lord," and "Come to to time by the One who regulates the whole (Jesus Christ)." A arranged as the waiting room of the Y. W. A. meeting of Praise consecration hymn and prayer follow. a railway station, "Division of and Thanksgiving, at" (date The Annual Meeting: Much our Great Baptist National and and place). tact and endeavor are usually necessary to lighten the heavy International Railways." There A very charming plan, as details and make the service attractive. Church Business re- were reports. from the secretary, given in the Baptist mimeoports this one, as used in a church at Medina, Ohio: The the treasurer and the corre- graphed sheet, Program Pointprogram sheet was headed: sponding secretary-who arrives ers, describes a pot of gold "ON BOARD THE GOOD SHIP on a late train preceded by "red (brass bowl filled with orange 'FIRST CHURCH,' IN PORT AT caps" carrying her luggage, etc. flowers) on a table decorated MEDINA FOR ITS 115TH ANNUAL Around the room was a maga- with rainbow colors, seven gold MEETING ON . . . . . . (DATE AND zine stand displaying the denom- paper streamers leading into it. HOUR) ." inational magazine and reading Seven participants, each with a Order of the Day- contest books; travelers' aid crepe paper sash representing a (a) Hear the reading of the Ship's log for 1938 (nominating (White Cross work for mission'-. rainbow color, stand together committee's report). hospitals) ; tickets (the new gift with a silver box in one hand (b) Transact business and make necessary repairs while Ship boxes); information booth (new and the end of one of the gold is in dry dock. literature), etc. Girls of a junior streamers in the other, singing (c) Set it afloat for 1938-39 with all good wishes. organization served as red caps "There's a Rainbow Shining (d) Election of new officers for the or helpers. Certain reports are Somewhere," the audience join- Ship (clerk and tellers). received as telegrams by girl in ing in the chorus. (This can be (e) Assembling of Officers and Sail- ors on Upper Deck-special messenger's cap. The Prayer obtained in sheet music from the music on ship-board. (Gath- ering for church dinner.) Committee reports on the Source Rodeheaver Co., Philadelphia.) (f) "All Aboard!" of Power. The Scriptures were One by one these seven persons The Ship's Mess-the Stewardess and used as "running orders." Post- take part, each holding up her Helpers (dinner at 6: 30 p. m.) . ers told of house parties to be box as she speaks. Calling of Crew together for the An- nual Session. held in summer (missionary (1) Violet stands for Faith, (a) Devotions and prayer for safe conferences). There was a without which we cannot fill our return ….. the Chaplain. lunch ro?m glee club, and. after silver offering boxes. (b) Reading of the Ship's Log ….. the meetmg t~e membershIp fol- (2) Indigo stands for Hope, the Captain. lowed the SIgn to the ~unch and without hope for the future (c) Recognition of the Crew (pas- counter w her e sandWIches, we shall not have the inspiration toral committee, trustees- who keep Ship afloat; mis- doughnuts. and co f fee. were needed to fill the boxes. sionary committee – who di- rect its course to faraway served. Fmally the trll;m an- Similarly there are repre- parts; the men – "who lie down below, below"; the nounce; called, the. trams. on sented Blue for Joy, Green for choir-who keep us joyful; tracks 35 ,~nd 36, w~~h ,~tah?ns the S. S. – that makes good sl:1ch " a~ .Harm?n~;" AmIty- Brotherliness, Yellow for Pa- sailors; the young people– v~lle,', FrI~~dshIr,,, Opportu- who will be officers some day; mty and SerVICe, ~nd the tience, Orange for Loyalty, Red the scouts-who are at your for Sacrifice. "We put these service). boxes in the Rainbow Pot of The Purser's Report (treasurer). newly elected officers (mstalled silver; but if given with our by the p,~stor) left ~y t~e door Faith, Hope, Joy, Brotherliness, Report of Keeper of Records (clerk). marked To the Trams. etc., they will surely come from Three Cheers for the Old Crew-the *** Stokers and All. the Pot of Gold transformed into Launching of the Ship for Another Thanksgiving and also the golden gifts ready to lift the Voyage (announcement of new officers) . annual Thank Offering Meeting burden of our denomination and Ports Ahead ("What I'd like to see are high lights deserving special worthy of the 'Well done' of the Ship do this year," and "Where the Ship might go"). features. A poster suggestion our Master." Then followed a "Blest Be the Tie that Binds." for advertising a young wom- song specially composed for the Benediction. an's meeting (in The Window occasion.
*** of Y. W. A.) showed two young A good devotional for a Another plan used by Mrs. women standing at opposite Thanksgiving meeting uses a A. H. C. Morse, of Jersey City, sides of the page, the one on the Scriptural acrostic. After open- left carrying a basket of goodies ing remarks on the special occa- labelled as petitions for things sion, say, "Let us think for selfishly desired, with a very awhile of the letters in the word few labelled "Thank you." The T-h-a-n-k-s-g-i-v-i-n-g that are girl on the right held a basket of also the first letters of the words delectables labelled for things that cause our hearts to be for which she was grateful. Both thankful" : baskets were extended as if be- T-ruth, Psalm 117: 2; H-ope, ing offered up to God. Blessings Psa. 39: 7; A-bide, John 15: 10; poured in a shower on the girl N-ame, Luke 8: 30a; K-now, at the right, the words under- Luke 19: 43; S-ee, Psa. 65: 5a; neath being, "0 that men would G-race, Acts 11: 23a; I-ncline,
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Josh. 24: 23; V-oice, 1 Cor. 14: Seat. Once more we are re- member of the several women's 10; I-ncrease, Provo 9: 9b; minded that out of one blood boards, thus acquiring a knowl- N-ew, Rev. 21: 5a; G-o Forward, God hath made all nations of edge of missionaries under Ex. 14: 15. We can "Go For- men, and that all may come to world-wide conditions. For 25 ward" on deeds of mercy and Him with their burdens and years she was Methods Editor love, after this service, and so cares. of Missions and wrote missionfind happiness in things to be ary leaflet literature, pamphlets thankful for. Sing, "Count And now as the day lengthens and pageants. In 1932 she be- Your Many Blessings." A brief toward the setting sun, the West- gan to edit this Department in talk follows each letter in this ern Hemispheres take up the the REVIEW. Mrs. Aitchison acrostic. – Adapted from World strain – from pole to pole, in hopes, after a period of rest, to Comrades. many tongues-Spanish or Por- take up writing and speaking tuguese, Alaskan or French, again. Outstanding Features for English or Indian, we lift our Any Meeting hearts and voices to the God of Miss Grace McGavran Nations, who is the God of the Takes Hold A Diurnal Cycle of Prayer, as individual too, and pray for perused at a Presbyterial group sonal and civic righteousness- As we bid farewell to Mrs. meeting, may be incorporated "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will Aitchison, we welcome to our into any program as its devo- be done." editorial staff Miss Grace W. tional, or used on the Day of McGavran of Indianapolis, In- Prayer. Another name for it is "Prayer in the land of the fir tree and diana, who will become the Ed- "A Prayer Quest" : pine; itor of this Department. She is a member of the "Disciples" Out on the wide Pacific where Prayer in the land of the fig tree Church and has had wide and East meets West, this day's peti- valuable experience in writing tions are borne. Faraway Japan and vine; and in promoting better and hears the call to prayer and more effective methods of pre- Christians, both white and yel- Prayer where the waves dash loudly senting missions to groups of low, gather and bow the knee Christians at home. to the same Father. Our own and cold; hearts but echo the terror and She was brought up in India appeal in theirs, as they see that Prayer where the lion stalks fearless and later was a secretary of Misfair land following the god of sionary Education in the United War. and bold; Christian Missionary Society. Her first contribution will ap- Swiftly the hours move west- Prayer in cathedrals whose spires pear in our September number, ward and soon the call to prayer dealing with "Tested Methods resounds across the far East, in tower high; for Increasing Interest at Home" Korea and Siam, in Cambodia -through books, enlisting new and Anam, and in war-torn Prayer in kirks and cabins close by; members, improving missionary China. Thousands lift up their meetings, drama and other pracvoices to Almighty God in a na- Prayer where two are gathered to tical plans. She will keep in tion-wide cry for peace and mind the interests and needs of safety. pray; , pastors, teachers and parents, as well as those of officers of local Christians all over India join Everywhere, everywhere, prayer to- societies and laymen. We bewith us and with each other to speak for Miss McGavran your plead with the God of nations to day." hearty cooperation. If you have lead them to the right solution any problems or questions along of their internal difficulties. Mrs. Aitchison Retires these lines, or any experience or ideas that have proved effective The sun moves on over the After editing this department in promoting missionary inter- Near East and bathes the ancient on "Effective Ways of Working" est and cooperation, send them land of Iran and the Hqly to Miss Grace McGavran, 5718 Land of sacred Writ ……… . for nearly seven years, Mrs. Es- Oak Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana. (add a suitable complete statement) . tella S. Aitchison feels it neces- EDITOR., sary to retire. Health needs to Day dawns in Russia, but we be conserved, and other respon- Yesterday evangelism was vodo not find Christians gathering sibilities call for attention. We in churches to pray together. . . join with the readers of this De- cational; today it is avocational. so in humble homes behind partment in deep gratitude to locked doors . . . Mrs. Aitchison for the faithful Yesterday it was perennial; to- way in which she has presented As the hours fly swiftly by, the methods that have been of day it is only seasonal. Yesterwe see the blacks in Africa by help to many in the churches. the thousands, and Christians in day it was victorious; today it every country in Europe, meet- Mrs. Aitchison was born in ing around a common Mercy Iowa, and from an early age has is simply visitational. – W. G. been identified with church mis- Coltman. ' sionary organizations. She was married to Dr. John Y. Aitchi- son, a Baptist. minister, who subsequently became joint secre- tary for Baptist Home and For- eign Mission Societies, later Home Secretary for the Baptist Foreign Mission Society, and finally General Director of the Baptist Board of Missions Cor- poration. Mrs. Aitchison shared his rich missionary experience in the pastorate and served as BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~,==================~ THE CHURCH IN THE CITY in which his Church is to face CITY MAN. Charles H. Sears. Friend- the city or the extent to which '.". ship Press, New York. Cloth, Where do the greatest number hI·S. Chu'rch'~s t a 11 ow t h.e C' tI.y TH$E1.50C;ROpWaDpEeDr, 7W5AcYeSn.ts. Charles H. of Americans live? How much do they know about their en- 0 vironment? How do they earn to mfluence It. Not only IS thIS Sears. Friendship Press New their living? What do they theme for study exceedingly York. Board, 35 cents; pS:per, 25 really get out of life? What part has the Church in influencing tsi.mmce~lry~, bCuh.trIi.St ti·~sanesms. enhtiI'a~l pfroerst~hnet CITcMYenutrsAr.aNyD HC. HLUeRiCffHer. INWTilRleAtNt,SICTIlOarNk. this life in all its varied aspects? partIclpatIOn m Amerlcan hfe. & Co., 1938. $2.50. What part ought the Church to have? All groups whether urban or OUR CITIES: THEIR ROLE IN THE ~A- ·11 fi n' d the S.t ud~ st·lmu- TtiIcOsN, AgLraEpChOs,NOcMhaYr.ts, Hetecl.pfuFl osrtastaIsle- These and many other ques- ru~a1, W tions await answer or stimulat- I ing discussion and enlightenment latmg. Those who hve m large by the Superintendent of Docuin the study of the Home Mis- cities are the subject under con- ments, Washington, D. C. 70 cents. sion Theme for 1938-39 on "The sideration. Those in smaller CITY CHURCH INVENTORY. A brief Church in the City." Follow- ~l·t·les or t owns h. ave some S.lm- mapapnruaaisletoitshelilpfe aanndavseerravgicee.chuPrrcohing the study of last year on Ilar problems or may face them cure from Home Missions Council, the "Church in Rural America" it is appropriate to give equally later. Those in rural areas de- 297 Fourth Avenue, New York. studious attention to the exceedingly challenging city situation. pend upon cities for the pattern 10 cents. Those who fail to take advantage of modern 1I·v·mg. All wh0 be- CO2L1L,IER1S938M. AGAAZrItNicEl.e oIsnsue"Shooft-MGuany long to the Church face the Houses."
Christianizing of the city as a What You Can Do with common task.
Resources Available These Materials As an individual in a number of this opportunity will be losing The Missionary Education of ways you can help to inform a valuable and helpful personal Movement of the United States yourself, your Church and your experience, and will be failing and Canada presents again this friends outside the Church, so as to measure up in their obliga- to profit by these materials. Few year a number of books and lead- city people know their own city, tions to the Church in its major and few realize how important Home Mission task today. ers' guides which will make it a knowledge of the city is in pro- possible for every type of age or moting the City Church. If you The city is a part of a great interest group to outline a course can first increase your own change in trend in American for study or to build programs knowledge and then arouse an which will bring keen interest interest in others by the added life. "In a little more than a and value. Although most of facts you have acquired you will century, our country has pro- the women's groups or mixed be taking an important first step foundly altered its mode of life, adult groups will give major in advancing this program. emphasis to the adult book by and has been transformed from Dr. Kincheloe, leaders will find Some significant facts put a frontier settlement into a full- much valuable reference mate- upon striking posters; some fledged urban, industrial so- rial in all of the books published. graphs or some important staciety." In the June REVIEW Book De- tistics; a map showing different partment will be found a list of population areas in your city; "City Man" has not been pre- books recommended by Dr. the housing situation; the depared for the growth of his city Charles H. Sears of interest to linquency record; the welfare in all of its marked variations. those studying the Church in program; any of these linked up the City. In addition we note wherever possible with the He finds it difficult to adjust here a few additional source ma- Church of your city in its coophimself to the changed and terials that have seemed to us eration, or its lack of cooperachanging environment. Who valuable for reference: tion, may attract the attention of some one and lead to an really is his neighbor becomes a THE CITY'S CHURCH. H. Paul Doug- inquiry concerning the source of question that he himself is baf- lass. Friendship Press, New York. fled in answering. And of ever- Cloth, only 35 cents. increasing importance to him, if he is a church member – not merely on the membership list, but in active service-is the way [368 ]
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
your information. If all that For program building for conferences that should lead to a World Federation of Churches. you can do is to read and have women's or you n g people's Secondly, it seeks to renew someone else read these thought- groups there is also adequate the passion that has fired the Christian Church through the provoking books, you have material on the city theme for ages to send forth laborers into all areas of need. Personal conachieved a first goal. many use s. Denominational tacts and messages from our own missionaries and from those But this first step might well headquarters will give you sug- of other races reveal again the lead to the organization of a gestions and will have series of need of a redeeming Saviour. group for more intensive study. programs outlined for your use. It ought to. If so, the group will If you cannot find already out- A balanced program not only be glad not only to work for lined just what seems to meet stretches the mind and gives their own advancement, but they the need of your group, we refer world vision, but attacks the will assist you in bringing to the you again to the above list of concrete problem of how to proentire congregation the results references. From the leaders' ject this vision into the local of your work together. For guides you may select what will church. This year the challenge group study, refer to the lead- appeal to your group. Dr. of India and the miracle of what ers' guides noted above. You Searle's book "City Shadows" is happening to one-sixth of the will find in them many helpful will be sure to find among all a people on the opposite side of the suggestions. If you have a sympathetic response. Anyone globe, will be paralleled by a group to assist you, there might of these chapters will give back- course on how the Church may be produced a more informing ground for a most stimulating make the Kingdom of God efmap of your city. It might be discussion which will make an fective in a modern American started in one session and grow excellent program. city. Instruction on how to profrom session to session. Begin- The City Church in America mote these courses and how to ning with the central area in should be awakened not only to arouse the Church to an urgent your city which will be first geo- thought but to action by the need for action, is essential. graphically and historically, you home mission study for this can ,work out until you have put year. Those who have prepared The third objective of a suminto the map all of the features the materials have done a note- mer conference is the social felof special concern to your group. worthy service. It remains for lowship. In the renewing and It will be found that the general those who have the privilege of forming of new friendships with pattern of city life is similar for using them and of urging others those of like interest and pasdifferent cities in different parts to use them to make the best of sion we find a stimulus to greater their opportunities. May the service. of the country. Many subjects will present "Church" and the "City" profit In the Bible and devotional themselves for discussion or de- in large measure and may the hours, prophets of today will bate. Interesting assignments Kingdom be advanced by this present the Living Christ who, can be made to individuals with- program! as in the days when He walked NONA M. DIEHL, and talked with men, remains in the group from the wealth of today the only hope of a tangled Member of the Annual Meeting world. Only as our hearts burn books and pamphlets available. Committee of the Council of within us will women attending Women for Home Missions. summer conferences find a cre- In a discussion of the city ative faith equal to the mission- Church itself and its present ary task of the Church.
purpose and function a good OBJECTIVES OF A SUM- B. LoUISE WOODFORD, method will be found in the leaders' guide to Dr. Kincheloe's MER CONFERENCE Chairman of the Chautauqua Com.mittee for the Council of book by Kenneth D. Miller. It "Did not our hearts burn with- Women for Home Missions and the Foreign Missions Conwill be agreed that the pattern in us as He talked with us." ference.
of the average city Church Thus spoke two weary, disillu- CONFERENCE LEADERS!
should no longer provide chiefly sioned, discouraged men who Having studied Rural America, leaders will find knowledge of migrant work an infor a Sunday morning service. had found a dynamic faith that dispensable springboard connecting Rural America with the American City and its Neither should the Neighbor- sent them out to help change a Church. Conference Packets have been ashood House, built up chiefly . world. The summer missionary sembled for the use of leaders, including the booklet They Starve that We May Eat; a around group activities, be al- conferences plan to bring to Leader's Guide to be used In connection with They Starve that We May Eat; an Illuslowed to take the place of the women today, who also live in a trated map; A Volume of Service,' Around the Calendar with the Crops; and other Church. Mr. Miller presents in weary, disillusioned world, a valuable material all for the price of 60 cents. Write to the Council of Women for the last two sessions of his out- faith that will dare the impos- Home Missions, 297 Fourth Avenue, New York, N. Y., or your denominational headline a constructive plan for dis- sible. quarters for the packet.
cussing the place and function First it seeks to clarify the of the Church in the modern place of the ongoing Christian city. The Church should not Mission of the Church amid the duplicate other city service movements that threaten the activities, but it must become democratic ideals of Christiancivic-minded. It must not only ity. It presents the urgent need elaborate its policy but rethink of a united Christian front and its philosophy. the attempt made in recent
World~wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~~ EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO "
~'I=·================I~ ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO ment and plaster work. The about to devour Jesus. Numer- Ways of Working in building will accommodate 1,000 ous caricatures of God, the Pope, the Philippines people. It will be cruciform in ,,..priests, ministers and rabbis Filipino Christian workers emphasize the personal touch, shape, with a bell tower and were included. The crusade and recognize the value of Christ-like living. One of them cross, a concrete base, raised against the Roman Catholic writes: altar and choir stalls, over which Church in Mexico was portrayed "We have tried to meet individuals at the most opportune there will be a Gothic arch. with numerous pages from time here and there, in our homes or theirs, on the street, in Spotlights will be used to illu- school books. Communism, the market, in the stores, in their places of work in the town or minate the choir, altar and fascism and totalitarianism were country. We have met people on all sorts of occasions, at electric organ chamber. All fur- also featured as enemies of weddings, funerals, receptions, parties, birthday celebrations, nishings will be of redwood to Christianity. In the German fiestas, social functions, recreation times – wherever a word resist white ants, which de- section, newspapers and pamcould be said to turn attention to Christ and the Church. stroyed the old church. phlets set forth the German "Many of our best members -Pacific Islands Monthly. Neo-Pagan Movement. One have been won by following up the faithful work of teaching the pamphlet, w h i c h emphasized Gospel in the Sunday Schools. Much good has been accom- Australian Youth Oalling anti-Semitism, was entitled, plished through the use of tracts. "Jesus-Only a Jew." Also, the traveling clinics have Ninety thousand Australian proved powerful evangelizing Christian Endeavorers have in- An hour in this exhibition was agencies. A doctor, a nurse, two deaconesses and two helpers vited other Endeavorers from a sobering experience. It is now comprise such a team. Two all nations and tongues to meet weeks as a rule are spent in a in Melbourne on August 2', 1938, on a tour of schools, colleges and town. The days are given to the healing of men's bodies, while for the Tenth World's Christian patriotic societies throughout the evenings are devoted to Endeavor Convention. Here is health talks and messages which one of the youngest nations call- the country as an evidence of the point them to the Great Physician who is able to heal their ing Christian youth of all na- extent to which anti-religious souls. propaganda will go when given Portable Ohurch license. -Missions. A church, to be shipped in sections to Nauru Island, in the tions to meet for an advance. Juvenile Delinquency Central Pacific, has been built Australia is a great, largely unin Melbourne, Australia. Wood, The New Jersey Juvenile Decement and fibrous plaster are developed continent about as linquency Commission has just the main materials. They were large as China or as the United submitted a report to the Govpaid for with £3,000 subscribed ernor, in which it is shown that by the Nauruans, who will erect States of America – but it now failure to attend church and a the church and complete the ce- contains only about 4,000,000 lack of religious training has a people-mostly white.
NORTH AMERIOA direct bearing upon the problem An Anti-God Show of juvenile delinquency and crime. In their search for causes An unusual exhibition was re- and cures, the Commission inter- cently held in New York City, viewed 1,500 offenders serving sponsored by the Roman Cath- terms in four penal institutions, olic Church. It featured more inquiring into their home rela- than 2,500 books, pamphlets, tionships, school experiences, magazines, handbills, posters church attendance and other and other anti-God propaganda factors. In the findings of the material. Three years were re- Commission we read: quired to assemble this array, "Though the great majority including a number of bitterly of the mothers and fathers of anti-religious posters from Rus- these offenders attended some sia. church, according to the testi- One poster showed a Russian mony of their sons, regular at- peasant with a gigantic broom tendance was far less common sweeping away Bibles, ikons, in- among the sons themselves. cense burners, etc. Another "Of the mothers, 80 per cent showed a group of cannibals were declared to be regular in [370 ] attendance, and 65 per cent of object was to examine personal fect would check the spread of the fathers. No fewer than 43 lives in the light of God's truth false political systems. Said per cent of the offenders gave a and God's commands, so that we she: blunt 'no' with respect to their should heed Him when He own attendance, and enough speaks. "The Christian world has paid tribute to the witnessing of the more returned equivocal answers "As soon as the term began German church and its pastors to bring the number of irregular the program was sent to every against Hitler. We know what attendants up to 53 per cent. resident member of the Univer- Christianity means to those peo- Thus, only 47 per cent claimed sity-both senior and junior- ple now. I would like to know some 6,000 people. Together what it meant to them at an any regularity of attendance." with it was an open letter from earlier date. What were they the three missioners stating the doing when Hitler was rising to Is New York Pagan? case for such a mission and power? What was the Church emphasizing their own unity of doing? What was the Y. W. The City of New York, with conviction." C. A. doing? Was there a time when the united action of Chrisits 7,500,000 inhabitants, has -Intercollegian and Far tian forces could have averted H.orizons. Naziism? Is not that where we 1,074 Protestant churches, with are today? … Preaching Mission Continues 554,000 members. Thus only "This is not an easy time to In spite of the fact that the be a Christian. We are faced seven per cent of the population National Preaching Mis s ion with the problem of putting ended last December, the impulse Christianity into practice in an is reported as having member- continues, of which the latest in- age characterized by a meaning- dication is the decision of the lessness that is terrifying, by an ship in Protestant churches of North Dakota Association of insecurity that breeds fear and Denominational Superintendents drives us to unreasoning action the American metropolis. Of to conduct a state-wide mission when the securities we set up in the autumn of 1938. The for ourselves prove vulnerable." these members less than forty plan has been endorsed by the state organizations of the Meth- -Religious News Service. per cent indicate that they at- odist, Baptist, Congregational and Presbyterian bodies. Six Presbyterian Centennial Fund tend church and only two per missions will be held in six dif- ferent centers of the State- A year ago the Presbyterian cent, on an average, will be Grand Forks, Devil's Lake, Board of Foreign Missions, cele- Minot, Fargo, Jamestown and brating one hundred years of found in Christian churches on Bismarck. service, set a goal of $1,000,000 to be raised for foreign missions. anyone Sunday. There are 194,- Nine missions have been held The Fund has now passed the at different centers in Maine, half million mark. In view of 000 on the rolls of the Sabbath four days being spent in each the sudden and unexpected place by the group of cooper- financial "recession," the Board schools, or about two per cent ating leaders; 141 local churches considers it a matter for thank- of 10 denominations cooperated fulness that this much has been of the population. This shows and the total attendance in the accomplished. It has been voted nine missions was approximately to approve the following per- New York to be one of the great 18,000. One of the practical out- centage allocation of this Fund: comes of the Maine Mission was non-Christian centers of the the decision to hold a state con- I. New Missionaries …… 600/0 vention of the pastors of all II. Restoration of Salary Cuts 200/0 world and one of the places denominations next fall for wor- III. Evangelistic Expansion. 11 0/0 ship, to plan the year's program IV. Educational and Medical greatly in need of evangeliza- and to promote interdenomina- tional comity and understanding. Expansion ……….. 80/0 tion. -Revelation. V. Other Urgent Needs …. 10/0 -Federal Council. Christian Evangelism Pioneer Among the Pimas in Colleges Fresh Dynamic Needed This year marks the hun- Twenty universities in the Mrs. Austin Kimball, national dredth ann i v e r s a r y of Dr. United States are planning president of the Y. W. C. A., in Charles H. Cook, who for thir- "Christian Missions" during the her opening address to the 2,000 teen years worked among the next college year. The report of delegates to the organization's Pima Indians of Arizona witha "Mission to the University at 15th biennial convention, in Co- out a single convert, but lived Oxford, England," meeting last lumbus, Ohio, last April, said to see 2,000 of them accept February, will help to clar- that Christian ideals put into ef- Christ. Not far from where he ify the thought of those who first taught stands the First plan these missions in America. Presbyterian Church of Tucson, We quote from this report: "It was decided that what was needed was a clear and unequivocal declaration of the one eternal Gospel. The essential thing for a Christian university, now so largely oblivious of its Christian origin, is to be clear about what Christianity is. …
"The preparation began publicly at the beginning of last October, and since then weekly services of prayer have been held. In all the twenty-eight colleges there were meetings of small groups of Christian leaders, for prayer and study. The
a memorial to this "apostle to damaged. Last April the Church Scofield, the report says: "Only the Pimas." From this center have sprung up seven other filed claims against the Japanese recently has it taken the whole churches which serve a population of 6,000 Indians. They are government for this damagE;, and question of church development strategically located over an area about the size of Connecti- for the use of its property for seriously: in the past it has been cut. war purposes. The lowest esti- confent simply to preach and to Through Dr. Cook's influence a training school for Indians was mate of the damage sustained is pass on." founded in 1911. All the native evangelists now at work on the $500,000. That is to say, more impor- Pima, Papago, Maricopa and Apache fields are former pupils This appeal to Secretary of tance is being given to the mainof the Charles H. Cook Bible School. There are also many State Hull is the first to be made tenance of a settled ministry. others who are Sunday School teachers, choir directors and officially by a Church board. The book's statistics show that exemplary citizens in their home communities. Pimas have sent Other denominations have con- the total number of evangelical forth their missionaries to the Papagos, the Apaches (their sidered such action, but so far Christians in the one republic ancient enemies) and to others u n til the establishment of none have been made. of Guatemala is almost equal to Christian citizenship among the 18 tribes of Arizona is one great '~–the total number of the other enterprise. LATIN AMERIOA four republics combined. -Monday Morning. Training Porto Rican Youth – Watchman-Examiner. China Relief Organizations A Training School for Sunday Indians' Search for God The following agencies in School teachers and officers in America have been at work the three Presbyterian churches The South American Missionhelping China's distress: The of Mayaguez, P. R., was held ary Society has been engaged American Bureau for Medical recently, with an attendance of for nearly a century in the diffi- Aid to China; the American 65. The courses included: Sur- cult task of taking the Gospel to Red Cross; American Student vey of the New Testament, the Indians of that continent. Union; Associated Boards for Teaching P rim a r y Children, One piece of pioneer work in the Christian Colleges; China Emer- Story Telling, History of the Argentine Chaco has been regency Civilian Relief; China Bible and Methods of Teaching. markably successful. About Famine Relief, U. S. A., Inc.; Almost all who took the courses seven years ago, Toba Indians China War Relief Association; were young people. Specific sent a deputation to the Mission, Chinese Women's Relief Asso- problems of the field were dis- asking for a teacher and saying ciation; Federal Council of cussed, and a spirit of enthu- that they were in search of "Our Churches; International Stu- siasm was manifest. Father." Mr. Leake accepted dent Service; National Intercol- the challenge, prepared to graplegiate Christian Council, the In Porto Rico, where there are ple with the difficult language, National Student Federation of more children in Sunday School and in November, 1930, launched America and the various Church than in any Spanish-speaking the new undertaking. During boards having work in China. country, there are thirty Pres- the intervening years, there has Send your gift to any of these. byterian Young People's Socie- been a steady stream of converts, ties, with nearly 1,200 members. corporate church life has been Other groups whose only ac- Three district Unions hold quar- established, and the singing of tivity is raising funds for relief hymns has now superseded the include the International Mis- terly Conventions; once a year incantations of the witch-doctor. sionary Council, China Child Before the advent of the mission- Welfare and China Medical all assemble in one general Con- ary, the Tobas were a dying race, Boards. vention. At the last such meet- but medical service has effec- ing, those in attendance were tively arrested a mounting Damage Claims Against divided into three groups for death-rate. Furthermore, total Japanese discussion of the "Youth and illiteracy, which originally pre- Spiritual Emphasis Program of vailed, has largely been over- Of Southern Methodist prop- the Board of Christian Educa- come. erty in China, 24 buildings are tion." This proved to be more said to be in ashes and 98 per stimulating than the usual pro- A striking feature of the work cent of the remainder have been gram of speeches. is the self-appointment of twelve Indian evangelists who, on their Religion in Central America own initiative, determined to go out each Sunday afternoon into The World Dominion Press the villages and preach the Gos- has added to its numerous sur- pel. Before setting out, it is veys of mission fields one on their practice to meet in a small Central America. One finds prayer-hut, where they seek from this survey that "there is guidance and plan their itiner- less educational activity in Cen- ary. Results everywhere follow tral America in proportion to their preaching, and their ex- evangelistic enterprise than is ample has led to the erection of general in the larger Latin other prayer-huts. American republics." -The Christian. Of the Central American Mis- sion founded in 1890 by Dr. C. 1.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
North Brazil Evangelical tional) received an additional so prevalent among Christians is Seminary faithless and unreasonable. . . . income of over 17,000 pounds, Two years ago a group of and came within some 8,000 Religion is a natural instinct. Deworkers in North Brazil unani- pounds of wiping out its accu- generate people will have a degenerate mously agreed that the solution mulated deficiency of 76,000 religion. If Christianity becomes exto their problem was an inter- pounds. The Baptist Society tinct for want of teachers, the Holy denominational Bible School for finished with a heavy' deficit of Spirit will take care of the Church. the training of Brazilian work- Church history has shown us again ers. As the months passed, one 13,000 pounds. Through be- and again that the blood of the mardifficulty after another was re- tyrs is the seed of the Church. I think moved, and the Union Bible quests the C. M. S. received the Church was probably at its purest School became an established 98,000 pounds, the Bible Society during the persecutions which weeded fact. A spacious house was 68,000 pounds, and the London out the insincere and the half-hearted; Missionary Soc i e t y 33,000 and I believe that in all these coun- pounds. tries which I have mentioned the ulti- mate result of the anti-God campaign placed at the School's disposal will be the revival of Christianity in and fifteen students appeared at Protestantism in Portugal a purer form than before the troubles. Religion really is not taught: it is the opening. The two Bible The Evangelical Alliance of caught from someone who has it al- Portugal has recently issued a ready. And your duty and mine, if Schools which had previously we want to make Christianity a more existed and whose amalgamation compilation of those laws which vital force . . . is to show forth the affect the standing of the Prot- fruits of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, formed the "Seminario Evan- estant Churches in Portugal. longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, gelico de Norte," taken together, The fact that these occupy forty temperance.
had not approached this number.
There had been no effort to in- pages of small print show the Unified Church in France duce students to come and no attention which is given to regpublicity whatever. They just ulating the position of the local A unified Protestant Church arrived. religious bodies. The effect of in France was achieved as a re- They come from the various sult of a meeting at Lyon of the recent cases of discrimination Constituent Assembly of Protstates in North Brazil, from against evangelicals by local au- estant Churches on April 28. Pernambuco, Sergipe, Parahyba, thorities is reflected in these The Assembly brought together pages, which contain the text of Ceara, Maranhao and Para. over 600 congregations of four They represent all classes. There recent instructions sent to all such authorities, laying down denominations to heal a breach are those from the hoe, and the in French Protestantism that more cultured city men. They that "it is not to be tolerated goes back to 1872, when liberals that evangelical C h r i s t ian s among the Evangelical Reare drawn from the various de- should be the victims of vionominations at work in North formed Church declined to sub- Brazil. They vary in capacity. lence." scribe to a new Declaration of -World Dominion Press. Some are taking only the two Faith and established the Reyears of intensive training for evangelists offered by the Sem- "Gloomy Dean" Sees Gleam formed Church. inary, while others avail them- The two other groups now selves of the full theological The former Dean of St. Paul's joining in the unification are the course. in London, Dr. W. R. lnge, has fifty odd congregations of the -The Neglected Continent. no gloomy view of the future of Free Evangelical Church and religion. In an article in the about 2'5 Methodist congrega- Christian World on "The Revolt EUROPE Against Christianity," he says: tions in France. The union is based upon a new Declaration British Mission Deficits . . . It is true that real persecution of Faith which is a moderate re- eXIsts in sev-.:n,J parts of the world With an estimated 30% of statement of the historic Calvin- church members supporting the quite as violent as the early church ism of the Reformed Churches. missionary movement in Eng- suffered at the hands of the Roman This is the fourth major move Emperor. In Russia thirty bishops land, three British missionary and more than eight thousand priests toward unification of Western societies report deficits, one have been murdered. In Spain four Protestant Churches. Previ- thousand priests have, they say, sufmanaged to hold its own and an- fered death. The property of the ously there was the creation of other reduced its debt. Church has been confiscated, and the Church of Scotland from the churches have been destroyed; the many Presbyterian sects in that The Church Missionary So- ciety, with an income of 415,000 public performance of divine worship country, the formation of the prohibited and religious education enpounds sterling, reports 570 tirely stopped. Blasphemous posters United Church of Canada which deficit of 20,000 pounds for the from Russia and other countries have year. The Methodist Society has been exhibited, intended to bring reli- has developed a very close work- ing agreement with the Church been able to make ends meet, gion into contempt. The same things of England in Canada, and the while the Bible Society received have been enacted in Germany. . . . almost completed move towards I have no wish to minimize the 378,000 pounds and spent 385,- danger of these revolts against all Methodist unification in the 000 pounds. The London Mis- that we hold true and holy; but I United States. sionary Soc i e t y (Congrega- think that the pessimism which is now -Religious News Service.
Persecuted Waldensians time witnessing to what the explain this book to the best of Lord has done for them. their knowledge during the R. M. Stephens, of the Wal- -Scripture Gift Mission. church service. densian Church Missions of Lon- Poland's Bible School "The National Church is dedon, tells of his recent visit in The eyes of the world have termined to exterminate unalter- South Italy and Sicily. Speak- been focussed on Poland in coning of an interview he had with nection with the Lithuanian ably and by all necessary means the Waldensian pastor in charge the Christian faith which was problem, but with the peaceful imported into Germany in the of the work of the Bible Society fatal year of 800, and pressed in Rome, he says: "The difficul- upon the German people though ties of Bible circulation increase. settlement of this question Po- it was of an entirely foreign na- Last year the authorities in- l~nd has strengthekned ~er poshi- ture and substance.
formed him that 'it was incon- bon as a bulwar. agamst t e "In the National Church f the venient' that Bibles should be hordes of commumsm and athe……__ ~erman!t e·ICh h . roeml.~- ism pressing upon her eastern t ere IS no sold without any indication as to sS!lOrensos ft~sl~Sns.agaIm~ aassnedrtasg, a3m:nd, . which Church published them. border. While the State is the wIll On being informed that the Bible fence to keep out communism, that it is left for the Church to stem sms 'YhI~h ha;re been comm.ltted Socety was not a Church it was the tide of atheism. The Evan- once m .lIfe wIll. be unrelentmgly ordered that no Bibles should be sold. . . . At Foggia I met Pas- gelical Churches are in the fore- met wIth pymshment by the tor Castiglione and went with front in this undertaking, and brazen and Irrevoc~ble l.aws ~f are cemented by the World's na~ure,', and certamly m thIS him by car to Orsara in the mountains, where there has been Evangelical Alliance. Recently, wo ld.
a church for forty years. A few the Alliance sent a deputation to Rome's Influence in Yugoslavia hours before our arrival the Poland to survey conditions and leading elder and founder of the needs. The visitors were as- According to a new law in Church passed away. While I sured by the Prime Minister, a Yugoslavia, all religions are was there a message came to the Protestant, that the Government placed on a nominally equal offi- pastor from the police to say will favor the constructive work cial basis, with no group enjoy- that while a service would be of the Alliance. ing special privilege. However, permitted in Church, no speak- The first interdenominational the Roman Catholic Church in ing would be allowed at the Bible School in Poland was es- strength and initiative is far grave or in the cemetery. The tablished last December, through ahead of the Orthodox Church.
local priest is a bitter enemy, the initiative of the W. E. A. Numbering something 0 v e r and through his influence the au- Beginning with eight students, 5,000,000, it is endeavoring to thorities refused to renew the there were soon more applica- . obtain advantages t h r 0 ugh pastor's permit last year. No tions than could be accepted. agreement with the State – ad- meetings are allowed in private The churches in Poland, poor vantages that are denied the houses without the permission though they are, are doing their Orthodox Church, which num- of the police, which is seldom best to promote this School. bers about 6,500,000.
forthcoming." -The Christian. Among other things it would -Evangelical Christian. seek to enforce the Roman Cath- Revival in Hungary Nazi's National Church olic rule that all children of The political situation in Hun- A "National Church of the mixed mar ria g e s must be gary is difficult for both govern- German Reich" with "no scribes, brought up Roman; if a parish ment and people, yet word comes no pastors, no chaplains and no of a great revival movement should go over to orthodoxy it is clergy," and which would pro- stipulated that all its possessions hibit the printing and publishing remain with the Roman Church.
there, not only in Budapest but of all Christian literature, is Under such circumstances, it in other centers. Evangelistic now the plan of the National So- is encouraging to read incidents meetings are being held many cialist Party. It would put Hit- like the following: times a day, and at some of them ler's "My Struggle" in place of "In the elementary school in from four to seven thousand peo- the Bible, and the swastika in Novi Sad, the New Testament ple are present, many of whom place of the Cross. Its thirty- is used as the text for religious have never heard the Gospel be- point program requires accept- teaching. One day a lad about fore. Special editions of the ance of the State race ideology. nine years of age came into the Gospel of John and the Epistle Some other points are: shop and asked if he could get to the Romans have been placed "On the altars of the National an Evangelical Bible. Looking in the hands of inquirers; while Church our most holy book, 'My at the child, I said, 'How much Christians are urged to take five Struggle,' shall be consecrated money have you?' 'Eight dinars,' copies and, after prayer for to the German people and thus he answered, so I knew he guidance, to seek out five rela- to God, and at its left the sword wanted the New Testament. To tives or acquaintances to whom shall be sanctified. The speakers make sure, I asked, 'Who is your they may give them, at the same of the National Church have to teacher?' 'Mr. Dietrich,' the lad
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
replied. 'What is he teaching to see Islam rule over the social the population of Egypt has for you?' 'Just now we have the life of Egypt because the great too many decades been unable good Samaritan.' And without majority of the inhabitants of to share in the great movements my enquiring any more the this country are Moslems, and of Egypt's development. But schoolboy said, 'I believe on the because the official religion of now that half, the half of the Lord Jesus Christ, my father the country is Moslem, and noth- population which is made up of does not, and today I am going ing else. Other religions differ- women, is awakening and is beto read that story to my father entiate between religion and ing set free to cooperate in the -he promised me that he would politics; Islam does not." activities of the nation." 'listen.' " This statement was made fol- -Blessed Be Egypt. New Era in Greece lowing widespread rumors that the Sheikh had incited the stu- Religion as a Therapeutic The spirit of persecution, so dents of Al Azhar to rioting in long a feature of religious life the recent political crisis in Leper work that failed under in Greece, has, to a large extent, Egypt. This was a virtual ad- government administration is been overcome, and unrest has mission of his activity in the somehow succeeding under the given place to a spirit of peace. attempt to dislodge the govern- direction of Christian mission- Twenty-five years have passed ment of Nahas Pasha. aries in Northe·rn Nigeria. Late since the death of the founder in 1936, the government in this of the Greek Evangelical Church, Nile Mission Press Mohammedan territory gave and there are now twelve or- over to the Sudan Interior Mis- ganized churches, six of them On March 10, Mr. Arthur T. sion and the Mission to Lepers self-supporting; while scattered Upson laid the foundation stone the responsibility for directing throughout the country are more for a new building for the Nile the leper work; and since then than twenty preaching places. Mission Press. Dr. Charles R. four colonies have been estab- Watson, President of the Amer- lished. One of the more recent con- ican University in Cairo, said in verts was a Doctor of Mathe- his address: "I found in looking Some one visiting the colony matics, and his influence among at the government statistics for at Kano, after a long absence, the students is being much felt literacy that every ten years the commented: "What has hap- at Athens. In his student days literacy of Egypt increases by pened to the Colony? It seems he was an atheist, but his life like a new place; the spirit of was changed. After his conver- more than 50 %. According to the people is so much happier." sion he started meetings. in his It seems unquestioned that a own home and, as a preacher in that, the Press, merely to keep new hope instilled in the hearts the Evangelical Church and in pace, ought to increase over 5010 of the patients, a knowledge of halls, his compelling message is in the outreach of its publica- a force outside themselves work- winning many for the Kingdom. tions. But since it has never ing to implant this hope, has a All Evangelical Churches in from the beginning overtaken definite part in bringing about Greece have a special collection the need, it would seem that improved physical condition. It annually toward the work of dis- every ten years jt should more was the government's recogniz- tributing Bibles. than double the scope of its ing this fact that moved them to activities and the output of its turn over the leper work to mis- -The Unchained Word. literature merely to meet the sionaries. challenge of the increasing lit- AFRICA eracy in this country. -Without the Camp.
"Religious Politics" "To this literacy challenge Women Advance in the Sudan may be added the challenge of a Egypt has about fourteen mil- changing mental outlook. This The women of the Moru tribe, lion Moslems as against a mil- is calling not merely for a larger southern Sudan, are more back- lion and a half Christian Copts, volume of literature, but for a ward than the men. Even the the original Egyptians. In an fresh presentation of the· old wives of teachers have not made exclusive interview, She i k h truth to which we hold. Science much progress, in spite of reg- Maraghi, who as head of the is invading every sphere of life ular attendance at school. It is oldest university, Moslem or even here in Egypt and the only in the last two or three otherwise, in the world, the Al reconciliation of science and re- years that girls have shown any Azhar, wields almost as much ligion is more and more urgent. desire to learn; but after a few power as the Caliphs of bygone There is also a growing sense of had begun to attend the women's days, made it clear that Egypt need for moral power. The pop- school, their numbers and inter- is a Moslem nation. ulation is coming into touch with est grew until there are now 70 European life and European on the roll. Eight of the girls The Sheikh declares he does temptation. The old moral mo- have made their stand as Chris- not engage in party politics, but tives no longer hold against the tians; they have shown amazing that he does engage in "religious engulfing tide of temptation and responsiveness, and application politics." immorality. To this I would add of Christian principles to every the challenge of an awakened day life. -Life of Faith. "I will even go a step farther womanhood in Egypt. One-half and say that I personally wish
Darkness Still Reigns twenty of them are Christians. and especially the discussion They have their own church, periods. -Neglected Arabia. Human sacrifices and twin murders still take place in the their own elders. Though physismall, isolated villages of Nsukka, West Africa. The missionary cal healing is denied to many of Iran Has a C. C. C. in charge of this district recently visited a village where a woman them, they laugh and sing and The Christian Courtesy Circle and child had been sacrificed a praise God. -Life of Faith. of the Evangelical Church of few days before. Out of a population of a million and a half, WESTERN ASIA Hamadan was organized in Ocabout 8,000 are Christians, or more accurately, church attend- tober, 1933. The young women ants. There are sixty churches in the area, staffed by African Modernizing Jericho of the church were divided into teachers, most of whom are do- four groups, each group having ing good work. The people are A mo~erniza~io~ of J erich?, a missionary leader. The groups beginning to realize the value of education for their children, and that anCIent BIbhcal town, IS meet in the homes of its memapproximately 3,000 are attend- now b~in?" undert.aken br a local , bers every other week and the ing the schools. A large central CommIssIOn. It IS not mtended ~-young women take turns in leadschool, which will accommodate to change the character of the ing the meetings~ A school for sixty to eighty boarders, is being built. small city, especially the residen- the children of church members The dispensary attracts an tial character of the community who attend public schools on average of more than 100 patients daily, and the maternity which is thought t? be its grea;t- Sundays has also become a projblock, with beds for about fifteen women, is nearly always full. est asset. New JerIcho was bUIlt ect of the C. C. C. It is conducted Three girls and two boys are in training as medical workers. by the Crusaders. It is below as a Sunday School.
-C. M. S. Outlook. sea level, and has a popUlation Last year in order not to be Moravian Missions of 1,700, including 170 Chris- hearers of the Word only but tians a~d four J ~ws. It enjoys doers also, one group started a The Moravian Church may well claim to be a missionary popularIty as a 'Ymter resort. Friday school for children who Church. Its missionaries labor in 300 stations in all parts of the In the RUSSIan Garden of were working as weavers of world, and there are no fewer J er~cho are to be seen the re- carpets, and a few children of than 130,000 Moravian converts mams of ~n old fourth century the neighborhood. They were in foreign fields. The youngest of all their fields is that in East church, WIth a mOSaiC .floor. In taught Gospel stories, reading Central Africa, where a witness one corn~r of the town IS a .tower and singing. It proved so worth has been maintained for about on t~~ SIte where, accordmg to while it was continued this year. fifty years. Here are some remarkable figures concerning the tradItIOn, stood the house of There is also a baby clinic, conextension of the work in recent years: In 1922 there were 300 Zaccheus. ducted by a missionary doctor. baptized Christians; in 1930, nearly 6,000. Medical work be- Boys' School in Iraq Even the children of well-to-do gan in 1923, and it was six families are undernourished. months before they could persuade any native to come for Rev. John Van Ess, Reformed The problem is to impress the treatment; but in 1930 there Church missionary in Basrah, were 250 in-patients, and last Iraq, lists the encouraging fea- mothers with the value of care year there were 350, while outpatients numbered nearly 5,000. in feeding. -Iranew8. Two years ago a new hospital was built. tures of educational work for Building Solidly. boys at Ashar: Comparatively new is the leper work. A home was estab- 1. The overwhelming propor- Alborz College, of Teheran, lished about eight years ago in tion of Moslem pupils. In a Iran, limits the number of its an unused compound. There are students to 700, admitting only now 37 lepers in residence; typical month the figures were: Moslems, 207; Christians, 13; such students as can be assimi- lated into the existing student Jews, 11. Of the Moslems the body without lowering the stand- great majority are village boys. ard of the School. This policy results in building up a reputa- 2. During this, the first year tion for excellence which is re- flected in the confidence shown in which the conscription law the School by government offi- has been applied, pupils who con- cials and hundreds of families formed to the regulations were throughout the country. exempted from military service. Primary work was dropped in There has been no evidence of 1932, but preparatory grades discrimination a g a ins t the are included. Many students are School. turned away for want of room. 3. In government examina- -Monday Morning. tions the pupils compared favor- ably with those from other schools.
4. One of last year's pupils, Literature for Moslems now employed in Baghdad, has asked for, and is to receive bap- To set the men of Moslem tism. lands reading Christian litera- 5. There has been a marked ture would be an achievement of response to the Bible lessons, the highest order. It might come
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
about if we could discover a new once in his life to journey to believe Dr. Ambedkar has himway of presenting the world's Mecca. One very holy man of self made this very plain. Heart most interesting story to these India is taking ten years to it. conversion most certainly will master story-tellers of the world. He is a saint called Shah Sub- remedy the evil of untouchabil- Moslems have the firm convic- han, often known as the "King ity; it is the only thing that tion that they know far more of the Strivers after Happiness." will." -Dnyanodaya.
about true religion than Chris- Shah Subhan started from Allatians, whom they regard as habad some time in 1933. He is hopelessly astray in polytheism journeying on foot, and every Indian Young Women's and other dangerous heresies. five paces he stops and recites Secretary The younger generation how- prayers, which take two minutes The United Presbyterian Inever, who are leading the Na- to repeat, thanking God for hav- dia Mission presents its first nationalist renaissance of intellec- ing permitted him to undertake tive young women's secretary, tual and religious freedom, and this pilgrimage. If he is still and here is her first report: are escaping western domination alive he must be near Baghdad. "In our Punjab church we by adopting western civilization, Thence by way of Damascus and have five presbyterials and in are obviously thinking different- Jerusalem he will journey on to four of these there are young ly. These modern-minded men Mecca, some 5,'0'0'0 miles in all, women's societies. In each presin Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Egypt saying those prayers every five byterial there are other societies and, in lesser degree in North paces. Africa, are appreciating Chris- such as the Junior and Senior tian literature productions. Shall we say that missions are organizations. The missionary no longer needed in India? societies help in the evangelistic The day of controversial lit- -D'nyanodaya. work in every way, some by goerature of the old type for Mos- ing out and telling the Word, lems appears to be passing. The India's Tanners and some by prayer and some by giv- Conversion ing money. Christian story, to command wide attention, must be cast in "But my wish at this time is attractive form by the pens of Twenty-three per cent of the to tell something about our Eastern Christians, instead of world's buffaloes are supplied by young women's societies. There in the form of theological debate. the Bombay Presidency, and the -World Dominion. export from India to England of are 214 members in the six so- cieties. These members not chrome leather rose from 3'0,'0'0'0 only try to do evangelistic work INDIA ANJ) SIAM square feet in 1931 to nearly but also temperance work. They 9,5'0'0,0'0'0 square feet in 1936. give out temperance literature, Missionary Opportunities Similarly the export of dressed and by dramas and meetings, in 1938 leather increased from 2,'0'00 place the temperance message In spite of modern trends in square feet in 193'0 to almost before the people. In all these India, temple goldsmiths have as 4,'0'0'0,'0'0'0 square feet in 1936. things, by the grace of God, we much to do as their predecessors In the Bombay Presidency alone are making progress. We do had in the day of Paul. If you nearly two million people are our work wholeheartedly and do are inclined to forget the hold of engaged in the leather industry it all with God's help and for Hinduism on present-day life in and almost all of them belong to Him. the Depressed Classes. Condi- India, note that last year at tions in their villages are ap- "Finally, I would ask you to Tirupathi, the most sac red palling. please remember our societies in shrine in South India of the god your prayers that we might Vishnu, goldsmiths were asked to On the same day that an in- grow daily in numbers and make send in designs for a new crown dustrial conference made these progress in our work." for the image of the god. The revelations, the village tanners image is large, perhaps three had a conference, and their Students' Prayer Service times as large as an ordinary president observed: "I do not man. The crown is to be 43 believe in Dr. Ambedkar's con- The Intercollegian and Far inches in circumference, where version move, knowing as I do Horizons tells how the annual it is set on the head of the that this will not remedy the evil Day of Prayer was observed by image; and will be about 3'0 of untouchability nor raise the students at Lucknow: "Early in inches high, all of solid gold. In social status of Harijans irre- the morning the students prothis crown 2,4'0'0 diamonds, 2,4'0'0 spective of what new faith they ceeded to a grove beside the emeralds, 3,9'0'0 rubies and many embrace. On this question, we river. After a period of devohundreds of other gems from the ourselves earnestly hope that tions the students divided into treasury of the temple are being every Christian worker in India groups to discuss the findings of set. All these are gifts from will make very clear that any the Rangoon Quadrennial Confaithful Hindus who have come so-called 'conversion move' that ference; then a morning serv- aims mainly at 'social status' is ice and a picnic lunch. They as pilgrims to this temple. Keep in mind also that every no 'conversion' at all in the truly went to their colleges for the devout Mohammedan expects Christian sense; and, indeed, we afternoon siesta, and in the eve-
ning together again for a united ary of $8 a month if he would must contribute tow a r d the service in a local church. r e n 0 u n c e Christianity and maintenance of the family, with preach Hinduism instead. This the result that what is learned At other centers of India the is soon forgotten. However, Day of Prayer was used as an Kotiah refused to do. Then a those who are able to continue opportunity of celebrating also gift came to him from a friend in school soon earn more than the Jubilee of the Indian S. C. M. in America, and to show his they could have done without an and the service was modeled on education. the jubilee service at Rangoon. gratitude, he resolved to win one After a proc€ssion, 25 earthen person to Christ at once. Shortly -Baptist Missionary lamps and candles representing Review. the years 1912 – 1937 were after that a shepherd from his lighted; then they were re- village was baptized. Christian Wanted lighted as a sign of consecration of the next twenty-five years. -Watchman-Examiner. Prayers and responsive readings of Biblical passages followed, Children Help China Miraj Hospital is one of the then intercessions for the work of the S. C. M. in India. The "Criminal Tribes" children at'''- best in Bombay Presidency for service clos·ed with a hymn that symbolized the evangelistic task the Sholapur Settlement have the treatment of cancer, if not of the Student Christian Move- s€nt 25 rupees to the Red Cross the. best. The qh~rles Edwa~d ment. to help China's suffering chil- VaIl Cancer ClImc, !l~med m dren in the war with Japan. memory of the physIcIan who Village Improvement This contribution is the result of served there for so many years, The young Maharajah of gifts of grain in the Sunday has tre~ted more than .100 can- Gwalior, whose state is 28,000 Schools from both Christian and cer p~~Ient~, and there IS always square miles in extent, with a a waItmg h~t. human population of 3,500,000 non-Christian children, and was . and a cattle population of 4,000,- presented on "White Gift Sun- 000, decided to do some rural day." The serVICe and mfluence of uplift work, and set aside $3,500,- this, the only C~ristia~ medical 000 for the purpose. He invited The remaining Sunday collec- school for men ~n IndIa, re.ach Col. Brayne, British official who has done much to improve vil- tions were set apart to help 150 out far. beyond ItS ?wn reglO!l' lage life in the Punjab, and of the poorest children in the Th~ chIef of a natIve state m others including Sam Higgin- G~Ja~at wrote and as~ed for a bottom to advise him. There are Settlement, and provided needed MIraJ. ma~, to run a dIsI!e~sarr, now thousands of villages where clothing for them. for hIm. I want a ChrIstIan, there is nothing to offend eye or he stipulated, "for only a Chrisnose, and where the health of the -Dnyanodaya villagers is thereby improved. . Garbage and wastes are collected and carried to the fields, where Bengal's Boarding Schools tian has the true spirit of servit is demonstrated that cleanli- ice." Former students of Miraj ness is profitable financially, According to the last census, are at work i·n Arabia and Iran, since the crops are from 50 to the total number of In d ian as well as in India. 100% better. The whole state Christians in Bengal is approxiis working with enthusiasm to mately 132,000. Of these about -Presbyterian Board carry out the program as drawn 26,000 live in towns and 106,000 News. up. -Sam Higginbottom. in the country. There are 43 towns of various sizes in Ben- For Chinese in Bangkok Proving His Gratitude gal. About 14,000 Indian Chris- tians are permanent residents of There are about 12'5 members Velugu Kotiah is a Sudra Calcutta and Howrah, while the in the Cantonese Church of preacher of South India, and is rest of the Indian Christian ur- Christ in Siam in Bangkok; 91 one of the staunchest Christian active members and an average converts of recent years. He is a fearless and eloquent evan- ban population, numbering ap- attendance of 85 at Sunday servgelist, though illiterate. Two proximately 12,000, live in 41 ices. Last year four adults were years ago, he encountered a severe testing, since his harvest towns. These 106,000 rural In- baptized, two members w ere failed and three of his cattle dian Christians are scattered in received by letter and four by died. About this time, two Brah- 27 districts of Bengal. They live reaffirmation of faith. Two inmins offered him an assured sal- either in single families, or in fants were baptized. The Sunday very small groups in predomi- School has an average attend- nantly non-Christian communi- ance of 60. A Young People's ties. It follows that Christian Society was organized a few children must either be educated years ago, and every Saturday in non-Christian schools, or go they play games in the church without education. T his ex- compound. The same evening plains the low percentage of lit- they have a Bible study class, eracy in Assam, Madras, United followed by a religious service Provinces and Behar. and then training in pub I i c Missionary schools of primary speaking.
grade have not proved success- This year, this Cantonese group ful in certain districts of Ben- gal, because pupils from the started family prayer meetings, poorer homes are not permitted dividing the city into districts. to study continuously, as they This kind of work is of great value, as families invite their
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
neighbors to the service; also, disputes and imposes penalties. In Seventeen Air Raids it strengthens the interest in families where only one member A labor bureau has charge of Rev. R. W. Porteous, of the is a Christian. C. 1. M., Nanchang, writes that all the work, each activity under the Coleman Bible Institute was The Church conducts a school able to open on schedule time in for the children of the neighbor- the supervision of a skilled the new memorial buildings, alhood-most of them very poor. though seventeen air raids have There are now 180 enrolled, workman, trained in the institu- passed over them. He writes: with f 0 u r Chinese and four "I think it would be quite safe Siamese teachers. Bible classes tion. Each patient is assigned to say that hundreds have been are held each afternoon at the brought to a definite decision for close of school. A textbook is work according to his strength Christ at the daily services in used which will take each child the Gospel Hall, the larger prothrough the whole Bible in six and ability. portion being among wounded years. Another piece of work soldiers. Recently, Mr. Wang connected with the church is a This plan has revealed the fact and I had the joy of baptizing clinic on t h r e e afternoons a seven of them. They were leavweek, conducted by a Christian that many of the patients are ing shortly to rejoin their divisdoctor, a member of the church. ions. One of them remarked, 'I Patients treated last year num- thoroughly dependable. Con- have lots of pocket money now bered 1,160. Most of this work that I have given up gambling. is for the very poor, but they are tentment and a feeling of re- If I am spared to return I will expected to pay a little, if pos- surely come to visit you-if not, sible. The church hopes eventu- sponsibility is fostered, because we will meet in heaven!' We ally to have a hospital. are now working in five of the the status is changed from out- military hospitals, which we -Siam Outlook. visit regularly each week." cast to citizen. . Self-Governing Lepers From Kiang comes news of -Siam Outlook. exceptional opportunities for Partly because of limited presenting the Gospel among funds, leper homes in all mission CHINA students and soldiers, which fields have had to grapple with abound everywhere during these the problem of inadequate staffs. War's By-Product war times. After the preaching The one at Chiengmai has found service there has been inaugthe solution in self-government, One of the most important urated an "appointment hour" at patterned after Siamese village sequences of the Japanese in- four each afternoon. Every day, government. This Home is di- vasion of China is the westward groups of soldiers come to this vided into three distinct groups. trek of China's social, educa- enquirers.' class. They are a Over each group is placed a tional and political leaders, the special lot, all being officers, sent headman and his assistant, who significance of which is just be- to enlist and train new men and are responsible for the behavior ginning to be realized. This is take them back to the front; of those under their direct indeed history in the making. therefore, they are in a position charge. A chief headman or Cultural and educational influ- to influence many others. mayor elected by them is di- ences that have for centuries rectly responsible to th€ manage- been confined to coast cities, or Mutual Aid Groups ment and must answer for the eastern areas, are suddenly efficient handling of all internal planted in virgin soil; isolated The Foreign Missions Conferaffairs. provinces are being brought into ence of North America reports the stream of modern life; trade the way family loyalty is seen in A department of morals and routes over deserts or mountains Chinese efforts to meet their rebehavior functions under the are supplanted by air routes or lief problem. One method that oversight of the Christian elders. new railroads. Thus, China's has helped greatly to steady and A sanitary squad of eight men back door suddenly becomes a maintain the usual life of the and four women, cares for the front door; or shall we say that suffering villagers, and prevent sick, gives the semi-weekly in- in future China will' have no them from "taking to the road" jections of chaulmoogra oil and back door? Her isolation and has been that of organizing muis responsible for the cleanliness seclusion seems to be gone for- tual aid groups and providing of the institution. Homeguards, ever. them with small loans. This composed of twenty-seven uni- enables many farmers to sow formed men keep order among The Province of Szechwan is their wheat fields. It will emthe more than four hundred in- twice as large as the areas of ploy carriers from market to mates and insure protection England, Germany, France and market, and barrowmen who from outsiders. A court made Italy combined. It now has a push coal from mine to conup of the chief headman, the population of 48,000,000, but, sumer. It will help keep farm minor headmen and the elders, with improvements in methods tries all minor offences, settles of agriculture and irrigation and with the development of other untapped resources, it could sus- tain a much larger population. Then there are the other half- dozen provinces – Y u n nan, Kwangsi, Kweichow, Kansu and Sinkiang – which the Chinese believe they can hold even if all the rest of the provinces should be subjugated. China's pro- gressive leaders and her cultural institutions are to a large extent being concentrated in these in- terior provinces.
carts and burden animals busy, plained all this until slowly the JAPAN-CHOSEN to revive the household indus- truth dawned on him; and then, Satan Released, Says Kagawa tries of spinning and weaving a light came into his face until and to continue the many other the hard, bitter look was gone, Again, we hear from this and we knew that, there was one Japanese Christian: activities of ordinary village life less bandit in the Y a n gt z e that usually help to feed, clothe Valley." "In the Orient it is very dark. and shelter the peasant in his We feel like we were back at the Agricultural Experiments beginning of the fourth century home surroundings, and prevent of the Christian Era. Satan his becoming a wanderer or a Long-range agricultural ex- has been released again, and the pauper. world is swayed by his power One Bandit Less periments are under way at the rather than by the Spirit of the Oberlin-in-Shansi Me m 0 ria I Lord. But somehow we have The Outlook of Missions tells School at Taiku, North China. great hope in Jesus Christ. Tothe following story: "A Chinese These are important in the pre-'''~'day young men are willing to bandit was brought into the hos- vention of famine and the im- listen to the gospel, as are also pital at Wuhu after a raid. No provement of the food supply. farmers and the laboring classes. one who saw his cruel face had These experiments, begun six or Japan feels her isolation and is any doubt as to which side of seven years ago, have been very lonesome. But the Spirit the fray he had been on. While handicapped by war conditions, of Christ can remedy this, so we we cleansed his frightful wound, but it is hoped to complete the must preach the gospel without we discussed the man. 'He won't experiments this year in spite fear. Missionaries are wellive, so there will be one bandit of a limited personnel. less in the Yangtze valley, and a comed; and if they preach the good thing, too.' Yet it was our Oberlin-in-Shansi is a sister gospel of the Love of God, no duty to save life, and after weeks school of Oberlin College, Ohio, we saw with amazement that the hindrance will be put in their man was going to recover. No and is conducted in cooperation way." -World Call. flicker of pleasure responded to with the American Board of our congratulations, so we said: Commissioners for Foreign Mis- Drugs as a Weapon 'Aren't you glad you are going sions of the Congregational and Christian Churches. Its prin- Muriel Lester, writing for the to get well?' The reply was an cipal was formerly Dr. H. H. Christian Century, says that unqualified 'No.' Kung, now Premier of China and brother-in-law of Madame when the new Peace Preserva- "Thinking he must have mis- Chiang Kai-shek. -Bulletin. tion Council was set up in the understood, we had one of the Japanese-occupied territory last August, it was announced that the Nanking law no longer ap- Chinese nurses ask him again, Missionary Tomatoes plied. The drug habit reassumed 'Wouldn't you rather be well its tyranny. Anti-narcotic hos- Mr. Frank Dickinson, Canathan die?' But again he gave us dian missionary in West China, pital work was stopped. In an emphatic 'No!' Puzzled, we in talking with a prominent pro- Peiping, the trade is in charge pushed the inquiry fur the r. ducer of tomato seed in Ontario, mentioned the contribution that of Koreans, under Japanese pro- 'Why would you rather die?' tomatoes would make to the diet tection. Death is the penalty And he answered very simply, of the people in West China, who number more than 100,000,000. for any Chinese trafficker that is 'Because I have sinned.' The seed-growing expert ac- discovered, and the difference "It was quite obvious that he cepted this as a challenge to his between the furtive expression skill, and offered to share seed had sinned, and grievously. Had for experimental purposes. of Chinese'traders, and the selfwe any help for such as he? We assurance of all Korean dealers Father and son, both specialhad ! 'You have heard while you ists in the production of a num- is very marked. ber of varieties of tomato seeds, Miss Lester also reports that have been here in the ward,' we have agreed to supply annually reminded him, 'about the heav- the best products of their tech- the japanese in Peiping are enly F:ather who loves us earth- nique for trial and experimentapeople and sent His Son to us. tion at the West China Union opening small clinics, with well University, Chengtu, Szechuan. Don't you know, because He illumined street signs to guide loves us earth-people so much, passers-by from the main roads He has thought out a method to their doors on side streets. about sin? His Son came to give They advertise in the papers the us that method, and so you don't various diseases which they have to carry the burden of your cure. The procedure in many of them seems to be that each sins with you all your life. You Mr. Dickinson feels sure that person on entering is given a are sorry for your sins, and God this kind of sharing will not only cursory examination by an un- is willing to forgive them. Don't give gradually to millions of qualified doctor or dispenser you know that?' No, he had Chinese in the heart of Szechuan who registers him as suffering never heard of it. a splendid supplementary addi- from some specific diseases; "We sent for our wise Chinese tion to their meagre diet, but then he is allowed to buy as pastor, who sat beside this un- soul satisfaction to the givers. much heroin or morphine as he happy man and patiently ex- -United Church Record. likes.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
MI.SCELLANEOUS in content or point of view with- For Every Man Why Not Attend Church? out consulting the Director of It is interesting to know that Radio Education of the Interna- seventeen new languages were Eight reasons for the failure tional Council. A set of these of people to attend Church have programs will be supplied with- added to the Ust of Bible translabeen authenticated by the Ad- out cost to any organization tions during 1937, making a vertising Club of the Lutheran which definitely plans to broad- Church in the Mansion at Flush- total of 1,000 languages in which ing, N. Y. The group made an cast them. They may be secured the Bible can now be read. extensive survey of the North through the office of the Divi- Forty years of work by Presby- Shore of the Queens area which sion of Christian Education of terian missionaries, working might well reflect attitudes of the Board of Home Missions, 14 among the 600,000 people in the the unchurched throughout the nation. Beacon Street, Boston. French Cameroun, culminated -Advance. in the completed manuscript for Here is a tabulation of the re- the Bulu Old Testament. Rev. plies: Causes of Religious Decline E. B. Stilz, of the Southern (1) Twenty – three per cent Methodist Mission in the Belgian wanted Sunday for themselves A Council of 24 members, Congo, completed a translation and their families. representing the principal Prot- of the New Testament in the estant churches of England, ex- (2) Twenty-one per cent did pects to look into such questions Otetela language, the first comnot go to Church because of the as: "Why does the church fail plete New Testament for these unfriendly or insincere people to attract the younger genera- people. they found. tion?" "What is the cause of the almost incredible disappearance A revision of St. Luke for (3) Nineteen per cent stayed of knowledge of the Bible?" and Quechua Indians in Ecuador has away because the Church was "What can be done by the been completed; while the Saalways asking for money. churches to relate the Church to every day life?" mareno Bible, in a Philippine (4) Fifteen per cent stayed dialect, was published last year away because the sermons were This Council will then seek for uninteresting. a formula to revive an interest and met with a hearty reception. Translation of a revised Turkish (5) Nine per cent had indi- Bible is ready for the printer. vidual reasons, no two of which were alike. in religion. Mohammedan View of The same problem claimed the Christianity (6) Five per cent did not go because they never experienced attention of the "All-New Eng- The Moslem World quotes a any spiritual help. land Conference on the Rural Church," meeting in Keene, Mohammedan's tribute to Chris- (7) Four per cent stayed N. H., in May, when Carl C. tianity: away because no one had ever Zimmerman, Harvard Professor "I can definitely say that invited them. of Sociology, stated that the Christianity is stronger than it (8) Four per cent remained masses of the people are in the has ever been in history. I am away because the minister was always telling people to be good. quandary of Cresar vs. Jehovah, surprised at the number of peo- "Building a Christian World" and blamed present tax policies ple, both pagan and otherwise, The International Council of for declining church allegiance. who feel that Christian ethics Religious Education has had a special committee at work devel- He said, in part: constitute the only answer to the oping programs for radio broadcasts. The whole matter has "The central problem of the present world-chaos. been very carefully studied, the members of the committee have relation of the Church to the "We Moslems have a secret interviewed many people connected with broadcasting, and family is whether it can keep· feeling that the ',collapse of the the script which they have prepared has been examined by a the role of the moral guardian, present world order is the greatnumber of competent critics. The result is a series of six pro- while the state increasingly adds est verdict in favor of Christiangrams on the theme "Building Together a Christian World." to its role as economic guard- ity, for world civilization is still These are available for use over local stations by responsible re- ian. . . . largely pagan. It is the pagan ligious organizations. Such organizations are free to make "If the governments are go- elements in your civilization that necessary adaptations to local situations, but no major change ing to be responsible for the are working havoc. Where real family economy they are going Christianity has penetrated to claim most of the allegiance there has been steady progress.
of the people. An overtaxed or Weare honest enough to recog- a relief citizenry neither have nize that. Never believe this the funds nor the inner moti- nonsense that fills one of our vating gratitude to build up or papers, condemning your reli- preserve strong churches. State gion. It is only a means to relief means. state religion. strengthen our group-conscious- When Cresar becomes the source ness by assuming a superiority of maintenance he also wants complex. In a great many cases the praise formerly accorded we are continually borrowing Jehovah." from you – your thoughts, your -Religious News Service. method, your outlook."
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Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The Christian Message in a Non- must always be the same-a new the influence of Christ and west- Christian World. By H. Kraemer. Foreword by the Archbishop of relation to God and a new atti-,…. ern culture. York. 8vo. 455 pp. $3.00. Pub- lished for the International Mission- tude toward men. Unfortu- As to the missionary approach ary Council by Harper & Brothers, New York. 1938. nately, too often an old church to non-Christians of different Dr. Kraemer is a member of becomes a corrupt church and a lands, Dr. Kraemer recognizes the Dutch Church; a former missionary in Netherlands East In- weak church. the importance of the personality dies, a missionary statesman, and now a professor of the His- In dealing with this great of the missionary, a clear undertory of Religions in the University of Leiden. He has given us theme, Dr. Kraemer first looks standing of non-Christian charhere an unusual treatise on one of the most important subjects at the present world situation- acter and thought, as well as a that is to be discussed at the coming Madras Conference of the widespread secularism and vital relation to Christ and a the International Missionary Council. Without a true Chris- the new political, social and spir- knowledge of the Gospel He tian message to non-Christians, the missionary work of the itual revolutions; he notes the came to proclaim. Church must be fruitless; and yet too many who go out as mis- effect of the meeting of East and In conclusion, the author gives sionaries seem to have no clear knowledge of the vital Christian West. Not only is there a crisis his conception of the true nature message of salvation that Jesus Christ authorized His Church to in the world because of revolu- of the Church as a living organproclaim. Many emphasize only the importance of the fruits of tions, but there is a crisis in the ism based on intelligent faith in Christian life, but neglect the essential elements of faith and Church because of obscured vi- Christ, rather than an organizafull surrender. sion, weakened faith and atten- tion based on western theological Dr. Kraemer goes back to Apostolic conceptions as he deals tion diverted from the main concepts. He re-emphasizes the with the evangelistic message, the method of approach and its issues and Source of power. need for a clear Gospel message application to non-Christians. The message is essentially the These conditions have brought and for active, continued evansame for all classes and conditions of men, at home and about a new crisis in the mis- gelism. He considers the presabroad-a message of God's love and His offer of eternal life sionary work of the Church. ent missionary outlook cloudy through acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and The early pioneer stage has but hopeful. The Christian misonly Saviour, through His sacrifice on the Cross. The method passed, and young churches have sion in the non-Christian world of approach may be different in New York and in Central Africa, been founded; today, these must be accomplished in the to Moslems and to spirit worshippers; but the evidence of churches must. be strengthened present complicated conditions the power of the Gospel in life and kept true to the original pur- with all the means that human pose and plan of the Founder. intelligence, ingenuity and de- They must be loyal to Christ, votion put at our disposal. The must show evidence of His life underlying fire, however, with- and power and must be sacri- out which all our endeavors are ficially and aggressively mission- nothing and all our missionary ary, or they will die. enthusiasm is powerless, is only Dr. Kraemer bases his state- kindled by faith and prayer born ment of the Christian faith on of Divine Love that burns in the the Bible as the revelation from Heart of the universe, and which God, and on Jesus Christ as the became incarnated in Jesus incarnation of God. He sees Christ, our Lord.
Christianity, not as one of the world's religions, but as the one Paul, a Christian Financier. By Her- bert E. Blair. Christian Literature clear revelation sent from God, Society, Seoul, Korea. 63 pp, $.50. in contrast to human attempts to United Stewardship Council, 156 understand and approach God. Fifth Ave., New York City. 1937.
In this connection the author Out of many years of prac- states the positions of Barth and tical experience on the foreign Brunner, and looks into various field, promoting systematic giv- non-Christian religions. He de- ing and putting Church fi- scribes, too, the changes that nances on a Scriptural as well have taken place in non-Chris- as a business basis, has come tian lands and their response to this little study of the Apostle Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REvmw publishers on receipt of price.
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OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
Paul as a pioneer in Church and Mission Boards join definitely City and Church in Transition. By missionary finance. Murray H. LeHfer. 8vo. 301 pages. in the promotion of stewardship $2.50. Willett, Clark and Company, Mr. Blair has been a mission- Chicago. 1938. ary of the Presbyterian Church plans on the various fields in in the U. S. A. in Korea for Professor Leiffer's book is thirty-four years. His leader- which they have work. Indi- based upon certain case studies ship in the work of promoting Christian finance has been rec- viduals are already doing this in of medium sized cities (called ognized by the Korean Church a mediopolis) ranging in popuand year after year he has been several countries but there is lation from 50,000 to 150,000. continued in the official position The author's most notable servof developing a Scriptural sys- need of coordinated effort and ice is in describing the patter:n tem of Church and personal of the mediopolis and its varifinance and stewardship. This cooperation. He suggests also ants. He properly places embooklet develops the proposition phasis on the commercial city that the Apostle Paul was God's that the International Missionchosen instrument to inaugurate as the typical American city. a system of Christian finance ary Council might well take the and stewardship to supersede Prof. Leiffer's treatment of and to be an advance upon the lead in developing a stewardship the industrial city and the in- Levitical tithing system of Ju- dustrial suburb is admirable. daism and that the basis of and systematic benevolence pro- He points out that both have Paul's system is both implied been influenced in their ecoand explicitly stated in the in- gram for the benefit of the nomic and cultural life by the spired instructions of 1 Corin- near-by metropolis. Moreover thians 16: 2. younger national church groups. "the industrial suburbs· of the The Apostle Paul met condi- Instruction in these inspired, nation will be found chiefly in tions in his foreign mission enterprise' that required the de- authoritative, Pauline principles the vicinity of such cities as velopment of a system of self- Boston, New York, Philadelsupport for local churches as of individual giving and church phi a, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, well as for the support of evangelistic itineration and contribu- finance w 0 u I d benefit the Detroit, Chicago and Los Antions for the relief of the poor. geles." He brings in a new note in his churches in every land and proelaboration of the thesis that in We feel that the analysis of raising funds for "the saints" mote self-support in fields where the residential suburbs is not as Paul was not merely helping the comprehensive in its scope as his poor in Jerusalem who were the national churches are still study of other variants of the suffering, presumably from a mediopolis. His statement that famine already nine years past, weak and in financial difficulties. "relatively few come direct to but was in reality conducting a the suburb from the hinterland" carefully audited and supervised This book, arising as it does is not true of New York city's international financial campaign many suburbs nor is his statefor the furtherance of the Gos- from intimate experience with ment that "a residential suburb pel work. never springs suddenly into problems of stewardship and being," true of Long Island. His Among other practical sug- generalization regarding the c h u r c h finance in a young gestions the author points out child population of the suburbs c h u r chon the foreign field, and the relative size of Sunday the possible Scriptural basis for schools in the old city and in the should be read by all who are suburbs has many exceptions. the use of a "three years average" income in making up an interested in s t e war d s hip, Professor Leiffer's analysis of "resort cities" and the dilemma estimate of the individual's re- church support and missionary of the church is especially pen- etrating. He says: "It is not sponsibility in systematic stew- administration. . surprising that in such a setting ardship giving, and its value in WALTER C. ERDMAN. the Church is confronted by al- most insuperable obstacles in its circumstances where there is The Missionary Education of Adults. effort to develop a Christian wide fluctuation of incomes due By John Leslie Lobingier. 182 pp. community. The institutions of to local conditions. $1.00. Missionary Education Move- religion, always influenced by the way in which people earn He urges the extension of in- ment, New York. 1938. terdenominational, international their living, are more affected promotion of the stewardship In every church there are by the economic life of the reidea by the various Stewardship sort city than by that of any Councils and the World Stew- those who have a genuine con- other urban center." ardship Union, and suggests that cern for humanity, whether in The author makes abundantly clear that "Every factor shaping China, Chicago or Chile. The the life of man also influences his church. The dominance of interest of another group is "in inverse ratio to the square of the distance" ; their religion is looked upon as a personal pos- session – something to enjoy rather than to spread. Thus the author, one of the Board of Managers of the Missionary Education Movement, states the divergent viewpoints.
In the ten chapters of this book he not only shows the im- portance of impressing the latter class of church members with a "sense of missions", and points out how missions are bound up with world affairs, but he out- lines methods for stirring Chris- tians to greater interest. Every leader of a mission study class will find this book of practical value. H. H. F.
manufacturing in the suburbs neglected to see, emphasize or the spirit. Unity denies sin, ties the church closely to the whole industrial process. Where apply. But most, if not all, of sickness and death and teaches wages are low, social institutions, the church included, suf- them are false philosophies and that "in his true estate man is fer. When unemployment stalks the streets additional problems mislead their devotees in some the Christ, the Head of the are laid on the church's doorstep, while its ability to meet important respects. Mr. Van body." these increased demands is restricted by shortage of funds. Baalen has performed a real Most of the cults either are … The intensity and strain resulting from high-speed indus- service in his careful review of naturalistic and deny the supertrial production, the feeling of ten different modern cults, more human (supernatural)-as in e con 0 m i c insecurity which hovers over nearly every wage or less related to Christian Mormonism-; or they hold that earner, the omnipresent, smokebelching factory, produce in teachings. These cults include everything is spiritual – as in people social and psychic reactions of which the church must Spiritism, theosophy, Christian Christian Science. Mr. Van be cognizant." Science, Unity, Baha'ism, Mor- Baalen emphasizes the need of a In his prophecy regarding the futur~ significance of the medi- monism, Seventh Day Advent- world-wide revival in evangeliopolis, Professor Leiffer appears to lose sight of the intimate re- ism, Russellism, "Buchmanism,'~_ cal Christianity as the best antirelation between industrial sub- and Unitarianism with Modern- . dote to error in faith and life. urbs and residential suburbs that constitute a considerable ism. These are not by any means He calls for clear-cut, sound, exproportion of these cities and of great metropolitan co:mmu- all in the same class, except that pository teaching of Biblical nities. The growth in the population of cities from 50,000 they differ in some more or less truth, producing a sense of sin to 100,000 for the last census decade was 20.5 <70, if located important respects from what is and acceptance of Jesus Christ within metropolitan districts, while only 11 <70 if located out- generally accepted as "ortho- as Lord and Saviour. This is a side these districts. dox" Christianity. day when many are turning CITY AND CHURCH IN TRANS- ITION should be read by adult The author bases his own es- aside to fables and will not enstudents of the background of American history, by specialists timate of each cult on its har- dure sound doctrine. Many false in church administration, Home Mission executives who are en- mony with the teachings and teachers and philosophies are deavoring to equalize religious privilege in America, and by spirit of Christ as revealed in abroad and deceive, if possible, pastors and students of the world mission of the Church. the New Testament. He has the very elect. This book should Part Two will be of particular interest to ministers who are in evidently read widely and gives help many to avoid the pitfalls search of new techniques. an excellent selected bibliogra- that lie in the path of those who CHARLES HATCH SEARS. phy, including books on both depart from the clear teaching The Chaos of Cults. By J. K. Van Baalen. 8 vo. 227 pages. $2.00. sides of each subject. He en- of Christ and the Bible. Wm. B. Erdmans Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. 1938. deavors to be intelligent and Educational Missions at Work. Ed- fair in his presentations, giving ited by H. P. Thompson. 128 pp. Many Christians are confused Illus. 186d. S. P. G. London. 1938. today because of the various the history of each movement, cults that have arisen to inter- and describing its strong points This brief sketch of the educapret or apply Christian teach- and its errors in teaching and ing, or to dispute the claims of the results. Here is a book that tional work of the Society for Christ and the teachings of the ministers and teachers should Bible. There is some good, some read in order to guide and guard the Propagation of the Gospel in truth, in all of these cults-often those who are in danger of besome truth that Christians have ing led astray. India, Burma and Malaya, South "Unity," for example, appeals Africa and the Far East shows to many because of its emphasis on health, happiness, peace and conditions under which Chris- love. Mr. Van Baalen shows its relation to mesmerism, Chris- tian education is being given and tian Sci e n c e and "N e w Thought." Unity emphasizes the problems and difficulties that certain phases of truth-such as must be faced, illustrated by de- aVbidance of anxiety and fear. scriptions of a few typical But Unity seeks to spiritualize everything and fails to face schools. The nine chapters make facts. Jesus is called "the Su- it clear that it has been the edu- preme Ego" that rises in the cational work of the Christian Church that has kept civilization alive; and that in these turbu- lent times it is the privilege of Christian schools to make this civilization a blessing to the world. H. H. F.
subconscious mind as a Star in' The House on the Island. By Grace the East (or occult realism) and Pettman. 181 pp. Is. 6d. Picker- grows in our consciousness – ing & Inglis, London. 1937.
as the Wise Men came nearer A wholesome story for girls their goal-until the soul re- of 'teen age, recounting the ex- ceives this "Supreme Ego." periences in an English board- Galilee is said to "represent the ing school of a girl unfamiliar life activity or soul energy of with school routine, but who man acting in conjunction with knew the Great Teacher, and substance." God is pantheisti- made her influence felt. A touch cally conceived and Jesus, the of mystery holds the reader's at- man, is separated from Christ, tention.
Boole. The Heart of the Levant. J. McKee The Kingdom of God and
Adams. 163 pp. 40 cents. South- .H. G. Wood. 216 pp. 78. 6el. Allen The Church Takes Root in India. ern Baptist Foreign Mission Board. & Unwin. London. 1938. Basil Matthews. 197 pp. $1.00. Richmond, Va. Friendship Press. New York. 1938. Church and Community. K. S. La- The Process of Change in the Otto- tourette. 259 pp. 88. 6el. Allen & Who Is tne Holy Spirit? Henry W. man Empire. Wilbur W. White. Unwin. London. 1938. Frost. 124. pp. $1.25. Fleming H. 315 pp. $3.50. Cambridge Univer- Revell. New York. 1938. sity Press. London. 1937. The Universal Church and the World of Nations. Marquess of Lothian. Seeing Prophecy Fulfilled in Pales- Congo, Past and Present. Alfred R. 325 pp. 88. 6d. Allen & Unwin. tine. George T. B. Davis. 127 pp. Stonelake. 202 pp. $1.25. World London. 1938. lB. Pickering & Inglis. London. Dominion Press. New York. 1937. 1988. The Industrialization of the African: Children of the Veld: Bantu Vig- Memorandum Prepared by Thirty Business Men of the Bible. James nettes. Robert H. W. Shepherd. Persons with expert knowledge of C. Muir. 110 pp. National Pub- 194 pp. 68. James Clarke. London. African Affairs. 22 pp. 6el. Anti- lishing Co. Philadelphia. 1988. 1937. Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society. London. 1987. S. J. W. Clark. Roland Allen. 170 Religion in Central America. Ken- pp. 28. 6d. World Dominion Press. neth G. Grubb. 146 np. 58._"World The Thousand 'Years of Uncertainty. London. 1938. Dominion Press. London. 1987. By K. S. Latourette. 492 pp. $3.50. Harper Bros. 1938. Impending Great Events. John The Romantic Isles. John Levo. 88 Ritchie. 192 pp. 28. 6el. Pickering pp. lB. S. P. G. London. 1938. City and Church in Transition. By & Inglis. London. 1938. Murray H. Leiffer. 302 pp. $2.50. On Both Sides of the Equator. F. Willett Clark & Co., Chicago. 1988. Outline History of the Christian Braun and C. V. Sheatsley. 284 pp. Church. Dorothea J. Stephen. 92 $1.00. Lutheran Book Concern. My Community, My Church and pp. Madras. S. P. C. K. Columbus, O. 1937. Me. By Wilbur C. Hallenbeck. 62 pp. 35 cents. Friendship Press, The American Chfistian Missionary World Chaos or World Christianity. New York. 1938. Society and the Disciples of Christ. Henry Smith Leiper. 181 pp. Grant K. Lewis. 216 pp. $1.50. $1.50. Willett, Clark. Chicago. City Shadows. By Robert W. Searle. Christian Board of Publication. St. 1937. 165 pp. $1.00. Friendship Press, Louis. 1937. New York. 1938. Missionaries' Who's Who. (Bi- The Sixth Decade of the Woman's lingual.) 578 pp. National Chris- Devotees of Christ. By D. S. Batley. Board of Foreign Missions. S. T. tian Council. Tokyo, Japan. 1938. 147 pp. 28. Church of England Winkel. 111 pp. 40 cents. Wom- Zenana Missionary Society, Lon- an's Board, 1937. Reformed Church Adventures in the Campaign for Lit- don. in America. New York City. 1938. eracy in India and Africa. F. C. Laubach. 22 pp. World Literacy Dinabandhu. By Ruth' Isabel Sea- Japan Over Asia. W. H. Chamber- Committee, 156 Fifth Ave., New bury. 182 pp. $1.00. Friendship lain. 395 pp. $3.50. Little, Brown. York. 1937. Press, New York. 1938. Boston. 1938. Religious Education in the Method- Francisco Fulgencio Soren. By L. Japan Defies the World. J. A. N. ist Church of Mexico. 100 pp. M. Brachter. 224 pp. $1.25. Broad- Scherer. 311 pp. $2.50. Bobbs Free on application. Joint Commit- man Press, Nashville. 1938. Merrill. Indianapolis. 1937. tee of Relij!l'ious Education, 740 Rush St., ChIcago. 1937. Following in His Train. By Ethlene Chinese Women. Florence Ayscough. B. Cox. 217 pp. 60 cents. Broad- 324 pp. 128. 6d. Cape. London. Devotees of Christ: Some Women man Press, Nashville. 1938. Pioneers of the Indian Church. D. S. Batley. 147 pp. 28. Church W orId Treasure Trails. V01. II. Thirty Years in China. Story of the of England Zenana Missionary So- India. By Ethel E. Ward. 127 pp. Augustana Synod as Told by Mis- ciety. London. 1938. $1.00. Women's Missionary Society, sionaries. Edited by G. Carlberg. Free Methodist Church, Winona 230 pp. $1.50. Board of Foreign The Cost of Reunion. Edwin James Lake, Indiana. 1938. Missions. Augustana Synod. St. Peter, Minn. 1937. Palmer. 22 pp. 4a. Student To Be Continued. By L. B. Thomas. 66 pp. 25 cents. Broadman Press, With Christ in Indo-China. E. F. Christian Movement. Lon don. Nashville, Tenn. 1938. Irwin. 164 pp. $1.00. Christian 1937. Publications, Inc. Harrisburg,· Pa. The Living Word. The Church Mis- 1937. Toward a World Christian Fellow- sionary Society's Review for 1937- ship. K. S. Latourette. 64 pp. 50 38. 56 pp. 6d. C. M. S. London. Inside India. Halide Edib. 378 pp. cents. Association Press. New 108. 6a. Allen & Unwin. London. York. 1938. Steps Toward the World Council. 1938. By Charles S. McFarland. 128 pp. Missions and Unity. W. J. Noble. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell, New Christ's Way to India's Heart. J. 23 pp. 4el. World's Evangelical York. 1938. Wascom Pickett. 117 pp. 28. Alliance. London. 1938. United Society for Christian Litera- Victory Through Youth. By Luther ture. London. 1987. The Secret of the African. E. W. J. Holcomb. 83 pp. 25 cents. Smith. 142 pp. 28. 6a. United Broadman Press. Nashville. 1938. Better Villages. F. L. Brayne. 304 Society for Christian Literature. pp. 38. Oxford University Press. London. 1938. Voices of Twelve Hebrew Prophets. London. 1938. By G. Campbell Morgan. 60 pp. The National Faith of Japan. D. C. 28 6el. Pickering & Inglis. London. Moving Millions. Introduction by Holton. 829 pp. 158. Kegan Paul. 1938. Robert E. Speer. $1.00. Central London. 1938. Committee on United Study of For- Seventy Less Known Bible Stories. eign Missions. 1938. The Nestorian Documents and Relics Br George Goodman. 331 pp. 38. in China. P. Y. Saeki. 645 pp. PIckering & Inglis, London. 1938. The Challenge of the Northwest 408. Toho Bunkwa Gakuin. Tokyo. Frontier (India). C. F. Andrews. 1987. The Approaching Advent of Christ. 208 pp. 38. 6a. Allen & Unwin. By Alexander Reese. 327 pp. 68. London. 1937. Revolutionary Religion: Christian- Marshall, Morgan & Scott, London. ity, Fascism and Communism. 192 Tibet and Her Neighbors. E. T. Wil- pp. 58.. Student Christian Move- Weare not confronted with the Iiams. 40 pp. 50 cents. University ment Press. London. 1938. problem of a spiritual church facing of California Press. Berkeley. a secular world, but rather with the 1937. The Christian Understanding of Man. problem of a secular church in a sec- T. J. Jessop. 268 pp. 88. 6el. Allen ular world. – T. Z. Koo, Shangltmi, & Unwin. London. 1938. China.
/)0. NotMtu THE MOSLEM
PUBUSHED BY THE HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Edit:ors: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY SOME ARTICLES IN THE JULY NUMBER Islam. a Sevenfold Problem Samuel M. Zwemer Some Libraries of Cairo William M. Randall Islam in Sumatra Ra,mond L. Archer Allah Before Islam. F. V. Winnett AI Kumail: Companion of the Secret Dwight M.Donaldson The Moslem Antagonist Robert S. Darbishire Sins and Their Punishment in Islam Francis T. Cooke Church and State in the Near East Alford Carleton A Theological Poem J. Lowrie Anderson Book Reviews–Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster -.-~~ SUBSCRIBE NOW ~II(-_.
50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & SCOTT, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the inBuential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character, forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book is now ready for delivery.
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. From 1850 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. Ten Years of Independent Work. IV. Life in New York, 1840-1844. XIV. The Bombay Guardian. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. Relations with the American Board. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. Association with the Methodist Church. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. Bowen as a Writer. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. XVIII. Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XIX. Closing Testimony. X. Beginning Missionary Work.
This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 156 Fifth Avenue, New York
The Missionary Review of the World — June 1938
1938
The Modern City Number Christ at the Center of City Life Aubrey S. Moore Meeting the Modem City Problems Herbert E. Eberhardt. The Youth Problem in the City What Church Federations Can Do Robert V. Russell God and Company……Unlimited Walter R. Mee Serving Christ in Crowded Streets M. W. Pullen Preaching the Gospel to City Folk Putting the Gospel to the Test Robert A. McKibben Contacts with Industrial Workers Harry A. Ironside When a Policeman Is Transformed J. F. Harrison The Inner and the Outer City A. J. Muste A United Church Project Paul Buffa What a Suburban Church Can Do Best Books on the City Problem Ernest G. Guthrie G. R. Larson 25 Cents a Copy Frank A. Fitt Charles H. Sears $2.50 a Year '
to Remember September 21-28 – General Council, PARENTS~ ••
United Church of Canada, Toronto, June 2-General Synod, Reformed Canada. In the Foreign Mission Field Church in America, Asbury Park, N. J. October 5-12 – United L u the ran Endorse Calvert: School Church in America, Biennial Con- Home Study Courses June 2-Fiftieth Anniversary of the vention, Baltimore, Md. Women's Missionary Society, Gen- Eor Childrel!l eral Synod of the Evangelical and October 14-20 – American Lutheran Reformed Church, Akron, Ohio. Church, Biennial Convention, San- Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- dU!lky, Ohio. tion Department, will give your child a superior elementary education ••• by mail, June 7-27-Indian Workers Confer- regardless of where you may live. Modences. Four Regional Conferences ern, approved courses from this famous of the National Fellowship of In- , Personal Items school are being used by parents allover dian Workers. (1) The Oklahoma the world with outstanding success. Conference, to be held at Dwight Mr. Robert L. Latimer for 45 years Training School, Marble City, Okla., treasurer of the Board of Foreign Give your children the advantages of these June 7-9. (2) The Southwest Re- Missions of the United Presbyterian interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, gional Conference, at the Navajo Church has retired and his place has and attractive materials. Instruction is Methodist School, Farmington,N.M., , been fill~d by Dr. R. W. Caldwell, Fi-, under the personal guidance of teachers in June 14-16. (3) Pacific Northwest nancial Secretary of the Board. Calvert's prominent and successful private Regional Conference, at the Nez day school in Baltimore. Perces Camp Meeting Grounds, *** Craigmont, Idaho, June 20-22. (4) Write today for booklet of complete in- The Midwest Regional Conference, Dr. Mills J. Taylor, Associate Sec- formation. Costs are low. at the College of Agriculture, Uni- retary of the United Presbyterian versity of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., Board of Foreign Missions plans to CALVERT SCHOOL , June 24-27. These Conferences are visit the mission fields, leaving Ameropen to all friends of the Indians. ica about May first, with Mrs. Taylor ISOW. Tuscany Road ' and returning in January, 1939. Baltimor. + Maryland June 8-Synod of Christian Reformed *** United States. At Amarillo, Texas, Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 6,500 persons heard the Gipsy, and Dr. Paul J. Braisted, General Sec- many more were unable to get into the June 9-15-Norwegian Lutheran retary of the Student Volunteer Move- auditorium. Synod Convention, Mankato, Min- ment, has been elected Campus Sec- retary for the University Christian Sir Wilfred *T. *Gr*enfell, who has nesota. Mission to succeed the Rev. J. Max- served 45 years as a voluntary med- June 15-22-General Council of Con- well Adams. Dr. Braisted will give ical missionary in Newfoundland and gregational and Christian Churches, only a portion of his time to his new Labrador, recently celebrated his 73d office. birthday on an island off the coast of Beloit, Wisconsin. Georgia. Because of a chronic heart *** ailment, he may never be able 'to re- June 16-24 – Winona School of Mis- turn to Labrador, where hospitals, sions, Winona Lake, Indiana. Mrs. . Bi~op Henry,W. Hobson, of Cin- schools and nursing stations bear his Wm. Eckert, 1612 South 11th St., CinnatI, has been elected president of Maywood, Illinois. the "Movement for World Christi- name. anity," an interdenominational organ- June 18-25 ~ Geneva Summer School ization created in 1934, as a result of Obituary Notel for Missionary Education, Geneva the Laymen's Commission Report on Lake, Wisconsin. Write for infor- Foreign Missions. Bishop Hobson has The Rev. Dr. Eddy H. Greeley, for mation to Mrs. Paul H. Wezaman, attracted wide interest by literally fifty years a missionary of the Meth- 177 So. Humphrey Ave., Oak Park, carrying the church to the people in a odist Episcopal Church in Liberia and specially constructed trailer, called Rhodesia, died on April 8, at; Old Ill. Umtali, Rhodesia, at the age of 80 years. He was born at Owakonna, June 22-29 – General Synod, Evan- "St. Paul's Wayside Cathedral," re- Minnesota, in 1857, and was a cousin gelical and Reformed Churches, placing the cathedral in downtown of Horace Greeley. After graduation Columbus, Ohio. Cincinnati, as reported in the REVIEW from Hamblein University, St. Paul, he sailed for Liberia in 1888. He June 25-27-National Council of Fed- for April. *** introduced new plant life into Old erated Church Women, Eagles Umtali to add to the variety of native Mrs. J. P. White, editor of the foods. He was known especially as a Mere, Pa. Women's Missionary Magazine of the hymnodist and translator and for United Presbyterian Church. who has some years wrote the Sunday school June 25-July 2-Mt. Hermon Feder- been touring the foreign field of the lessons for missionaries and teachers. ated School of Missions, Mt. Her- Church, arrived in America on April mon, Cal. 14. Miss Anna A. Milligan, former C. Luther Fr*y, P*h.D* ., who did con- Educational Secretary of the United June 26-July 1- Church Conference Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- siderable work on the census of re- of Social Workers, Seattle, Wash- ligious bodies in the United States ington. and for five years was professor of Sociology in the University of Roch- June 28-July 3 – International Con- sions. who has spent the winter in ester, died on April 12, after a brief vention of Christian Endeavor, Egypt, will make a wider visit of for- illness. From 1922 to 1933 Dr. Fry Columbus, Ohio. eign ,missions before returning to was Director of the Bureau of Stand- ards of the Institute of Social and Re- July 11-19 – Northfield Missionary America. ** ligious Research of New York. He Conference, Northfield, Mass. Miss H*. was the author of "American Vil- Corona Rayle Cook, 16 Farnham Dr. James Rushbrooke, Execu- lagers," "The United States Looks tive Secretary of the Baptist World at Its Churches," and other volumes. St., Portland, Maine. Alliance, went to Bucharest to study He was born in Philadelphia, the'son the situation faced by Baptists in July 12-August 17 – Winona Lake Roumania, ana was granted an inter- (Concluded on 3d cO'IJer.) School of Theology, Winona Lake, view by King Carol and the Rou- Indiana. manian premier. The difficulties now seem to be under control. August 23-29-World Conference on International Friendship Through the Churches, Larvik, Norway. Evangelist G*ips*y *Smith. now 77 September 6-20 – World's You n g years old, declares that he has never Women's Gh r i s t ian Association, addressed greater crowds or more Canada. , September 11-16-International Con- eager young people, and has never vention of the Disciples of Christ, seen greater results of presenting the Gospel than in his latest tour of the Denver, Colo.
MISSIONARY I want to express a word of appre- Malwa-the Great
REVIEW OF THE WORLD ciation for the REVIEW and what it means in the program of missions. When Ihe good wOl'k VOL. LXI JUNE, 1938 No.6 Leaders in our missionary societies and groups throughout the country p.o calls yo. Basi … sail Publication and Business omc_ subscribe to it regularly. During our Third and Reily Sts., Harrlsburc, Pa. annual convention in June, when our This year marks a full century of P & 0 new program of missions is inaugu- service to the lands beyond Suez! When- Editorial and Executive omc_ rated, special prominence is given to ever you are called to the other side of the 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. the place that the REVIEW has in help- world, choose this traditional route. Cross Entered as second-class matter at ing to create effective missionary pro- to England by Cunard White Star … and grams. It is our sincere wish that the then embark in a great liner of the P & 0 Post Omce, Harrlsburc, P•., under REVIEW will continue to hold this im- and British India fleets, led by the new Act of March 3, 1879. portant place in the program of mis- 23,500-ton Stratheden and Strathallan, sions. featuring air-conditioned dining saloons 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. in first class, hot and cold running water Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. ADAM W. MILLER, throughout, built-in out-of-door swimming Published monthly, except August. Secretary of the Missionary pools, children'.s playrooms! Regular ser- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. vice to Egypt, Sudan, Persian Gulf, India, British agents – Marshall, Morgan Board of the Church of Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, China, and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, God. Japan, Australia, East and South Africa, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Mauritius. Special reductions and gener- 10 shillings • year. *** ous baggage allowance for missionaries.
MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- I have been reading the February Convenient through bookings can be ar- LISHING CO., INC. REVIEW today. Have greatly enjoyed rangedbyyourtravelagentoranyoffice of it. It is filled with material that helps BOARD OF DIRECTORS the missionary hope and spirit. The CUNARD WHITE STU UNE ROBE'RT E. SPEBR, Pre••dent articles are helpful and discerning. A. L. WABN8HUl8, Vice-Prerident "The World-Wide Outlook" pages are General Agents W ALTBR McDOUGALL, Treasurer especially helpful. The Moslem Num- DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secr8tarll ber has also been very useful to mis- 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. sionary groups. PAUL J. BRAl8TBD SAMUEL McCruu. CAVlIBT REV. STEPHEN J. COREY, D.D., Secretary of the United Christip,n D. J. FANT )lR8. ORRIN R. JUDD Missionary Socie·ty, Indianapo- WM. B. LIPPHABD lis, Ind. ERIC M. NORTH SAMUEL M. ZWEMII1I *** Editorial Chat I read THE REVIEW with great in- terest and profit and wish you all suc- "We have the honor to present"- cess in the conduct of this fine magaour City Mission Study Number of the zine. REVIEW. As usual, more papers came in than one issue–even a larger one H. D. DAVIES, –can accommodate. But it is a large Chicago Regional Secretary, Misand important subject, and worthy of careful study. Other articles on the sions Council of the Congrega- City and the Church will appear in tional and Christian Churches. the July and September numbers. They are some of the best-do not THE PRESBYTERIAn miss them. See the list of held-over articles mentioned on our back cover. -:- The only weekly in the Presbyterian Church. Previous spec*ial *mis*sion study num- .:- Its message is based upon bers have been in great demand, and the Revealed Word of God. some have been sold out before late orders could be filled. Order early. .:- Goes into every state in the Uni6n, U. S. possessions *** and many foreign countries.
The following are some unsolicited Subscription rate – $2.50 comments on the REVIEW recently re- Ministerial rate – – $2.00 ceived: SOc. exfra–Canadian postage *** $1.S0 extra– Foreign postage I follow the articles published in THE PRESBYTERIAn the REVIEW with great interest. Last week I wrote up a note for the Evan- 121 7 Market Street gelical and Reformed Messenger Philadelphia, Pa. recommending the REVIEW to our pastors and general readers. Nothing [257 ] would please me more than to learn that it had won new subscribers.
F. A. GOETSCH, Associate Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions,Evangeli- cal Synod of N. A.
*** The REVIEW is so valuable to us in our Mission Study that we are turning to you for help in planning our program for next year.
MRS. W. J. GOODWIN. Louisville, Kentucky.
Aerial Surveys
THE MODERN CITY – LOWER NEW YORK – AND ITS TOWERS (One building may accommodate 15,000 tenants and employees) Wide World Photo HUMANITY IN A MODE,RN CITY – TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE RPVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1938 Topics of the Times CHRIST AND THE MODERN CITY their parks, or with their night life; with their Two American cities (New York and Chicago) commercial activity and culture or with suffering each has a population larger than the whole of humanity; with their magnificent houses or with the United States in 1780. Fourteen of our cities their slums; with their educational institutions contain more people than the estimated popula- or their jails; with their rapid transit or their tion of the whole Roman Empire in Europe at rapid moral decline; with their churches or their saloons and brothels? We know how He dealt the time of Christ. New York City has a larger with Jerusalem, the Royal City. He came there population than Central America, or Arabia, or the whole of Australia (which has nearly the area to teach and to heal, to rebuke and to warn; He wept over the sin and hardness of heart of the of the United States). people; He suffered indignities at the hands of There are ninety-six cities in the United States the chief rulers in Church and State, but He de- with over 100,000 each and 500 cities each with lighted in the children; He loved even His eneover 15,000. These cities represent not only a mies and gave His life to save them from sin and great mass of humanity but here we find, in al- death. Would Jesus look differently on the cities most any large city, men of all races and lan- of today with their mixed multitudes? guages, in all degrees of poverty and wealth, of ignorance and culture; almost every type of reli- 1. If Jesus Christ came to America today, we gious faith and superstition is represented- know that He would first of all look on our city voodooism and theosophy, spiritism and demon- with clear discernment. He would delight in true worship, Islam and Hinduism, Shinto and Confu- beauty but would distinguish between the tawdry cianism, as well as every kind of Christian sect. material things that pass away, and the beauty of life and character that abide. He would see What elements of good and evil are contend- clearly the difference between the wealth that ing for the mastery in these centers of population men seek after and the riches that abide; between -banditry and honest business, commercialized the power that politicians and magnates crave vice and purity, selfish capitalism and philan- and the power that brings life out of death. He thropy, self-seeking labor and sacrificial service, would distinguish between the churches that can anti-God activity and Christian missions! boast only of wealth and social prestige, with What a field for Christian witness and activity beautiful equipment and elaborate ritual, and is presented in the modern city! How would Jesus those churches that may be worshiping only in a Christ look on our American cities if He should transformed saloon but where Christ is exalted, visit them in the flesh today? We know how God where the Gospel is preached and where men, looked on Sodom and its wickedness, and on Baby- women and children are being born anew through lon, the "mother of harlots," in spite of its pal- the power of the Spirit of God. He would disaces and hanging gardens; on Nineveh with its tinguish between empty eloquence and the quiet godlessness and ignorance; on Jerusalem, the testimony of some obscure saint. backsliding city over which Christ wept. How would He look today on New York, Chicago, De- 2. Jesus Christ, today, if He visited our city, troit, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, St. Louis, would look on the multitudes with compassion as He did in ancient Palestine. He would weep with New Orleans, Los Angeles? Would He be most those who weep and rejoice with those who have ~1JlJ?ress~d. w~th ~heir skfline and the beauty of true cause for jOf. H;e would s~I!athiz~ wit.l1.
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the sufferers and with those who are oppressed lowering standards in morals and in legislation, by money-getters or political bosses. He would the mad rush to increase armaments and growing distinguish between those who are sinned against, threats of international wars-all these and other and those who lead others astray; between the troubles tend to make men so fearful and full of "bandit" who has had little chance to know a bet- self-pity that many of us are tempted to forget ter way of life, and the honored "bandit" in high the more critical condition of others. As a result places who sins against light. He would denounce we neglect to help them in their hour of need. the hypocrites of all names and stations, and Many appeals have been made to bring help to would say to the misled and underprivileged, "Go, the suffering Chinese in this devastating, unjust sin no more." and cruel war that has been thrust upon them. The Red Cross and other philanthropic and mis- 3. Jesus Christ today would come to our city to sionary agencies are appealing for help for the give instruction and encouragement where they millions of Chi1tese sufferers-the vast hordes of are most needed. He would cheer the struggling wounded, the famine stricken because of war, pastor and the troubled parents. Where the truth those suffering from venereal disease (due largely of God is proclaimed and the love of God is mani- to the invading soldiers), and from cholera and fested' His presence would give light in darkness other epidemics. Doctors, nurses and funds are so that people would flock again to His standard. sorely needed to care for these wounded and dis- He would give hope to the faithful who are eased, to supply ambulances, medicines, bandages, tempted to discouragement, and would point out food and general hospitalization. The need is the way of victory through sacrifice. He would greater than ever and yet the response from make clear again the spiritual forces by which America has been smaller than in any previous He will overcome the world, and would call men crisis. Only about one-third of the $1,000,000 for to "leave all and follow" Him. which appeal was made, has been given. There is need for $5,000,000 from America. Chinese We have every reason to believe that if Jesus doctors and nurses and missionary forces are do- Christ came to our city today-unless He came ing their utmost, but they are hindered by lack In power to wipe out all evil and to establish His of supplies. Relief funds are now practically ex- Kingdom-He would look with compassion on the city and its inhabitants, and would preach and hausted.* The accompanying map shows how teach and work to make the Father known, and to bring new life and godliness to fruition as widespread is the area of conflict and how gener- He did nineteen hundred years ago. Would we ally the missionaries have remained at their posts receive Him differently than men received Him to minister to sufferers, in spite of personal disthen? tress and danger.
But if Jesus Christ is God and meant what He The Chinese Christians are also doing their utsaid then He is here today-not only in our city most. The following extracts from a letter from but in every city; not only in our cities, but in a Chinese Christian, Rev. Andrew Gih of the ,our towns and villages; He is in every home and Bethel Mission, Shanghai, shows how the work of church, every shop and factory, every school and Christ goes on, in spite of difficulties. Mr. Gih office, and in every individual where He is re- writes: ceived and is given the right of way. Today, as then, "to as many as receive Him" to them does When the war broke out in Shanghai, our people (of He give the right to become Children of God- Bethel Mission) had to flee to the International Concesfrom every class and tongue and nation. Would sions for safety. The hospital staff (in four hospitals) He offer any other remedy for sin and misery to- went right on with their work for wounded soldiers and day than He offered in the first century? Would our Christian nurses had the joy of serving and witness· He not tell His followers today in our cities to ing to the wounded; our evangelists were also busily enfollow Him and to make known the Way of Life gaged in preaching in many of the 200 refugee camps. to others by teaching men in private and in pub- The largest of these camps had fifteen thousand refugees, lic to know Him and to observe all the things He the smallest several hundred. Many broken hearts were has commanded us? Only when Christ is recog- bound up with the healing Gospel of Christ. We could nized and received by all the multitudes in our not carry on our schools as the section where our Bethel cities, will they truly become cities of God. What Compound is located -was badly bombarded, our Orphanage are we doing to help fulfil the purpose of God and was burned, and other buildings were damaged. All our the command of Christ to make known the Good belongings were looted and the Japanese still occupy our News and the power that He came to proclaim? beautiful Compound. The Hospital workers are still car- rying on in our branch Hospital in Shanghai but our OUR RESPONSE TO CHINA'S NEED Orphanage, Publishing Department, Bible Seminary and Evangelistic Bands have all been moved to Hongkong. • Rising taxes, increased cost of living, unemploy- ment, strikes in industry, depression in business, We thank God that He has preserved all our lives and we are able to carryon the work. Some evangelists are now preaching in the interior; one Band in Yunnan, another in Szechuan and others in Kwangsi, Kweichow • Contributions should be sent to mission boards having work In China. or the National Red Cross. Washington. D. C.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
There is only one way to overcome evil, and that is with positive good. There is only one truly good and that is God. Love is the only remedy for hate; life is the only effective antidote to death. Jesus Christ is the only salvation for in- dividuals and for the world. Therefore mission- aries go into all the world to spread the truth, the love, the life of God. as these are made known in Jesus Christ.
• .N _' JEWRY IN DISTRESS! WHAT OF IT?
, ;HE~~I ' …, American Jews, 4,500,000 in number, are out . .. . .. .. . ,—",""–. to raise $9,600,000 in 1938. This vast sum is for . –. ,-) relief of os,tracized and persecuted Jews in Europe and to aid in their settlement in Palestine or else- .. . " where, as circum.stances permit. -"~' -.: .: ~…~ The tidal wave of anti-Semitism has spread to Ii.~- Germany, Austria, Poland, Roumania and begins even to inundate Great Britain and America. The 'QR zons (8'-4"") OF CHlM essential cause of this widespread anti-Semitism is the economic distress in the world today. In UIlLOCUIOIOPAJIIIIllW prosperous times anti-Semitism rarely occurs. Hitler's racial ideology is another factor, as is the PROf'IstAJlftllS8101SWIOlS unfortunate behavior of some individual Jews. Business shrewdness, and in some cases dishon- kebdot "'p""e1Ittaoit,. esty, are other factors, but who persecutes all wtth_o…….. p"rlUU>ellt Gentiles because of shrewdness or personal dis- honesty? =:::~~"tl::~:nt In Poland there are 3,500,000 Jews, of whom .~. . .NU) …U.t …rIt. 1,000,000 are starving, who are involved. Rou- mania has 1,000,000 Jews while Germany has WHERE JAPANESE AND MISSIONARIES ARE OPERATING- only 350,000 and Austria about 200,000. All these DIFFERENTLY are menaced and for them American Jews are seeking to raise $9,600,000 this year. Incidentally and Chehkiang Provinces. They have been facing danger!; since 1914 American Jews have provided $87,- from air raids, but all witness to the power of the Holy 000,000 for the relief of European Jews. Spirit in changing many lives. Owing to the abnormal conditions, the traveling is difficult, so that it took sixteen In Germany, in addition to the Jews, there are days to reach the place of the first campaign in Kweichow. about 1,000,000 non-Aryans, and in Austria 600,- Another Band is going to Hunan and the fourth to the 000 or more. Any man, woman or child with at northern part of Kwangtung Province. We do not know least one Jewish grandparent, or one who is marhow long we will be allowed to preach unmolested. We ried to a Jew is classed as a non-Aryan and theremust spread the Good News before it is too late. The fore receives the same treatment as a Jew. Japanese give no liberty to the Chinese preachers in occupied territories. Pray that God will grant peace in the Thus there are approximately 7,000,000 folk in Far East and pray for those who are lifting up Christ Europe who, because of Jewish ancestry near or among the Chinese. There are wonderful opportunities, remote, are unwanted by their fellow citizens. especially in the interior of China. People are receptive And partly because of anti-Jewish sentiment, but to the Gospel and they realize life is uncertain and prop- more largely because of unemployment crises, erty is not dependable. Thank God "we know whom we they are not wanted anywhere else. Even in Palhave believed and we are persuaded that He is able to estine the number actually able to enter there in keep that which we have committed unto Him against one year has been reduced from 61,000 in 1935 that day." to less than 10,000 in 1937. Moreover, the Jew- Arab conflict in Palestine, coupled with the British It is more and more evident that it is impos- Partition proposals, has served to arouse the Mossible to carry out any isolation policy-either lem world and to increase the anti-Semitic sentinational or individual. War in one country will ment there. involve other nations, however much we may strive to prevent it. Famine and economic The net result of all this is a growing fearfultroubles in one land affect others. Disease will ness, uncertainty and insecurity in the hearts and spread in spite of sanitary measures. Immoral- minds of Jewry throughout the world. ity, selfish ambition and false philosophy cannot be confined within any national boundaries. Irreligion and anti-Christian, or anti-Jewish, propaganda spreads from party to party, from class to class, and from country to country, when not checked by positive faith and by the dissemination of God's truth.
Why should Christians be concerned with the ous in providing hospitality to these victims of fate of Jewish and non-Aryan victims of anti- a present day cruel autocracy? We especially need Semitism; why should we take upon ourselves to be on guard lest this unchristian racial dis- the responsibility of caring for these non-Aryans? crimination gains a foothold here. Propaganda is First of all because we are Christians and many a vicious thing and is powerful in formulating of these non-Aryans are Christians by faith. J ew- public opinion. We should strenuously oppose the ry is aiding admirably and sacrificially the Jewish anti-Jewish propaganda in America; we should victims, and has even helped non-Aryan victims, pray for persecuted Jewry and for a change of though the latter are definitely Christendom's re- heart in their persecutors. Here is a great op- sponsibility. But up-to-date, Christendom has not portunity to show the spirit of Christ and to do, been as generous as Jewry. The result is grievous individually and collectively everything we can distress and suffering among the Jewish, non- to combat the causes and consequences of anti- Aryan and Christian refugees. What right have Semitism. Tli'e-se are inescapable responsibilities Christians in America to protest against anti- of all who claim to be Christian.
Semlitism in Europe while we do nothing effective- CONRAD HOFFMANN, JR. ly to aid the victims of such racial discrimination?
We need to be reminded of the good Samaritan as weU as of the Levite and the priest in our Lord's FOURTEEN POINTS FOR FOREIGN parable. There is an American Committee* to aid MISSIONS Christian refugees from Germany and this committee needs financial help to meet the growing 1. Every book in the New Testament was writdistress. A few instances of the flotsam and jet- ten by a foreign missionary. sam of human wreckage in the wake of the present tidal wave of anti-Semitism, are the fol- 2. Every letter in the New Testament that was lowing: written to an individual was written to a convert of a foreign missionary. 1. Mr. F- is a pharmacist, non-Aryan, but a Christian by faith having won the Iron Cross, the Front Trench 3. Every epistle in the New Testament that was Fighter's, and the wounded-in-service medals. As a non- writteB to a church was written to a for- Aryan he was no longer allowed to run his private phar- eign missionary church. macy in Germany, and was forcibly compelled to sublet. Now he is in America looking for work and hopes later 4. Every book in the New Testament that was to be joined by his wife and two sons as soon as he is written to a community of believers was able to support them. Before he could leave Germany he written to a general group of foreign mishad to pay 81% of his funds as a "flight tax." sionary churches.
5. The one book of prophecy in the New Testa- 2. Mrs. U- was a Christian Gentile woman, married ment was written to the seven foreign misto a Jew in Vienna; her husband is no longer allowed to sionary churches in Asia. work. She is a teacher of Germanics, but being married 6. The only authoritative history of the early to a Jew she, too, is not allowed to work. Christian Church is a foreign missionary journal. 3. Mr. T- was a government expert on Social Security 7. The disciples were called Christians first in and Socialized Medicine; a non-Aryan Christian, and a a foreign missionary community. member of the German Confessional Church group of which Dr. Niemoller is the leader. Now he is in America 8. The language of the books of the New Testaas a transient but hopes soon to be admitted on the quota ment is the missionary language. and then to find work. 9. The map of the early Christian world is the 4. Rev. F- was a non-Aryan Protestant clergyman in tracing of the journeys of the first mis- Germany. Not being allowed to preach there, on the advice of his pastoral colleagues, he went to Vienna to work for a Swedish Society and did remarkably well. sionaries.
Since Hitler's annexation of Austria, this pastor has been 10. Of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, every compelled to flee to Prague and then to Sweden. apostle except one became a missionary.
We might go on and cite case after case of 11. The only man among the twelve apostles who people who need help, financially and above all did not become a missionary became a spiritually. In New York City, the Jews have traitor.
established a reception service and a center for 12. The problems which arose in the early Church Jewish refugees, but nothing of the kind has yet were largely questions of missionary pro- been done by the Christians for the Christian cedure.
refugees. 13. Only a foreign missionary could write an Should not Christians of America, the: strong- everlasting gospel.
hold of liberty, equality and democracy be gener- 14. According to the apostles, missionary service is the highest expression of Christian life.
• Mr. Frank Ritchie. Secretary, American Commlttl'le fOr German WILLIAM ADAMS BROWN. Refugees. 287 Fourtli Ave.. New York City,
at the Center of City
By AUBREY S. MOORE, Chicago Superintendent of Chicago Home Missionary Society, Methodist Episcopal Church A YOUNG man, a college and theological ent languages. The first church has a fine build- school graduate just beginning his minis- jng with more than fifty rooms, including a large try in the city, came to discuss his work. gymnasium, a swimming pool, a cafeteria, an as- As he sat in my office, looking out across the roofs sembly hall that will accommodate more than one of the buildings, and yet seeing not the buildings thousand people and a beautiful chapel. This but the streets filled with boys and girls and men building is filled afternoons .and evenings. More and women, he said with something of compas- than one hundred and forty classes, club meetings sion in his voice as well as in his gaze, "The Peo- and group meetings, exclusive of devotional meetpIe! The People!" jngs, are held each week. The total registered at- tendance for March, this year, was 10,623. The I instinctively turned to a picture which hangs program includes classes in sewing, cooking, on my office wall-the picture of another young printing, dramatics, bookkeeping, stenography, man looking across a valley at another city more vocational guidance, knitting, playing the harthan two thousand years ago. As this other monica, first aid, etc. These boys and girls are Young Man looks at the city He weeps and says: kept off the streets, which of itself is worth while, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this and at the same time they are learning something thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!" of value under leaders who know the importance I breathed a prayer that this other young man, of character development in the lives of young with his splendid preparation for service might people. be held steady, that his vision might be kept clear, his heart be kept pure, and that his enthusiasm In some Institutional and Community Churches, might be inseparably joined to the purpose of that one finds a program that is broad enough in scope other Young Man who will ever weep over the and sufficiently varied in character to appeal to city until it shall become like unto "the Holy Jeru- all age groups. Last summer one pastor gave a salem, descending out of Heaven from God." series of open-air Gospel addresses with a stereop- ticon. He reported an attendance of over 8,000 "Home Mission Work in a City" seeks to place per week. Early in March one church office re- Jesus Christ at the center of the City's life. Home ported twenty-two baseball teams already regismissionaries are not primarily interested in any tered for the coming season-one of the sure signs particular creed, but rather in making Christ of Spring. dominant in the lives of individuals and groupsthe determining factor in their conduct. The task The city is becoming disturbed over the alarmwill not be completed until politics, industry, so- jng increase in Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile cial life, and religious life shall acknowledge Him Crime. Two weeki; ago, in one issue of a daily as Lord and Master and seek to do His will. paper, there were the names of forty boys, with the average age under sixteen years, who were There are certain types of work in the city to arrested for crimes all the way from petty theft which those who are in any way responsible for to murder. It has been estimated that six thou- Mission Work today must of necessity give sand six hundred Protestant boys and girls will thought. appear before the Juvenile Court of Chicago in 1938, and that of this number more than two The Institutional Church is perhaps the most thousand will be there for the first time. In conwidely known agency of the Church in the con- ference with a Probation Officer a few days ago gested centers of the great city. One such typical I was told of the attempts being made to save church, with a seven-day and seven-evening pro- these boys and girls from the careers towards gram every week, is located in the midst of a which they seem to be moving so rapidly. By the group of many thousands of people among whom time many of these boys come before the Juvenile more than twenty different languages are spoken. Court it may be too late to do much for them. Another typical church is said to be the only Eng- The difficulty is farther back. lish-speaking church in a community of more than 250,000 people speaking more than thirty differ- [263]
The first evidence of a wrong tendency in the to perpetuate the use of any language other than boy or girl that comes to the attention of the au- the English language in churches that must ulti- thorities outside of the home is truancy. This is mately minister to English-speaking American said to begin at seven years and reach its "highest citizens.
incidence" at thirteen or fourteen. Truancy! Among the problems which we face is that of Delinquency! Crime! This is the order. The the slowly dying church in the downtown or nearone leads naturally to the other. In a careful downtown district. In one denomination in a study, covering a period of several years, it was typical city more than twenty churches have been found that more than half of the Juvenile Crim- either closed outright or merged with other inals had been truants. In an effort to get to the churches during the past twenty years. The root of the matter students are finding themselves merger plan is frequently resorted to as a faceface to face with home situations and community environment. A Protestant representative at the saving devic~t It has its appeal. However, in so Juvenile Court and at the Juvenile Detention far as the merged church is concerned the results Home, a highly trained, consecrated young are about the same. A 'group of members are transferred to the strengthened organization but woman, follows the cases assigned to her to the many scatter and find new homes, if at all, elsehomes and to the communities from which they where. The churches at the heart of the city die come in an attempt to cleanse the fountain at its first. And then slowly but surely the circle is source. Case after case could be presented that enlarged until in due season one can scarcely find would bear eloquent testimony to the effectiveness a "going" concern among the few remaining of this program of Mission Work in a great City. churches in or near the downtown section. And No longer do immigrants fill the already con- this is true in spite of the fact that the population gested centers of our cities. With the decrease in in the neighborhood of these churches may have immigration that problem is giving us less con- doubled or tripled or even quadrupled in the meancern, although in some of our largest cities more time. It can all be explained, but to explain it is than seventy percent of the people are either foreign born or the children of foreign-born parents. not to solve the problem. The "mixing bowl" is at work but its task has not been completed. The children of these foreign- Thirty years ago a certain large church in the born parents attend our public schools, they play near downtown section of a great city was packed in our streets, and breathe the atmosphere of our to the doors-gallery and all. The city authori- American cities until their very freedom creates ties were said to have stationed policemen at the an unhappy situation. In some localities our mis- doors to prevent dangerous overcrowding. This sion worker's chief task seems to be that of a church included among its members men and mediator who seeks to enable these alert children women from every walk in life-railroad executo adjust themselves to the demands of their for- tives, financiers and men prominent in the busieign-born parents and to assist the parents, with ness and professional life of the city. Today a an "old country" background, to understand their mere handful of good but discouraged people own children as they react to their new environ- carryon in a building that is rapidly deteriorat- ing; and yet there are more people per square ment. mile in that neighborhood today than ever before. The families of wealth have moved to the suburbs Lost Moorings and the local group can no longer support a resi- Many thousands in these groups, if they ever dent pastor. This church would be pronounced had a vital religious faith, have broken from their near dead. And this is but an extreme example religious moorings and are helplessly afloat, dere- of what one finds all too often in our large cities.
lict fashion, or are openly disregarding all moral What had really happened in this case? Slowly and religious claims upon their lives. Work but surely the people who had supported this in- among these people is fascinating. The young stitution died or moved from the downtown sec- people form a most inviting and responsive group, tion to the less crowded areas or to the suburbs.
while a right approach to the adults will assure a As the older group moved out another crowded in.
heartening measure of success. For many years But this new group was made up of renters and it seemed to be necessary to provide a foreign- roomers who were incapable of carrying the finan- born leader for these people. Today, however, cial burden if they had been willing to do so. So with few if any immigrants to deal with, and with with the steady decrease in support came a cor- an increasing number of young people, American responding retrenchment in the program until to- born and trained in our public schools, it is be- day there is none. Had it been possible for the coming less and less necessary to present a bi- members of this church in the heyday of its pros- lingual program. The day has come when many perity to have created an endowment, and thereby believe it to be not only unnecessary but unwise made possible an income sufficient to provide a
CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF CITY LIFE
continuously effective program, might there not The Social agencies are doing excellent: work. have been a different story to tell today? Or, sup- In our own city there are said to be twenty-two pose there had been funds available from the districts with a population of 50,000 to the square Mission Boards to supplement and stabilize the mile in which the environment is detrimental to decreasing income of this church, what would the best interests of the· growing boy and girl. have been the result? Community projects under the guidance of the de- partment of Research Sociology of the Institute We must face our responsibility for these down- for Juvenile Research have been located in three town areas. Just so long as there is a constituency of these districts and in each of the three truancy, for which we are clearly responsible in any com- delinquency and crime have steadily decreased. munity, just so long must we remain in the community adapting our program to the needs of the The Christian Church has ever pioneered in people whom we seek to serve. And in order to needy fields until an awakened Social conscience do this it becomes equally clear that funds in in- came to recognize the responsibility of the comcreasing amounts must be available from outside munityas a whole. But after the city, through its sources to supplement the decreasing incomes of various agencies, has done its best will there not these churches until, if possible, a local supporting remain for the Church the task of evangelizing constituency can once again be developed. successive generations? This, after all, we may find is its primary function. Indeed the chief In our thinking of Mission Work in a City, at- task of the Church seems to be to work itself out tention is often fixed upon the so-called blighted of a job. In the Seer's vision of the Holy City areas or areas of deterioration which are usually there was no temple. It was no longer needed. the truancy and crime centers.' Frequently too However, that day in the modern city seems to be little attention is focused upon the Boulevards. a great way off. "The Kingdoms of this world Slum minds are not all confined to so-called slum are" not yet "become the Kingdoms of our Lord, areas. The "certain rich man" of the parable and of his Christ." Until that takes place there was farther from the Kingdom of God than Laz- will continue to be a place for "Home Mission arus. We have also a mission to the Boulevard Work in a City." sections of our cities. Many Boulevard dwellers are heart-hungry for a little disinterested friend- PERCENTAGE RURAL AND liness and for a sane interpretation of the Word of God. A surprising number of them would be URBAN POPULATION willing to render a high order of sacrificial service for their Lord and Master if given an opportunity. 8Y 10 YEAR PERIODS We have no more right to neglect them than we have to neglect any other group. Jesus was per- 1c!&O – 1930 fectly willing to have "the Rich Young Ruler" use his money to aid the poor. Is it not reasonable to '''Dr. 5H 4167. suppose that the wealth of Boulevard friends would be acceptable to Him if given in the proper 1900 13LO 1.9Z0 1.9"0 spirit? The consecrated wealth of the Boulevards could be used to transform the slums. RURAL In the field of Social Service and Charity uBB"50? 514 56.2. changes are rapidly taking place. Community Chests and Community Funds are used to support l~OO J6.90 1900 1910 1920 H30 the more elaborate rather than the less highly organized forms of ministry. These funds are URBAN usually not available for religious work or for programs too closely connected with the religious activities of the church. The tendency appears to be to divorce social and charity work from the religious program and to place it under the direction of trained social workers who are responsible to their own organization. If social agencies and civic organizations are to assume responsibility for the physical and economic well-being and for the social adjustment of the underprivileged, what is to be the future of Christian Mission Work in the City? Will it mean that the churches must withdraw or confine their efforts to a technically spiritual ministry?
Modern City
By REV. HERBERT E. EBERHARDT, B.D., Indianapolis, Indiana President of the International Union of Gospel Missions DISTANCE lends enchantment, even in mis- product of tlte groups to be considered later. It sion fields. When we hear of poverty, of is to these youth that the city missionary must squalid homes and dirty children, of dis- appeal, by games, playgrounds, picnics, singing, ease and sin in India, many feel a peculiar thrill! class work, vacation schools and summer camps. Describe the same conditions in India-napolis and we shudder; we draw our skirts about us and A mission visitor in Rochester, N. Y., calling are tempted to "pass by on the other side" as we on underprivileged homes, invited a girl to the cry, "Unclean!" How oft we have heard it said, mission Sunday School. The child asked, "What "Well, they don't need to live that way," or "They kind of a show is it?" In that she typifies thouought to know better," or perhaps, "If they had sands of other children. But she came, and to saved as I have"! the surprise of all, won first place in the vacation Bible school. That may be true, but the conditions are here and we must face them. Every great city fur- Ira Smith, superintendent of the Children's nishes a real missionary field, one that most di- Gospel Mission of Newark, N. J., led a child to rectly affects all of us. We have often said of the Christ in an open-air park service. That child crowd of transients in our city missions, "If we later brought the entire family into the mission don't take care of these men, they'll take care of and in time the mother, of foreign descent, was us." At the mourner's bench of one of our rescue employed by a large church as its city missionary. missions a penitent surrendered a loaded revolver, confessing that he was on his way to commit a A New England Methodist pastor, graduate of robbery when arrested by the music! Most mis- Union Seminary, came to Christ in the Wheeler sions have in their "museums" guns, billy clubs, Mission at Indianapolis when a small boy, the blackjacks, whiskey bottles, dope and what not, first of an entire family.
There probably is no field so promising and so productive as this among the boys and girls whom as evidence of the direct bearing which city mis- the church often cannot reach except through the sion work has on the lives of all of us. city missions.
These home-mission groups are varied, and Some Problem Homes much larger than one might suppose. Let us consider briefly six such groups. They represent Closely related is the American problem home, more than one half of our population, when we the result of poverty or heredity, divorce, irreconsider that the total church membership of the ligion, sin and unbelief. No prayer, no Bible United States includes only about one half. Many reading, no worship – God's Name used only in an election has been "swung" by a minority group profanity! This is becoming an increasing probholding the balance of power. Skilled politicians lem. It is known that many of the boys on the know the importance of winning the colored vote road today are the direct result of broken homes. -many times enough in itself to secure a victory Social workers hear over and over again, "Dad in election. This same principle applies in the and Mother separated." Some one has aptly said field of missionary service. Special populations, that we ought to sing, "Where is my wandering large or small, may vitally influence the welfare mother tonight?" of the entire community. The city missionary has an entree into these The Non-Churched Children homes, sometimes through death, or arrests or a child in the vacation Bible school. A social We consider first the thousands of children and service contact, such as is made possible by the youth in our cities who are not under the influence Council of Federated Church Women of Indian- of the church and do not attend Sunday School. apolis which employs its own representative in a In them lies the future of our cities; they are the city mission, often proves an open sesame to an seed-bed of our future problems, and hence should otherwise impregnable heart or home. A table or be considered first. They are also the direct by- chair, or garments, or a friendly visit may inspire [266 ] confidence and awaken interest, when all else employed, always welcome and specially well fails. "I was hungry and ye fed me." These treated, the mission says, "The church does care, people are not dressed for church; they have no we are interested in you, Christ has a place in money to give; they are not concerned; often His program for you." This attitude is of practhey do not feel wanted. The writer was once tical value in that it proves its faith by its works -meals, beds, clothes, free service of many kinds.
There is no better preventive of radicalism and atheistic Communism in America than this quiet, Christ-like influence of our Gospel missions and other Christian social service. It is unob- trusive, not heralded with banners, but no one can estimate the amount of preventive work ac- complished. A lighthouse is not only to be cred- ited for rescues made, but for the many more wrecks prevented. Every city mission is a veritable and effective lighthouse.
It is a known fact, demonstrated repeatedly, that there are far fewer arrests or calls for police aid (if any at all) in mission shelters than in gov- ernment or purely charitable shelters. The unem- ployed respect and respond to the kindly attitude of a Christian. .The "cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple" has more than one reward!
The Drink Evil in Our Cities Social workers know that repeal of the Eight- eenth Amendment has brought marked increases WHICH WAY ARE THEY HEADED? PhDtography by H. E. Gray. Waifs-not in India but in Indianapolis. THE OLD DOOR AND THE NEW pastor of a city church where considerable ob- The mission stands on the spot where stood the old saloon. jection was felt because these folks were coming into the church as the result of a schoolhouse mission service.
If the home is the foundation of our nation, then surely here is worth-while missionary service. We remember that Jesus accepted an invitation to the Pharisee's house, and that the Scribes said, "This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them." He knew the importance of such work.
Among the Unemployed This group, numbering several millions, possibly 12,000,000 today, has been too much neglected, and is potentially the most dangerous, forming a natural hotbed for radicalism. Any failure on the part of our missionary program here may prove disastrous. When the priest and the Levite "go by on the other side" and an anti- Christian Samaritan proves the true neighbor, the results are not so good.
For many years the only agencies caring for these unfortunate classes were those with a religious motive or impulse, particularly our Christian rescue missions, which Bishop Freeman once termed, "The Church in Overalls." To the un-
in the inevitable results of liquor; prohibition Has the church cared? Has she prepared worktimes at their worst were remarkably better than ers for this special field? Has she offered youth under license; the evils of the old saloon are back a vocation here? The Church Federation of Cinwith multiplied dangers, supported by radio, auto- cinnati maintains a prison chaplain, a unique mobile, the modern press, lowered moral stand- work. The Indianapolis Federation supports a ards, and the changed status of women. full-time Christian social worker for court service.
The tavern, the dance hall, the "new deal" Above all, the Gospel provides the needed and gambling mania, the false concept of morals, all only remedy. But preparatory to that, kindly tend to produce a tremendous challenge to the guidance, appreciated letters, sympathetic parole, wisest and most intense missionary program- changed environment, medical and psychiatric missionary, because the power of Christ, and not treatment, fellowship groups, all have a curative reform or legislation, is the ultimate solution. as well as :q!,eventive value. A survey might re- veal two thuigs: that most missions are engaged Beginning 65 years ago with the establishment in some form of prison service, and that most by Jerry McAuley, himself a twice-born man, of prison services, in and out of prison, are conthe now famous McAuley Water Street Mission in ducted by gospel missions. New York City, much of the work of rescue missions has been made necessary by liquor and its Transients in Our Cities naturally attendant evils. When a man has been A great army, thousands of them, men, boys, of "beaten and robbed" where else can he go? When all ages – not tramps – are wandering over this no one else cares, when he has no funds, where country. Many are seasonal laborers traveling to can he go but to a Gospel mission? If he does not go there, what is his future? A MISSIONARY LEADING A SERVICE IN A CITY JAIL But, thank God, when he goes, often a miracle find the next temporary job. Many are the prodtakes place and a new man is born. "If any man uct of the divorce evil-increasingly so! Most of be in Christ, he is a new creature," and indeed them are unemployed. Mission records show he is. Recently we met a man who has been an among them college graduates, business men, proactive member of a Methodist church for forty- fessional men, and all classes and types. The dethree years. He staggered into a small rescue pression has greatly increased their number. mission hall some years ago. Now, seventeen years later, he is a Sunday School superintendent. There have been three stages in their treatment. There are thousands like him-once drunkards, First, the care offered solely by missions, the Salor worse, who are now ministers, evangelists, song vation Army, the Volunteers, and other Christian directors, honored laymen, mission superintend- agencies, for many years. They have been fed, ents, missionaries. "Oh, say but I'm glad," and housed, clothed, but above all, evangelized, with many other Gospel hymns have come from the marty happy results. fervent pen of such a twice-born man! Here surely is a field for missionary specialists-and Second, the strictly social or community shelter how productive! "I was sick and ye visited me," of recent yeirs, often with no religion, but with said Jesus, our Lord. boxing, movies, games, and other diversions. This has proved expensive and nonproductive. The Prison Population Third, and more recent, the Transient Pro- J. Edgar Hoover's recent figures as to the num- gram of the United States Government, the first ber of men and women incarcerated in the United national effort to solve this problem. It only in- States are staggering. Even worse are the records creased the problem, however, and was abanof potential criminals, paroled men,· and affiliates doned. Thousands of men, particularly young now on our streets. But we are thinking here of men and boys, welcomed the opportunity of beanother larger group whom we mission folks know all too well-the families of these men and women form a much, much larger group. They comprise a larges~'tion of our population but they obviously tryt6 conceal their identity. They are out of touch with and probably beyond the reach of the church.
To neglect them is to fail Christ and to endanger ourselves. "I was in; prison and ye came unto me" still carries promise. of reward. At such a time hardened hearts are often tender; homes are lonely and open to a kindly word. Here is a rich and ready field for Christian service.
MEETING MODERN CITY PROBLEMS
coming the guests of Uncle Sam. The complete people from every state in the Union may be lack of any religious program also proved de- touched in a short period in one locality. "A moralizing. stranger and ye took me in" becomes a reality here. They literally come from "the highways Now we are in a fourth stage wherein the tran- and the hedges," often to receive more than the sient problem is again being handled, in most proverbial "pie-in-the-sky," the knight-of-the-road cases, by the Christian agencies with the coopera- slang for religion. THE UNION CITY MISSION BUILDING, MINNEAPOLIS We have enumerated briefly six of the most tion of Central Registration Bureaus to avoid needy and most promising of special populaduplication of effort. There seems to be no ulti- tions in our key cities. There are others, of mate solution of the transient problem, but there course, but seventeen years of direct contact, are certain desirable steps that may be effective- handling more than 100 men each day, toa careful case-work program, the outlawing of gether with hundreds of problem families, hitchhiking, a thorough work program, and the have indicated that these fields are probably correction of social conditions which create tran- the most neglected and yet perhaps the most siency. But most promising of all is a strong productive. The city missions that specialize evangelistic approach, with the belief that chang- with these groups have been rightfully termed ing the man himself is the surest way of changing "The Churches at Work Downtown." Their conditions. This has been proven in sixty-five interdenominational character, practical apyears of mission services, where it is believed that proach,city-wide appeal, and combination of "placing a new man in the suit is better than relief plus, offers the Christian church an placing a new suit on the man." Here is a great immediate and most vital open door for anmissionary field for the church, with most unex- swering the age-long question of the Old Tespected possibilities. Take at random, for example, tament, "Am I my brother's keeper?" and of a few cases in one Middle-West mission. Among the New, "Who is my neighbor?" the thousands of men apply.ing for aid we find a Perhaps this rapid survey will at least be sugminister's son who had "hot-footed" from a col- gestive and will stimulate a new interest in anlege where his father was formerly treasurer; a other phase of "home missions." Study groups college professor who had formerly taught one of the directors of the mission; the brother of a very JM ' THE JERRY MCAULEY ' ,MISSION, NEW YORK CITY prominent social worker; the black sheep of a f~mi1y whose name appears on a county court- maybe led to seek further knowledge of the facts house cornerstone; the son of.a member of a state and some day there may be a mission study course legislature; .the son of a form'er American consul on this specialized field. The possibilities of direct at Bremen; an escaped convict who voluntarily Gospel preaching and witnessing may be carried returned to a state's prison; a former pastor, an back to the church with a fresh emphasis. Epworth League president. The field for service is unlimited and the opportunities are amazing;
Youth Problem of the
By REV. ROBERT V. RUSSELL, New York Director of Religious Education, Baptist City Societies THE youth who lives in a modern city is never because they are overwhelmed they tend to turn entirely free from congestion. He is subject to the more sltperficial, the more obvious things,. to a kind of machine-gun rat-a-tat-tat of ap- Into the midst of all this is set the Christian" peals-to pleasure, to material gain, to various Gospel, mediated to youth of the city in various groups or enterprises in the body politic. In his ways. Set down in the midst of his community world he is always at the edge of – or possibly is a church. It may be a big city church with under-a kind of smoke-pall of futility, emanating more edifice than program or itll~y be a center from the slow-burning fires of disillusionment or of activity under Christian auspic~s 'with a seventhe ashes of cynicism. day-a-week program crying. <;>u.f for adequate He needs room, psychological room, for his self equipment. Or it may lie somewhere between to expand, his soul to grow. He needs criteria for these two. But the church represents the voice his choosing, a norm for living amid changing of the Christian Evangel, however weak or stam- codes and conflicting standards. He needs a cause mering it may be in the midst of the city clamor.
(oh, how he needs a cause!) that is not restricted Those who know the life of the city are likely to to one arc of life, but which gathers up all of life say, "If that were only true, but are there not when he gives himself to it, that integrates all great stretches in the city, where the message of the phases of living for him in one resolve, that Christ is needed most, that are practically un- answers youth's question, "What am I to live churched?" This is so-and even more than this for?" -for according to delinquency maps the areas of Moreover, today's youth lives in a not-normal highest incidence of juvenile delinquency are world. Not that it is abnormal or crazy; nor is often shown to be those areas from which the it necessary to hope for "back-to-normal," but churches have most consistently moved away.
to the young pe'rson from fifteen to twenty-four But this is not all of the answer, for church socie- years of age, things do not seem to be what he is ties and city mission societies have made it pos- told they once were. Half of the people seem to sible to maintain churches in places where the be wishing for the return of something that once community itself could not possibly support a was, and the other half seem to be looking for- minister and staff to carryon the type of pro- ward, with varying degrees of eagerness, to some- gram that is needed.
thing that is to be. Youth wonders. One phase of the youth problem is this matter Asked about his outlook upon life recently one of communities of special need. One cannot look of these young people said, to the writer: "Well, upon the city without recognizing that in most the future is not clear because things seem to be cases the distance between streets that are proudly all changed around. We hear about the days of shown to visitors and areas that are shamefully prosperity-high wages, plenty of jobs-but we below the standard in living conditions is only a do not know about that by experience. Most of matter of a few blocks. Neither can one look the friends that I had in high school are looking upon the youth of the city as all set in a one-tone for some kind of a job, or are working at any pattern. They constitute a variegated design- kind of a job for very low wages. We wonder a kind of kaleidoscope of interrelated back- what the prospects are ahead." grounds, national, racial and cultural. In New "Youth of the city," according to another speak- York City, for example (where probably this is ing as a member of a discussion panel, "is looking more pronounced), a study of the 1930 census for a good time (considering it as a birthright); figures shows that of the youth living in the five looking for a job; and looking for something to boroughs who are between the ages of fifteen and believe in." twenty-four, 73.2% are either themselves foreign A denominational adult leader of youth re- born or one or both of their parents come from marked recently that the youth of today are over- oth_er lands. In the Bronx the percentage is 82.6 whelmed by the complexities and the difficulties and in Brooklyn 78.8, while in Manhattan, alwhen they try to look objectively at their world; though the percentage is somewhat lower (63.3ro) [270 ] another element is introduced in the 12.2% of tional. One of those whom the writer has ques- Negro youth in this borough. What varieties of tioned regarding this problem replied that he felt social heritage, national customs and behaviour that youth's most acute need was for a meaningpatterns are represented by figures like these! ful fellowship in which his own individual life There is also the youth who come from "the may count for something. It was the opinon of this man, a youth leader, that youth are not able farm," which gave up 40 % of its youth (in the to feel always the sense of this larger fellowship in their own church. It may be because the youth group from ten to twenty years) to the city in group in the church is quite small or it may be the decade between 1920 and 1930. In New York because the adult members of the church do not City again the religious pattern is varied. The appear to give sufficient place to youth in the life Welfare Council reports in its publication, Better of the church and the management of its affairs. Times, of April 5, 1937, a study in which it was Every field worker in the area of youth activities found (by visiting each hundredth residential ad- is familiar with the complaint of the young people, dress in the city and questioning the youth from after they have had an experience in a city-wide sixteen to twenty-four years of age), that 49% re- fellowship or camp or summer conference, that when they return to their own local church they ported themselves as Roman Catholics, 31 % as do not seem to be able to make the church people understand their desire or to comprehend their Jewish and 1870 as Protestant. No doubt these situation. It is here that the city-wide or regional figures would be different for other cities but it is groupings of young people function from time to obvious that for any city of significant size there time, in youth councils, week-end conferences, or may need to be a considerable revision of former larger gatherings. The smaller groups of youth assumptions as to religious majorities. realize that they are part of a larger fellowship; they meet youth of other churches or of other de- Here again, the Church Society or the City Mis- nominations; they are inspired by a leadership sion Society has been the carrier of the Christian that it may not be possible for the local church to message. Many immigrant groups have colonized provide, and they meet and plan with leaders who are in constant touch with youth, know their probin areas consistent with the economic limitations lems, and "speak their language." There is a placed upon them, and it is almost impossible to growing fellowship-growing somewhat slowly it picture the conditions of physical congestion and must be said-around the United Youth Program spiritual depression under which the children projected by the Christian Youth Council of North grow into their youth. Here is set down the bi- America. This is related to the International lingual church under the ministry of a foreign- Council of Religious Education representing a speaking pastor, oft-times with a staff of one or large number of denominational groups and remore workers trained in religious education and lating itself to the major Christian youth orsocial service. A dramatic illustration of the re- ganizations. sults of this kind of work was given at a recent dinner meeting of the Baptist Social Union and Youth and the Local Church New York City Baptist Mission Society when some forty young people, both men and women, Of course the most effective and most direct representing a dozen different national groups work with youth will be done in the local church, from these by-lingual churches, sat upon the platform. Five young people gave responses to the especially in the suburbs or semi-suburban areas. theme of the evening; one of them (Czechoslovak) For while the suburban youth is not city-bred in was engaged in banking; one (Italian) was a the truest sense, neither is he rural- far, far teacher in a city high school and the others were from it! He has been infected with the cynicism, either studying or held positions in business es- disillusionment and unrealities of urban philosotablishments. All had found opportunity for phies without knowing personally so much about growth – psychological room – in a Christian the conditions of city life whch have given rise to church supported by a city-wide organization. these attitudes. This type of youth must be caught The writer knows of one instance in which a by an attractively presented, intelligently con- "gang" of what some might call "hoodlum" youth, ceived and largely youth-directed set of activities was invited by the pastor of the neighborhood which leads him to recognize the church as the church to transfer its activities from the street best place for him to spend a good share of his (where it was causing some annoyance) to the leisure time. A typical program of this type is inside of the church building. Subsequently this being followed in one of the churches in New group became one of the "clubs" of the church York City. A Sunday evening program consists and some of its members found places of service of a supper, a chapel service, and interest groups. in the program of the church itself.
Another phase of the youth problem is being attacked from another angle – that of youth fellowships, both denominational and interdenomina-
The terminology is that of the sea with "courses" There is also an imperious demand for a listed which may be "charted" under the direction changed philosophy of human relationships-ecoof a "crew" of leaders and with "cruises" begin- nomic and social. The survival of the fittest thening on certain dates, continuing for a number of ory when applied to human relations is untenable. weeks, and then terminating, to be followed within A disturbing phase of the life of the city youth is a week or two by another "cruise" with a different the seeming tendency to forget one's idealism set of interest groups. One virtue of this program when one begins to prosper materially or is reis that the interests are selected by a group of the ceiving some special recognition. Jesus met it in young people of the church and are built around the Rich Young Ruler. Here was a personable, their own suggestions. There are such topics as : "successful" young man, confronted with the "Choosing One's Life Work"; "Social Problems charge of disregard of his social obligations. At of Our City"; "Love, Courtship and Marriage"; the close of the interview the young man "went "How Can I Find God?"; "Boy and Girl Relation- away sorrowf-ul." One wonders whether he was ships"; "Science and Religion"; "The Art of not saying also in his heart, "The man must think Praying." Each interest is carried for a few I'm a fool!" weeks and the young people are invited to remain each Sunday evening as long as there is a hot-spot This insidious thing that we might perhaps call of interest to hold them. This church is a magnet a personal-prosperity-inspired unconcern is apt of centripetal force every Sunday evening for to become a part of the maturing process of the from one hundred to one hundred and forty young most promising individuals among city youth and people. youth will respond to a program in which it must be recognized not only as a characteristic they have a part with informed, dynamic leaders. of the urban psychology but also as a moral chal- lenge which, if it is not met adequately, becomes One of the most acute needs of youth is for en- a spiritual defeat. One of the most decisive op~ terprises in which they may have the opportunity portunities of the Christian church is the inspirfor the practice .of democracy-in which they may ing of the youth of the city by helping them to feel themselves factors. Unfortunately in many share the comradeship of adults who are themchurches this is what they do not find. selves successful-"men among men"-but who are also Christ-inspired persons, engaged in a mu- If it is true that youth is "looking for something tual quest for the highest realization of the "statto believe in," then the church stands on the thres- ure of the fullness of Christ"-not for themselves hold of an oportunity – the opportunity to con- alone, but also for the other-the "forgotten"- vince youth that here is a democracy in microcosm man. in which he can have a part, a cause to which he may dedicate himself, a Master who will not let What is this if it is not the missionary motive, him down. the witnessing urge, the continuing determination of those who have "been with Jesus" to share that Two or three things need to be emphasized in which we know. The youth problem in the city Christian work with city youth. There must be is a challenge to the Christian forces for the dea larger place for youth in the program of the velopment of a spiritually adequate leadership. church. It is a truism to say that the church can- "The blind cannot lead the blind," for to those not live unless it can succeed in holding its youth, who "study to show themselves approved," God yet it seems to be recognized generally that one opens many doors. of the church's outstanding problems is its youth problem. On the other hand churches that are Youth time is decision time. Through the home, most successful in work with youth are those who give to youth a voice in the councils of the church the Sunday School and the communicant's class, and present an interpretation of the objectives of the church in terms that youth can understand this important work of teaching and winning and claim for himself. must go on perennially. In one large city of New There is need also for a comprehending and sympathetic adult leader·ship for youth. It is a York State, which is an important educational question whether youth comes more in contact with the minister, trained and consecrated to his center, an interview program is being carried on work, or with an adult lay leadership which has not been trained and whose consecration may this winter in behalf of youth. Over nineteen leave considerable to be desired. In spite of what has been said for the larger recognition and par- hundred written applications were sent in by ticipation of youth in its own program the youth problem will never be solved by youth themselves. youth within thirty days after the plan was in- The most serious aspect of the youth problem is an adult problem. augurated, requesting interviews with some Christian person – pastor or teacher – to help them with personal problems. These interviews are being conducted on Saturdays and Sundays by a group of devoted individuals who know the prob- lems of youth. When we work with childhood and youth we are not "saving the lost but saving from loss." JESSE M. BADER.
CLERGYMEN LOOKING INTO INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AT CARNEGIE-ILLINOIS STEEL CO
What Church Federations Can Do By WALTER R. MEE, Chicago, Illinois Executive Secretary of the Chicago Church Federation THE story of one great American city is, in of labor relations, strikes and struggles for power its general phases, the story of every large between labor and capital. metropolitan center in the country. Rapid growth, expanding industry, improved transpor- These are some of the city's characteristics tation have all combined to produce, in the last which confront the modern church. These are a five decades, characteristics in every American few of the practical problems upon which the city which challenge the Church and confront its church must strive to bring its Christian influministry. ence, while, at the same time, discharging its su- preme responsibility for the Christian life and There is in every large city the tendency of spiritual growth of city men and women. populations to shift .rapidly as more prosperous families move out to finer residential areas or sub- To Christian leaders faced with such changing, urban districts. Into the abandoned central wards ever-troubled and needy communities, there has of the city there come, on the other hand, great become increasingly evident the conviction that numbers of foreign-born, with large families of individual churches or even individual denominalower economic status, seeking the city's cheapest tions cannot make any great and lasting impreshousing. In complex,conglomerate patterns they sion on such city problems. Here is a need that settle close to the business district; later they too can be adequately met only by programs of cooppush outward into adjacent areas as soon as their eration uniting the resources, the ideals and the economic fortunes permit. Thus population tides energies of every church, every denomination, of a city constantly ebb and flow. The result is within the city's limits. Where the Christian community disintegration, deteriorating housing, church is most staunch and where its program is delinquency and racial conflicts, as central areas most effective today, we find a strong Federation of the city lose their more substantial members of the city's churches, maintaining a widespread and receive newcomer groups. program under a single leadership, unitedly doing the work of Christ in the city. . There are the political aspects of a great city, with the apparently inevitable tendency in every In Chicago one finds these characteristics of the urban center toward political corruption, ineffi- large city in some of their most pronounced ciency and vice in greater or less degree. stages. Here is a Federation of Protestant churches that effectively illustrates wh,fltchurch There is the vast industrial life which all cities Federations can do to save the city. The Chicago have in common, with its ever-present problems Church Federation was org.anized in 1907 and [273 ]
4~; I[I[!rt·~; (I) ;t3;11 ~ I] ~:l?1 i e,l ~ II 77 WEST WASHINGTON STREET 18 DENOMINATIONS 1049 CHURCHES Denominations which are Members of the Chica80 Church Federation BAPTIST CHURCHES North LUTHERAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMI CHURCH Of THE BRETHREN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES AFRICAN METHODIST [PISCOPAL REfORMED EPISCOPAL DISCIPLES Of CHRIST AmlCAN MEntODI5T [PIS. ZION REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH METHODIST PROTESTANT 'UNITED BRETHREN I EVANGElICAlSt REFORMED PRESBYT£RlAN CHURCH INU5.A UNITED PRESBYTERIAN fRIENDS The purpose offhis organization is founile IJewrious branches of the Christian churches in Chicd80 and vicinitv in d continuous co-operative endeavor to bring the Gospel to all the people and to promote the application of the law of Christ in every relation of life ,——-~ – -, I OF"F"lCE:RS I I BOARD of TRUSTEES I I OF"F"ICE fTAF"F" I I EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1 • DEPARTMENTS I CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOMANS DEPARTMENT "I"SocIALRELATIONS COMMITTEES Co-ordinating DIVISIONS COMMITTEES Ludership Traininll Vacation Schools -!1jviHes inthe Field Missionary Rtli~ious 'I15tructiOll W"kdaySchools Education Drama, Recreation Social Service and Interracia I – – – – DIVISIONS Welfare Children Social Action. BeHerFilms YounS People …. r -. — – — Adult meetmg. delegates from churche .Metropolitan Chicagos onlq Month/I} of '.Innttehredefnieoldm.mofa.CtlOhrnisatliaonr8Eadmu.czaa.ttiloonn. Workers – Boys Parental School Park Ridge School for Girls Criminal 'Court – fide/is Inn COMMISSIONS I • -. I I WORLD F"RIENDSHIP I I I 1 I R~~~~,T,NS I I~TEELRATRIAOCNJ~L I I PUBLICITY I I I I I I 1 I L I • CI.HNUDRUCSHTRAYND COMITY EVANGELISM MINISTRY IN THEd STANDING.COMMITTEE: I PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS Armistice Day J M• •t l n i i '
STANDING CQt:1t:1ITTEE~: Outdoor Evangelism Emploljed Workers:- county Jail FiElds Foreign Origin Groups and Lenten Noon-day Meetings Bridewell Communih" service Geneva School for Girls Unified Evangelistic- Juvenile Court Strategy Program Juvenile Detention Home -Survey Oak Forest Infirmary -Chaplains City Council MeetingsI–… Hines Memorial Hospital ….. Undenominational Churches …..BOY~Rdo~rhter Institutions -=– COMMITTEES l I CHURCH I FINANCE 1 1 I PROTEST AND APPROVAL DIRECTORY .
I ENDORSEMENTS I . I UNION MINISTERS MEETING 1 C.H.KETCHt.
HOW AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL CHURCH FEDERATION IS ORGANIZED
WHAT CHURCH FEDERATIONS CAN DO
today is directing a program involving the inter- More directly related to the task of "saving the ests and assistance of 1,049 churches of eighteen city" from its own evils and destructive tendencies denominations, representing a membership roll are other aspects of the Federation's program. of 750,000. It is a program carried on by over The annual report of 1937 records enlargement 500 religious workers serving gratuitously on and development of a new department of Social eighteen commissions and committees. The board Service with a paid staff to correlate the work of of trustees consists of 110 influential religious and Federation committees and commissions in this social leaders of the city. field and to relate more closely the churches of Chicago with the social service and medical agen- The work of this Federation shows how closely cies of the city. Under the leadership of this dethe organization is matching the stride of the partment the Federation has maintained for some church to the growth of Chicago. To undergird years a supervision service in the Boys' Court of its work with factual knowledge, and to direct Chicago. By means of this service hundreds of more intelligently its comity program which boys brought into the court are placed under the strives to eliminate competition and duplication care of the Federation's case workers instead of receiving jail sentences. A FI L IPINO COMMUNITY CHURCH GROU P , CHICAGO One of the activities sponsor ed by the Ch icago Church Federa tion. The second major concern of the Federation is the friendly, constructive, religiously-motivated among churches while seeing to it that no area service rendered by chaplains and other paid goes unchurched, the Chicago Church Federation workers in the public institutions of Chicago. has for some years maintained a United Religious This has been a significant ministry to the inmates Survey. The survey attempts to bring together of hospitals, jails, prisons, courts, the county data of a statistical, sociological, economic and farm and other institutions for the destitute, the religious nature about each sector of the city. Against this background the Comity Commission sick and the erring. has analyzed the history, the program and the fu- What of the many human problems and civic ture service of the Protestant churches in each area in order that such information may enable dangers which arise from the racial composition denominational leaders to eliminate more intelli- of large cities, from its labor crises, from its gently competition between churches while better political complexities and its immoral influences? adapting programs of stronger institutions to the Here, too, the church must have a militant, united particular needs of their communities as indicated voice. In Chicago active departments, commisby the surveys. sions and committees of the Chicago Church Fed- eration bring to a focus the concern of ministers For the first time in history a group of metro- and members of all denominations, providing politan churches is basing its effort to "save" a media for investigation and dissemination of incity not alone on spiritual fervor and theological formation to every church, and offering a recogtechnique, but on a careful study of the facts con- nized organ through which protest or approval of cerning the life about them, replacing a policy of the city's churchmen may be expressed in effeccompetitive drift with one of cooperative inten- tive manner to city officials and law enforcement tion. The Chicago Church Federation is combining, it has been said by a prominent denomina- agencies. tionalleader, "the method of the scientist and the An annual city-wide observance of Race RelaviaiQn of the prophet." tions Sunday, including an interchange of pulpits between scores of white and colored ministers, and numerous meetings throughout the year, in- crease the understanding and brotherhood that must ultimately prevail between all men, regard- less of color or nationality.
A special commission of the Federation closely studies industrial problems and the role the church should take in industrial conflicts. In many instances the standards and practices of Christianity have influenced the trend of the city's industrial life and affairs, outside of the tradi- tional vista of the community church. Frequently the City Federation of a large urban center, in behalf of hundreds of city churches, can speak challengingly and vigorously for arbitration, for the privileges of labor or the rights of capital, for the improvement of working conditions and the passage of satisfactQry laws.
Through letters, conferences, interviews with thousands of human souls living in its congested city and state officials and by means of the city's neighborhoods. In the end it will be the building newspapers, the Federation may lead strenuous of more religious cities which will ultimately prove fights upon undesirable elements of city life. Last to be the most valuable contribution of Church year the Federation led in the movement to repeal Federations. an ordinance licensing gambling establishments, to close offensive theatrical productions, to stim- Surely, in the fields of evangelism, of Christian ulate more aggressive citizenship, and to protect education, and of spiritual life, the value of coopthe honesty of public elections and the security of eration between evangelical denominations by the ballot box. means of central leadership becomes clear; for the city presents a tangled, sharp animosity to the Because the school system of Chicago-with its practice and teachings of Christ. apparent political influences, the tendencies of its curriculum, and some of the standards of its op- When individual churches unite, when denomeration – recently became a civic issue, it was inational lead'ership cooperates in city-wide relicharacteristic of Protestant leadership in this city gious mass meetings, in interdenominational days that the united denominations s,hould turn atten- of prayer, in downtown Lenten worship services, tion to this phase of urban life. A committee on in far-reaching Preaching Missions and Schools Public Education was organized to provide a of Christian Living, in radio broadcasts and clearing house for churches which take public edu- young people's conferences, as is true in Chicago, cation seriously, and to point out channels through then our Christianity assumes a dramatic appeal, which both churches and individuals may render a magnitude and a forcefulness which enable it to useful s'ervice. arouse the indifferent city.
In addition to these activities, which some may In these two phases of city life-its practical, consider as' "extra-curricular" tasks of the church everyday problems and its great s,piritual needin its work in the great city, there remain the City Federations of churches continue to provide fundamental religious needs of thousands and effective leadership and dramatic techniques to save American cities of this generation.
"God. & Company, Unlimited"
By MILTON W. PULLEN, New York City Pastor of the Central Park Baptist Church, New York CAN you imagine a business house that would ten lepers who asked for cleansing "Only those of bar the door to its neighbors, or a com- you who have been baptized are eligible for heal- mercial firm that would insist that all of its ing." The only credentials the dying thief on the customers become members of the company? The cross presented were in the form of a prayer and Church, which is the biggest business in the on the strength of it Jesus promised him "Paraworld, is doing exactly that. The Founder of the dise." Church proclaimed "My House shall be called the House of Prayer for all people." Too often this In any great city a local church in a community has been changed to read: "Accept our creed and of homes may consider itself the center of a posyou will be welcome in our church." sible "100,000 customers." So long as human hearts are incurably religious and so long as men "God & Company, UnIt'd." needs to be written and women and children sin and suffer and seek in large letters over the doorway to every church -just so long the Church has a responsibility to building. After 1,900 years the vision of the every person within reach of its doors. Founder of the Company has been lost. Hospitals do not require patients to "belong" Jesus did not require a certificate of church before they may be admitted to the Operating membership from the 5,000 before they could Room. The simple fact that a man is sick opens share in partaking of the loaves and fishes. The every door and puts at his disposal the skill of the Sermon on the Mount was preached to the dis- surgeons and the facilities of the institution, often ciples, but we hear no protest from the Great without money and without price. A hospital con- Preacher when the multitude listened in. It siders itself, and is considered by the community, would be difficult to imagine Jesus saying to the a health Mecca for folk of all races, creeds and
"GOD & COMPANY, UNLIMITED"
cultures. On the other hand, a church in the neighbors, many of whom are neither Protestant same block is usually considered the personal nor Christian. The attitude of the neighborhood property of the Methodists, or the Baptists, or the originally was one of apathy and of suspicion. Catholics or of some other proprietory group. It Our problem at first was to build good will; to does not take the 100,000 possible customers long that end we set about getting acquainted with the to learn that their need is not necessarily a guar- folk round about us. We visited every store withantee of help. The Church seeks to make new in a radius of several blocks, but we did not ask members who will become regular "sitters" at the business people for anything except their worship services and regular contributors to the friendship. We offered to give them the names budget; consequently, the average Pastor gen- and addresses of our Church Members and sugerally must busy himself with the routine matters gested that they circularize these church neighinvolved in keeping the church solvent and suc- bors of theirs by mail as often as they liked. We cessful. This too often means just one thing- joined the local Chamber of Commerce and atperpetuating an institution largely for the sake of tended meetings regularly. Officials of the the institution. Chamber were used occasionally as special Speak- ers at Church Suppers, club affairs, etc. We ac- Many a conscientious minister rebels and longs cepted an invitation to sit on the dais between the to be the Pastor of the whole community. He Mayor and a United States Senator at a testiloves the people outside his church about whom monial dinner to a local politician and we are inno one else seems to care. The tragedy is that in clined to think that it was our presence that made too many cases the Church no longer exists for the dais the only table in the hotel dining-room the community-rather, the community must that was not drenched with liquor. "support the Church." The problem is too largely "Come, Get Acquainted" one of money since churches have bills to pay, repairs to make and salaries to meet. Many a An approach to the rank and file of the neighpastor is placed in the embarrassing position of borhood was made through the distribution of feeling obliged to spend much of his time and attractive cards with a "Come Get Acquainted" energy in raising money. A rich old vestryman invitation. We sent out members of the Church with a grouch thus often has first claim on the who went from door to door with a smile and a pastor, rather than a gang of street boys shooting friendly invitation that was seldom rebuffed. "craps" on the church steps. When there was a death near the church, we An increasing number of ministers are rising went to express sympathy, and upon the invitato protest against the old order – young fellows tion of the family we remained to conduct a brief just out of Seminary, middle-aged rebels of ex- funeral service. When a fee was offered, we gave perience, and old veterans with vision-are say- it back saying, "We want no money for help and ing to the churches of America, "The Church was sympathy in times of death." The news spread made for Man, not Man for the Church." They that here was a church that did not have its hand are insisting that the raising of money is inci- out for money and that only wished to be friendly. dental, while a ministry to the sick and the suffering and the seeking is the real work of the Church. Our next approach was to the children. This is They are insisting "Open wide the door and say a prolific neighborhood and the coming generation with Jesus 'Whosoever will, let him come' even is everywhere under foot. We built a gymnasium though he comes only for what he can get and may with shower and locker-rooms and said to the never join or give the Church a nickel." "But," children, "Come in and play." When they dissome official of the church may say, "this is sui- covered that a Jew and a Catholic and an Unbecide. What about the money we need for local ex- liever were as welcome as any of our own Sunday penses and for our Missionary Budget?" As a School children, they literally laid siege to the matter of fact, if the Church has done its work church pleading for a club and a Leader. We well it will have fewer financial worries. A Chris- advised them to ask permission at home and at tian who is thoroughly Christian is a generous church to join a club in our building and we urged Christian, but an unregenerate Church Member them to make it clear that, although every club who can "take his religion or leave it" must be would be led by a Christian Leader and would feaeternally urged to give to the Church and its work. ture a brief period of worship at each session, no Or a church may have a top-heavy budget. boy or girl now attending another church would be asked to join this church. Next we purchased The church I serve is attempting to render a a moving picture machine and once more circularcommunity service to its 100,000 possible cus- ized the neighborhood with news of the "Chiltomers. Located on the congested East Side of dren's Hour," with the two-cent Movies each Manhattan Island in an area of deterioration, this Thursday from 6: 30 to 8: 00 p. m. From 250 to church is the center of· much of the life of its 300 children come to this activity each week.
They sing lustily patriotic and religious songs, A Library is maintained where decent books listen to the Bible or hero story, bow reverently are loaned. Sunday School, Sunday morning and during the prayer and laugh uproariously during evening Worship Services, Church Prayer Serv- the four reels of motion pictures. At intermis- ices, Apartment Prayer Services, and all kinds of sions invitations are given to the children to at- religious meetings are regular weekly activities, tend Sunday School and to join various clubs. and everyone who comes into the building is in- When they leave, the children are given a letter, vited to attend.
signed by the Pastor, inviting the parents to vari- Why did this church, twenty years ago, attempt ous church meetings and activities if they do not this sort of an approach to its neighbors? Partly attend another church. We send home also "Hello, because its Leaders believed the church possessed Neighbor" cards inviting the parents to come to a treasure too valuable to be selfishly hoarded the neighborhood meetings in the Church Audi- within its walls for the benefit of its Members torium each Sunday night, with moving pictures only; partly~-because of a small Spanish boy and as the attraction and a twenty-minute worship his gang who were trouble makers. They almost service and sermonette as a feature. always found the church door locked and so they Young people were invited to join dramatic pounded on it, threw rocks at it and even cut their initials in it. They found a can of paint and covclubs. The girls were organized into cooking ered the front door with specimens of futuristic classes, sewing classes, singing classes; children art. Decidedly out of patience, the church-worker were put into children's choirs, a week-day school in charge hid just inside the church and, when the of religious education and, during the summer, a gang returned again to the fray, the worker gave Daily Vacation Bible School. Down through the chase. After running a block he caught the years many have shown themselves ready to join leader, a Spanish lad of about ten, and brought instruction classes in preparation for Church him back to the church in righteous wrath and Membership. virtuous triumph. "Now," he chortled, "now we will deal with this gang of rowdies." He was just Women have been organized into Mother's calling Police Headquarters when he thought to Clubs, Bible study groups, and a White Cross ask the boy his name and why he and his gang Sewing Circle. The men are invited to join a hated the Church. The boy replied tearfully,"My Men's Club and have fitted up the Tower Room name is Emanuel Jesus. We do not hate the of the church with fresh paint, new furniture, a Church. We come to play on the church steps bepool table, checkers and chess and a radio. The cause there are no playgrounds and we find exciteroom can scarcely accommodate the growing ment pounding on the locked church door." The group of neighborhood men. worker was stricken to the heart. Suddenly he saw a great light-it was not the gang of boys Young people, with no possible privacy in their who was guilty, rather the church that kept its "railroad fiats," have enthusiastically painted and door locked against the neighborhood. He realfurnished a "parlor," just inside the front door ized that he had kept "Emanuel Jesus" loc~ed outwhere they enjoy clean social contacts, and where side the Church of the original Jesus who once upon occasion they may even do their courting. said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and Dozens of them have gravitated to the three Sun- forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of day-night Societies. Here, under competent Chris- Heaven." tian leaders, they spend an hour in worship and in the discussion of topics vitally interesting to them. Some of these topics follow: "Is War a Necessary Evil?"
"Can Crime and Poverty be Cured?"
"What Has the Church to Offer to Youth?" The ninety-six metropolitan districts of 1930 "Is a Lie Ever Justifiable?" contained almost 801'0 of the total urban popula- "Who Is My Neighbor?" tion. "What Is the Value of a College Education?"
"Is Jesus the Answer to World Confusion?" In view of the nearly 301'0 increase of urban "What of Love, E'ngagement, Marriage and Divorce?" population during the last census decade (from The charm of these meetings is their frank and 54,305,000 in 1920 to 68,955,000 in 1930 or a gain unrepressed discussion. in urban population of 26.91'0) and in view of We also set ourselves to find jobs for the job- the American assumption that all cities grow, one less, so far as possible to feed the hungry, to give is quite unprepared to learn that many cities fared friendly help to the juvenile delinquent and to se- badly during the decade. Nearly one-half of cities cure scholarships for young people interested in with 10,000 population or over-354 out of 746- a college education. Everyone with a problem or failed to keep up with the population increase of a heartache is encouraged to talk it over with the the nation as a whole, while 512 cities from 25,000 workers. For years the Pastor's Office has been population to 100,000, actually lost population in- thronged by lines of troubled folk. cluding four cities in the 100,000 group.
Christ in Crowded
By DR. ROBERT A. McKIBBEN, . Los Angeles, California Superintendent of "All Nations Foundation"
I F JESUS were to walk the streets in the neigh- laundry workers were started, a girls' club, a borhood of "All Nations" in Los Angeles, he boysl club, and a small library to make possible a would find forty thousand people crowded into closer acquaintance with those less fortunate. one square mile, descendants of almost every race As new needs were revealed, new opportunities on the face of the globe; these include thousands were recognized. With Christian faith and intelof unattached transient men, ten to fifteen oc- ligence, a ministry was begun to that community cupying a room built for two; young women which outgrew the buildings and facilities of the forced to ply their trade as prostitutes or prefer- church. The old property was sold and two apartring that manner of livelihood to other personal- ment buildings and a play area were purchased. ity-destroying trades; mothers seeking to protect A "Church of All Nations" was started, and by their daughters amid conditions of vice and crime; those who disapproved it was called "The Church residents who have sought this area hoping to of All Notions." hide themselves in such surroundings; aged persons barely eking out an existence; children try- The need for additional workers and for new ing to play Indian or tag and barely escaping buildings became apparent. The site selected was death as they dodge in and out among trucks and justified when later studies revealed that more autos; youth wondering how they are to get a boys and girls per thousand population were gostart so as to marry. ing to the juvenile court from this area than from any other in the entire city. After Dr. and Mrs. In this part of the city, Christ would discover Oxnam had completed ten years of Christian minno house built in the last forty years, no home istry in this area, and had successfully led in a with less than two persons. per room (including campaign to build, equip and staff a Christian kitchen or dining room), no lawns or parks, no service station in the heart of the city, he was playgrounds other than one connected with a called to the Episcopacy of his church. small school. He would find one liquor establishment on the average to every two hundred and Today the All Nations Foundation includes the seventy of the population; here the theaters Church of All Nations, the All Nations Boys' Club, schedule "strip-tease dancers" for the benefit of the All Nations Community House, the All Naunattached men; here are quack doctors and heal- tions Clinic, Hollenbeck Center and Sunset Center, ers, night missions that deal out bread and soup and the All Nations Camp. All of these are owned as, bait not only for those whose souls need sal- and operated by the Methodist Episcopal Church, vaging but for those whose money support such some units being supported by the Community proje~ts. Jesus wept over the City of Jerusalem Chest, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs, and and He would have just cause to weep over this women's organizations. Service is rendered with- "City of the Angels." The church in the city out regard to class, creed, or color. today must fight and fight hard alongside other organizations if the many degrading influences af- The second ten years has now been added to the fecting the life of individuals are to be overcome, record of service. Houses are twenty years older; if conditions are to be altered, and if the city the population is transient; the problems of unbeautiful is to be created where there may be life adapted men, prostitution and liquor have inabundant. creased with population; play area has lessened by incoming warehous-es and industry. These Twenty years ago a young minister, the Rev- hardly indicate progress but in this neighborhood, erend G. Bromley Oxnam, later a Bishop of the where juvenile delinquency was at its worst, the Methodist Episcopal Church, came fresh from the Judge of the Juvenile Court has said, "All Naseminary and, with his wife was assigned to the tions is spoiling my business." area described. His church was rapidly being deserted by "We Americans" as they moved into After the completion of the new buildings and better communities. Noonday luncheons for the equipping and staffing for the larger program, the public school authorities noticed a decided change for the better on the part of the youth who [279 ]
were participants in the activities at All Nations. for folk from our neighborhood to adjust to new There was a change for the better in attitudes and communities and to life in a new church. Their habits of the children and in personality traits. habits and attitudes are not readily accepted by A study under the Department of Sociology at the the new group; they are not given social status University of Southern California revealed that and there is often a lack of warmth in the wel- in five years time juvenile delinquency was re- come accorded them. Thus much that has been duced 65% within a mile radius of "All Nations." gained may be lost, but there have been gains for A View of All Nations the Master individually and socially. It is recog- nized that one can point out individuals about The work at All Nations was registering effec- whom a thrilling story can be told-ignoring the tively in the area of life with which Jesus was hundreds with whom we have failed. There have most concerned and upon which he placed the been failures, particularly among the adults. All greatest value, the personal life and character of Nations has,been more concerned with youth. In an individual. The All Nations Foundation is one of our offices there is being accumulated "be- community rather than institutionally centered. fore and after" pictures. Boys and girls are seen Its program aims at the individual and his needs as they have come into activities – with their rather than the mass ap.proach. A glance at All clothes in tatters, dirty, physically retarded in Nations as an organization may most clearly de- school and dwarfed in outlook on life; somehow scribe how its work is carried on. they have caught something best described by the Each of the seven units of service has its, own word "spirit" that has changed their personality executive board which is responsible to the board and purpose as they have grown with us. The of trustees for devising programs and activities, "before and after" pictures show something of recommending its personnel and its budget. The what has taken place. The Gospel of Jesus and Church of All Nations is a completely organized the Spirit of Christ have registered outwardly as church which seeks to link individuals and fam- well as inwardly in the life of the individuals.
ilies to the church of their own choice. If that is Some time ago an anonymous donor made not possible and there is no choice, then every ef- available $40,000 to make a -scientific and thor- fort is made to link them with this Church of All oughgoing study of the youth of our community.
Nations'. Because of the transient population the The first 200 youth studied revealed that they had church membership will always be small and no 1,154 problems – mental, physical, social, spir- stable membership can be built up. itual. We at All Nations, the school authorities, The Boys' Club and Girls' Club each has a three- the family, and other organizations who might be story separate building to house their activities. serving the family, recognized less than 20% of Hollenbeck and Sunset Centers are located two those problems. In other words, the youth of our miles from the main buildings, while the moun- community were facing an 80'10 handicap.
tain camp is ninety miles away. About two hun- For instance, there was a young Japanese lad dred volunteers serve in varying capacities in the who never participated in the normal group or several units and there are twenty full-time paid club life other than merely attending. He was staff members and twenty part-time staff. Dur- never elected to office and could not even read a ing the past ten years there has been an increase verse out of the Bible. Now that nationality is in the budget-from $35,000 to $65,000 a year. in no wise retarded mentally. As we studied this During the past five years a $20,000 camp has youth we tried from every angle to discover what been constructed. These facts are further evi- was wrong. Finally a very simple test was given dence that this type of approach to anti-Christian which revealed a slight speech defect. Six months and anti-social life is not only recognized by in a university speech clinic eliminated that de- church members but by non-church members an~ fect in a lad who had been retarded four years in folk of other faith, who do not hesitate to con- school. Another lad who was rapidly developing tribute to its support. There has been no financial an inferiority complex eagerly entered into life drive nor is anyone in the field for finances. The within his own age range, was elected an officer program and its results in terms of Christian per- in his club, and was one of the first to request a sonality is its own credential. high school young people's organization. The Christ would not find in this area a large num- simple defect might have wrecked the personality ber of persons connected with the church within of this youth, but his growth was advanced by a this organization. As soon as a family begins to slight Christian service.
show promise of reconstruction, we urge them to Another youth, a half-breed from Texas, was move out of the coinmunity. It is not a good place kicked out of his home at the age of nine, and to raise their children, thus we cannot build up arrived in San Diego via a box car, determined to a large church membership. We find it difficult become a newsboy. Finding that the only way to
SERVING CHRIST IN CROWDED STREETS
occupy the most remunerative corner was by fight- bully leader finally turned in a gangster's revolver ing his way to the top, after twenty-three battles which he had stolen from an automobile. These in twenty-eight days he occupied that corner. two groups of youth pledged us that they would Then he moved to Los Angeles to "conquer a call off the gang warfare. Finally, as the five larger world." He was so successful as a fighter older fellows were about to leave, the boys' leader that the prize-fight ring offered him a contract. suggested that when they arrived at the high On his way to the eastern part of the city to sign school tomorrow somone would probably slip up a contract, he dropped in to our Boys' Club and behind them and call them "yellow." They disbecame interested in talking with the Director. cussed such a situation rather thoroughly. To He stayed on as a member, finally became a volun- this same bully, who professed to be a Christian, teer leader and later a part-time staff member. we suggested that here was a place where the He decided to enter the field of Christian service Master would help him. That was four years ago to youth and began an uphill fight to educate him- and not one act of hatred has been observed in self. Graduating from high school at twenty-five, these four years between these two groups, as he then went to the university, and for two years they have met one another on the street and in was young people's director in one of the city school. This former "bully gangster" last year churches. Upon graduation he became assistant served as president of his high school student head of one of the large boys' agencies and today body, winning a univerity scholarship, and today is a prominent and successful Christian leader. is studying for the Christian ministry.
There was a time when we were bothered The old Seventh Street Gang, with some fifteen with petty stealing and finally discovered that "Frenchy," one of our boys, was being used by a members, was one of the worst gangs in police clever pickpocket and thieving gang. When anything was stolen all we needed was to tell him history. They robbed, stole and were accredited things must be brought back and then more was returned than we had missed. Three years' mem- with burning down one of the school buildings in bership in the activities of this human service station brought about a transformation in the life of the neighborhood. A young lad was forced to this young man. One day he approached me, saying, "You know, I'm different." There was a new move into the neighborhood because of the famspirit in that youngster. When his club was offered a very elaborate Thanksgiving dinner he ily's financial difficulties. Like most boys he was the one who led in the movement to see that wanted company and went out into the street to what was to be provided for him and his pals, find it. Without knowing it, he became a member should be given to those who needed food much of this old Seventh Street Gang. He had never more. As chairman of the committee after he robbed or stolen before. He was a natural, norcame back from his first jaunt out into human mal boy wanting excitement and he got it. So helpfulness his remark was, "That's the first kind able was he that he became the leader of this old deed I've ever done." Seventh Street Gang. One day he dropped in at the All Nations playground and laughed and Some time ago we became aware of a feud or sneered at what was going on. He came again gang warfare among some of the youth. It grew another day and still another. Finally he joined to rather serious proportions before we discovered in the activities and soon brought one of the memwhat it was all about. A bully, an older boy, had bers of the gang with him. He too laughed and been mistreating three younger boys until they sneered and refused to participate but it was not finally determined they would stand it no longer. long until the appeal of fun got the best of him One evening they ganged up on him in the alley and he followed the leader. All fifteen of that gang joined All Nations and were later baptized. and when he came out of the hospital he decided That leader of the Seventh Street Gang became to retaliate and formed a gang with the help of a member of the board of trustees governing All four other fellows. The three youngsters, discov- Nations. ering this, organized a gang Qf ten. We called the boys in singly and collectively, even summon- These are evidences of a change in attitude, a ing the parents in most cases. When we were change in habit, and a change in personality which through, on the desk of the boys' leader there were we believe that Jesus Christ would recognize as deposited pieces of pipe a foot long, nicely taped a part of the Kingdom of God movement which he on one end in order that it might not slip while sought to create in this old world. being used, brass knuckles, pieces of steel that would fit into the palm of a hand and knives. The The Church is most effective as it translates the Gospel of Jesus Christ into practical forms of hu- man helpfulness. Such evidences of Christian love and understanding eventually find a response in the hearts of those who reside "on the other side of Main Street."
the Gospel in a City
By H. A. IRONSIDE, Litt.D.
Pastor of the Moody Memorial Church, Chicago THE new dispensation was ushered in on the wide to welcome people to hear the Gospel and to day of Pentecost in a city, and that the enjoy Christiftn fellowship. The main auditorium guiltiest city in the entire world. John Bun- has seats for 4,040 people and there are some yan has well used the term "a Jerusalem sinner" seventeen other halls and rooms used every Sun- for the very worst kind of an offender. In Jeru- day (many of them much more frequently) for salem, Ghrist had demonstrated His deity by Sunday School work, young people's meetings and many marvelous works. There He had proclaimed other 'gatherings of various kinds. It has never His wondrous message of grace. Even the chil- been found necessary to use unscriptural methods dren had welcomed Him enthusiastically and in order to draw people. From 3,000 to 4,500 many joined with them as they cried, "Hosanna people are found in this church twice every Sun- to the King that cometh in the name of the Lord." day, listening to plain, simple, Bible preaching.
Yet it was in the same city a few days later that In the morning service we endeavor to expound He was rejected, and outside the gate of that city the Word for the building up of the people of God, he was nailed to a cross. But when he appeared going through book after book of the Bible and to His disciples as the Risen One, he commanded finding constant interest in this method of presentthem to go into the entire world, beginning at ing the truth. The Sunday night meetings are Jerusalem, and to preach to all men the Good evangelistic gatherings where the Gospel is pro- News of remission of sins through faith in Him. claimed with no uncertain sound. The three R's And so the first great revival took place in that are continually insisted on: man's Ruin by sin, very city where fifty days before He had been so the necessity of Regeneration by the Holy Spirit, cruelly and wickedly crucified. and Redemption by the precious. blood of Christ; T.oday the grace of God is as truly sufficient for almost invariably there is definite response in the the city as for the rural community. In spite of way of anxious souls coming to the inquiry room, the varied attractions which the average metrop- seeking for light and help. It is my firm convic- olis provides – its theaters, its cinemas, its tav- tion that wherever these methods are followed, ems, dance halls and kindred places where every under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, people will possible appeal is made to the lust of the flesh, the find their way to the church that refuses to know lust of the eye and the pride of life-the Gospel anything among men "save Jesus Christ and Him is still the power of God unto salvation to every- crucified." one that believeth, in the city as elsewhere. Eight Not for a moment do I mean to imply that we years in the largest evangelistic center of the City should ignore men's social and economic needs. A of Chicago have demonstrated this beyond a department for ministering to those in financial doubt. There is abundant proof that men will tr.ouble is maintained in this church, and through still come to hear the Gospel and will respond to it many poor, distressed .ones have been helped that Gospel if it be preached in dependence on and numbers have been won to Christ.
God, in simplicity and in the power of the Holy Personal evangelism is emphasized and it is Spirit. Dwight L. Moody began his work in this doubtful if there are many wh.o make public pro- great city more than seventy-five years ago. His fession in this church who have not been spoken little church was largely made up of poor, neg- to personally by some friend, inviting them to the lected people wh.o had been won for Christ by meetings and trying to lead them to Christ.
Moody's faithful testimony and kindly interest; The Sunday School work has a pr.ominent place, today there stands in close proximity t.o the city's for we believe that the instruction of boys and great business district, a massive temple erected girls in the Word of God, even before they have in memory of the evangelist and to the glory of definitely decided for Christ, is like setting every- the Christ he preached. The Moody Memorial thing in order for a fire in the stove or furnace.
Church is a building which, as we often announce, Then the match of evangelism often starts the has over three hundred doors and all swinging flame which burns brightly unto eternal life.
[282 ] DR. IRONSIDE AND AN AUDIENCE IN THE MOODY MEMIORIAL CHURCH, CHICAGO Moody himself began as a Sunday School worker their courtesy the Moody Church uses this station and the Moody Sunday School today is an out- to broadcast the Sunday morning services which standing testimony to the value of his methods in thus carry the message into places we could otherdealing with young and old. wise never contact. The Christian Business Men's Committee uses another station, and so reaches In many cities, since the advent of the automo- many more. bile, open-air meetings have become alinost taboo. It is difficult to gather people together to hear the In the neighboring town of Cicero there is a message on the streets when parking space is at a splendid work of evangelism carried on from the premium and it is well nigh impossible to find a Cicero Bible Church. In fact, time would fail me place where a crowd can be gathered. But for to tell all that God is doing through many of the years every summer, open-air testimony has been independent tabernacles, as well as recognized given in various places where it is possible to over- evangelical churches and Gospel halls, the Salvacome these obstacles. Many a wanderer has been tion Army and other groups, who are constantly reached in this way. at it, not only reaching the submerged classes, but the higher-ups as well, with the glad, glorious mes- In this great city there have been other remark- sage of God's free salvation for sinful men. able movements throughout the years, and God has owned them in a marvelous way. Downtown One thing is very striking. When some in the heart of the loop, theater meetings have churches close their doors for the summer, or give been carried on by a Christian Business Men's up any attempt to hold a Sunday night meeting, Committee at the noon hour for nearly eight the churches that stand for a full, clear Gospel years, with the exception of the hot summer find that the crowds will come,and that there is months when outdoor meetings take their place. no occasion whatever to relax their activities in These meetings have resulted in the conversion of the sumWIer months. In many"instances they remany, numbers of whom return from time to time double them. to bear testimony to the reality of the change in their lives. As a result of an experience of nearly fifty years preaching Christ I have no note of pessimism to Radio ministry has proven to be a great help sound. I do not find, as some insist, that there is in giving the Gospel to the city. The Moody Bible a decrease of interest in spiritual realities. On Institute maintains its own station WMBI, carry- the contrary, I can say honestly that there has ing on a continuous evangelistic testimony, which never been a time, excepting during the special reaches tens of thousands of homes. Through great awakenings which have occurred at dif-
ferent intervals in our history as a nation, when drunkard out of the slums, get him to sign the people were so ready to listen to the Gospel, if pre7 pledge and if possible to keep it, clean him up and sented in a kindly and gracious manner by men give him a good suit of clothes, remove him and and women filled with the Holy Spirit, who have his family to a nice, little home in the suburbs, no axes of their own to grind, but who are seeking give him gainful employment, and then let him to make Christ known to those who need Him. die and go to hell unsaved-really, it is not worth while, and I for one would not attempt it." These As to the social gospel-this term which is so are serious words that we may well take to heart. widely used today is, to say the least, extra-scrip- Our great business should be preparing men for tural, and often means "putting the cart before eternity, and when they close with Christ, their the horse." Our Lord Jesus did not say to his dis- outward circumstances will soon undergo a marciples, "Go ye into all the world and seek to clean velous change. Our Lord's words are still apup the slums, to introduce better sanitary condi- plicable, "Seeks.-ye first the Kingdom of God and tions, to improve the environment of the poor and his righteousness and all these things shall be relieve the wants of the needy, to build hospitals added unto you." and endow schools and universities." He did say, "Go'ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to Let me add a word as to Christian education. every creature." But wherever that Gpspel goes, The term "Religious Education" is one that I it proves to be not only the power of God unto abominate. It savors too much of a carnal con- Salvation to everyone that believeth, but it brings ception of religiousness, as fitting a man for untold temporal blessing in its train. The best heaven, in place of emphasizing the importance social work is that which is definitely linked with of a new birth. But Christian education, if really evangelistic testimony. It is true that it would be that, is of great importance. To start with the folly to preach the Gospel to a starving man when youngest children and seek to bring them up in it is possible first to provide him with a good meal, the nurture and admonition of the Lord, ever inbut, unfortunately, the great danger is that phi- sisting on the importance of their own definite lanthropists will be satisfied with giving him the acceptance of Christ, but making them acquainted meal and forget that the need of his soul is far from their earliest days with the great outstandgreater than that of his body. I remember hear- ing truths of the Word of God, will go far toward ing old General William Booth of the Salvation building a substantial Christian constituency in Army talking to a large group of officers when their later years. The danger comes, however, lecturing on "the submerged tenth" in connection if Bible knowledge and catechetical instruction is with his "Darkest England" project. I can see substituted for a definite work of the Holy Spirit the flash in his eye and hear that powerful voice of God, producing conviction and leading the soul yet, as he exclaimed, "Take a poverty-stricken to personal decision for Christ.
Putting the Gospel to the Test By REV. J. F. HARRISON Director of Practical Work, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago HERE are some of the many experiences of large for his age, eleven, with a serious little face those who are putting the Gospel to the and quiet, dignified manner. Just as the meeting was to be closed with prayer Robert said, "I'd like test in our cities. to have Jesus for my Saviour but I've never heard In the Bible class in homes-At the close of the this story and I don't quite understand it all." Bible story the teacher gave, as usual, the invitation to any child present to open his heart and He was asked to stay and talk it over after the ask the Lord Jesus to come in. Several in the others had left. As the other children were obclass of twenty-five expressed the desire. While taining their assortment of caps, coats, mufflers, the other children bowed their heads and closed mittens and galoshes, Robert and the teacher went their eyes, those wishing to accept Christ stood up, into the kitchen to be alone. There Robert told her confessed their sins and their need of a Saviour. that his mother and father were separated and One boy, Robert, there for the first time, seemed he had been sent to a home for unfortunate chiltouched but he did not express a desire. He was dren. "The worst of it is," he said, "that Daddy
PUTTING THE GOSPEL TO THE TEXT
MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENTS STARTING OUT TO CARRY THE GOSPEL TO THE CITY and Mummy seemto have forgotten me. I haven't In the jail-The following is from a letter writeven heard from either of them in over three months." Robert's big brown eyes filled with ten by an ex-convict: tears and lips tried hard not to tremble. "I have just returned from the South and There was unspeakable joy in telling Robert that God has said: "When thy mother and thy thought I had better answer your letter. I was father forsake thee, then the Lord will take thee up." He learned that God, the Heavenly Father, over at the Institute on Sunday and I heard a very wanted him to be .His little boy; that God so loved him (Robert) that He sent His only begotten Son helpful service. I am now a very devoted reader that if Robert would believe in Him he should never perish but have a loving Father in Heaven of the Testament which you so kindly gave me. watching over him day and night. He listened so eagerly as he was told how he might be taken into lt gives me great strength and courage to carry the family of God. He asked Jesus to take away all his sins and to adopt him for His own little boy on. forever. "You were a great comfort to me while I was in In the mission–One evening during the testimony meeting a man came forward to say that he prison. God bless you for helping me find the wanted to take Christ as his Saviour. He was a typical bum, intoxicated and filthy. At first the Light. My entire life and way of living have been leader thought he was a "moocher" (one of the kind that profess to accept Christ and then ask changed and I praise Him daily and pray cQnfor a dime to buy a drink) but after taking him into the back room and praying with him we tinually for further guidance and comfort. I hope found that he was sincere. you will always remember me in your prayers. He had spent twenty-three years of his life in a peniteritiary and had been out only a few Sometime I should like to have you make arrangemonths. He was lonely and despondent. As he passed the mission he heard the singing and came ments for me to be baptized." in. He felt that he needed God and accepted Jesus as his Saviour, giving his testimony publicly. In the .hospital-On a Sunday afternoon as I was visiting in the Hospital I stopped beside .the bed of a Jew. After speaking with him for a few minutes I offered him a tract. I never saw a man change so suddenly. He cursed me and he cursed God and Jesus Christ. I opened my Bible and started to read from the Old Testa- ment certain things pertaining to the Jews. He listened until I referred to Jesus Christ. After he had agreed to the fact of God, the truth of the Old Testament, and to the laws and ordinances of the Old Testament, I asked him if he ever took a lamb or a bullock to the priest for a sacrifice for his sins. Of course he had not. I read to him from the Gospel of Matthew without telling him
where I was reading. He agreed to the truth of sands of dollars in intoxicating liquor. For some the portions that I read and when I told him they days he had been under conviction of sin and this were from the New Testament he would not be- night, in desperation, he had been walking the lieve me. I left a Gospel of John and some tracts, streets seeking God. He passed a mission, and telling him I would call again in a few days. going in, explained his desires. They prayed with him but he received the idea that until he could When I returned he had read the Gospel of either speak in tongues or prophesy he was un- John and said that he believed it was true. To saved. make sure that he understood, I went back through the Bible, showing him that Jesus Christ was "the For the greater part of an hour we stood behind Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the a schoolhouse near a street lamp where we were world," and that He was the eternal sacrifice. The undisturbed, and here this man found the Light. man finally prayed and wept for joy that he had He has been a gangster, and had associated with found the Messiah. some of the bi~est politicians in Chicago, and had a great battle to fight. Later I brought hjm aNew Testament with the Psalms, and he took them as ,a man grasping for One Sunday afternoon I walked up to his apart- a life line. He fairly "ate the Word" and in three ment and found him in a very low frame of mind. weeks his Bible was almost worn out. The remedy prescribed was the confession of Jesus Christ before his associates. In the open air-One evening, after a prayer service, we drove to our district and scouted The next Wednesday evening he came to see me around for a good location. We decided that the and the first thing he said was: "Well, I have Lord wanted us to speak on a corner in a neighbor- done it. I have burned every bridge I had." After hood where Germans, Poles, Russians, Serbians, two days of thinking and praying and reading the Italians and Roumanians reside. We started with Word of God he had come to the conclusion that the song service and in a few minutes over 125 it had to be a clean break. Wednesday morning people had gathered from all directions. Three he went out to the gangsters' headquarters where special songs followed and then the message was he requested that his name be taken off the list. given and those who desired further information The men thought at first he was drunk; then, that and help were asked to step out from the crowd. he was crazy. He was offered whiskey and money About two thirds did so and personal work lasted which he refused, telling them that all the money for half an hour. We knew that the Lord had he got from them was fools' money. He then told given a special blessing and we were jubilant. them of the step he had made and that he was all We found that 63 people had been dealt with and through with them and the kind of life they led. 38 had professed conversion. Nearly four hun- dred tracts had been distributed and people had After convincing them of his sincerity he went taken twenty-one Gospels of John. Other names to several places where he owed bills, paid them . were taken and Gospels were mailed later. so as to have nothing to draw him into the temp- tation of his former life. When he had made the In the street-One evening I had a feeling that slate clean he had ten cents left which he used I must go for a walk. After about twenty minutes in calling up a former friend. I turned the corner to go to my ,apartment, but felt that I should cross the street. As I stepped "Broke but happier than in years," he said and up on the walk a man passed me and I held out a felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoul- tract which he took. After walking about twenty ders. Without a job and no connections, he faced steps he turned and said, "May I talk with you?" life with more confidence than he had ever known. This man has since been sorely tried as he has His first question was: "Must I speak in sought work. However, God has now graciously tongues to be saved, or believe in any other of provided his need. these things, such as prophesying or healing?" Does the gospel work today? Moody Bible In- I learned that this man had drunk down thou- stitute students say, "Yes."
Why cannot the young people's groups and the church congregations, unite to meet the common task of taking the Gospel to the whole community without disturbing the forms and the confessions of the individual church and the individual denomination? If we do not do this and do it quickly, how can we hope to make our city part of the kingdom of God? .
Let these be our three objectives: 1. To minister as Christian individuals in so far as possible to all whose condition is a challenge to Chris- tian friendliness. 2. To bring the common conscience of the church to bear upon community conditions that are unjust and that degrade life. 3. To carry the preaching and the teaching functions of the church out to those who are at present unreached. ROBERT W. SEARLE.
with the Industrial
By REV. A. J. MUSTE Director of Labor Temple, New York I GNAZIO SILONE is the foremost Italian nov- quisitive, pseudo-scientific, materialistic indus- elist of today. Being an anti-Fascist he does trialism which has been the "respectable religion." not reside in Italy. A few years ago he at- But none of these faiths is meeting the world's tained fame with a novel entitled "Fontamara" needs; on the contrary, under their leadership (Bitter Stream) which pictures village life under and amid their clashing, the world is headed for Fascism. Later he published another novel, catastrophe. "Bread and Wine," which is his portrayal of how Fascism may be overcome. The hero of the book The basic reason why these rival faiths are failwas in the secular revolutionary movement in ing to meet the world's needs and are leading it Italy before Mussolini came to power. Now, ac- to catastrophe is that they are built upon rotten cording to the story, he is back in Italy working moral and spiritual foundations; they deny some in the underground movement for a free regime, of the most fundamental concepts of the Christian but with a very different approach and methods view of the world and of man. from those previously employed. Here are some typical utterances which Silone puts in the mouth We briefly mention three points at which Chrisof his hero: tianity stands in opposition to materialistic indus- trialism, Fascism and Communism. First, the The dictator's henchman must be opposed not with other three systems all hold degraded and degrading henchmen who merely spoke differently, but with men who conceptions as to the nature of the individual, in lived and acted differently…. The evil I see around me contradistinction to the Christian view that the is deeper than politics. It is a canker. . . . There is the human being is spiritual, a child of God, having class-struggle, the struggle between the town and the moral dignity and worth. Let us illustrate. To country, but underlying all these things there is man, a the pseudo-scientific world-view of the pre-war poor, weak, terrified animal. The canker has penetrated period which saw everything in terms of mechanto his marrow. . . . All that remained alive and inde- ism, the human being is "a highly temporary structible of Christianity in me was revived: a Chris- chemical episode on a most petty planet" or "a tianity that neither abdicates in the face of Mammon, nor tiny lump of impure carbon and water." To a proposes concordats with Pontius Pilate, nor offers easy certain kind of industrialism, man is a mere cog careers to the ambitious, but rather leads to prison, seeing in a machine. Henry Ford once said, in effect, that crucifixion is no longer practised. that it is the duty of management to take the load off the worker's back and put it on the machine, For anyone who is acquainted with the modern and to take the load off the worker's mind and literature, especially that of "the Left," which has put it on the office. From the spiritual and moral influenced the thinking of industrial workers in point of view, what is left that is human in a the western world even though not many of them creature with nothing on its back and nothing on . read it, these sentences sound a startlingly new its mind? And practically, of course, this creanote. Yet dozens of quotations could be cited from ture ends on the scrapheap of industry, lucky if recent essays, poems and novels of such impor- the state adopts him as a ward. tant figures as Aldous Huxley, Edmund Wilson, John Dos Passos, Sidney Hook, Josephine John- In Fascism the human being is degraded to a son, W. H. Auden, Andre Gide, Eugene Lyons mere pawn in the hands of the totalitarian State. and others in which the same approach is implicit In Communism the proletariat, idealized in the if not quite so explicit as in Silone's book. People abstract, is in the concrete subjected to the dicin this mood are likely to be much more receptive tatorship of an absolutist Party, and in the Party to the Christian message and philosophy than the member is a pawn: if the Party says that a they have been until recently. man must steal, lie, spy upon and betray his What has brought about this new trend in mod- closest friend, he has no alternative. ern thought? We may put it in this way. The Second, all of these systems, as might be inthree modern faiths which have been rivals to Christianity on the soil of Christendom itself are ferred, regard the system rather than the indi- Fascism, Communism and the get-rich-quick, ac- vidual as important. "Keep this system, with all our marvelous inventions and progress, just as it [287 ]
is, and all will be well; we shall progress auto- man is a part. For obviously, man is a dependent, matically and forever"-is or was the naIve faith a contingent being. We did not create ourselves. of a materialistic capitalism. "Smash it all and Weare the product, the creation of something- put another system in its place and all our prob- Some One. lems will be solved"-is the equally naIve faith of the secularist Marxist. Christianity knows that Of what, then? Of whom? Creatures of mat- any "system" is only human beings living in cer- ter? "Tiny lumps of impure carbon and water"? tain relationships; unless something happens in How then can we, out of "mere matter," produce the human being, nothing has happened at all. creatures who can make moral decisions and re- spect themselves? Or is man the product of some Third, all of these systems believe in power and vast cosmic mechanism? How shall he then be- domination. They reject and despise gentleness, come more than a cog in that impersonal machine? meekness, love. They believe that "the end justi- fies the means." They think that the world can No, if our problem is what so many are coming somehow, by violence, ruthlessness, repression, again to see, what "high religion" has always _ dictatorship, reach the goal of peace and democ- known it to be, then must we not conclude that racy and brotherhood. The civilized, capitalistic there is no salvation for us from suicide, indi- world believed this doctrine so firmly that twenty vidual and collective, no means of maintaining or years ago it spent directly and indirectly thirty recovering the self-respect without which man million human lives and four hundred billion dol- cannot go on living, unless man can know him- lars' worth of wealth in a war that was to make self as the creation of Spirit, living in a universe the world finally "safe for democracy" and put which is somehow governed by moral and spir- an end to war. Having observed the results, this itual law? Is there then any escape from "the capitalistic world cannot yet make up its mind to gods many and lords many" who rule this age save renounce the method of war, even though that too in "the one God, the Father," whose very nature involves a bit of risk, any more than Russia is it is to produce sons and daughters who can re- prepared to renounce the method of dictatorship, spect themselves and love each other? Can there chekas, espionage and repression, though all it be then any Lord save the "one Lord, Jesus seems to lead to is more dictatorship, chew, Christ," who thus saw man and God and lived in espionage and repression. the light and power of that vision?
Obviously on the terms of any of these systems How else, furthermore, shall we find the dy- life becomes meaningless at last; human beings namic for building a sane and brotherly world? cannot respect themselves; they cannot make It is a question of dynamic. "Never higher than moral decisions because they do not think there in our time were the vital advantages." The vis- is such a thing as morality apart from expediency. ion of a new order has never been clearer; the Men who really think thus of themselves do not material resources are at hand. But confusion, worship God, do not create great art, do not build cynicism, ruthlessness, oppression, terror stalk democratic societies. To do these things we have the earth. "When hatred promised an immediate to believe in the dignity and moral worth of man. dividend all of us hated." We have to understand that the basic question is the nature and quality of the human being. We, who stand on Christian ground and who share the Christian experience, are alone able to The Christian message may again receive a speak with confidence to the "Wise Men" of our hearing which it has not had for some time, since day and to the industrial masses who have been 'a growing number of important writers, particu- under their influence; as Paul spoke to the men larly writers of "the Left," are beginning to pro- of Athens: "I observe, wherever I turn, that you claim again the great human and Christian truth are a most religious people. As I passed along that we must know whether human beings are and scanned your objects of worship, I actually creatures of spirit and so are capable of building came upon an altar with the inscription and living in a free fellowship; changing systems is not enough; the means that men use inevitably TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. determine the ends they achieve. I proclaim to you this God whom you worship in If we really become desperately concerned about your ignorance." the nature and quality of the human being; if we are convinced that we cannot build a new world The Church of Christ today is confronted, as merely by changes in external arrangements, that in its first days, with dictatorship, absolutisms, we must have first of all people capable of making modern Cresarisms – persecuted and hounded by moral decisions and living in a free society, then them. It will probably become increasingly diffi- inevitably the argument will have to be pushed a cult in all lands for the Church to meet the de- step farther back. We have to ask what is the mands of the State for an absolute allegiance and nature and character of the universe of which .retain its own soul. The Church may well be put again in the position of a small minority spiritual fellowship in a hostile world, driven to carryon
A POLICEMAN TRANSFORMED
its worship in the catacombs, "in deserts and Christian evangelism to the industrial worker mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth." must meet him in the arena of his intellect. It On the other hand men everywhere are sensing must prove itself competent to demonstrate the that such a world is doomed and are raising their inadequacy and falsehood of materialistic indusvoices again in the cry for the help which is to trialism, F,ascism and Marxism. It must meet be found only in the Eternal Word of God's re- the worker in the arena of his needs as a cog in deeming love, which by grace is ours. the machine of industry. It must be the voice of a church which does not attempt to defend, much A church which is not prepared to undergo the less to identify its own fate with that of a selfish terrific intellectual and theological labor involved economic order, based on acquisitiveness and in translating its Gospel into the language and strife or with a political order based on violence thought-forms of our day-as Paul, John, Origen, and dictatorship. It must be a church which Augustine, Luther and Calvin did for their day brings the economic order under the judgment of -will not be able to "speak to the condition" of Christ and must insist that in all relationships His these people. A church which, like the Russian spirit and teaching shall be the standard. On church under the Czars, becomes a mere bulwark these terms the Church will also be able to proof the existing order, deaf to human needs, bless- claim to the workers the prophetic truth that they ing or condoning the war-system, a mere tool of will reap nothing but disillusionment and despair the Cresars and the economic and political Cresar- if they seek to achieve freedom and peace and ism of our day-such a church will not be able to brotherhood by the way of dictatorship and vio- "speak to the condition" of troubled and seeking lence and hate. modern men. But a church which is prepared to think through and state the Christian faith in the Modern Christian evangelism must also prolanguage of the present age; a church that is claim to industrial workers the personal Gospelready to be indeed an international fellowship, the eternal message that each man must settle his animated by and obedient to the spirit of Jesus, own account with God; he can by no means pass ready to break loose from entangling alliances on to ,another the responsibility of his own sin or with the Cresars and Cresarism of today, and eager to "society" or "the system"; nevertheless he canto seek to realize the will of God on earth as it is not himself settle that account nor carry that in Heaven – such a church is in a position to burden; God himself by grace wipes out the accall upon modern "Wise Men" and masses alike count and takes upon His own redemptive love the to follow Christ and not Barabbas. This church burden, and so sets man, His child, free and makes will call today with more likelihood of being him a member of the church – the fellowship of heeded than for many decades past. the Redeemed.
A Policeman Transformed By PAUL L. BUFFA, New York City A CERTAIN Christian worker has taken ad- Meadows, where the new Exposition Grounds are vantage of the dearth of candidates in all being landscaped, the policeman drove his car off Fraternal Orders and made it part of his the road and stopped it on an ash dump. To his astonished companion he began to speak of his responsibility to give some of his time to large own spiritual problem. After being confirmed in his mother's church, he never entered a church. groups of men who are always looking for inter- He had tried to live a clean, upright life; he was esting speakers. He has found that the plain happy in his family life, his mother making a story of God's redeeming love, told without an- home for him. Being ambitious and capable, he thropomorphic "gaucheries," without mythology was studying with a view to advancement and and ecclesiastical trappings, always secures the therefore had not yet given thought to getting rapt attention of many rather sophisticated audi- married. He was popular with the "boys" with ences. whom he worked but, said he, "I am not popular with myself. I wish I could become different. I On one such errand, during the first week of am not at rest when I am alone with myself." last November, after he had delivered his message and while putting on his overcoat in the ante- The police officer stated he had talked with sevroom, dismally considering the long street car and eral clergymen-"all very nice men; but some subway journey from Brooklyn to the Bronx, he were too learned for me and said things which was approached by a tall man in a police officer's sounded lovely but did not mean anything to me. uniform who offered to take him home in his car.
While the two were crossing the Flushing
Others treated me like a Bowery tramp and ex- she had gained hope and that the Holy Spirit was horted me to give up my 'wickedness' ; others gave at work in her heart. me easy assurances that I was all right and all I needed was to join their particular church." He New Year's Eve came around and with it the was neither learned, wicked nor desirous of Watch-night service in the Christian worker's church membership, but he was hungry and parish. It was a Candle Lighting Service and, thirsty for new incentives and new motivations after everyone had gone home, he made his cusand a new drive. tomary rounds to make sure all was right in the building. At about one o'clock in the morning, The Christian worker, who does not believe in there was a terrific pounding on the main door of argumentation but in the unfailing power of the the church. The worker opened it and was sur- Word of God when "fitly spoken," quietly asked prised by the sight of his policeman friend accomhis heavenly Father for guidance and was led to panied by over a dozen of the toughest and shadquote (Ezekiel 36: 26), "A new heart also will I iest characters,;irom his neighborhood, together give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; with a generous sprinkling of the "caulyflowered and I will take away the stony heart out of your ear," punch drunk "punks" who love to be conflesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." sidered dangerous, without being really criminal at heart. The policeman apologized for the late- Having slowly repeated this word of promise ness of the hour but he had to finish his day's three times, he felt compelled to silence. For sev- work. He had received the Pastor's circular aneral minutes an atmosphere of tenseness and ex- nouncing the Candle Lighting Service and had depectancy pervaded the car. Then the policeman cided to come and place his candle on the Altar. spoke: He had conceived the plan of inviting the hangers- on, who, at night, are always loafing in front of a "It may be inconvenient to kneel in this car; certain saloon in the vicinity. He remarked: but I feel there should be prayer here. If I stick "They were not in a position to say no; so here my knees in your eyes, just forgive me; my legs we are!" are rather long." Having lit a candle and placed it in the proper He then asked the Christian worker to pray. place he turned to the motley crew who, in the The worker told him to pray for himself. An- penumbra of the church, looked like some of other silence followed, when there took place the Dore's damned; he told them the laws of man most beautiful thing which can happen on earth had touched many of them but evidently had -that which causes the Angels in Heaven to re- helped them very little. He asked if, like himself, JOIce. In simple, sincere language, the young any of them would give the Saviour a chance. policeman started groping for the hand of the Father, which was stretched out to him in his Three of those boys have since come to the darkness. Before the two arose from their knees, Christian worker for spiritual guidance. this valiant young man had taken his oath of allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. To the verse quoted in the car on the Flushing Meadows, the worker now would add the marvel- Thanksgiving Day came around and with it ous words of Ezekiel 36: 29. joy was brought to many, and silent, bitter sor- "And I will call for the corn and I will increase row to others. Our police friend was cruising in it." a Radio Car with his Irish partner, when the screams of women and children from the windows "The greatest church in all the land, of a tenement drew their attention; upon inves- With wealth and power in its control, tigation, it was found that a young mother had tried to commit suicide by inhaling gas and to Holds naught but ashes in its hand, asphyxiate also her little children. The Irish Unless it guards the city's soul. officer went for the telephone while our policeman proceeded to administer first aid. He succeeded in What means this stately granite pile, reviving the woman when, in a hysterical fit she To Christian worship set apart, badly bit his finger, cursing him for bringing her back to life. When he saw her physical life re- If crowded streets, mile upon mile, turning he felt immediately concerned for her Feel not the throbbing of its heart? spiritual life and, disregarding his own hurt, he raised his heart in prayer to God on her behalf. "Respond, 0 church! these myriad calls After completing his day's duty, tired and hungry, Appealing, come from street and mart, the officer, before even taking food, made it a point to pick up the Christian worker and take Where every man whom sin enthralls, him to see the woman who had been snatched from Expects a welcome to thy heart. such untimely end. He found that, in her despair, Reach out, 0 church! this is the hour To make thy ministry complete!
God waits, to furnish thee with power, To lift the city to his feet."
A SKETCH OF THE CONCENTRATION
THE GOODS AND ILLS OF . URBAN LIFE / INNER CITY AREA OUTER CITY AREA RESIDENTIAL SUBURB~ " FOREIGN BORN MINGLING OF NATIONALITIES NATIVE AMERICAN POOR HOUSING APARTMENTS-HIGH RENT SPACIOUS RESIDENCES —……… ~ Af~ POOR HOME FURNISHINGS LOW RATE OF HOME OWNERSHIP LOW AATEOF HOME OWNERSHIP1HIGH RATE OF HOMEOWNERSHI! , DOWNTOWN MUNICIPAL COMFORTABLE FURNISHINGS 'f/<-P~.~ ~ . CROWDING LIMITED SPACE MUCH SPACE PER PERSON POOR LIGHT AND AIR LESS SMOKE AND DIRT PURER AIR BUILDINCS (:)", ('" POOR PLA'1 FACILITIES LIM1TED PLAY FACiliTIES GOOD PLAV FACILITIES LIBRARIES .~.~, – MUSEUMS NO TREES AND GRASS FEW TREES-SMALL VAROS TREES AND CRASS 0~ DIRTV STREET~AlLEYS CLEAN STREETS THEATRES ~ti;E§~<~:_:> IHIGHHIDHGEIHAGTHHINRFBAATIRENTBTYHDTUREBAAETTREHCURLOASTISE I BIG STORES LOW BIRTH RATE lOW BIRTH RATE LOW INFANT DEATH RATE OFFICE BUILDING CENTRAL BANKS LOW DEATH flATE BY TUBERCULOSIS TRANSPDRTATIO CENTRE ~~ ~'yZ HIGH DELINQUENCV RATE JINCREASING DELINQUENCY RATE, LOW DElINQUENCV RATE -' ~'~~~,,»'/INADEQUATE FOOD AND CLOTHING/ADEQUATE FOOD AND CLOTHING / PLENTY OF FOOD AND CLOTHING/ I MUCH UNEMPLOYMENT I I LITTLE UNEMPLOVMENT ;/ I I I MEDIUM RELIEF ~ATES ~ HIGH REUEF RATES LOW RELIEF RATES LOW WAGE II I MODERATE INCOME HIGH INCOME I I '"' "OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF' LEADERSHIP RAPID MOVEMENT FROM / LOW "MOBILITY RATE CONCENTRATION OF -ILLS" PLACE TO PLACE / ICONCENTRATION OF "GOODS"j The Inner and the Outer City By REV. ERNEST GRAHAM GUTHRIE, D.D., LL.D.
General Director of the Chicago Congregational Union I T IS impossible to describe a Modern American ulation, an accumulation of problems of poverty, City in terms that would be true of all, for they delinquency, and crime. So hostile is this environ- differ widely in what they do to and with hu- ment to human life that, no matter what racial man life. Nor is it easy to describe in general group takes up its aoode in these areas, no matter terms. the varied relationships of the Christian how good the stock from which they have come, Church to these differing patterns of life. We sooner or later the same signs of deterioration becan, however, recognize certain facts that create come starkly revealed. And yet out of these very one of the major problems with which the Church areas have come some of the best life we have, has to deal. There is a flight of human life to- rising on ladders visible and invisible to high wards the suburbs, under the drive of the home- place in industry and commerce, in the arts and making instinct, carrying with it many of the religion, in the public life of the city and the naablest citizens, and much of the wealth and other tion. The outer area of the city, with singular resource that was formerly available for the In- exceptions, in industrial suburbs, and even "subner City. The ultimate result is, that the city has urban slums," is marked by the power of wealth, two sharply contrasted areas. The one is marked the advantages of education and superior trainby poor housing, suffocating densities of pop- ing, and, often by a" deep ignorance of, and de- [291 ]
tachment from, the massed disadvantages to is never primary, although often it grows with human life in the central area from which they the growth of all the rest. This means that every have escaped. suburban church has one such relationship to an The resources of the Christian Church have in institution of the Inner City, and the strongest the main followed the course of this economic and churches may have four or five. On the other social drive. The great churches of the suburbs hand, every institution in the Inner City has, in are, in the first instance, the products of this turn, some three to six suburban churches as an movement, and it would not be difficult to substan- inner circle of dynamic fellowship. This Plan is tiate the thesis that these churches have not only fostered within the general organization of the been built up at the expense of the old mother church for the whole city, and is guided constantly churches of the Inner City, but are still dependent by a Cooperating Committee of eighteen repre- upon them for much of their best Christian lead- sentatives of the suburban churches, but the point ership. This movement of the Church life leaves is that these relationships are direct. They grow behind it a situation that is tragically familiar. at both ends through deepening understanding The older fortresses of the faith and service are, and knowledge, and above all by mutual respect with outstanding exceptions, being constantly de- and mutual service, as common participants in pleted, not only in financial resources but in the one faith and one Christian trust.
character of their ministerial and lay leadership, The various strands of this fellowship are all at the very moment when they are facing new important and for different reasons: and often alien populations and the vast complexity of human problems that are the result of the (1) The local boards of the Inner City institubasic movement referred to above. The total re- tions are drawn from the several churches to sult is that the Christian Church is weaKest, in which they are related, and are so carefully chosen every form of resource, in the very area of the that it is not too much to say that many of these most bitter and complex human need. institutions have a calibre of Christian men and women directing them that is, on the average, But that the Christian Church is not satisfied higher than that of anyone of the suburban to leave this situation as it stands, that it is seek- churches related to them. Nor are these men and ing a way and is finding a way to return in the women concerned with finances and bills alone. power of its faith and service into the Inner City Here is one powerful enough to change the whole there is abundant evidence. It is the purpose of attitude of the police to a foreign group the instithis article to briefly indicate some of the ways tution serves. Another caused even a Judge of a in which this is being, and can be increasingly court to be disciplined for unseemly reference to done by a si.ngle communion, by a united Prot- the race for which the Center was maintained. A estantism, and by the still more comprehensive third reaches into the City government, to correct action of the religious leadership of the city as a the menace to health of open drains and sewers. whole. Still others, of the right training and gifts, help the institution to evolve from simply doing am- The Strategy of a Single Communion The first necessity is for any given communion bulance work for those wounded by hardship and to establish an adequate stake of its own life and evil into a powerful center of thought and action, service in the Inner City. If we leave aside, for striking constructively to eliminate the sources of the moment, the older original churches, this stake misery at their origin.
is represented by a group of institutions that (2) A second and a golden strand is the stream range all the way from Rescue Missions and For- of volunteer assistance in the service of these in- eign-Speaking Churches, to Neighborhood Houses, stitutions. The original settlement movement was which are the Church's forms of the Settlement an effort to give to the blighted areas of our cities Movement, and smaller churches of the conven- the kind of intelligence, high moral character, and tional type. One of the vexed questions within trained service and leadership for education, several of our communions at the present time is recreation, and community reconstruction, of to determine in what proportions its resources which these areas had been depleted. To the set- should be divided between churches that build the tlements of London came some of the best life of fellowship and institutions whose ministry is Oxford and Cambridge Universities. In these poured forth, without hope of any kind of return, training grounds were created some of the great out of the chalice of a self-forgetting service. Proconsuls of the empire who, like Milner in Af- Our problem is to create a vital sense of fellow- rica, however highly placed, never forgot how the ship between these two arms of the Church's serv- other half lived and the high trust they held for ice. In one communion what is known as the Fel- that other half. 'From these suburban churches lowship Plan binds these two groups together in have come volunteers, equaling and sometimes a multitude of strands of which the financial bond surpassing in number, the regular staffs of these
THE INNER AND THE OUTER CITY
MEXICAN BOYS AND GIRLS ENACTING THE CHRISTMAS STORY IN FIRMAN HOUSE, CHICAGO institutions, who have given their talents freely ways consciously and wisely kept subordinate, to communities which yesterday they did not even nevertheless grows in a myriad ways. Equipment arrives, from baseball bats to an organ, for the know existed. institution; boys and girls are given opportunities (3) A third important strand is the leadership to recover their health; scholarships are founded by which the more talented may climb towards at both ends of the relationship. The fellowship high careers; golden ladders are let down into the is conceived to be mutual, and it is increasingly darkness, not one, but many. And when any great becoming so. The business of the leader of the single undertaking for some desperate need of a Inner City institution is to enlarge the social con:" single community is set before the communion as sciousness and quicken the social conscience of a whole, it is not the four or five suburban the suburban church; and, where the leader of churches that are its inner circle of fellowship the suburban church rightly uses his opportunity, alone, that respond, but the entire fellowship of his church, at meeting after meeting, in group churches, rising in a single year to contributions after group, is exposed to the cruel pressure and amounting to $75,000, beyond all that is given by the disfiguring results of the city's pitiless forces, the central organization of the Church. As one on other neighborhoods. But always these tragic of the active leaders in this plan has said, "Its scenes are depicted by a leader who offers through basis is found in the fact that fundamentally each his own institution an arm of Christian service one of us regards himself as a part of this great and power that day in and day out is battling city and the city a part of himself." against these evils for human life. As a consequence, many of these churches are beginning to We turn, for a 'moment, to the old mother ask for surveys of the neighborhoods in which churches in the heart of the city. Some of these their related institutions work to go beyond vague are still strong in membership, in resource and impressions and face directly the bitter facts. influence. They have maintained themselves, amidst the currents and the tides that have swept (4) We can hardly wonder that, where these, others into weakness or oblivion. They are susand other strands, of direct fellowship are grow- tained by the loyalty of members who live in the ing in strength, the financial exchange between these two arms of Christ's service, which is al-
suburbs, but whose spiritual home is in the heart bankruptcy and moral and spiritual treason that of the city. And how greatly some of these old it is? Are no great spiritual questions being churches are maintained, a center of tranquility asked,if not in the churches of the suburbs, then amidst the increasing perturbation, full of deep in the souls of suburban men and women as they and great ministries to myriads of lives otherwise drop off, at their quiet stations in the evening, without close human ties, sanctuaries of all forms and pass, through long avenues of beauty to their and moods of worship, on whose altar, as one of homes, or as, in the morning, their train stops their ministers has said, "will burri unobtrusively for a moment to give them a close sight of the but perpetually, a flame symbolizing the everlast- blighted areas of the great city's life?" ing presence of a Friendly God." Perhaps there is no greater service rendered by the suburbs to In one of our great cities the united religious the Inner City than by those who maintain such leadership has set itself to analyze the forces that loyalties, as long as life lasts, and who are sup- make and mar the city, to give a synoptic picture ported in their loyalty by the approval of minis- of the vast orga'frism, as a whole, and this picture ters and churches in the suburbs who look not at is being painted by economists, by industrialists, their own things alone. by politicians, mid all that great company who know how the segment of its mighty life with On the other hand, is' there anything more which they are familiar came to be, what exactly tragic, and, in a great sense, more unnecessary, are the sources of its evils, and from which directhan the dying back of these great centers of wor- tion its salvation must come. ship for lack of support? One by one they perish within their own little denominational fellowships It is only as the organic wholeness of the city that can no longer maintain them. Will the day slowly forms itself in the minds and hearts and never come when these things will be counted challenges the wills of the total leadership of the among the scandals and the high crimes of our Church, in all its branches, and in all its locations, divided Protestantism? Is there not sufficient that the great Kingdom of cooperative life, topower, despite the tribal spirit that still infects wards which the true Church ever lives and them, working with the rising tide of protest serves, will come to pass. In Elizabeth Goudge's against their divided and composite futility, for "A City of Bells," it is said of the old Canon of the Protestant churches to take their stand on the Cathedral, as he moved, one Christmas eve, this at least, and determine that, no matter who through the slums of that Cathedral city: "He comes or who goes, as long as human life inhabits hated segregation, inevitable though he knew it these inner areas, there shall be enough great to be. He hated the barriers of time and age and churches to give a united witness, a united serv- class and language. He longed for the time when ice, and enduring expression to the high resolve all the different lights carried by man in the pagthat, under God, it will not let the heart of the eantry of life should grow into one." city go. No greater service could the churches of the suburbs, as a whole, of every and all commun- Enough has been said above of the active and ions, render than to take an unbroken stand that serving church in the city to show that those diftheir gifts shall not be made to the Inner City ferent lights have grown into one, wherever privexcept under the high policy and technique of, a ilege has shared with those who lack it, wherever United Church. love has found the way to blend life's myriad lights together, in the fellowship that is of, in, Different Lights Grow Into One and through Christ. But these things, of which we dream, and for which we work, in the great- But these are at best but superficial movements ness of our hope, will never come to pass until the towards the greater solidarity of life, that must power of God in Christ so invests His Church be realized in the Modern City. The church in the that we shall learn anew what the Church is and suburbs must delve deeper into its owngonscience can be when it becomes in reality "the act of God and ask, of those who can answer it, "How came in Christ in the midst of time." these things to be?" What industry was it that enticed these 200,000 Negroes from their cabins There are churches which say to their people in the Southland and hurled them, helpless, into the great maelstrom of the city? By whose mor- that one of the requirements of Christian fellowtal and human enactment do both Church and City have on their hands, this multitude of ap- ship is service for which no material reward is parently insoluble problems? paid. One church has, in addition to those who "By whose retreat from citizenship of the great city into the toy citizenship of the beautiful sub- give service in its own program, nearly one hunurban village, does municipal government become the combination of graft and cloaked crime of dred and fifty members who regularly each week are working in the community as volunteers in Christ's name. They are teaching the blind, work- ing in hospitals, calling on the aged, leading groups in boys' and girls' clubs, helping out in other churches. ROBERT W. SEARLE.
A United Church
By the REV. GORDON R. LAHRSON, New York Minister of the Henry Street United Church I NTERDENOMINATIONALISM has often been greener pastures. Why move as long as the com- an interesting subject for speculation and de- munity is filled with human beings whom the bate. The recent conferences in Oxford and Church of Christ is supposed to serve, regardless Edinburgh indicate certain avenues of cooperative of their social or economic rating? effort upon which all Protestant groups may travel. Too frequently, however, the much-ado These two churches have had a flexible minisabout denominations getting together has been try which has sought to interpret the message of like Mark Twain's observation concerning the Christ in light of the human problems and condiweather, it is a subject of much talk but nothing tions in the community. No church can long exist is done about it. While a feeling of helplessness in Manhattan with a static program. Traditional may be justified in the attempt to bring about practices must often yield to newer methods; and ecclesiastical union between certain denominations, church union is being successfully attempted yet, is not the glory of a rich tradition for any .inon the common ground of Christian service. stitution a ministry of service with enough viSIOn Two of the oldest churches in Manhattan, the and understanding to adapt itself to the deepest Mariners'Temple (Baptist) and the Sea and Land needs of men? (Presbyterian), have now joined forces in a united Christian program. The ministers and Mariners' Temple was built in 1795 as the workers in the two churches have been brought Oliver Street Baptist Church and is the oldest together and a coordination of activities has been Baptist edifice in New York City. It was rebuilt affected. While each church maintains its eccle- in 1844, and since that time has been known as siastical identity, all worship and service enter- Mariners' Temple. It is frequently referred to prises have been combined under one adminis- as the "Mother of Churches," several Baptist churches in the city having sprung from it– tration. American, Chinese, Danish, Italian, Norwegian, In evaluating this significant step of church Lettish, Swedish and Russian. Baptist work in Sweden, Norway and Denmark was begun by seaunion, one must recognize the drastic changes men who were members of Mariners' Temple. which have taken place in downtown New York, During the pioneer days, other members of the affecting every aspect of community life. With "Mother Church" were instrumental in organizing the shifting of Anglo-Saxon populations away churches in Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. A very from the downtown area, the vast majority of impressive work was carried on among seamen in churches have joined in the exodus. This commu- the early days and from this ministry came the nity upheaval, however, has not resulted in a name by which the church has been popularly dearth of human beings. Great masses are forced known. The daily and nightly ministry to hometo live in these congested areas, in a setting which less men has been an outstanding feature of the lacks many cultural and spiritual advantages. work, and throughout its history this church has People with small incomes must dwell in these opened its doors to people of high and low degree. deteriorated, tenement districts. The same has been true of the Church of the Only a few of the old churches have been able Sea and Land. The present building goes back to to remain to interpret Christ's way of life to the the year 1817. It has had a dramatic history. throngs of human souls who must live in these Frederick Bruckbauer's book, "The Kirk on "haunts of wretchedness and need." Among the Rutgers Farm," portrays the thrilling story of few the Mariners' Temple and the Church of Sea this church up to the year 1919. George Alexand'Land are outstanding examples. Facing the ander, in his introduction to the book, made this social changes of more than a hundred years in revealing observation: the lower east side, these churches have stayed on the job, adapting their ministry to meet the needs In its first half century it sheltered a worshipping conof the changing population. They did not run gregation of staid Knickerbocker type, which, though blest away when their leading members moved to with a ministry of extraordinary ability and spiritual power, succumbed to its unfriendly environment and per- ished.
[295 ]
In its second half-century it became the home of a flock who come for aid. A large number have been of God, poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith, to whom the environment even when changing from bad to given a new hold on life through this work. worse, was a challenge to faith and valiant service. ("The The week is filled with many activities, includ- Kirk on Rutgers Farm," Frederick Bruckbauer, page 5.) ing movies for children, Weekday Church School, The Sea and Land has carried on work not only Boys' and Girls' Clubs, Greek Service, Spanish for English-speaking peoples but for Italians, Service, meetings of Italian groups, Women's So- Greeks, Russians, Spaniards and Jews. At pres- cieties, Gymnasium Classes and Socials. ent, the Italian congregation ranks as one of the strong, foreign-speaking Protestant groups in the The work with children and young people is one city. For many years Sea and Land also had an of the most challenging aspects of the program, important work with seamen when such a minis- for the building of Christian character in childtry was vitally needed. Always the purpose has hood and adolescence constitute a major function been to serve the people of the community. Mr. of every Christian church. Bruckbauer fittingly expressed the spirit of the church. The lower ea~ side is rapidly changing. The new Knickerbocker Village, with its 1,600 fam- ilies, has already made a difference. It is like a lovely oasis in the midst of a desert. The Henry Never has this been a selfish, self-contained organism, Street United Church is providing a place in its but a living, throbbing influence that went out beyond the program of worship and service for the unshadow of its gray walls, prodigal in giving to others the churched people who live there. At present, good things of the gospel that were fostered there. Many scores of old tenement buildings are being torn a church at home and abroad has cause to bless Market Street for the men and women that she brought up in the down, and a re-zoning of the entire district is benurture and admonition of the Lord. ("The Kirk on ing proposed, making it predominantly residential. Rutgers Farm," Bruckbauer, page 105.) If these plans are carried out, a new community Today, the Henry Street United Church brings will come into being. Whatever the changes, together these famous institutions. Once again, Henry Street United Church will once more seek they have met the need of a change which means to adapt its ministry to meet the needs of the more effective service. Each group discovered people.
that it was seeking to do alone that which could be Many hope that there will be enough social accomplished more effectively in a cooperative imagination to provide the kind of housing that enterprise. There has not been the disposition on will be decent and respectable and at the same the part of either church to bemoan the loss of de- time within the economic means of families now nominational glory. Rather, there is a sense of living in the tenements. Those who work in pride in being a part of a denominationalism that underprivileged areas are keenly aware that has the glory of an interdenominational spirit and Christianity must do more than extend the hand a cooperative movement for the common good of of personal kindness. These people need also a the community. social and economic environment with the kind of This Union has made possible stronger leader- soil in which the seeds of personal character can ship and the interchanging of ideas and the fel- grow. When such conditions are provided, the lowship under a united staff of workers. Both beauty and power of the Christian life will find buildings are used: Mariners' Temple (at 3 Henry the best opportunity for expression. Then the Street) and the Sea and Land (at 61 Henry missionary efforts of the church will count for the Street) are only one block apart and the two most. "Men do not gather grapes of thorns or buildings provide adequate equipment for the figs of thistles." Truly this principle applies to work. The Sunday program includes Church social as well as to personal living.
School, Morning Worship, Italian Service in the The vision and support of this united enterprise afternoon, Young People's Meeting and Evening come from the New York City Baptist Mission Worship. Society, the Church Extension Committee of the The ministry of the United Church to homeless New York Presbytery and the New York City men is unique. A Service is held for them every Mission (interdenominational). The work of the night in Hubbell Hall of Mariners' Temple. Food Henry Street United Church is indicative of the and free lodging are provided daily for as large a indispensable part which City Societies have in number as can be accommodated. During the win- bringing the Christian message to our crowded ter as many as 200 men are kept for a single night. urban communities. The splendid way in which Friendly counsel is given to individuals as young these societies have been working together in and old pour out their heart-breaking stories of sponsoring the work reveals a significant phase misfortune. The purpose of this ministry is to of interdenominational cooperation. We have dis- aid in the rehabilitation of manhood. Frequently covered that such church union is a great success men of fine education and culture are among those when expressed in terms of Christian service.
"What Can a Suburban Church Do?"
By the REV. FRANK FlIT, D.D.
The Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan T HIS church is situated three miles from the applies to all of life across the whole world, the official limits and nine miles from the chief groundwork is laid for a vital and intelligent serv- shopping center of the fourth largest city in ice to the multitudes who live in the near-by city.
the United States. It stands on the rim of a half- The condition of the world since 1914 has been circle of twenty square miles containing nearly compelling us to loosen and to thrust away our two million people. Within that half-circle are theological strait-jackets. Now, in this year gathered races and religions from all the world. 1938, as all of us are compelled to gaze at the very We have almost a thousand adult members, per- pit of hell by the terrible course of events, we see haps fifteen per cent of whom would be reckoned clearly, as never before, the true meaning of in the well-to-do class. A similar proportion Christ's message of salvation to mankind. That would be counted at the other end of the economic message means redemption for a man's nature, scale. The remaining seventy per cent of the for his home, for his school, for his shop and members belong to the middle-class group, neither store 'and factory and for his local and state and rich, nor poor. All local groups are represented, national government. It is a message for a man take part in the services and sit on the official and for the society in which he lives. It is for the boards. We have a very adequate church house individual and for all men. This is the conviction in which a program is carried on seven days a by which we Christians truly live and serve. week. In its tradition and opportunity there is nothing in what this particular church may offer Bonds of Service and Understanding to the near-by city which cannot be offered by al- Such a conception of the Christian Gospel is most any of the thousands of Protestant suburban certain to bear fruit in a process of education and churches surrounding the ninety-four cities of the service between the suburban church and the city. United States which in the 1930 census had a pop- It is quite incredible that such a Gospel should be ulation of over one hundred thousand. Some proclaimed and accepted without a constantly inchurches, more favored by resources and per- creasing interchange of information and effort. sonnel and opportunity, can offer more, and some Like other churches this church has its regular churches, less favored, can offer less. services of prayer and praise and instruction.
Th~ First Essential Here are some sample speeches addressed to groups in the interests of the city in recent weeks. Surely the first essential of such a church in its In their aggregate they were heard by the maoffering to the city is that the Christian Gospel jority of the adult members of the church. proclaimed from its pulpit, believed in by its members and assumed in its program from begin- "Making a Department Store a Civic Institution," by ning to end, is as broad and deep as human life the publicity director of a large department store; and its varied needs. Although the Grosse Pointe Farms church must of necessity bear certain "Mosaic or Melting Pot," by a member of the Detroit labels, in the sense that it is Presbyterian in its Council of Social Agencies; connection and witnesses to evangelical Christianity, there is nothing denominational in its offering "Life in a Settlement House," by the director of a setto the city. We believe that the Christian Gospel tlement; is greater than anyone parish or any single denomination, and that the flow of a redeeming and "Security amidst Uncertainty," by the special supertransforming Divine Grace can come down all visor of the Detroit Edison Company; channels that minister truly to mankind in the name of Christ. When such a conception of the "Cooperatives in Michigan," by an authority on coop- Gospel is proclaimed and believed, when the as- eratives; sumption of the entire parish is that the Gospel "The Church and Youth Delinquency," by a member of the Social Service Department of the Detroit Council of Churches; "The Negro of Detroit," by an authority; "Human Interest in Industry," by the personnel director of a large automobile company; "Bargaining between Employer and Employee," by an official in a large industry; [ 297]
"The Christian Approach to the Jew," by a Christian perance organization. Again the list might be minister, formerly Jewish; considerably extended. Almost every man and woman who holds an official position within the "Detroit's Challenge to the Churches," by the director membership also holds some official position in of the Church Extension Board, given before the the agencies which minister to Detroit's need, and Sunday morning congregation. many other men and women in the membership, holding no special responsibility within the parish, In the yearly program of activities there are are giving hours of their time each week to some many carefully planned service projects. The var- outside service. ious groups within the parish are brought into contact with the city needs and institutions. Some Two decades ago a distinguished English samples of this in recent weeks are listed. preacher who exercised a remarkable ministry on New York's Fifth Avenue is reported to have said The Married People's Class visited the Florence that one of his major problems was that he did Crittenton Home on a Sunday afternoon; not have sufficient tasks to offer to his people. That can only be true if the tasks are limited to The Women's Association visited a Community the local church organization. After all, there are House in an underprivileged district directed only a limited number of services within the local by our denomination; church, and the larger the parish the less is the proportion who can serve. But outside the church, A Professional Women's Club sponsored a Sun- particularly if that church be in or near a city, day night story hour at a Protestant Chil- there is no limit upon the opportunity for service. dren's Home; The mission Sunday Schools, the hospital boards, the settlement houses, the Y. W. C. A., and the Sunday School classes visited Negro churches, Y: M. C. A.-there is almost no end to the open- hospitals, old peoples' homes, settlements, ings. Heroic workers among the underprivileged bringing toys, clothing, etc. are sighing for the active personal assistance of the men and women of the churches. Let it be The list could be made much longer. Through- understood that every church member is expected out the year numerous organized trips take place. to serve his fellows by attaching himself to some The effort is made to give every member of the agency which ministers to human need. church a chance to become acquainted with the needy phases of Detroit's life and to appreciate The Offering in Money the methods by which the Christian forces are meeting those needs. It is safe to claim that no The question of the financial responsibility of adult member of the parish has any excuse for the suburban church is left to the last. That is pleading ignorance of the open sores of civiliza- where it belongs. First must come the proclamation in the city so close at hand. tion of the Christian message and the obligation to shoulder the responsibility. Then must come The Offering in Personnel the education in vivid terms of the proportions of the responsibility. Then must come the actual When such a Gospel is proclaimed, and when working amid the need. Then, last of all and with such an inter-related program of education is af- this careful preparation, is the' basis laid which forded, it is to be expected that earnest-minded makes the financial appeal compelling. Convicand devoted men and women within the church tion, education, participation, giving-those are membership will offer themselves for service and the four steps in the full rich contact between the accept positions of responsibility in those religious suburban church and the city. And the methods and philanthropic organizations which minister by which the money will be collected will be nudirectly to the needs of the city. A trustee and merous. Who can chart them? In the local treasurer of our church is the active head and church there is the official treasurer of benevoldirector of the Detroit Community Fund under ences. There are the gifts from Sunday School which some eighty agencies minister to the life classes and other groups. There are the appeals of the city, many of them under Christian aus- from the agencies outside the church. There is pices. The president of the trustees is also presi- the Community Fund through which most givers dent of a leading hospital board, and a former in these days prefer to donate their largest subpresident of the trustees is president of another scriptions. In addition, there are the ,anonymous hospital board. The teacher of a woman's class offerings which keep coming in, the private exin our Sunday School is president of the Detroit pressions of an earnest generosity which the giver Y. W. C. A. The president of our Women's Asso- would reveal only to God. Who can measure all ciation is also president of Detroit's Women's City of these? After all, it is not the method, but the Club and a former president of our Association motive behind it, which counts. is president of Detroit's Colony Club. A woman member of the church is president of Detroit's Protestant Children's Home. Another member is treasurer of the same institution. Still another member is president of the Allied Youth, a tem-
It would be quite impossible, even if it were de- of the evicted family into their new home. After sirable, to reckon up the giving in money to the that he slipped away without even stopping to tell needs of Detroit by the members of this parish. his name. Adding together amounts that are known, through the church treasurers, through the Detroit Com- Just as there is courage and practical kindness munity Fund and through other channels, it would so, too, there is happiness and love. But the handequal several times the budget of the local church. icaps are too great-the blight and misery and In all probability it should be much greater than waste of life are tragic. it is. There are few among us who really give away money to the point where it means personal The people whom you have met in the foregodeprivation. Let us be grateful for the number, ing pages are not creatures of the imaginationfound among rich and moderately circumstanced they are actual human beings. In some instances and poor, who really give to the point of sacrifice the details of their stories have been somewhat and set the standard for the rest of us. altered. In no instance has a story been exagger- ated. And they are not all dwellers in one city. This is a brief report of what one suburban Moreover, their counterparts may be found in any church is attempting to accomplish in the direc- one of the 6'06 communities in the United States tion of the great city on the border of which it having a population of 1'0,'0'0'0 or more-part of an stands. Undoubtedly other suburban churches are aggregate population of more than 64,'0'0'0,'0'00. doing more. Some suburban churches, because of limitations beyond their control, are not able to Has not every city its lonely aged, its physicaldo as much. The point is that every suburban ly, socially, and economically handicapped, its negchurch must do what it can. The order and lected and delinquent children? Are there not in method of procedure, as it has been found fruitful nearly every city one or more groups which suffer in at least one such church, has been pointed out. from prejudice and discrimination? It has been The Christian Gospel, wide, deep and high, in its said that "every American community has its New Testament power and glory, for every aspect slums or substandard area." And every city has of human need; the carefully planned, educational its impoverished families whose income is less connection between the agencies of the church and than the amount necessary for the maintenance of the agencies of the city; the going forth of con- healthy life. secrated men and women within the church to minister where they are needed, offering their These then are neighbors to us all! varied talents to the varied opportunities; and lastly, and as a natural result, the giving of money MARK A. DAWBER. to support the good causes. Surely this is what any suburban church can do for any city. What we Christians have to give is Christ and NEIGHBORS IN THE SLUMS what we have to tell to this urban world is the It is well to remember that there is probably story of Christ. We want to give to the present more courage to the square foot in the slums than on the avenues. And there is abounding kind- world once again the teaching of Christ. One of ness among the poor. Dickens said, "What the poor mean to the poor only God and the poor the reasons why some of the strong and powerful know." people in our big or little communities have been I remember a man who, coming home after a fruitless quest for work, found an unknown neigh- so hesitant with respect to what their duties are bor's goods upon the sidewalk. The evicted family were just sitting there, dejected and helpless. in a modern world, with its constantly demanding The returning job seeker took the situation in at a glance, rolled a barrel to the middle of the side- social changes, is that they have not paid adequate walk, placed a pan upon it, and appealed to everyone who came along the street. When money attention to the teaching of Jesus Christ. The enough had been secured he searched the neighberhood until he found an available fiat, paid a most sure approach we have to make to the people month's rent in advance, and then recruited a gang of men who moved the household possessions in our churches, when we wish to impress upon them the real significance of what is called the social gospel, is what Jesus himself taught. We begin with the assumption that when the Lord Jesus spoke He knew that He was speaking with authority. We are having to begin to present that argument all over again. I heard one person, who was engaged in the marvelous task of religious education, teaching the Christian religion to chil- dren and young people; one of the first things he told them was that they "should not assume that what Jesus said was right," but that they must hear Him critically. It is a help to me to know that Jesus was right, that He really spoke with authority. J. V. MOLDENHAWER.
MONEY IS MYSELF – IS IT MINE? * How can we raise a generation of men and women who will understand the truth about the stewardship of money? Here is a financial creed for Christians who wish to be good stew- ards: 1. Money is not "filthy lucre"; it is not the "devil's coin"; it is stored-up power. Money is much more than a standard medium of exchange. Money represents coined manhood. The five or ten dollars or more paid me for a day's work represents so much toil of my hand and brain. Through money I can also employ men to toil for me. Thus it sets me free from the limits of place so that I can heal the sick in China, or teach the children of India, or light up the dark places of Africa.
2. My money is mine only in trust; it belongs to God, sinc~I myself belong to Him. He created me, and created wealth. Christ redeemed me-purchased me with His own life- blood.
3. God is expecting me to use this money-this stored-up power-to build His churches and preach His gospel, to train His workers and send them out to teach and heal, and to save His children and help establish His rule of righteousness and brotherhood and peace.
4. To use my income aright so as to please God is one of my first responsibilities as a Chris- tian. Until I make up my mind to do this, my prayers and confessions and claims will be like saying "Lord, Lord," while not doing the will of my Father.
5. God tells me to set aside a definite proportion of my income for His work. By this I acknowledge my debt to God and His sovereignty over all my possessions. By acting on this principle, I also guard against selfishness. Giving away money on impulse and without prayer and regularity is not in harmony with the importance of God's work.
6. The proportion of my income set aside for God's purposes should be not less than one- tenth and may be much more, according to the standard given in the Old Testament. I am re- ceiving far more from God than did the ancient Hebrews or the men of any former generation, and God expects me to give not less than one-tenth and more if I am able, for my debt is great and the need is great.
7. I should seek to use money for God as carefully as I use my resources in my ordinary business. I should study the needs of the Church and the world-wide work of Christ so that I will give wisely. If I give systematically and pray with my giving, God will multiply my gift and bless the results.
8. But money is not only a means of service, it may also be a dangerous weapon. It com- mands so many things that men often forget the real values which it can never purchase: the riches of righteousness, love, happiness, a clear conscience and fellowship with God. Three rich men stand forth in prominence in the Gospel pages. One was a fool who bartered his soul for barns and acres; one was a man hard of heart and blind, who saw neither God nor his beggar brother at his door. The third lacked the courage to leave his wealth and choose the higher good by following Jesus.
9. Money spells opportunity. Today, when money offers men so many chances for self- indulgence, it also brings great opportunities for loving service. Never were doors, at home and abroad, so wide open and so appealing. Never were the forces for education and evan- gelism and Christian service so well organized. Never were there so many men and women waiting to be put into service through the use of money.
10. Money also spells obligation. Not only are the Church and Jesus Christ saying this, but the State is saying it, and so are conscience and common sense. Christian faith and loyal- ty are not shown by those who leave large gifts to heirs who have not earned it, who do not need it, and who cannot be trusted to administer it wisely. But the greatest responsibility is not in leaving money behind when we can no longer use it; the greatest obligation is in the use if it while we live. What a tremendous obligation rests upon the man who has been entrusted with wealth or the ability to get wealth. The war against poverty and suffering and igno- rance and sin is with us all the time; money is one great weapon against these, when entrust- ed to wise heads and loving hearts. It is a powerful means by which my life may be given to God and made more fruitful and beneficial to mankind.
• Adapted from the United Ohurch Reoord.
Ways of
'fested Met1wds for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO NEW HOME MISSION women will have a part in writing the reading up on the subject will BUILDING MATERIAL programs for the eleven meetings of convince you of its significance the year. .. . Mrs. Dan Brummitt, and its possibilities. Program The Department Editor is national vice-president, will plan the handicapped, as always at this lessons and point out "The Skyline of builders will be interested in the City." Bridges in History and Legend, time of the year, by the fact that "Widening Horizons" will be a two- by W. J. and S. R. Watson, a book brimful of poems, stories, the program builders to whom months' study of the fields and projshe usually turns for "Effective quotations, etc. Ask for it at Ways of Working" have not yet ects of the women's missionary enter- your public library." (Suggested prise of the M. E. Church:. this 'U!i~l include both home and !oretgn actwt- had opportunity to familiarize ties. for reference only.) themselves with the new study "New Horizons in Christian Relabooks and incorporate them into "The function of bridges may workable plans in time for the tiohs" will be a two-months' study of be described as the starting of a June issue, copy for which must the missionary work of the women of stream of human traffic hitherto be sent weeks in advance of pub- the M. E. Church South and the Meth- impossible; the surmounting of lication. Some of the denomina- odist Protestant Church. This is to a barrier, the linking up of two tional magazines ann 0 u n c e give understanding and preparation worlds divided by a gulf." (Enfrankly that "While information for future relationships with all the cyclopredia. ) as to themes and titles of text- women of United Methodism. books can be furnished, the "There can be little doubt that study courses cannot be ready An Achievements Poster upon which in many ways the story of bridge earlier than June." Hence it goals accomplished may be marked building is the story of civilizawill be necessary to supplement will again be included in the study tion." (Franklin D. Roosevelt.) 'our material on the Home Mis- course. sion topic, "The City," with Most of these programs verify other timeless plans which can Bridges the theme in that they disregard be adapted to any program pres- the invidious distinction between entation, and await the harvest This has been chosen for the the "home" and the "foreign" from summer conferences for theme of the women of the sections of the world-field and more specific outlines. Northern Baptist Convention present a blended and unified for 1938-39. It is a particularly theme. Much abbreviated, they "Forward Looking Plans" fertile and adaptable one. run as follows: Under this title Woman's The builder who first bridged Ni- THE INTER-BOROUGH BRIDGE Home Missions says: agara's gorge, The Bridge which Connects Our Before he swung his cable shore to City with God's City shore, "A Prayer for the City," from Sent out across the gulf his venturing kite Bearing a slender cord for unseen hands To grasp upon a farther cliff and draw The ,Forward Looking Committee A greater cord, and then a greater Prayers of the Social Awakenfelt that the task they faced this year yet; ing, by Rauschenbusch. was somewhat different from that of former committees. Naturally, they Till' at last across the chasm swung Ten-minute Talk, "The City" should be forward looking in offering The cable-then the mighty bridge in (its growth in the last decades, plans for the year's study in methods its importance in our civilization and achievement. They should also air. today. The sociology teacher in cultivate a spirit of readiness for new So we may send our little timid near-by high school or college adjustments that would help every would have material for rewoman to look farther in her own mis- thought sponse. See "City Man," chapsionary service and relationship than Across the void, out to God's reaching ters 1 and 2). she has ever done before. "New Horizons" therefore was the theme chosen hands, Ten-minute Talk, "What Our for the coming year. Send out our love and faith to thread Church Can Do for the City" (t h r 0 ugh establishing new Mrs. Merle English, secretary of the deep, churches, through the Christian Wesleyan Service Guild and a mem- Thought after thought until the little ber of the "Spiritual Life Committee cord Has greatened to a chain no chance can break, And-we are anchored to the Infinite!
EDWIN MARKHAM.
will write the devotional book, "New "If on first thought 'Bridges' Center, by helping our bilingual Horizons in Worship." Conference women, missionaries, seems an unusual theme for mis- neighborhood church. If you sionary programs, even a hasty live in a city secure a map and national officers and local auxiliary [301 ]
locate the projects of its city means the professors as well. every woman into the church, in mission work). Education must be evangelized." friendship, getting our neigh- Ten-minute devotional. (The Bible begins in a garden but (E. Stanley Jones.) bors, in evangelism, getting the soon drives man out. It then tells about cities. It ends with Panel Discussion: Why Is strength of united effort in orthe City of God coming down out of heaven. Gen. 1: 1-5, 27-31. Education a Legitimate Interest ganized missionary work, to get Amos 5: 4-24. Rev. 2'1: 1-7. Pray that our cities may become of a MissionarySociety? (Choose power for all in Jesus Christ God's cities.) at least five intelligent persons (the devotional). THE PEACE BRIDGE seated around a table discussing ON THE BRIDGE The Bible in Many Languages this question. They might con- Missionaries, reaching the sider (1) need of trained work- This program is on the responpeople, had to become the philologists and translators of the ers in local churches, (2) train- sibility of each individual for world, in order to supply the Bible. Thus they built the lexi- ing of future lay readers in our Christian Citizenship. It lends cons and grammars and translated the Bible into over 100 lan- home mission fields, (3) need of itself especially well to another guages in Africa and more than a score in India-more than 600 trained native leaders in the for-'" consideration of "The City." A living languages the world over today. Thus they surmounted eign field, (4) our contribution round table discussion on "The the lingual barriers and built bridges of intercommunication as (insert name of the denomina- Needs of Your Community" is and possible understanding. tion) to denominational schools suggested, with sub-topics as Through the printed word, inclusive of magazines and papers, in America, our educational follows: we are helping to build the foundations for Christian literature work abroad, to union Christian (1) The Temperance Advocatein lands where reading will be colleges. Other suggestions are What is being done in temperance one of the chief methods of edu- (1) a reception to the graduates education, the number of local places cation. Acts 2: 5-12. Psalm 19: 1-4. Dan. 7: 13, 14. in the local church, (2) presenta- dispensing liquor, etc. t I·On f the work f th e IocaI st u- Ar(e2)thTehekinMd ootifonpicPtiucrteusreshSowcnouitn- Five-minute talks on (a) the your community the kind you want American Indian Bible, (b) the 0 0 young people to see? etc. Spanish Bible, (c) the Burmese Bible, (d) Bible translations into dent counsellor, (3) arousing the language of India. interest in some near-by denom- Review the work of the Com- inational college.) (3) The Reporter on Gamblingmittee on Christian Literature Closing prayer for youth What is being done to obliterate it for Women and Children in Mission Fields, as this is the project around the world. This program locally? for the World Day of Prayer. Iends 1·tseIf to theCl·ty t heme. you(4r ) grTohuep, Pyeoaucer cPormompaugnaitnyd,istta-kinIgs In advance, ask the member- THE SILVER BRIDGE part in the study of international reship to bring Bibles in other lan- This is a meeting for exhibi- lations? In the Peace Movement? guages. tion of White Cross gifts (for mission hospital work) , and (5) The Member of the League of THE BRIDGE IN BUILDING Women Voters-The voter's obliga- tion in community and national af- Our Students suggests that they be arranged fairs. "The Christian Church must set· its own house in order and as for a shower, with ribbon tied THE OLD COVERED BRIDGE get ready for the greatest crisis to each hidden gift. Give each in history. . . . It must win the Village Work in India students. The students have member a ribbon and let her changed. Never have they been hunt for the "shower gift." On With masses of India crossing more open and responsive than each gift has been fastened a tag the bridge from ignorance and now to a message that is sincere, containing a fact or two about superstition to new life, the topic real and adequate. . We must the missionary for whom it is in- symbolizes the old ways giving launch a" nation-wide movement tended, the tags to be taken home place to the new. to win the high school, the college, the university students to as souvenirs. When all packages 1. Describe life in villages of India. have been found, group them ac- 2. Review work of our Christian centhe Christian Way. And this cording to their destination ready for presentation by the ters in that country. president to the guests of honor 3. Ten-minute discussion of the values (impersonated by members of of Christian centers in rural com- the society), each such "guest" munities. responding with an account of 4. Moving picture or stereoptic·on lec- her work and the joy the gifts ture on "Village Life in India." 5. Base devotionals on the villages in which Christ lived and worked.
will bring. A summer Christ- THE TOWER BRIDGE mas tree or an umbrella ar- ranged like a tree with gifts tied The Ministry of Healing a Tower on may be substituted. of Strength to All Nations Prayer that the gifts may Arrange program specific to bridge the distance and carry the medical mission work of the love of Jesus to those receiv- your denominaton, having "A ing the articles. Consultation of Doctors in In- dia," contrasting hospital work THE SWING BRIDGE used by missionary pioneers and ours today, impersonating actual HTo-geth-er-to-get-her"
This may consist of five-min- medical missionaries nQW Qn ute talks in regard to getting their felds.. etc.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
THE FOOT BRIDGE books, to be hunted for and read "I also knew a Methodist; He couldn't sing, he said. It Connects Our Neighbor's when all are found. He'd holler 'glory' loud enough, Home with Ours The missions end of the en- To almost raise the dead. "Seeing You r Neighbor," velope tells the story of life But as to his apportionment, "Loving Your Neighbor," "The Neighbor's Response," might be abundant or its lack. Though his barns were waxtopics under which to consider Stewardship ought not to be ing fat, this theme, the last being by women in the old-world costume thought of primarily in terms of His s h 0 uti n g wasn't loud and the new. enough possessions. Neither can it be thought of apart from posses- To ever help raise that!
sions. Charity that begins at home, THE TOLL BRIDGE and stays. at home, dies of close "God bends from heaven above confinement. . A Visualization.of the Budget and says: MARION LAWRANCE. 'I gave thee the gift of Life; On a map of the world mark *** Art thou not blessed in many your location and church, then William Allen White, in mak- ways?
from this take bright ribbons to ing a magnificent gift to human- Are my heaven and earth at the countries in which your home ity, said that there are three strife?
and foreign missionaries are la- kicks in every dollars: one kick I gave thee of my seed to sow; boring, giving number of mis- when you earn it; one when you Bring thou Me thy hundredsionaries in each country, the save it; and one when you give fold.' high lights of their work, etc., it away. *** Can I look up with face aglow closing with a meditation on And answer, 'Father, here is "Are We Faithful Stewards." Give more if you would have gold?' " Opening of gift boxes. more, Spend less and you will want *** THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE Time: A recent Sunday morn- less, "Christ – the Invisible Bridge Keep all and you will lose all. ing. Place: A near-by drug store. that Leads from Earth MAE ROTHROCK. Customer: "Give me change for a dime, please." to Heaven" *** Clerk: "Certainly, and I hope Reading of Longfellow's poem One of the biggest and short- you enjoy the sermon!" on "Follow Me." est sermons ever preached was *** Solo, "Were You There When that by Dean Swift on an occa- They Crucified My Lord ?" sion when a special appeal was Dramatization-"The Proces- being made for funds. The The Miser: sion of the Ages," covering wom- Bishop of London had been in- "Pity that poor old man whose en of Christ's day, saints of the vited to give the sermon of the golden store, middle ages, frontier women, occasion, but when he failed to If stacked, were high as foreign-speaking neighbors in appear, Dean Swift was called yonder minaret; America today, women of other upon. He mounted the pulpit Yea, pity him; he covets lands, women of the Church to- and said, "My text is, 'He that more and moreday, etc. (This is to be secured giveth to the poor lendeth to the His soul has never had a from Baptist state promotion Lord.' Those who believe in the birthday yet." offices, but could readily be im- security, down with the cash!" *** -From "The Window of provised as desired by those out- Y. W. A."
side the denomination.) "We can do more than we've The Secret of Power The suggestion is made that ever done, this meeting be held in the form And not feel a whit the The secret of Christianity is of a Spring Breakfast, asking worse; that you can have Power if you women to respond briefly to the Loving never emptied a heart, are willing to accept Jesus Christ topics of Love, Joy, Peace, Go- Nor did giving empty a as a Lord and yield the absolute ing, Coming, Getting, the last purse." allegiance to him. Do you think talk being on "Christ." Each *** St. Francis or Luther or Carey woman lights a candle in a "Once I knew a Baptist; or Wesley did what they did in seven-branched candlestick as He had a pious look, their own power? These men she finishes, the central candle He had been wholly im- were certain that they did not. representing Christ. mersed- And so were Moody and Philips Sayings on the Subject Except his pocketbook. Brooks. So in fact are all those of Giving He'd put a nickel on the plate who really produce abiding re- And then with might and sults. One and all, they say, "It Arrange the s e attractively main is God who worketh in us." And and let members of the circle He'd sing, 'When we asunder God will work in you if you de- read them. They may be in a part sire to have him.
basket, on flowers, or hidden in It gives us inward pain.' ROBERT W. SEARLE.
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BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, Nmv YORK, N. Y.
——-~·-.–I~ THE CITY AND OLD face the inevitable and do all in ting acquainted. The Indian our power to help in the adjust-" school and the missionaries could AMERICANS ments which must be made. help by letting city churches know where their people "go There is much discussion re- Although the majority of the garding "minority g r 0 ups." into town" to live; then be will- Who are they? A Mashpee Indian young men and women ing to go nine-tenths of the way. (American) ,Indian boy on Cape from the schools return to their The Indians are reserved and Cod was refused work recently home communities or take posibecause he was an alien. An fear they are not wanted. Give Oneida woman in Milwaukee tions in the government service them a place in the church and was asked how long it was since there are many who are seeking a share in its work. Do not treat her people came to this country. education, professional or busi- them as novelties. They make She answered, "several years"; ness training or work in the not wishing, she told me, to em- true and loyal friends and it is barrass those kind white ladies towns and cities near or far worth much effort to secure this by telling them who she really from the reservations. In some loyalty and friendship for our- s tat e s, Oklahoma especially, selves and our churches. was! many Indian families live in the "But how do they happen to As proof of what can be done towns which have grown up on we can look at the clubs of Inbe in the cities?" is a question their former reservations. They dian girls in City Y. W. C. A.'s. often asked. And the next one are at home and yet are pracis, "Are there any in my town?" The oldest club in the Oakland, For many years some of us have tically strangers in these new California, Association is the had countless opportunities of communities. Children are en- Four Winds Club. Reno, Neintroducing our friends to the tering into all phases of public aliens among whom they as a vada, has two clubs, the newest minority group have come to school life but few of them have one for the Indian girls in public find work and to live in the found their pIa c e in the school. The Los Angeles Club is strange new world which has churches. grown up on old camp grounds perhaps the oldest. It was where the deer and the buffalo Studies of various kinds and around 25 years ago that Cynare no more. Why do they come? in various cities have been made thia Big Tree was president. regarding their Indian citizens Years ago I asked Miss Julia Her husband posed for the Lathrop what we could do to and transient dwellers. The statue, "The End of the Trail," keep Indian young people from most complete is that made by but as he had short hair, Cynthia going to the cities. "Nothing," Mr. G. E. E. Lindquist, of the posed for the long braids. They she answered quickly, "Why Society for the Propagation of should they differ from any were beautiful as she presided at young people in feeling the lure the Gospel, of Oklahoma City, the club meetings. Syracuse, of the city?" This was even be- with the cooperation of the Min- New York, has the most eastern fore the movies were as wide- isterial Alliance, the Y. M. C. A., spread as they are now, with of these clubs, which are to be their pictures of the wealth and the Y. W. C. A., and the Indian found in many cities east, west, wonders of the city, and before Service Employment officers. It north and south. Then there drouth and dust bowls and grass- is impossible to give even a sum- are the cities in which the Inhoppers were driving all before mary of the report in this arthem. dian girls have become so much ticle, but it shows that other a part of the community and the Miss Lathrop did not mean cities should be studied in the Association that they join clubs that we should not make every same manner, and ways opened effort to keep Indian Youth from and classes with girls of all races the economic struggle to which by which the churches can serve and no longer feel happier in they were wholly unaccustomed, this group. It was found that segregating themselves. but she did mean that we must the majority of the Indians in Oklahoma City were members of This transition from segrega- the Mission churches at their tion to complete friendliness homes-the very missions prob- with all, is taking place in the ably to which these city churches public schools and should con- were contributing. tinue and increase. But most of What can be done about it? all it should be encouraged and First, look about you-a scien- fostered in our town and city tific study or just a friendly get- churches. There are few reser- [304 ]
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
vations left; the number of "full and an appeal from an American opposite a great school center. blood" Indians will continue to citizen brought action. Then, I Disquieting rumors of events godecrease. They are fellow citi- ing on in the school were conzens, fellow Christians with all found that the property was stantly brought to the men and our church people. Let us do owned by one of the large women of the community. Peoour part in making them feel ple spoke of the high school and that all are one in Christ. schools in the East-a Christian shook their heads. Some of the college which sounds a fine mes- leading officers of the church Prepared by Miss Edith M. Dabb, member sage of social reform; I found, sent their boys away to acadof the Committee on Indian Work of the too, that this was one of the emies. But what about poorer Home Missions Council and the Council of school's investments which had families who could not afford W'omen for Home Missions. never paid. There are other private schools? Had the' church any obligation for these chil- Making Your City God's City problems in connection with bet- dren? In our country with its ter housing. Recently elaborate separation of church and state, Did you ever think what housing programs in many cities has the church performed its your city would be like if it were have replaced slums with large full duty to the school by its God's City? Sunday services in the commu- spacious buildings, but have they nity? John, the Apostle, had such a ministered to the need of poor vision on a Sunday afternoon people, or made a little more God's city will be a city of long ago-a vision not alone of comfort for families of the mid- neighborliness. Many an urban his city but of all the world. dle class? Is Italy making more dweller of today might ask the "The kingdoms of this world are progress in housing than Amer- age-old question of the lawyerbecome the kingdoms of our "and who is my neighbor?" I Lord and of his Christ, and he ica? What must your city do to live in a community of 5,000 peoshall reign forever and forever." house its people in a way com- ple, housed in two blocks. After It was a distraught world that six months there, I am ac- John faced. His own city, mensurate with abundant liv- quainted with only two of the Ephesus, was rich and beautiful. ing? 5,000 people, and I have met It contained one of the greatest them in connections outside the libraries in the world and a uni- If your city is to be God's city, community. In earlier days oldversity which was a famed cen- it must have every provision to fashioned neighborliness solved ter of Greek culture. But John many relief and health problems. knew also of the distressing need make sick people well and to Are our substitutes today as efof its poor people, of the many keep well people from getting fectual? youth in that city who had no sick. What wonderful things opportunity for abundant life. God's city will be a city of Was he thinking of his city on philanthropists and doctors have that Sunday afternoon when in done for the poor of our genera- w 0 r s hip. We do not lack a vision he saw "The new Jeru- tion! What fine laws we have salem, coming down from God, to help maintain health! But churches in our cities.. If you out of heaven, made ready as a even yet the middle-class man bride adorned for her husband" ; who cannot lay claim to a free will look out of the window as and when he heard voices say- hospital bed must spend in a ing, "The tabernacle of God is few months of illness the earn- you ride along on the train, you with men, and he shall dwell ings of a lifetime-his security with them and they shall be his will be surprised how often on peoples"? Have you, a Chris- for old age. tian of today, any such vision of the skyline, the steeple or the your city becoming God's city? God's city must be a place of economic justice. First Avenue, tower of a church may be seen. In God's city abundant life must be possible for everyone. with its lines of miserable tene- Exquisite in architecture are Can that be true in the housing ments leans heavily against the the churches in our cities. But conditions of your city? "You beautiful modern buildings of what proportion of the people in can kill a man as easily with a the city attend those churches on house as with a pistol, only the Second Avenue. anyone Sunday? How far does process is longer and more pain- There are other forms· of jus- the influence of the Master reach ful," someone has said. A few outside the walls of those years ago, in calling among some tice in the city of God: political churches to the children playing Italian friends, I found them liv- justice, legal justice. Does your on the streets, to the brokening in a tenement the sanitary hearted or distraught cooped up condition of which was so un- city boast of these? What a in apartments near by? It is wholesome that it was affecting dream Israel had when the peo- not more churches or more beauthe health of all the families liv- ple believed that their God might tiful buildi~gs that we need, for ing there. Intensely disturbed be their king, and that their worship, but more of the spirit by the dreadful condition, I ap- prophet who guided their actions of the Christ. "And I, if I be pealed to the Board of Health, on earth might be God's repre- lifted up, will draw all men unto me." How can you make your sentative. Will we ever have city God's city? political justice until some of that conception comes to Amer- Prepared by Miss Alice W . .s. Brimson, ican cities? member of the Executive Committee of the If your city is to be God's city, Council of Women for Home Missions.
it will be a community where education is carried on in a way to lead young lives into rich, in- telligent social living. In a cer- tain city, a large church was just
r OUJM!n?:~~;sp';!~:cu5?t~~Ok
~~~J~.I~,===============–==E=D=IT=E=D=B=Y==M=R=S'=H==EN=R=I=ET=T=A=H=='_F=ER=G=U=S=ON_,_X==EN=I=A_,_O=H=IO==================~ AFRICA when the waiting room is full at an end by the Italian conquest, Medical Work in Morocco 7: 30 in the morning. a party of the workers were Conquest by Healing tells the "Each morning w hen the '. able to take up their quarters story of the beginnings of med- women have gathered we have a in Khartoum with a view to ical work for women and chil- short service of prayer, gospel starting fresh work in an entire- dren in Fez. In 1888, Miss teaching and hymn-singing. The ly new field on the Ethiopian women generally listen well; we border, in the Anglo-Egyptian Emma Herdman, of the North know that some of them come Sudan.
Africa Mission came to Fez to only to hear the teaching, and A considerable delay has oc- start work. There were no make the need of medicine an curred before any effective work roads, 0 n I y cam e I or mule excuse for coming. After this can be done, but now, after the little service we take about twen- necessary negotiations h a v e tracks; no inns or hotels. Trav- ty-five women into the dispen- been concluded, permission has elers were obliged to car r y sary and attend to their ail- been given by the Sudan Gov- ments. Teaching and hymn-sing- ernment for a station to be everything they required. Miss ing goes on in the waiting room opened in the Maban tribe, at a Herdman and her two compan- with those who are left behind place called Boin. The area ions had to consent to being accompanied by a Moorish soldier, till the first lot have passed out north of this is dominated by as a sign of authority for the by a second door. There are not Mohammedanism, and permis- great results to be seen from all sion has not been given to beundertaking. He was so old and this fifty years' work; but we gin work there. Permission is infirm that the ladies had to believe that the old Indian Mo- being sought to open a mission help him mount his horse, but hammedan was right when he for the K 0 mat rib e. The said, 'In the Day of Resurrec- Maban and Koma people have he served as notice to all they might meet that they were un- tion many Christians will arise much in common. They are pader protection of the government. from Moslem graves.' " gan, wholly uninfluenced by Mo- When they arrived in Fez, Unusual Methods hammedanism. they found that no one would The difficulties that have to be rent them a house, so they had to put up with a caravanserai. Here is the way one foreign overcome are the cost of maih- Later, the Sultan let it he known missionary in Africa obtains a taining a base so far from civithat anyone who wished to rent hearing for the Gospel message. lization, the hardships of travel, them a house had nothing to fear the home building problem and from the government. S 0 0 n The natives were timid, and not learning the unwritten lanafter that Miss Herdman and easily approached, so when mis- guages.-The Christian. her fellow workers opened a dis- sionaries trek softly through the pensary, which is still going on. For several years, two days were jungle to a cluster of huts there Uganda After Sixty Years given to men; now, there is only is usually a quick exodus of the Women's Dispensary. Miss S. M. Denison has this to say women and children in panic at Prebendary W. Wilson Cash, of the work: sight of a white face. Cupping Secretary of the Church Mis- sionary Society, closed an evan- "There are now s eve r a I his hands over his mouth the gelistic mission in Uganda with French Government Dispensa- missionary shouts after them; a sermon in the great Namirries and two Hospitals for na- "Have you heard the goo d embe Cathedral, with over 2,000 tives in the city, but this has news?" Fern i n i n e curiosity reverent Africans pre sen t. not lessened the numbers of causes them to halt cautiously, Looking down from the pulpit those who come to us. We still and the speaker adds, "About have from 800 to 1,000 patients God's Son?" This has often he saw, in review, the work of each month. There would be proved to be the beginning of a sixty years of the Uganda Mismore if we could manage to at- new group of believers.-Alli- sion. Here are some of his imtend to a greater number; each ance Weekly. pressions: day people are turned away New Field of Work (1) Every tribe in Uganda was represented at the service, When the promising work of tribes that for hundreds of years the Sudan Interior Mission in had been incessantly at war. Ethiopia was rudely brought to (2) All the people present [306 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
were free, men and women. man was referring to a solar great family, and cook their Forty chiefs had liberated every eclipse of a few years before. meals around the same fires. slave because they were fellow- This proved to be the case, and Often a patient comes with his Christians. he was greatly interested in the whole family, that he may have scientific explanation. The mis- company along the way. (3) Many in the congregation sionary then went on to say that had formerly been haunted by he had come to tell him of the At the larger hospitals are superstition, had tried to propi- true God, who made the sun, training schools for nurses, and tiate evil spirits by human sac- and the moon (which they call here the mission has an imporrifices; now they all worshiped the sun's wife); as well as the tant part to play. If a native God as revealed in Christ. stars, the world, trees and nurse has not been brought up rivers; the God who, in His under the influence of the mis- (4) This self-supporting and love, had given His Son for our sion and learned to know Jesus self-governing c h u r c h raises salvation. A young man who Christ, the chances are that he more than 9,000 pounds every had listened intently, said: "The will degenerate into a practitionyear for the maintenance and old men in this country would er, doing things not much differextension of its work. greatly rejoice if you would ex- ent from the old witch-doctors. plain this affair to them. It Christianity has indeed taken would be well for you to tell us -Congo Mission News. root in Uganda, and church about the true God." members are reaching out in all Greater Freedom in Angola directions to witness for Christ. Medicine in the Bush They have carried the Gospel His Excellency, the Governor not only to all parts of Uganda, Modern medicine in the Con- General of Angola, in reply to but members are serving as mis- go is being practiced along sev- an appeal by the missions for a sionaries in the Sudan, the Bel- eral lines. There are the hospi- ruling on the question of evangian Congo, the Pigmy Forest, tals in large centers, for the na- gelism, in which work they have in Ruanda and Urundi. Recent- tive as well as for the white been hindered by officials in ly, some men walked 300 miles population; the bush station certain parts of Angola, has sent to appeal for more missionaries. hospitals; the rural dispensa- the following communication: They were not thinking of white ries and the visits of doctors and men but of Africans as mission- sanitary agents in the villages. "Doubts have arisen as to aries for their fellow-Africans. whether foreign missionaries The large hospitals compare may do evangelistic work out- -C. M. S. Outlook. quite favorably with the average side of mission stations journey- hospital in Europe; and the ing through the native villages. When God Died rural dispensaries where native It is understood that as evangel- nurses are in charge might be ism is the way in which mis- R. V. Reynolds, a writer for compared with first-aid stations. sionaries propagate their reli- World Dominion, visited the The bush station hospital serves gion, they may, as many as are Marakwet tribe in Kenya, a as a sort of approach in reach- competent for such work, carry region which, so far as he knew, ing the native sick. These latter on such among natives in their had not previously been visited are usually in the charge of mis- settlements." by' any missionary. An old man sion doctors, and are carried on said to him: "I am very much as regular missionary w 0 r k; This permISSIOn does not puzzled over God's death." Al- and while the greater part of mea n that missionaries may most as much puzzled as the old the work is done for the natives, build, or own houses for evanman, Mr. Reynolds asked, "Did there is always a certain amount gelistic work in the villages. God really die?" "Oh, yes," was to be done for other mission- That would require special authe answer, "several seasons ago a r i e s, and occasionally for thorization. at the second hour of the day white traders. At these bush God became very ill and died." hospitals, the x-ray, special lab- -World Dominion Press. As he said this he indicated the oratory procedures, all the modtime by pointing where the sun ern mechanical appliances and Education of Women would be at eight o'clock in the sometimes even electric lights morning. He was then asked are in most cases things to be "Educate a man you educate whether God remained dead. desired, but not obtained. an individual, but educate a "No," said he, "after a while he woman and you educate a famgot better and came to life A bush hospital is a very ily." This axiom governs the again; but I am overcome to democratic p I ace. Here are Native Administration Commisknow about this affair. It is a gather.ed· people of many tribes sion in regard to the education bad thing when God dies; so and languages. Knowing that of women in South Africa. The many things go wrong. Locusts they may have to stay some time Commission urges a more thorcome, and famine." at the hospital, they bring with ough training of women teach- them things to work with, such ers, the establishment of more Remembering that this tribe as the making of mats, baskets, primary schools, the opening up has an undue reverence for the etc. They live together as one of secondary education to girls, sun, amounting almost to sun- the training of nurses and teachworship, it occurred to the mis- ers of domestic science; also, sionary that possibly the old the thorough teaching of domes- tic arts in all schools for girls.
However, the Commission turns tiniest village may have a place American missionary organizathe cold shoulder to the idea of of meeting. co-education, in spite of the suc- tions are at work there, the cess of the Church of Scotland Here is an extract from a let- largest single cultural and reli- School in Kikuyu. ter of one of Mr. Gale's con- gious investment being the Jeru- -South African Outlook. verts: salem Y. M. C. A.
The Malagasy Church "We think of the work of the The fact that the work in Gospel achieved here by our fa- Who Are the Alaouites? Madagascar continues to progress in spite of the fewness of ther. More than a hundred A sect of Islam, followers of European workers there indicates that the Malagasy have de- churches he has built in our Ali, are known as Alaouites. veloped considerably of late in the matter of self-control and land, and year by year each of They are illiterate, and under self-support. these churches beheld his face the bondage of powerful over- The 14th of August last was and heard ~rom his own lips the lords. From these people came the centenary of the death of Word of LIfe. W~er~ver. there . patients to the Kennedy Memo- Rasalama, the first Malagasy Christian martyr. The whole of was a human habItatIOn In the '> rial Hospital in Tripoli, and to the Malagasy Protestant Church remembered this great event in Marofotsy land.. even to the them went evangelists to follow the i r church history. About 40,000 people gathered on the smallest hut bUIlt of grass and up the contacts made in the hoss pot w her e Rasalama was speared to death, remembering leaves, the;re he stooped to.enter pital. Young women from the with gratitude her faith and all that it had meant to them; and that. he mIght lead our trIbe to Junior College tried for several at the same time proving that her death had not been in vain. ChrIst. He showed l?ve to the summers to raise the social level The task of the Malagasy most debased, and kIndness to of the women in a needy Alaou- Church is one of the first mag- those who ,oppose<l: the Gospel, ite village. Throughout the ennitude. A spirit of materialism and nationalism is affecting the that. he mIght brIng them to tire district colporteurs toured, life and outlook of the people, C~rIst. ~ar G,od se.nd us a man giving out portions of the Scripand additional w 0 r k e r s are WIth a spIrIt lIke ,hIS. M,ay the tures, and proclaiming Christ. greatly needed. work of redempb?n wh~ch he Pastors worked from two cen- be.gal!, be accomplIshed. I~ our ters, and later the British Syria Friends Service C.ounsel. trIbe. -World Domtnwn. Mission sent a nurse evangelist, Church Planting in WESTERN ASIA and a young convert from Islam. Madagascar Following all this seed-sowing, W. Kendall Gale after leading Hard Pressed Palestine the Presbyterian Mission has some of the Malagasy people, opened a new center in Massyaf, step by step, to a realization of Writing in the New York Sun a government center to which sin, and from that to a Saviour on "The Truth About Palestine," Alaouites come to transact their from sin, asks: "Would you like Mr. Phelps Adams says that business. Except for the family to have a church and learn more four opposing elements are in of the evangelist, not a single about God and this Jesus; to the unfortunate clash in the Christian lived in this town of know what is really sin that you Holy Land, One is the pressure 3,000. may not be wrong before Him, of 16,000,000 Jews seeking to and about the way of salvation make Palestine their national Within two months the evanand eternal life?" home; another, the 100,000,000 gelist had made amazingprog- Arabs who know that the coun- ress. He had gained the friend- An eager "Yes" is the usual try is too small to accommodate ship of the best people and of response, for these are strange all the oppressed Jews in the government officials. His wife things they have heard and they world today; the third, the had enlightened the women in wish to know more. Then out British Empire, which finds Pal- various phases of family welcomes a sheet of paper; every estine essential as a military fare. Already, there is marked name is taken down, with age base in the eastern Mediterra- improvement in behavior, cleanand name of village. French law nean and fourth, the expanding liness and a spirit of helpfulpermits worship in a hut, if ten Italian Empire. The situation ness. Here is pioneer evangeladult si2'natures are secured (or is complicated by the ambiguous ism that promises large returns. crosses in lieu of signatures). promises made to both Jews and Eighty signatures assures the -Syria News Quarterly. erection of a church, so that the Arabs. In return for Arab aid Christianity in Iran to the Allied cause, the British promised to recognize Arab in- Rev. H. H. Riggs, accompa- dependence; while to the Jews nied by representatives of the they promised to establish for Near East Christian Council, them a national home in Pales- the British and Foreign Bible tine. Thus the final fate of Pal- Society, World's Sunday School estine depends upon reconciling Association and some other or- these two promises, or the vic- ganizations, made a visit to the tory of one of these four oppos- missions of Iran, and has record- ing forces. ed some of their impressions.
About 10,000 Americans are First in importance was the living in Palestine, of whom unity of s p i r it noticeable 9,000 are American Jews. Eight throughout the country between
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the missionaries and members There is ready sale for the Bible, good. Women from the four of the local c h u r-c he s; also and small groups of people are corners of India came to the among the different elements of meeting regularly to study it in latest session in Nagpur. The the Iranian Churches. An evi- many places. resolutions dealt with primary dence of this unity was seen in The Bishop of Iran gives a education, the main emphasis a communion service attended typical incident. being for free and compulsory by the group. The five elders "About two years ago nine education throughout the land, were an Assyrian, a Kurd, an people came to an important and that these primary schools American, an Armenian and a town and were accepted by the be open to both boys and girls Hebrew Christian. The same church council the r e as in- of every caste and religion. Res- spirit was seen in many of the quirers. Last autumn a colpor- olutions on soc i a I questions churches visited. In some of teur visited the place, to find formed another large group.
these the majority of the mem- about twenty men who all con- Subjects dealt wit h included bers of the church are converts fessed .to their faith in Christ. rural uplift, condition of women from non-Christian religions of They said that no one had been in jails, prohibition, d rug s, Iran, but in perfect fellowship out to visit them, and that they cruelty to animals, equal rights with them are others whose an- had not been able to get teach- for women, age of marriage and cestors have for centuries been ing; and so they had decided to many other things.
Christians. While in some places appoint one of themselves as a The conference stands square- differences of language have led leader, and to obtain a sp€cial ly for prohibition and for peace.
to separate churches, act u a I place, to which they could in- Here is a message from Nagpur union in some others and the co- vite new inquirers." for American women: "We are operation of all these different The newspaper Iran reports a convinced that increasing armaelements everywhere, are proof great advance in adult educa- ments of warfare by land, sea of the strength of the Christian tion. In June last there were and air, and the harnessing of movement in Iran. 1,597 classes and an enrolment the knowledge of science for the Another striking fact in the of 93,371. The Institute of purpose of destruction are not Preaching and Public Speaking going to bring peace to a strickchurch situation in Iran is an received 4'00 students. Primary en world. We feel that it is element of both strength and school enrolment also increased through the weapons of love weakness. Relatively few of the by 15,255, and that of middle alone that a new order can be churches have full-time ordained schools by 3,271. Teheran Uni- ushered in. Standing on the ministers; but the leadership of versity enrolled 1,549 students, the Church is nevertheless Iran- of whom 86 were girls. Boy threshold of another year we ian as to administration, and Scouts are popular and number dedicate ourselves to non-viomuch of the preaching is being 18,354. lence in thought, word and deed, and appeal to women throughout done by laymen who feel that the world to join hands with us, the responsibility rests upon INDIA, BURMA, SIAM for we are confident that this them. doctrine alone can quell the de- sire for possession, can save the The visitors were also im- All-India Women's Conference nations from racial jealousies pressed by the fact that while and communal strife, and pro- Thirteen years ago the Di- tect humanity from oppression some converts had been cast off rector of Public Instruction in and exploitation." by family and friends, for others Bengal called on the women of the acceptance of Christianity India to "tell us with one voice -World Call. had not necessitated a break of what they want, and keep on family ties; and few seemed to telling it until they get it." This Woman's Place question the right of any indi- challenge led to the formation of the All-India Women's Con- Woman's place is not in the vidual to choose the religion he ference, which has from its be- home in rural India; it is in the thought to be the true one.
Inquiring. Minds in Iran ginning concerned itself with field, to supplement the family education and social reform. income. In the rainy season Better roads, more rap i d Political activity is taboo. The when field work is impossible, transit, increasing number of Conference has been laughed at she has her only chance to break schools, a wider outlook through and called futile, but has accom- the monotony of her life by gosnewspapers and new freedom plished a great deal. No one can siping with her neighbors. "Cotfor women, all are having their estimate how much it has helped tag~ Industries" seemed to be influence in opening the minds to shape public opinion. the answer. A special fund proof Iranian villagers. With these There are now 118 branches vided by three rural missions changes has come a spirit of in- scattered over India. The an- paid for the training of a teachquiry, followed by a readiness nual meetings of these branches er and she in turn taught three to listen to the Gospel. Public have d eve lop e d leadership g i r I s what she herself had preaching is not permitted ex- among women, trained them in learned. Two of them, with a cept in the few villages where public speaking and in service. Bible woman, went to a near-by there is a church, but Iranian Women of all religions plan and village to teach the women some Christians may teach their faith. work together for the common simple crafts, while the third
stayed at home to teach her the depressed classes, and social that one of its number has been neighbors. At the end of the six reforms on many other lines. appointed as Chairman. He has weeks' experiment a number of long been recognized as an able women not only had tangible re- The thought of educated peo- and responsible statesman. His sults of their efforts in handi- ple is arrested, and centers for wife has also been honored by work, but passed a creditable the cultivation of deeper spir- being chosen President of the examination on the Gospel of ituality are multiplying. There All-India Christian Association. Mark, which had been taught are multitudes of followers who them as they sat weaving. The are reading the Bible and other -The Indian Witness. whole project turned out to be a Christian literature who do not "seven days wonder" to the com- call themselves Christian, but Industrial Project at Cossipors munity. who are influenced by His life and teaching. The India Industrial Mission -Presbyterian Board News. Beautiful churches, 0 f ten at Cossipors, which is training Century's Work for Girls somewhat adapted to Indian ar- chitecture, are r i sin g every- ~elf-supporting evangelists, has An ancient Ahmednagar prov- where. Many congregations are erb said: "A woman's wisdom seated on the floor in Indian sent out a traveling workshop should not extend beyond the style, and use Indian music and oven"; and an Indian gentleman Indian forms. Christian gather- wit h f 0 u r trained mechanic was heard to remark: "To teach ings are notable for order, cleana donkey is just as possible as to liness and attractiveness of ap- preachers. It undertakes to reteach a woman." The refuta- parel, especially notable among tion of this idea can be seen in the women. Many village wom- pair metal work, overhaul mathe 76 girls who have just en come to meetings with bright passed their examination at colored or clean white saris. The chinery, do general repairs in Ahmednagar Girls' High School, men and boys show commendaas well as in the happy homes ble care in their appearance and the line of cement, wood and presided over by girls trained in clothing. Followers of 0 the r India's Christian schools. The faiths, attracted by such gath- paint work. This is done during secret lies in the fact that conse- erings, are increasingly attencrated educators have passed on tive, respectful and approacha- the day. Evenings and Sundays to the women of India the story ble, undoubtedly impressed by of Christ's redeeming love, dur- the influence Christianity' is are devoted to evangelism. ing this School's hundred years' having upon the masses, and history in training several thou- seeking to know the reasons for A second-hand Ford van and sand Indian girls. it. The cumulative effect of a century or more of intensive trailer were fitted up with living -Dnyanodaya. evangelization is manifest to ob- servers who are able to look be- accommodations, tools and weld- Christianity's Growing low the surface. Influence ing p I ant. The preacher-me- Two Reforms Undertaken "One cannot travel widely chanics work on various repairs throughout India and Burma in The United Provinces Govthese days without being im- ernment is undertaking two spe- along the way, in order that pressed by the enormous sweep cial reforms w h i c h have the of Christianity in one way or support of all the better ele- they may be entirely self-sup· an 0 the r," says a Methodist ments of the country. A prohi- Board Secretary, who recently bition program is being worked porting. Excellent results are made a visit there. He found out, and is in the experimental strong, well-equipped central stage in a number of districts. reported. -So S. Times. churches, colleges, high schools, It should be noted that the liquor middle and primary schools, evil has not yet gained the hold Sangli Movable School theological and other training on the general population that it schools, hospitals, dispensaries, has in occidental countries. Having seen the Booker T. asylums for the treatment of Was hi n g ton "Agricultural leprosy and tuberculosis, centers The other proposed reform is School on Wheels" actually at for the reclamation of criminal the abolition of bribery among work in a small village, Dr. J. L. tribes. Christianity has been government officials. This vice the leading force in rural and has a very deep hold, and little Goheen was moved to secure a agricultural experimentation, in or no effort has heretofore been similar one for the Sangli In· village reconstruction, in special made either to create public dustrial and Agricultural School forms of work for women and sentiment against it or to pass with which he is connected; and children, in the production of laws to eradicate it. An Anti- this hope was realized in 1931. literature, in the attack on illit- Corruption Committee is to be It is not an exact duplicate of eracy, the relief and uplift of appointed, and the Christian Washington's School, but in the community rejoices in the fact main, the idea is the same. It has been fitted up so as to be of special use in the way of prac- tical teaching and demonstra· tion to the people of village In· dia, through the use of charts, posters and pictures on all kinds of subjects pertaining to village life. It carries samples of seeds of improved and tested varieties of field and garden crops and specimens of potatoes and sweet potatoes, groundnuts, wool, cot- ton, etc. There are books on ag- ricultural and similar subjects in Marathi and English as a ref· erence library, and there are simple and useful books on many subjects for sale. There is a medicine chest with much need·
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ed remedies, a gramophone and limit the number admitted. The us. What our inherent powers a magic lantern and cinema total enrolment of the entire of endurance, philosophy and paprojector with small special elec- School was 328 at the close of tience have enabled us to do in tric generating unit. last year. Most of the appro- the past they will fortify us to priations from the Board went do in the present, as well as in The school will stop from 30 into scholarships for children the future." to 45 days in any given place, from out-villages, and sixty boys this depending on the size of the and girls w ere helped, who The Church and War Relief place and interest shown. otherwise would not have been able to attend school. Even with The National Christian Coun- -Indian Witness. this help, parents are required cil, representing sixteen Protes- to pay something toward the ex- tant denominations in China, has Medical Outposts penses. The chief problem is to been ever since the recent Sino- secure sufficient funds to main- Japan war began, a clearing- On the northwestern frontier, tain the kind of school that can house for information both in five hospitals guard as many successfully compete with the securing news from almost all mountain passes, and receive pa- government schools. parts of China and in forwardtients from countries which, for ing news. It has constantly rethe most part, do not acknowl- -Siam Outlook. ceived detailed information reedge Christ and where Chris- garding conditions in the war tianity may not be preached. CHINA area, such as has not come to any Most of these patients, if they other agency in China. It has embraced Christianity, would Spiritual Mobilization sifted this material and prepared meet death upon their return. for publication in the foreign Slowly but surely, medical treat- In an address made on March daily press in China as well as ment and the kind atmosphere 15, Madame Chiang Kai-shek in a considerable number of Chiof a Christian hospital are work- said spiritual mobilization is of nese church papers. ing changes. Suspicion is giv- the most vital consequence to ing way to friendliness, sullen- China, and announced a move- In addition to its work of pubness to smiles, until the patients ment to stimulate public interest lication, it has conducted a leave with a new outlook on life. and active participation in three weekly broadcast both in Eng- Sometimes patients are entirely major national requirements: lish and in Chinese since Sepchanged even in a week, and for the practical application of the tember 5, to support the morale such results these frontier mis- tenets of the New Life Move- of the Christian Church. When sion medical centers are worth ment; the continuance of reso- news of indiscriminate aeroplane while. lute and unfaltering resistance bombing b e cam e generally against the Japanese invaders, known, there was panic in many Chiengrai Christian School and the planning of realistic church centers, and these broad- measures for reconstruction and casts helped many Christian Definite progress has bee n rehabilitation in the vast areas groups to stay at their posts, made in improving the standing that have been deliberately laid especially when associated with of this School during the past waste by the Japanese. hospital and refugee work. year. The English and Bible departments have had the help of Here are a few extracts from Perhaps the one Christian ora teacher who spent five years her address: ganization in China with the in the Philippines preparing for greatest difficulties to face is the such leadership. It is difficult to "Our barbaric enemies have Y. M. C. A. This is because of include much religious teaching boasted that they intend to beat the hatred of the Japanese army during regular school hours, be- us to our knees and break our toward Chinese students. All cause of strict rules laid down spirit. We shall show these the big patriotic movements and by the government, but in the enemies, as we shall show our disturbances in China have been boarding department and the friends, that in the blood of our initiated by students. A large Christian Endeavor Soc i e t y fellow men and the ashes of our number of schools and universimuch of such teaching is worked burned homes has flowered a ties in the occupied areas have in. All the teachers are active new national spirit. suffered damage or complete dein the religious work of the com- struction, and several of the munity, and many of them help "We shall show them that the leading institutions have moved in the out-village churches on new China that was in the mak- far into the interior. Sunday. The School furnished ing, before war was invoked to the superintendent and several destroy it, is still marching on- Southern Methodists Lose teachers in the Sunday School, wiser, more patriotic, and un- Heavily officers of the King's Daughters a!raid. We Chinese, .in our long and Christian Endeavor leaders. hIstory, have survived great nat- Before the outbreak of hostili- Thus, the School might be called ural and political calamities; we ties last August, the Southern the backbone of the church in have triumphed over prolonged Methodist Episcopal Mis s ion Chiengrai. adversity, and we have carried maintained 60 churches, over 30 our culture and civilization and chapels, three large hospitals, There is also a kindergarten, our nat ion a I entity safely one un i ve r sit y, ten middle which has become so popular through the ages, no matter that it was found necessary to what nations rose or fell about
schools and more than 30 pri- that last year in two places the looked about for ways to cause mary schools in the populous Band left behind groups of from his houses and lands to be con- Shanghai – Nanking – Hangchow thirty to forty inquirers, and fiscated on the ground that he area. Today, as a result of Ja- this year in another place a had no legal right to them since pan's invasion, all but one of the group of some twenty-five. Of he became a Christian. A few churches, all but two of the edu- these a few already have been of the leading Buddhists in the cational institutions, and all baptized. Foster states that he country went so far as to say three hospitals, which had taken is particularly impressed by the that they would rather a whole 89 years, considerable sums of extensiveness and thoroughness village became Christian than money, and the enthusiasm of a of the Band's house-to-house vis- that one of his rank should re- large number of American mis- itation. Their presence has been nounce the faith of his father. sionaries and Chinese to build an inspiration. Still, this intelligent and cul- -The King's Business. tured young man with two years up, have been either completely destroyed or partially damaged Outlook in Tibet '>of Christian experience tells his by shell-fire and aerial bombs. fellow Christians that when he Material losses alone, accord- In spite of a relatively slow was suffering the intrigues and ing to a conservative estimate, rate of progress and many dis- persecution of his erstwhile relareach the figure of over $300,- appointments, the Superintend- tions and friends, his greatest 000. All enterprises, religious, ent of the Moravian Mission in support were the words of the medical and educational, under- Tibet reports that the outlook is text he had chosen: "Rej oice taken by the American Southern bright, and work among the in the Lord alway: and again I Methodists in this region are at Tibetans exceedingly w 0 r t h say rejoice." present at a standstill. It will while. One most encouraging -Moravian Missions.
take several decades to restore feature is the sense of responsithe losses sustained. JAPAN-CHOSEN bility that has developed in the organized churches, with their Thirteen Commandments "Spreading Light Mountain" ordained native ministers, evan- Japanese leaders, threatened The Biola Evangelistic Bands gelists and elders. by fascism and distressed by the are groups of from six to ten Tibetan evangelists are mani- continuance of the war which was expected to speedily reach a men, trained at Hunan Bible In- festing greater readiness for victorious end, have formed a stitute (which is the China self-sacrifice. Two have recently "Central Federation of General branch of Los Angeles Bible In- Spiritual Mobilization," and this stitute). Many have questioned left their homes to serve in has promulgated the following lonely places; one to open up thirteen "commandments": whether these bands are still at new work and the other to take work during the present strug- charge of a difficult field when 1. Every morning give prayers to gle. Dr. Frank A. Keller, of the missionary goes home on the Imperial Grand Shrine and pray Changsha, writes that five of for the safety of the Imperial Family. furlough. Another wishes to these bands are now at work in learn rock carving, so that he 2. Hoist the National Flag properly peace and safety. Small self- may carve wayside pulpits. At on holidays. supporting churches are being Leh, all the Christians from var- 3. Worship the deities and endeavor formed in districts where the ious stations assembled to con- for the harmony of the family. Gospel was unknown previously. fess their shortcomings, and to Band number 4 began work in pray for renewed spiritual life. 4. Live on a budget, pay cash, save October from Liu Kuang Ling regularly, and buy National bonds. -The Indian Witness. 5. Wear simple clothes and avoid foreign-style hair-dressing. as a center, the name meaning Tibetan's Maiden Sermon 6. Observe wedding, funeral and "Spreading Light Mountain"- a prophetic name, for in eleven Not long ago a member of one other home affair!! simply but sol- emnly. weeks the Gospel story was told of the oldest and most aristo- 7. Reform the mad custom of late to bed and late to rise. in 4,265 homes where it had cratic families in Western Tibet 8. Economize on metal, wool, cotton, never been heard before. Fifty conducted the Sunday service in inquirers came to a definite de- the small church at Leh, Ladak. paper and fuel and utilize wasted and His text, "Rejoice in the Lord other buried things. cision; two sorcerers were con- 9. Endeavor to prevent fire and prepare for air raids. verted and two homes were alway; and again I say rejoice," cleared of idols. Before the seemed paradoxical for most of 10. Rear the children to be strong band left, a little self-supportng his experiences were of the sort in mind and body. to make o.ne weep rather than church was established. A well- 11. Have bodily exercise every day to train the mind and body.
to-do convert is supplying a rej oice. Two years ago he be- 12. Economize in drinking sake. 13. Be friendly to neighbors and room for the services. came a Christian and his Bud- help one another. Reports from other bands are dhist relatives contrived to equally gratifying. Their work involve him in a charge of em- This may be regarded as pav- is appreciated by missionaries, bezzling state funds. The fact ing the way for making the sacas well as by the Chinese. Rev. that he was acquitted only served rifices the government expects J. N. Foster, the superintendent to make them more determined to demand. -Christian Advocate. of the Yiyang Circuit, reports to bring about his ruin, so they
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Urged to Keep Silent a building that will head up the work satisfactorily become A Japanese writes to Amer- Christian Endeavor, Y. M. C. A. voluntary leaders in the local ican friends: and Junior Boys' work, and also village churches from which serve a-s office space for mission- they come. Under the auspices "I would urge you to use the aries and nationals in the vari- of one Mission alone-the Amerutmost caution as regards what ous other activities of the ican Presbyterian – nine such you say or do concerning this Church. It will be operated schools are held each year. One crisis. At this juncture Japan under the management of the for girls reached its high water is taking action at the peril of Bible Institute, so there will be mark last year, with an attend- her future destiny, according to no competition and fullest coop- ance of 67 for the five weeks'
whether she succeeds or fails. eration, especially in educational work. It is not surprising that As a matter of course, the whole facilities. in numbers and spiritual force nation is aroused. Without this the Korean Church is one of the feeling of intensity Japan could Education in Korea strongest.
not fight the war, though our The Evangelistic Farmers' AUSTRALIA AND government does not declare it School at Masan, Korea, has THE ISLANDS a war. The whole of Japan is bought ten acres of very rich soil now resorting to a procedure for experimental farming; the New Field Opening unanimously supported by our income is to be applied to the people, and not a single soul is maintenance of the S c h 0 0 1. The decision of an Australian suffered to protest. If anyone Buildings to be erected will be of you feel inclined to protest according to Korean rural style. firm to search for oil in Papua against this course there may be no other way than for you to re- Since there are more than ten has made possible a considerable main silent. At any rate, I do churches in this vicinity, the stuheartily request you to remain dents will have opportunity to do extension of the work of the completely silent. religious educational work. The Unevangelized Fields Mission "On the other hand, if you ob- School will also send out wellject to this course, you may ex- trained farmers whose influence there. This company will shortly press your attitude on the will do much to improve farm ground that you are a foreigner, send out a large number of men but please bear in mind that life. such liberty of speech, if exer- The only Christian college for to prospect, and their equipment cised by you, will not be acceptable nor will it be recognized in women in all Korea is Ewha Col- will include six large launches; this country. Still I hope that lege. At present, it fairly brisnothing unhappy will come and where prospectors go, the about between you and our peo- tles with great ambitions from ple. It is our urgent prayer that within and great expectations missionaries can go. Hitherto in our relations to each other we may get along smoothly and with from without. Graduates are they have been greatly hindered the utmost friendliness, without expected to enter the field of any ill will and with no mis- church and community service because of poor means of transunderstanding until the present trouble is ended." or rural welfare. This calls for port – small and dangerous an extension center for commu- -Bulletin of English Meth- nity work; also, a course in canoes. -Life of Faith. odist Mission, Canton. nursing and public health. Em- C. E. Convention in Melbourne phasis must be placed more upon the Christian nature of the The first Christian Endeavor School, since the secular and hos- Society in Australia was founded tile forces continually multiply. in 1888, resulting directly from a Christian Endeavor Constitu- -Korea Mission Field. tion which a sailor from New- buryport, Mass., had carried in his pocket. In 1893, the United Society of C. E. was formed in Australia, and a year later a World C. E. Union. In 1894, Coordinated Effort Korea Sets Example Australian Christian Endeav- orers had launched their mis- A missionary in Taiku, Korea, In the creation of its Bible sionary program in a most pracwrites that one of the most hope- Schools, the Manchurian Church tical form, when a society was ful projects of the past year has has followed the example of organized among the Aborigines been the effort to consolidate the Korea, a Church which in pro- at LePerouse, New South Wales.
Christian activities of that city, portion to its size is the most This being Australia's na- especially among the young peo- vigorous in the Orient. For tional jubilee year, dating from ple. A man with both univer- years the Korean Church has the first settlement of this com- sity and seminary training was made it a practice to send work- monwealth, it is fitting that the secured to organize this work, ers to its annual schools for spe- fiftieth birthday of Australian and permission was secured cial training. Usually, these C. E. should be observed by en- from the Board to use the Bible schools last six weeks,and stu- tertaining the tenth World Institute compound as a center dents are expected to attend Christian Convention. This is from which to work. Earnest them for two or three years in to be held in Melbourne, August efforts are being made to erect succession. Those who complete 2-8 of this year.
New Hebrides Mission LATIN AMERICA Negro Missionaries to Indians The New Hebridean of today Evangelizing the Firemen Negro missionaries are workis a different person from his forefathers, who murdered the Doors do not open easily for ing among the aboriginal Inpioneer missionaries, John Wil- the Gospel in Mexico, but Mr. F. dians of Central America, the liams and James Harris in 1839. J. Huegel writes of one that Valiente tribes, who live in the His environment and manner of forests of Panama. There are living have altered, largely opened in Mexico City when he about 10,000 of these, and their through outside forces; some became acquainted with the fire mode of living is hardly changed have been for the better, but chief, with four stations and 250 sin c e Christopher Columbus others have been disastrous. landed on their coast in 150l. Depopulation has gone on stead- men under his charge. He is Mr. E. S. Alphonse is a Methily, until no longer do crowds eager for his men to have the odist pioneer among these peoline the beaches when a vessel ,.ple. When he first went there arrives. But amid changing con- Gospel. In all four of these sta- twenty-one years ago, the Inditions, the upbuilding of Chris- tions systematic Bible study has tian character goes on. The begun. Says Mr. Huegel: missionary has a two-fold task; first, to bring Christ into the "One afternoon in the hall at dians called him a crow, because hearts; and second, to stand as Santa Julia just as I came to the of his black skin, and were suspithe natives' friend against harm- close of the message and was cious of him. Now there is a ful outside influences. If it were about to make a call for the men Christian community of 500, and not for these influences it would to accept Christ as their Saviour, a number of Christian schools. be possible for native Christian the fire alarm rang. You can Mr. Alphonse was the first to leaders to hold their people in the imagine my feelings, for nat- study their language and reduce Way of Life. These natives very urally every man leaped for his it to writing. A grammar, sevquickly learn foreign ways- boots and helmet and before I eral books of the Bible, a hymn whether they be right or wrong. could catch my breath, was gone. book and a catechism have been They had gone to put out a fire produced in the Valiente tongue. -United Church Record. and I had come to kindle one. -The Life of Faith. Filipinos Seek Union "Some 200 Testaments have Last February Philippine been given out and the eagerness Opening Doors Christians made another significant advance on the road of co- of the men for study promises a In Colombia, a number of facoperation and union by forming tors are contributing to wider the Philippine Federation of harvest of souls for the Kingdom opening doors than ever before Evangelical Churches. This is the third in a series of three or- of God." -World Call. ganizations set up since 1901 to guide the Christian movement in Santo Domingo on the Air to the entrance of the Gospel. the way of unity and peace. The Improved methods of transporfirst was the Evangelical Union. It grew into the National Chris- For two and a half years the tation, especially the building of tian Council organized in 1929. Now the federation marks a still Evangelical Church of the Do- highways, are making many new further growth and the pros- minican Republic has been regions accessible. Fanaticism pects of comparatively early preaching the Gospel over the is gradually giving way, even in organic union of all major denominations are hopeful. air. In all this time, except for the isolated areas; and the new The object of the federation is two nights when the government constitution adopted in 1936 as- "to unite various Christian bodies and agencies in the Philip- shut off all the radios in Tru- sures liberty of conscience in the pines for the twofold purpose of securing comity, cooperation and jillo City, the capital, the weekly matter of religion. Two selfeffectiveness in their operation, and searching out possible bases program has gone on. From supporting and self-governing for organic union with the view to bringing the churches to such Venezuela, Colombia, Central churches were organized last union in due time." America, Cuba, Porto Rico, even year in the state of Tolima. -Christian Century. from the United States and as Missionaries and national far away as Maine, have come workers are constantly meeting requests for special hymns. new problems. There is a greatly Worship groups meet in the awakened interest in education homes, and follow that broad- on the part of the people in gen- cast; one group in Venezuela eral; parents are pathetically writes that this broadcast is the eager for their children to have only worship service they have. the opportunities which they did A group of Cuban Christians not have. Parent-teacher meet- who lost their church building in ings, enlarged libraries, im- a hurricane meet for this serv- proved equipment of schools and ice, and a restaurant proprietor philanthropic projects sponsor~d in Porto Rico sent a small con- by students all indicate a pro- tribution from his patrons who gressive trend.
listen to the restaurant radio. Two new buses added to mis- He is confident that there has sion equipment will greatly aid been at least one definite decision in evangelistic work, and the for Christ as a result of the pro- Spanish publication Evangelista gram. Colombiano will bring the Gos-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
pel to many living in isolated "To study the possibilities of the simpler and more efficient the areas. The bookstore has in- foundation of a daily newspaper and working of the Federation. creased its stock, and doubled its a press association; These plans for a greater meascirculation. ure of cooperation have yet to be "To prepare a worship manual; approved by the churches con- -Colombian Clippings. "To promote a revised translation of cerned. When this approval has the Bible; been given the Federation will Indian Ohurch in Peru "To study social problems in the enter on a new era of usefulness light of the Gospel, and to the whole evangelical cause in Such a work has been estab- "To disseminate information con- Brazil. lished among the Indians of cerning the work done by the intersouthern Peru, after seven years national movements. -World D.ominion Press. of progressive evangelism. In 1931, these people had never MIGUEL RIZZO, JR." NORTH AMERIOA heard the Gospel message; today, there are 500 Christians in Gospel Boat on Amazon A Return to Ohrist? twelve communities, eight of which are properly organized Medical relief w 0 r k has An Episcopal Bishop of Chichurches, with their own leaders, proved to be a valuable entering cago sees, in the recent unpreceelders and deacons, conducted wedge for the Gospel message in dented church attendance during quite independently by the na- Brazil. A Seventh Day Advent- Lent, a return to religion to face tionals. In spite of the fact that ist missionary writes: the challenge of the present day. 95 per cent of the people are Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyteilliterate, the converts have "During the flood season the rian, Baptist and other churches manifested a steady spiritual Amazon and its tributaries rise are also reported to have had growth. This the missionaries about fifty feet above normal, larger congregations than in attribute to three factors: the and when these waters subside many years, with a marked deepvital prayer life of the churches; each year, there is an epidemic ening of reverence and earnestthe persecution through which, of fever. This year the govern- ness. as individuals and as communi- ment furnished us with $1,000 ties, they have had to pass; and worth of medicine, and in a five- Said the Chicago Bishop: the very high standard of con- month period we were able to duct, supported by strict disci- treat 5,800 sufferers. We have It looks as if the great religious pline, which prevails in the an electric light plant on our awakening for which the Christian churches.-Life of Faith. boat and every night we hold Church has been praying to meet the services somewhere along the spread of paganism and the defeat of The Ohristian Task in Brazil river. The light attracts the na- worldliness, is at hand. Worshipers tives for miles around. In one are revealing a new earnestness, a The Evangelical Congress of village where we were stoned new devotion to their faith which Brazil which met in Sao Paulo in six years ago we this year bap- comes only from a sense of frustra- December, 1936, was composed tized twenty-five people. tion and helplessness. It has often of official commissions from six been that man's extremity is God's different denominations. The "These Christians along the opportunity. declarations of the Congress are river believe in the 'Win One' proof of the attitude of the movement. Three of our boys I believe the hour has struck. This churches toward the ideal of co- go out each Friday night to a Lenten season should bring joy to the operation am 0 n g Christians. neighboring village where they hearts of all true Christians every- Here they are: "The situations have organized a Sabbath school, where, because God is again being enof the Brazilian Protestants, di- and the latest report received throned in human hearts. vided in various churches, is a from them tells of thirty-nine problem to be solved. It is neces- members being present." -Living Church. sary to make an effort in favor of the union of the churches Evangelical Federation Why Honor Ingersoll? through an ample formula Progress which respects principles and In March, 1937, a resolution established practices. The Con- The Evangelical Federation of was introduced in the House of gress committed to the Federa- Brazil has drawn up a modus Representatives proposing the tion the following tasks: vivendi for the churches and erection in Washington, D. C., of missions which are affiliated a monument in memory of Rob- "To investigate what is the religious with it. This has been prepared ert G. Ingersoll, the famous insituation of the zones occupied by the by a special committee in order fidel lecturer. The First Baptist churches; to solve problems arising from Church of Paso Robles, Cali- over-occupation of some fields, fornia, protests to the Govern- "To organize a general plan of evan- to ensure the adequate occupa- ment that since the plan is gelization; and to organize the pro- tion of regions not yet reached, sponsored by an atheist organigrams for teaching religion in the and to eliminate friction in inter- zation, and that organization has public schools; denominational relations. At alleged affiliations with the In- the same time, certain Articles ternational Freethought Union "To promote the Qrganization of the of the Constitution of the Evan- of Europe, and that the monuyoung people; gelical Federation of Brazil have ment is proposed as a "recogni- tion of Robert G. Ingersoll's been modified so as to make most noteworthy contribution to the emancipation of mankind
from religious superstition," A New York Church "The colony will be a place where more than 1,000 homes, they are unalterably opposed to "Resolves" built in the Moorish style of architecture, will be set up in the any legislation of that character. Christ Church, New York, very near future. Land in the Further reasons for their objec- Dr. R. W. Sockman, pastor, is Gardens Heights section has altion are expressed in these discussing world topics at the ready been purchased with mid-week services; and the con- funds representing contributions words: sensus of opinion is gathered to- to the Moorish Science Temple gether in a set of resolutions. of America, and construction on "That we recognize the impor- Sometimes these are transmitted some of the houses was begun tance of Christian faith and to the groups concerned. Some about a month ago. We feel that practice in regard to the safety of the topics already discussed the colony we are anticipating and well-being of democracy. are the religious situation in ,will provide better housing con- That we believe the enemies of Mexico; the boycott of Japanese ditions for the persons in this .Christianity seek to express goods, and more recently the De- country of Moorish descent, and their contempt for God, the pressed Classes in India. The will permit them to practice the Bible and our Christ by the erec- resolutions adopted in this in- customs and religious tenets of tion of· this glorification of Rob- stance were: Morocco. It will establish a defiert G. Ingersoll. That it is our nite religious center for us." opinion that this would encour- WHEREAS, The outcaste millions of age the youth of our land in India for centuries have been disfran- New Church for Hoopa Indians atheism, materialism, radical- chised by the Hindu religion of their ism and revolt against God and rightful position as "sons of God and The Hoopa Indian Reservation established government." in California has a population of approximately 2,000; 1,100 of -Christianity Today. joint heirs with Christ"; and these are children between the WHEREAS, 3,000,000 or more of the ages of 6 and 18. About 3,000 acres are under cultivation, but Religious Education Council outcaste people have responded to the the average per capita income of Gospel as presented by Christian mis- these Indians is only about $120 The 20th Session of the Inter- sionaries and have accepted the Chris- a year. national Council of Religious tian faith; and Education is to assemble in In the Hoopa Presbyterian Columbus, Ohio, June 28-July 3. WHEREAS, Christianity has brought Church there are 83 members, The theme for this convention is to these hope instead of despair, free- with 115 in the Sunday School. "The Christian Challenge to the dom instead of endless slavery, knowl- There are two outstations, the edge in place of ignorance, self-respect most promising of which is instead of self-degradation; and Weitchpec, where the interest has been growing steadily, espe- WHEREAS, Leaders of the outcaste cially during the past two years. A fine constituency has been de- Modern World," and eight out- classes seeing these changes have veloped and upwards of forty . urged their 60,000,000 fellow outcastes church members are enrolled. comes are hoped for as a result to abandon Hinduism and seek a new They are ready to effect a forof the deliberations: religion; and mal church organization. Mrs. Nellie Masten, a devoted Chris- 1. An improved a t m 0 s p her e WHEREAS, It is our belief that such tian Indian, has deeded the Board a site for a church, and throughout North America in which a reconstruction of the social order money is available to put up the building. The Indians will take to carry out a steady and continuous can only be carried through on the care of practically all the labor involved. program of Christian education. lines of Christ's teachings and that any other possibilities seem to be di- Alaskan Leaders All 2. A clearer understanding of the nature of Christian education and its rectly in the line of revolution or civil Graduates of Sheldon Jackson responsibilities. strife; therefore, be it School in Sitka qualify for posi- tions that call for excellent train- 3. An increased recognition of the Resolved, That we, the members of ing. One of them is responsible existence of many practical steps Christ Church, New York City, up- for organizing cooperatives in which may be taken by lay and pro- hold and support our missionaries and Alaskan villages; two are nurses fessional church workers in fulfilling their work in India in their self-sacri- in government hospitals; three the Christian challenge through Chris- ficing labors for these· needy and re- are teachers in government tian education. sponsive people, millions of whom will schools. Others are in mission undoubtedly turn to Christianity for work; one is the minister at 4. Help on specific problems which release from their present captivity each delegate faces back home which into the new liberty of the Gospel of will put new zest into the work of the Christ; and be it further churches from which they come. Resolved, That we send a letter to 5. A deepening of the religious ex- the bishops of our church in India asperience of every delegate which will suring them of our sympathy and inprovide the dynamic without which all terest in these inspiring days. of our efforts will be in vain. -Indian Witness. 6. A great stimulus to the work of Christian education in every part of the North American continent through Moorish Colony in America the publicity, before, during and after Plans are under way for the the convention.
7. Greater unity and closer coopera- establishment of a Moorish Coltion of Christian forces. ony at Yaphank, L. 1., which is 8. Delegates to the convention will to serve as a mecca for the 20,- return to their local communities to 000 Moors in Greater New York and surrounding area. The form an informed nucleus of local Grand Seik Turner-EI, spokes- leaders who understand more fully and definitely the basic principles and outreach of Christian education. man for the Moorish Council, -Advance. explains the plan:
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Wainwright Pre s b y t e ria n in two or three decades. When and Work, issues this warning; Church, another is nurse at reminded that thousands of no protest should be made on a Sheldon Jackson School. The gatherings of Christians were political basis because this would two native organizations, the being held throughout Germany, increase the danger in which Alaska Native Brotherhood and with no interference from au- Pastor Niemoller stands. It is the Alaska Native Sisterhood, thorities, Dr. Barth explained important that churches should whose objectives are competent that at such meetings the only state clearly that the reason for Christian citizenship, have al- message allowed was one which their protest is that he has taken ways been under the leadership Hitler considered "harmless." A his stand entirely on the basis of of former students of Sheldon spiritual gospel is permitted, but the rig h t of the Christian Jackson School. only so far as it does not affect Church to proclaim the Word of the actions of men on earth. God. Expressions of sympathy -Monday Morning. There is no toleration at all for on any other basis would only the teaching of real Christian increase his danger. The Ger- EUROPE ethics, which mean something in man Government should be in- the present situation in Ger- formed in no uncertain terms Something Alive in Denmark many-for example, "race wor- that concern for Pastor NiemOl- ship," anti-Semitism, the cult of ler is very widely felt. Here are some characteristics hatred, etc. of student Christian work in Dr. Henriod also calls atten-. Denmark: -Religious N eW8 Service. tion to the gravity of the present world situation, manifested by (1) The emphasis of instruc- Fascist Youth Niemoller's continued imprisontion is upon the awakening of ment after being cleared in a the spirit rather than upon the There is something ominous trial. Christian churches should acquiring of knowledge or skill. in the official report that Ger- be awake to the danger at the (2) The method of instruction many's juvenile crime record has root of such a situation in its stresses the "living word." increased 40 per cent in the past religious and ethical implica- (3) The historical approach three years. In the depression tions. characterizes a 11 instruction, years of 1931 and 1932 there was even the sciences, and history is a rise in juvenile thefts, but then Pastor Niemoller's spirit rea living subject. (4) The sub- they were driven to crime by mains unbroken, as is shown by ject matter is confined largely to poverty and hunger. Today, the the following extract from one those subjects which are useful record shows that less than 10 of his letters to his wife: to the average man in his per- per cent are motivated in lawsonal or civic life. (5) There lessness by poverty. Somehow in these last six months are no grades, credits, degrees or the ship of the Church has got afloat examinations. The primary em- Brutality has been the pop- again. The color is dimmed, the masts phasis is upon instruction and ular word of Nazi leaders, and are broken, the whole appearance is not on competition among stu- violence their approved method. not handsome; but the Lord Christ dents. (6) The fact of a group German youth follow their lead- still sits at the helm, and the ship of students living together is ers. Two or three afternoons moves forward. . . . utilized as a fundamental edu- and Sunday belong to the Hitler cational medium. The teachers You t h, irrespective of the And I think my imprisonment also utilize this opportunity by living schools. During this period they belongs to the holy humor of God. with the students and using their are trained in Nazi ideals, which First the mocking laughter: "Now influence to create a cooperative include the "instinct of freedom" we've got that fellow" and then the community. (7) The schools are against the school and the fam- imprisonment; and what are the conalso dominated by a high ethical ily. The result is now evident. sequences? Full churches, a praying purpose. They seek to give the Only the more serious crimes community. student the opportunity to know ever come before the courts. himself, and to supply him with The report says that moral of- To get bitter about such things the motivation to exert a con- fenses increased over 150 per would be shameful ingratitude. structive influence in all rela- cent, and that all crime is most tionships of life. flagrant among college students. Anti-Alcohol Museum Thus Fascism bears its fruit. -Intercollegian and Far With all the fanfare the Poles Horizons. -The Churchman. like so much, the Minister for Social Welfare recently opened German Youth and the Church Pastor Niemoller's the Anti-Alcohol Museum in Imprisonment Warsaw, one of the first of its Dr. Karl Barth, addressing a kind in the world. There are group of church leaders in Lon- In regard to the petitions pre- twenty-four departments dealdon, said that it is Hitler's inten- sented to the German Govern- ing with as many phases of the tion to cut German youth off ment on behalf of Pastor Nie- alcohol problem. Arresting disfrom all church connection, so moller, Dr. Henry L. Henriod, plays trace the history of the that the Church, becoming a so- general secretary of the Univer- battle against alcohol. Photociety of old people, will die with- sal Christian Council for Life graphs and diagrams show how alcoholism is treated. The tech- nical use of alcohol is described. The discoveries of science about alcohol are set forth. The value
of propaganda for and against disturbed by the Soviet order are where there are no 'Keep Out' alcohol is assessed. The problem of alcoholism in art and among the church members. signs against the inquisitive and caricature is presented, with abundant illustration. There is questioning mind. Disinterested a display of non-alcoholic drinks. Some fourteen departments in MISCELLANEOUS research cannot survive in an the museum are given to exhibits Good Will Commandments atmosphere of compulsion and on alcoholism in relation to repression. Particularly in the health, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, child welfare, school Dr. Walter W. Van Kirk of broad range of subjects covered life, the family, suicide, acci- the Federal Council has pro- by the social sciences, and in the dents at work, sports, business posed "Ten Commandments of humanities as well, the world and many other interests. Ap- Good Will." They reflect a spirit has recently witnessed in several propriately enough, there is a sorely needed in the present countries the progressive disinfrank appraisal of alcohol as a tegration of creative scholarmeans of raising national and world crisis: municipal revenues. ship." 1. I will respect all men and women '" -The Christian Advocate. -Christian Advocate. regardless of their race or religion.
Christians Resist Soviet 2. I will protect and defend my Pressure neighbor and my neighbor's children Salvation Army Year Book against the ravages of racial or reli- Moscow has opened a new gious bigotry. This Year Book for 1938 indrive to curb the churches. The arrests of clerymen during the 3. I will exemplify in my own life cludes a list of outstanding Salpast year, culminating in the arrest of twenty-five on Russian the spirit of goodwill and understand- vation Army events of 1937, Easter on treason charges, fo- ing. with much interesting informacused attention once more on the tion as to nationalities among status of religion in the Soviet 4. I will challenge the philosophy which the Army works, the lan- Union. It would be hard to of racial superiority by whomsoever parallel in modern times the per- it may be proclaimed, whether by guages in which it preaches and secution the Church in Russia has had to endure during the kings, dictators or demagogues. twenty years of the Bolshevik regime, yet one finds religion 5. I will not be misled by the lying a glossary of Army terIns. holding on with amazing te- propaganda of those who seek to set nacity-both holding and carry- race against race or nation against Under the heading, "Signs and ing on. According to a despatch nation. Wonders," M a j 0 r Reginald to the New York Times, great Woods, of International Headnumbers of young people still at- 6. I will refuse to support any or- quarters, describes the begintend church, as was strikingly ganization that has for its purpose evidenced by the overflowing churches on Easter Sunday. the spreading of anti-Semitism, anti- ning, in London, of work among Catholicism or anti-Protestantism. the deaf. There were 120 peo- Factors in the renewed activi- ple present at the first meeting. ties against religion are the un- 7. I will establish comradeship with Similar endeavors have, for expected stubbornness of the all those who seek to exalt the spirit many years, been a feature of people, and the signs of progress of love and reconciliation throughout in the Church. The Soviet gov- the world. ernment now frowns upon the anti-religious excesses of earlier 8. I will attribute to those who dif- the activities in Sweden, Noryears. Freedom of religion is fer from me the same degree of singuaranteed by the constitution, cerity that I claim for myself. way, Finland, Denmark and the but in actual practice the Soviet Near East. can close any church it sees fit 9. I will uphold the civil rights and on the grounds that the building religious liberties of all citizens and The Home League, a work is needed by the State. Widening of the streets has caused groups whether I agree with them or among women with 100,000 many prominent churches to be not. demolished. Recent arrests are members in the British Isles, is based on alleged plots against 10. I will do more than live and let the government. The code for live; I will live and help live. described. U n d e r the title, treason is broad and loose, so "From Fetish. W 0 r s hip to that the greater number of those New Barriers Christ," Col. Ethelbert Grimes tells of fourteen years' work in Rockefeller Foundation is West Africa, where there are finding them. Operating in fifty- 20,000 Salvationists, located in two countries, from Norway to 350 centers. An article on "Mi- the Fiji Islands, the Rockefeller gration and Settlement" reveals Foundation has been encounter- that more than 200,000 persons ing difficulties as it has tried to have been taken from over- spend something over $9,500,000 crowded areas to lands overseas a year in the dissemination of since this department of the knowledge. In some fields where work was started. It is said that they formerly went it is now fewer than 1 per cent have useless to go because the search proved failures.
for truth has been made impos- -The Christian.
sible by local conditions. While the Foundation works without Said the Robin to the Sparrow, 'I regard to political doctrines, should really like to know creeds or sects, it has become Why these anxious human beings harder and harder to follow this rush about and worry so?'
ideal. Says Dr. Raymond B. Said the Sparrow to the Robin, Fosdick: "Objective scholarship 'Friend, I think that it must be is possible only where thought is That they have no heavenly Father free t and fr~edQm ~IHl ~{CJst onl~ such as qare}) for you and w,e.,' "
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information BOOKS ON THE CITY AND THE CITY CHURCH RECOMMENDED BY THE REV. CHARLES H. SEARS, D.D.
Foremost among these books The Crowded Ways. By Charles sions. (Home Missions Council, are those announced by the Mis- Hatch Sears and The City's Church, New York City, 25 cents.) sionary Education Movement of By H. Paul Douglass. Two book'! the United States and Canada, published by the M. E. M. in 1929. City, The. Robert E. Park, Ernest designed particularly for mission W. Burgess and Roderick D. Mcstlldy courses. We list in the The Movement announces Kenzie. Chicago, University of order given by the Movement; manuals to assist in the study Chicago Press, 1925. $2.00. they may be secured from of the major books, guides for Friendship Press, 150 Fifth community and church surveys, Our Cities. Their role in the Nation- Avenue, New York City. and other helpful materials. al Economy. June, 1937. Report of the Urbanism Committee to The The American City and Its Church. It is possible for any group National Resources Committee. The basic study for adults. By Sam- to greatly extend its study of Washington, U. S. Government uel C. Kincheloe, is a careful analy- the city by use of biographies Printing Office, 1937. 50 cents. sis of city environment and adap- and autobiographies such as (Especially useful in this study be- tation of the program of the church "The Story of a Varied Life," cause of its striking maps and to this environment. Both from !:tis by W. S. Rainsford, (Double- charts.) academic and practical approach day, Doran & Company). "Ed- Dr. Kincheloe speaks with author- ward Judson, Interpreter of City Church, The. H. Paul Doug- ity. God," (Judson Press). Dr. H. lass. New York, Friendship Press, Paul Douglass' books remain of 1929. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 25 City Man. By Charles Hatch Sears. permanent value, "The City cents. A new imprint edition, recently Church," "How to Study the published by Harpers. This is a City Church," "1000 City Church City Planning. Charles Hatch study of the intensive form of ur- C h u r c h e s," and particular Sears, editor. Philadelphia, The ban development, the metropolitan church surveys, Springfield and Judson Press, 1928. $1.25. community, with particular empha- St. Louis notable, (Harper & sis upon the eife<:!t of this environ- Brothers) . We call particular Suggestions to Leaders of Study ment upon the city man himself. attention to Dr. Wilbur C. Hal- Classes using "The American City (M. E. M. 75 cents.) lenbeck's study of Church City and Its Church"; by Kenneth D. Societies "Urban Organization Miller. Paper 15 cents. City Shadows. By Robert W. Searle. of Protestantism." Finally, ev- For the senior high school age, ery student of the city should My Community, My Church, and Me I equally valu,able for others, here is secure a copy of "Our Cities, by Wilbur C. Hallenbeck (Study a revealing series of true stories of Their Role in the National Econ- and Action Series). Paper 35 cents. city life. omy," a publication of the Na- tional Resources Committee, for Urban Scene, by Margueritte Har- Street Corners. By Harold B. Hunt- sale by the Superintendent of mon Bro. (A pictorial book for all ing. As a source book for juniors, Documents, Washington, D. C., youth and adult grades.) Paper this is particularly valuable for its at fifty cents a copy. 25 cents. portrayal of the work of churches arid social agencies. OTHER BOOKS ON THE CITY A Course for Young People on the Church in the City, by Owen Geer. All . Around the City. By Esther City Challenges the Church. Ad- Paper 25 cents. Freivogel. For primary children. dresses made at an Interdenomina- A story of how two children from tional Conference on the City A Course for Seniors on the Church the country find friendly places and Church, January 13 and 14, 1937. in the City, by Donald Gordon Stew- friendly faces in the city. Under the auspices of the Commit- art. Paper 25 cents. tee on City and New Americans of City and Church in Transition. By the Home Missions Council and the The City I Would Build, by Emily Murray H. Leiifer, published by Council of Women for Home Mis- Gaither. For intermediates. Paper Willett, Clark & Co. The book is a 35 cents. (A work book for both in- definite outgrowth of the request termediates and their leaders.) made by the Committee on City and New Americans for a study of A Junior Teacher's Guide for study- the medium-sized city. It summa- ing the Church in the City, by Nina rizes results of a four-year study of Millen. For elementary grades. Pa- 140 cities which have a population per 25 cents. of from 50 to 150,000. A Primary Teacher's Guide for Studying the Church in the City, by Esther Freivogel. Paper 25 cents.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[319 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Joe Lives in the City, bv Jeanette tions, substitutions and correc- make a modern village; he in- Perkins Brown. (A picture book tion of the text are not always troduced the bicycle into Borneo for primary children.) Paper 25 easily grasped. Dr. Jeffery of and organized river fleets and cents. Cairo is preparing a critical edi- little holding companies to keep tion of the Koran text, which alive the commercial life of the (Above publications obtainable from when completed will be of great community. At the same time Missionary Education Movement, value to all missionaries to Mos- he was winning them to God, New York.) lems. It will facilitate their task spreading the Gospel of Christ of interpreting the Gospel to farther and farther into the Churching the Small City, by Wil- those who have, in their own Dyak-head-hunter filled jungles. bur C. HaIlenbeck. (A method of sacred book, countless stumbling Finally in 1935 in Sarawak, at study and survey of a smaIler city.) blocks against a' right under- the age of 63 he passed into the Paper 25 cents. Home Missions standing of the Holy Scriptures. greater Glory Beyond, but not Council, New York. 'ttntil he had seen a large part of S. M. ZWEMER. his ambitious plans mature and The Qur'an. By Richard BeIl, B.D., bear fruits. D.D. Volume 1. pp. 343, $6.00. T. Tuan Hoover of Borneo. By Frank & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1937. T. Cartwright; 186 pp. $1.75. Ab- Dr. Cartwright, the Secretary ingdon Press, New York, 1937. of the Methodist Episcopal There is no lack of English Board of Foreign Missions, was translations of the Koran. Those The work of the Christian himself a missionary for eleven by Sale, Palmer, Rodwell are missionary has never been easy, years in China. His personal well known, and each is distin- but even so, unusual difficulties contacts with Hoover left many guished for special points of val- were encountered by Jam e s memories which are brought out ue. In addition, we have had in Matthews Hoover, the stalwart in glowing, moving biography recent years four translations bearer of the Gospel into the that depicts true Christian adby Mohammedans. Nevertheless, steaming jungles of Malaya. venture as well as inspirational this is the first t.t~anslation with achievement. a critical rearrangement of the "Tuan Hoover," a Pennsylcontents of the chapters and it vania village boy, shortly after MARSHALL R. HALL. therefore fills a gap. One cannot the turn of the present century, state more clearly the justifica- heard the call to the foreign Ship East-Ship West. By Elizabeth tion for this piece of scholarly field; he obeyed and spent thirty Miller Lobingier. 87 pp. $1.00 work and its character than by years as a real pioneer mission- Friendship Press, New York. 1937. quoting from the preface: ary of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Blest with an un- This is a children's book with The translation goes frankly on the usually rugged physique and a definite purpose-to train the assumption that the Qur'an was in ability to withstand hardship, he youthful mind in the way of written form when the redactors was the ideal type for the par- peace among nations. In six difstarted their work, whether actuaIly ticular work he was called upon ferent stories, children are told written by Muhammad himself, as I to do. How well he did it, and that nations need not fight when personally believe, or by others at his how enduring are the results he they have disputes to settle. War dictation. This conclusion also has left behind must stand as a is shown to be foolish, and in been forced upon me in the course of monument which all Christians summing up a list of war's evils my work. The translation itself must may well admire. is contrasted with the blessings furnish the proof. If, by the hypoth- of peace. The book deserves a esis that the present form of the Mr. Hoover began his work wide reading among our chil- QUr'an rests upon a careful repro- in Malaya with only a moderate dren, seeing how important it is duction of a confusion of written doc- preparation, but it was soon de- that right ideals should be conuments, that confusion has been in termined that he was the man stantly set before them. any considerable number of passages to take over the difficult task of cleared up, the hypothesis will have carrying the Gospel to the Chi- Little Talks to Little Folks. By C. justified itself. All the possibilities nese immigrants from Foochow A. Puncker. 92 pp. Is. Pickering of confusion in written documents who were settled in Borneo. He & Inglis, London. 1937. have had to be considered-correc- accepted the challenge and went tions, interlinear additions, additions to work among them-on a The author has given chilon the margins, deletions and substi- crocodile-filled river in the ma- dren's talks for over 25 years, tutions, pieces cut off from a passage laria rid den jungle. Here he and the stories in this volume and wrongly placed, passages written found them, miserable, afraid are the ones that seemed to im- on the back of others and then read and alone, overwhelmed with press his small hearers most. continuously, front and back foIlowing home-sickness for their home- Realizing that the only way to each other. It is to this, rather than land. get the children's attention is to to textual defects, or to confusion in interest them, he introduces a Muhammad's own thought and style With all the strength of his va r i e t y of subjects – ants, that the dreary welter of the Qur'an huge body and stout heart he set watches, escalators, and for the so often deplored by Western writers to work. Among the material cur i 0 u s – "bent sunbeams." is due. advantages he brought to them These talks are a practical help were electricity, an ice plant, to those who would lead the Dr. Bell of the Edinburgh lights and other conveniences to "lambs into the fold." University has unraveled many of the puzzles that confront the reader, but he has also left un- solved a still larger number. His translation is accurate but not always literal, as we have in Palmer's translation. The de- vices used to indicate altera-
Book. Cbe. Upper
Church Comity. A Study of Cooper- July, August, Now READY FOR DISTRIBUTION ative Church Extension in Ameri- can Cities. H. Paul Douglass. Se tember The Daily Devotional Guide Garden City, N. Y., DoubledaYi of 1,000,000 People – Issued Doran & Co., for Institute of Socia Quarterly in English, Spanish, and Religious Research, 1929. (Out and Roman Urdu of print.) THE UPPER ROOM is beinq distributed in 25,000 churches. Church in the Changing City. Case representing every evangelical denomination. We have evi- Studies Illustrating Adaptation. dence of thousands of family altars beinq established and New York, George H. Doran Co., daily devotions in the home beinq conducted. with the aid of for Institute of Social and Religious THE UPPER ROOM as a devotional quide. The best help Research, 1927. (Out of print.) available for individual devotions.
Community Survey in Relation to Church Efficiency, The. Charles E. Carroll. New York, Abingdon Press, 1915.
Negro Problems in the Cities. Subscription price, 30 cents per year" postpaid. Pastors may secure ten or Thomas Jackson Woofter, Jr. New more copies on consignment to be paid for, when sold at 5 cents per copy. York, Institute of Social andRe- ligious Research, 1928. (Out of Send all orders to THE UPPER ROOM, Doctors' Bldg., Nashville, Tenn. print.) 1000 City Churches. Phases of Adaptation to Urban Environment. H. Paul Douglass. New York, George H. Doran Co., for Institute of So- Types from City Streets. By Hutch- troduced the pension plan of the cial and Religious Research, 1926. ins, Hapgood, New York, 1910. (Harper & Brothers. $2.50.) • • Presbyterian Church. Redemption of the City. Charles Christian Message in a Non-Chris- Hatch Sears. Philadelphia, The tian World. Hendrik Kraemer. • Griffith & Rowland Press, ,1911. 455 pp. $3.00. Harper Bros. New Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 35 cents. York. 1938. Dr. George B. Winton, missionary, , Social Characteristics of Cities. editor and educator" died March 11, William F. Ogburn. Chicago, Inter- Fun and Festival from India. Rose in Nashville, Tenn., in his 78th year. Wright. 48 pp.' 25 cents. Friend- Soon after entering the ministry of ship Press. New York. the Methodist Church, South, he went to Mexico, where he served as pastor, national City Managers' Associa- president of the theological school in San Luis Potosi, and as editor of tion, 850 E. 58th Street, Chicago, Obituary Not.. E1JQ,ngelista Me:mcana,. From 1926 Ill., 1937. Paper, $1.00. until his death he wrote regularly the (Concluded from 2d cover.) "Watch Tower" column of the No,sh- ~trategy of City Church .Planning. 'ViUe Christian Advocate. Ross W. Sanderson. New York, . . '. a of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. L.Fry and Institute of Social and Religious Rev. Harry *Co.m'p.ton, one of the Research, 1932. (Out of print.) was graduated from Muhlenberg Col- The Shame of Our Cities. By lin- lege in 1916. earliest educational evangelists in coln Steffins. South America, died December 30, in Mr. Cecil Henry Polhill, member Delaware, Ohio. He had been on the of the original "Cambridge Seven," retired list since 1919. He first served died at his, home at Hempstead, Eng- in Chile, then in Montevideo, and land, March 9. Two other members of later was president of Quito CoIIege, .!,mn~ this "Cambridge Seven" are still liv- ing, Sir Montague Beauchamp and D. in Ecuador. • * • E. Hoste of the China Inland Mission. of tbe Mr. Polhill was educated at Eaton Miss Emily L. Peterson, Presby- School and was converted and led to terian missionary in India since 1913, €bri~tian offer his life to Christian service where she was principal of the Girls' through the late Dwight L. Moody. Middle School in Saharanpur, died in He sailed for China in 1885 and served India, March 17,at the age of 58. as a missionary in Shensi, Kansu and Miss Peterson worked in the New Szchwan, where he did effective work York City Mission for five years be- fore going to India. There, in addi- lLift among the Tibetans on the western tion to directing the Indian faculty and aQout 150 students, she spent cA BOOK of worship in song, com- border of China. He retired from many hours visiting in homes, going China in 1902 but continued to give into areas where cholera and small himself and his means to promote the pox were raging in order to bring work of the China Inland Mission. comfort to the suffering; helping in community projects and working for •• • the better .education of women. Rev. Charles Scott Deming, an American Methodist missionary in •• • bining a hymnal for general Mrs. Isabel Edgar McFarland, wife church use, and a song book for evan- of Rev. A. J. McFarland, D.D., passed to the Heaven Home, in February in e;elistic purposes. Oitly songs sOund Latakia, Syria. Here they began their m the faith and inspirationaf in char- work on the Mission Field in 1906, acter included–.emphasizing Evan~el at Mersine, and at Latakia after the war. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland were ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Manchuria and Korea for thirty- among that band of veteran mission- Many of the new—the best of the old. three years, died in a Brookyln hos- aries of the Reformed Presbyterian pital on March 15. For a number of Church. Dr. McFarland is retiring 504 Songs Responsive Readings years he was an officer of the Chris- and returning to America this sum- tian Literature Society of Korea, and mer. Topical Index Gold Embossed Published in round notes and Roxite cloth had translated several theological edition only at $65.00 per lOO-an especially books into Korean. He returned from low price. Single copy, SSc postpaid. Manchuria on furlough last December. Writ<! today f<rr ~etumable sample copy ••• CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. Dr. W. Courtland Robinson, for- mer editor of The Presbytrian, died in 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET HARRISBURG, PA. Delhi, New York, Marc:h 15. I!e w:as chairman of the commIttee whIch In-
LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF
By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the inBuential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character, forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book is now ready for delivery. .
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. From 1850 to 1855. IV. Life in New York, 1840·1844. XIV. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. TenYears of Independent Work. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. The Bombay Guardian. VIII. ftisMissionary Appointment. XVIII. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XIX. Relations with the American Board. X. Beginning Missionary Work. Association with the Methodist Church.
Bowen as a Writer.
Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin.
Closing Testimony. • This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY IS6 Fifth Avenue. New York MORE ABOUT THE MODERN CITY and HOW THE CHURCH CAN MEET ITS PROBLEMS Coming in the July and September Numbers The Church Challenges the City Dwight J. Bradley Looking to the City Tomorrow Charles H. Sears Religious Problems of a Mid-West City L. Merle Rymph What a Downtown Church Can Do The Privileged Helping the Underprivileged Frederick B. Fisher A Charge Rather Than a Retreat Samuel E. West Responsibility for a Whole Community What Does Outdoor Evangelism Accomplish Richard E. Scully WiUiam C. Munds . J. Arthur Springer ORDER COPIES OF THESE NUMBERS FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SOCIETY 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrilburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L PIERSON, Editor